80
/ 100
Objective (60%)
81/100
6 professional tests
User signal (40%)
79/100
20 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated September 2026
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P vs Michelin Alpin 6 — 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
84
/ 100
Objective (60%)
89/100
19 professional tests
User signal (40%)
85/100
35 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Alpin 6 — better comfort, noise and snow. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Read full
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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)
WinterContact TS 850 P leads by 1
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 80 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 89 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 98% | 98% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 99% | 99% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 89 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 85 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 96% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 98% | 99% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 74 | 79 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 77 | 81 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 93% | 97% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 96% | 97% |
| Snow Traction (% of best) | 86% | 100% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 78 | 90 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 79 | 90 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 12
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 61 | 73 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Alpin 6 leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 82 | 87 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Why this score
| Source | WinterContact TS 850 P | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 84 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | Michelin Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 80 | 84 |
| Dry | 85 | 84 |
| Wet | 87 | 87 |
| Snow | 75 | 80 |
| Comfort | 78 | 90 |
| Noise | 61 | 73 |
| Treadwear | 82 | 87 |
| Handling | 84 | 84 |
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
80
/ 100
Tire A
84
/ 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 | 98% #5/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #7/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +0.6 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% #4/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #12/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | +0.9 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 89% #10/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 90% #9/20 · 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1.1 | Different tests |
| Noise | Other | 95% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #8/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -2.8 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 99% #9/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 100% #20/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -1.3 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 91% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 73% #13/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | +17.6 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 91% #4/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 100% #1/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | -9.4 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 50% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 33% #3/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +16.7 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 93% #7/10 · 2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tyre Test | 97% #15/33 · 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | -4.3 | Different tests |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 96% #9/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 97% #10/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | -1.5 | Different tests |
| Snow Traction | Snow | 86% #5/13 · 2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tyre Test | 100% #10/10 · 2019 Auto Center Winter Tyre Test | -13.7 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 96% #6/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 98% #4/8 · 2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | -2.1 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 90% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 100% #1/9 · 2022/23 Tyre Reviews Winter Tyre Test | -10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #3/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 90% #2/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 90% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 90% #5/11 · 2019 AMS Winter SUV Tyre Test | 80% #3/14 · 2020 Auto Zeitung Winter Tyre Test | +10 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #17/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test | 0% #13/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tyre Test | 0 | Different tests |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 96% #7/55 · 2024 Winter 55 Tyre Braking Test | +4.4 | Different tests |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 98% #2/10 · 2018 Autobild UHP Winter Tyre Test | 99% #4/20 · 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test | -1.1 | Different tests |
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is widely regarded as a high-performance winter tire that excels in wet and dry conditions, offering a comfortable and quiet ride. While most users praise its predictability and grip on snow and ice, a minority of drivers report inconsistent performance in extreme cold or icy conditions and concerns regarding tread longevity.
Pros
- Exceptional grip and handling in wet and dry conditions
- High levels of ride comfort and low noise output
- Predictable and confidence-inspiring performance on snow
- Strong braking performance on mixed surfaces
Cons
- Reports of rapid tread wear for some users
- Inconsistent lateral grip on ice and deep snow for some drivers
- High price point compared to competitors
- Stiff sidewall construction noted by some as harsh
Observations
- Performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW, Golf GTI) report excellent dry/wet handling, though some note a loss of steering feedback compared to summer tires.
- Heavy vehicles like the Mercedes E350 and Volvo XC70 report stable, comfortable, and balanced performance, particularly with larger wheel setups.
- Users with front-wheel-drive vehicles noted the tire provides surprising capability in challenging winter conditions, often keeping pace with 4x4 vehicles.
The Michelin Alpin 6 is widely regarded as a premium, highly comfortable winter tire that excels in wet and dry cold-weather conditions. While many users praise its longevity and consistent performance, there is a notable divide in user experience regarding its deep snow and ice traction, with some drivers finding it less capable than key competitors like the Continental WinterContact series.
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry road grip in cold temperatures
- High levels of ride comfort and low cabin noise
- Impressive tread life and long-term durability
- Stable and predictable handling on motorways
Cons
- Inconsistent performance in deep snow and on ice
- Some reports of sluggish steering feedback or 'soft' sidewall feel
- Higher price point compared to some performance-oriented winter alternatives
- Occasional reports of reduced traction after multiple seasons of use
Observations
- Users with RWD vehicles, such as the BMW 5 Series, noted excellent snow traction, though some experienced minor grip limitations during hard acceleration on dry pavement.
- Drivers using smaller rim sizes (e.g., 185/65-R15) reported highly positive feedback regarding handling and road feel compared to larger, more performance-oriented setups.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P | B · Michelin Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Ultra High Performance tires | Winter Premium Touring tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Tread depth | 10 - 11/32″ | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall | — |
| Max pressure | 44 - 51 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
80
/ 100
Continental
84
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Alpin 6 — better comfort, noise and snow. It leads or ties in every category we score.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Alpin 6 scores 90 vs 78 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Alpin 6 scores 73 vs 61 on noise.
Pick tire B
You drive through snowy winters
Michelin Alpin 6 scores 80 vs 75 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Alpin 6 scores 87 vs 82 on treadwear.
Tire A · Continental WinterContact TS 850 P
Tire B · Michelin Alpin 6
More comparisons
Also compared with
Continental WinterContact TS 850 P also compared with
Michelin Alpin 6 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.