Tests 70 · 12 tests Owners 67 · 7 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (snow traction)
Head-to-head
Updated
Uniroyal WinterExpert vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 — 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 12 + 16 road tests and 7 + 25 owner reviews. How we score
WinterContact TS 870 is ahead, 82–68
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.
Tests 84 · 16 tests Owners 79 · 25 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 20 in 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (dry handling)
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
60
Dry
WinterContact TS 870 +2080Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 14 tests 57 81 Reviews found online 66 79 Dry Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 98% 98% Dry Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 99% 100% WinterExpert: 60% × 56.6 + 40% × 65.9 = 60
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 81 + 40% × 79.2 = 80
-
81
Wet
WinterContact TS 870 +1293Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 16 tests 85 98 Reviews found online 75 87 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 87% 97% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 96% 100% Wet Braking (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 95% 93% Wet Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 98% 99% WinterExpert: 60% × 85.2 + 40% × 74.7 = 81
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 97.9 + 40% × 86.5 = 93
-
72
Snow
WinterContact TS 870 +678Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 16 tests 78 82 Reviews found online 63 73 Snow Braking (% of best) · 2 shared tests · wins 0–2 98% 100% Snow Handling (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 95% 99% Snow Traction (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 95% 98% WinterExpert: 60% × 77.5 + 40% × 63.2 = 72
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 81.6 + 40% × 73.2 = 78
-
59
Comfort
WinterContact TS 870 +1675Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 1 / 1 tests 55 72 Reviews found online 62 78 WinterExpert: 40% × 54.7 + 60% × 61.7 = 59
WinterContact TS 870: 40% × 71.9 + 60% × 77.5 = 75
-
61
Noise
WinterContact TS 870 +1677Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 12 tests 58 83 Reviews found online ≈ 66 (est.) ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 98% 99% WinterExpert: 60% × 58.1 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 61
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 83.2 + 40% × 66.5 (est.) = 77
No owner ratings of noise for WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870. 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.
-
67
Treadwear
WinterContact TS 870 +1380Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 6 / 7 tests 68 79 Reviews found online 65 80 Wear (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 90% 95% WinterExpert: 60% × 67.9 + 40% × 64.7 = 67
WinterContact TS 870: 60% × 79.5 + 40% × 80.1 = 80
-
64
Handling (owners)
WinterContact TS 870 +1478Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Reviews found online 64 78 -
83
Efficiency
WinterExpert +776Why this score
Source WinterExpert WinterContact TS 870 Professional tests (TWG score) · 7 / 14 tests 83 76 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 1–0 95% 93%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Uniroyal WinterExpert | Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 68 | 82 |
| Dry | 60 | 80 |
| Wet | 81 | 93 |
| Snow | 72 | 78 |
| Comfort | 59 | 75 |
| Noise | 61 | 77 |
| Treadwear | 67 | 80 |
| Handling (owners) | 64 | 78 |
| Efficiency | 83 | 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 and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
68
/ 100
WinterExpert
82
/ 100
WinterContact TS 870
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 3 tests that ran both, Uniroyal WinterExpert finished ahead 1 times and Continental WinterContact TS 870 2 times.
| Discipline | Category | WinterExpert | WinterContact TS 870 | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 98% | −0.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 100% | −1.3 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 87% | 97% | −10.7 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 100% | −3.9 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 95% | 93% | +1.5 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Wet Braking (concrete) | Wet | 96% #10/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 94% #3/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 84% #10/30 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/11 · 2026 Auto Express Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% | 99% | −1.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Ice Braking | Snow | 87% #24/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 90% #9/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% | 100% | −1.4 | 0–2 in 2 shared tests Newest: 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 95% | 99% | −3.3 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% | 98% | −2.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 84% #16/20 · 2025 Autobild Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/8 · 2023 Autozurnal Winter Tire Test R17 | – | Different tests |
| Noise | Noise | 98% | 99% | −1.1 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Abrasion | Treadwear | 72% #19/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 77% #7/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Wear | Treadwear | 90% | 95% | −4.8 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Fuel Consumption | Efficiency | 97% #23/31 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | 96% #7/16 · 2026 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 185/65 R15 | – | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 95% | 93% | +2.3 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 89% #4/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 59% #7/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | – | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Cost | #3/20 | #6/20 | – | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Value | Cost | 89% | 69% | +19.7 | 1–0 in 1 shared test Newest: 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test · 205/55 R16 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #7/55 | #8/55 | – | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test · 205/55 R16 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A WinterExpert
Pros
- Reliable and great grip on dry, wet, and snow-covered roads
- Direct and responsive handling with predictable cornering
- Good fuel economy
Cons
- Noticeably higher noise levels, particularly on dry roads and during parking maneuvers
- Limited traction and performance when pushed or driven aggressively
- Inferior snow and ice performance compared to some competing winter tires like the Hankook Winter I-cept 2
Tire B WinterContact TS 870
Pros
- Exceptional wet weather performance and aquaplaning resistance
- High level of driver confidence and predictability in varied conditions
- Strong dry road handling and steering feedback
Cons
- Inconsistent performance on steep, hard-packed snow for some users
- Potential negative impact on electric vehicle range
- Occasional reports of understeer on heavy vehicles in cold, greasy conditions
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Uniroyal WinterExpert | B · Continental WinterContact TS 870 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter | Winter |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 90 | 44 |
| Rim diameters | 13″ – 20″ | 14″ – 19″ |
| Sizes in common | 29 | 29 |
Which one should you actually buy?
68
/ 100
Uniroyal WinterExpert
82
/ 100
Continental WinterContact TS 870
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 — better dry, comfort and noise. Pick the Uniroyal WinterExpert if efficiency matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 80 vs 60 on dry.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 75 vs 59 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 77 vs 61 on noise.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 870 scores 78 vs 64 on handling.
Tire A · Uniroyal WinterExpert
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 870
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Which is better in the wet, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 93 vs 81 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 80 vs 60 on our dry score.
Which is better in snow, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 78 vs 72 on our snow score.
Which is quieter, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 77 vs 61 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 75 vs 59 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Continental WinterContact TS 870, 80 vs 67 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, WinterExpert or WinterContact TS 870?
Uniroyal WinterExpert, 83 vs 76 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