In this article we will be looking at independent tire test data, and real world driver reviews of the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 and the Continental WinterContact TS 870 to find out which tire is best for your own driving.
The good news is that both the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 and Continental WinterContact TS 870 are Premium Touring Winter tires designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars, which means comparing the two tires is relatively simple.
Both tires are hugely popular in the market place with drivers, and both have been featured in independent tire tests.
Independent comparison tire tests are the best source of data to get tire information from, and the good news is there have been ten tests which compare both tires directly!
Out of these ten tests:
While it might look like the Continental WinterContact TS 870 is better than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 purely based on the higher number of test wins, tires are very complicated objects which means where one tire is better than the other can be more important in real world use.
Let's look at how the two tires compare across multiple tire test categories.
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three dry braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.14% less distance than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Dry Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Braking winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:44.7M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 45.1M |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:48.3M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 47.4M |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:45.5M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 46.1M |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:39.4M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 39.2M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:43.7M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 43.5M |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during two dry handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was 0.42% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Dry Handling [s]: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:63.1s | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 63.3s |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:79.8s | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 80.2s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one dry handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was 0.32% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Dry Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:114.1Km/H | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 114Km/H |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:137.9Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 138.8Km/H |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during zero subj. dry handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scored 0.83% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Subj. Dry Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Dry Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:29 Points | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 30 Points |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:90 Points | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 90 Points |
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during six wet braking tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 stopped the vehicle in 4.69% less distance than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Wet Braking: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Wet Braking winner was calculated >>
2021 Winter Tire Market Overview 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:32.1M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 34.2M |
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:29.3M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 32.1M |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:50.2M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 53.4M |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:50.3M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 51.9M |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:27.3M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 27.6M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:36.6M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 37.7M |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one wet handling [s] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was 0.11% faster around a wet lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Wet Handling [s]: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:90.2s | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 89.7s |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:97s | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 97.7s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during two wet handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was 1.8% faster around a wet lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Wet Handling [Km/H]: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:71.9Km/H | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 70.2Km/H |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:72.9Km/H | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 72Km/H |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one subj. wet handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scored 4.93% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Subj. Wet Handling: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Subj. Wet Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:42 Points | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 45 Points |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:100 Points | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 90 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one wet circle tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was 1.41% faster around a wet circle than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Wet Circle: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Wet Circle winner was calculated >>
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:12.59s | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 12.77s |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during zero straight aqua tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 floated at a 2.12% higher speed than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Straight Aqua: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Straight Aqua winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:83.4Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 83.9Km/H |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:81.7Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 82.3Km/H |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:74.4Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 75.2Km/H |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:80Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 82.4Km/H |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:76.8Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 81.1Km/H |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during zero curved aquaplaning tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 slipped out at a 6.41% higher speed than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Curved Aquaplaning: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Curved Aquaplaning winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:3.2m/sec2 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 3.29m/sec2 |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:3.2m/sec2 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 3.38m/sec2 |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:2.8m/sec2 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 2.96m/sec2 |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:7.3m/sec2 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 8.1m/sec2 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:3.2m/sec2 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 3.3m/sec2 |
Looking at data from six tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during four snow braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle in 0.78% less distance than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Snow Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Braking winner was calculated >>
2021 Winter Tire Market Overview 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:28.1M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 27.7M |
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:32.7M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 33.1M |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:28.1M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 27.7M |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:27M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 26M |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:27.2M | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 27.8M |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:9.9M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 9.5M |
Best In Snow Traction:
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:5.1s | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 5.1s |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one snow traction tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 had 0.28% better snow traction than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Traction: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Snow Traction winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:1.87N | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 1.87N |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:2899N | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 2839N |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:2683N | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 2712N |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:237.1N | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 252N |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one snow handling [s] tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was 1.15% faster around a lap than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Snow Handling [s]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:84.4s | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 81.8s |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:116.2s | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 116.5s |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one snow handling [km/h] tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was 1.08% faster around a lap than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Snow Handling [Km/H]: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:52.1Km/H | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 53.4Km/H |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:57.4Km/H | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 57.3Km/H |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one subj. snow handling tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 scored 4.35% more points than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Subj. Snow Handling: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Snow Handling winner was calculated >>
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:20 Points | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 30 Points |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:90 Points | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 85 Points |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one ice braking tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 stopped the vehicle 11.76% shorter than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Ice Braking: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Ice Braking winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:22.1M | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 19.5M |
Best In Subj. Comfort: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Subj. Comfort winner was calculated >>
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during three noise tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 measured 1.09% quieter than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Noise: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:71.7dB | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 70.8dB |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:70.1dB | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 70.6dB |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:72dB | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 71dB |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:73.7dB | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 72dB |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during one noise tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 measured 0.86% quieter than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Noise: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Noise winner was calculated >>
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:68.9dB | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 69.5dB |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during zero wear tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 is predicted to cover 33.46% miles before reaching 1.6mm than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Wear: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Wear winner was calculated >>
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:31300KM | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 45400KM |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:36100KM | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 55900KM |
Looking at data from two tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two value tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 proved to have a 26.14% better value based on price/1000km than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Value: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Value winner was calculated >>
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:11.02Price/1000 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 8.37Price/1000 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:4.35Price/1000 | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 2.99Price/1000 |
Looking at data from five tire tests, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was better during four price tests. On average the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 cost 12.41% less than the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
Best In Price: Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
See how the Price winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:103 | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 103 |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:345 | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 380 |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:535 | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 640 |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:135.69 | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 166.49 |
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:157 | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 167 |
Looking at data from four tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during two rolling resistance tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 had a 0.73% lower rolling resistance than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Rolling Resistance: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Rolling Resistance winner was calculated >>
2021 AMS Winter Tire Test 195/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:8.5kg / t | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 8kg / t |
2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test 205/55 R16 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:8.18kg / t | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 7.94kg / t |
2022 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:8kg / t | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 8.1kg / t |
2022/23 Tire Reviews Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
✓ Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:8kg / t | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 8.4kg / t |
Best In Fuel Consumption:
See how the Fuel Consumption winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:5.7l/100km | Continental WinterContact TS 870: 5.7l/100km |
Looking at data from one tire tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 was better during one abrasion tests. On average the Continental WinterContact TS 870 emitted 33.71% less particle wear matter than the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005.
Best In Abrasion: Continental WinterContact TS 870
See how the Abrasion winner was calculated >>
2023 ADAC 17 inch Winter Tire Test 225/45 R17 |
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005:98.5mg/km/t | ✓ Continental WinterContact TS 870: 65.3mg/km/t |
Tire Reviews also collects real world driver reviews for the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 and Continental WinterContact TS 870.
In total the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 has been reviewed 87 times and drivers have given the tire 72% overall.
The Continental WinterContact TS 870 has been reviewed 16 times and drivers have given the tire 85% overall.
This means in real world driving, people prefer the Continental WinterContact TS 870.
In conclusion the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 performed better in dry handling [s], wet braking, wet handling [s], wet handling [km/h], subj. wet handling, wet circle, snow traction, noise and price, while the Continental WinterContact TS 870 performed better in dry braking, dry handling [km/h], subj. dry handling, straight aqua, curved aquaplaning, snow braking, snow handling [s], snow handling [km/h], subj. snow handling, ice braking, noise, wear, value, rolling resistance and abrasion.
Interestingly, both tires performed equally well in fuel consumption, showing that they are closely matched in these areas.
Which tire is best for you depends a lot on your driving style and situation, plus what you want from the tire. Comparing all the data in the tire reviews database, on balance Continental WinterContact TS 870 seems to be the best tire overall.
However, it's important to note that both tires have their strengths.
Remember, the best tire for you might depend on which of these factors are most important for your specific driving needs and conditions.
Overall Winner: Continental WinterContact TS 870
This page has been developed using tire industry testing best practices. This means we are only comparing tests which have had both tires in the same test.
Why is this important? Tire testing is heavily affected by things like surface grip levels and surface temperature, which means you can only compare values from the same day. During a tire test external condition changes are calculated into the overall results, but it is not possible to calculate this between tire tests performed on different days or at different locations.
As a result you will see other tests on Tire Reviews which feature both the %s and %s, but as they weren't conducted on the same day, the results are not comparable.
Lots of other websites do this sort of tire comparison, Tire Reviews doesn't.