Last Updated on April 12, 2024
Affordable Winter Tires for a Secure and Budget-Friendly Drive
Snowy and icy conditions present all kinds of challenges on the road. To meet these challenges, it would be best to equip the correct tires adequately. While products from the industry’s top brands cost a pretty penny, plenty of cheap winter tires will do the job and keep you safe.
As Summer fades to Fall and we begin anticipating cold weather, pay close attention to your vehicle.
Your all-season tires might not work when heavy snow and ice fall. This is especially true if you live in northern states, where deep piles of snow and bad winter weather are all too common.
When making a winter tire purchase, there’s more to consider than just the snow and ice.
- What makes that tire suitable for your weather conditions?
- Is the value worth the price?
- What does my car need from a winter tire?
Ultimately, your tire’s ultimate job is to keep the car controlled and on the road, no matter the weather and temperatures it faces. It would be best to have the proper tread depth, pattern, and compound to stay safe when ice and snow hit – and that’s why winter tires are so vitally important.
We’ve created a comprehensive guide to help you pick the right low-price winter tire – and understand what you’re looking for. Read on to learn what you need in your perfect winter tire.
Why Is It Important to Use the Right Seasonal Tire?
Chances are, when your vehicle rolled out of the factory, it came equipped with all-season tires. These will provide a long-tread life and good year-round performance, but they aren’t designed to withstand heavy winter road conditions.
The correct tire matters when facing severe winter weather and below-freezing temperatures. Using an all-season tire on a snowy road leads to a lack of traction, which could jeopardize your safety and those around you.
Combining ice, snow, and cold temperatures requires specific tire features. Winter tires are designed to stay flexible as temperatures drop, channel snow and slush away from your vehicle, and maintain traction.
Let’s dive more into what you can get from cheap winter tires – and some of the best models to consider.
The Best Cheap Winter Tires
The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to purchase reliable winter tires. Low-priced options can offer the same qualities and safety features as high-end, costly options.
To show you what we mean, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best value winter tires that are trustworthy, made of high-quality materials, and well-reviewed.
1. Federal Himalaya WS2
We’ll start with the Federal Himalaya WS2, a studdable winter tire for passenger cars, CUVs, and SUVs. This tire provides excellent stability, handling, and traction, even in severe winter road conditions.
Tire Specifics:
- A V-shaped groove design that increases tread rigidity
- A wide center rib and multiple angled grooves to excavate snow slush and water
- Tire compounds that stay flexible
- Intersecting main grooves for stability
You’ll also note that the Federal Himalaya WS2 boasts the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, which means it can adequately severe snow and winter weather.
This tire’s price starts at $56.
2. Federal Himalaya SUV
Next, let’s visit another Federal Himalaya option. This top-rated winter tire is specifically designed for trucks and SUVs. It offers superb steering capabilities in winter conditions, including ice and snow.
Tire Specifics:
- Directional tread for stability
- Advanced compounds to deliver a long-tread life
- Fuel-efficiency
- Optimized stud placement
- A tread pattern that improves snow and slush traction
If you’re worried about braking on ice and snow in a large vehicle, this is an excellent tire choice with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. You’ll experience improved traction, cornering, and braking in all winter weather.
This tire’s price starts at $84.
3. Nexen Winguard Winspike
It is moving on to the Nexen Winguard Winspike. For a surprisingly low price, this tire—designed for passenger vehicles and trucks/SUVs—offers excellent traction on snow and ice. Despite harsh conditions, it can last for many years without experiencing dangerous cracking or stiffness.
Tire Specifics:
- High-density multi-sipe tread design
- Reinforced sipes to avoid excess tread flex
- Directional tread pattern for better road handling
- Large, wide grooves to prevent hydroplaning
This tire also has the mountain/snowflake symbol. If you live in an area with lots of snow, you can feel confident that the Nexen Winguard Winspike can handle the conditions.
This tire’s price starts at $81.
4. Mastercraft Glacier MSR
Next on our list is the Glacier MSR. Although it’s a little more expensive than some of its contenders, it does offer some unique qualities that make its price worthwhile for trucks and SUVs. Drivers experience excellent handling in winter weather conditions of all kinds.
Tire Specifics:
- Wide contact area to provide stability
- Tread design that traps snow and uses it as a grip enhancer
- Consistent cornering and turning capabilities
- Optional studs for better traction
Both M+S are rated and bear the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol; the Mastercraft Glacier MSR is as highly rated for the winter as a tire can be. When you put these tires on your truck, you can feel safe tackling icy, slushy, and snowy roads throughout the winter.
This tire’s price starts at $150.
5. Mastercraft Glacier Trex
The Mastercraft Glacier Trex, designed for cars, minivans, and CUVs, stays flexible even in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the tire to provide necessary traction while avoiding cracking and stiffening up during winter.
Tire Specifics:
- Winter Compound Technology
- Aggressive directional tread design
- Ability to grab snow for improved acceleration and braking
- Excellent water evacuation
- Resistance to hydroplaning
With its M+S and the severe weather rating of 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake, the Mastercraft Glacier Trex is built to provide a safe ride even during snowy conditions.
This tire’s price starts at $69.
6. Firestone Winterforce CV
This winter tire is perfect for drivers of light delivery trucks, vans, and large vehicles that transport heavy loads. When you need extra traction while en route to your next destination, the Firestone Winterforce has the safety features you need.
Tire Specifics:
- Twin steel belts on top of a polyester casting for strength
- Winter tread compound
- Aggressive directional tread pattern
- Strong tie bars in the outboard shoulders for stabilization
- Independent siped tread blocks
Like the other good, cheap winter tires on this list, the Firestone Winterforce CV is branded with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol. You’ll experience superb ride quality while noticing the tire’s excellent cornering and traction capabilities.
This tire’s price starts at $137.
7. Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter
Despite being one of the cheapest tires on this list, you can always trust a highly-reviewed Goodyear tire. The Ultra Grip Winter option gives you the traction you need in your most dire circumstances—like scary icy roads on a winter night.
Tire Specifics:
- Multiple biting edges to provide grip on snowy/icy roads
- Directional tread pattern
- Ultra wet traction and wide tread grooves
- Optional metal studs
- Strong shoulder blocks
With the mountain/snowflake symbol and features designed for passenger cars and trucks/SUVs, you’ll feel comfortable driving on roads in the winter, even when temperatures enter the freezing range.
This tire’s price starts at $46.
8. Goodyear Nordic Winter
You might consider the Nordic Winter option if you’re looking for a different (but still affordable) Goodyear winter tire for your passenger vehicle. This passenger winter tire is designed to endure extreme winter road conditions easily.
Tire Specifics:
- Directional V-Tred technology that expels snow and ice
- Continuous center rib for enhanced steering
- Long-lasting tread features
- All-terrain capabilities
- 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating
Whether you’re the Goodyear Nordic in winter or all-terrain conditions, you’ll experience superb steering and stability. Enjoy a tire that lasts for years to come despite the harshness of winter weather.
This tire’s price starts at $50.
9. Hankook i*cept IZ W606
Are you driving a high-performance passenger car? You might want to consider the Hankook Winter i*cept IZ W606. This tire has an aggressive tread, making it perfect for the high speeds of sports coupes and luxury sedans.
Tire Specifics:
- Strong single-bead wire
- Equilibrium carcass line
- Wide steel belt layer
- High-grip silica compound
Although driving carefully in snowy conditions is always essential, taming the winter roads with this sports car tire is far more fun (and safer) than regular tires. It also carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for severe snow service.
This tire’s price starts at $52.
10. Hankook i*cept IZ2 W616
This option is a bit sportier than other passenger car tires. The Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 tire is great for touring sedans and sport-coupe drivers who need excellent traction in winter conditions. The tread blocks and sipes bite into the snow, providing excellent grip and traction performance.
Tire Specifics:
- High-grip silica compound
- Jointless full-cover reinforced belt
- Wide-steel belt layer
- Ultra-high-strength bead wire
- Equilibrium polyester carcass line
Many sports car drivers want an excellent feel of performance and safety in the winter. This tire is perfect because it lets you enjoy spirited driving on clear, dry roads and keeps you secure on wet, slushy streets. It also carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for severe snow service.
This tire’s price starts at $60.
How Buying Winter Tires Saves You Money
You might be thinking, “But I don’t want to spend money on tires just for the winter season. Can’t I buy one kind of tire to save money?”
We don’t blame you—spending a pretty penny on winter tires is easy if you’re not looking for the best deal. However, buying winter tires might keep more money in your pocket than sticking with all-season tires in bad winter conditions.
Think about it this way: a set of winter tires might be the difference between life and death in a snowy accident. Not only is that important for the safety of others but it also:
- Reduces your chance of an accident in winter driving
- It keeps your insurance rates from skyrocketing.
- Minimizes expensive damage to your car.
- Prolongs the life of your vehicle.
Although it might be extra money now, it could extend the life of your all-season tires (and your vehicle) by years. Would you rather spend money to avoid accidents, expensive vehicle repairs, and potential hospital bills? Or pay those when misfortune inevitably comes your way?
Why the Wrong Tires Cost You Money
You might wonder how much it matters if you don’t switch your tires seasonally. Let’s talk about some factors that will cost you money if you skimp and stick with all-season tires through extreme winter conditions.
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Temperature-Related Damage
Unless you live close to the equator, winter will bring colder temperatures. Suppose you live somewhere that experiences frequent temperatures below 40 degrees F. In that case, you must replace your all-season tires sooner due to increased wear in cold temperatures and potential damage to the stiffened tread.
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Lost Elasticity and Cracks
As your tire loses its elasticity (flexibility), cracks become more common. This compromises its safety and long-term durability. Because most all-season tires are not designed for freezing temperatures, the rubber compounds will lose elasticity sooner.
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Serious Accidents
When your tires have compounds not equipped to handle cold temperatures, ice, or packed snow, your risk of being involved in an accident increases. According to research conducted by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, winter tires:
- Prevent collisions and fatalities.
- Reduce hospital emergency costs.
- Reduce emergency responses during winter.
- Lower insurance payouts (both size and frequency).
- Reduce traffic congestion.
If you live in the northern half of the United States and experience regular cold temperatures, you’re at risk of driving during the winter without specialized tires. Period. Some states even mandate winter tires, so ensure you adhere to local laws.
Things to Consider When Shopping for Different Low-Price Winter Tires
Whether you’re shopping for SUV, CUV tires, or passenger car tires, there are some things to remember as you shop for cheap winter tires online.
For instance, some brands are well-known for producing trusted winter tires – and ones that are not. At Tires Easy, we rely heavily on the following brands based on their proven track records of quality tires:
Consider your home’s particular winter conditions as you buy winter tires. Some states face extended temperatures below zero, while others barely endure snow or freezing conditions.
Ask yourself what conditions you’ll face and what you need from a winter tire. Are you looking for an excellent grip on roads that are often icy? Tires that can handle temperatures below 40 degrees for extended periods?
Conclusion
At the end of the day, when you’re sliding on an icy road and need extra traction, you want quality winter tires on your vehicle. A designated winter tire will outperform any all-season tire when the cold weather hits, keeping you and your passengers safe.
Need help finding the perfect cheap winter tire for your vehicle?
Don’t hesitate to contact our experts at Tires Easy. We specialize in matching customers with top-tier tires that meet their needs and desires.
FAQs
Are cheap winter tires any good?
Cheap snow tires can be adequate for winter driving, but their performance may not match that of higher-end winter tires. It is essential to choose a snow tire that suits your specific needs and budget.
Which tire is best for winter?
Winter tires, known as snow tires, are the best choice for winter driving conditions. They are specially designed to provide superior traction, handling, and braking on snow—and ice-covered roads.
Are cheap winter tires safer?
Yes, winter tires are safer in winter conditions compared to all-season or summer tires. They offer better grip and control on snowy and icy roads, reducing the risk of accidents.
Are winter tires cheaper?
Winter tires can vary in price, and both budget-friendly and premium options are available. While some cheap winter tires may be more affordable, it’s essential to consider their quality and performance to ensure safety during winter driving.
