Your tires have a huge impact on your vehicle’s safety and capabilities. Any experienced driver knows that quality is vital when it comes to purchasing new ones. Cheap, poorly made tires are a recipe for disaster on the road.
Having said that, you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg to get “good” tires. You don’t want cheap tires, but there are affordable, well-made options out there for the average driver.
To steer you in the right direction, we’ve compiled a list of the best affordable tire brands that you can trust in a variety of conditions. Take a look to see if there’s a budget-friendly option for your vehicle listed below.
Before we dive into things, we need to address the question that’s probably rattling around in your head: “Are affordable tires really as safe as expensive tires?”
To some extent, tires are a product in which you get what you pay for. Purchasing used or cheaply made ones can lead to serious problems. Still, once you reach a certain price point, there are dozens of tires for your vehicle that are equally safe (if not equal in price).
If you’re ever worried about the safety of a tire, know that you can check the Uniform Tire Quality Grading on the sidewall. This will indicate important things like temperature resistance, traction, and tread wear measurements.
Treadwear is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of a tire tested under controlled conditions. Basically, these ratings indicate how long a tire will ideally last. The higher the rating, the longer it will take to wear down. The highest rated tires are 600+.
Traction grades are rated with AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent the tires ability to stop on wet pavement.
| Grade | Asphalt G Force | Concrete G Force |
|---|---|---|
| AA | Above 0.54 | 0.35 |
| A | Above 0.47 | >0.35 |
| B | Above 0.38 | 0.26 |
| C | Less than 0.38 | 0.26 |
The temperature grades, rated from highest to lowest, go from A, to B, to C. These ratings represent the tire’s resistance to heat generation based on the speed. A-rated tires are designed to dissipate heat to a max speed greater than 115 mph. B-rated tires do so at a max speed of 100-115 mph. C-rated tires do so at a max speed of 85-100 mph.
So to get back on track, the answer is “Yes, affordable tires can be completely safe.” It’s all about doing your research and buying from trustworthy brands.
Speaking of doing your research on the best affordable tire brands, what do you need to look for in tire companies you can trust? If you’re like the average driver out there, you’re likely not experienced in the ins and outs of tire manufacturing – and that’s okay.
To help you out, here are some things you need to look for in reliable tires:
First on our list is “Achilles Tires,” an Indonesian company that started in 1991, but officially became the brand we know and love in 2005. The company has collaborated with many industry leaders over the years to create excellent replacement tires for a large range of vehicles.
Achilles tires are known for creating high-quality tires for commercial and passenger vehicles – at affordable prices. These tires are sold in more than 80 countries around the world, so there’s definitely a reason why so many drivers love and trust the brand.
Here’s a tidbit from an Achilles tires review:
In terms of traction, feel and all-round maneuverability, Achilles tires are as good as, if not better than more expensive brands. They offer up to users a refreshing and pleasant surprise considering the price.Car Bible Review
Atturo tires are not exactly cheap, but they’re surprisingly budget-friendly considering their size and value. Next time you’re on the market for your off-roading tire, check this brand out – your car and your wallet will thank you.
Here is some info from an Atturo tires review:
The brand’s tires offer great versatility through their expansive feature set, and perform on par with higher-priced competitors. The value for money provided has been affirmed in our Atturo Tires reviews for the majority of its products.Tire Reviews and More
Falken is an especially great brand to shop if you’re looking for “high performance” tires. They offer excellent all-season capabilities that will get you where you need to go, no matter the weather.
Here is a Falken tires review:
The brand has been able to leverage its participation, and acquired experience in motorsports, to create exceptionally high-quality tires for the average consumer. Falken tires are crafted with race car tire technologies that enable superior grip and enhanced handling.Tire Reviews and More
Federal tires have been around for nearly seven decades. In those years, the brand has fostered a reputation based on state-of-the-art technology and a low tolerance for poor quality.
When you shop Federal tires, you can feel confident that their safety standards are highly regulated. Each tire is continuously improved, keeping you and your family safe on the road without charging a huge fee.
Check out this Federal tires review:
In the enthusiast world, Federal Tire is already well-known with its high-performance tires, which are regarded as good for the money. The manufacturer is also well-regarded within the off-road community with its all-terrain and mud-terrain tires.Tire Deets
If you ask many people on the street for the name of an affordable, high-quality tire brand, chances are, many will say General. That’s what the brand is known for.
Here is a General Tires review:
When it comes to crafting a versatile range of models for a variety of purposes, General Tire is by far one of the best tire brands you can ask for. Not only are their models built to pass through the toughest of safety tests and made with high-quality products, but they also come with a very affordable price tag as well.Icona Vulcano
Hankook tires even come with a 100K mile warranty, which means that if anything goes wrong during that time period, you can get new tires. That’s one of the highest mileage warranties out there.
Here is a review of Hankook tires:
Hankook earned our pick as the brand with the best tread-mile warranties because it has the tire series with the highest estimated mileage and the average mileage is above, er, average. It’s also among the most affordable tire brands available, and the available performance options for the most common sizes is good enough to provide some choice in your performance.Top Ten Reviews
You’ll find all-season and high-performance Ironman tires that suit coupes, minivans, and sedans. They also manufacture tires for trucks, CUVs, and SUVs. Whether you’re looking to take on mud terrain or a regular highway, there’s an Ironman tire that is perfect for your budget and your needs.
Take a look at this Ironman tires review:
Budget tires are all about the price, and Ironman tires are no exception. I talked with a bevy of tire dealers and they were quick to say that consumers with modern cars prefer budget tires over the more expensive variety. As a car owner myself, I have no qualms about using cheap tires since I do most of my driving in the city. Unless you own a high-performance sedan or sports car, there is no point in spending more money on an expensive tire if a budget-friendly alternative like Ironman is within reach.Driving Press
Kumho Tires prioritizes safety and performance above all else. Even though their tires are reasonably priced, you can rest assured that they’ll keep you and your vehicle safe on the road.
Check out this Kumho tires review:
This brand is well-known for its summer and all-season tires. We recommend it for anyone who is looking for both diversity and performance. And don’t worry about the price. It’s been ranked within the top 5 best tire brands.Safe Road
Lexani tires are specifically designed to be subtle and low-profile so you can really draw attention to your snazzy wheels. Customers who prioritize the aesthetics of their vehicles flock to Lexani to browse their matching tire and wheel selections.
Even though Lexani prioritizes looks, they still are about performance. You’ll feel safe and secure while driving on a variety of terrains.
Here is a Lexani tires review:
All Lexani tires are designed to help keep you securely on the road at all times. They use proven tread patterns along with materials that are known to improve road grip. You will also find that these tires have wide shoulder blocks, which are included to help improve handling while going around tight curves, especially at high speeds. Overall, the tires have good handling, especially their performance models, where it is most important.Auto Quarterly
The brand is devoted to manufacturing premium tires for the average American consumer, and that means keeping their tires economically viable for all shoppers. At the same time, Mastercraft tires are made from high-quality materials and designed to last through many weather conditions for years to come.
Read this Mastercraft tires review:
Mastercraft Tires have been tested, designed, and sold, only in the U.S making this a homegrown quality brand, devoted to providing premium tires for the American consumer. The brand has developed a reputation for creating high-quality tires that strive to perform seamlessly in tough weather conditions whilst providing exceptional value for money.Tire Reviews and More
Milestar tires offer a large range of vehicle and terrain tires. Find the one that meets your needs exactly, as well as treads that can withstand pretty much any road condition.
Take a look at this Milestar tires review:
The value for money provided is fantastic and makes this a worthy contender in the budget-tire market. Customers are highly satisfied when they pay less for more, and when bonuses; such as warranties, alleviate lingering doubts over tire quality.Tire Reviews and More
NeoTerra manufactures a variety of passenger and high-performance tires, as well as a great selection of truck and SUV tires. Their focus is to build well made tires at reasonable prices. If you are looking for tires that won’t hurt the budget but still provide good performance, NeoTerra is worth taking a look at!Milled
Overall, Nexen tires have been praised for their competitive prices and versatility. It’s now ranked as one of the top ten brands to shop by the Tire Brand Report Card, which has to say something to consumers looking for a smart purchase.
Check out this Nexen tires review:
The company has managed to differentiate itself by creating quality tires optimized to render great driving capabilities at significantly lower, comparative prices.Tire Reviews and More
As you can see, there’s no shortage of affordable tire brands that are well-reviewed and trustworthy. Hopefully, this guide has helped steer you toward the perfect manufacturer for your budget and needs.
At Tires-easy, we help customers get the best deals and discounts from major tire brands every day. If you’re on the hunt for new tires, let us know! We’ll help you find amazing prices on stellar-quality tires.