Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 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 Dunlop Winter Sport 5 appear in 28 tests, 2 of which put both tires on the same track on the same day. 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 Dunlop Winter Sport 5 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 92/100, based on 26 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 Dunlop Winter Sport 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 Dunlop Winter Sport 5 if
- You prioritise wet
- You prioritise dry
- You prioritise ice
Test profile
| Metric | Barum Polaris 3 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Segment | Winter | Performance Winter |
| Type | Winter | Winter |
| Tests used | 2 | 26 |
| Best rank | #1 | #1 |
| Avg rank | 12.1 | 8.6 |
| Latest test | 2018 | 2025 |
| Tire Lab Score | 86.7 | 91.6 |
Tire Lab Score
Barum Polaris 3
Dunlop Winter Sport 5
Performance overview
Category-by-category results
| Category | Barum Polaris 3 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💧Wet | Avg rank 16.5 | Avg rank 8.0 244 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
| ☀️Dry | Avg rank 12.0 1 | Avg rank 10.1 1 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
| ❄️Snow | Avg rank 6.0 1 | Avg rank 6.3 1334 | Barum Polaris 3 |
| 🧊Ice | No data | Avg rank 7.4 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
| 🔇Noise / Comfort | Avg rank 10.8 1 | Avg rank 8.3 543 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
| 📏Mileage | Avg rank 12.0 | Avg rank 8.0 14 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
| 🔋Efficiency | Avg rank 17.0 | Avg rank 11.2 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
Tests used in this comparison
Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 2 independent tests:
💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.0, compared to 16.5 for the Barum Polaris 3.
☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 10.1, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Barum Polaris 3 wins this category with an average rank of 6.0, compared to 6.3 for the Dunlop Winter Sport 5.
🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 7.4, compared to no data for the Barum Polaris 3.
🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.3, compared to 10.8 for the Barum Polaris 3.
📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.0, compared to 12.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 3 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 wins this category with an average rank of 11.2, compared to 17.0 for the Barum Polaris 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 3 or Dunlop Winter Sport 5?
Across independent wet-braking tests, the Dunlop Winter Sport 5 ranks higher on average than the Barum Polaris 3.
Which has shorter dry braking distance?
The Dunlop Winter Sport 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 Dunlop Winter Sport 5 ranks better than the Barum Polaris 3.
Which tire lasts longer?
Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Dunlop Winter Sport 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, Dunlop Winter Sport 5 in 26, with 2 head-to-head tests where both were measured.
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Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →