Tests 77 · 6 tests Owners 58 · 3 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 8 in 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Pirelli Ice Zero 2 vs Michelin X Ice Snow — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
X Ice Snow is ahead, 72–67
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Tests 70 · 13 tests Owners 75 · 19 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 5 in 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 (ice braking)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
72
Dry
Ice Zero 2 +567Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 81 65 Reviews found online 58 70 Dry Braking (% of best) 98% 93% -
73
Wet
Ice Zero 2 +469Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 80 64 Reviews found online 61 77 Wet Braking (% of best) 100% 97% Wet Handling (% of best) 100% 92% -
71
Snow
X Ice Snow +576Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 75 73 Reviews found online 64 80 Snow Braking (% of best) 98% 99% Snow Handling (% of best) 99% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) 100% 97% -
63
Comfort
X Ice Snow +1780Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 72 82 Reviews found online 50 78 -
66
Noise
X Ice Snow +874Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) 65 80 -
58
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +1472Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 52 76 -
56
Handling
X Ice Snow +1874Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 56 74
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Ice Zero 2 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 72 |
| Dry | 72 | 67 |
| Wet | 73 | 69 |
| Snow | 71 | 76 |
| Comfort | 63 | 80 |
| Noise | 66 | 74 |
| Treadwear | 58 | 72 |
| Handling | 56 | 74 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
Ice Zero 2
72
/ 100
X Ice Snow
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Ice Zero 2 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% #2/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 93% #8/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +5.0 | Same test |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 93% #14/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 96% #5/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −3.0 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 78% #13/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/5 · 2023 Autoreview Studless Winter Tire Test R16 | −22.2 | Different tests |
| Ice Handling | Ice | 86% #9/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | −11.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 78% #6/8 · 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 60% #9/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | +18.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 98% #4/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −1.1 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 55% #10/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 50% #14/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | +4.5 | Same test |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 8% #13/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 25% #4/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −17.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #6/16 · 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #3/7 · 2025 NAF Motor Studless Winter Tire Test R17 | −1.0 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% #6/8 · 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/20 · 2020 Nordic and Studded Winter Tyre Test | −0.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 100% #1/8 · 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #4/8 · 2023 Studless vs Studded Snow Tyre Test | +2.9 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 87% #6/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | 89% #2/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | −2.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 60% #12/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | −40.0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 80% #2/8 · 2020 Studded Winter Tyre Test | 80% #3/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Ice Handling | Subj | 70% #7/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | 60% #11/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | +10.0 | Same test |
| Subj. Noise | Subj | 80% #2/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 60% #6/8 · 2020 Vi Bilagare Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +20.0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Road Score | Subj | 70% #12/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 97% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | −27.0 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #16/18 · 2026 Teknikens Värld Studded, Nordic and Central European Winter Tyre Test | 56% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +33.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 60% #6/20 · 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test | 70% #5/17 · 2023 UTAC Large Winter Tire Test R16 | −10.0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #8/14 · 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test | 97% #2/8 · 2024 Moottori Winter Tire Test R16 | +2.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #1/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 92% #4/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | +7.9 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Ice Zero 2
Pros
- Very good traction and performance on snow
- Reasonably quiet for a studded winter tire
- Adequate performance on wet and salty roads
Cons
- Dangerous slipping on ice at low speeds in cold climates
- Strong, intrusive howling noise at speeds above 95 km/h
- Poor overall handling compared to competing studded winter tires like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta
Tire B X Ice Snow
Pros
- Exceptional traction and lateral grip in deep snow and slush
- High level of confidence and stability on icy surfaces
- Excellent tread life and durability over multiple seasons
Cons
- Average performance and handling on dry or wet pavement
- Increased road noise as the tires wear over time
- Can feel slightly 'twitchy' or less stable at the absolute limit of handling
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Pirelli Ice Zero 2 | B · Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | — | 100 |
| Rim diameters | — | 13″ – 21″ |
Which one should you actually buy?
67
/ 100
Pirelli Ice Zero 2
72
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Winner: Michelin X Ice Snow — better handling, comfort and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 if dry and wet matter most to you.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 56 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 63 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 72 vs 58 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 66 on noise.
Tire A · Pirelli Ice Zero 2
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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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.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.