tirewheelguide
Head-to-head Updated

Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 vs Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — Compared

Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 2 + 10 road tests and 11 + 68 owner reviews. How we score

Winter Sottozero 3 is ahead, 73–59

Check price on Amazon · Winter Sottozero 3 or Blizzak LM001 on Amazon
Add your size for an exact match
/R

Both Amazon links then search this exact size.

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
Tire ABridgestone

Blizzak LM001

Winter

± 7

Tests 71 · 2 tests Owners 46 · 11 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 10 in 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test (straight aquaplaning)

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Tire BPirelli

Winter Sottozero 3

Winter

± 6

Tests 67 · 10 tests Owners 80 · 68 reviews

Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test (dry braking)

Category by category

Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.

  1. 60

    Dry

    Winter Sottozero 3 +16
    76
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 8 tests7173
    Reviews found online4282
    Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–198%100%
    Dry Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–199%99%

    Blizzak LM001: 60% × 71.5 + 40% × 42 = 60

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 72.9 + 40% × 81.7 = 76

  2. 65

    Wet

    Winter Sottozero 3 +18
    83
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 10 tests7580
    Reviews found online5087
    Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–195%97%
    Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–194%94%
    Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–197%98%

    Blizzak LM001: 60% × 74.5 + 40% × 50.3 = 65

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 80.4 + 40% × 86.5 = 83

  3. 60

    Snow

    Winter Sottozero 3 +5
    65
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 10 tests6856
    Reviews found online4879
    Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–094%94%
    Snow Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–198%97%

    Blizzak LM001: 60% × 68.5 + 40% × 48 = 60

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 56.5 + 40% × 78.8 = 65

  4. 51

    Comfort

    Winter Sottozero 3 +23
    74
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests≈ 63 (est.)72
    Reviews found online4375

    Blizzak LM001: 40% × 63.4 (est.) + 60% × 42.6 = 51

    Winter Sottozero 3: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 74.5 = 74

    No road tests of comfort for Blizzak LM001. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.20).

  5. 54

    Noise

    Winter Sottozero 3 +17
    71
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 7 tests7164
    Reviews found online2982
    Noise (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–198%98%

    Blizzak LM001: 60% × 70.8 + 40% × 28.5 = 54

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 64.4 + 40% × 81.6 = 71

  6. 56

    Treadwear

    Winter Sottozero 3 +8
    64
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 3 tests≈ 60 (est.)57
    Reviews found online4975

    Blizzak LM001: 60% × 60.1 (est.) + 40% × 48.8 = 56

    Winter Sottozero 3: 60% × 57.1 + 40% × 74.6 = 64

    No road tests of treadwear for Blizzak LM001. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).

  7. 54

    Handling (owners)

    Winter Sottozero 3 +28
    82
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Reviews found online5482
  8. 71

    Efficiency

    Winter Sottozero 3 +5
    76
    Why this score
    SourceBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3
    Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 7 tests7176
    Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–193%95%
Scores at a glance
CategoryBridgestone Blizzak LM001Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Relative Score 59 73
Dry 60 76
Wet 65 83
Snow 60 65
Comfort 51 74
Noise 54 71
Treadwear 56 64
Handling (owners) 54 82
Efficiency 71 76

Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.

Weight the categories that matter to you

Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.

Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
± 7

Blizzak LM001

± 6

Winter Sottozero 3

The professional test results behind the scores

Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.

In the overall rankings of 4 tests that ran both, Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 finished ahead 1 times and Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 3 times.

DisciplineCategoryBlizzak LM001Winter Sottozero 3ΔHead-to-head
Dry Braking Dry 98% 100% −1.6 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Dry Handling Dry 99% 99% +0.1 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Straight Aquaplaning Wet 95% 97% −2.6 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Wet Braking Wet 94% 94% −0.3 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Wet Handling Wet 97% 98% −0.8 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Snow Braking Snow 94% 94% +0.3 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Snow Handling Snow 98% 97% +1.1 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Noise Noise 98% 98% +0.1 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Rolling Resistance Efficiency 93% 95% −2.6 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Also published by the testers (not in the score)
Price Cost 61% 51% +9.8 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15
Overall Ranking Overall #6/10 #7/10 – 1–3 in 4 shared tests Newest: 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test · 195/65 R15

Pros, cons & observations

Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.

Tire A Blizzak LM001

Pros

  • Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow and icy conditions
  • Precise handling and stability on cold, winter-affected roads
  • Reliable braking performance in severe weather

Cons

  • Rapid tread wear reported by some users
  • High noise levels on dry asphalt
  • Increased fuel consumption compared to other winter tires
All owner themes in the Blizzak LM001 review

Tire B Winter Sottozero 3

Pros

  • Exceptional wet weather performance and resistance to hydroplaning.
  • Strong dry-road handling and steering precision for a winter tire.
  • Excellent traction and stability in snow and slush.

Cons

  • Rapid tread wear, particularly if driven in temperatures above 15°C or year-round.
  • Susceptibility to sidewall damage and bubbling when encountering road hazards.
  • Increased noise levels as the tire ages and tread depth decreases.
All owner themes in the Winter Sottozero 3 review

Specs side by side

Attribute A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
CategoryWinterWinter
Vehicle typePassenger Car / CrossoverPassenger Car / Crossover
Sizes available6998
Rim diameters14″ – 21″16″ – 21″
Tread depth11/32″10/32″
SidewallBlackwallBlackwall
Max pressure50 psi50 psi
Sizes in common4040

Which one should you actually buy?

Bridgestone Blizzak LM001

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Winner: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 — better handling, comfort and wet. It leads or ties in every category we score.

Pick tire B You enjoy sharp, responsive handling

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 82 vs 54 on handling.

Pick tire B You want the most comfortable ride

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 74 vs 51 on comfort.

Pick tire B Your priority is wet-weather safety

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 83 vs 65 on wet.

Pick tire B You want a quieter cabin

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 scores 71 vs 54 on noise.

Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM001
Check price on Amazon
Tire B · Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Check price on Amazon

TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.

Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Which is better in the wet, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 83 vs 65 on our wet score.

Which grips better on dry roads, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 60 on our dry score.

Which is better in snow, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 65 vs 60 on our snow score.

Which is quieter, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 71 vs 54 on our noise score.

Which is more comfortable, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 74 vs 51 on our comfort score.

Which lasts longer, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 64 vs 56 on our treadwear score.

Which rolls more easily, Blizzak LM001 or Winter Sottozero 3?

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3, 76 vs 71 on our efficiency score.

How do we compare tires?

Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.

Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.

Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology