215/55 R18 - Best winter tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

#1
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

225/40 R18 Rank: 1 (Exemplary)

275/35 R19 Rank: 1 (Outstanding)

245/45 R19 Rank: 2 (Highly recommended)

225/40 R18 Rank: 2 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 2 (-)

Tests from 2024

235/35 R19 Rank: 1 (Exemplary)

245/45 R18 Rank: 1 (Exemplary)

235/35 R19 Rank: 1 (Test winner)

Tests from 2023

225/45 R18 Rank: 1 (Test winner)

Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

5/5

This is currently the best rated tyre we have and there is a reason for it - it combines sportiness on snow and dry and very good safety margins on the wet. It’s designed to maintain the joy of driving, even on winter tyres, but still manages to be safe at all times. 100% recommended.

50%

Snow braking

Dry braking

Snow traction

Dry handling

Exterior noise

Snow handling

Wet handling

Comfort

Wet circle cornering

Wet braking

4.15/5

Tests from 2025

215/65 R17 Rank: 1 (Very good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 3 (Very good)

235/50 R19 Rank: 3 (Exemplary)

225/45 R17 Rank: 4 (-)

215/55 R17 Rank: 5 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 6 (Good)

Michelin Alpin 7

4.15/5

Michelin has unveiled the ALPIN 7 winter tyre, featuring an advanced tread design with additional sipes and an evolving tread pattern to maintain traction as the tyre wears. The new model aims to enhance braking and acceleration on snowy and wet roads while improving overall efficiency for a variety of vehicles. Unlike the Alpin 6, which was considered a bit overpriced for its performance, the Alpin 7 is expected to offer better value and address concerns in upcoming winter tests.

50%

Comfort

Exterior noise

Snow handling

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Dry braking

Snow traction

Wet handling

Dry handling

Aquaplaning - cross

Interior noise

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Michelin Alpin 7 ( 215/55 R18 99V XL ) - In stock £183	Michelin Alpin 7 ( 215/55 R18 99V XL )		In stock	Free shipping	£183	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Alpin 7 XL EV - In stock £231	Alpin 7 XL EV		In stock	Free shipping	£231	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

4.55/5

#7
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

235/50 R19 Rank: 1 (Test winner)

275/35 R19 Rank: 2 (Very good)

225/45 R17 Rank: 3 (-)

215/55 R17 Rank: 3 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 3 (Exemplary)

225/40 R18 Rank: 3 (Good)

245/45 R19 Rank: 4 (Highly recommended)

225/40 R18 Rank: 6 (-)

215/55 R17 Rank: 6 (Very good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 7 (Good)

Bridgestone Blizzak 6

4.55/5

Blizzak has always been a winter tire focused on wet conditions, but with its sixth model, Bridgestone has promised improved snow performance and reduced rolling resistance. Early tests suggest they have delivered on these promises—Blizzak 6 is unmatched in wet conditions and excels on snow, making it ideal not just for city climates.

50%

Wet circle cornering

Comfort

Snow traction

Wet braking

Snow handling

Wet handling

Aquaplaning - cross

Dry handling

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Dry braking

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 ( 215/55 R18 99V XL Enliten / EV ) - In stock £158	Bridgestone Blizzak 6 ( 215/55 R18 99V XL Enliten / EV )		In stock	Free shipping	£158	Buy mytyres.co.uk

4.35/5

#10
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

225/40 R18 Rank: 4 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 4 (-)

215/55 R17 Rank: 5 (Good)

Kumho WinterCraft WP52+

4.35/5

50%

Dry braking

Wet braking

Wet handling

Wet circle cornering

Snow handling

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Dry handling

Exterior noise

Snow traction

Comfort

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ ( 215/55 R18 95H 4PR EV ) - In stock £146	Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ ( 215/55 R18 95H 4PR EV )		In stock	Free shipping	£146	Buy mytyres.co.uk

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ ( 215/55 R18 95H 4PR EV, K-Silent ) - In stock £189	Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ ( 215/55 R18 95H 4PR EV, K-Silent )		In stock	Free shipping	£189	Buy mytyres.co.uk

4.65/5

#6
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

215/55 R17 Rank: 1 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 1 (Outstanding)

235/50 R19 Rank: 1 (Exemplary)

215/55 R17 Rank: 3 (Exemplary)

245/45 R19 Rank: 5 (Highly recommended)

225/40 R18 Rank: 6 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 7 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 13 (-)

Tests from 2024

215/55 R17 Rank: 2 (Highly recommended)

235/55 R18 Rank: 2 (Very good)

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P

4.65/5

Continental winter tires have been winning tire tests for many years, and the 870P is no exception. The “P” stands for performance, but don’t be mistaken, its rolling resistance is also praised, making it ideal for EVs. A well-balanced tire.

50%

Snow braking

Aquaplaning - cross

Dry handling

Interior noise

Exterior noise

Comfort

Dry braking

Snow handling

Wet circle cornering

Wet braking

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P ( 215/55 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £168	Continental WinterContact TS 870 P ( 215/55 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£168	Buy mytyres.co.uk

4.15/5

#14
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

215/65 R17 Rank: 2 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 9 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 10 (-)

Barum Polaris 6

4.15/5

Barum unveils the Polaris 6, a budget-friendly winter tyre from the Czech Republic that adopts design elements from Continental’s TS series, including a V-shaped tread for better snow performance. The Polaris 6 improves on the Polaris 5 with enhanced durability, reduced rolling resistance, and quieter operation, while maintaining solid wet and dry performance. Priced about 20% higher, it leverages Continental’s technology to offer greater value and reliable winter traction for cost-conscious drivers.

50%

Comfort

Exterior noise

Snow traction

Dry braking

Snow handling

Wet handling

Wet braking

Wet circle cornering

Dry handling

Aquaplaning - cross

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Barum Polaris 6 ( 215/55 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £133	Barum Polaris 6 ( 215/55 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£133	Buy mytyres.co.uk

4.3/5

#12
Winter tires