255/40 R21 - Best winter tyres 2026 - market overview, tests, reviews

Winter

33

Tyres

We recommend

Premium

SCORPION WINTER

9.0

£333

Buy Details

Best deals

Premium

SCORPION WINTER

255/40 R21 102 V

£333

Great price for a premium tyre Lowest price among well rated tyres.

Best tyres in tests (2026)

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1

Premium

Pilot Alpin 5

'25#1

'25#1

'25#2

10.0

Price from

£270

Price from£270

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 handling - objective

38%

Ice lateral guidance

33%

Price/value

8%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#1(Exemplary)

2025275/35 R19#1(Outstanding)

2025245/45 R19#2(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#2(Good)

2025225/40 R18#2(-)

2024235/35 R19#1(Exemplary)

2024245/45 R18#1(Exemplary)

2024235/35 R19#1(Test winner)

2023225/45 R18#1(Test winner)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 V

C C 71dB

£270

mytyres.co.uk

£270

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£319

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

2

Premium

UltraGrip Performance 3

'25#1

9.5

Price from

£219

Price from£219

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

#5

2026

theTire Lab.comRecommended#5 Winter tires 2026

Performance

Dry driving behavior

100%

Wet side guide

100%

Gravel traction

91%

+27

Interior noise

63%

Rolling resistance

60%

Price/value

53%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#1(Good)

2025215/55 R17#1(Exemplary)

2025245/45 R19#1(Highly recommended)

2025215/55 R17#2(Good)

2025225/45 R17#2(-)

2025275/35 R19#3(Very good)

2025225/40 R18#3(-)

2025235/50 R19#4(Good)

2025225/40 R18#5(Good)

2024215/55 R17#1(Good)

View full review

Price variants (8)

255/40 R21 102 T

C C 72dB

£219

mytyres.co.uk

£219

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£320

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 102 H

C C 72dB

£257

mytyres.co.uk

£257

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£315

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 102 V

C C 72dB

£233

mytyres.co.uk

£233

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

3

Premium

Blizzak 6

'25#1

'25#2

'25#3

9.2

Price from

£238

Price from£238

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

#8

2026

theTire Lab.comRecommended#8 Winter tires 2026

Performance

Snow safety

100%

Lateral guidance on snow

96%

Gravel traction

91%

+26

Exterior noise

52%

Price/value

34%

Interior noise

29%

Test results

2025235/50 R19#1(Test winner)

2025275/35 R19#2(Very good)

2025225/45 R17#3(-)

2025215/55 R17#3(Good)

2025225/40 R18#3(Exemplary)

2025225/40 R18#3(Good)

2025245/45 R19#4(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#6(-)

2025215/55 R17#6(Very good)

2025215/55 R17#7(Good)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 W

B C 72dB

£238

mytyres.co.uk

£238

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£265

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

4

Premium

WinterContact TS 870 P

'25#1

9.4

Price from

£264

Price from£264

Expert summary

Continental winter tires have been winning tire tests for many years, and the 870P is no exception. The “P” stands for performance, but don’t be mistaken, its rolling resistance is also praised, making it ideal for EVs. A well-balanced tire.

Recommended

#7

2026

theTire Lab.comRecommended#7 Winter tires 2026

Performance

Dry handling - objective

93%

Rolling resistance

92%

Mud traction

91%

+26

Gravel traction

46%

Sand traction

46%

Price/value

4%

Test results

2025215/55 R17#1(Good)

2025215/55 R17#1(Outstanding)

2025235/50 R19#1(Exemplary)

2025215/55 R17#3(Exemplary)

2025245/45 R19#5(Highly recommended)

2025225/40 R18#6(Good)

2025225/40 R18#7(Good)

2025225/40 R18#13(-)

2024215/55 R17#2(Highly recommended)

2024235/55 R18#2(Very good)

View full review

Price variants (4)

255/40 R21 102 T XL

B B 72dB

£264

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£264

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

mytyres.co.uk

£277

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 102 T BSW XL

B B 72dB

£278

mytyres.co.uk

£278

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£318

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 102 V BSW XL£360

mytyres.co.uk

£360

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 102 V

B B 73dB

£266

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£266

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

mytyres.co.uk

£273

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

5

Premium

Scorpion Winter 2

'25#4

'24#4

'23#3

8.6

Price from

£266

Price from£266

Expert summary

Winter-focused tyre that is enjoyable to drive on snow, while being safe on wet and dry.

Performance

Lateral guidance on snow

100%

Dry lane changing

100%

Interior noise

100%

+17

Aquaplaning - cross

47%

Price/value

33%

Rolling resistance

28%

Test results

2025235/50 R19#4(Good)

2024235/55 R18#4(Very good)

2023225/60 R18#3(Exemplary)

2023235/60 R18#6(Recommended)

2023235/55 R18#7(Recommended)

View full review

Price variants (2)

255/40 R21 102 V

A C 71dB

£266

mytyres.co.uk

£266

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 102 V

A C 71dB

£281

mytyres.co.uk

£281

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

6

Premium

WinterContact 8 S

'25#5

7.8

Price from

£267

Price from£267

Performance

Dry handling

100%

Rolling resistance

100%

Snow cornering

80%

+13

Aquaplaning - cross

20%

Wet handling - objective

0%

Wet handling

0%

Test results

2025275/35 R19#5(Good)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 V XL EVc

B B 73dB

£267

mytyres.co.uk

£267

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£272

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

7

Premium

Wintrac Pro+

'25#4

7.2

Price from

£231

Price from£231

Performance

Wet handling - objective

90%

Wet circle cornering

89%

Wet handling

83%

+22

Price/value

21%

Dry lane changing

16%

Dry driving behavior

11%

Test results

2025215/55 R17#4(Exemplary)

2025215/55 R17#4(Good)

2025235/50 R19#4(Good)

2025215/55 R17#5(Very good)

2025225/45 R17#6(-)

2025245/45 R19#6(-)

2025275/35 R19#6(Good)

2025225/40 R18#13(Satisfactory)

2025225/40 R18#17(-)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 V £231

mytyres.co.uk

£231

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

£265

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

8

Upper-middle

Winter i*cept evo3 X W330A

'25#7

'24#5

'23#2

8.7

Price from

£252

Price from£252

Recommended

#14

2026

theTire Lab.comRecommended#14 Winter tires 2026

Performance

Dry lane changing

100%

Price/value

100%

Snow braking

89%

+19

Exterior noise

24%

Interior noise

13%

Wet safety

0%

Test results

2025235/50 R19#7(Good)

2024235/55 R18#5(Very good)

2023235/55 R18#2(Recommended)

2023235/60 R18#3(Highly recommended)

2023225/60 R18#6(Good)

2021235/55 R18#6(Good)

2021235/55 R18#9(-)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 V

B C 73dB

£252

mytyres.co.uk

£252

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

9

Upper-middle

Snowproof 2 SUV

'25#8

'24#9

'23#5

7.1

Price from

£279

Price from£279

Performance

Price/value

100%

Aquaplaning - cross

93%

Aquaplaning - longitudal

85%

+17

Dry steering response

22%

Snow traction

20%

Wet braking

19%

Test results

2025235/50 R19#8(Sufficient)

2024235/55 R18#9(Good)

2023235/60 R18#5(Recommended)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 V Aramid Sidewalls£279

mytyres.co.uk

£279

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

10

Upper-middle

Eurowinter HS02 Pro

'25#9

'25#20

6.6

Price from

£227

Price from£227

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

Dry braking

74%

Wet handling - objective

68%

Exterior noise

68%

+20

Gravel traction

18%

Mud traction

18%

Snow handling - objective

9%

Test results

2025215/55 R17#9(Good)

2025235/50 R19#9(Sufficient)

2025225/40 R18#20(Satisfactory)

2025225/40 R18#20(-)

2024235/55 R18#8(Good)

2024245/45 R18#10(Satisfactory)

2023255/45 R20#7(Satisfactory)

2023225/60 R18#7(Satisfactory)

2023225/40 R18#9(Satisfactory)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 W £227

mytyres.co.uk

£227

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

11

Budget

Speed-Grip 5

'25#11

'25#14

'25#15

8.0

Price from

£219

Price from£219

Expert summary

We really like the new Speed-Grip 5 - it's not expensive, it's very good on snow and on top of that, it's got very low rolling resistance. What it lacks compared to the premium tyres is better wet performance, but given it's price it's definitely recommendable.

Performance

Interior noise

100%

Dry handling - objective

88%

Aquaplaning - cross

84%

+17

Wet handling

36%

Wet handling - objective

25%

Snow handling - objective

25%

Test results

2025225/40 R18#11(Good)

2025225/40 R18#14(Satisfactory)

2025225/40 R18#15(-)

2024205/55 R16#3(Exemplary)

2024215/55 R17#4(Satisfactory)

2024205/55 R16#6(-)

2023225/45 R17#6(Satisfactory)

2023225/45 R18#16(Satisfactory)

2023225/45 R18#19(-)

2022185/65 R15#3(Good)

View full review

Price variants (1)

255/40 R21 102 V

C B 73dB

£219

mytyres.co.uk

£219

In stock · Free shipping

Buy

255/40 R21 tyre test

Personalize →

Best tyres in your size

Dry

1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

92%

2. Continental Wintercontact Ts 870 P

78%

3. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005

77%

4. Kumho WinterCraft WP52

73%

5. GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3

71%

6. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+

71%

7. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro

70%

8. Semperit Speed-Grip 5

65%

9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro

65%

10. Imperial SnowDragon UHP

64%

11. Bridgestone Blizzak 6

64%

12. Linglong Sport Master Winter

61%

13. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+

51%

14. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV

37%

Wet

1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005

87%

2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

76%

3. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+

73%

4. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+

71%

5. Bridgestone Blizzak 6

70%

6. Continental Wintercontact Ts 870 P

70%

7. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

67%

8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro

67%

9. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV

66%

10. Semperit Speed-Grip 5

59%

11. Kumho WinterCraft WP52

56%

12. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro

49%

13. Linglong Sport Master Winter

34%

14. Imperial SnowDragon UHP

29%

Snow

1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

87%

2. Bridgestone Blizzak 6

73%

3. GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3

68%

4. Continental Wintercontact Ts 870 P

68%

5. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+

68%

6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005

66%

7. Semperit Speed-Grip 5

57%

8. Vredestein Wintrac Pro

55%

9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+

51%

10. Kumho WinterCraft WP52

50%

11. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV

46%

12. Linglong Sport Master Winter

37%

13. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro

31%

14. Imperial SnowDragon UHP

29%

Comfort

1. Michelin Pilot Alpin 5

91%

2. Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3

74%

3. Continental Wintercontact Ts 870 P

73%

4. Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro

65%

5. Semperit Speed-Grip 5

64%

6. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-005

61%

7. Kumho WinterCraft WP52+

53%

8. Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV

51%

9. Vredestein Wintrac Pro

51%

10. Bridgestone Blizzak 6

40%

11. Vredestein Wintrac Pro+

40%

12. Linglong Sport Master Winter

38%

13. Kumho WinterCraft WP52

37%

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

Compare tyres

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

136 customer reviews for tyres in this size

Michelin PILOT ALPIN 5 3.8/5 (28)

Continental WinterContact TS 870 P 4/5 (26)

Pirelli Scorpion Winter 3.5/5 (20)

GoodYear UltraGrip Performance 3 3.9/5 (14)

Michelin PILOT ALPIN 5 SUV 3.8/5 (12)

Pirelli P Zero Winter 3.6/5 (9)

Nokian WR SUV 4 3.5/5 (8)

Nexen WinGuard Sport 2 SUV 3/5 (7)

Nokian Snowproof 2 SUV 3/5 (6)

Falken EuroWinter HS02 Pro 3.7/5 (6)

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255/40 R21 — Also available in

Summer(79)All season(11)

Top brands in 255/40 R21

Did you know ...?

255/40 R21 doesn't belong to the most popular dimensions for winter tyres - there are 4 tyre models available, which can be compared to 155/60 R15, 170/60 R17, 160/60 R14. Let's break down the sizing - 40 is height of the tyre, which is calculated as 40% of the tyre width (255mm), which means the sidewall height has 102 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 2316.61 mm, which is very similar to 235/65 R17(2316.3 mm), 255/45 R20(2316.92 mm), 255/50 R19(2317.24 mm), 255/55 R18(2317.55 mm), 255/60 R17(2317.87 mm), 255/65 R16(2318.18 mm), 255/70 R15(2318.5 mm). There are multiple speed indexes available for winter tyres in 255/40 R21: H(210km/h), T(190km/h), V(240km/h), W(270km/h). The same goes for weight indexes: 102, 105.