I'd use a regular query (yours with proper bindings), eloquent is a shortcut that at run time has to convert to normal sql. Here are some decent post on that:
https://laracasts.com/discuss/channels/guides/getpdo-usage
https://laracasts.com/discuss/channels/eloquent/writing-all-queries-directly-vs-model-relations
https://laracasts.com/discuss/channels/laravel/sql-native-to-query-builder
https://laracasts.com/discuss/channels/laravel/coverting-ms-access-queries-to-laravel-query-builder
https://laracasts.com/discuss/channels/general-discussion/sql-injection-2
https://www.yiiframework.com/wiki/2541/when-to-use-active-record
Eloquent has all QB methods also. Also see how a query was done here, it will guide you in the right direction
https://laracasts.com/discuss/channels/eloquent/orderby-computed-related-attribute