Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870: 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 Continental WinterContact TS 870 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 does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 87/100, based on 2 tests.
How the Continental WinterContact TS 870 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, 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 Continental WinterContact TS 870 is the stronger all-round choice, leading in wet and Tire Lab Score. The Barum Polaris 3 making it the right pick if that matters most to you.
Which one should you buy?
- You prefer the Barum Polaris 3's brand, sizing or price
Choose Continental WinterContact TS 870 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise snow
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 3 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Touring Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 2 | 12 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 12.1 | 5.0 |
| Latest test | 2018 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 86.7 | 91.6 |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 3
Continental WinterContact TS 870
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 3 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 16.5 | Avg rank 4.5 137 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 12.0 1 | Avg rank 4.1 45 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 6.0 1 | Avg rank 4.0 647 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| 🧊Ice | No data | Avg rank 3.9 4 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 10.8 1 | Avg rank 6.1 23 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 12.0 | Avg rank 6.0 1 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 17.0 | Avg rank 8.7 | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 4.5, compared to 16.5 for the Barum Polaris 3.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 4.1, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 4.0, compared to 6.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 3.9, compared to no data for the Barum Polaris 3.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 6.1, compared to 10.8 for the Barum Polaris 3.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 3 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 wins this category with an average rank of 8.7, compared to 17.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 3 or Continental WinterContact TS 870?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 3.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 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 Continental WinterContact TS 870 ranks better than the Barum Polaris 3.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 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, Continental WinterContact TS 870 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 →