TopTire Review

    Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    2026 test data · 14 independent tests · 2 head-to-head

    → See full Barum vs Mastersteel brand comparison

    Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2: the full picture

    This comparison is built only from published independent tests — no manufacturer claims and no sponsored reviews. Between them, the Barum Polaris 5 and Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 appear in 14 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 5 performs. It takes the win in wet, dry, snow, ice, noise / comfort, mileage, efficiency. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 90/100, based on 12 tests.

    How the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 performs. It does not lead any single category outright in this matchup. Its overall Tire Lab Score is 79/100, based on 2 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 Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 making it the right pick if that matters most to you.

    Which one should you buy?

    Choose Barum Polaris 5 if

    Overall winner
    • You prioritise wet
    • You prioritise dry
    • You prioritise snow

    Choose Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 if

    • You prefer the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2's brand, sizing or price

    Test profile

    MetricBarum Polaris 5Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2
    SegmentWinterWinter
    TypeWinterWinter
    Tests used122
    Best rank#1#16
    Avg rank13.427.3
    Latest test20242024
    Tire Lab Score89.779.4

    Tire Lab Score

    89.7
    Very Good · Winter
    79.4
    Good · Winter

    Performance overview

    Category-by-category results

    CategoryBarum Polaris 5Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2Winner
    💧Wet
    Avg rank 14.4
    11
    Avg rank 23.0
    Barum Polaris 5
    ☀️Dry
    Avg rank 10.5
    2
    		No data
    Barum Polaris 5
    ❄️Snow
    Avg rank 12.5
    1
    Avg rank 32.5
    Barum Polaris 5
    🧊Ice
    Avg rank 8.5
    		No data
    Barum Polaris 5
    🔇Noise / Comfort
    Avg rank 9.4
    1
    		No data
    Barum Polaris 5
    📏Mileage
    Avg rank 9.0
    		No data
    Barum Polaris 5
    🔋Efficiency
    Avg rank 15.2
    		No data
    Barum Polaris 5

    Tests used in this comparison

    Both tires were measured head-to-head in these 2 independent tests:

    💧 Wet: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 14.4, compared to 23.0 for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    ☀️ Dry: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 10.5, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    ❄️ Snow: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 12.5, compared to 32.5 for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    🧊 Ice: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 8.5, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    🔇 Noise / Comfort: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.4, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    📏 Mileage: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 9.0, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    🔋 Efficiency: Barum Polaris 5 vs Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2

    The Barum Polaris 5 wins this category with an average rank of 15.2, compared to no data for the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    Frequently asked questions

    Which is better in the wet, Barum Polaris 5 or Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2?

    Across independent wet-braking tests, the Barum Polaris 5 ranks higher on average than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    Which has shorter dry braking distance?

    The Barum Polaris 5 averages a better dry-braking rank than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 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 Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    Which tire lasts longer?

    Based on wear and abrasion testing, the Barum Polaris 5 shows better mileage performance than the Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2.

    How many tests were used in this comparison?

    Barum Polaris 5 appears in 12 independent tests, Mastersteel WINTER Plus W2 in 2, with 2 head-to-head tests where both were measured.

    Also compare

    Data aggregated from independent testing organizations including ADAC, Auto Bild, TCS, and Auto Motor und Sport. Read our methodology →