A winter tyre uses a softer compound and a siped tread to grip in cold, snow and ice where summer rubber goes hard and slithery. Few UK drivers fit them, but in snowy, hilly or northern areas they transform a car, and the leaders come straight from the rigorous European tests.
The current test picture
Drawing on ADAC's 2024/25 and 2025 winter tests, AutoBild 2024/25 and the Auto Express 2025 winter test:
- Continental WinterContact TS 870: winner of ADAC and AutoBild 2024/25 in the common 205/55 R16 size, a balanced, safe all-rounder with strong snow braking
- Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3: winner of ADAC's big 2025 test in 225/40 R18 and runner-up in Auto Express 2025, an excellent all-rounder with strong wear
- Michelin Alpin (6 and the newer 7), a long-standing pick for tread life across seasons
- Bridgestone Blizzak 6: strong snow and wet with efficient rolling resistance
- Hankook Winter i*cept, a standout for value, with good mileage and efficiency
Picking between them
The two test winners cover most needs: the Continental in the popular smaller sizes, the Goodyear strong across the range and on wear. For longevity the Michelin earns its place; for value the Hankook does. Brand context sits under Continental, Goodyear, Michelin and Hankook.
Winter or all-season
Most UK drivers do not face enough snow to justify a seasonal swap, and an all-season tyre covers the occasional cold spell. True winter tyres are for those who regularly meet snow and ice, the call weighed under whether the UK needs winter tyres. The category background is under winter tyres.
From the reviews desk: if you're in the Highlands, the Pennines or anywhere that actually gets snow, proper winter tyres are night and day, and the Continental and Goodyear are the ones cleaning up in the tests. For everyone in the milder bits of the country, I'd honestly point you at a good all-season instead.
Sources and accuracy. Picks here are drawn from the ADAC, AutoBild and Auto Express 2024/25 winter tests, paraphrased from the published tests. Ranges and results change yearly and vary by size, so read the current, dated test in your size. If anything here looks wrong, get in touch and we will check it and put it right.
Common questions
What is the best winter tyre?+
Across the 2024/25 tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 won ADAC and AutoBild in the common 205/55 R16 size, while the Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 won ADAC's larger 225/40 R18 test and was runner-up in Auto Express 2025. Both are top-tier all-rounders; the right one depends on your size and priorities.
Do I need winter tyres in the UK?+
For most of the UK, an all-season tyre covers the occasional cold snap. Dedicated winter tyres make sense if you regularly face snow, ice or sustained sub-7C temperatures, where they grip far better than summer or all-season rubber. In hilly, rural or northern areas they can be the difference between moving and not.
Which winter tyre lasts longest?+
Michelin's Alpin range has a long reputation for tread life, retaining usable depth across seasons. The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 also showed strong durability in independent testing. As with any tyre, wear depends on driving style, pressures and alignment.
When should I fit winter tyres?+
Winter tyres work best once temperatures drop consistently below about 7C, typically from late October to March in the UK. Fitting them as a set of four keeps the car balanced, and swapping back in spring protects the softer winter compound from wearing fast in warm weather.