Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5: the full picture
This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Barum Polaris 3 and Barum Polaris 5 appear in 14 tests, though they have not yet met head-to-head in the same test. Head-to-head results carry the most weight here, because surface, weather and test car all change between events and make raw numbers from different tests hard to compare directly.
How the Barum Polaris 3 performs. It takes the win in snow. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 87/100, based on 2 tests.
How the Barum Polaris 5 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 tests.
What this means for you. Category wins matter more than the overall score when your driving is weighted toward one condition — a wet-climate commuter should follow the wet braking column, while a high-mileage driver should follow wear and rolling resistance. Also check that both tires are actually offered in your size and load rating: performance can shift between sizes, and availability differs between the European and North American markets.
Verdict
The Barum Polaris 5 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Barum Polaris 3 still wins on snow, making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prioritise snow
Choose Barum Polaris 5 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise ice
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 3 | Barum Polaris 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 2 | 12 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 12.1 | 13.4 |
| Latest test | 2018 | 2024 |
| Tire Lab Score | 86.7 | 89.7 |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 3
Barum Polaris 5
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 3 | Barum Polaris 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 16.5 | Avg rank 14.4 11 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 12.0 1 | Avg rank 10.5 2 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 6.0 1 | Avg rank 12.5 1 | Barum Polaris 3 |
| 🧊Ice | No data | Avg rank 8.5 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 10.8 1 | Avg rank 9.4 1 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 12.0 | Avg rank 9.0 | Barum Polaris 5 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 17.0 | Avg rank 15.2 | Barum Polaris 5 |
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 14.4, compared to 16.5 for the Barum Polaris 3.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 10.5, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 3 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 12.5 for the Barum Polaris 5.
🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.5, compared to no data for the Barum Polaris 3.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.4, compared to 10.8 for the Barum Polaris 3.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.0, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 3 vs Barum Polaris 5
The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 15.2, compared to 17.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 3 or Barum Polaris 5?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Barum Polaris 5 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 3.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Barum Polaris 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Barum Polaris 3 across the tests where both appeared.
Which tire is quieter and more comfortable?
On combined noise and comfort metrics, the Barum Polaris 5 ranks better than the Barum Polaris 3.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Barum Polaris 5 shows better mileage performance than the Barum Polaris 3.
How many tests were used in this comparison?
Barum Polaris 3 appears in 2 independent tests, Barum Polaris 5 in 12.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →