January 13, 2023
Your Guide to Buying Budget Tyres
If you desperately need new tyres but have limited funds, you can always take the pocket-friendly route with budget tyres. Tyroola offers an extensive range of tyres—from premium and value to budget options—that gives you many choices.
But you may be wondering if budget tyres are right for you. Consumer opinions vary on this topic; while some rave about these tyres' affordability, others lament their inferior quality. To help you make the best decision, we give the lowdown on budget tyres, their pros and cons, and our recommended brands!
What are budget tyres?
Budget tyres are what their name indicates—tyres you can buy on a fixed budget. After all, price is always an important consideration when purchasing any item, including tyres!
Why do budget tyres come with a lower price tag? Here are some possible reasons:
- They have fewer features than more expensive tyres.
- Their manufacturers are less prestigious than the big brands.
- Tyre materials involve less cutting-edge methods.
- They can only be driven on limited terrains and in shorter distances.
Still, today's budget tyres have vastly improved in quality, performance, and features because of evolving technologies and stiff business competition. For instance, budget tyre brands such as Nankang, Kenda, and Durun, which Tyroola carries, offer products that many global consumers consider reliable and great value for money.
What are the pros & cons of budget tyres?
To learn if budget tyres are the right choice, read about their upsides and downsides.
Advantages of budget tyres
• They're pocket-friendly.
Buying tyres as a set of four can easily burn a hole in your pocket. Even the most affordable tyres don't come cheap when purchased as a set. If savings are your priority (especially during rising fuel prices), then buying budget tyres is smart.
• They suit all driving needs.
Some people buy budget tyres only for daily driving, thinking that these tyres have limited capabilities. But budget tyre makers have beefed up their product line, including specialized products like all-terrain, high-performance, and mud tyres.
• They embody safety and quality.
Budget tyres undergo testing to ensure they pass global safety and quality standards. This means that they're safe to use—and if you're open-minded enough to try them out, you may be surprised by their performance.
• They have competitive features.
Gone are the days when budget tyres are only good for getting the job done. Manufacturers have taken their tyres further by equipping them with run-flat options and features that promote fuel efficiency, ride comfort and boosted hydroplaning resistance.
Disadvantages of budget tyres
• Not all budget tyres are created equal.
Remember when we told you that budget tyres could be reliable and competent? Sadly, this is not true for all budget tyres. Some have poor quality and performance, so it's important to read reviews and know which brands are the best.
• They may perform less impressively.
Budget tyres are cheaper because they do not use the same expensive technologies and materials employed by premium tyres. But a quick look at reviews also tells you that not all premium tyres give an impressive performance. The trick is knowing what you want in a tyre—and if it's affordability coupled with good performance, then reputable budget tyres may be the way to go.
• They may be more challenging to find.
Some shops don't stock up on budget tyres because of their lesser-known brands, or the store may be pushing particular tyre brands. Tyroola recognises that budget brands have their place in the market, which is why we offer them, along with mid-range and premium tyres. We only stock all-original and all-reputable brands that guarantee your ride's safety and stability.
Tyroola's Best Budget Tyres
Don't know where to start as a first-time budget tye buyer? No worries; Tyroola has got you covered with our top recommendations!
Best Budget Tyre for Daily Street Driving
About the tyre: This touring tyre has all-season abilities, including an M&S (mud and snow) rating, guaranteeing grip even in inclement weather and harsh driving conditions. Tire Reviews and More confirms this tyre's reduced noise and impressive dry traction, cornering competence, and handling.
About the brand: Kenda has been producing tyres since 1962. Established in Taiwan, it started by manufacturing tyres for motorcycles and scooters. In 1991, it set up its office in the US. A decade later, Kenda began making car tyres and partnered with Cooper Tyres and Total Fuels.
Best Budget Performance Tyre
About the tyre: With an average Tyroola customer rating of 4.5 stars, the R330 is one of our most popular performance tyres in the budget segment. It boasts an asymmetric UHP (ultra-high performance) tread design that lowers noise while shortening braking distances. Driving Press lists wet and dry traction and braking abilities as this tyre's best traits.
About the brand: Winrun is a Chinese tyre manufacturer which began churning out UHP tyres in 2008. Less than a decade later, it joined forces with a German tyre factory, boosting its global reputation. Today, Winrun is known for its quality passenger tyres and is a regular fixture in international tyre conferences such as the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
Best Budget All-Terrain Tyre
About the tyre: This all-terrain tyre lets you enjoy all-season adventures in your light truck or SUV thanks to its versatile traction. Its 3D tread blocks enhance grip while a stone-ejecting tread pattern prolongs the life of the tyre. It garners an average rating of 4.7 stars from our customers—one of whom raves, "I find them excellent in all-weather terrain and exceptionally driving and grip both on and off the road… they look pretty slick! You won't be disappointed by price and performance."
About the brand: Comforser from China has been manufacturing tyres for almost a decade and has developed a reputation for its trusted and competitively-priced products. Its tyres have various features, including excellent wet and dry performance, better fuel economy, and durability.
Best Budget Mud-Terrain Tyre
About the tyre: Perfect for those who enjoy cross-country driving, this mud tyre uses a unique rubber compound to strengthen grip. Deep grooves drain mud, while large shoulder blocks improve handling on challenging terrains. Its tough-looking tread of wide voids and chunky blocks may convince you to try it out on slick muddy roads.
About the brand: RoadX is a subsidiary of Sailun, a China-based group that exports quality products worldwide, including Europe and America. Sailun has set up advanced manufacturing plants in China and Vietnam that produce millions of tyres annually.
Best Value-for-Money Budget Tyre
About the tyre: Designed for everyday driving, this tyre has a unique tread design that maintains the carcass shape while improving its wet performance. Other plus points include fuel efficiency and lowered noise. According to Tire Meets Road, the FRD16 is part of the brand's "comfort series" and is one of its more popular products.
About the brand: Farroad is a Chinese brand founded in 2007. It makes over 20 million tyres every year, and its products are marketed as eco-friendly because of their fuel and energy-saving properties. Its parent company is the state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation, which speaks volumes about Farroad's engineering and technical capabilities.
Read more about Farroad Tyres!
5 Tips for buying budget tyres
How do you make sure that you're not buying tyres that are useless after a few months? To help you purchase the best budget-friendly tyres, here are some reminders:
1. Consider your needs.
How is the weather in your area? If it frequently rains in your place, all-season tyres are best. Do you frequent the backroads? Try all-terrain tyres. Think about where you frequently drive and the conditions you often encounter. Basing your tyre choice on these factors will help you get the right tyre for your needs.
2. Think about what you want.
After assessing your driving requirements, it's time to think about your preferences. These may include how much you want to spend and tyre features you prioritize, such as fuel efficiency, eco-friendliness, and longevity. Tyres offer different strengths, so choose those that will give you the most satisfaction.
3. Compare prices.
You can already save with budget tyres but save even more if you shop around first. Tyroola gives you the best prices through our Price Match Guarantee. How does it work? Just let us know about a lower online price for the exact tyre. If it meets our conditions, we'll beat its price by 3%!
4. Read reviews.
Before buying budget tyres, it's best to read independent reviews to make an informed decision. You can find them on consumer websites, tyre shops, social media, and YouTube.
5. Examine the UTQG ratings and EU label.
While you can find the United Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) ratings on US-made tyres, the EU label is included in tyres manufactured in Europe. They rate the tyre's competency in traction, treadwear, fuel efficiency, noise and many others. Learn how to use UTQG and the EU label when buying tyres!
Buy budget tyres fast & easy
But the most important tip in buying budget tyres? Only buy from reputable shops! Tyroola has been selling tyres since 2016, and we pride ourselves on making the tyre-buying experience faster, easier, and more transparent. Unlike physical tyre shops with overhead expenses, we operate online, selling tyres and wheels at much lower prices.
Check out our wide range of tyres and our regular promos today!
