Winter tyre reviews 2026: results by category

It's no surprise to us that the budget winter tyre, the Minerva Frostrack HP, performs very poorly. Even though it’s cheap, it does not offer good value for money. The Maxxis and Linglong are inexpensive, too, yet deliver more ability, but they fall short of the mid-field tyres – as does the Dunlop, which is a little better but needs to improve, especially in the wet.

Oddly for a winter tyre, the seventh-placed Falken sacrifices snow ability for wet and dry performance, while the Goodyear in sixth gets its priorities right, being at its best in the snow and wet. It’s a great winter tyre and isn’t far off the top five. The Michelin and Bridgestone tie for fourth and are similarly impressive in the same areas. The Hankook delivers in all the right areas and is great to drive, while the Pirelli is mainly outstanding and comes within an ace of matching the remarkable Continental.

Winner: ContinentalWinterContact TS870

Topping the table in all conditions – snow, wet and dry – the Conti wins in this size for the third time. It handles securely in all situations, and is refined and reasonably economical, too. A truly exceptional winter tyre.

Overall scores

Price

Snow braking

Snow traction

Snow handling

Wet braking

Wet handling

Wet cornering

Straight aquaplaning

Curved aquaplaning

Dry braking

Dry handling

Cabin noise

Rolling resistance

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