74
/ 100
Objective (60%)
66/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
84/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 vs Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 — 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
75
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
19 professional tests
User signal (40%)
78/100
3 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 are within 2 points overall. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is stronger on treadwear, noise and comfort. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is stronger on wet, dry and handling.
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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)
Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 14
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 58 | 83 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 80 |
| SimpleTire owners | 88 | – |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 90% | 98% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 17
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 55 | 82 |
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 87 |
| SimpleTire owners | 86 | – |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 79% | 95% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 100% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 65 | 79 |
| Tire Rack owners | 93 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 90 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 93% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 85% | 94% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Blizzak WS90 leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 76 |
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 77 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | – |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Blizzak WS90 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | – | 65 |
| SimpleTire owners | 77 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Blizzak WS90 leads by 19
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 84 | – |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 60 |
| SimpleTire owners | 82 | – |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Cinturato Winter 2 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 77 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 75 |
| Dry | 68 | 82 |
| Wet | 67 | 84 |
| Snow | 76 | 84 |
| Comfort | 84 | 76 |
| Noise | 77 | 65 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 60 |
| Handling | 65 | 77 |
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
74
/ 100
Tire A
75
/ 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 | 90% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 98% #3/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -8 | Different tests |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/16 · 2024 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/19 · The Best Winter Tyres for 2020 | 25% #4/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | +25 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 93% #8/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +5.4 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 85% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 94% #3/11 · 2023 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -8.4 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 94% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 88% #6/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +6.3 | Different tests |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 99% #2/7 · 2025 Die Reifentester Winter Tyre Test | +1.3 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 79% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 95% #3/56 · 2022 Winter Tyre Market Overview | -15.7 | Different tests |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/20 · 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +1 | 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 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.
The Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is generally regarded as a highly capable winter tire that excels in wet and snowy conditions while providing a secure, planted feel. While users appreciate its safety and traction, there are notable concerns regarding its longevity and tread wear, as well as a shift toward a softer, touring-oriented handling profile compared to its predecessors.
Pros
- Excellent traction and confidence in wet and snowy conditions
- Strong braking performance on dry surfaces
- High level of subjective road feedback and handling security
- Comfortable touring-oriented ride quality
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and concerns regarding overall tire longevity
- Less precise handling and feedback compared to sportier winter tires
- Increased road noise and fuel consumption noted by some users
- Softer sidewall feel which may not suit performance-oriented driving
Observations
- Users transitioning from the sportier Sottozero 3 noted a significant shift toward a touring-focused, less direct handling experience.
- The tire's performance is highly regarded for drivers seeking a balanced, safe option for cold, rainy, and occasional mountain winter conditions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Sizes available | 45 | 8 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 16″ – 18″ |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | 11/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | 50 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Bridgestone
75
/ 100
Pirelli
Too close to call: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 are within 2 points overall. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is stronger on treadwear, noise and comfort. Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 is stronger on wet, dry and handling.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 79 vs 60 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scores 84 vs 67 on wet.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 scores 82 vs 68 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want a quieter cabin
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 77 vs 65 on noise.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Tire B · Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 also compared with
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 2 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.