75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
96/100
35 professional tests
User signal (40%)
71/100
110 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Dunlop Winter Sport 5 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
83
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
24 professional tests
User signal (40%)
84/100
43 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 — better treadwear, noise and snow. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if wet matters most to you.
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Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 81 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 83 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 99% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 79 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 85 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 93% | 96% |
| Wet Braking - Concrete (% of best) | 81% | 87% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 99% | 43% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 100% | 97% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 80 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 91 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 100% |
| Snow Circle (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 98% |
| Snow Slalom (% of best) | 100% | 93% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 95% | 96% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 90 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 84 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | 78 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 28
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Winter Sport 5 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 79 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 83 |
| Dry | 84 | 82 |
| Wet | 88 | 81 |
| Snow | 77 | 84 |
| Comfort | 80 | 87 |
| Noise | 63 | 78 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 87 |
| Handling | 73 | 79 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Tire A
83
/ 100
Tire B
Test data
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curved Aquaplaning | Curved | 100% #1/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #5/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +2 | Different tests |
| Dry Braking | Dry | 99% #2/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 95% #8/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #2/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 98% #16/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.4 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 95% #2/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 93% #4/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +1.6 | Different tests |
| Fuel Consumption | Fuel | 98% #10/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 95% #1/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | +3.4 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 88% #15/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 95% #4/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -6.7 | Different tests |
| Abrasion | Other | 92% #14/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 66% #4/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | +25.9 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 99% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 97% #10/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1.9 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 86% #13/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 84% #9/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | +1.2 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 91% #15/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 76% #16/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +14.9 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 82% #5/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 89% #7/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | -6.5 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 10% #10/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 25% #4/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -15 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #11/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 100% #1/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | -2.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Circle | Snow | 99% #6/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 99% #7/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -0.1 | Same test |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #7/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 98% #10/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Slalom | Snow | 100% #1/7 · 2022 Sport Auto All Season Tyre Test | 93% #13/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +6.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 95% #5/10 · 2020 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 96% #9/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -0.5 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 100% #1/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 95% #16/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +4.5 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 80% #9/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/9 · 2021 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -20 | Same test |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 90% #2/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 70% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +20 | Same test |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 100% #1/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 80% #4/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +20 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 100% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 50% #5/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +50 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #18/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0% #10/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 93% #3/15 · 2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 96% #5/49 · 2021 Winter Tyre Market Overview | -2.1 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking - Concrete | Wet | 81% #1/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 87% #6/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | -6.7 | Same test |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% #2/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 43% #2/30 · 2025 ADAC Winter Tyre Test | +55.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 100% #2/9 · 2022 Sports Car UHP Winter Tyre Test | 97% #6/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +3 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is widely regarded as a class-leading winter tire for wet and slushy conditions, offering exceptional grip and braking performance that rivals summer tires. While it performs reliably in fresh snow, user consensus indicates a significant decline in performance and tread life after the first two seasons, with many owners reporting premature wear and increased noise levels as the tire ages.
Pros
- Exceptional wet-weather grip and aquaplaning resistance.
- Predictable and stable handling on dry roads.
- Strong performance in slush and fresh snow when new.
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise levels during the initial phase of ownership.
Cons
- Rapid and premature tread wear, often failing to last beyond 15,000–20,000 km.
- Significant performance degradation in snow and ice after the first or second season.
- Development of loud humming or buzzing noises as the tire ages.
- Reports of tread deformation, wobbly blocks, or uneven wear patterns.
Observations
- Heavy vehicles, including EVs and large SUVs, appear to accelerate the rapid tread wear observed by many users.
- Users with RWD vehicles noted that while the tire is predictable, it can struggle with traction on steep inclines once the tread depth drops below 5mm.
- Drivers of performance-oriented or heavier cars reported noticeable understeer during spirited driving in dry conditions.
The Dunlop Winter Sport 5 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in deep snow, ice, and slush. While it excels in cold-weather environments, some users note that its soft sidewall construction can lead to a 'mushy' steering feel and reduced stability on dry pavement when temperatures rise above 10°C.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and braking performance on snow and ice
- Excellent longevity and slow tread wear
- High level of ride comfort and low road noise
- Strong resistance to hydroplaning in heavy rain and slush
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can cause unstable handling or 'squirming' in dry, warmer conditions
- Lack of effective rim protection despite marketing claims
- Steering response can feel lazy or imprecise on certain vehicle setups
- Performance noticeably degrades when ambient temperatures exceed 10-12°C
Observations
- Users with high-torque vehicles (e.g., Tesla Model 3, performance-oriented cars) reported that the tire can feel nervous or lack precision during hard acceleration.
- Drivers of heavier vehicles or those using wider tire formats noted that maintaining higher inflation pressures is often necessary to mitigate soft sidewall flex and improve steering feedback.
- The tire is highly regarded for AWD vehicles (e.g., Subaru Forester, Skoda Yeti), where it effectively complements the drivetrain's capability in deep snow.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Dunlop Winter Sport 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 11 | — |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | — |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
75
/ 100
Bridgestone
83
/ 100
Dunlop
Winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 5 — better treadwear, noise and snow. Pick the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 if wet matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 87 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 78 vs 63 on noise.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 81 on wet.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 scores 84 vs 77 on snow.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Dunlop Winter Sport 5
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 also compared with
Dunlop Winter Sport 5 also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.