Tests 78 · 5 tests Owners 81 · 6 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus 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 5 + 23 road tests and 6 + 37 owner reviews. How we score
WinterCraft WP52 plus leads, 79–77 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 3 tests that measured wet braking for both, WinterCraft WP52 plus won 3 and Krisalp HP3 won 0 (average 91% vs 88% of the best).
- In 3 tests that measured snow braking for both, WinterCraft WP52 plus won 0 and Krisalp HP3 won 3 (average 97% vs 100% of the best).
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82
Dry
WinterCraft WP52 plus +1468Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 14 tests 82 63 Reviews found online 83 77 Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 98% 92% Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 99% 98% WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 81.7 + 40% × 83.2 = 82
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 62.5 + 40% × 76.7 = 68
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88
Wet
WinterCraft WP52 plus +484Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 23 tests 90 85 Reviews found online 87 82 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 86% 97% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 97% 100% Wet Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 3–0 91% 88% Wet Circle (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 96% 96% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 97% 95% WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 89.5 + 40% × 86.5 = 88
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 85.1 + 40% × 82.3 = 84
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76
Snow
Krisalp HP3 +1086Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 23 tests 75 92 Reviews found online 79 77 Snow Braking (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–3 97% 100% Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 99% 100% Snow Slalom (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 98% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 95% 100% WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 74.7 + 40% × 78.8 = 76
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 91.6 + 40% × 77.1 = 86
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77
Comfort
WinterCraft WP52 plus +1067Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 74 50 Reviews found online 79 79 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–0 91% 84% WinterCraft WP52 plus: 40% × 73.6 + 60% × 78.9 = 77
Krisalp HP3: 40% × 49.5 + 60% × 79.3 = 67
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62
Noise
Krisalp HP3 +1577Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 14 tests 59 84 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 98% 98% WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 59 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 62
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 84.4 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 77
No owner ratings of noise for WinterCraft WP52 plus 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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74
Treadwear
WinterCraft WP52 plus +173Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 12 tests 74 70 Reviews found online 75 78 Wear (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 88% 91% WinterCraft WP52 plus: 60% × 73.5 + 40% × 75.4 = 74
Krisalp HP3: 60% × 69.9 + 40% × 77.8 = 73
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83
Handling (owners)
WinterCraft WP52 plus +578Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Reviews found online 83 78 -
64
Efficiency
Krisalp HP3 +165Why this score
Source WinterCraft WP52 plus Krisalp HP3 Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 14 tests 64 65 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 93% 92%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus | Kleber Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 79 | 77 |
| Dry | 82 | 68 |
| Wet | 88 | 84 |
| Snow | 76 | 86 |
| Comfort | 77 | 67 |
| Noise | 62 | 77 |
| Treadwear | 74 | 73 |
| Handling (owners) | 83 | 78 |
| Efficiency | 64 | 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
79
/ 100
WinterCraft WP52 plus
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 3 tests that ran both, Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus finished ahead 1 times and Kleber Krisalp HP3 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | WinterCraft WP52 plus | Krisalp HP3 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 92% | +5.5 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 98% | +0.8 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 86% | 97% | −10.5 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 97% | 100% | −2.9 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 91% | 88% | +3.6 | 3–0 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 95% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 90% #19/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 96% | 96% | +0.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 95% | +1.2 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 90% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 90% #15/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 97% | 100% | −3.2 | 0–3 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 100% | −0.6 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 98% | 99% | −1.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 100% | −4.6 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 91% | 84% | +7.2 | 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 98% | +0.5 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 66% #11/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 78% #13/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 88% | 91% | −2.4 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 95% #14/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 98% #15/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 93% | 92% | +1.2 | 2–0 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 | #8/20 | #13/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test · 225/40 R18 |
| Value | Cost | 77% | 70% | +7.1 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 245/45 R19 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #8/20 | #5/20 | – | 1–2 in 3 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 WinterCraft WP52 plus
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry grip performance rivaling premium tier competitors
- High level of ride comfort and compliance compared to factory run-flats
- Remarkably low road noise, often quieter than summer tires
Cons
- Not recommended for extreme winter conditions where alternative budget brands like Barum might be better suited
- Slightly less brand prestige compared to tier-one European or Japanese manufacturers
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 · Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus | B · Kleber Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | — | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 75 |
| Rim diameters | — | 14″ – 20″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
79
/ 100
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus
77
/ 100
Kleber Krisalp HP3
Narrow edge: Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus — better dry, comfort and wet. Pick the Kleber Krisalp HP3 if noise and snow matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Kleber Krisalp HP3 scores 77 vs 62 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus scores 82 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus scores 77 vs 67 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Kleber Krisalp HP3 scores 86 vs 76 on snow.
Tire A · Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus
Tire B · Kleber Krisalp HP3
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WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Which is better in the wet, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 88 vs 84 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 82 vs 68 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Kleber Krisalp HP3, 86 vs 76 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Kleber Krisalp HP3, 77 vs 62 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Kumho WinterCraft WP52 plus, 77 vs 67 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Neither, by our numbers: 74 vs 73 on the treadwear score, within 3 points.
Which rolls more easily, WinterCraft WP52 plus or Krisalp HP3?
Neither, by our numbers: 64 vs 65 on the efficiency score, within 3 points.
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