Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
- TR Score
- 9.4/10
- Owners say
- 88% · 9
- TR Score
- 9.2/10
- Owners say
- 77% · 5
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished ahead 6 times and the Blizzak 6 once. The Blizzak 6 had 8.6% lower rolling resistance; the Cinturato Winter 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 6% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
For most drivers in wet, changeable European winters, choose the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 for its consistently class-leading wet braking and aquaplaning safety, plus repeated test-winning overall balance. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 if you prioritize low rolling resistance/efficiency and a progressive, confidence-friendly handling feel, and you're willing to accept that its wet braking and aquaplaning performance is usually a step behind the Pirelli.
Where the Blizzak 6 is stronger
- Very low rolling resistance/efficiency focus across multiple tests (e.g., AvD 7.32 vs 8.59 kg/t; multiple tests note it as best or joint-best), which can reduce fuel/energy use
- Strong and confidence-building dry handling performance (wins dry handling in several shared tests, including Auto Bild Sportscars 98.8 vs 97.9 km/h and Auto Express 57.3s vs 57.88s)
- Consistently competitive snow braking (wins 4 of 7 shared snow-braking comparisons; e.g., Auto Express 18.78 m vs 19.26 m; Auto Bild Sportscars 25.3 m vs 25.7 m)
Where the Cinturato Winter 3 is stronger
- Outstanding wet braking and wet-road safety focus (wins 6 of 7 wet-braking comparisons; Auto Bild Sportscars 49.3 m vs 52.0 m; Allrad 44.4 m vs 46.8 m; Auto Express 33.99 m vs 34.81 m)
- Aquaplaning resistance advantage is often decisive (ADAC straight aquaplaning 85.0 vs 77.4 km/h; curved 3.2 vs 2.5 m/s²; Auto Express straight 85.6 vs 80.0 km/h)
- Strong overall all-round scores and top finishes (wins major group tests: AvD 1/15 and ADAC 1/16; also 2/10 in Auto Bild Allrad and 2/11 in Auto Express)
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Blizzak 6 vs Cinturato Winter 3 at a glance
| Category | Blizzak 6 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won7 shared tests | 1 | 6 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 5 | The Cinturato Winter 3 stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry (7 tests) | 6 |
| Wet25 measurements | 4 | The Cinturato Winter 3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 6% higher speed (6 tests) | 20 |
| Snow21 measurements | 9 | The Cinturato Winter 3 was 2.4% quicker in the snow traction test (3 tests) | 12 |
| Ice1 measurement | 1 | 0 | |
| Comfort9 measurements | 4 | 3 | |
| Value10 measurements | 6 | The Blizzak 6 had 8.6% lower rolling resistance (6 tests) | 4 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.4/10 | The Blizzak 6 by 0.2 | 9.2/10 |
| Owner rating9 and 5 reviews | 88% | The Blizzak 6 by 11 points | 77% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 75% | The Blizzak 6 by 15 points | 60% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Cinturato Winter 3 was dearer in 6 of 6 | +9.9% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 193 | 34 sizes made in both | 36 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 7 tests, 2025 to 2026
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
| Test | Blizzak 6 | Field | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test | P2 of 12 | P4 of 12 | |
| 2026 Auto Bild Allrad SUV Winter Tire Test | P5 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| The BEST Winter Tires for 2026/27 | P5 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P5 of 15 | P1 of 15 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 225/50 R17 | P5 of 16 | P1 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test | P4 of 11 | P2 of 11 | |
| 2025 TUV Test of Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 vs Rivals | P4 of 5 | P1 of 5 |
Performance profile
18 measurements from the 7 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Blizzak 6
Cinturato Winter 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 97%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 8 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Blizzak 6
Cinturato Winter 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Blizzak 6
Cinturato Winter 3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
| Measurement | Blizzak 6 | Gap | Cinturato Winter 3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 142 | 2.6% | 138 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 57.3 | 1% | 57.88 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 65.7 | 1% | 65.1 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 2.3% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 131 | 2.4% | 128 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 126 | = | 126 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 95.85 | 2.7% | 93.42 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 47.9 | 0.2% | 48.1 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 14.36 | 1.5% | 14.14 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.9 | 6% | 51.8 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.5 | 7.1% | 10.1 | 1-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 66 | 0.3% | 66 | 4-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4.88 | 2.4% | 4.8 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 667 | 0.3% | 671 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 83.69 | 2.7% | 81.41 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 33.6 | 1.1% | 33.1 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.2% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 13.6 | 2.6% | 13.3 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 59 | 1.1% | 59 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 1.5% | scored | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | = | scored | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 67.98 | 0.6 dB | 67.41 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 27,325 | 0.7% | 27,114 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.4 | 8.6% | 8.09 | 5-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.6 | 1.8% | 5.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 82 | 2.4% | 80 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak 6 scores 9.4 and the Cinturato Winter 3 9.2 out of 10.
| Blizzak 6 | Category | Cinturato Winter 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84 | Dry | 90 | ||
| 92 | Wet | 100 | ||
| 49 | Comfort | 69 | ||
| 67 | Value | 44 | ||
| 74 | Snow | 72 | ||
| 61 | Ice | 40 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Blizzak 6 | Category | Cinturato Winter 3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.2 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 9.2 | Wet Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Road Feedback | 7 | ||
| 8.9 | Handling | 7.6 | ||
| 8.3 | Wear | 8.5 | ||
| 8.6 | Comfort | 6.4 | ||
| 9.1 | Snow Grip | 9.5 | ||
| 9.1 | Ice Grip | 9 | ||
Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
- 88%from 9 reviews
- 75%would buy again
- 75,369 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 delivers excellent winter performance, with strong grip on snow and ice and confident climbing and cornering in cold, mountain conditions. Multiple reviewers describe it as very stable and among the best winter tires they've used. Overall sentiment is strongly positive across all reviews.
- Strong grip on snow and ice
- Confident traction in cold/mountain conditions
- Stable, secure feel
- High overall satisfaction as a winter tire
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 9 Blizzak 6 reviewsI might be one of the first people to buy Bridgestone winter tires and I've never regretted it. I used them for 2 years, and now I'm thinking of switching to all-season tires, so I'll be looking for other options. After 40,000 km, the insides of the rear tires wore out; I think it's related to the alignment and balance, so I'll be replacing them.
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
- 77%from 5 reviews
- 60%would buy again
- 11,000 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 positively, highlighting strong winter capability and a confident, planted feel in snow/ice as well as reassuring grip in wet conditions. Several also note good overall handling and comfort, with some reporting impressive quietness at lower speeds (especially with PNCS). The most consistent drawback is increased road noise as speeds rise (around 100-110 km/h and above), and a couple of users report higher energy consumption on EVs versus summer tires.
- Strong snow and ice traction
- Confident grip and stability in wet conditions
- Good dry-road handling for a winter tire
- Comfortable ride and generally refined feel (noted by multiple users)
- Noticeable road noise at higher speeds (around 100-110 km/h and above)
- Higher energy consumption/rolling resistance versus summer tires (reported on EVs)
Summarised by AI from 5 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 5 Cinturato Winter 3 reviewsCompared to the previous tire (Michelin Alpin 6), the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 offers more grip on snow.
I haven’t yet reached the limit in dry or wet conditions to provide an objective evaluation in those scenarios, but I notice that as lateral forces increase, the steering loses precision, accompanied by a clearly noticeable noise, typical of a winter tire “working”.
I believe this is due to the relatively narrow tread blocks. The car has also become more sensitive to crosswinds, as well as to road camber.
It is a safe tire, but not a particularly fun or precise one.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 193 sizes of the Blizzak 6 and 36 of the Cinturato Winter 3, 34 of them made in both.
| Category | Blizzak 6 | Cinturato Winter 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 193 sizes, 16 to 22 inch | 36 sizes, 16 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 34 sizes 195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16205/50 R17205/55 R17205/60 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17and 22 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B100% | A58%B42% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C75%B25% | C61%B39% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B87%A13% | 72 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 275 of 275 | 36 of 36 |
| On the market since | - | 2025 |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 (2019) | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 (2021) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Cinturato Winter 3 was the dearer tire in 6 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 9.9% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Previous generation: Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 (6 shared tests)
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
Bridgestone's Blizzak 6 and Pirelli's Cinturato Winter 3 sit in the same “premium touring winter” space, but the seven shared tests show they arrive at that brief with noticeably different priorities. Across mainstream European sizes (205/55 R16-225/55 R18) and multiple test formats (Auto Bild, ADAC, AvD, Auto Express and a TÜV benchmark), the Pirelli repeatedly targets wet-road security and braking performance, while the Bridgestone leans into efficiency and a more “driver-friendly” handling balance.
The headline result is that Cinturato Winter 3 wins the majority of shared comparisons (6 test wins vs 1 for Blizzak 6), including two major group-test victories (AvD 1/15 and ADAC 1/16). But the Blizzak 6 isn't simply “behind”: it frequently tops dry handling, often edges snow braking, and is consistently the rolling-resistance champion-traits that can matter more than outright test wins depending on your winter climate, mileage, and vehicle (especially hybrids/EVs and high-mileage commuters).
Conclusion
If your winter is dominated by wet, cold asphalt and standing water-typical of much of Central/Western Europe-the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 is the safer, more confidence-inspiring choice on the evidence here. It repeatedly delivers shorter wet stopping distances (e.g., Auto Bild Sportscars: 49.3 m vs 52.0 m; Auto Bild Allrad SUV: 44.4 m vs 46.8 m; Auto Express: 33.99 m vs 34.81 m), and it pairs that with class-leading aquaplaning resistance (ADAC straight aquaplaning 85.0 km/h vs 77.4 km/h; curved aquaplaning 3.2 vs 2.5 m/s²). That wet advantage is large enough to be meaningful in real traffic, especially in heavy rain or on motorways.
The Bridgestone Blizzak 6 makes the strongest case when running costs and “nice-to-drive” winter dynamics are high priorities. It is repeatedly the lower-rolling-resistance tire (often by a big margin: AvD 7.32 vs 8.59 kg/t; ADAC value also favors Bridgestone, 3.12 vs 3.46 price/1000), and it tends to feel stable and progressive at the limit in subjective notes. It also frequently wins dry handling head-to-head (3-0 across shared tests) and is competitive to strong on snow braking (4-3). The trade-off is that it gives away too much in wet braking/aquaplaning consistency-and in at least one major test (Auto Express) it was last for dry braking-so it's harder to recommend as the “default” pick.
Practical takeaway: choose the Pirelli if you want maximum winter safety margin in rain and slush (the most common real-world winter condition for many drivers). Choose the Bridgestone if you prioritize efficiency/rolling resistance and still want a capable winter tire that's reassuring and predictable on snow-accepting that, in the wet, it generally won't match the Pirelli's emergency-stop and aquaplaning headroom.
Blizzak 6 vs Cinturato Winter 3: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Blizzak 6 or the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 the better tire?
In the 7 independent tests that ran both tires, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 finished ahead 6 times and the Blizzak 6 once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak 6 scores 9.4 and the Cinturato Winter 3 9.2 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Blizzak 6 or the Cinturato Winter 3?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 20 of the 25 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it resisted straight aquaplaning at a 6% higher speed across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 6 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.6% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Cinturato Winter 3 led 12 of the 21 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 2.4% quicker in the snow traction test across 3 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Blizzak 6 had 8.6% lower rolling resistance (6 tests). Owners rate wear 8.3/10 for the Blizzak 6 and 8.5/10 for the Cinturato Winter 3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Cinturato Winter 3 was 0.6 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.6/10 for the Blizzak 6 and 6.4/10 for the Cinturato Winter 3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Blizzak 6 88% from 9 reviews and the Cinturato Winter 3 77% from 5. 75% of Blizzak 6 owners would buy it again, against 60% for the Cinturato Winter 3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Cinturato Winter 3 was the dearer tire in 6 of them, by 9.9% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Blizzak 6 is made in 193 sizes (16 to 22 inch) and the Cinturato Winter 3 in 36 (16 to 20 inch). 34 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Blizzak 6 is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Cinturato Winter 3 A and C.
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Every Bridgestone vs Pirelli test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tires →
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Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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