5 Best Snow Tires You’ll Need for Winter 2023
In this article, we’ll guide you through the best snow tires for winter 2023, providing expert recommendations and insights to help you make the best winter tire choice for your vehicle.
Equipping your vehicle with the best snow tires is crucial for maintaining control and staying safe during the colder months. If you will be outside during the winter, then at least make sure you are warm with the best winter jackets for the cold.
Highlighting the Best Snow Tires of 2023
As winter looms, equipping your vehicle with all-terrain tires with top-notch snow tires becomes crucial for optimal performance, maintaining traction and safety on icy roads.
With so many options on the market, finding the perfect winter tire can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. After extensive research and expert recommendations, we’ve compiled a list of the best snow tire options for 2023 to make your decision easier.
These top-rated winter tires offer exceptional traction and performance in various winter conditions, from deep snow and ice to slush and freezing temperatures.
These top winter tires also have unique features that make them stand out. Let’s delve into the individual advantages of each of these top-performing snow tires.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: The Top Pick for Passenger Cars
Specifications:
Tire Type: Winter
Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars
Rubber Compound: Hydrophilic rubber compound
Tread Design: Advanced tread pattern with sipes
Pros:
Excellent performance in winter conditions
Superior grip on snow and ice
Green X is certified for low rolling resistance and extended tread life
Cons:
May wear out faster on warm, dry pavement
Slightly reduced handling sharpness compared to some other winter tires, including studded tires
Owing to its superb performance on snowy and icy roads, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is our standout choice for passenger cars.
Crafted with a hydrophilic rubber compound, the tire remains pliable in cold temperatures, ensuring optimal grip on slick surfaces. In addition, its advanced tread pattern with sipes provides responsive steering, control, and handling.
I remember driving our long-term Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid through Donner Pass in California during a snowstorm. Good winter tires and the Blizzak WS90 allowed us to traverse the treacherous road without tire chains.
The Blizzak WS90, with its commendable snow traction and Green X certification, delivers a reliable, safe, and eco-conscious winter driving experience.
Rating:
Price: 4.5/5
Winter Performance: 5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Tread Life: 4/5
Overall: 4.6/5
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2: The Ideal Choice for SUVs and Trucks
Specifications:
Tire Type: Winter
Vehicle Type: Crossovers, SUVs, Trucks
Rubber Compound: Special compound for cold temperatures
Tread Design: Multicell compound and sipes for improved traction
Pros:
Excellent grip on snow and ice
Effective braking on ice
Enhanced traction in winter conditions
Cons:
Wears out quicker on warm, dry pavement
Slightly reduced handling sharpness
Less fuel-efficient than all-season tires, making the all-season tire a better option in some cases
We highly recommend the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 for SUVs and trucks due to its remarkable grip on icy surfaces, proficient braking, and enhanced traction during winter conditions.
The tire features a rubber compound that remains soft and compliant even in extremely low temperatures, providing excellent grip on cold road surfaces.
The tread blocks are molded with Bridgestone’s proprietary multicell compound, which helps remove the thin layer of water between the tire and the road, improving braking on ice. The tire’s tread also has thousands of sipes, or tiny cuts, that grab and hold the snow, further enhancing traction.
Our experience with the Blizzak DM-V2 was highly positive, as it nearly matched the braking performance of the highest-rated tires in Car and Driver’s 2015 winter tire test.
It is particularly well-suited for light trucks and is recommended for SUVs. Yet, it’s important to remember that these tires might wear out quicker on warm, dry pavements, hence the necessity to revert light trucks to all-season or summer tires post-winter.
Rating:
Price: 4/5
Winter Performance: 5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Tread Life: 3.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Michelin X-Ice Snow: The Premium Winter Tire
Price: $129.99 – $301.99 on Amazon
Specifications:
Tire Type: Winter
Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars
Rubber Compound: High silica content for flexibility
Tread Design: Inclusion technology for microroughness
Pros:
Excellent grip on snow and ice
Comfortable and quiet ride
Good wear resistance
Cons:
Average dry braking
Poor handling in the dry
Designed for passenger cars, the Michelin X-Ice Snow is our choice for premium winter tires. It offers excellent grip on snow and ice, a comfortable and quiet ride, and good wear resistance.
The tire incorporates inclusion technology to create microroughness and a high silica content to ensure flexibility in cold winter conditions. This combination provides exceptional traction on slippery surfaces and good snow and ice traction.
During our tests, the X-Ice Snow demonstrated outstanding grip and traction on ice and snow boots while providing the highest level of front-end handling among the tires tested.
Despite its average dry braking and handling and occasional snow performance, the X-Ice Snow remains a prime pick for those searching for a high-end winter tire with exceptional performance in snowy and icy conditions.
Rating:
Price: 4/5
Winter Performance: 5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Tread Life: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5: The Superior Winter Tire
Specifications:
Tire Type: Dedicated snow tire
Vehicle Type: Passenger Cars
Rubber Compound: Advanced rubber compound for cold temperatures
Tread Design: Aggressive tread pattern for maximum snow traction
Pros:
Exceptional traction and stability in various winter conditions
Aggressive directional tread pattern for maximum snow traction
Comfortable ride
Cons:
Slightly less grip on wet roads compared to higher-rated winter tires
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, a top-notch winter tire, boasts the following features:
Aggressive tread pattern for extraordinary traction and stability across a range of winter conditions
Advanced rubber compound for flexibility in cold temperatures
Tread pattern designed to maximize snow traction and handling
Microscopic crystals that act as built-in studs enhance grip on icy surfaces
Although the Hakkapeliitta R5 provided slightly less grip on wet roads than some higher-rated winter tires, it excelled in snowy conditions, with mud terrain tires offering remarkable traction, braking, and stability.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is an excellent choice for those seeking a high-performance winter tire to handle even the most challenging winter roads and conditions.
Rating:
Price: 4/5
Winter Performance: 5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Tread Life: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Continental VikingContact 7: The Budget-Friendly Option
Specifications:
Tire Type: Winter
Vehicle Type: Most vehicles
Rubber Compound: Nordic compound for cold temperatures
Tread Design: Creative pattern and intricate network of siping
Pros:
Budget snow tire with top performance at a budget-friendly price
Canola oil for flexibility in extreme cold temperatures
Tread pattern for maximum snow traction
Cons:
None
Without denting your wallet, the Continental VikingContact 7 offers:
Budget-friendly option
Top-notch snow tire performance
Specialized Nordic compound with canola oil for flexibility in extreme cold temperatures
Tread pattern designed for maximum snow traction
An intricate network of siping to expel water and prevent hydroplaning
Ensures a safe and comfortable ride in various winter conditions
We were impressed by the VikingContact 7’s performance in snow and ice, as it delivered:
Excellent traction
Control
Versatility
Budget-friendly option
It’s compatible with most vehicles, making it a versatile and budget-friendly option for drivers who want reliable winter performance without compromising their wallets.
Rating:
Price: 5/5
Winter Performance: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Tread Life: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Choosing the Right Snow Tire: A Comprehensive Guide
In the quest for the ideal winter tire for your vehicle, be sure to weigh several factors like the local best winter tires, weather conditions, budget, and the type of vehicle you drive.
By understanding the differences between various winter tires and their unique features, you can make an informed decision ensuring optimal safety and performance during winter.
Some crucial aspects to consider when choosing a tire include:
Performance in snow and ice
Tread compound
Tread pattern
Whether it meets the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating
The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating indicates that the tire has been independently tested and confirmed suitable for use in extreme cold weather, snow, and icy conditions.
For maintaining proper traction and control during winter, outfitting your vehicle with a complete set of four winter tires is equally essential.
While all-season tires may provide adequate performance in light to moderate snow, they are unsuitable for deep snow or in packed snow and ice, making dedicated winter tires a safer choice for wet and traction conditions.
Lastly, even though winter tires can be used as most all-terrain tires year-round, they are discouraged due to their tendency to wear out faster in warm temperatures and potentially have subpar performance on dry or wet pavement during the warmer months.
Considering these factors and the expert recommendations in this article, you can confidently choose the right winter tire for your needs.
Summary
In conclusion, equipping your vehicle with the right winter tires is crucial for ensuring safety and optimal performance during the winter months.
By considering factors such as winter weather conditions, budget, and vehicle type, you can make an informed decision and choose the best snow tire for your needs.
Whether you opt for a winter tire designed by our top pick for passenger cars, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, or the budget-friendly Continental VikingContact 7, you can drive confidently, knowing you’re well-prepared for whatever the worst winter weather has to offer.
Stay safe this winter by investing in high-quality tires that provide the grip, traction, and control you need to navigate slippery, snow-covered roads easily. Happy winter driving!
We’ll provide you with all sorts of winter-related goodness, so stay updated on our Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brand has the best snow tires?
For the best snow tires for 2023, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Bridgestone Blizzak DMV2 are top-rated winter tire brands, with Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 Studded and Michelin X-Ice Snow also offering other best tires with excellent performance and safety.
What all-weather tires are best in the snow?
For the best all-weather snow performance, Michelin CrossClimate 2, Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady, BFGoodrich Advantage Control, Pirelli Scorpion Weather Active, Bridgestone WeatherPeak, Continental PureContact LS, and Firestone WeatherGrip are recommended.
What factors should I consider when choosing the right snow tire?
When choosing the right snow tire, consider your local winter weather, winter driving conditions, budget, vehicle type, performance in snow and ice, tread compound, tread pattern, and Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating.
Do I need to use all four winter tires on my vehicle?
Yes, using all four winter tires on your vehicle is essential to ensure proper traction, braking grip, and control in winter conditions.
Can I use winter tires year-round?
Winter tires are not recommended for year-round use, as they wear out quicker and don’t provide optimal performance during warmer months.
