Tests 72 · 7 tests Owners 76 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 (snow braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Barum Polaris 6 vs Kleber Krisalp HP3 — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 7 + 23 road tests and 6 + 37 owner reviews. How we score
Krisalp HP3 leads, 77–74 Narrow edge
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Tests 76 · 23 tests Owners 79 · 37 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 31 in 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! (snow braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 5 tests that measured wet braking for both, Polaris 6 won 5 and Krisalp HP3 won 0 (average 91% vs 89% of the best).
- In 5 tests that measured snow braking for both, Polaris 6 won 0 and Krisalp HP3 won 5 (average 97% vs 100% of the best).
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62
Dry
Krisalp HP3 +668Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 14 tests 53 63 Reviews found online 75 77 Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 91% 92% Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 98% 98% Polaris 6: 60% × 53.2 + 40% × 75.3 = 62
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 62.5 + 40% × 76.7 = 68
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81
Wet
Krisalp HP3 +384Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 23 tests 83 85 Reviews found online 78 82 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 83% 97% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 94% 100% Wet Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 5–0 91% 89% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 94% 96% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 95% 95% Polaris 6: 60% × 82.9 + 40% × 78.3 = 81
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 85.1 + 40% × 82.3 = 84
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78
Snow
Krisalp HP3 +886Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 23 tests 81 92 Reviews found online 73 77 Snow Braking (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 0–5 97% 100% Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 97% 100% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 95% 100% Polaris 6: 60% × 81.5 + 40% × 73.4 = 78
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 91.6 + 40% × 77.1 = 86
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72
Comfort
Polaris 6 +567Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 70 50 Reviews found online 73 79 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 89% 84% Polaris 6: 40% × 70.3 + 60% × 72.7 = 72
Krisalp HP3: 40% × 49.5 + 60% × 79.3 = 67
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87
Noise
Polaris 6 +1077Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 14 tests 100 84 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 100% 98% Polaris 6: 60% × 100 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 87
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 84.4 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 77
No owner ratings of noise for Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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69
Treadwear
Krisalp HP3 +473Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 12 tests 64 70 Reviews found online 76 78 Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–1 88% 91% Polaris 6: 60% × 63.7 + 40% × 76.3 = 69
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 77.8 = 73
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76
Handling (owners)
Krisalp HP3 +278Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Reviews found online 76 78 -
85
Efficiency
Polaris 6 +2065Why this score
Source Polaris 6 Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 14 tests 85 65 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 93% 92%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Barum Polaris 6 | Kleber Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 77 |
| Dry | 62 | 68 |
| Wet | 81 | 84 |
| Snow | 78 | 86 |
| Comfort | 72 | 67 |
| Noise | 87 | 77 |
| Treadwear | 69 | 73 |
| Handling (owners) | 76 | 78 |
| Efficiency | 85 | 65 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
74
/ 100
Polaris 6
77
/ 100
Krisalp HP3
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 5 tests that ran both, Barum Polaris 6 finished ahead 3 times and Kleber Krisalp HP3 1 times.
| Discipline | Category | Polaris 6 | Krisalp HP3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 91% | 92% | −1.0 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% | 98% | +0.3 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 83% | 97% | −14.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 94% | 100% | −5.8 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% | 89% | +2.0 | 5–0 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 83% #13/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 90% #19/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 94% | 96% | −1.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 95% | 95% | −0.3 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 96% #4/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 90% #15/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% | 100% | −2.5 | 0–5 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% | 100% | −2.2 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 99% | 99% | +0.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 100% | −5.2 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 89% | 84% | +4.8 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Noise | Noise | 100% | 98% | +2.0 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 58% #13/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 78% #13/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 88% | 91% | −3.0 | 0–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 100% #1/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 98% #15/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 93% | 92% | +1.5 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #1/20 | #13/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 80% | 70% | +9.5 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #10/20 | #5/20 | – | 3–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Polaris 6
Pros
- High affordability and excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Incredible quietness and ride comfort
- Good initial grip on snow and ice compared to all-season tires
Cons
- Noticeable initial wobbly feeling or sidewall flex
- Limited long-term durability data available from early adopters
Tire B Krisalp HP3
Pros
- Excellent traction and reliability in deep and packed snow
- Strong performance in wet conditions and resistance to aquaplaning
- High tread life and durability over multiple seasons
Cons
- Occasional reports of manufacturing defects causing vibrations
- Soft sidewall construction leading to a 'boat-like' or disconnected handling feel
- Increased noise levels developing over time or at specific speeds
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Barum Polaris 6 | B · Kleber Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 92 | 75 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 20″ | 14″ – 20″ |
| Sizes in common | 62 | 62 |
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Barum Polaris 6
77
/ 100
Kleber Krisalp HP3
Narrow edge: Kleber Krisalp HP3 — better snow, dry and treadwear. Pick the Barum Polaris 6 if efficiency, noise and comfort matter most to you.
Pick tire A
You want lower fuel or energy use
Barum Polaris 6 scores 85 vs 65 on efficiency.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Barum Polaris 6 scores 87 vs 77 on noise.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Kleber Krisalp HP3 scores 86 vs 78 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kleber Krisalp HP3 scores 68 vs 62 on dry.
Tire A · Barum Polaris 6
Tire B · Kleber Krisalp HP3
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Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Which is better in the wet, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Kleber Krisalp HP3, 84 vs 81 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Kleber Krisalp HP3, 68 vs 62 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Kleber Krisalp HP3, 86 vs 78 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Barum Polaris 6, 87 vs 77 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Barum Polaris 6, 72 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Kleber Krisalp HP3, 73 vs 69 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Polaris 6 or Krisalp HP3?
Barum Polaris 6, 85 vs 65 on our efficiency score.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology