Fulda Kristall Control HP2 vs Uniroyal WinterExpert
- TR Score
- 7.2/10
- Owners say
- 70% · 12
- TR Score
- 7.8/10
- Owners say
- 76% · 7
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Uniroyal WinterExpert finished ahead 7 times and the Kristall Control HP2 once, with one level. The Kristall Control HP2 lasted 14.2% longer in the wear tests; the WinterExpert had 13.9% lower rolling resistance.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Buy the Uniroyal WinterExpert. It won seven of the nine shared tests, brakes shorter in the wet in seven of nine measurements, sweeps wet handling and rolls easier. The Fulda Kristall Control HP2 is the choice only if aquaplaning resistance and ice braking outrank wet stopping distance for you.
Where the Kristall Control HP2 is stronger
- Better curved aquaplaning in all four measurements, 2.55 against 2.32 m/sec2
- Shorter ice braking in both measurements
- Longer life in three of five wear measurements and rated more comfortable
Where the WinterExpert is stronger
- Won seven of the nine shared tests, 5th of 52 against 18th in the 2025 braking test
- Shorter wet braking in seven of nine measurements, by 7.6 percent twice
- Clean sweep of wet handling and lower rolling resistance in all three measurements
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Kristall Control HP2 vs WinterExpert at a glance
| Category | Kristall Control HP2 | Gap | WinterExpert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won9 shared tests | 1 | 1 level | 7 |
| Dry8 measurements | 4 | Level between the two. | 4 |
| Wet27 measurements | 12 | The WinterExpert stopped 5% shorter in the wet (9 tests) | 15 |
| Snow20 measurements | 9 | Level between the two. | 9 |
| Ice2 measurements | 2 | The Kristall Control HP2 stopped 3.5% shorter on ice (2 tests) | 0 |
| Comfort6 measurements | 1 | The WinterExpert was 1.3 dB quieter (5 tests) | 4 |
| Value12 measurements | 4 | The WinterExpert had 13.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests) | 5 |
| Tyre Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.2/10 | The WinterExpert by 0.6 | 7.8/10 |
| Owner rating12 and 7 reviews | 70% | The WinterExpert by 6 points | 76% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 58% | The WinterExpert by 13 points | 71% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The WinterExpert was dearer in 3 of 5 | +1.1% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 41 | 32 sizes made in both | 90 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tyres; a tick marks the tyre ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 9 tests, 2022 to 2025
Each row is one published test in which both tyres ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Kristall Control HP2 | Field | WinterExpert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | P18 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tyre Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P18 of 51 | P5 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | P13 of 31 | P11 of 31 | |
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P18 of 20 | P9 of 20 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | P20 of 55 | P7 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | P9 of 16 | P14 of 16 | |
| 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test | P23 of 54 | P11 of 54 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | P19 of 20 | P19 of 20 | |
| 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | P18 of 56 | P17 of 56 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 9 shared tests, each tyre shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Kristall Control HP2
WinterExpert
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 36 m stop against 34.2 m is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. 2 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Kristall Control HP2
WinterExpert
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Kristall Control HP2
WinterExpert
Point at or tap any spoke for both tyres' figures.
Owners rate the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12 reviews and the WinterExpert 76% from 7. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tyres posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Kristall Control HP2 | Gap | WinterExpert | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.9 | 1.3% | 45.32 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 115 | 0.1% | 115.2 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.7 | 5% | 42.51 | 2-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 41.05 | 1.9% | 40.3 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 73.43 | 1.8% | 74.74 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2.9 | 11.5% | 2.6 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.82 | 2.8% | 12.46 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 77.82 | 1.1% | 77 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.19 | 13% | 2.87 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 24.21 | 0.1% | 24.27 | 2-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1,613 | 1.2% | 1,595 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.07 | 0.2% | 57.1 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3.31 | 3.4% | 3.21 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 18.5 | 3.5% | 19.2 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 19.4% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.3 | 1.3 dB | 71 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47,759 | 14.2% | 42,835 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.67 | 13.9% | 7.47 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | = | 5.7 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67 | 13.9% | 79.5 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tyres shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kristall Control HP2 scores 7.2 and the WinterExpert 7.8 out of 10.
| Kristall Control HP2 | Category | WinterExpert | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Dry | 35 | ||
| 59 | Wet | 70 | ||
| 11 | Comfort | 40 | ||
| 74 | Value | 69 | ||
| 70 | Snow | 65 | ||
| 46 | Ice | 19 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tyres of the same season and class: 90 means this tyre out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Kristall Control HP2 | Category | WinterExpert | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Dry Grip | 8.3 | ||
| 7 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | 7.3 | ||
| 6.9 | Handling | 7.4 | ||
| 7.3 | Wear | 7.8 | ||
| 7.4 | Comfort | 7.4 | ||
| 6.1 | Snow Grip | 7.2 | ||
| 4.1 | Ice Grip | 6 | ||
Owners rate the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12 reviews and the WinterExpert 76% from 7. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Fulda Kristall Control HP2
- 70%from 12 reviews
- 58%would buy again
- 446,800 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally report the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 as a strong value winter tyre, with many high-scoring reviews praising confident wet-road grip, safe/predictable handling, good snow traction, and a quiet, comfortable ride. Several owners also find it competitive with more premium brands for everyday winter driving. A recurring concern is that performance can deteriorate noticeably with age as the compound hardens, leading to reduced wet/ice/snow grip after a few seasons/years for some users.
- Strong wet grip and stability
- Good snow traction and winter safety
- Predictable handling and secure steering feel
- Quiet and comfortable ride
- Grip can drop significantly as the tyre ages/hardens over multiple seasons
Summarised by AI from 11 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 12 Kristall Control HP2 reviewsOverall good, but really nothing stands out about this tyre. Reasonable wear, very good in dry, confident in wet, average in snow.
Reasonably quiet and comfortable.
Great buy at around EUR 83 for 205 60 16.
Uniroyal WinterExpert
- 76%from 7 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 59,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally report the Uniroyal WinterExpert performs strongly in wet conditions, with confident rain performance and good grip on wet and dry roads. Snow capability is usually described as good, though one reviewer felt it lagged behind a previous winter tyre on snow/ice and questioned value for money. A recurring downside is higher noise typical of winter tyres, while fuel economy and predictable, responsive handling are noted positives.
- strong wet grip and rain performance (hydroplaning resistance)
- good overall grip on dry and wet roads
- capable winter performance for normal/calm driving (including snow)
- predictable/controlled handling and responsive steering feel
- tends to be noisier than expected, especially at low-speed maneuvers
Summarised by AI from 6 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tyre page.
All 7 WinterExpert reviewsTires that I had before was Hankook winter I-cept 2 much beter tires than this uniroyal when it comes to snow and ice driving, driving comfort are about the same, driving on wet roads uniroyal is realy good, beter than hankook, handling is ok and noise level beter than advertised. overall I will not spend that kind of money on uniroyal anymore.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tyre: 41 sizes of the Kristall Control HP2 and 90 of the WinterExpert, 32 of them made in both.
| Category | Kristall Control HP2 | WinterExpert |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 41 sizes, 15 to 19 inch | 90 sizes, 13 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 32 sizes 195/50 R15195/55 R15195/65 R15205/65 R15195/50 R16195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16and 20 more | |
| EU label wet grip | C83%B15%D2% | C79%B21% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C74%D20%B6% | C64%D30%B6% |
| EU label noise | 70-73 dB B100% | 71-73 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 54 of 54 | 121 of 121 |
| On the market since | 2021 | 2021 |
| Replaced | Fulda Kristall Control HP (2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The WinterExpert was the dearer tyre in 3 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 1.1% on average. Each test priced the tyres in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Nine shared tests, seven wins for the Uniroyal WinterExpert, one for the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 and one dead heat, both 19th of 22 at Auto Bild in 2022. The Uniroyal's margins are wide: 8th of 22 against 18th at Auto Bild in 2025, 5th of 52 against 18th in the 2025 braking test, 9th of 23 against 18th in 2024, 7th of 55 against 20th in the 2024 braking test and 11th of 54 against 23rd in 2023.
Wet braking is the reason. The Uniroyal stopped shorter in seven of nine measurements, 53.3m against 57.7m at Auto Bild in 2025, 7.6 percent, and 34.1m against 36.9m in the braking test, also 7.6 percent. It also won all three wet handling comparisons, rolled with less resistance in all three measurements and was quieter in all four.
The Fulda answers in standing water. It resisted straight aquaplaning better in four of five measurements and curved aquaplaning in all four, and it stopped shorter on ice in both measurements.
Conclusion
The Uniroyal WinterExpert is the stronger tyre, winning seven of the nine shared tests with one draw. The gaps are consistently large: 8th of 22 against the Fulda Kristall Control HP2's 18th at Auto Bild in 2025, 5th of 52 against 18th in the 2025 braking test, 9th of 23 against 18th at Auto Bild in 2024, 7th of 55 against 20th in the 2024 braking test, 11th of 54 against 23rd in 2023, 11th of 31 against 13th at ADAC in 2025 and 17th of 57 against 18th in the 2022 market overview. Wet braking drives it, shorter in seven of nine measurements and by 7.6 percent in both 2025 tests, and it also swept wet handling, three to nil, took three of four wet circle runs, rolled with less resistance in all three measurements, 8.09 against 8.9 kg/t, and was quieter in all four noise measurements. Snow braking went its way too, five of seven.
The Fulda Kristall Control HP2 defends itself in standing water and on ice. It resisted straight aquaplaning better in four of five measurements and curved aquaplaning in all four, 2.55 against 2.32 m/sec2 at Auto Bild in 2025, and it stopped shorter on ice in both measurements. It also pulled harder in three of five snow traction runs, won two of three snow handling comparisons and two of three snow slaloms, lasted longer in three of five wear measurements, 56,900km against 53,000km at ADAC, and Auto Bild's panel rated it more comfortable, 8 points against 6.7. Its one test win came at ADAC in 2023, 9th of 16 against 14th.
The shape is familiar from other comparisons in this family: the Fulda is good in deep snow and standing water, but it gives away wet braking, and that is the number that decides most winter tests and most winter accidents. Buy the Uniroyal.
Kristall Control HP2 vs WinterExpert: your questions
Is the Fulda Kristall Control HP2 or the Uniroyal WinterExpert the better tyre?
In the 9 independent tests that ran both tyres, the Uniroyal WinterExpert finished ahead 7 times and the Kristall Control HP2 once, with one level. On the Tyre Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Kristall Control HP2 scores 7.2 and the WinterExpert 7.8 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Kristall Control HP2 or the WinterExpert?
The WinterExpert led 15 of the 27 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5% shorter in the wet across 9 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
Across the shared tests the dry measurements are split 4-4 between the Kristall Control HP2 and the WinterExpert.
Which is better in snow?
Across the shared tests the snow measurements are split 9-9 between the Kristall Control HP2 and the WinterExpert.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Kristall Control HP2 lasted 14.2% longer in the wear tests (5 tests) and shed 13.9% less rubber in the abrasion test (2 tests); the WinterExpert had 13.9% lower rolling resistance (3 tests). Owners rate wear 7.3/10 for the Kristall Control HP2 and 7.8/10 for the WinterExpert.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The WinterExpert was 1.3 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.4/10 for the Kristall Control HP2 and 7.4/10 for the WinterExpert.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Kristall Control HP2 70% from 12 reviews and the WinterExpert 76% from 7. 58% of Kristall Control HP2 owners would buy it again, against 71% for the WinterExpert.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the WinterExpert was the dearer tyre in 3 of them, by 1.1% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Kristall Control HP2 is made in 41 sizes (15 to 19 inch) and the WinterExpert in 90 (13 to 20 inch). 32 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Kristall Control HP2 is graded C for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the WinterExpert C and C.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tyre wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tyres ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tyres can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.
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