The 8 Best All-Season Tires for Snow

#1. Michelin CrossClimate 2 – Best Overall

Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating? Check. M+S symbol on the tread? Present. Ability to offer short braking distances in light snowy conditions? Absolutely. All these qualities make the Michelin CrossClimate 2 one of the best all-season tires for snow.

The 3PMSF certification indicates that this model has met the rater’s strict criteria for extreme weather performance. It tells you this tire has what most all-season tires lack – the ability to safely carry your vehicle from point A to point B on snow-covered roads.

Next comes the M+S symbol, which points to this model’s utility in mud and snow. As if to justify both ratings, various sipes can be found on this tire’s tread. These sipes give this tire the biting edges it needs to claw its way through the snow with minimal slippage.

Also, while many tires that excel on snow fail to offer a comfortable ride, the CrossClimate 2 is different. Its superior dampening characteristics allow it to provide a plush ride. As such, you won’t have to deal with much noise or vibrations inside the cabin.

What’s more, this model comes in so many sizes that you can install it on passenger cars, coupes, mid-size SUVs, crossovers, and trucks. So unless its 60,000-mile treadwear warranty bothers you, there aren’t many faults you can find with this tire.

#2. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady – Best Runner-Up

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady rivals our top pick on several key aspects.

Both models come with 3PMSF certification, indicating they are adept at handling packed and unpacked snow. Both have a tread compound that doesn’t freeze in sub-zero temperatures, which is crucial for dependable traction in wintry conditions.

Both have a tread pattern similar to a summer rather than an all-season tire. Which is a good thing as it gives them the added grip needed to roll safely through snow and ice. Also, you get the same below-average 60,000-mile treadwear warranty on the duo.

Yet there’s one key point where these tires differ.

The CrossClimate 2 remains quiet and vibration-free no matter how hard you push it. In contrast, the Assurance WeatherReady has a tendency to get loud at higher speeds.

That isn’t to say that you’d have to wear earplugs to block out external noise at highway speeds with this tire. It’s just that, if you’re switching from the CrossClimate 2 (which is one of the quietest tires on the market), this model’s ride might feel a bit busy.  

#3. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack – Best Treadwear Warranty

The Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack ticks several boxes for the average driver.

The first of which is that it offers a quiet ride. As long as the road imperfections aren’t severe, it will dampen out the disturbances created by them. You’d thus enjoy a noise-free ride without having to roll up the windows or turn up the music.

Its wet performance is equally impressive, thanks to multiple grooves (water channels) that reduce the risk of aquaplaning. In doing so, they keep the contact patch dry for better road traction while minimizing the risk of aquaplaning.

Moreover, it has multiple biting edges to offer a safe snow-driving experience. These biting edges help the Turanza QuietTrack dig through snow and ice. However, they aren’t aggressive enough to tackle harsh wintry conditions or unpacked snow.don’t

An 80,000-mile treadwear warranty gives it an edge over our top two picks. Yet, while the CrossClimate 2 and Assurance WeatherReady come with a 3PMSF rating, this model doesn’t have it. Which is why it is the 3^rd and not the 1^st or 2^nd option on our list.

#4. General Altimax RT43– Best Value for Money

The General Altimax RT43 performs reliably 365 days a year.

The credit for this goes to its dual-layer tread compound, whose upper layer is the firmer of the two. It thus helps the rubber provide adequate grip on dry roads. You can thus push this model to the limits without worrying about any kind of slippage.

However, since you’re looking for an all-season snow tire, it’s the lower layer that should interest you. After all, it’s this layer’s flexibility that keeps the RT43 useful in light wintry conditions. Additionally, the lower layer enhances this tire’s wet traction.

An Anti-Slip Sipe Design (ASDD) Technology further enhances performance on light snow. It does that by equipping this tire with more biting edges than most A/S tires come with. The result? All the grip and traction you may ask for on snow-covered roads.

Throw its 75,000-mile warranty into the mix, and you may feel that this tire has no shortcomings. Unfortunately, that isn’t true. Its ride, which is muted/numb (even for an all-season tire), might put off enthusiast drivers.

#5. Vredestein Quatrac Pro – Best for SUVs

The Vredestein Quatrac Pro can take your SUV’s winter performance to the next level.

Need proof? The fact that this model comes with the 3PMSF symbol should be enough to convince you. Often conflated with the M+S emblem, the 3PMSF is a far more believable indicator of excellent snow performance (as independent authorities award it).

Its aggressive tread pattern further demonstrates why this tire is excellent for snow driving. That is because it provides this model with enhanced traction in wintry conditions. Plus, together with the water-evacuating grooves, it increases this model’s wet traction.

You may also find it good to note that this model’s grip levels on the dry tarmac are as good as those offered by premium grand touring tires. Its steering response is equally excellent, which means you can execute quick lane changes while retaining full control over your SUV.

Yet there is one thing you might not like as much. Its 50,000-mile treadwear warranty indicates that an average American driver would be lucky to get more than 4 years out of this tire.  

#6. Continental ControlContact Tour AS Plus – Best for Daily Driving

Having driven the Continental ControlContact Tour A/S on light snow, I can vouch for this model’s excellent performance over light snow and icy roads.

That will especially be the case if you pair this tire with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Provided you do that, it will exploit the additional power on offer to offer short braking distances, slippage-free driving, and great cornering in light wintry conditions.

That this tire performs superbly on light snow doesn’t mean it struggles on dry roads.

Its dry handling is among the best of any all-season tire I have ever gotten my hands on. Also, Continental’s EcoPlus Technology ensures total stability on wet roads. Additionally, it has lowered this model’s rolling resistance to help you enjoy significant fuel savings.

This tire is for you if you have a standard family sedan or a crossover that has to deal with more than its fair share of snow on the roads.

#7. Firestone WeatherGrip – Best for Light Trucks

The Firestone WeatherGrip offers features you don’t normally get from grand touring tires.

A close inspection of its tread design may make you think that it’s a winter tire. After all, not many all-season tires come with the zigzag design found on its tread. Nor do they have the open grooves that dot the entire circumference of this tire’s shoulder.

All of the above means excellent news for snow driving. The zigzag design should help with traction and grip on snow-laden roads. As for the open shoulder grooves, they should increase its hydroplaning resistance for better grip in harsh weather conditions.

Speaking of harsh weather, the 3PMSF symbol on the tread shows that this model will be much superior to rival all-season tires on snow. The same can be said about Snow Traction Claw (SCT) Technology, which utilizes V-shaped grooves for better braking performance.

It isn’t just light snow conditions that won’t be an issue with this tire. The WeatherGrip manages to maintain enough traction and grip even when the snow gets deeper. However, its noise levels (which are not too loud nor too quiet) may fail to impress.  

#8. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus – Best for Electric Vehicles

The Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus can meet the unique requirements of EVs while also delivering dependable performance on light snow.

Since electric vehicles rely on battery power, they need tires with low rolling resistance. Or else their range may take a hit. Guess what? That is precisely what the DWS06 Plus offers. You can thus count on this model to positively affect your EV’s mileage.

Another key box this model ticks is decent traction on snow and ice. While it isn’t 3PMSF certified, this model does have a specialized tread pattern with deep groves and sipes. Additionally, it has a rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temperatures.

All these elements mean you can count on this model to offer a decent grip on slippery surfaces. What they don’t tell you, however, is that this model comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is beyond above-average for a high-performance tire.

Bear in mind, though, that the DWS 06 Plus may wear quickly if you push it too much. So, if you want it to outlast its treadwear warranty, be gentle on the accelerator.