Snow chains or tire chains are fitted on the tires of a car for providing maximum driving traction when going through snow or ice. These chains swing the tires automatically. These snow chains can be installed on one or more drive axles of the vehicle, and the materials vary from polyurethane, rubber, and fabric to steel. They are also available in a variety of carbon steel and steel alloys. Driving with chains reduce fuel efficiency and the allowable speed of automobiles. The following article lists down the 10 best tire chains that you can buy to fight the harsh snow.
10. GudCraft Tire Chain ($9.99)
This is Gudcraft’s size 50 high-quality car snow chain with a thickness of 12 mm. The unit might look thin, but it holds up nice and strong. The self-tensioning system automatically tightens the chain around the tire when the vehicle is set in motion. It features low operating weight and is easy to install and remove.
“This item arrived just in time. They were easy to install. My first impression was that they were made of a thin material, but they held up to get me home after the first snow. They are colour coded to aid installation. The design was impressive. I don’t plan to drive with them over 35 mph. So far, so good.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
9. Thule’s Tire Chain ($131.19)
This is Thule’s 9 mm premium quality snow chain for your car that is sold in different sizes. The superior quality steel allows for a smaller gauge to deliver a comfortable ride. The color-coded assemblies make installation a breeze. The alloy wheel bumpers protect your valuable wheels from damage, and the self-tensioning chains pull themselves against the inside of the wheel automatically as soon as you start driving the car. The unit is built from durable quality, and the chains come in a relatively sturdy case.
“I have a two-year-old and don’t have a lot of time for trying to figure out how to get some chains on the tires while she’s waiting in the car so we can get home up to our mile long dirt driveway up a mountain to get the groceries in the fridge and start dinner. These are PERFECT! Very easy to get on and off. The car doesn’t even slip on the tricky switchback turns that are the toughest. One little tip: when you’re sliding the chain behind the tire, and you get a bunch of ice/slush/dirt stuck in the tip where the other end needs to go in, just whack it against the tire to clear it out. I love my chains and feel so much safer and secure having them in the car in the winter.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
8. Quality Chain’s Tire Chain ($44.99)
These chains by Quality Chain are sold in pairs with separately sold rubber adjusters. The unit meets the requirements of Class S. The chains come in a relatively sturdy and circular case. They are easy to mount and remove, and both chains can be installed in minutes. The tension mechanism is secured with color coordinated mounting points. The thickness is quite less than the conventional chains. Never drive with them at speed more than 30 mph.
“The product is great. The chains have excellent overall quality and work well but AMAZON, please change the product picture! These chains DO NOT come with the yellow chain adjuster that is shown. Uncharacteristic of Amazon to do this, I felt a bit
deceived and disappointed with what arrived when I opened the box. This knocked a star off of the review for me.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
7. Thule Tire Chain For Car ($135.96)
This is Thule’s 16 mm high-quality snow chain for SUV, truck, and a car having a size 245. This unit is backed by five years warranty, and the superior quality steel allows a smaller gauge that gives a comfortable ride. The color-coded assembly allows an efficient installation, and the dual shaped D links provide greater traction and product life.
“These are reliable chains and don’t feel as flimsy as cables. My friend’s snow cables broke on his way down from Big Bear Lake, CA. He had just bought them the day before. The instructions are relatively simple to follow, and the colored links make it simple to determine where to connect everything. (You can see the red connections in the picture.) You may have to drive a little bit and then re-tighten the links since each chain is made for several different sized tires. This is easily done by disconnecting one connection and pulling it tighter before reconnecting it. When I put these on my 2007 Honda CR-V, I was easily done in a few minutes for each tire. While other people were getting stuck at the snow/iced filled parking lot in Big Bear using their cables, I was able to get out without a single problem easily.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
6. Security Chain’s Tire Chain ($88.77)
This is auto-tightening tire chains by Security Chain Company (Series 1500-1555). The unit allows a worry-free installation and automatically tightens if the chain loosens. You must not exceed 30 mph when using these chains. The diamond pattern provides a smoother ride and superior traction. It meets Class S requirements and allows an easy installation and removal. Snap-on nice and good!
“These chains are a snap to put on; it took about ten mins to put on. Learn how to use them at home in your driveway where it should be dry and clean etc. Drove about 30miles with a lot of dry spots and they stayed adjusted the whole time. They are well worth the extra money. Ps, there were a couple of guys (chain installers) standing close by and came over and said guess you won’t need our help with those chains. If everyone used the Auto-Trac Tire Chains they would be out of jobs) These are the guys that hang out where you have to pull over and put on the chains when needed etc.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
5. Security Chain’s Tire Chain ($47.35)
This is also Security Chain Company’s tire traction chain model SZ335. The unit features fast and easy installation that becomes better with practice and provides a better all-around performance than conventional cables or links. It can be used on most passenger vehicles and offers a comfortably smooth ride. It comes with clear instructions.
“These were required for the drive up to big bear California. We pulled over to the side of the road, and I put them on my wife’s Prius V while it was sleeting in the middle of the night…so we didn’t want to be out there long. I’ve put on a similar pair before so was able to do this one fairly quickly…which was important in the freezing rain. We had to drive pretty slow, but I think that’s normal, still annoying when you’re going 5mph, and the Subaru behind you is flying past. That said, it did the job, we got up safely.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
4. Security Chain’s Tire Chain ($105.26)
This is also Security Chain’s self-tightening ratchets that provide automatic tightening by sucking the gap. Installation is a breeze, and you must not exceed 30 mph when using these chains. The diamond pattern cross chain ensures a smoother ride as well as a superior retraction. It meets Class S requirements and is easy to store as the chains and the inner double loop fit in the bag nicely. It comes with a waterproof mat that you can put on the ground prior to installation. The unit is color-coded and has excellent grip on dry pavement and snow. Excellent design and easy to remove!
“Would love to give five stars because I LOVE these chains!! So easy to install that I even installed them while the vehicle was stuck (after some digging). I have two pairs (front & rear) for my 2008 Range Rover Sport, and the performance of these chains are excellent; they will not disappoint whether you are driving on that wet, thick, icy PNW terrain or plowing through un-groomed roads; these chains deliver.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
3. Security Chain’s Tire Chain ($89.99)
This is model Z-575 that is a chain pair for tire traction that has excellent performance. The unit is made from magnesium alloys and provides superior all-around performance and durability. It allows compatibility with anti-lock brakes, traction control, all-wheel drive, and other electronically monitored and controlled systems due to its unique cross-member pattern. It allows fast and easy installation and removal and does not damage the vehicle in any way. The package comes with clear and step-by-step installation and removal instructions as well as waterproof gloves.
“Amazing traction on snow and pure confidence of control of my rear wheel drive SUV!!! Highly recommended!!!” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
2. Security Chain’s Tire Chain ($94.08)
This is also a tire traction set (ZT735) by security chain company. The unit meets Class S clearance requirements and is fast and easy to install. The unit comes with rubber tighteners. All you have to do is lay them on the ground and drive the vehicle over them. You can also watch the installation video. Not recommended for speeds more than 35 mph.
“So on a whim…after one of Atlanta’s most recent ice storm…I decided to purchase these for my truck, I thought, I doubt I will ever use them…..well, here we are 2 weeks later with another ice storm!…and luckily I bought these!….when I first tried to take them out of the package…they were all tangled, took me a good 15 minutes, figured it out…put them on and thought…these are way too loose! Looked at the instructions again and it installed with the clip on the rear of the tire and MUCH better!…installed the tension tightener (which you NEED) and perfect. I am so glad that I have these, installing takes maybe 5 minutes each side, highly recommend!” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
1. Security Chain’s Tire Chain ($74.68)
This is a set of two security chains by Security Chain company. They are designed for cars, pickups, and SUVs that have a very little operating area around the enclosed tires. The unit is fast and easy to install, and you do not need to take the tires off. The unit boasts super compatibility with anti-lock brakes, traction control, all-wheel drive, and other electronically-monitored control systems. It weighs around 4 lbs/bag.
“We used these chains on our trip to Tahoe in 2015. There were snowstorms on the way and the return journey. Putting on and taking off the chains was a breeze. That said, strongly recommend that you practice putting them on and taking them off at home.” – Amazon’s Customer Review.
Available here
We would appreciate your valuable feedback in the comments’ section below.