Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Stihl had more branded searches than Makita among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand. Stihl had about 10,600 branded searches, while Makita had 8,100. Stihl made up 33% of all hedge cutter brand searches we track, and Makita accounted for 25.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about hedge cutter brands, both Makita and Stihl appeared in all five answers. Stihl was mentioned before Makita in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Stihl, about 31% more searches than Makita
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Stihl, named ahead of Makita in every answer
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Top hedge cutter brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Makita and Stihl showed up in all five answers. 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.
See every answer about hedge cutter brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which hedge cutter brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best hedge cutter brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best hedge cutter brand in New Zealand for garden trimming?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hedge trimmer nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“electric hedge cutter”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 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 four hedge cutter brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Stihl, Makita. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Stihl | Ryobi | Makita | DeWalt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38% | 25.2% | 22.5% | 14.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.2% | 29.7% | 17.4% | 15.8% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.1% | 32% | 18.7% | 12.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 39.4% | 27.4% | 20.3% | 12.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.6% | 24.4% | 21.2% | 13.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.6% | 27.9% | 21.7% | 14.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.2% | 25.3% | 22.9% | 14.6% |
| May 2026 | 41.9% | 20.3% | 22.8% | 14.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 35.4% | 21.7% | 23.9% | 19.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.7% | 21.7% | 25.1% | 16.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 34.7% | 24.6% | 23.2% | 17.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 33% | 26.4% | 25.2% | 15.5% |
How has the Makita and Stihl comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Stihl was ahead of Makita in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand moved from 22.5% to 25.2%, 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 hedge cutter brands in New Zealand moved from 38% to 33%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.2K to 10.6K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand hedge cutter brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, from 23.2% to 25.2%.
In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among hedge cutter brands in New Zealand, from 34.7% to 33%.
How are branded searches counted?
10 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.
Other head-to-heads among hedge cutter brands
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