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Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 — 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.
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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
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 58 |
| Tire Rack owners | 87 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 70 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 88 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 95% | 90% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 55 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 80 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 86 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 79% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 96% | 100% |
Snow
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 65 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | 93 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 72 | 100 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 91 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 97% | 85% |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 84 | 86 |
| Tire Rack owners | 81 | 85 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 64 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 87 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 63 | – |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 77 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 64 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 59 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | – | 82 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak LM005 | Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 65 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 75 | 74 |
| Dry | 84 | 68 |
| Wet | 88 | 67 |
| Snow | 77 | 76 |
| Comfort | 80 | 84 |
| Noise | 63 | 77 |
| Treadwear | 59 | 79 |
| Handling | 73 | 65 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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.
Tire A
Tire B
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 | 95% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +4.7 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 89% #12/16 · 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tyre Test | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -11.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 100% #1/45 · 2019 Winter Tyre Test Market Overview | 50% #2/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | +50 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #11/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -0.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 97% #4/10 · 2022 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 85% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +12 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #6/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | 94% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -3.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #6/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2021 AZ SUV Winter Tyre Test | 79% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +20.9 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 96% #1/7 · 2023 AMS SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -4 | Different tests |
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 Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is widely regarded as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance on ice, deep snow, and slush. While users occasionally note increased road noise or less precise handling on dry pavement compared to all-season alternatives, the consensus remains that it is a premier choice for severe winter climates.
Pros
- Outstanding grip and acceleration on ice and hard-packed snow
- Excellent braking performance in hazardous winter conditions
- Strong capability in slush and deep snow
- High level of driver confidence in extreme weather
Cons
- Increased road noise during highway driving
- Less responsive or 'softer' handling feel on dry pavement
- Potential for minor rubbing depending on vehicle fitment
- Perceived as less refined in dry conditions compared to the previous WS80 generation
Observations
- Users operating rear-wheel-drive vehicles without modern traction control reported high satisfaction with the tire's ability to maintain mobility.
- Drivers of front-wheel-drive sedans noted significant improvements in winter handling and the ability to avoid using four-wheel-drive modes in moderate conditions.
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 | B · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 11 | 45 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | 15″ – 19″ |
| Tread depth | 9/32″ | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Bridgestone
Too close to call: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 and Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 are within 2 points overall. Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is stronger on wet, dry and handling. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is stronger on treadwear, noise and comfort.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 88 vs 67 on wet.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 79 vs 59 on treadwear.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scores 84 vs 68 on dry.
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 77 vs 63 on noise.
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.