Best tyre brands and how to save money

Most drivers appreciate the importance of tyres, but very few buy them with confidence. Little wonder, with literally hundreds of brands on sale in the UK and specific rubber offered for summer, winter and all-season driving.

The availability of premium, mid-range and budget tyres muddies matters further, while the fact that some makers market different brands at the varying price points adds to the confusion. Spending more generally guarantees superior grip, durability and fuel efficiency, but who are the makers to be aware of?

What are the best premium tyre brands?

The leading premium tyre makers are well-established brands with the biggest budgets for research and development (R&D), and whose products are usually fitted as original equipment by car manufacturers or even used in motorsport. All will perform strongly, although some have specific areas of excellence. Among the most prominent are: 

Bridgestone

Second only to France’s Michelin in terms of global sales, this Japanese giant has an extensive range, including Turanza tyres for everyday driving and Potenza performance rubber, plus Blizzak winter tyres.

Continental

This German powerhouse provides the tyres for one in every three cars made in Europe, including models from Volkswagen, Mercedes and Porsche. It also enjoys dominance among electric cars, with nine of the 10 highest-volume EV makers globally using its tyres. Its PremiumContact 7 won our tyre test for small cars and our tyre test for family cars.

Dunlop

This famous British brand is now owned by Japanese company Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). It specialises in performance tyres that focus on delivering precise handling and grip.

Goodyear

Having provided the tyres for the Ford Model T, this American company has been one of the industry’s most recognisable names for more than 100 years. It’s currently the third-biggest seller of tyres globally.

Hankook

Just as Hyundai and Kia have become serious players in the car world, Korea’s Hankook is now a respected force in tyre development, with a strong line-up that generally undercuts leading Western brands on price.

Michelin

With a reach spanning more than 170 countries, this French firm is the world’s biggest tyre maker, recognised for its innovation, performance and all-round quality. Its Primacy 5 was best for fuel efficiency in our 2025 tyre test.

Pirelli

This Italian company has supplied the tyres for Formula One since 2011. Away from the track, it offers a comprehensive selection, with its Cinturato All Season SF 3 and P Zero performance tyres performing strongly in recent independent tests.

What are the best mid-range tyre brands?

Mid-range tyres offer a balance between cost and quality, performing reliably in tests, but generally trailing premium offerings in certain areas. Many leading mid-range tyre brands are owned by familiar names, such as Avon (Goodyear), Firestone (Bridgestone), Barum and Uniroyal (Continental) and BF Goodrich (Michelin). Others worth considering are Korea’s Kumho and Nexen, Japan’s Falken, Yokohama and Toyo, Germany’s Fulda, the Netherlands’ Vredestein, and Finnish winter tyre specialist Nokian.

What are the best budget tyre brands?

Here, the focus is firmly on value, and there is likely to be a drop-off in both durability and performance. Budget brands sold by some of the UK’s most trusted tyre retailers include Nankang (Taiwan), Tomket (Czech), Pace (China), Accelera (Indonesia), Radar (Singapore) and Dymano (Vietnam).

What tyre brands should I avoid?

There’s been an explosion in very cheap tyre brands in recent years, many from China, where R&D has traditionally not been as thorough as the established brands. While that is changing, and not every tyre from China should be avoided, we’d advise buyers to exercise extreme caution when considering unfamiliar names at rock-bottom prices from budget retailers or Amazon.

How can I save money on tyres?

For a start, research online tests of all potential purchases carefully. Once you have identified the brand and tyre you want, you can save money on tyres by comparing prices online at the leading retailers to see who offers the best deal.

Availability can play a part here; the more common sizes from the major makers are most likely to come with a discount. Ordering online generally affords better deals, even at the big fast-fit chains, although remember to factor in fitting. Buying in bulk can also help – if you can afford to buy two (or even four) tyres at one time, the unit price will often be less. 

If you have a punctured tyre, don’t automatically assume it needs replacing – a specialist may be able to fix it, which will be much cheaper.

And remember, while buying ultra-cheap replacement tyres is tempting to keep costs down, it’s often a false economy as they simply won’t last as long – meaning you face the prospect of shelling out again sooner.

FAQs

Should I use a mobile tyre fitter?

For many, using a mobile fitter makes sense. It’s a convenient solution for those who don’t have time to take their vehicle to a garage (and a necessity if you’re stranded with an unexpected puncture). But buying tyres only from a retailer – rather than having them fully fitted – and then arranging fitting yourself may well be more expensive. ‘Out-of-hours’ emergencies, at night-time for example, will be even more pricey, and it’s worth bearing in mind that some mobile operators may not have the same extensive selection of tyres as established garages.

Should I consider part-worn tyres? 

These are tyres that have been used previously, and they must be clearly marked as PART-WORN. While new tyres typically have tread depths of 8mm-9mm, part-worns will have a few millimetres less, and possibly other flaws. That doesn’t make them inherently unsafe, but the problem is you don’t know what you’re getting, as enforcement of regulations in the part-worn industry can be slack.

The appeal for many is affordable pricing, but buying is a risk and we wouldn’t recommend doing so. Road safety charities, such as Brake and TyreSafe, strongly oppose the sale of part-worn tyres.

When should I replace my car’s tyres? 

The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, but when a tyre’s tread depth reaches 3mm you should consider replacement because its grip and ability to stop can be markedly reduced below this level. In terms of age, once a tyre is around six years old, it should be monitored carefully. However, damaged tyres, with issues such as cuts, bald patches or bulges, should be replaced as soon as you spot the damage even if they are fairly new.

Should I replace two tyres at once? 

Replacing two tyres on the same axle (either both front or both rear tyres) at the same time is strongly recommended for optimum performance. A new tyre paired with an older, worn one on the same axle can cause an imbalance in grip, affecting the steering and braking. Industry testing has consistently shown that uneven tyre pairings can compromise safety. 

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