225/50 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

4.75/5

#3
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

225/40 R18 Rank: 1 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 1 (Exemplary)

245/45 R19 Rank: 1 (Highly recommended)

215/55 R17 Rank: 2 (Good)

225/45 R17 Rank: 2 (-)

275/35 R19 Rank: 3 (Very good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 3 (-)

235/50 R19 Rank: 4 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 5 (Good)

Tests from 2024

215/55 R17 Rank: 1 (Good)

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

4.75/5

The UltraGrip Performance 3 is one of the best tyres we have seen in the tests and on top of that it's top discipline is snow performance while maintaining great properties on wet, which makes it a great candidate for snowy climates.

50%

Snow braking

Wet handling

Wet circle cornering

Exterior noise

Aquaplaning - cross

Dry braking

Snow traction

Wet braking

Dry handling

Snow handling

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 ( 225/50 R18 95T EVR, with rim protection (MFS) ) - In stock £151	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 ( 225/50 R18 95T EVR, with rim protection (MFS) )		In stock	Free shipping	£151	Buy mytyres.co.uk

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVR, with rim protection (MFS) ) - In stock £171	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVR, with rim protection (MFS) )		In stock	Free shipping	£171	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Ultragrip Performance 3 MFS XL - In stock £179	Ultragrip Performance 3 MFS XL		In stock	Free shipping	£179	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

4.65/5

#5
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

225/40 R18 Rank: 1 (-)

225/40 R18 Rank: 2 (Exemplary)

Dunlop Winter

4.65/5

50%

Snow traction

Comfort

Exterior noise

Wet braking

Snow handling

Aquaplaning - cross

Dry braking

Wet handling

Wet circle cornering

Dry handling

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Dunlop Winter ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVs, with rim protection (MFS) BLK ) - In stock £155	Dunlop Winter ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVs, with rim protection (MFS) BLK )		In stock	Free shipping	£155	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Winter EV XL - In stock £223	Winter EV XL		In stock	Free shipping	£223	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

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 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL ) - In stock £194	Michelin Alpin 7 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL )		In stock	Free shipping	£194	Buy mytyres.co.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 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL Enliten / EV ) - In stock £153	Bridgestone Blizzak 6 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL Enliten / EV )		In stock	Free shipping	£153	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Blizzak 6 Enliten XL - In stock £207	Blizzak 6 Enliten XL		In stock	Free shipping	£207	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

4.5/5

#9
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

215/55 R17 Rank: 2 (Outstanding)

Tests from 2023

225/45 R17 Rank: 3 (Good)

205/60 R16 Rank: 3 (Good)

Tests from 2022

215/60 R16 Rank: 3 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 3 (Exemplary)

215/55 R17 Rank: 4 (-)

Tests from 2021

235/55 R18 Rank: 1 (Exemplary)

225/50 R17 Rank: 3 (Good)

225/45 R17 Rank: 3 (-)

225/40 R18 Rank: 5 (-)

Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+

4.5/5

A typical premium tyre - very well balanced, great on all surfaces with low rolling resistance. Proven by many tests.

50%

Snow traction

Aquaplaning - cross

Snow handling

Wet handling

Interior noise

Comfort

Wet circle cornering

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Dry braking

Wet braking

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + ( 225/50 R18 99V XL * ) - In stock £207	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + ( 225/50 R18 99V XL * )		In stock	Free shipping	£207	Buy mytyres.co.uk

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + ROF ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVR, with rim protection (MFS), runflat ) - In stock £245	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + ROF ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVR, with rim protection (MFS), runflat )		In stock	Free shipping	£245	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 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £205	Continental WinterContact TS 870 P ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£205	Buy mytyres.co.uk

4.3/5

#11
Winter tires

Tests from 2025

225/40 R18 Rank: 4 (Good)

Tests from 2024

215/55 R17 Rank: 2 (Good)

235/35 R19 Rank: 4 (Exemplary)

205/55 R16 Rank: 5 (Satisfactory)

205/55 R16 Rank: 7 (Good)

205/55 R16 Rank: 11 (-)

Tests from 2023

205/60 R16 Rank: 1 (Good)

225/45 R17 Rank: 4 (Good)

225/45 R18 Rank: 7 (Good)

225/45 R18 Rank: 15 (-)

Dunlop Winter Sport 5

4.3/5

While being somehow dated as it was introduced back in 2015, it received some midlife updates and still holds up with the current models, at least in smaller dimensions. At the right price, it could be a great choice.

50%

Aquaplaning - cross

Comfort

Snow traction

Wet circle cornering

Snow handling

Interior noise

Wet handling

Wet braking

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Dry handling

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 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £124	Barum Polaris 6 ( 225/50 R18 99V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£124	Buy mytyres.co.uk

4.3/5

#12
Winter tires