Top 10 Best Winter Tires For Snow & Review In 2022

By David Barlow
Last updated: Nov 17, 2022
Best Winter Tire

Traveling under snowy weather and on icy roads can be hard without the right type of tire. So, finding the best winter tires for your vehicle is a must to secure your own safety.

The slippery roads cause the regular tires on your vehicle to lose traction, making it hard to steer and control your car or van. That explains why you need to switch to winter tires.

What Is Winter Tire?

Winter tires, also known as snow tires, are designed specifically to facilitate your vehicle’s ability to travel on ice and snow under the harsh winter weather.

These tires have way larger gaps in their tread design in comparison to other conventional ones, which aids in increasing the traction between the rubber tires and the slippery roads.

Why You Should Buy A Snow Tire

For most trucks, cars, and SUVs, the default tires are the standard all-season tires. In most conditions, the design of these tires can keep your vehicle moving just fine. If there is a specific designation on the sidewall, they can even carry you across muddy terrain.

Snow tires, on the other hand, feature more flexible and softer tread compounds. They help create greater friction to the road surface even when they get stiffed by cold weather.

Their numerous small grooves or sipes help them dig deep into many different surfaces. This translates to improved handling and braking performance, allowing drivers to enjoy much safer and easier rides even in the harsh winter conditions.

Top 10 Best Winter Tires Review

1. Michelin X-Ice Xi3 Snow

Best For Performance

Michelin X-Ice Xi3
Key Feature
  • Amazing stability and grip on freezing roads
  • Comfortable experience
  • Tire Size14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ and 19″.
    Price Range$56.82 – $235.91
    Ratings
    (6)
    Read Full Review

    The first candidate on our list is the performance-outstanding Michelin X-Ice Xi3, with a snow tires rating registered 98%. It offers features like cross Z sipes, micro-pumps, and FleX-Ice compound that can provide powerful traction and keep you safe while traveling through extreme winter conditions.

    These sipes and pumps provide greater friction against slippery surfaces enabling you to handle your vehicles much more effectively, resulting in better braking performance. This can be very important for snowy days when there is limited and obscure vision.

    Moreover, the contact patch’s unique shape helps maximize and extend its tread life. You can potentially use these products for multiple winter seasons, helping you somewhat to save money.

    With a 10.5-inch tread depth and the capacity to carry heavy loads of up to 1279 pounds, you can easily maneuver your cars, minivans, or small trucks.

    When it comes to ice traction in corners, these tires may fall short, forcing drivers to slow down more when taking a turn.

    Pros
    • Powerful grip and high traction
    • Includes 3-year roadside assistance and Free towing up to 150 miles
    • Sustainable production
    • Fashionable design
    Cons
    • Lack of ice traction

    2. Continental VikingContact 7

    Best For Big Cars

    Continental VikingContact 7
    Key Feature
  • High Acceleration On Snow
  • Outstanding Ice, Wet, And Dry Traction
  • Tire Size15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″ and 20″.
    Price Range$90.00 – $204.00
    Ratings
    (4)
    Read Full Review

    Owners of bigger vehicles, like SUVs and light trucks, tend to struggle with the same problem: braking or maneuvering on slippery roads is significantly difficult.

    Understanding this issue, Continental brings you the VikingContact 7 with a studless design, perfect for people looking to enhance their vehicle during the wintertime.

    The products provide excellent traction under extreme weather with neatly designed treads, which helps improve the braking plus handling of all the different types of cars and light trucks.

    These top-rated snow tires are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, which means they meet the severe snow service requirements of the industry.

    One thing to keep in mind is that Continental offers no warranty on tread wear, which is a minus for this brand.

    Pros
    • Optimized void ratio for confident tracking and high-speed control
    • Enhances wet performance and braking
    • Greater grip from biting edges
    • Long-lasting (up to 10 years)
    Cons
    • No treadwear warranty policy

    3. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

    Best For Efficiency

    Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
    Key Feature
  • High straight aquaplaning resistance.
  • Good rolling resistance.
  • Good dry performance.
  • Tire Size18″, 19″, 20″ and 21″.
    Price Range$208.37 – $712.67
    RatingsNo review yet
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    Not only does this Michelin product have a sustainable manufacturing process of using quality recycled rubber, but it also has a design that enables the reduction of fuel consumption. 

    They have stiffer sidewalls which reduce the amount of heat generated by the tire. Less unwanted heat from friction will result in less energy spending and more fuel efficiency, which is quite economical and helpful in combating the climate crisis.

    Another feature that greatly contributes to lower fuel utilization is the capacity of 2469 pounds, allowing you to carry way heavier loads with just one drive.

    Unfortunately, they are fairly costly, so they might not be the most suitable option for those on a tight budget.

    Pros
    • Complementary to the aesthetic of your vehicle
    • Improved snow, wet, and dry grip
    • Stiffer sidewalls for reducing heat generation
    • Great for environment
    Cons
    • A bit on the pricier side

    4. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Winter & Snow Tire

    Best Budget Value

    Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
    Key Feature
  • Excellent snow traction and braking on ice.
  • Tire Size14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ and 19″.
    Price Range$98.11 to $231.56
    RatingsNo review yet
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    This Bridgestone one is a low-budget yet powerful choice for you to consider. These tires come with very decent grips with a great tread depth of 11/32 inches, creating impressive traction on ice that ensures good handling and braking performance.

    They are compatible with both cars and minivans due to the dimensions of 26.3 × 8.9 × 26.3 inches, making them a flexible product that you can use on many vehicles. It would be difficult to find this much value and flexibility at such an affordable cost.

    The drawback is that they only have a 5-year warranty policy, which can be a deal breaker for those who value this factor.

    Pros
    • Suitable for both cars and minivans
    • Reliable handling thanks to tread depth of 11/32 inches
    • Confident stopping power on snow and ice
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Not suitable for rocky terrain
    • Short warranty period

    5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR

    Best For Overall

    Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    Key Feature
  • Good wet performance
  • Relatively good on the dry
  • Relatively good ice braking and traction.
  • Tire Size14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ and 19″.
    Price Range$117.46 to $242.44
    RatingsNo review yet
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    The Pirelli FR is at the top of our snow tires rating list, featuring outstanding features. Made of a special heat-resistant compound, this product aids in saving energy efficiency, minimizing fuel consumption, and lowering negative environmental impact.

    The grip on most surfaces and snow retention are greatly improved thanks to the directed tread pattern design and the density of high sipes in the central area. Hence, the tires can keep you secure when driving through wet and icy surfaces.

    The 3D Sipe Technology helps the tread blocks stay stable at high speed, up to 130 mph. Due to the stable rubber shoulders, this tire will also have enhanced performance on drier roads.

    Despite the many great features mentioned above, they are not quite resilient and durable under warmer weather.

    Pros
    • Sleek, modern design
    • Compatible with luxury vehicles
    • Durable heat-resistant compound
    • Lifetime warranty policy
    Cons
    • Difficulties in changing the tire

    6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

    Best For Comfort

    Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
    Key Feature
  • Good wet braking and handling.
  • Tire Size14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ and 19″.
    Price Range$107.00 to $472.00
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 is well known as the snow tire line in terms of comfort. Its non-studded design lessens the contact between the tire and ground surfaces, offering smooth travels on irregular surfaces with sharp edges preventing flat tires and bumpy rides.

    With tread depth of 10/32 inches, the tires allow for relentless grips and facilitate controlled driving, making the journey more precise and enjoyable.

    A comfortable ride also stems from a good size coverage in rims from 16 to 21 inches. The items come with an XL marking, which denotes the best size and fit for multiple car models.

    One turn-off point is the R speed rating, meaning they can only go 106 mph under optimal conditions. This is relatively slow compared to the other suggestions on this list, which may frustrate high-speed fans.

    Pros
    • Tough and sharp grip edges inside the rubber
    • XL marking for best size and fit
    • Offers greener drives
    • High load capacity of 1709 pounds
    Cons
    • Only reaches full capability under harsh winter weather

    7. Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c Winter Tire

    Best For Breaking Ice

    Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c
    Key Feature
  • Wonderful traction in snow and ice.
  • AmaGood snow performance.ze in treadwear.
  • Tire Size13″, 14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ and 19″.
    Price Range$59.03 to $211.91
    Ratings
    (6)
    Read Full Review

    The feature that undoubtedly makes this product is the circumferential power grooves. It helps chew up the ice and spit it out to keep the rubber in contact with the road.

    An extra-wide center rib with large controlling blocks in the treads gives these iG52c tires powerful grips onto the icy road underneath, enhancing sudden braking capability.

    The item comes with more biting edges, which provides improved traction regardless of road conditions, as well as a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers. As one of the best snow tires, their price is quite high. Plus, with dimensions of 25 × 25 × 12 inches, they are not suitable for big vehicles such as heavy-duty trucks.

    Pros
    • Enhanced stability when driving in all conditions
    • Smooth and comfortable rides
    • Extended tread longevity (up to 6 years)
    • Biting edges for better traction
    Cons
    • Not fit for bigger vehicles

    8. Michelin X-Ice Snow Winter Tire

    Best For Deep Snow

    Michelin X-Ice Snow Winter
    Key Feature
  • Ultimate Snow & Ice Confidence
  • Long Lasting Winter Tread
  • Great Fuel Efficiency
  • Tire Size14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″ and 19″.
    Price Range$102.99 to $413.99
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    What makes these tires ideal on packed snow are the increased void ratio and V-shaped tread pattern. These characteristics increase hydroplaning resistance while also improving snow, slush, and wet evacuation.

    The interlocking 3D sipes running laterally across the center zone enhance stopping and starting power, preventing your car from getting stuck on ice patches or in deep snow. 

    One improvement that can make this product better is increasing the ice traction when turning a corner so that your car can perform smoother turns.

    Pros
    • Available in different versions for SUVs and pickup trucks
    • Less susceptible to curb damage
    • High resistance to hydroplaning
    • Optimal stopping and starting power
    Cons
    • No treadlife warranty

    9. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 Winter Tire

    Best For Extra Load

    Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
    Key Feature
  • Good dry performance.
  • High comfort.
  • Tire Size14″, 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″ and 22″.
    Price Range
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    With Bridgestone LM005, you won’t need to worry about moving heavier loads in cold winters anymore, all thanks to its powerful studless construction, which can enable a weight capacity of up to 3062.2 pounds.

    The revolutionary Nano-selective Material Mixing Technology enhances silica dispersion and overall load resistance throughout the season. Also, the zig-zag grooves allow for superior channeling of water away from the surface of the tire, resulting in better grips onto the road.

    Warranty regarding materials and workmanship will include a 5-year prorated until 2/32 inches remaining depth. This shorter warranty compared to other brands is one downside of these tires.

    Pros
    • Good braking and traction on icy roads
    • Available in many selectable sizes
    • Saving fuel consumption and driving time
    • Excellent weight capacity of 3062.2 pounds
    Cons
    • Short warranty period

    10. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance Tire

    Best For Various Surface Conditions

    Goodyear UltraGrip Performance
    Key Feature
  • High straight aquaplaning resistance.
  • Good dry performance.
  • Tire Size15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″, 21″ and 22″.
    Price Range‎$77.55 to $90.87
    RatingsNo review yet
    Read Full Review

    An asymmetric design allows for a superb water evacuation feature that is optimal for driving conditions of both wet and dry roads. Treadlife also benefits from this design with increased durability no matter the season.

    They are long-lasting and durable tires, thanks to Goodyear’s tread rubber compound. They can give optimized and extended uses for all seasons, especially in the winter, since this compound helps the tires stay soft well below 42°F. 

    These tires are quite big, however. You might find it difficult to store them in a spare tire trunk and have a harder time changing these tires.

    Pros
    • Extended uses for all seasons
    • Reduced noise
    • Decent traction on wet road conditions
    • Suitable for light trucks, SUVs, and crossovers
    Cons
    • Dry cornering grip
    • Treadwear

    FAQs

    What Is The Best Type Of Tire For Snow And Ice?

    Well, winter tires, no surprises there. Snow tires are typically made of materials such as silica, which is more pliable at frigid temperatures. The tires’ tread stays in close contact with the road surface, resulting in improved grip and safer driving.

    Do You Need Winter Tires With AWD?

    In moderate snow, you can usually get by with your all-wheel drives (AWDs) with all-season tires. However, this would be a disastrous combo on slippery surfaces.

    You should have winter tires for your AWD if you’re driving in icy conditions or during a blizzard, or else your car will slip and slide on the snowy roads since its tires do not have enough tread.

    What Is The Lifespan Of Winter Tires?

    Winter tires can last somewhere between four to six winter seasons. Nonetheless, depending on the quality of maintenance and care they receive, the time can be prolonged or shortened.

    Conclusion

    In short, knowing which tires are the best winter tire is critical because they assist you in traveling more effectively and safely through the snowy terrain of winter.

    Suppose you are still confused; Pirelli Ice Zero FR Winter Tire is our top pick considering its superiority in tread depth, load capacity, and speed rating.

    David Barlow

    Automotive Experts at World Tire Review

    Hi everyone, I’m David (Tireguy). I believe that finding tires can lead to a lot of confusion and frustration for almost every driver. That’s why I would like to bring my experiences and knowledges to develop World Tire Review blog, it will give people a deeper understanding of what choosing the right tire is really like!