Why did the Waffen SS perform much better than their army counterparts?

Answer 1

The Waffen SS were simply fanatical politically brainwashed hand picked elite shock troops.

The Waffen SS were never part of the regular German Army (Wehrmacht). The Waffen SS were carefully selected Nazi fanatics (Waffen SS also had 'tattooed' numbers on their arms which was a standard practice in Nazi Germany) and received elite fanatical training, whether it was to fight or administer the death camps.

Because the Waffen SS were elite, they received better training and better equipment to do their jobs.

Answer 2

I would say they matched their counterparts in the Werhmact/Luftwaffe, in particular the Panzer Lehr, Herman Goerring and Gross Deutchland divisions. Also, it was not always true that they got the best equipment and resources. In the beginning, they did probably get the best men in terms of fanatacism, training, etc., but in the closing years, they were conscripting the dregs, including foreign volunteersl, therefore at the end, they were not the elite as most people claim. The 'flower' of the Waffen SS fell at Kursk and meatgrinder of the Normandy campaign....

Answer 3

Esprit de Corps
Better equipment
Better Men