Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Makita and Stihl were level in searches among brush cutter brands worldwide, with an estimated 823K branded searches each, at 22.2% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about brush cutter brands, Stihl appeared in all five answers and Makita in two. Stihl was mentioned before Makita in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Makita and Stihl are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Stihl, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Stihl, named ahead of Makita in every answer
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Top brush cutter brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Stihl appeared in all five answers. Makita was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Stihl was listed before Makita in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Stihl5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Husqvarna4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ECHO3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Makita2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Greenworks1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
DeWalt0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Craftsman0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Bosch0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about brush cutter brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which brush cutter brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best brush cutter brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best brush cutter brand for garden clearing?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best brush cutter”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“grass cutter machine”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Makita or Stihl more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Makita and Stihl by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight brush cutter brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Makita, Stihl. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Husqvarna | Makita | Stihl | DeWalt | Craftsman | Greenworks | ECHO | Bosch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.6% | 28.6% | 19.3% | 15.8% | 5.8% | 1.7% | 0.06% | 0.02% |
| Nov 2025 | 23.9% | 29.1% | 19.6% | 19.6% | 5.9% | 1.8% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 21.4% | 26% | 21.4% | 21.4% | 7.8% | 1.9% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 27.1% | 22.3% | 22.3% | 18.2% | 8.1% | 2% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 26.7% | 21.9% | 21.9% | 17.9% | 9.8% | 1.6% | 0.04% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 27.5% | 22.5% | 22.5% | 15.2% | 10.1% | 2% | 0.12% | 0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.5% | 18.4% | 22.3% | 15% | 8.2% | 2.5% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 33.3% | 18.3% | 22.2% | 14.9% | 8.2% | 3% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.9% | 19.5% | 23.7% | 15.9% | 8.7% | 3.2% | 0.09% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 28.3% | 19.1% | 23.3% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 3.1% | 0.1% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 26.3% | 21.6% | 21.6% | 17.7% | 9.7% | 2.9% | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.9% | 22.2% | 22.2% | 18.1% | 8.1% | 2.4% | 0.08% | 0.02% |
How has the Makita and Stihl comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Stihl took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among brush cutter brands worldwide moved from 28.6% to 22.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 823K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among brush cutter brands worldwide moved from 19.3% to 22.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
How did search popularity change for brush cutter brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among brush cutter brands worldwide, from 21.6% to 22.2%.
In September 2026, Stihl gained share of searches among brush cutter brands worldwide, from 21.6% to 22.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Makita’s and Stihl’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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