Makita vs Stihl:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Makita had more branded searches than Stihl among stone saw brands in New Zealand. Makita had about 12,000 branded searches, while Stihl had 10,600. Makita made up 29.4% of all stone saw brand searches we track, and Stihl accounted for 26%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about stone saw brands, Makita appeared in three of the four answers and Stihl in two. Makita was mentioned before Stihl in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Makita, about 13% more searches than Stihl
Who does AI mention more?
Makita, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Stihl in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Makita, named ahead of Stihl in 2 of 3 answers
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Top stone saw brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Makita was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Stihl was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Makita was listed before Stihl in two out of three 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.
- Makita3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Husqvarna3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Stihl2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Rubi2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
DeWalt1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Milwaukee0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about stone saw brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which stone saw brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best stone saw brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best stone saw brand in New Zealand for cutting masonry?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cutting concrete saw”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“stone saw brands”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
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 six stone 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 | Stihl | DeWalt | Husqvarna | Milwaukee | Rubi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.3% | 28.2% | 15.6% | 26.2% | 5.5% | 0.15% |
| Nov 2025 | 21.5% | 31.1% | 18.9% | 22.9% | 5.4% | 0.11% |
| Dec 2025 | 23.9% | 33.2% | 15.4% | 21.9% | 5.4% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.1% | 33.1% | 15.7% | 22.3% | 4.6% | 0.13% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.7% | 31.8% | 16.6% | 22.1% | 5.4% | 0.38% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.7% | 28.6% | 17.9% | 22.7% | 6% | 0.13% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.3% | 28.6% | 17.4% | 22.8% | 5.6% | 0.27% |
| May 2026 | 24.3% | 30.1% | 17.9% | 20.8% | 6.7% | 0.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.3% | 25.6% | 22.2% | 18.4% | 7.3% | 0.16% |
| Jul 2026 | 26.8% | 26.4% | 20.6% | 18.7% | 7.1% | 0.33% |
| Aug 2026 | 27% | 25.4% | 20.3% | 17.6% | 9.6% | 0.08% |
| Sep 2026 | 29.4% | 26% | 19.3% | 17.9% | 7.2% | 0.15% |
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 June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Makita’s share of searches among stone saw brands in New Zealand moved from 24.3% to 29.4%, 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 stone saw brands in New Zealand moved from 28.2% to 26%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.2K to 10.6K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand stone saw brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Makita gained share of searches among stone saw brands in New Zealand, from 27% to 29.4%.
In September 2026, Stihl gained share of searches among stone saw brands in New Zealand, from 25.4% to 26%.
How are branded searches counted?
14 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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