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 4.5). 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 Tiffen Variable ND is the USA-made pick — Hollywood industry-standard brand for cinema.
Premium build. Brass mount. Warm cast at max.
USA-made. Least color cast at minimum. Soft at extremes.
| Spec | B+W Vario ND XS-Pro | Tiffen Variable ND |
|---|---|---|
| Glass | Schott | — |
| Mount | Brass | — |
| Coating | MRC nano | — |
| Brand | B+W | Tiffen |
| Origin | — | USA |
| Color | — | Lowest cast at minimum |
| Type | — | Variable |