90
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
89/100
12 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 800 vs Continental WinterContact TS 850 — Compared (May 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
86
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
83/100
57 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Continental WinterContact TS 800 — better snow, wet and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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Category breakdown
6 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)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 800 | WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 88 |
Wet
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 800 leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 800 | WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 93 | 89 |
Snow
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 800 leads by 10
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 800 | WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 80 |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 800 | WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 89 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 800 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 800 | WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 85 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
WinterContact TS 800 leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 800 | WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 88 | 85 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 800 | Continental WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 90 | 86 |
| Dry | 88 | 88 |
| Wet | 93 | 89 |
| Snow | 90 | 80 |
| Comfort | 89 | 89 |
| Treadwear | 88 | 85 |
| Handling | 88 | 85 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
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Recomputed
Headline score
90
/ 100
Tire A
86
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 800 is widely regarded by users as a top-tier winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction and confidence-inspiring performance in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While primarily designed for winter, many owners report that it maintains respectable handling and durability even when used outside of its intended temperature range.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and traction in deep, fresh, and compressed snow
- Reliable braking and handling performance on wet and icy surfaces
- Impressive tread longevity even under varied driving conditions
- Comfortable ride quality compared to standard summer tires
Cons
- Increased road noise compared to some summer tire models
- Reduced handling precision and performance when temperatures exceed 10°C
- Soft compound can feel less stable during aggressive dry-weather driving
Observations
- Users driving smaller hatchbacks like the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Aygo, and Opel Corsa report high satisfaction with snow-starting capabilities on steep inclines.
- The tire is noted for maintaining safety and preventing sliding even on older vehicle platforms lacking modern ABS systems.
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 is widely regarded as a benchmark winter tire, consistently praised for its exceptional traction in snow, slush, and wet conditions. While most users report high levels of confidence and comfort, some note that the tire's soft sidewall construction can lead to a less precise steering feel and accelerated shoulder wear when pushed aggressively in warmer temperatures.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and traction in deep snow and icy conditions
- Outstanding performance in wet weather with strong resistance to aquaplaning
- High levels of ride comfort and low cabin noise
- Strong longevity and durability over high mileage
- Improved fuel efficiency compared to many summer tire counterparts
Cons
- Soft sidewalls can result in a 'floating' or vague steering feel during cornering
- Performance degrades noticeably in temperatures above 10-15°C
- Reports of accelerated shoulder wear, particularly on heavier or RWD vehicles
- Occasional complaints regarding reduced grip levels after the first or second season
Observations
- RWD vehicle owners frequently report that these tires transform winter drivability, allowing for confident navigation in deep snow where other tires struggle.
- Users transitioning from larger summer wheels to smaller winter setups (e.g., 16-inch or 15-inch) often report significant improvements in ride comfort and fuel economy.
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles noted a lack of turn-in feedback due to the soft sidewall design, which may not suit those seeking a sporty driving experience.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 800 | B · Continental WinterContact TS 850 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter High Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
90
/ 100
Continental
86
/ 100
Continental
Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 800 — better snow, wet and treadwear. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Continental WinterContact TS 800 scores 90 vs 80 on snow.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Continental WinterContact TS 800 scores 93 vs 89 on wet.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Continental WinterContact TS 800 scores 88 vs 85 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Continental WinterContact TS 800 scores 88 vs 85 on handling.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 800
Tire B · Continental WinterContact TS 850
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 800 also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 850 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.