Linglong Sport Master Winter vs Michelin Alpin 7
- TR Score
- 7.3/10
- Owners say
- 82% · 4
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 89% · 11
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 7 finished ahead 6 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. The Sport Master Winter lapped the dry handling course 1.5% faster; the Alpin 7 lasted 36.8% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Michelin Alpin 7 if you want the most reliable all-round winter tire with strong snow ability, markedly lower rolling resistance, and better longevity-ideal for frequent winter driving, mixed conditions, and high mileage/EV use. Choose the Linglong Sport Master Winter only if upfront price is the priority and your winters are relatively mild; it can be “good enough” in some tests, but its higher energy use and the recurring concerns around wet/snow stability and consistency make it a higher-risk buy.
Where the Sport Master Winter is stronger
- Very strong value/upfront cost advantage across tests (e.g., ADAC value 1.86 vs 2.42; AvD value index 7.98 vs 11.64), often named price-performance winner
- Can be objectively competitive on dry performance in some fitments (wins more dry handling comparisons; e.g., Auto Express 2025 fastest dry handling lap, and ADAC 2026 shortest dry braking at 43.3 m)
- Cabin noise can be good for the class in several results (quieter than Michelin in ADAC 2026: 71.6 vs 72.3 dB; Auto Express 2026: 67.5 vs 68.1 dB)
Where the Alpin 7 is stronger
- Consistently higher overall rankings across all six shared tests (e.g., 2/15 AvD, 2/16 ADAC, 3/10 AMS), reflecting stronger all-round balance
- Best-in-class efficiency trend with very low rolling resistance (wins 5/5 measured; often the lowest in the test), making it especially attractive for high mileage and EVs
- Stronger winter capability overall-especially snow traction/handling and ice braking (e.g., ADAC traction 2851 N vs 2569 N; ice braking 20.1 m vs 22.4 m)
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.
Sport Master Winter vs Alpin 7 at a glance
| Category | Sport Master Winter | Gap | Alpin 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won6 shared tests | 0 | 6 | |
| Dry12 measurements | 5 | 6 | |
| Wet26 measurements | 5 | The Alpin 7 stopped 1.2% shorter in the wet (6 tests) | 21 |
| Snow18 measurements | 1 | The Alpin 7 was 5.9% quicker in the snow traction test (2 tests) | 17 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort7 measurements | 2 | The Alpin 7 was 0.7 dB quieter (5 tests) | 5 |
| Value9 measurements | 0 | The Alpin 7 lasted 36.8% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) | 9 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 7.3/10 | The Alpin 7 by 2.2 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating4 and 11 reviews | 82% | The Alpin 7 by 7 points | 89% |
| Pricein the 6 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Alpin 7 was dearer in 6 of 6 | +49.7% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 95 | 37 sizes made in both | 49 |
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 6 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 | Sport Master Winter | Field | Alpin 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P9 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2026 AvD Winter Tire Test | P9 of 15 | P2 of 15 | |
| 2026 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P3 of 16 | P2 of 16 | |
| 2026 Auto Express Winter Tire Test | P9 of 11 | P4 of 11 | |
| 2025 AMS Winter Tire Test | P8 of 10 | P3 of 10 | |
| 2025 Auto Express Winter Tire Test | P5 of 8 | P4 of 8 |
Performance profile
21 measurements from the 6 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Sport Master Winter
Alpin 7
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. 7 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Sport Master Winter
Alpin 7
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
Sport Master Winter
Alpin 7
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Alpin 7 89% from 11. 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 | Sport Master Winter | Gap | Alpin 7 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | 0.3% | 139 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 57.85 | 1.5% | 58.75 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70.4 | 0.8% | 71 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 29.1% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 122 | 1.2% | 121 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 132 | 2% | 129 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 76.11 | 1.5% | 74.91 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 42.2 | 2.3% | 43.2 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 46.7% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16.7 | 1.6% | 17 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.71 | 2.3% | 12.42 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 49 | 1.5% | 49.7 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 70.9 | 4% | 62.6 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 84 | 2.1% | 82 | 1-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8.68 | 5.9% | 8.13 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 289 | 6.3% | 321 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 75.6 | 2.1% | 74.19 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 55.8 | 1.4% | 56.6 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 46.7% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.3 | 4.8% | 12.9 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | 2.2% | 12.3 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 73 | 10.3% | 66 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| scored | 15.5% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 71.21 | 0.7 dB | 70.54 | 2-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19,721 | 36.8% | 27,370 | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9.51 | 18.6% | 7.71 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.8 | 5.2% | 5.5 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 82 | 3.7% | 79 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Sport Master Winter scores 7.3 and the Alpin 7 9.5 out of 10.
| Sport Master Winter | Category | Alpin 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | Dry | 78 | ||
| 62 | Wet | 82 | ||
| 29 | Comfort | 64 | ||
| 32 | Value | 85 | ||
| 26 | Snow | 77 | ||
| 17 | Ice | 84 | ||
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
| Sport Master Winter | Category | Alpin 7 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | Dry Grip | 8.7 | ||
| 8.3 | Wet Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 7.8 | Road Feedback | 7.5 | ||
| 7.8 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 6.7 | Wear | 9.7 | ||
| 8 | Comfort | 9.4 | ||
| 9.3 | Snow Grip | 9.2 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 7.3 | ||
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Alpin 7 89% from 11. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Linglong Sport Master Winter
- 82%from 4 reviews
- 5,000 milesdriven by reviewers
All 4 Sport Master Winter reviewsDrove them one winter on really heavy snow in the moutains no problem at all the snow grip was really impresive even against some premium tires. I had no problems never got stuck even when i was trying to get stuck i saw many people with premium tires and same awd having trouble but not with this ones. The only problem is Wear I think if ur winter is mild and temp are high the tires will melt away. About to mount them for this winter to see did they change after 1 year.
Michelin Alpin 7
- 89%from 11 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 67,100 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers rate the Michelin Alpin 7 very highly overall, most often praising its very low noise and notably improved ride comfort/refinement versus previous winter or summer setups. Reviews frequently highlight confident grip and stability in dry and wet conditions, with many also reporting strong performance in snow and slush. A smaller set of users mention a softer sidewall/less direct steering feel, and a couple note that for true Nordic winters (deep snow/ice-heavy conditions) a dedicated Nordic winter tire may be a better fit.
- Very quiet/low road noise (near summer-tire levels for many)
- High ride comfort and good bump/pothole absorption
- Strong dry and wet grip with stable handling, including at higher speeds
- Good snow and slush traction with predictable control
- Soft sidewalls/less direct steering feel (floatier feedback, slightly longer-feeling dry braking for some)
- Higher energy consumption/efficiency loss versus summer tires (typical winter-tire penalty)
Summarised by AI from 11 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 11 Alpin 7 reviewsDefinitely comfortable, safe tires that provide amazing grip on snow and ice. I'm very satisfied, I won't use another tire.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 95 sizes of the Sport Master Winter and 49 of the Alpin 7, 37 of them made in both.
| Category | Sport Master Winter | Alpin 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter Run flat | Winter |
| Sizes made | 95 sizes, 14 to 21 inch | 49 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 37 sizes 185/65 R15195/65 R15195/55 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17and 25 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A81%B19% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D82%C17%B1% | C66%B30%D5% |
| EU label noise | 71-75 dB B100% | 69-71 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 101 of 101 | 64 of 64 |
| On the market since | 2025 | 2024 |
| Awards | - | Highly Recommended: Best Winter Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 7 was the dearer tire in 6 of the 6 tests that listed prices, by 49.7% 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 is a classic “budget challenger vs premium benchmark” winter-tire matchup: the Linglong Sport Master Winter (touring winter, value-led) against the Michelin Alpin 7 (premium-touring winter, efficiency and all-round safety focused). Across six shared group tests in multiple sizes-from 185/65 R15 up to 225/45 R17-the Michelin is consistently ranked higher overall, while the Linglong's case rests mainly on upfront price and a few isolated objective results (notably some dry handling/braking and occasional aquaplaning results depending on the test).
What makes this comparison interesting is that the Michelin isn't a flawless “win everywhere” tire. Several test teams flagged aquaplaning sensitivity and a wet understeer bias in certain fitments, even while praising its very low rolling resistance and strong snow competence. Meanwhile, the Linglong swings more with test and size: it can look acceptable and even earn a “good” rating in one test, but in another it is heavily penalized for wet/snow stability and finishes last with a “poor” rating-so the decision is not just about performance peaks, but about consistency and risk.
Conclusion
Taken as a pattern across the six shared tests, the Michelin Alpin 7 is the safer, more complete winter tire and the better choice for most drivers-especially those who see real winter conditions and/or do high mileage. It beats the Linglong on the categories that most often decide winter safety and running costs: wet braking (Michelin wins 5 of 6 shared datasets), snow traction/handling (Michelin wins all recorded traction and handling comparisons), and efficiency (rolling resistance: Michelin wins 5 of 5, with especially large margins such as 7.4 vs 9.52 kg/t in Auto Express 2026 and 8.1 vs 10 kg/t in Sport Auto 2026). It also lasts meaningfully longer where measured (e.g., AvD: 54,995 km vs 34,475 km-about +60% for Michelin), which can offset some of the purchase-price premium over the life of the tire.
The Linglong Sport Master Winter's strengths are real but narrower: it's consistently the value leader at purchase and in “price/1000” metrics (e.g., ADAC 1.86 vs 2.42; AvD value index 7.98 vs 11.64), and it can post competitive dry numbers (it wins more dry handling head-to-heads, 3 vs 1). However, its weak points align with the situations that tend to be most critical in winter: deep-water stability/aquaplaning and overall wet/snow confidence. The most damaging evidence is Sport Auto 2026, where the Linglong is last (9/9), described as unbalanced with stability deficits and the highest rolling resistance/noise-suggesting that even if you “save” at the till, you may give it back in energy use and, more importantly, reduced safety margin.
Practical takeaway: if you want a winter tire you can trust across cold rain, slush, and snow-with strong efficiency and long wear-the Alpin 7 is the clear pick despite its price, and you should simply drive with some respect in standing water. The Linglong only makes sense when budget is the overriding constraint and your winters are mild and you can accept bigger variability between tests (and potentially between production batches) in exchange for the lower entry cost.
Sport Master Winter vs Alpin 7: your questions
Is the Linglong Sport Master Winter or the Michelin Alpin 7 the better tire?
In the 6 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 7 finished ahead 6 times and the Sport Master Winter not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Sport Master Winter scores 7.3 and the Alpin 7 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Sport Master Winter or the Alpin 7?
The Alpin 7 led 21 of the 26 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.2% shorter in the wet across 6 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Alpin 7 led 6 of the 12 dry measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which is better in snow?
The Alpin 7 led 17 of the 18 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it was 5.9% quicker in the snow traction test across 2 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Alpin 7 lasted 36.8% longer in the wear tests (2 tests) and had 18.6% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 6.7/10 for the Sport Master Winter and 9.7/10 for the Alpin 7.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Alpin 7 was 0.7 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 8/10 for the Sport Master Winter and 9.4/10 for the Alpin 7.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Sport Master Winter 82% from 4 reviews and the Alpin 7 89% from 11.
Which is more expensive?
In the 6 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 7 was the dearer tire in 6 of them, by 49.7% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Sport Master Winter is made in 95 sizes (14 to 21 inch) and the Alpin 7 in 49 (15 to 20 inch). 37 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Sport Master Winter is graded A for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Alpin 7 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Sport Master Winter is the newer design: it reached the market in 2025, the Alpin 7 in 2024.
More comparisons with these tires
vs
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Michelin Alpin 7
5-0 in 5 shared tests
vs
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Michelin Alpin 7
8-4 in 12 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Michelin Alpin 7
5-5 in 11 shared tests
vs
Continental WinterContact TS 870 vs Michelin Alpin 7
5-1 in 6 shared tests
vs 
Michelin Alpin 7 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
0-5 in 5 shared tests
vs 
Linglong Sport Master Winter vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
0-5 in 5 shared tests
vs
Bridgestone Blizzak 6 vs Linglong Sport Master Winter
10-0 in 10 shared tests
vs
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3 vs Linglong Sport Master Winter
10-1 in 11 shared tests
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