The Continental WinterContact TS870 once again proves its dominance, claiming victory for the third consecutive year and setting an exceptional benchmark for winter tire performance. It excels across nearly every discipline, delivering the best combination of grip, comfort, and efficiency. On snow, while braking distances are slightly longer than the top performer, it compensates with superb traction, fast lap times, and unmatched handling precision that make it the most capable on the snow circuit. In the wet, it is nothing short of outstanding — the fastest tire around both the wet handling and circle tracks, with impeccable traction, confidence-inspiring stability, and effortless control even in deep water. Dry performance is equally refined, taking first place in braking and maintaining strong stability through corners. The TS870 also delivers class-leading refinement, recording the lowest cabin noise and ranking among the most fuel-efficient tires tested. With its perfect balance of control, comfort, and confidence in all conditions, the Continental WinterContact TS870 stands as the definitive benchmark for modern winter tires.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 secures second place with a remarkably balanced performance, proving itself as one of the most complete winter tires on the market. Excelling across all conditions, it dominates in the snow — delivering best-in-class traction and braking, paired with precise, progressive handling that inspires driver confidence. On the wet track, it is outstanding once again, leading every major category, including wet braking, straight and curved aquaplaning, and maintaining superb control and stability throughout. The tire’s crisp steering response and quick recovery from slides make it particularly rewarding to drive in slippery conditions. In the dry, the UltraGrip remains composed and predictable, ranking among the leaders for braking and stability, with a refined and reassuring driving character. Its efficiency and noise levels are solid, rounding off a tire that impresses not just with outright grip, but with the consistency and confidence it delivers everywhere. A truly dependable, driver-focused choice for winter.

The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 earns a well-deserved third place thanks to its consistency and all-round excellence, making it one of the most complete and balanced winter tires for real-world use. It performs capably in snow, ranking fourth for traction and handling, with stable and predictable control even if it lacks the sheer bite of the top snow specialists. In the wet, it shines brightly — securing podium positions in nearly every key test, including aquaplaning resistance, wet braking, and handling, where its agility and composure make it easy to trust and enjoyable to drive. On dry roads, the Blizzak 6 continues to impress, combining excellent cornering stability and refined steering feel to finish second in the handling test and fourth in braking. While cabin noise is slightly higher than average, the tire compensates with class-leading rolling resistance, making it the most fuel-efficient model on test. Its balance of performance, economy, and precise feedback makes the Blizzak 6 an ideal winter tire for variable European climates.

The Michelin Alpin 7 secures a confident fourth place, showcasing a well-balanced performance with a subtle bias toward snow capability. On wintry roads, it proves exceptionally composed — achieving the second-fastest lap time and ranking third in traction, combining strong braking with a delicate, predictable balance at the limit. In the wet, the Alpin 7 continues to impress with reliable aquaplaning resistance and stable handling, though it trails the top performers in outright cornering grip. Its smooth, reassuring character and fast recovery from slides make it a safe, confidence-inspiring option on slippery surfaces. On dry pavement, braking performance is outstanding — second best in the test — but handling precision lags slightly, with a less responsive feel through quick transitions. Comfort levels are high, and fuel efficiency is excellent thanks to low rolling resistance. Overall, the Alpin 7 stands out as a refined and dependable premium winter tire, ideal for drivers who prioritize stability, traction, and comfort across diverse cold-weather conditions.

The LingLong Sport Master Winter makes a notable debut, signaling a strong entrance for the brand into the competitive winter tire segment. Its standout performance comes on dry pavement, where it delivers the fastest handling lap time of all contenders, showcasing impressive grip, sharp steering, and precise control — characteristics more typical of a summer tire. On snow, it performs commendably with a fourth place in braking and fifth in handling, maintaining a stable and predictable front-led balance that’s easy to manage. Wet performance is solid but less consistent: braking and cornering results are competitive, yet overall lap times reveal a heavier, less agile feel, and aquaplaning resistance remains below par. Comfort and refinement are average, while rolling resistance is the highest in the test, making it the least economical tire here. Despite this, LingLong’s capable grip and controlled behavior across surfaces prove it’s a legitimate player in the winter market — a surprisingly confident performance from a rising brand.

The Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ delivers a mixed performance that leaves it in the mid-field, showing flashes of capability but lacking the consistency of the test leaders. On snow, it starts strongly with the second-shortest braking distance, but traction and handling quickly expose its limitations — the rear tends to feel loose, reducing stability and confidence through corners. In wet conditions, the Vredestein demonstrates more balance: it achieves second place in wet cornering with excellent steering feel and grip, though braking performance lags behind at seventh, and aquaplaning resistance remains average. On the dry track, it struggles for composure, placing last in both braking and handling, requiring a cautious driving style to stay on line. Refinement and economy are decent, aided by low cabin noise and moderate rolling resistance, but the overall package feels dated compared to newer rivals. The Wintrac Pro+ remains safe and comfortable, yet lacks the precision, agility, and all-round confidence needed to challenge the best in this highly competitive field.

The Falken Eurowinter HS02PRO secures a respectable position with a refined, well-rounded performance that highlights comfort and control in all weather conditions. On snow, it impresses with second place in traction, showcasing strong forward drive and easy, predictable handling, though braking and overall grip remain mid-pack. In the wet, it performs consistently, with stable, balanced behavior that makes it enjoyable to drive — less than a second off the leaders on the wet handling circuit — though its braking distances and aquaplaning resistance trail the top performers. In dry conditions, the HS02PRO delivers confident braking and agile handling, achieving fourth place in both dry and wet handling, thanks to its responsive steering and stable mid-corner balance. Its standout qualities lie in refinement and comfort, where it ranks among the quietest and smoothest tires tested, combined with decent rolling efficiency. While it lacks the ultimate grip of the premium leaders, the Falken remains a dependable, well-tuned choice for drivers prioritizing comfort, control, and composure through variable winter conditions.

The Triangle WinterX TW401 proves that a cheap winter tire can outperform a summer tire on snow — but it also highlights the severe compromises that come with a budget choice. On snow, it performs surprisingly well, ranking third in braking and sixth in handling, with predictable balance and good braking stability. However, its rear can feel lively, prone to late-corner oversteer if pushed too hard. Unfortunately, its snow competence completely collapses in the wet, where the Triangle ranks last in all five tests, including braking — taking nearly 5 meters longer to stop than the best tire. On the wet handling circuit, grip and traction are worryingly low, producing uncertain, inconsistent responses that inspire little confidence in everyday driving. The Triangle redeems itself somewhat in dry conditions, achieving a third-place result in dry handling, though braking remains only average. It offers decent cabin comfort but suffers from poor fuel efficiency due to high rolling resistance. While it’s cheap upfront, its compromised wet performance makes it a false economy and an unwise choice for safety-conscious drivers.