Brandwave

Milwaukee vs Stihl:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Stihl had more branded searches than Milwaukee among leaf blower brands in New Zealand. Stihl had about 9,310 branded searches, while Milwaukee had 2,950. Stihl made up 18.6% of all leaf blower brand searches we track, and Milwaukee accounted for 5.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about leaf blower brands, Stihl appeared in all five answers and Milwaukee in one. Stihl was mentioned before Milwaukee in every answer.

Among leaf blower brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Stihl, about 3 searches for every 1 for Milwaukee

Stihl 9.3K searchesMilwaukee 3K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Stihl, mentioned in every answer we collected

Stihl in 5 of 5Milwaukee in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Stihl, named ahead of Milwaukee in every answer

Stihl first in 5Milwaukee never first

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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. Milwaukee was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Stihl was listed before Milwaukee in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Stihl1st
  2. Makita2nd
  3. Ryobi3rd
  4. Husqvarna4th
  5. DeWalt5th
  6. Milwaukee6th
  7. ECHO–

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

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 Milwaukee or Stihl more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Milwaukee 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.

Milwaukee and Stihl among leaf blower brands in New Zealand, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRyobiMakitaStihlHusqvarnaDeWaltMilwaukeeECHO
Oct 202525.3%18.4%19.8%21.3%10.5%4.5%0.25%
Nov 202529.4%15.8%20.2%17.6%12.5%4.2%0.24%
Dec 202531.6%17.2%21%16%10%4%0.26%
Jan 202628.6%17.8%22.1%17.3%10.3%3.6%0.26%
Feb 202625.2%18.3%23%18.1%10.8%4.5%0.23%
Mar 202627%18.6%20.1%17.9%11.3%4.8%0.25%
Apr 202625.8%19%21%18.2%11.2%4.6%0.22%
May 202621.3%19.7%24%17.6%11.4%5.8%0.3%
Jun 202622.3%20.4%20.7%15.9%14.1%6.4%0.27%
Jul 202623%20.4%21.8%16.2%12.1%6.2%0.24%
Aug 202624.8%19.4%20%14.6%12.8%8.2%0.26%
Sep 202627.9%20.8%18.6%14.4%12%5.9%0.28%

How has the Milwaukee and Stihl comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Stihl was ahead of Milwaukee in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Milwaukee’s share of searches among leaf blower brands in New Zealand moved from 4.5% to 5.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.2K to 3K.
  • 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?

3 changes
  1. In September 2026, Makita overtook Stihl to rank 2nd among leaf blower brands in New Zealand, with 20.8% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Milwaukee lost share of searches among leaf blower brands in New Zealand, from 8.2% to 5.9%.

  3. 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?

13 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Milwaukee’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.

Milwaukee

5 branded search terms

  • milwaukee tool
  • milwaukee tool bag
  • milwaukee tool box
  • milwaukee tool kit
  • milwaukee tool set

Stihl

8 branded search terms

  • 500i stihl
  • stihl
  • stihl air blower
  • stihl blower
  • stihl brush cutter
  • stihl concrete saw
  • stihl hedge trimmer
  • stihl pole saw

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among leaf blower brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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