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255/35 R21 - Best winter tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

Winter
32
Tyres

We recommend

Price / Value
Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
Hankook

Winter i*cept evo3 W330

8.7
£220
mytyres.co.uk
Buy Details

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Best tyres in tests (2026)

Default order: highest overall test rating first. Ratings combine tests in different tyre sizes.

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1
Michelin PILOT ALPIN 5
MichelinPremium
PILOT ALPIN 5
SPORTSCARS'26#1AUTOBILD'26#2AUTOBILD'26#3
10.0
Price from£276
Expert summary
This is currently the best rated tyre we have and there is a reason for it - it combines sportiness on snow and dry and very good safety margins on the wet. It’s designed to maintain the joy of driving, even on winter tyres, but still manages to be safe at all times. 100% recommended.
Recommended
#1
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#1 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Wear
100%
Gravel traction
100%
Sand traction
100%
+29
Wet safety
44%
Ice lateral guidance
33%
Price/value
8%
View full review
Price variants (1)
255/35 R21 98 W
B C 71dB
£276
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£276
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£316
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
2
Pirelli P Zero Winter 2
PirelliPremium
P Zero Winter 2
AUTOBILD'26#1AUTOZEITUNG'25#3TYREREVIEWS'24#1
9.9
Price from£276
Recommended
#2
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#2 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Wet braking
100%
Wet safety
100%
Wet handling
100%
+14
Wear
56%
Aquaplaning - longitudal
11%
Aquaplaning - cross
11%
View full review
Price variants (3)
255/35 R21 98 W
A C 70dB
£276
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£276
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£295
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
3
GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
GoodYearPremium
UltraGrip Performance 3
ADAC'26#3AVD'26#3SPORTSCARS'26#3
9.2
Price from£285
Expert summary
The UltraGrip Performance 3 is one of the best tyres we have seen in the tests and on top of that it's top discipline is snow performance while maintaining great properties on wet, which makes it a great candidate for snowy climates.
Recommended
#8
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#8 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Dry driving behavior
100%
Wet side guide
100%
Wear
95%
+27
Interior noise
62%
Rolling resistance
60%
Price/value
53%
View full review
Price variants (3)
255/35 R21 98 V XL EVR
C D 73dB
£285
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£285
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£294
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
255/35 R21 98 V
C C 73dB
£290
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£290
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
4
Bridgestone Blizzak 6
BridgestonePremium
Blizzak 6
SPORTSCARS'26#2AUTOEXPRESS'26#4AUTOBILD'26#5
9.1
Price from£266
Expert summary
Blizzak has always been a winter tire focused on wet conditions, but with its sixth model, Bridgestone has promised improved snow performance and reduced rolling resistance. Early tests suggest they have delivered on these promises—Blizzak 6 is unmatched in wet conditions and excels on snow, making it ideal not just for city climates.
Recommended
#9
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#9 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Snow safety
100%
Lateral guidance on snow
96%
Gravel traction
91%
+26
Interior noise
49%
Exterior noise
42%
Price/value
34%
View full review
Price variants (1)
255/35 R21 98 W XL Enliten / EV
B C 72dB
£266
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£266
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£276
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
5
GoodYear UltraGrip Performance+
GoodYearPremium
UltraGrip Performance+
AUTOMOTORSPORT'25#2ADAC'23#3ADAC'23#3
8.8
Price from£248
Expert summary
A typical premium tyre - very well balanced, great on all surfaces with low rolling resistance. Proven by many tests.
Recommended
#10
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#10 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Fuel efficiency
100%
Snow handling - objective
95%
Aquaplaning - cross
91%
+22
Price/value
53%
Dry handling
52%
Dry lane changing
51%
View full review
Price variants (3)
255/35 R21 98 V
C C 73dB
£303
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£303
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£314
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
255/35 R21 98 V
C C 73dB
£248
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£248
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£273
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
6
Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
HankookUpper-middle
Winter i*cept evo3 W330
SPORTSCARS'26#8SPORTAUTO'25#4ADAC'25#5
8.7
Price from£220
Expert summary
Hankook sneaked in between the traditional premium tyres again with its Icept Evo3. It excels in aquaplaning resistance, which is crucial for european winters.
Recommended
#12
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#12 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Aquaplaning - cross
97%
Gravel traction
91%
Snow handling - objective
83%
+19
Wet handling - objective
49%
Dry steering response
41%
Exterior noise
12%
View full review
Price variants (1)
255/35 R21 98 W
B D 73dB
£220
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£220
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£248
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
7
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005
BridgestonePremium
Blizzak LM-005
ADAC'26#8AUTOZEITUNG'24#1AUTOBILD'24#5
8.7
Expert summary
A great winter tyre with balanced handling characteristics. Great in the wet, but slightly less durable than newer models.
Recommended
#11
2026
theTire Lab.comRecommended#11 Winter tires 2026
Performance
Wet side guide
100%
Wet braking
97%
Wet circle cornering
92%
+26
Mileage
40%
Snow safety
33%
Price/value
20%
View full review
8
Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
KumhoUpper-middle
WinterCraft WP52+
AVD'26#6AUTOBILD'26#11ADAC'26#12
8.1
Expert summary
The Kumho WinterCraft WP52+ is a winter tyre from the established South Korean manufacturer, designed for use on passenger cars during cold weather conditions. Serving as an updated successor to the standard WinterCraft WP52, this model is engineered for winter driving. Its main focus is delivering traction on cold, snowy, and icy roads, though specific technical modifications over its predecessor are not detailed.
Performance
Dry braking
97%
Wet braking
93%
Wet circle cornering
84%
+14
Snow handling - objective
43%
Dry handling - objective
29%
Aquaplaning - cross
28%
View full review
9
Continental WinterContact 8 S
ContinentalPremium
WinterContact 8 S
SPORTAUTO'25#5
7.6
Performance
Dry handling
100%
Rolling resistance
100%
Snow cornering
80%
+13
Aquaplaning - cross
20%
Wet handling - objective
0%
Wet handling
0%
View full review
10
Nexen Winguard Sport 3
NexenBudget
Winguard Sport 3
AVD'26#8SPORTSCARS'26#9
7.5
Price from£212
Expert summary
The Nexen Winguard Sport 3 is an ultra-high-performance winter tyre manufactured in the Czech Republic. Launched initially in 79 sizes ranging from 16 to 22 inches, the model has an additional 66 sizes planned for future release. It is recognized for its design, innovation, functionality, and durability, having earned a Red Dot Design Award 2025.
Performance
Exterior noise
100%
Comfort
86%
Snow braking
61%
+12
Aquaplaning - longitudal
22%
Snow handling
21%
Aquaplaning - cross
18%
View full review
Price variants (1)
255/35 R21 98 V RPB 4PR£212
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£212
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
11
Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
VredesteinPremium
Wintrac Pro+
TIRERACK'26#2AUTOBILD'26#6ADAC'26#10
7.3
Price from£217
Performance
Dry circle cornering
100%
Wet circle cornering
91%
Wet handling - objective
90%
+27
Dry driving behavior
11%
Ice braking
0%
Ice traction
0%
View full review
Price variants (1)
255/35 R21 98 Y £217
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£217
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
tyres-pneus-online.co.uk
£249
In stock · Free shipping
Buy
12
Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro
FalkenUpper-middle
EuroWinter HS02 Pro
AUTOBILD'26#6ADAC'26#11AVD'26#11
6.4
Price from£214
Expert summary
EuroWinter HS02 is very good and quite sporty on dry and wet, but lacks some performance on the snow which is the reason for the not so good test results. Weaknesses in aquaplaning and rolling resistance doesn't help either.
Performance
Wet side guide
67%
Dry braking
65%
Wear
64%
+21
Gravel traction
18%
Mud traction
18%
Snow handling - objective
9%
View full review
Price variants (1)
255/35 R21 98 W £214
mytyres.co.uk
mytyres.co.uk
£214
In stock · Free shipping
Buy

255/35 R21 tyre test

Personalize →

Best tyres in your size

Dry

1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
93%
2. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005
77%
3. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
72%
4. GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
71%
5. Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
69%
6. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro
68%
7. Imperial SnowDragon UHP
68%
8. Bridgestone Blizzak 6
66%
9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
65%
10. Nexen Winguard Sport 3
54%
11. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
52%

Wet

1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005
87%
2. GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
77%
3. Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
75%
4. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
74%
5. Bridgestone Blizzak 6
71%
6. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
69%
7. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
68%
8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
67%
9. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro
50%
10. Imperial SnowDragon UHP
29%

Snow

1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
87%
2. Bridgestone Blizzak 6
73%
3. GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3
71%
4. Hankook Winter i*cept evo3 W330
68%
5. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005
66%
6. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+
65%
7. Nexen Winguard Sport 3
59%
8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro
55%
9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+
51%
10. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro
33%
11. Imperial SnowDragon UHP
29%

This is a preview of our comprehensive tyre test. The full test includes:

Detailed breakdowns
Interactive sorting
Side-by-side comparisons
View Full Test Results

Price vs Quality

See how tyre price relates to test performance at a glance

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I'm looking for ...

Best snow tyres
Best tyres for EVs
Best ice tyres
Best dry-handling tyres
Best rain tyres
Quietest tyres
Most economical tyres
Best anti-aquaplaning tyres

Customer reviews

443 customer reviews for tyres in this size
Michelin Primacy 4 3.7/5 (184) Bridgestone Blizzak Lm005 3.2/5 (106) Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 4/5 (60) Michelin PILOT ALPIN 5 3.8/5 (28) Falken EuroWinter HS01 3.7/5 (21) GoodYear UltraGrip Performance+ 3.8/5 (15) GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3 3.9/5 (14) Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro 3.7/5 (6) Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 3.6/5 (5) Gripmax Status Pro Winter 3.2/5 (4)

Other popular sizes

215/65 R16158 Tyres205/55 R16141 Tyres225/55 R17128 Tyres215/60 R17126 Tyres225/45 R17123 Tyres0/0 R0118 Tyres225/50 R17115 Tyres215/60 R16113 Tyres

255/35 R21 — Also available in

Summer(36)All season(4)

Top brands in 255/35 R21

GoodYear(2)Bridgestone(2)Hankook(1)Imperial(1)Kumho(1)Michelin(1)Nexen(1)Pirelli(1)Vredestein(1)Continental(1)

Did you know ...?

255/35 R21 doesn't belong to the most popular dimensions for winter tyres - there are 5 tyre models available, which can be compared to 155/60 R15, 170/60 R17, 160/60 R14. Let's break down the sizing - 35 is height of the tyre, which is calculated as 35% of the tyre width (255mm), which means the sidewall height has 89.25 mm. The wheel diameter is R21, which means it fits to a 21 inch/533.4mm diameter wheel. The total circumference of the tyre is 2236.5 mm, which is very similar to 235/65 R16(2236.5 mm), 255/40 R20(2236.81 mm), 255/45 R19(2237.13 mm), 215/65 R17(2234.61 mm), 285/40 R19(2232.42 mm), 235/60 R17(2242.47 mm), 205/75 R16(2242.78 mm). There are multiple speed indexes available for winter tyres in 255/35 R21: H(210km/h), T(190km/h), V(240km/h), W(270km/h), Y(300km/h). The same goes for weight indexes: 98, 101.

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