Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Stihl among leaf blower brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 10,400 branded searches, while Stihl had 9,310. Makita made up 20.8% of all leaf blower brand searches we track, and Stihl accounted for 18.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about leaf blower brands, Stihl appeared in all five answers and Makita in four. Stihl was mentioned before Makita in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Makita, about 12% more searches than Stihl
Who does AI mention more?
Stihl, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Stihl, named ahead of Makita in 3 of 5 answers
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Top leaf blower 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 four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Stihl was listed before Makita in three out of five 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.
- Stihl5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Ryobi4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Makita4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Husqvarna2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
DeWalt2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Milwaukee1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ECHO0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about leaf blower brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which leaf blower brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best leaf blower brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best leaf blower brand in New Zealand for a large yard?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best leaf blower”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cordless leaf blower”
Not named in any answer:
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 leaf blower 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 | Ryobi | Makita | Stihl | Husqvarna | DeWalt | Milwaukee | ECHO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 25.3% | 18.4% | 19.8% | 21.3% | 10.5% | 4.5% | 0.25% |
| Nov 2025 | 29.4% | 15.8% | 20.2% | 17.6% | 12.5% | 4.2% | 0.24% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.6% | 17.2% | 21% | 16% | 10% | 4% | 0.26% |
| Jan 2026 | 28.6% | 17.8% | 22.1% | 17.3% | 10.3% | 3.6% | 0.26% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.2% | 18.3% | 23% | 18.1% | 10.8% | 4.5% | 0.23% |
| Mar 2026 | 27% | 18.6% | 20.1% | 17.9% | 11.3% | 4.8% | 0.25% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.8% | 19% | 21% | 18.2% | 11.2% | 4.6% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 21.3% | 19.7% | 24% | 17.6% | 11.4% | 5.8% | 0.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.3% | 20.4% | 20.7% | 15.9% | 14.1% | 6.4% | 0.27% |
| Jul 2026 | 23% | 20.4% | 21.8% | 16.2% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 0.24% |
| Aug 2026 | 24.8% | 19.4% | 20% | 14.6% | 12.8% | 8.2% | 0.26% |
| Sep 2026 | 27.9% | 20.8% | 18.6% | 14.4% | 12% | 5.9% | 0.28% |
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 leaf blower brands in New Zealand moved from 18.4% to 20.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.9K to 10.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stihl’s share of searches among leaf blower brands in New Zealand moved from 19.8% to 18.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.6K to 9.3K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand leaf blower brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Makita overtook Stihl to rank 2nd among leaf blower brands in New Zealand, with 20.8% of the searches.
In September 2026, Stihl lost share of searches among leaf blower brands in New Zealand, from 20% to 18.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
11 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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