Brandwave

Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Stihl among brush cutter brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 8,100 branded searches, while Stihl had 7,080. Makita made up 52.9% of all brush cutter brand searches we track, and Stihl accounted for 46.2%. 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.

Among brush cutter brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Makita, about 14% more searches than Stihl

Makita 8.1K searchesStihl 7.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Stihl, mentioned in every answer we collected

Stihl in 5 of 5Makita in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Stihl, named ahead of Makita in every answer

Stihl first in 4Makita never first

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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.

  1. Stihl1st
  2. ECHO2nd
  3. Makita3rd
  4. Greenworks4th
  5. Bosch–

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
  • 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
  • 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 in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Makita
    3. 3ECHO

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best brush cutter brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2ECHO
    3. 3Makita

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best brush cutter brand in New Zealand for thick weeds?”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2ECHO

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best brush cutter”

    1. 1Stihl
    2. 2Greenworks

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “brush cutter for weeds”

    1. 1Stihl

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand 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 five brush cutter brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Makita and Stihl among brush cutter brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for Makita, Stihl. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMakitaStihlECHOBoschGreenworks
Oct 202548.2%51%0.66%0.07%0.07%
Nov 202543.5%55.5%0.73%0.13%0.07%
Dec 202543.7%55.4%0.73%0.07%0.07%
Jan 202643.6%55.6%0.59%0.13%0.07%
Feb 202643.4%55.9%0.59%0.07%0.07%
Mar 202648.2%51%0.66%0.07%0.07%
Apr 202647.9%51.4%0.51%0.07%0.07%
May 202643.2%56.1%0.59%0.07%0.07%
Jun 202648%51.5%0.51%0.07%0%
Jul 202647.9%51.4%0.51%0.07%0.07%
Aug 202647.6%51.8%0.5%0.07%0.07%
Sep 202652.9%46.2%0.72%0.07%0.07%

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: Makita took it in September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among brush cutter brands in New Zealand moved from 48.2% to 52.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 8.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among brush cutter brands in New Zealand moved from 51% to 46.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7K to 7.1K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand brush cutter brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Makita overtook Stihl to become the leader among brush cutter brands in New Zealand, with 52.9% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among brush cutter brands in New Zealand, from 51.8% to 46.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 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.

Makita

1 branded search term

  • makita

Stihl

2 branded search terms

  • 500i stihl
  • stihl

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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