Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.
B+W Vario ND XS-Pro comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.7 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about professional landscape + video shooters wanting premium glass — read the strengths below before deciding.
The B+W Vario ND XS-Pro is the best-overall pick — premium Schott glass with brass mount.
The Quartzline is the cinema pick — PolarPro's fused-quartz ND set for serious video.
Premium build. Brass mount. Warm cast at max.
Most premium. Fused quartz. Cinema-precise stops.
| Spec | B+W Vario ND XS-Pro | PolarPro Quartzline ND Filter Set |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Schott | Fused quartz |
| Mount | Brass | Brass |
| Coating | MRC nano | — |
| Brand | B+W | PolarPro |
| Stops | — | 2/4/8/16 |