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 General Altimax Arctic 12 — 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
74
/ 100
Objective (60%)
60/100
1 professional test
User signal (40%)
87/100
56 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictToo close to call: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and General Altimax Arctic 12 are within 2 points overall. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is stronger on dry and wet. General Altimax Arctic 12 is stronger on handling, treadwear and noise.
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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 WS90 leads by 23
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 58 | 17 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 70 | 70 |
| SimpleTire owners | 88 | 87 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 90% | 81% |
| Dry Circle (% of best) | 91% | 91% |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Blizzak WS90 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 55 | 43 |
| Tire Rack owners | 91 | 88 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 80 | 85 |
| SimpleTire owners | 86 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 79% | 76% |
| Wet Circle (% of best) | 100% | 92% |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Blizzak WS90 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 65 | 59 |
| Tire Rack owners | 93 | 91 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 100 | 95 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | 96 |
| Snow Braking (% of best) | 98% | 92% |
| Snow Handling (% of best) | 85% | 90% |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic 12 leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 86 | 86 |
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | 82 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 64 | 70 |
| SimpleTire owners | 87 | 91 |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic 12 leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | 77 | 85 |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic 12 leads by 7
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 84 | 87 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 100 |
| SimpleTire owners | 82 | 90 |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Altimax Arctic 12 leads by 15
Why this score
| Source | Blizzak WS90 | Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 65 | 65 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | General Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 74 | 74 |
| Dry | 68 | 45 |
| Wet | 67 | 61 |
| Snow | 76 | 74 |
| Comfort | 84 | 86 |
| Noise | 77 | 83 |
| Treadwear | 79 | 86 |
| Handling | 65 | 80 |
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
74
/ 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 | 81% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +9.3 | Same test |
| Dry Circle | Dry | 91% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 91% #8/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Ice Braking | Ice | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 84% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +15.7 | Same test |
| Ice Traction | Ice | 80% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 88% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -7.9 | Same test |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 13% #8/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 14% #7/17 · 2020 Consumer Reports North America Winter Tyre Test | -1.8 | Different tests |
| Snow Braking | Snow | 98% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 92% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +6 | Same test |
| Snow Handling | Snow | 85% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 90% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -4.2 | Same test |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 94% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 94% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Subj. Noise | Subj | 91% #8/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 94% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | -3.1 | Same test |
| Subj. Road Score | Subj | 79% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 76% #10/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +3 | Same test |
| Subj. Snow Handling | Subj | 100% #6/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 94% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +6.1 | Same test |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 79% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 76% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +3.1 | Same test |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 100% #9/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | 92% #7/10 · 2026 Tire Rack All-Weather vs Winter Tyre Test | +7.7 | Same test |
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 General Altimax Arctic 12 is widely regarded as a high-value, top-tier winter tire that excels in deep snow, slush, and icy conditions. While users note some expected trade-offs in dry pavement handling and increased road noise, the consensus highlights its exceptional longevity and performance-to-price ratio compared to premium competitors.
Pros
- Outstanding traction and confidence in deep snow, slush, and ice
- Exceptional tread life and durability for a winter-specific tire
- High value-for-money proposition compared to premium brands like Nokian or Bridgestone
- Reliable performance across a diverse range of vehicles, from small sedans to heavy trucks
Cons
- Noticeable increase in road noise, particularly as the tire wears
- Softer sidewalls leading to 'squishy' or less precise handling on dry pavement
- Slightly higher rolling resistance resulting in a minor decrease in fuel economy
- Reduced grip on dry and wet pavement compared to dedicated all-season or summer tires
Observations
- Drivers of RWD vehicles, such as the BMW Z4, reported high satisfaction with the tire's ability to maintain control in harsh winter conditions.
- Users with light-weight vehicles (e.g., Chevy HHR) and heavy-duty trucks (e.g., Ram, F-150) both report consistent, reliable traction in deep snow.
- The XL-rated versions provide a robust, beefy sidewall that some users appreciate for sport-tuned suspensions.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | B · General Altimax Arctic 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Winter Premium Touring tires | Premium Touring Winter tire |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 45 | 38 |
| Rim diameters | 15″ – 19″ | 15″ – 19″ |
| Tread depth | 11/32″ | 12/32″ |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 51 psi | 51 psi |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
74
/ 100
Bridgestone
74
/ 100
General
Too close to call: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 and General Altimax Arctic 12 are within 2 points overall. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 is stronger on dry and wet. General Altimax Arctic 12 is stronger on handling, treadwear and noise.
Pick tire A
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 68 vs 45 on dry.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
General Altimax Arctic 12 scores 80 vs 65 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
General Altimax Arctic 12 scores 86 vs 79 on treadwear.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 scores 67 vs 61 on wet.
Tire A · Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Tire B · General Altimax Arctic 12
More comparisons
Also compared with
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 also compared with
General Altimax Arctic 12 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.