Tests 73 · 32 tests Owners 58 · 117 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 54 in 2023 Winter Tyre Test 54 Set Braking Test (wet braking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — 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 32 + 13 road tests and 117 + 20 owner reviews. How we score
X Ice Snow leads, 73–69 Narrow edge
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Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 78 · 20 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test (comfort (tester's mark))
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
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68
Dry
Blizzak LM005 +167Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 27 / 11 tests 77 65 Reviews found online 55 71 Blizzak LM005: 60% × 77.3 + 40% × 55 = 68
X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 70.7 = 67
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88
Wet
Blizzak LM005 +1771Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 12 tests 100 65 Reviews found online 71 79 Blizzak LM005: 60% × 100 + 40% × 71 = 88
X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 79.2 = 71
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73
Snow
X Ice Snow +376Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 32 / 12 tests 79 73 Reviews found online 64 81 Blizzak LM005: 60% × 79.4 + 40% × 64.1 = 73
X Ice Snow: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 81.1 = 76
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66
Comfort
X Ice Snow +1480Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 3 tests 77 81 Reviews found online 58 79 Blizzak LM005: 40% × 77.1 + 60% × 58.4 = 66
X Ice Snow: 40% × 81 + 60% × 78.8 = 80
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68
Noise
X Ice Snow +775Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 25 / 8 tests 69 81 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Blizzak LM005: 60% × 68.8 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 68
X Ice Snow: 60% × 80.5 + 40% × 66.4 (est.) = 75
No owner ratings of noise for Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
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38
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +3876Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 8 / – tests 37 ≈ 72 (est.) Reviews found online 41 81 Blizzak LM005: 60% × 36.5 + 40% × 41 = 38
X Ice Snow: 60% × 71.9 (est.) + 40% × 81.4 = 76
No road tests of treadwear for X Ice Snow. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
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59
Handling (owners)
X Ice Snow +1675Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 59 75 -
83
Efficiency
Blizzak LM005 +677Why this score
Source Blizzak LM005 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 27 / 6 tests 83 77
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 69 | 73 |
| Dry | 68 | 67 |
| Wet | 88 | 71 |
| Snow | 73 | 76 |
| Comfort | 66 | 80 |
| Noise | 68 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 38 | 76 |
| Handling (owners) | 59 | 75 |
| Efficiency | 83 | 77 |
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
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Important
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Less important
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Less important
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Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
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Recomputed
Headline score
69
/ 100
Blizzak LM005
73
/ 100
X Ice Snow
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 1 tests that ran both, Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 finished ahead 1 times and Michelin X Ice Snow 0 times.
| Discipline | Category | Blizzak LM005 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 96% #10/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 97% #7/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 92% #4/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 78% #5/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 99% #2/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 75% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 72% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 81% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 95% #6/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 93% #2/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 88% #13/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 93% #12/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 69% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 84% #7/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 86% #8/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 56% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 96% #8/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 96% #6/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | 97% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Exterior Noise | Noise | 99% #2/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 99% #2/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 96% #15/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 96% #6/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | 100% #1/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 88% #5/7 · 2024 Al Volante Crossover Winter Tire Test R18 | 97% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 85% #6/9 · 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tyre Test | 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/16 | #9/16 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Teknikens Värld Big Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/50R17 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Blizzak LM005
Pros
- Exceptional grip and braking performance on wet roads and heavy rain
- High driving comfort with low interior noise levels when new
- Predictable and stable handling characteristics in dry and mild winter conditions
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, with many users reporting the tire wearing out within 5,000 to 15,000 km
- Noticeable degradation in snow and ice grip by the second or third season
- Increased tire noise, whining, or humming vibrations as the tire ages
Tire B X Ice Snow
Pros
- Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow, packed snow, and slush
- High confidence and predictable handling on icy and freezing roads
- Impressive tread wear longevity and minimal wear over multiple seasons
Cons
- Average performance on dry and wet pavement compared to dedicated non-winter tires
- Slightly noisier on dry pavement as the tread wears down
- Can feel slightly twitchy at the limit or less comfortable than older X-Ice generations
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 165 | 100 |
| Rim diameters | 14″ – 22″ | 13″ – 21″ |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 78 | 78 |
Which one should you actually buy?
69
/ 100
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
73
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Narrow edge: Michelin X Ice Snow — better treadwear, handling and comfort. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if wet and efficiency matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 76 vs 38 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 71 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 75 vs 59 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 66 on comfort.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Which is better in the wet, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, 88 vs 71 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Neither, by our numbers: 68 vs 67 on the dry score, within 3 points.
Which is better in snow, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 76 vs 73 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 75 vs 68 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 80 vs 66 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 76 vs 38 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Blizzak LM005 or X Ice Snow?
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005, 83 vs 77 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