5 Best Studless Winter Tyres for 2026/2027

What are the best studless winter tyres for 2026/2027, and which model should you choose for Estonia's unpredictable winter conditions? TyreRanker, a platform that combines results from various tyre tests, has compiled a ranking of Nordic studless winter tyres based on multiple independent comparisons. The top five include Goodyear, Pirelli, Continental, Nordman and Michelin.

One model that stands out is the Pirelli Ice Friction, which finished second overall and achieved the highest snow performance score among the top five tyres, earning 98 points out of 100. We take a closer look at which tyres have performed best in recent tests, how they differ from one another and what to consider when choosing the most suitable studless winter tyres for your car.

Which studless winter tyres offer the best combination of ice grip, snow performance and driving comfort for Estonian winters? The latest ranking by TyreRanker, which combines results from multiple tyre tests, features Goodyear, Pirelli, Continental, Nordman and Michelin in its top five. One particularly impressive model is the Pirelli Ice Friction, which shares the highest rounded overall score with the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 and achieved the best snow performance rating among the top five tyres.

Estonian winters put car tyres to a serious test. One day, you may be driving on a snow-covered highway; the next, on an icy country road; and the day after that, on wet asphalt. This is why choosing the right winter tyres means considering several different performance characteristics.

But how can you tell which studless winter tyres are actually the best?

One way is to look at independent tyre tests. However, different publications use different testing conditions, tyre sizes and scoring systems. As a result, a tyre that wins one test may finish second or even lower in another.

This is where TyreRanker comes in. The platform brings together results from various tyre tests and calculates an overall score for each model.

Let's take a closer look at the five best Nordic studless winter tyres for the 2026/2027 winter season, according to TyreRanker's overall ranking.

Best Studless Winter Tyres 2026/2027: TOP 5

According to TyreRanker's Nordic studless winter tyre ranking, the top five in October 2026 were:

Goodyear and Pirelli, ranked first and second respectively, both received a rounded score of 89 points. In TyreRanker's published ranking, Goodyear takes first place and Pirelli second.

The overall score is not simply an average of the points awarded by different magazines. Factors such as tyre performance, test reliability, the age of the tyre model and tyre price are also taken into account. This means the ranking may change over time.

1. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 – Leader of the Overall Ranking

The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 topped TyreRanker's overall ranking with a score of 89 out of 100. Its rating is based on eight tests conducted between 2024 and 2026.

One of Goodyear's greatest strengths is its balanced performance across different driving conditions. According to TyreRanker, it scored 96 points for snow performance, 99 points for noise and comfort, and another 99 points for rolling resistance.

Goodyear also performed well in recent Swedish tyre tests. In the 2026 Teknikens Värld test, it finished second among Nordic studless winter tyres, while in the Vi Bilägare comparison it shared third place.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 is a good choice for drivers who value a quiet, comfortable and economical ride alongside dependable winter grip.

View Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 results on TyreRanker.

2. Pirelli Ice Friction – Best Snow Rating and Strong Results in Independent Tests

One of the standout models in recent winter tyre tests is the Pirelli Ice Friction, which achieved second place in TyreRanker's overall ranking with 89 points out of 100.

Pirelli's score is based on six test records from 2025–2026. Its performance on snow is particularly noteworthy.

According to TyreRanker, the Pirelli Ice Friction received 98 out of 100 points for snow performance, the highest score among all five leading tyres. It also earned 97 points for noise and comfort and 89 points for ice performance.

These results show that Pirelli has developed a Nordic studless winter tyre that combines excellent snow grip with a comfortable and stable driving experience.

Pirelli Finished in the Top Three in Two Swedish Tyre Tests in 2026

The strong performance of the Pirelli Ice Friction is also supported by recent tests conducted by independent automotive publications.

In the Swedish magazine Vi Bilägare's 2026 studless winter tyre test, Pirelli finished second out of eight tyres. It also placed second in the same publication's 2025 test.

In Teknikens Värld's 2026 winter tyre test, Pirelli reached the top three among Nordic studless tyres, finishing third. In 2025, it shared second place in the same publication's comparison.

Pirelli's high position is therefore not based on a single successful test, but on several consistently strong results.

However, it is important to note that Pirelli did not finish in the top three in every test. In the 2026 Tehnikamaailm comparison published by TyreRanker, the Ice Friction ranked fifth out of six tyres. This is a reminder that a tyre's strengths and weaknesses can become more apparent under different testing conditions.

View the Pirelli Ice Friction overall score and all test results on TyreRanker.

Why Could the Pirelli Ice Friction Be a Good Choice for Estonian Winters?

Estonian winters often involve constantly changing road conditions. This is why a Nordic studless winter tyre needs to provide reliable grip on snow and ice while remaining comfortable on clear asphalt.

The Pirelli Ice Friction's high snow performance rating makes it a strong candidate for drivers who frequently travel on snow-covered roads. Its excellent noise and comfort score is another advantage for everyday city driving and longer highway journeys.

However, Pirelli's strengths should be considered as part of the bigger picture. For example, Continental has a higher ice performance score in TyreRanker's overall comparison, while Goodyear performs better on wet asphalt.

You can also read more about the Pirelli Ice Friction in an earlier Rehvid Pluss article, “New Pirelli ICE FRICTION™ – Nordic Winter Under Control”.

3. Continental VikingContact 8 – Excellent Grip on Ice

The Continental VikingContact 8 finished third in TyreRanker's overall ranking with 88 points. Its overall score is based on seven tests conducted between 2024 and 2026.

Continental stands out particularly in icy conditions. According to TyreRanker, the VikingContact 8 scored 98 out of 100 points for ice performance, the highest rating among the top five tyres.

Its snow performance was also impressive, with a score of 97 points.

In 2026, Continental won the Nordic studless winter tyre comparisons conducted by both Vi Bilägare and Teknikens Värld.

The VikingContact 8 is an excellent option for drivers who prioritise strong ice grip and confident handling in challenging winter conditions.

View Continental VikingContact 8 test results.

4. Nordman North RS3 – High Overall Score, but Fewer Test Results

The Nordman North RS3 ranked fourth in TyreRanker's overall ranking, receiving 87 points out of 100.

Its strengths include an excellent rolling resistance score of 100 points and a high snow performance rating of 95 points. On dry asphalt, Nordman achieved the highest score among the top five tyres, with 87 points.

However, there is one important difference to keep in mind: the Nordman North RS3's overall score is based on just one test from 2025.

This means its rating is not supported by the same volume of test data as Goodyear, Pirelli or Continental. Additional tests could change its position in the future.

View Nordman North RS3 results.

5. Michelin X-Ice Snow – Strong Aquaplaning Resistance

The Michelin X-Ice Snow secured fifth place in TyreRanker's Nordic studless winter tyre ranking, scoring 87 points out of 100.

Its rating is based on five tests conducted between 2024 and 2025.

One of Michelin's greatest strengths is aquaplaning resistance. According to TyreRanker, the X-Ice Snow scored 91 points in this category, the highest result among the top five tyres.

Michelin also achieved high scores for noise and comfort and rolling resistance, receiving 96 points in both categories.

The Michelin X-Ice Snow may be a good option for drivers looking for a Nordic studless winter tyre who also value driving comfort and aquaplaning resistance.

View Michelin X-Ice Snow overall score.

Why Do Different Tyre Tests Have Different Winners?

When comparing tyre test results, an obvious question arises: how can Continental win two independent tests in 2026 yet finish only third in TyreRanker's overall ranking?

The answer lies in the scoring methodology.

Individual tyre tests compare specific models in particular sizes and under defined testing conditions. TyreRanker, however, combines test results from different years and also considers tyre prices and test reliability.

In the overall ratings for Nordic studless winter tyres, ice and snow performance carry the greatest weight, each accounting for 17.5% of the total score. Other factors include wet and dry road performance, aquaplaning resistance, noise, comfort, rolling resistance, testers' assessments and price.

You can find more details on the TyreRanker methodology page.

For this reason, the overall ranking should be used as a helpful guide rather than the only factor in your purchasing decision.

Nordic or Central European Studless Winter Tyres?

Not all studless winter tyres are designed for the same conditions.

Nordic studless winter tyres are developed primarily for cold climates, snow-covered roads and icy conditions. Central European winter tyres, on the other hand, tend to place greater emphasis on performance on wet and dry asphalt.

Pirelli's own product range provides a good example.

While the Pirelli Ice Friction ranks second among Nordic studless winter tyres, the Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 also achieved second place in TyreRanker's Central European winter tyre ranking, scoring 93 out of 100 points.

However, these scores are not directly comparable because the tyres belong to different categories.

In Vi Bilägare's 2026 test, the Cinturato Winter 3 demonstrated better wet braking performance than the Ice Friction, while the Ice Friction performed better when braking on ice. This is a good example of why driving conditions should guide your tyre choice.

For Estonian winters, where driving on snow and ice is often unavoidable, Nordic studless winter tyres are generally the safer choice.

It is also important to check tyre markings. During Estonia's mandatory winter tyre period, from 1 December to 1 March, studless winter tyres must carry the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. The M+S marking alone is not sufficient, and studless tyres carrying only this marking are not permitted during that period.

Which Studless Winter Tyres Should You Choose for Your Car?

Although the overall tyre ranking provides a useful overview of the strengths of different models, there is no single tyre that performs better than all others in every situation.

If you frequently drive on snow-covered country roads, snow grip should be a major priority. On icy roads, strong ice grip is especially important. For city driving and major highways, wet road performance, noise levels and driving comfort may also play a significant role.

It is also worth remembering that tyre tests are conducted using specific tyre sizes, and results may not be exactly the same across all dimensions.

At Rehvid Pluss, you can find a wide selection of winter tyres for different vehicle models, driving conditions and budgets.

Conclusion: Which Is the Best Studless Winter Tyre for 2026/2027?

According to TyreRanker's overall ranking checked in October 2026, the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 leads the Nordic studless winter tyre category. It is followed very closely by the Pirelli Ice Friction, with the Continental VikingContact 8 in third place.

The Pirelli Ice Friction is one of the most noteworthy options of the season. It achieved the highest snow performance rating among the top five tyres, finished in the top three in two recent Swedish tyre tests and offers a strong combination of winter grip and driving comfort.

At the same time, the results show that Continental, Goodyear, Nordman and Michelin each have their own strengths. The best choice ultimately depends on the roads and conditions in which you drive most often.

Explore the Rehvid Pluss winter tyre range and find the right studless winter tyres for your car before the winter season begins.

Source: TyreRanker's Nordic studless winter tyre ranking, as of 22 October 2026. Overall scores are based on tests conducted between 2024 and 2026 and may change as new test results become available or tyre prices change.

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