Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 73% · 115
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 33
In the 18 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 10 times and the Blizzak LM005 8 times. The Blizzak LM005 stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet; the WinterContact TS 870 P lasted 18.1% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if you drive mostly in cold, wet conditions and want maximum wet safety and strong aquaplaning resistance at a keener price. Choose Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if you need balanced winter performance with shorter dry stops, better snow handling, lower noise and markedly lower rolling resistance-ideal for performance cars, EVs, or high-mileage drivers.
Where the Blizzak LM005 is stronger
- Class-leading wet braking and wet handling across tests (18/18 wet braking wins)
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) and wet circle speed
- Competitive snow braking/traction with predictable, easy control
Where the WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger
- Shorter dry braking and strong dry composure
- Lowest rolling resistance on many tests; efficient for EVs and fuel saving
- Quieter with better wear/abrasion performance on average
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 LM005 vs WinterContact TS 870 P at a glance
| Category | Blizzak LM005 | Gap | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won18 shared tests | 8 | 10 | |
| Dry34 measurements | 9 | The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 1.8% shorter in the dry (16 tests) | 22 |
| Wet78 measurements | 65 | The Blizzak LM005 stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet (18 tests) | 13 |
| Snow65 measurements | 23 | The WinterContact TS 870 P averaged a 1.2% higher speed on the snow handling course (10 tests) | 39 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort20 measurements | 5 | The WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.5 dB quieter (15 tests) | 13 |
| Value21 measurements | 4 | The WinterContact TS 870 P lasted 18.1% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) | 16 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 0.4 | 9.3/10 |
| Owner rating115 and 33 reviews | 73% | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 12 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 56% | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 27 points | 83% |
| Pricein the 14 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The WinterContact TS 870 P was dearer in 13 of 14 | +8.3% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 165 | 88 sizes made in both | 121 |
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 18 tests, 2021 to 2024
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 LM005 | Field | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tire Test | P5 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2024 All Season and Winter Tire Test | P1 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2023/24 Tire Reviews UHP Winter Tire Test | P5 of 6 | P1 of 6 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | P8 of 10 | P1 of 10 | |
| 2023 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P4 of 9 | |
| 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tire Test | P5 of 11 | P3 of 11 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P10 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test | P6 of 16 | P4 of 16 | |
| 2023 Tire Reviews SUV Winter Tire Test | P3 of 9 | P1 of 9 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P1 of 54 | P7 of 54 | |
| 2023 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P1 of 11 | P3 of 11 | |
| 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tire Test | P1 of 7 | P4 of 7 | |
| 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P3 of 9 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P6 of 20 | P8 of 20 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test | P4 of 10 | P2 of 10 | |
| 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview | P1 of 56 | P2 of 56 | |
| 2022 AMS Winter Tire Test | P4 of 8 | P1 of 8 | |
| 2021 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test | P4 of 9 | P1 of 9 |
Performance profile
25 measurements from the 18 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Blizzak LM005
WinterContact TS 870 P
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 96%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Blizzak LM005
WinterContact TS 870 P
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 LM005
Not ahead in any category
WinterContact TS 870 P
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33. 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.
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 LM005 scores 8.9 and the WinterContact TS 870 P 9.3 out of 10.
| Blizzak LM005 | Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | Dry | 94 | ||
| 99 | Wet | 92 | ||
| 64 | Comfort | 77 | ||
| 43 | Value | 76 | ||
| 66 | Snow | 73 | ||
| 13 | Ice | 30 | ||
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 LM005 | Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | Dry Grip | 8.6 | ||
| 8.4 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | 8.1 | ||
| 7.3 | Handling | 8.7 | ||
| 5.9 | Wear | 8.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8.9 | ||
| 7.4 | Snow Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 6.3 | Ice Grip | 7.8 | ||
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- 73%from 115 reviews
- 56%would buy again
- 1,170,613 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners most consistently praise the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 for strong wet-road performance, with around half highlighting secure wet grip and only a handful disagreeing. Dry grip is also commonly rated better than expected for a winter tire, while opinion on snow traction is far more mixed, splitting owners almost evenly depending on conditions and expectations. The biggest drawback is durability: around two in five owners report fast wear (often with performance dropping as the tire ages), and roughly three in ten mention noticeable road noise, with a smaller group also finding it weak on ice.
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in heavy rain
- Impressive dry grip for a winter tire
- Comfortable, compliant ride
- Secure and predictable wet handling
- Fast tread wear and short overall life
- Grip drops off noticeably as the tire wears
- Uneven/abnormal wear reported by some owners
Summarised by AI from 102 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 115 Blizzak LM005 reviewsOverall very good tires for snow. I have a heavy vehicle with big tires (20 inch on sedan). Very good snow and ice grip. However they are quite noisy in the cabin despite BMW insulation.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
- 85%from 33 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 294,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 26 owner reviews averaging 85.8%, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is most consistently praised for strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both the wet and the dry, often paired with a notably quiet, comfortable ride. Many owners also report good longevity for a winter tire, with several noting healthy tread remaining after substantial mileage. Winter performance is generally rated as capable, but a meaningful minority (around two in five of those mentioning it) found snow traction lacking, and opinions are split on ice grip and steering feel; a small number also note it can feel softer when temperatures rise.
- Strong wet grip and confident wet cornering
- Strong dry grip with secure traction
- Noticeably quiet on the road
- Comfortable, supple ride quality
- Snow traction not as strong as expected for some drivers
- Ice grip is inconsistent depending on conditions
- Steering feel not the sharpest
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 33 WinterContact TS 870 P reviewsI've driven the tires in the winter, but on roads devoid of snow and ice so I can't comment on that. They made me feel very secure, however, I have to say that they are far too sporty for my driving style and needs. They carry a lot of responsibility for my decision to buy the car, as they are very comfortable, quiet and make the car feel very surefooted and responsive in the dry and in the wet.
There is one gripe, though, they have absolutely no rim protection, so I blame them for all the scratching on my wheels. I would expect more from a tire of this class from a reputable brand, and, honestly, it is a strong enough reason (albeit the only one) for me not to buy them again. In every other aspect they are brilliant, they even equal summer tires in fuel consumption.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 165 sizes of the Blizzak LM005 and 121 of the WinterContact TS 870 P, 88 of them made in both.
| Category | Blizzak LM005 | WinterContact TS 870 P |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 165 sizes, 14 to 22 inch | 121 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 88 sizes 205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16215/70 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17205/60 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17and 76 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A88%B12% | B99%C1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C80%B19%D1% | C62%B37%D1% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B99%A1% | 70-75 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 360 of 360 | 221 of 221 |
| On the market since | 2019 | - |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO (2017) | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (2017) |
| Replaced by | Bridgestone Blizzak 6 | Continental WinterContact 8 S |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter SUV Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) | Highly Recommended: Best Winter SUV Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) |
| Price in the shared tests | The WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tire in 13 of the 14 tests that listed prices, by 8.3% 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.
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.
This head-to-head pitches two top European winter staples with different briefs: Bridgestone's Blizzak LM005, a premium-touring winter tire famed for wet grip, versus Continental's WinterContact TS 870 P, an ultra-high-performance winter tire engineered for broad-spectrum balance and efficiency. Across 18 shared tests, both repeatedly finished near the front, but they got there by different routes.
Expect the Bridgestone to dominate anything wet: it wins wet braking in all shared tests, frequently by meaningful margins (often 4-10%), and it regularly tops wet handling and aquaplaning. The Continental counters with shorter dry stops, lower rolling resistance, lower noise, and stronger subjective balance, plus generally better snow lateral performance. Pricing often favors the Bridgestone, while ownership costs (wear and fuel) lean Continental.
Conclusion
If your winter is rain-heavy or you value maximum confidence on drenched, cold motorways, the Blizzak LM005 is the safer bet. It repeatedly delivers the shortest wet stops (18/18 wet braking wins), excellent aquaplaning resilience, and competitive snow braking/traction-often at a lower purchase price. Its trade-offs are longer dry braking and typically higher rolling resistance and wear.
For drivers prioritizing all-round balance, shorter dry stops, efficiency and longevity-especially UHP fitments and EV/hybrid use-the WinterContact TS 870 P is the smarter long-term choice. It consistently ranks near the top in dry, is quieter, rolls easier (frequently the lowest on test), and is stronger in snow handling and slalom, with better projected wear. Bottom line: Bridgestone for wet-led security and value; Continental for balanced performance and running-cost efficiency.
Blizzak LM005 vs WinterContact TS 870 P: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 or the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P the better tire?
In the 18 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 10 times and the Blizzak LM005 8 times. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak LM005 scores 8.9 and the WinterContact TS 870 P 9.3 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Blizzak LM005 or the WinterContact TS 870 P?
The Blizzak LM005 led 65 of the 78 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.3% shorter in the wet across 18 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 22 of the 34 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.8% shorter in the dry across 16 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 39 of the 65 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 1.2% higher speed on the snow handling course across 10 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterContact TS 870 P lasted 18.1% longer in the wear tests (4 tests) and had 4.4% lower rolling resistance (15 tests). Owners rate wear 5.9/10 for the Blizzak LM005 and 8.7/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.5 dB quieter (15 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the Blizzak LM005 and 8.9/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33. 56% of Blizzak LM005 owners would buy it again, against 83% for the WinterContact TS 870 P.
Which is more expensive?
In the 14 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tire in 13 of them, by 8.3% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Blizzak LM005 is made in 165 sizes (14 to 22 inch) and the WinterContact TS 870 P in 121 (16 to 23 inch). 88 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Blizzak LM005 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the WinterContact TS 870 P B and C.
More comparisons with these tires
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
8-16 in 25 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
3-14 in 21 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Alpin 7
5-0 in 5 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
5-9 in 15 shared tests
vs 
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Continental WinterContact TS 870
4-6 in 11 shared tests
vs 
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV
1-2 in 4 shared tests
vs 
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Hankook Winter i cept evo3
8-5 in 14 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
5-10 in 16 shared tests
Every Bridgestone vs Continental test → All comparisons → Compare three or more tires →
Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
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.
Discussion