• We have compiled the top five cheapest tire brands.
  • The best cheap tires can't be the least expensive.
  • When evaluating the cost, consider the durability of your tires.

Buying cheap tires can be a gamble. While the low-price option may initially be the best for your wallet, you may end up needing to buy replacements more frequently. In this article, we will discuss the best cheap tires that do not compromise on quality or performance. We will also look at what factors affect the price of a tire, as well as the long-term cost of a tire.

Our review team has carefully researched the tire industry and compiled a list of the best tires and brands for 2021. It's a good idea to take a closer look before choosing a new set of tires. To start comparing the best tire brands on the market, visit DiscountTire.com.

What are the best cheap tires?

Based on our research, the top 5 most popular cheap tire brands currently available are:

  • cooper
  • Kumho
  • Hankook
  • Toyo
  • General

These tire companies provide tires that are both affordable and quality products. As you can see from the table below, you can find tires for as little as $43.

Tire brand Start year Tire price range * Longest tread life
cooper 1914 $65–$478 80,000 miles
Kumho 1960 $43 to $320 75,000 miles
Hankook 1941 $60 to $480 100,000 miles
Toyo 1945 $61–$789 75,000 miles
General 1915 $68–$473 75,000 miles

* Based on data from DiscountTire.com.

Cooper tires

In our 2021 round of the best tires in the industry, we named Cooper tires the most affordable tire brand. Although Coopers are not the cheapest tires on the market, they are a cost-effective option, comparable in quality to well-known brands such as Michelin and Goodyear. The tire company operates as an independent manufacturer, making it easy to buy models online.

We particularly like the Cooper CS5 Grand Touring tire for its all-season traction and 80,000 mile tread life warranty. This model costs between $85 and $154 per tire.

Kumho Tires

A South Korean tire company headquartered in the US in Atlanta, Georgia, Kumho offers tire models starting at $43 per tire. The tire company produces original tires (OE) as well as replacement tires for passenger cars, light trucks and SUVs. The tread life warranty isn't the longest in the industry, but given the low price, it's good enough.

We love the Kumho Solus, a nimble all-season tire for big tours with low noise and high comfort. This model costs between $72 and $184, depending on size and speed.

Hankook tires

Hankook is a relatively new low cost tire company with one of the longest tread life warranties in the tire industry. The manufacturer is based in Seoul, Korea and accounted for 3.5 percent of tire sales in North America in 2019. Hankook manufactures both original and replacement tires, even signing a contract with Audi in 2019 to supply the latest genuine Audi Q8 tires.

We are impressed with Hankook Kinergy PT H737. This highly rated all-season model offers a 90,000 mile tread life warranty as well as excellent traction in dry and wet conditions. The cost of the model ranges from 74 to 150 dollars per tire.

Toyo tires

Toyo is a Japanese tire manufacturer headquartered in the US in Cypress, California, known for its all-terrain tires and clutches. The company has also developed the cost-effective Nano Balance technology, which changes Toyo rubber at the molecular level. The tire company, although smaller than competitors such as Bridgestone, Goodyear and Michelin, generated 3.4% of tire sales in North America in 2019.

Off-road enthusiasts will love the Toyo Open Country A/T II, ​​a flexible all-terrain tire capable of traversing tarmac, mud and snow. The tread life warranty is 65,000 miles and the tire costs between $119 and $551.

General tires

General is a German tire brand that was acquired by Continental in 1995 and produced a range of cheap tires. Offering both original and replacement tires, General tires are a cost effective option for many drivers. The company offers a variety of options, including high-performance, all-terrain, and winter tires.

We love the General AltiMAX RT43, an all-season Grand Touring tire with a 75,000 mile tread life warranty. These tires range from $68 to $181 each.

What affects the cost of tires?

The cost of tires can easily range from $50 to over $500 depending on several different factors, including:

  • Tire type . More specialized tires are more expensive due to their technology, construction and tread. All-season tires tend to be cheaper as they don't have all the bells and whistles that high-performance or all-terrain tires have.
  • Tire size . Tire size can affect both driving comfort and the price of your tire. Smaller tires are often cheaper than larger tires - just increasing the tire size by one inch can add over $100 to your bill.
  • Vehicle . Along with tire size, the type of vehicle you drive also affects the cost of tires. Truck tires for a Ford F-150 will typically be more expensive than tires for a smaller vehicle such as a Toyota Camry depending on tire size. and specific vehicle needs.

Tire cost and durability

Just because a tire has a low price doesn't mean it will be the cheapest option in the long run. Because low-quality discount tires need to be replaced more often, it's important to consider tire durability along with upfront cost.

Often, tire models with higher tread life - the approximate number of miles you can drive before changing a tire - are priced higher. However, in the long run, these tires may prove to be a more economical option as they need to be changed less often.

A 2016 Consumer Reports study compared all-season tire models based on their original cost to their cost per mile of tread life. Here are the top five cheapest tires based on the study data:

Tire model starting price Tread Life Warranty cents per mile
Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus 100 USD 90,000 miles 0,10
Yokohama Avid Ascend (T) $93 85,000 miles 0,10
Sumitomo HTR Enhance L / X (T) $78 90,000 miles 0,11
Cooper CS5 Grand Touring $92 80,000 miles 0,13
Toyo Extensa A/S $80 65,000 miles 0,13

Our Top Tire Recommendations

Buying tires can be difficult, especially with so many brands to choose from. It's best to compare the different tire models available for your vehicle before making a purchase. This way you can be sure that you are getting the best deal and the best tyres.

For top quality tires, we recommend Michelin and Goodyear.

Michelin: the best tires overall

In our 2021 Best Tire Review, we named Michelin tires the best overall. The tire manufacturer produces quality tires in all areas, including special ones. The Michelin Defender is an inexpensive option for car owners looking to save on their next set of tires. This model retails for $105 and comes with a 90,000 mile tread life warranty.

Compare Michelin tires online at DiscountTire.com.

Goodyear: the best for durability

Goodyear tires are built to last. Although its tires are more expensive than most other brands, they may be a smarter financial investment in the long run. Goodyear, headquartered in Akron, Ohio, is known worldwide for its quality tire products. The Wrangler series from the company is a powerful all-terrain vehicle.

Compare Goodyear tires at DiscountTire.com.

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