Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
Expect the Continental to dominate in safety-critical areas-especially wet braking, aquaplaning resistance, snow braking/handling, and rolling resistance-while the Falken occasionally nips back with isolated strengths such as price, certain dry/wet events, and notably better ice feel in one Nordic-style comparison. The question is less about outright speed and more about where you drive and what you value: confidence in adverse conditions versus purchase price.
Test Results
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been thirteen tests which compare both tires directly!
| Tire | Test Wins | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Continental WinterContact TS 870 P | thirteen |
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is better than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Key Strengths
- Class-leading aquaplaning resistance (straight and curved) across most tests
- Consistently shorter braking on wet and snow with balanced snow handling
- Lowest rolling resistance in class in several tests; strong efficiency and range
- Longer projected tread life and stronger overall value over the tire's lifetime
- Lower purchase price across sizes
- Occasional strong results in dry and select wet metrics (incl. some wet braking events)
- Good comfort and low noise in several tests
- Notable subjective ice handling advantage in one Nordic-style test
Dry Braking
Looking at data from ten tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during six dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped the vehicle in 1.63% less distance than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was better during one dry handling [s] tests. On average the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was 0.21% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Dry Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during seven dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.59% faster around a lap than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Dry Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one subj. dry handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 3.06% more points than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Braking
Looking at data from twelve tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during ten wet braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped the vehicle in 2.14% less distance than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Wet Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was 0.21% faster around a wet lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during six wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.65% faster around a wet lap than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Wet Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scored 1.9% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
Wet Circle
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during three wet circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 0.89% faster around a wet circle than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Wet Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
Straight Aqua
Looking at data from eleven tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during ten straight aqua tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P floated at a 5.22% higher speed than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
Curved Aquaplaning
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during nine curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P slipped out at a 18.31% higher speed than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
Snow Braking
Looking at data from twelve tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during twelve snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P stopped the vehicle in 4.36% less distance than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P accelerated 3.9% faster than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Traction
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during six snow traction tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had 3.79% better snow traction than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Traction: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [s]
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 3.36% faster around a lap than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Handling [Km/H]
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during nine snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 3.65% faster around a lap than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Snow Handling
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 1.89% more points than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
Snow Circle
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one snow circle tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P provided 10.47% more lateral grip than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Circle: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Circle winner was calculated >>
Snow Slalom
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during four snow slalom tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was 8.64% faster through a slalom than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Snow Slalom: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Snow Slalom winner was calculated >>
Subj. Ice Handling
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was better during one subj. ice handling tests. On average the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro scored 50% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Subj. Ice Handling: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
See how the Subj. Ice Handling winner was calculated >>
Subj. Comfort
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one subj. comfort tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P scored 0.88% more points than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Noise
Looking at data from nine tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during six noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P measured 0.4% quieter than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
Wear
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during two wear tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is predicted to cover 23.69% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Wear: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
Value
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during one value tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P proved to have a 0.88% better value based on price/1000km than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Value: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
Price
Looking at data from three tire tests, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was better during three price tests. On average the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro cost 32.17% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Price: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
Rolling Resistance
Looking at data from ten tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P was better during ten rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P had a 13.46% lower rolling resistance than the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
Fuel Consumption
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro was better during one fuel consumption tests. On average the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro used 0.67% less fuel than the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P.
Best In Fuel Consumption: Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
Real World Driver Reviews
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P and Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
In total the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has been reviewed 25 times and drivers have given the tire 87% overall.
The Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro has been reviewed 4 times and drivers have given the tire 89% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Falken EUROWINTER HS02 Pro.
Conclusion
The HS02 Pro's appeal is price and occasional flashes of pace in dry or select wet metrics, plus one standout in subjective ice handling. However, it shows recurring weaknesses where winter tires earn their keep: snow lateral control, aquaplaning safety, and rolling resistance, with multiple tests noting limited reserves and higher wear. For drivers facing regular rain, slush, or snow, the Continental is the clear pick. The Falken only makes sense for milder winters and tight budgets where ice/snow exposure is rare.
Practical takeaway: If you want winter confidence without second-guessing grip, choose the Continental; if your climate is mostly cold-and-dry with little snow and you're cost-sensitive, the Falken can suffice-but it's a compromise.
Key Differences
- Safety-critical wet performance: Continental wins wet braking 10-2 and wet handling 6-4 overall
- Aquaplaning headroom: Continental dominates straight and curved aquaplaning (10-1 and 9-0 wins)
- Snow capability: Continental leads snow braking 12-0 and snow handling 10-0 with stronger traction
- Efficiency: Continental wins rolling resistance 10-0; better for fuel/EV range
- Durability: Continental shows markedly longer projected mileage where tested
- Price vs value: Falken is cheaper to buy, but Continental offers better lifetime value and safety
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
Based on the tire test data and user reviews we have in our database, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P has demonstrated better overall performance in this comparison. However, as you can see from the spider diagram above, each tire has its own strengths which should be considered in your final tire buying choice.Similar Comparisons
Looking for more tire comparisons? Here are other direct comparisons involving these tires:
Footnote
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.