Winter Tire Buyer’s Guide
The question isn’t if you should buy winter tires, but which winter tires you should buy.
More than snow tires, winter tires are a must-have when the temperature drops. They provide added grip at lower temperatures to keep you safe, whether you’re looking for adding poor-weather traction under acceleration or shorter stopping distances.
If you’re in the market for a new set of winter tires, check out our extensive roundup of some of your options below.
If you’re still not convinced winter tires are a necessity, read up on a few of our advice columns below and then check out our complete Winter Tire Buyer’s Guide.
When Should I Put on My Winter Tires
Achilles Radial Winter 101
Achilles is an Indonesian tire manufacturer that has been around since 1991. Available in size from 13-inches to 19-inches, the Winter 101 is designed to give optimal winter weather performance as well as long tread life.
MSRP: starting from $65.00 per tire
www.achillesradial.com/en/tires/winter/achilles-winter-101-20
Avon Ice Touring
The Ice Touring is an all-around winter tire designed for more remote, harsh winter conditions. Available in 14- to 16-inch sizes, the Ice Touring is available in a lot of popular sizes. MSRP: varies www.avon-tyres.co.uk/car/ice-touring
BFGoodrich Winter Slalom KSI
This is BFGoodrich’s all-around winter tire designed for more extreme conditions. Ice traction and snow traction have been maximized for this tire while still retaining acceptable tread life. MSRP: starting from $109.00 per tire www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-selector/category/winter-tires/winter-slalom-ksi/tire-details
Bridgestone Blizzak WS80
This is one of Bridgestone’s most popular all-around winter tires aimed at drivers of all types of vehicles. It delivers a good balance of winter performance along with long tire life. MSRP: starting from $113.99 per tire www.bridgestonetire.com/tire/blizzak-ws80
Continental ExtremeWinterContact
This is Continental’s most extreme winter performance tire. Extra emphasis has been put on snow and ice performance with this tire that is available in many sizes for 15- to 17-inch wheels. MSRP: starting from $72.00 per tire www.continentaltire.com/www/tires_us_en/themes/car_tires/winter/extreme_winter_en.html
Cooper Tire WM SA2
The WM SA2 is an all-around winter tire designed for passenger cars. Available in sizes ranging from 15- to 18-iches, this tire focuses on durability as well as snow and ice performance. MSRP: starting from $77.00 per tire ca.coopertire.com/Tires/Winter/WM-SA2.aspx
Dunlop SP Winter Maxx
This is Dunlop’s other all-around, all-purpose winter tire. Ranging in sizes for 13-inch wheels all the way up to 19-inches, the Winter Maxx is suitable for most passenger vehicle applications. MSRP: starting from $81.00 per tire www.dunloptires.com/en-US/tires/category/winter-snow#browse
Federal Himalaya Iceo
This is Federal’s latest winter tire designed for use on a variety of passenger cars. It is available in wheel sizes ranging from 13- to 19-inches and is designed specifically to handle snow and ice conditions. MSRP: varies www.federaltire.com/en/products.php?class=Winter
Firestone Winterforce
This is an all-around winter tire available at a low price. It’s studdable and available in wheel sizes ranging from 14- to 18-inches in diameter. MSRP: starting from $64.99 per tire www.firestonetire.com/tires/winterforce/winterforce
General Tire Altimax Artic
General Tire’s winter offering is an all-around tire that can be equipped to many passengers vehicles with sizes ranging from 13-inch wheels all the way up to 17-inch wheels. MSRP: starting from $50.00 per tire www.generaltire.com/tires/winter/altimax-arctic
Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter
Goodyear’s mainstream winter tire, the Ultra Grip is available in sizes ranging from 14- to 19-inch wheels. This tire is designed for optimal snow and ice performance. MSRP: starting from $80.00 per tire www.goodyear.com/en-US/tires/ultra-grip-winter-tire
GT Radial CHAMPIRO WinterPro
The most all-around tire in the Champiro line, the WinterPro is design to offer good snow and ice performance at an attractive price. The tire is available in wheel sizes ranging from 13- to 16-inches in diameter. MSRP: starting from $34.99 per tire www.gtradial-us.com/en/CHAMPIRO_WinterPro.html
Hankook I*Pike RS (W419)
This is Hankook’s new all-around winter tire can be had studded or not. It’s designed for optimal ice traction and good snow performance. MSRP: starting from $69.99 per tire www.hankooktire.com/global/passenger-cars-tires/hankook-winter-i-pike-rs-w419.html
Kumho I’ZEN KW31
This is Kumho’s all-around winter tire designed for passenger cars of a variety of sizes. Available for cars with 13- to 19-inch wheels, the KW31 is tailored towards optimal snow performance. MSRP: varies www.kumhotire.ca/en/tire/category/car/1C81CB8D-8729-448B-94A5-1B6653E60D65
Mastercraft Glacier-Grip II
This studdable winter tire focuses on snow and ice performance as well as dry weather conditions. Available in many sizes for wheels ranging from 14- to 19-inches, the Glacier-Grip II is an value based winter tire. MSRP: starting from $58.99 per tire mastercrafttires.com/Tires/Winter/Glacier-Grip-II.aspx
Michelin X-Ice Xi3
A more premium winter tire, the X-Ice Xi3 is designed to a winter tire that gives consumers the best of everything. Available for wheels ranging from 14- to 19-inches in diameter, the X-Ice costs more but also delivers more. MSRP: starting from $119.00 per tire www.michelinman.com/tire-selector/category/winter/x-ice-xi3/tire-details
Nexen Wingaurd Winspike
The Wingaurd Winspike is the all-around winter tire from Nexen. Available in several sizes, this is a value based winter tire. MSRP: starting from $55.99 per tire www.nexentireusa.com/tires/winter/winguard-winspike
Nokian Nordman 5
The Nordman is the more budget conscious companion to Nokian’s superb, yet expensive Hakkapeliitta line. The Nordman comes in wheel sizes ranging from 13- to 17- inches in diameter. MSRP: varies www.nokiantires.com/winter-tires/nokian-nordman-5/false/
Pirelli Winter Carving Edge
Although many think of Pirelli as only a high-end tire manufacturer, there are more value-orientated products like the Winter Carving Edge. Designed for all-around winter performance, this studdable tire is available in sizes ranging from 14- to 20-inch wheels. MSRP: starting from $76.00 per tire www.pirelli.com/tyres/en-ww/car/find-your-tyres/products-sheet/winter-carving-edge#/overview
Sailun Ice Blazer WSL2
A value based tire, the Sailun WSL2 is the non-studdable companion to the Ice Blazer WST. Available in several sizes for wheels ranging from 13- to 17-inches in diameter, the Ice Blazer series focuses on optional snow and ice performance. MSRP: varies www.gosailun.com/Tires/Ice%20Blazer/VALUE%20PASSENGER%20-%20SUV-%20LT%20STUDLESS/5468
Toyo Observe GSi-5
The GSi-5 is a more premium winter tire. Like the Michelin X-ice, it delivers better performance all-around, but also costs more. The tires are available in a variety of sizes for wheels ranging from 15- to 2-inches in diameter. MSRP: starting from $97.99 per tire toyotires.com/tire/pattern/observe-gsi5-studless-passenger-cuv-suv-winter-tires?cat=12
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow II
The Tiger Paw Ice & Snow is a winter tire that balances snow and ice performance with durability and tire longevity. Available in sizes ranging from 13- to 17-inch wheels, this winter tire is a value based. MSRP: varies www.uniroyaltires.com/tire-selector/category/car-minivan/tiger-paw-ice-snow-ii/tire-details
Vredestein Snowtrac
This is Vredestein’s all-around winter tire. It’s designed to maximize snow traction while still providing good ice and dry weather performance. MSRP: varies www.vredestein.com/car-tyres/winter/snowtrac/info/
Yokohama iceGUARD iG52c
The iG52c is the most widely available tire in the iceGAURD family. Designed to handle snow, ice and slush, this tire comes in a variety of sizes from 14- to 18-inch wheel configurations. MSRP: starting from $63.00 per tire www.yokohamatire.com/tires/detail/iceguard_ig51v