Neither is definitively “smarter” — they’re smart in different ways.

- **Sherlock Holmes**: stronger in observation, forensic reasoning, rapid deduction, and handling unusual physical evidence. He often solves cases by noticing tiny details others miss.
- **Hercule Poirot**: stronger in psychology, social reading, and understanding motives. He solves cases by studying people rather than just clues.

If you mean **raw analytical deduction**, many would pick **Holmes**.
If you mean **understanding human nature and motive**, many would pick **Poirot**.

So the best answer is:
- **Holmes** = better at deduction from evidence
- **Poirot** = better at deduction from people

If you want, I can also compare **who would win in the same mystery case**.
