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 Firestone Winterhawk 3 — 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
73
/ 100
Objective (60%)
71/100
3 professional tests
User signal (40%)
68/100
8 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 — better wet, comfort and handling. Pick the Firestone Winterhawk 3 if treadwear and noise matter 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 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 78 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 85% | 94% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 23
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 62 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 69 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 90% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 85% | 93% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 60 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 96% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 98% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | – |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 73 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Winterhawk 3 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | 78 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Winterhawk 3 leads by 16
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 75 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Blizzak LM005 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 68 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 73 |
| Dry | 84 | 81 |
| Wet | 88 | 65 |
| Snow | 77 | 74 |
| Comfort | 80 | 73 |
| Noise | 63 | 78 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 75 |
| Handling | 73 | 68 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
75
/ 100
Tire A
73
/ 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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 85% #8/10 · 2024 All Season and Winter Tyre Test | 94% #16/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -8.5 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #4/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 98% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.6 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 82% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +2.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 92% #6/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 98% #13/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -6.4 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 76% #6/8 · 2022 AMS Winter Tyre Test | 72% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +4.1 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 96% #17/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 51% #3/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +45.1 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 84% #12/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 62% #8/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +21.6 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 20% #5/11 · 2023 Sports Cars Winter Tyre Test | 33% #3/12 · 2018 ADAC Winter Tyre Test - 175/65 R14 | -13.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 96% #5/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 97% #10/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -0.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #6/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 98% #10/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -2.6 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 97% #5/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 90% #15/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +7 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #6/6 · 2023/24 Tyre Reviews UHP Winter Tyre Test | 0% #10/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2024 Auto Bild Sportscars Winter Tyre Test | 90% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +10.2 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 85% #1/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | 93% #20/20 · 2018 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -7.4 | 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 Firestone Winterhawk 3 is generally perceived as a budget-friendly, average-performing winter tire that prioritizes comfort and longevity over high-performance handling. While some users appreciate its quiet ride and reliability in moderate conditions, others report significant shortcomings in wet weather and snow traction, leading to a polarized user experience.
Pros
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise
- Good longevity and tread wear resistance
- Affordable price point
- Satisfactory performance in dry conditions
Cons
- Inconsistent or poor grip on snow and ice
- Unreliable wet weather performance and braking
- Pronounced understeering tendencies
- Lack of steering feedback and road connection
Observations
- Users with smaller tire sizes, such as 155/65 R14, reported noticeable understeering and poor snow/ice performance.
- Performance feedback appears highly subjective, with some users finding the tire adequate for steady, non-aggressive driving while others find it lacking for more demanding vehicle dynamics.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Firestone Winterhawk 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Touring 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
73
/ 100
Firestone
Winner: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 — better wet, comfort and handling. Pick the Firestone Winterhawk 3 if treadwear and noise matter most to you.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 65 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Firestone Winterhawk 3 scores 75 vs 59 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Firestone Winterhawk 3 scores 78 vs 63 on noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most comfortable ride
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 80 vs 73 on comfort.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
Tire B · Firestone Winterhawk 3
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 also compared with
Firestone Winterhawk 3 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.