It depends on what you mean by “smarter.”

- **Sherlock Holmes** is usually portrayed as the superior **forensic and deductive genius**. He notices tiny physical details, reconstructs events from evidence, and often solves cases through observation, chemistry, disguise, and logic.

- **Hercule Poirot** is arguably stronger in **psychology and human motivation**. His “little grey cells” focus on lies, personalities, emotions, and why people behave as they do.

If we’re judging raw deductive brilliance and scientific observation, **Sherlock Holmes** probably wins.  
If we’re judging psychological insight and understanding people, **Hercule Poirot** may be smarter.

Overall: **Holmes is the sharper detective machine; Poirot is the subtler reader of human nature.**
