Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Stihl among cut off saw brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 12,000 branded searches, while Stihl had 7,080. Makita made up 30.5% of all cut off saw brand searches we track, and Stihl accounted for 18%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about cut off saw brands, Makita appeared in all five answers and Stihl in two. Makita and Stihl were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Makita, about 69% more searches than Stihl
Who does AI mention more?
Makita, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top cut off saw brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Makita appeared in all five answers. Stihl was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Makita and Stihl were each listed first in two of the four answers.
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.
- Makita5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
DeWalt4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Husqvarna2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Stihl2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Hilti2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Milwaukee0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
ECHO0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about cut off saw brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which cut off saw brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best cut off saw brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best cut off saw brand in New Zealand for metal cutting work?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“metal cut off saw”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cutting saw for metal”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 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 seven cut off saw brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Makita, Stihl. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Makita | DeWalt | Husqvarna | Stihl | Milwaukee | Hilti | ECHO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.4% | 16.3% | 27.4% | 18.4% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 0.32% |
| Nov 2025 | 23.2% | 20.4% | 24.6% | 20% | 5.8% | 5.7% | 0.33% |
| Dec 2025 | 25.9% | 16.7% | 23.7% | 23% | 5.9% | 4.4% | 0.38% |
| Jan 2026 | 25.7% | 16.7% | 23.8% | 23.2% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 0.36% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.2% | 17.7% | 23.4% | 22.6% | 5.7% | 5.1% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 25.2% | 18.3% | 23.2% | 18.9% | 6.1% | 7.8% | 0.32% |
| Apr 2026 | 26.1% | 18% | 23.6% | 19.6% | 5.8% | 6.6% | 0.28% |
| May 2026 | 24.9% | 18.4% | 21.4% | 21.9% | 6.9% | 6.1% | 0.36% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.8% | 22.7% | 18.8% | 18.9% | 7.4% | 5.1% | 0.32% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.3% | 21% | 19.1% | 19.8% | 7.2% | 5.3% | 0.28% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.5% | 20.7% | 17.9% | 18.8% | 9.8% | 5% | 0.31% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.5% | 20.1% | 18.7% | 18% | 7.5% | 4.8% | 0.36% |
How has the Makita and Stihl comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Makita was ahead of Stihl in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among cut off saw brands in New Zealand moved from 25.4% to 30.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.7K to 12K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among cut off saw brands in New Zealand moved from 18.4% to 18%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7K to 7.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand cut off saw brands in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Husqvarna overtook Stihl to rank 3rd among cut off saw brands in New Zealand, with 18.7% of the searches.
In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among cut off saw brands in New Zealand, from 27.5% to 30.5%.
In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among cut off saw brands in New Zealand, from 18.8% to 18%.
How are branded searches counted?
7 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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