Winter roads can make driving difficult due to unpredictable weather conditions with ice, snow, and freezing temperatures. The right winter tires define the capabilities of your vehicle, directly influencing its handling, traction, and braking. This section highlights the best winter tires which, after internal testing, have provided the best performance in snow driving.
Best Winter Tires
The best-performing winter tires according to our tests are: Michelin X-ice Snow, Pirelli ICE Zero FR, Nokian Hakappelitta R5, Yokohama IceGuard IG53, and Continental Viking Contact 7. These products were subjected to ice handling, snow traction, comfort, and wet/dry handling tests and achieved maximum scores compared to other winter models.
Michelin X-Ice Snow: The Best Winter Tire
✅ Key Features:
- Long tread life with EverGrip technology
- Higher resistance to aquaplaning compared to its predecessors
- Improved fuel efficiency compared to competitors
- Strong grip on ice and packed snow
Why Choose Michelin X-Ice Snow
The X-Ice Snow demonstrates excellent road stability and long-lasting service life. The product is better than its predecessors in aquaplaning conditions due to the increased void ratio and V-shaped tread pattern. The X-Ice Snow delivers superior traction on ice, slush, and snow, is 3PMSF-certified, and grips outstandingly due to enhanced silica compound.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5: Best Tire For Ice
✅ Key Features:
- Double Block Grip design offers superior grip and handling
- Best-in-class ice performance due to Arctic Grip Crystals
- Superior quietness with Silent Touch tread design
- Green Trace compound for winter grip and low rolling resistance
Why Choose Hakkapeliitta R5
The Hakkapeliitta R5 is a tire that combines a series of technologies to deliver superior winter grip, eco-friendliness, and quietness. The product performs confidently on icy surfaces thanks to Arctic Grip crystals that work like built-in studs. The Hakkapeliitta R5 is a great option, especially for hybrids and EVs. it performs predictably on all winter variations, including bare, icy, snowy, or wet roads.
Continental VikingContact 7: Best Winter Tires For Dry Roads
✅ Key Features:
- Nordic Compound for superior snow and ice grip
- Pattern design with strong drainage capabilities
- 3D Trapez Sipes for agile braking
- EV, combustion, and hybrid engines- compatible
Why Choose Continental VikingContact 7
The VikingContact 7 is a winter tire with superior braking and snow traction capabilities. The product features a powerful tread design that removes slush and snow through drainage technologies while providing steering precision simultaneously. VikingContact 7 delivers stability and full control in challenging winter conditions through effective snow edges and thick sipes, ensuring confident winter driving.
Pirelli Ice Zero FR: Best Snow Tire
✅ Key Features:
- A great choice for Nordic winter conditions
- Multiactive 3D sipes to keep tread blocks stable
- Variable tension control system to promote better traction and braking
- Run-flat technology available
Why Choose Pirelli Ice Zero FR
The Ice Zero tire is a studless solution for city/medium cars, premium sedans, and SUV drivers in Nordic winter conditions. It offers dependable control and stability, wrapped in high comfort ratings. The tire's directional pattern ensures grip on various winter surfaces, especially snow and ice. The tread central blocks and high sipe density increase snow retention and ensure a high handling degree.
Best Budget Winter Tire: Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
✅ Key Features:
- Triple 3D sipes for enhanced stability and traction
- Zigzag circumferential and micro diagonal grooves for better snow/ice grip
- Absorptive tread compound to remove water film from the ice surface
- Low-heat generating under-tread compound to reduce rolling resistance
Why Choose Yokohama IceGuard iG53
The IceGuard iG53 tire is a studless solution with multiple technologies to ensure confident snow traction and dependable control on ice. The product is designed for optimal contact area while the advanced tread design provides hundreds of biting edges for traction and stability. The tread absorptive compound ensures grip on ice while the double-layer rubber provides stiffness and optimizes fuel efficiency.
Which Winter Tires Are the Best?
| Model/Rating | Overall | Snow Handling | Ice Handling | Wet Handling | Dry Handling | Comfort |
| Michelin X-Ice Snow | 9.8 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.5 |
| Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 | 9.7 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| Continental VikingContact 7 | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10.0 | 9.5 |
| Pirelli Ice Zero FR | 9.5 | 10.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 10.0 | 9.5 |
| Yokohama IceGUARD IG53 | 8.8 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 10.0 |
Winter Tires: FAQs
When To Put On Winter Tires?
Switch to winter tires when temperatures fall below 46 °F (7 °C). Winter tires should be mounted even in the absence of snow as winter tire tread is specifically designed to perform in cold weather at low temperatures (with or without snow).
Are Winter Tires Really Necessary?
Yes, winter tires are necessary when temperatures stay below 46 °F. Winter tires are specially designed to ensure higher grip, traction, and handling in cold, snowy, and icy driving conditions. Their tread pattern bites through snow and ice better than other tire types while their rubber compound remains flexible at low temperatures, unlike all-season tires.
What is the Point of Winter Tires?
The point of winter tires is to ensure superior control, grip, and traction in snow, ice, and cold weather. Winter tires are meant to provide better grip due to the flexible rubber compound that stays soft in freezing conditions, unlike all-season tires. Winter tires' deep treads, biting edges, and special grooves help channel slush, bite through snow/ice, and improve handling and braking.
Do You Need 2 or 4 Winter Tires?
It is highly recommended to opt for four winter tires for safety reasons. Combining winter ties with other types on the same vehicle can lead to uneven traction, longer braking, oversteer/understeer risks, and potential damage to AWD systems. A complete set of winter tires ensures optimal performance and traction in extreme winter conditions.
Ready To Find Your Winter Tire?
Winter tires are the key element ensuring maximum control on icy and snowy roads. Explore our winter tire catalog whether you are looking for top-tier traction, durability, or the best value for your budget. Contact us if you get stuck in the multitude of available options. Our expert assistants will guide you to find the best matching winter tire. Drive safe and choose your tires wisely!
