Best Winter Tyres for Your Car in 2024/25

Overview:

• Best premium winter tyre – WinterContact TS870

• Best mid-range winter tyre – Hankook i*Cept RS3

• Best budget winter tyre – Royal Black Royal Winter

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When temperatures plummet in the UK and snow blankets the roads, we’re almost always unprepared. Having a set of winter tyres can help change that, but it isn’t always easy deciding which ones to buy – especially if you’ve got a modest budget.

This guide to the best winter tyres goes beyond the usual suspects – namely Continental and Bridgestone – to find excellent tyres at every price range, from premium to budget.

Click here to read about whether winter tyres are worth it, including pros and cons.

Contents:

How are winter tyres tested?

Our methodology

Best premium winter tyres

Best mid-range winter tyres

Best budget winter tyres

Buy a set of winter tyres

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How are winter tyres tested?

Find out more about the methods used to test the performance of tyres in numerous areas.

Wet

Wet weather testing can be done in a few different ways.

One example involves driving a vehicle in a circle at multiple speeds through a puddle, the depth of which is known. The car’s speed when it becomes unstable is known as the hydroplaning speed.

Another method tests straight-line deep water ability by accelerating in a straight line with one wheel in water and the other on dry ground. The speed is measured when the wheel in water is spinning 15% more than the one in the dry.

Snow

Artificially iced tracks are often used by manufacturers to test performance on snow and ice. Brake, traction and grip are all measured at slow speeds, and tyres are ranked accordingly.

For braking, the distance taken to slow down from one speed to another is measured, while traction tests record the time taken to accelerate between those speeds.

Dry

The same braking and traction tests described above are applied on dry ground. The test vehicle may have to brake from a particular speed to a standstill with the ABS activated, and the distance between these two points is measured.

Fuel economy

You may be wondering how on earth you can measure a tyre’s fuel efficiency, and the answer is simple: rolling resistance. This term is defined as the energy a tyre uses over a specified distance – it is one of the forces that must be overcome for forward movement, along with aerodynamics, gravity, mechanical friction and inertia.

A tyre’s rolling resistance can be worked out by rotating the drum and measuring the resistance the tyre exerts on the drum’s rotation. It is measured in kilograms per tonne.

Noise

The test vehicle is driven on various road surfaces, and the average noise level is measured.

Our methodology

At FixMyCar, we don’t conduct our own tyre tests. Instead, we compare results from tests run by reputable publications like Auto Express while factoring driver reviews into the equation. 

That’s the important part – when you buy a set of tyres, you don’t just want to be told they’re good based on tests; you want the reassurance that other drivers, like you, have tried and loved them.

Best premium winter tyres

Here are our top premium winter tyres. Read this guide if you’re not sure whether premium tyres are worth it.

Continental WinterContact TS870

The WinterContact TS870 has generated a lot of hype – and rightly so. As you’d expect from a brand like Continental, it’s packed with innovative features that ensure every winter drive is a pleasure.

You can read our review of Continental tyres here.

Features

• Triple Sipe Concept for reliable control and minimal braking distances.

• Cool Chili Compound for optimised wet braking. 

• Hydro Grooves to reduce the risk of aquaplaning.

• Performance Resins and a Flexible Polymer Matrix, delivering high mileage and low fuel consumption.

Ratings

Fuel, grip and noise ratings for this tyre. Some variations between sizes exist, but the results below are the most common.

• Fuel – C

• Wet grip – B

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

After securing impressive scores across the board in the Auto Express 2024 Winter Tyre Test – including 100% in snow braking, snow traction and wet braking – the WinterContact TS870 took the top spot and earned the title of best winter tyre. 

Auto Bild has also awarded the WinterContact TS870 an “exemplary” rating. It dominated the ADAC Winter Tyre Test 2024, earning top place.

At the time of writing, the WinterContact TS 870 has 4.5 stars on Tyre Seeker based on 13 reviews. Its wider sibling, the TS 870 P, has a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 based on five reviews.

Why you should buy it

The Continental WinterContact TS 870 is one of the quietest winter tyres on the market and certainly one of the best to drive. It offers strong performance in snowy conditions, maintaining good traction and topping almost every winter tyre leaderboard.

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

Goodyear’s UltraGrip Performance 3 was launched in 2022, and its debut has undoubtedly caused a stir, shooting to almost the top of every winter tyre recommendation list. As you’d expect from Goodyear, wet weather performance is this tyre’s strong suit.

Read our Goodyear tyres review for more information about the brand.

Features

• SoundComfort Technology for minimal road noise.

• Rim protection layers to prevent curb damage.

• High sipe density ensures enhanced braking and handling.

• Shoulder grooves improve grip on soft and thick snow.

Ratings

• Fuel – D

• Wet grip – C

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

The UltraGrip Performance 3 took second place in the Auto Express 2024 Winter Tyre Test, earning excellent scores of 99.1% for snow traction, 99.9% for snow handling, and 99.9% for curved aquaplaning. Overall, it scored 99.6%.

Auto Bild gave the tyre an “exemplary” rating, putting it in second place, offering „winter talent without fault” and „convincingly good mileage”.

At the time of writing, the Ultra Grip Performance 3 has a 4.5-star rating on Tyre Seeker based on two reviews; on Auto Express, it is rated 4.4 stars out of 5.

Why you should buy it

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 has short braking distances and feels safe on snow, with stable cornering. It’s a versatile tyre capable of adapting to the challenges of winter.

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is a winter touring tyre that’s most at home on snow, where it excels in tests. It has good mileage and performs well in the wet, though its dry braking could be better.

Read this Pirelli tyres review to find out more about the brand.

Features

• Multiactive 4D sipes deliver improved braking safety.

• Winter gear design for treads, ensuring mobility on snow and reliable traction.

• Water escape accelerator reduces the risk of aquaplaning.

Ratings

• Fuel – B-D

• Wet grip – B/C

• Noise – A

Performance and awards

Pirelli’s Cinturato Winter 2 tyre came fourth in the Auto Express 2024 Winter Tyre Test after a tyre by mid-range rival Hankook. It performed best in wet and dry handling, where it was the fastest tyre, and it was fourth in snow handling.

Overall, the Cinturato Winter 2 scored 98.6%, with 99.6% for dry handling, 99.5% for wet handling, and 97.3% for wet circle. In 2022, it was named Best Winter Tyre by two prestigious publications – Auto Bild and Tyre Seeker – and was classified as “recommended” by Tyre Reviews.

At the time of writing, the Cinturato Winter 2 has only received two reviews on Tyre Seeker, resulting in an overall rating of 5 stars.

Why you should buy it

The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 provides good mileage with reliable wet and dry braking performance.

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Best mid range winter tyres

Here are our top mid-range winter tyres.

Hankook i*cept RS3

Despite Hankook being classed as a mid-range tyre brand, the i*cept RS3 can compete with the best of them. It has good grip and control when there’s ice on the road and is reliable in the wet, too.

Read our review of Hankook tyres to learn more about the brand.

Features

• Reversed V-shaped semi-grooves improve traction on snowy roads.

• Micro edge sipes increase the tyre’s contact with the road, delivering better traction.

• Aqua pine compound made of high loading silica provides improved wet performance.

• Water pipe kerf placed in the shoulder ejects water from the main groove, leading to better grip.

Ratings

• Fuel – D

• Wet grip – B

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

The Hankook i*cept RS3 proved its mettle in the Auto Express 2024 Winter Tyre Test, earning third place and beating premium rival Michelin. The results showed it was comfortable in the snow, with strong grip and traction. It also had table-topping performances in both aquaplaning tests.

The i*cept RS3 won an iF Design Award in 2022. On Blackcircles.com, drivers have awarded it with a score of 4.3 stars out of 5 based on 241 reviews at the time of writing.

Why you should buy it

Hankook has created a well-balanced winter tyre in the i*cept RS3, capable of handling the wet British weather and maintaining a reliable grip. For a winter tyre, it isn’t too expensive, either, coming in at around the £90 mark.

Uniroyal WinterExpert

Uniroyal is known for making exceptional wet weather tyres, and the WinterExpert is no different. It offers balanced performance and excellent grip no matter the road conditions.

Our Uniroyal tyres review covers everything you need to know about the brand.

Features

• Shark Skin Technology provides outstanding handling performance on wet roads.

• Unique 3D zig-zag groove structure for great snow traction.

• Innovative silica compound for reduced energy loss.

• EV compatible.

Ratings

• Fuel – C/D

• Wet grip – C

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

Tyre tests performed by Auto Bild in 2024 showed the WinterExpert to be a solid mid-range winter tyre offering decent performance in the wet, good value, and low rolling resistance. Overall, it came in joint 9th place. The main area for improvement was the tyre’s slightly extended wet braking distance.

On Tyre Seeker, drivers have awarded the WinterExpert a rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 based on six reviews (at the time of writing). Its highest scores are 100% for dry grip and ice/snow grip.

Why you should buy it

The WinterExpert is a great choice for drivers on the hunt for a good winter tyre that won’t break the bank.

Nankang SV-3

The SV-3 is an affordable tyre designed for optimal handling in winter weather conditions.

Features

• Directional pattern design and lateral grooves from the center rib to the tire shoulder improve water drainage.

• The irregular longitudinal groove pattern (from narrow to wide) reduces road noise.

• Saw-tooth shape lateral grooves on shoulder enhance traction for cornering stability.

Ratings

• Fuel – D

• Wet grip – C

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

Blackcircles.com selected the SV-3 as the best budget winter tyre for 2025 based on positive driver feedback. It has a rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 from 274 reviews at the time of writing and scores 4.3 out of 5 for value.

Why you should buy it

The SV-3 is the culmination of everything Nankang has learnt from its previous winter tyres, building on earlier success. It’s an affordable option with decent performance for the price.

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Best budget winter tyres

This is our pick of the best budget winter tyres. Not sure about buying budget? This guide discusses whether budget tyres are worth it.

Minerva Frostrack HP

The Minerva Frostrack HP is an affordable and well-reviewed winter touring tyre for passenger cars.

Features

• Asymmetric tread pattern optimised for safety and handling in wet and dry conditions.

• Efficient sipes to remove water and slush, reducing the risk of aquaplaning.

Ratings

• Fuel – D

• Wet grip – C

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

The Frostrack HP has a rating of 4 stars out of 5 on Tyre Seeker based on 13 reviews. Drivers often remark on how comfortable the tyre is and its value for money. At around the £50 mark, it is one of the cheapest winter tyres in this guide.

Why you should buy it

The Minerva Frostrack HP is one of the most affordable winter tyres on the market. Its performance isn’t as impressive as its mid-range and premium rivals, but it offers great value.

Royal Black Royal Winter

The Royal Winter tyre by Royal Black is a solid budget choice, providing a quiet and comfortable ride. It is priced similarly to the Frostrack HP, appealing to money-conscious drivers.

Features

• Enhanced silica compound for better traction on snow and ice.

• Micro-bumps on tread blocks to improve grip.

• Central rib design with empty pitches for enhanced traction.

• Specialised tread sipes to maintain maximum contact with the road.

Ratings

• Fuel – D

• Wet grip – C/D

• Noise – B

Performance and awards

On Tyre Seeker, drivers have given the Royal Winter 4.2 stars out of 5 based on 32 reviews at the time of writing. Its highest scores are 77% for value, 74% for buy again and 73% for comfort. Like the Avon WV7, its performance in snowy and icy conditions isn’t as strong, which is usual for budget tyres.

The Royal Winter has not won any awards.

Buy a set of winter tyres

Ready to buy a set of winter tyres? FixMyCar is here to help, providing the best brands and a network of mobile and garage fitters at your fingertips.

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• Goodyear tyres review

• Pirelli tyres review

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• Continental tyres review

• Avon tyres review

• Bridgestone tyres review

• Hankook tyres review

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