There are drivers who live in areas where they get not just a few inches of snow, but several feet of cold, powdery stuff. The winter can be brutal in some states, and some drivers live in remote areas that snow plows can’t get to. It’s a must to have tire chains in these areas.
Snow chains, which are also called tire chains, aren’t legal everywhere. There are strict rules for where and when tire chains can be used in some states. Find out if snow chains are legal in your state and when you can use them before you start shopping.
Consider these factors when choosing snow chains. When snow chains are installed on your tires, you’ll need to know how much clearance they’ll have and how much you’re willing to spend. Besides that, you’ll need a trunk big enough to hold the chains until you’re ready to put them on.
If you have a passenger car, you have to purchase snow chains that carry an SAE Class S rating. The rating means that these chains are meant to be used by front-wheel-drive cars with low ground clearances. The best snow chains for trucks may not be the same for small cars. Keep that in mind when looking for a set of chains.
Let’s get to the eight best snow chains for cars. Most of these chains work on SUVs and pickup trucks, too.
Best Over All | My Choice | Cheap | Value For Money |
 Thule XG-12 Pro Snow Chain Strong One |  Peerless 0232805 Auto-Trac Top Rated |  TRACGRABBER Tire Traction Device Cheap | Security Chain Company SZ462 Super Z8 Value For Money |
Security Chain Company Radial Chain
For occasional use, the Security Chain Company Radial Chain is a good option. These snow chains feature a simple design and basic functionality; there’s no fancy self-tensioning installation system here. Though the installation and removal are more difficult than some more expensive options, it’s always a good idea to practice installing and removing snow chains before you need them. Snow chains are easy to install. Overall, these are a good option for when you might need to use snow chains. They aren’t the best chain, but they’re the cheapest.
Thule CB12 Tire Chain
If you don’t see the point in investing a lot of money into equipment that will be rarely used, look at buying a Thule CB12. As a result, the LCD CB12 does not offer the frills of its more expensive siblings for a more affordable, but effective price. It’s worth noting that while these chains are not equipped with a quick release mechanism, they are no harder to install than a typical snow chain (which requires the owner to move the car backward and forward).
The chain links provide traction in both deep snow and glare ice, and can be counted on to get you to your destination. When shopping for the Thule CB12, be sure to take into consideration the size that you will need for your particular car or truck.
Suptempo Emergency Anti-Slip Tire Traction Chains
As such, Suptempo’s anti-slip tire traction chains aren’t actually chains. I have to say, they are more like little footsie grips attached to your tires, rather than being a tire tread. There are three of these chains to be placed on every tire, instead of one chain for your entire tire. In order to provide traction on snow, the alloy steel nails on every chain have nine segments. Even though they don’t have the same simplicity as regular chains, they do have their advantages. Since they are lighter, more affordable, and don’t need to be adjusted after being installed, they are a good option. One of the downsides is the less grip they provide in the winter, as well as their generally short runtime, as they can only be used for brief periods of time
Peerless Auto-Trac Chain
The Peerless Auto-Trac snow chains are the tires chains you think of when you think about snow chains. With self-tightening ratchets, the chains get their perfect tension automatically, so there’s no need to check their tightness. There is also a diamond pattern on the tire from the chain which can provide great traction on snow in addition to providing a more comfortable ride compared to a large-linked radial chain. They are produced from manganese alloy steel in order to be relatively light and very durable. There are unfortunately no chains available to meet your needs if you are planning on blowing through snow. They carry a top speed rating of 30 mph.
Quality Chain Cobra
You can find cheap tire chains with Quality Chain Cobra chains. They’re cable-based and have low-profile steel rollers to make sure the tires have the most contact with the road. Steel rollers are galvanized, too, so they won’t rust. The chains won’t need to be moved when you put them on, so they will be easy to put on.
Konig XG-12 Pro
This list of tire chains includes some of the most expensive. However, with an extremely high price tag associated with them, these tire chains are somewhat of an engineering marvel. With Konig chains, you can rest assured that they will have the optimal amount of tension and stay on the tires since they are micro-regulated. It is evident when taking a closer look at the chains that they have a special design on them. This is to ensure maximum traction, especially in miserable winter weather conditions. Also, these chains will not scratch the wheels, because they are fitted with nylon bumpers that are anti-scratch.