Buying the best tires for your car might seem a straightforward enough task, but there’s a surprising amount to consider to make the best purchase possible.
Every driver’s needs are different, depending on the terrain and weather conditions where they typically drive. Driving style is also a huge factor. If you’re in need of a new set of tires but find the abundance of choices intimidating, we’ve got you covered.
Choosing Car Tires
For the product roundup below, we considered tire type, load limit, speed rating and Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), as well as customer reviews, credible sources and expert advice. The result is a list of our top tire picks in five key categories.
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Best Performance Tire
via amazon.com
If cost isn’t a concern and you’re simply looking for the best tires possible, you’d be hard-pressed to find better than Michelin’s 71313 Pilot Sport A/S 3+. With an incredible UTQGR of 500-AA-A, these are about as good as tires get in traction, wear and resistance to temperature damage. They’ve also got a massive load rating of 1,764 pounds, and a tread pattern designed to maximize smoothness and cornering control.
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Best Budget Tire
At a fraction of the cost of other high-rated tires, the Starfire Solarus AS All-Season rates remarkably well in tire wear, traction and temperature resistance. It’s also highly rated for all driving conditions, including mud, rain and snow, with a tread design that minimizes road noise. Plus, these tires come with a hefty 50,000 mile warranty.
Best Winter Tire
If you do lots of driving in snowy conditions, choosing the right and best snow tires can make all the difference, and the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80s are among the best. Gripping power is the main concern with winter tires. Thanks to a hydrophilic coating on the rubber, these grip exceptionally well.
Best All-Season Tire
In all season performance, it’s hard to beat the Michelin Energy Saver A/S. Featuring a beefy load limit of 1,477 pounds and a strong traction rating of 480 (100 is considered baseline), along with above-average tread wear and temperature resistance, these tires have all bases covered.
Best Run-Flat Tire
Run-flat tires have reinforced sidewalls that allow it to keep supporting the vehicle without any air. If you’re interested in the peace of mind run-flats can give, look no further than Pirelli’s CintuRato P7 All Season Run Flats. With good tread wear, traction and heat resistance ratings, these tires perform well aside from their run-flat capabilities.
Best Car Tire Brand
I don’t recommend shopping for tires strictly by brand. But if you decide to do so, Michelin is without a doubt your best bet.
Year after year, multiple independent testers and experts rate Michelin tires among the best in all-season performance, summer ultra-high performance and all-season light truck performance. There are certainly lower priced brands making great tires, but none who put out the consistent quality across so many tire categories as Michelin does.
Driving through snow and ice this Winter? Make sure you have the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflakes symbol on your tires.
