Tests 78 · 6 tests Owners 57 · 3 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 16 in 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Pirelli Ice Zero 2 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 6 + 13 road tests and 3 + 20 owner reviews. How we score
X Ice Snow is ahead, 73–67
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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.
-
72
Dry
Ice Zero 2 +567Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 11 tests 82 65 Reviews found online 57 71 Dry Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 98% 95% Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 89% 78% Ice Zero 2: 60% × 81.7 + 40% × 56.8 = 72
X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 70.7 = 67
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73
Wet
Ice Zero 2 +271Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 5 / 12 tests 81 65 Reviews found online 61 79 Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 87% 81% Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–0 74% 69% Wet Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 93% 82% Wet Handling (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 96% 95% Ice Zero 2: 60% × 81.1 + 40% × 60.8 = 73
X Ice Snow: 60% × 64.9 + 40% × 79.2 = 71
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71
Snow
X Ice Snow +576Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 12 tests 76 73 Reviews found online 63 81 Ice Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 82% 84% Ice Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 86% 79% Ice Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–1 82% 76% Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 1–0 99% 98% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 99% 98% Snow Traction (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 2–0 99% 96% Ice Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 70% 60% Snow Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 90% 80% Ice Zero 2: 60% × 75.6 + 40% × 62.9 = 71
X Ice Snow: 60% × 73.2 + 40% × 81.2 = 76
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58
Comfort
X Ice Snow +2280Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 2 / 3 tests 72 81 Reviews found online 49 79 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 60% 100% Ice Zero 2: 40% × 72.1 + 60% × 49 = 58
X Ice Snow: 40% × 80.8 + 60% × 78.7 = 80
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65
Noise
X Ice Snow +1075Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 4 / 8 tests 65 80 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (tester's mark) (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 70% 95% Ice Zero 2: 60% × 64.8 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 65
X Ice Snow: 60% × 80.2 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 75
No owner ratings of noise for Ice Zero 2 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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56
Treadwear
X Ice Snow +2076Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 60 (est.) ≈ 72 (est.) Reviews found online 49 81 Ice Zero 2: 60% × 60.4 (est.) + 40% × 49.3 = 56
X Ice Snow: 60% × 71.8 (est.) + 40% × 81.4 = 76
No road tests of treadwear for Ice Zero 2. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
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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53
Handling (owners)
X Ice Snow +2174Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Reviews found online 53 74 -
70
Efficiency
X Ice Snow +777Why this score
Source Ice Zero 2 X Ice Snow Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests 70 77 Fuel Consumption (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 100%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Pirelli Ice Zero 2 | Michelin X Ice Snow |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 67 | 73 |
| Dry | 72 | 67 |
| Wet | 73 | 71 |
| Snow | 71 | 76 |
| Comfort | 58 | 80 |
| Noise | 65 | 75 |
| Treadwear | 56 | 76 |
| Handling (owners) | 53 | 74 |
| Efficiency | 70 | 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
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
67
/ 100
Ice Zero 2
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 6 tests that ran both, Pirelli Ice Zero 2 finished ahead 4 times and Michelin X Ice Snow 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | Ice Zero 2 | X Ice Snow | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 95% | +3.4 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 89% | 78% | +11.1 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 87% | 81% | +6.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 93% | 82% | +11.2 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 96% | 95% | +0.7 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 74% | 69% | +5.5 | 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 82% | 84% | −1.2 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Handling | Snow | 86% | 79% | +7.4 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 70% | 60% | +10.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Ice Traction | Snow | 82% | 76% | +5.4 | 1–1 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 99% | 98% | +0.8 | 1–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 99% | 98% | +0.9 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Handling (tester's mark) | Snow | 90% | 80% | +10.0 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 99% | 96% | +3.4 | 2–0 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 60% | 100% | −40.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Noise | Noise | 98% #4/8 · 2026 Vi Bilagare Studded Tyre Test | 99% #7/8 · 2024 Nordic Friction Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Noise (tester's mark) | Noise | 70% | 95% | −25.0 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2025 Friction and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 96% | 100% | −4.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tyre Test · 235/45 R18 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 55% | 50% | +4.6 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Road Rating (tester's mark) | Other | 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 | – | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #5/15 | #16/15 | – | 4–2 in 6 shared tests Newest: 2025 Teknikens Värld Winter Tire Test R17 · 225/50R17 |
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 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 · 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
73
/ 100
Michelin X Ice Snow
Winner: Michelin X Ice Snow — better comfort, handling and treadwear. Pick the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 if dry matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 80 vs 58 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 74 vs 53 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 76 vs 56 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin X Ice Snow scores 75 vs 65 on noise.
Pick tire A
Your priority is dry braking
Pirelli Ice Zero 2 won 2 of 2 shared dry braking tests.
Tire A · Pirelli Ice Zero 2
Tire B · Michelin X Ice Snow
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Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Which is better in the wet, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Neither, by our numbers: 73 vs 71 on the wet score, within 3 points.
Which grips better on dry roads, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Pirelli Ice Zero 2, 72 vs 67 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 76 vs 71 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 75 vs 65 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 80 vs 58 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 76 vs 56 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, Ice Zero 2 or X Ice Snow?
Michelin X Ice Snow, 77 vs 70 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