225/55 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

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL ) - In stock £195	Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL )		In stock	Free shipping	£195	Buy mytyres.co.uk

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL AO ) - In stock £181	Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL AO )		In stock	Free shipping	£181	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Pilot Alpin 5 AO XL EV - In stock £222	Pilot Alpin 5 AO XL EV		In stock	Free shipping	£222	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

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 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVR ) - In stock £147	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVR )		In stock	Free shipping	£147	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Ultragrip Performance 3 EDT XL - In stock £192	Ultragrip Performance 3 EDT XL		In stock	Free shipping	£192	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 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL ) - In stock £206	Michelin Alpin 7 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL )		In stock	Free shipping	£206	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 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL Enliten / EV ) - In stock £172	Bridgestone Blizzak 6 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL Enliten / EV )		In stock	Free shipping	£172	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Blizzak 6 Enliten XL - In stock £217	Blizzak 6 Enliten XL		In stock	Free shipping	£217	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 + SUV ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVR, with rim protection (MFS) ) - In stock £190	Goodyear UltraGrip Performance + SUV ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVR, with rim protection (MFS) )		In stock	Free shipping	£190	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+ ( 225/55 R18 102V XL ) - In stock £128	Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ ( 225/55 R18 102V XL )		In stock	Free shipping	£128	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 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £159	Continental WinterContact TS 870 P ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£159	Buy mytyres.co.uk
WinterContact TS 870 P XL FR - In stock £195	WinterContact TS 870 P XL FR		In stock	Free shipping	£195	Buy tyres.pneus.online.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 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £123	Barum Polaris 6 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£123	Buy mytyres.co.uk

3.35/5

Tests from 2025

215/55 R17 Rank: 4 (Exemplary)

215/55 R17 Rank: 4 (Good)

235/50 R19 Rank: 4 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 5 (Very good)

225/45 R17 Rank: 6 (-)

245/45 R19 Rank: 6 (-)

275/35 R19 Rank: 6 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 13 (Satisfactory)

225/40 R18 Rank: 17 (-)

Vredestein Wintrac Pro+

3.35/5

50%

Wet circle cornering

Wet handling

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Comfort

Aquaplaning - cross

Dry handling

Exterior noise

Wet braking

Snow traction

Interior noise

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ ( 225/55 R18 102V XL, with rim protection ridge (FSL) ) - In stock £159	Vredestein Wintrac Pro+ ( 225/55 R18 102V XL, with rim protection ridge (FSL) )		In stock	Free shipping	£159	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Wintrac Pro Plus XL EV - In stock £169	Wintrac Pro Plus XL EV		In stock	Free shipping	£169	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

3.25/5

Tests from 2025

215/55 R17 Rank: 6 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 7 (Good)

215/55 R17 Rank: 8 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 10 (Good)

Tests from 2024

205/55 R16 Rank: 4 (-)

215/55 R17 Rank: 6 (-)

215/55 R17 Rank: 7 (Satisfactory)

205/55 R16 Rank: 11 (Sufficient)

205/55 R16 Rank: 13 (Satisfactory)

Tests from 2023

225/45 R17 Rank: 5 (-)

Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2

3.25/5

The Cinturato Winter 2 is enjoyable to drive and offers safety in all conditions. However, some tests have described its dry handling as sluggish.

50%

Exterior noise

Snow handling

Wet circle cornering

Dry braking

Wet handling

Snow traction

Wet braking

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Comfort

Interior noise

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL, with rim protection (MFS) ) - In stock £158	Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 ( 225/55 R18 102V XL, with rim protection (MFS) )		In stock	Free shipping	£158	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Cinturato Winter 2 XL - In stock £159	Cinturato Winter 2 XL		In stock	Free shipping	£159	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

3.95/5

Tests from 2025

225/40 R18 Rank: 5 (-)

225/40 R18 Rank: 8 (Good)

225/40 R18 Rank: 12 (Satisfactory)

Tests from 2024

205/55 R16 Rank: 7 (-)

205/55 R16 Rank: 9 (Good)

Tests from 2023

225/45 R18 Rank: 11 (-)

225/45 R18 Rank: 12 (Satisfactory)

205/60 R16 Rank: 14 (Satisfactory)

Tests from 2022

245/45 R19 Rank: 7 (Sufficient)

215/60 R16 Rank: 14 (Satisfactory)

Uniroyal WinterExpert

3.95/5

Very good traction on snow for a nice price in a wide range of dimensions. Could use shorter braking distance on dry and better traction on the wet.

50%

Snow traction

Exterior noise

Aquaplaning - cross

Wet circle cornering

Aquaplaning - longitudal

Wet braking

Comfort

Snow handling

Interior noise

Dry braking

Shop	Product	Stock	Availability	Shipping	Price	Action
Uniroyal WinterExpert ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVc, with kerbing rib ) - In stock £129	Uniroyal WinterExpert ( 225/55 R18 102V XL EVc, with kerbing rib )		In stock	Free shipping	£129	Buy mytyres.co.uk
Winter Expert XL - In stock £152	Winter Expert XL		In stock	Free shipping	£152	Buy tyres.pneus.online.uk

4.25/5

#13
Winter tires