My 10 Favorite Budget Tires in 2024
Things have become quite expensive in the last year or so, so we are all paying more attention to the money we spend. As much as we try, there are some unavoidable expenses, like tires, for example.
Even though car owners won’t need to change them each month, you may be in the category with an old set that needs to be replaced in this period. Many argue that tires are expensive nowadays, and they’re probably right. While there are some cheap Chinese tires that you can go for, I wouldn’t quite take that road. You may be saving a few bucks, but you’ll also sacrifice a lot in terms of performance, so try to avoid those. So this leaves the premium ones as your only option? Not quite.
Even though tires from the premium manufacturers tend to be better than the rest, they are also the more expensive option in most cases. With that said, there are plenty of situations where a premium tire isn’t the best approach. So, mid-range ones are the best, right? Again, not quite.
Mid-range tires are a good balance and are an excellent choice if you’re after some budget tires. Even though I categorize them as a good option, keep in mind that you can find a set of premium tires at a very affordable price.
Speaking of affordability, if you clicked into this article, you’re probably looking for an affordable option for your car, and you’re in luck.
This list includes 10 of the best budget tires you can get. Despite these all being budget-friendly options, I won’t include any of the cheap, unsafe tires that I wouldn’t put on my own car.
#1. Sincera SN250 A/S
![Falken Sincera SN250](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Falken-Sincera-SN250-1.png)
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The first all-season touring tire you’ll see on this list is the Sincera SN250 from Falken. While the tire won’t win any awards for being the best in a certain category, I believe it balances performance and price nicely.
Like most of its mid-range rivals, the Sincera SN250 is a solid performer in dry conditions. While it won’t be the best option for a track day, it’s an excellent one for daily driving. The grip and traction levels are solid, and you won’t notice it struggling too much. Handling, on the other hand, is a different story. While the responsiveness isn’t terrible, you won’t get much feedback.
Wet doesn’t seem to be a massive problem for the Sincera SN250, as it continues to deliver very good performance. On damp roads, the traction and grip are good for daily driving, giving you some breathing room in terms of limits. The grooves and sipes also do an excellent job evacuating water, providing excellent aquaplaning resistance.
As a mid-range all-season tire, the Sincera SN250 does pretty well on snow. The tire delivers pretty good traction in lighter conditions and is easy to control. Packed snow is a bit of a problem, but the performance is still there.
In the refinement department, the tire tells two stories. The first one is the comfort, which is pretty good. It does well in softening up smaller bumps or holes to a point where you may not notice them. Noise is the second one, and it’s not a very good one. Around town, it’s not too bad and remains quiet, but the noise increases on the highway, making it average.
Falken aimed to make the Sincera SN250 competitive and achieved that in the longevity department. With a treadwear warranty of 80,000 miles, it’s right up there with some of the premium rivals.
Pros
- Decent snow performance
- Very comfortable
- Plenty of performance for daily driving
Cons
- The handling is average
- Noise levels increase at highway speeds
#2. General AltiMAX RT45
![General Altimax RT45](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/General-Altimax-RT45.png)
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My second option to today’s list comes from General. The AltiMAX RT45 is an upgrade over the RT43, intending to improve certain areas, and I believe that the company succeeded, at least partially.
In dry conditions, the AltiMAX RT45 will offer excellent performance as long as you need a tire for normal driving. The grip and traction levels are pretty good for eliminating slip on acceleration or understeer in the corners, so you won’t have anything to complain about. Getting a bit aggressive will reveal a weakness in terms of the cornering grip. If you push it too hard, you’ll have a bit of understeer, which is to be expected, honestly. As for the braking distances, they’re not class-leading but are pretty short. The handling is like most touring tires. There is a good amount of responsiveness, so that’s a positive aspect. On the other hand, it’s not too responsive on-center, meaning that micro corrections can be a bit problematic in some cases.
The tire continues to deliver solid performance in wet conditions as well. Driving on damp roads isn’t a problem, thanks to the high levels of grip and traction. The AltiMAX RT45 isn’t on the same level as some of the premium options, meaning you won’t have a lot of room to push it. With that said, for daily driving, you won’t have any issues. General designed the tread pattern to efficiently evacuate water, making this a stable tire when driving in harsh rain conditions.
I was surprised by how well the AltiMAX RT45 handled snow. The tire offers solid traction in lighter snow conditions, and unlike some of its rivals, it won’t struggle too much on packed snow. Sure, it’s not a proper winter tire, meaning you shouldn’t get too carried away with it. Another thing this tire does well is deeper snow. It won’t be marvelous in these conditions, but it doesn’t struggle as much as some other all-season tires.
The refinement of the AltiMAX RT45 is decent, which isn’t a bad thing, considering it’s a mid-range tire. You won’t hear a lot of road noise when you’re driving around town and the tire will remain quiet-ish at highway speeds. The only thing worth mentioning are some noticeable tones when driving on rougher surfaces. As for comfort, the tire can deliver an impressively plush ride. It’s quite close to the premium models, thanks to its ability to smooth out road imperfections and dampen larger bumps and potholes.
Unlike the previous model, the AltiMAX RT45 comes with a 75,000-mile treadwear warranty. It’s a bit behind but still good, considering it’s a mid-range model.
Pros
- Snow performance is pretty good for an all-season tire
- Excellent performer in dry conditions
- Long treadwear warranty
Cons
- It may produce noticeable tones over rougher surfaces
- Wet performance is a bit behind its mid-range rivals
#3. Hankook Kinergy PT
![Hankook Kinergy PT H737 Tire](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Screenshot-2021-06-22-150301.png)
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Hankook has made plenty of excellent tires at an affordable price, and the same can be said about the Kinergy PT. Despite being a mid-range model, it can offer some good performance, which is why it found its way onto this list.
You’ll get excellent performance with the Kinergy PT in dry conditions. There’s loads of grip and traction, making it an excellent choice for daily driving. Even though we’re talking about a touring tire, you can still push it a bit before it gives up. In the handling department, the tire struggles like most of its rivals in this class. The responsiveness is average, and even though there is some feedback, it may feel a bit muted at times.
Wet roads are another area where the Kinergy PT delivers very good performance. On damp roads, the tire will deliver more than enough grip and traction for daily driving. In harsher conditions, the grooves and sipes do an excellent job at evacuating water, making the tire stable in heavy rain.
The biggest surprise the Kinergy PT has is in winter. Performance on snowy roads is more or less as you’d expect. Thanks to the sipes, the tire is usable in shallow snow and can offer decent traction. With that said, the tire seems to do decently well on ice. I wouldn’t compare it to a winter tire, but it’s not as useless as some of its rivals.
Refinement is another area where the Kinergy PT offers very good results. The tire can absorb and smooth out road imperfections and eliminate most of the vibrations. Noise levels are also very low, and the tire is almost whisper quiet around town. The noise increases at highway speeds, but even then, it’s far from the loudest of the bunch.
When compared to some of its premium rivals, the Kinergy PT is an excellent choice for a long treadwear warranty. Hankook has you covered for 90,000 miles, which puts this tire near the top of this category.
Pros
- It has some traction on ice
- Traction on dry and wet roads is excellent
- High refinement levels
Cons
- While it’s decently responsive, some premium models are better
- Deeper snow can be a problem
#4. Cooper Endeavor Plus
![Cooper Endeavor Plus](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Cooper-Endeavor-Plus.png)
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For this next entry, I’m moving away from passenger cars to CUVs and SUVs, starting with a model from Cooper. The Endeavor Plus is an excellent option for this list because it offers solid performance at a more affordable price.
The Endeavor Plus is a tire that can offer plenty of performance in dry conditions. There’s a good amount of traction to allow you to accelerate without any slip, and the cornering grip will help minimize understeering as much as possible. It’s not a performance model, so the levels aren’t the highest in the industry, but are high enough for daily driving with a bit of headroom if you get carried away. The handling may not be the most dynamic, but it’s pretty good. It’s a responsive tire, at least as much as you can expect from a touring model, but without a lot of feedback.
Wet performance is another aspect of the Endeavor Plus where you won’t be disappointed. The tire offers plenty of traction in damp conditions, keeping it planted and minimizing wheelspin in most cases. It’s the same with the grip – it’s enough to prevent understeer unless you push it to its limits. The tire also does an excellent job evacuating water, meaning you get excellent aquaplaning resistance. As for the braking distances, they are slightly longer than some of its rivals. It’s not a dealbreaker, and the tire remains safe, but it’s worth mentioning.
When it comes to winter performance, the Endeavor Plus is a solid-enough option. The tire deals with lighter snow conditions pretty well, offering decent traction, which will be fine if you’re not too aggressive. Driving on packed snow can be tricky because the tire may begin to struggle a bit. It’s not unusable, but some models do better in these conditions. The braking distances on snow are safe enough but are a bit longer than some tires in this class.
The refinement of the Endeavor Plus is excellent, and in many ways, it “feels” like a premium tire. Thanks to the ability to absorb and smooth out bumps, the tire offers a comfortable ride and minimizes vibrations. The noise levels are also low, which is pretty good for a mid-range tire. There is a faint hum when you’re driving at slower speeds, but you probably won’t even notice it. It increases in intensity at highway speeds and especially rougher roads, but it’s not the most intrusive note you’ll hear.
On the warranty side of things, the Endeavor Plus comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same level as some more expensive options.
Pros
- High refinement levels
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
- Plenty of performance for daily driving
Cons
- There are some slightly noticeable tones in certain situations
- Braking distances in wet and snow conditions are slightly longer
#5. Hankook Dynapro HP2
![Hankook DynaPro HP2](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Hankook-DynaPro-HP2-1024x1024.png)
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The second CUV and SUV option for today’s list is a model from Hankook. I’m talking about the Dynapro HP2, a model that does many things right without too many compromises.
One area where there’s no compromise is the dry performance. The Dynapro HP2 offers high levels of grip and traction, putting it near the top of the mid-range class and close to the premium options. The performance is more than enough for normal driving, as long as you’re aware it’s a touring tire. This means you shouldn’t push it too much unless you want to experience slip or understeer. The handling is pretty good as well, with a good amount of responsiveness and a tire that’s not as muted as the previous model.
The performance you’ll get from the Dynapro HP2 in wet conditions is solid but not the best. There is a solid amount of traction on damp roads, and combined with the grip levels, it will be fine for daily driving. With that said, there isn’t a lot of room to get carried away, so you’re not looking at the best performer in this class. The braking distances are short enough, so it’s a safe tire. Overall the entire experience is safe, but it’s not a class-leading model. In terms of the aquaplaning resistance, the tire does a very good job, meaning it will remain stable even when driving on the highway.
Winter performance is something that the Dynapro HP2 does well. The tire offers enough traction in snowy conditions to be considered good without too much slip. As an all-season tire, you can expect to get this in lighter conditions if you’re not too aggressive with your inputs. Driving in harsher conditions is something that you shouldn’t expect from this tire. You may get some traction on ice, but it’s far from what I’d call good.
The refinement of the Dynapro HP2 is good but not perfect. My complaint with this tire is in terms of the comfort levels. They are good, and the tire smooths out road imperfections and softens larger hits. As good as it sounds, there is some firmness, which is evident from the vibrations. As for the noise levels, I don’t have a lot of complaints. The tire is generally quiet around town and even though the road noise at highway speeds is there, it’s not obnoxious.
As for the warranty, the Dynapro HP2 is on the same level as the previous model. With a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, it’s close to the top of this category.
Pros
- Solid snow performance
- Grip and traction in dry conditions are very good
- The noise levels are on the quieter side of things
Cons
- Performance in wet conditions is a bit behind some of its rivals
- It’s not the softest tire in this segment
#6. Kumho Crugen HP71
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/kumho-crugen-hp71-bsw__40143-1024x1024.jpg)
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The last all-season option for CUVs and SUVs on today’s list is the Crugen HP71. Similar to most of the tires on this list, it’s a model that offers an excellent balance between price and performance.
In dry conditions, the Crugen HP71 is a tire that will be enough for people looking for a dependable daily driver. The tire delivers solid levels of traction, minimizing slip when accelerating. It also does a good job in terms of traction, keeping the understeer to a minimum. The levels aren’t the highest, but there is some room to push it and still get a safe driving experience. As for the handling, I feel like it’s the weakest part of this tire. The responsiveness is good enough, but not the best, and it’s the same with the feedback.
Wet performance is an area where the Crugen HP71 won’t struggle. The tire’s grip and traction levels on damp roads are pretty good, and as long as you’re not too aggressive, you won’t notice any massive issues. It’s not borderline unsafe, so even if you get carried away, the tire won’t start to struggle too much. In pouring rain, the tire’s tread pattern evacuates water efficiently, providing excellent aquaplaning resistance.
Winter is something that the Crugen HP71 doesn’t handle all that well, especially snow. The tire offers decent traction on snow, as long as we’re talking about unpacked one. There are better options, but this one isn’t one that will be unsafe. With that said, packed snow can be a problem, meaning that you shouldn’t treat it like a winter tire. On a positive note, the braking distances aren’t massively long, so at least it’s a safe tire.
The refinement of the Crugen HP71 is excellent for a mid-range tire. It delivers a very comfortable ride, thanks to its ability to smooth out road imperfections well. Potholes and bumps aren’t absorbed as well as I thought they would be, but it still does a pretty good job. The noise levels are also pretty good, and the tire isn’t too noticeable. Around town, it’s very quiet, with the hum being barely noticeable. The road noise increases a bit when you’re driving at higher speeds, but even then, it’s not a problem.
Similar to the previous two tires, the Crugen HP71 comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is excellent considering its class.
Pros
- Stable in pouring rain
- Long treadwear warranty
- Solid performance in multiple conditions
Cons
- Responsiveness and feedback aren’t the best
- It struggles a bit on packed snow
#7. Yokohama iceGUARD IG53
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/iceguard-ig53-1024x1024.jpg)
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With the all-season models aside, let’s discuss a few winter options, starting with one from Yokohama. The iceGUARD IG53 is a tire that may not be perfect, but the package justifies the price, so it’s balanced just right.
The iceGUARD IG53 is a tire that will deliver very good performance in dry conditions. For daily driving, the levels of grip and traction are excellent, giving you dependable performance without spending a lot. Yes, it’s not on the same level as the best in this class, but that is to be expected. The braking distances are also pretty short and not too far behind the best in this class. As for the handling, it’s as good as you can expect. The on-center feel isn’t the best, and the responsiveness is a typical winter tire one, so it’s not the most dynamic option.
When it comes to wet performance, the difference between the iceGUARD IG53 and the leaders in this class increases, but that doesn’t mean it’s a poor choice. The tire deals with damp roads quite well, providing you with the performance you’d need for a safe driving experience if you don’t expect wonders. In terms of the braking distances, they are short but noticeably longer than other models in the premium segment. Finally, the aquaplaning resistance of this tire is excellent, meaning it will remain stable with no issues.
Winter conditions are where the iceGUARD IG53 comes close to its premium rivals. The tire offers excellent performance in these conditions and will handle snow easily. It also does an excellent job of tackling packed snow while offering short braking distances. Surprisingly, the tire seems to deal well with ice. Despite being a studless option, the traction is good enough to find its way on this list.
The refinement of the iceGUARD IG53 is a text-book winter tire. Thanks to its softer nature, the tire offers a comfortable driving experience and smooths out smaller imperfections in the road. It deals with the larger ones quite well, but it may feel just a bit bouncy in some situations. The noise levels, on the other hand, aren’t as impressive. I wouldn’t call it a loud tire, but the tread road is noticeable in certain conditions.
Pros
- Snow and ice traction is excellent
- Dry performance is very good
- Soft and comfortable
Cons
- The noise levels aren’t the lowest
- Wet performance is a bit behind some of its rivals
#8. Firestone Winterforce 2
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Firestone-Winterforce-2-768x1024.jpg)
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The last tire I’ll talk about is the Winterforce 2. This model is a direct competitor of the previous one, meaning you’re getting excellent winter performance in an affordable package.
Performance in dry conditions is something that the Winterforce 2 isn’t known for. While the grip and traction levels are good enough for daily driving, there isn’t a lot of room for pushing. Sure, the tire is safe, and you won’t struggle too much with it, but the premium models can offer more. In terms of handling, it’s similar to the previous model – acceptable responsiveness with not a lot of feedback.
Things improve in wet conditions, as the Winterforce 2 seems to be able to deliver more. The tire will have no problem accelerating and going around a corner, even if you get a bit carried away. With this tire, you get relatively short braking distances and excellent aquaplaning resistance, making it a safe performer.
Snow and ice are what the Winterforce 2 does best. Regardless of whether we’re talking about shallow or deep snow, this tire won’t have a problem. You may notice it struggles just a bit in deep snow, but it’s not something that will cripple the performance. Even at the limit, you won’t be fighting it, and you can get it under control without too much effort. Since it’s a studdable tire, you can get a massive performance boost with it, which will get you one of the best mid-range winter tires on the market.
Things take a turn for the worse in the refinement department. The Winterforce 2 isn’t impressive in terms of noise, but almost no winter tire is, so that’s not something new. As for comfort, while it’s not overly harsh and manages to absorb some of the bumps, some of its rivals can do better.
Pros
- Superb performance with and without the studs
- High grip and traction levels on damp roads
- Excellent aquaplaning resistance
Cons
- Average performance in dry conditions
- Refinement isn’t the best
#9. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Nokian-Tyres-Hakkapeliitta-R5-SUV-Angle-1024x1024.jpg)
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On the SUV side of things, I have a tire from a brand known for making excellent winter tires. Looking at the performance, the Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV seems to be a tire that feels right at home on snow.
With the snow aside, the dry performance of the Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is pretty good if you’re looking for a solid daily driver. The tire offers enough grip and traction to be considered safe while leaving you with some room to push it. When it comes to the braking distances, they are short, which is what most owners want. With that said, they aren’t the shortest in this category. The handling is pretty decent, considering we’re talking about a winter tire. There is a decent amount of responsiveness, and it offers some feedback.
In wet conditions, the Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV continues to be a solid performer, which is what the average driver is after. The tire’s grip and traction levels on damp roads are pretty good and close to what its premium rivals have to offer. When it comes to the braking distances, they are short, meaning that I’d put them well within the safe zone. With that said, they are a bit behind some of the best options in this category. It’s the same with the aquaplaning resistance. The tire will be stable at higher speeds, but some models will do a better job.
The most impressive part of the Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV is the snow and ice performance. It’s a powerful performer in snowy conditions, meaning the traction levels are very good, regardless of whether you’re driving on packed or unpacked snow. The tire also seems to handle deep snow quite well, which is an area where some tires from this category may struggle. As a studless tire, I have to admit, I was surprised by the tire’s ability to tackle ice. You won’t drive like on a paved road, but it won’t be as useless as some other models.
In terms of refinement, the Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV does a decent enough job. The comfort levels are solid and the tire will provide a decent riding experience. It’s not the most comfortable tire in this class, so don’t expect the plushest ride. The noise levels are not the best, which is to be expected from a winter tire. There is a bit more hum, even compared to other winter tires from this class. It’s not terrible, but it’s far from the quietest tire.
Pros
- Surprisingly usable traction on ice
- Excellent snow performer
- Traction on dry and wet roads is very good
Cons
- The aquaplaning resistance is behind some of its rivals
- The braking distances in dry and wet conditions aren’t the shortest
#10. Cooper Discoverer Snow Claw
![](https://tirehungry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/discoverer-snow-claw.png)
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For the last option on today’s list, I’m going for another winter option for CUVs and SUVs. The Discoverer Snow Claw is an excellent winter performer that you can improve in certain conditions because it’s a studdable tire.
With the studs aside, the dry performance of the Discoverer Snow Claw is pretty good. The tire offers high enough levels of grip and traction, making it a very good choice for daily driving. Even if you get a bit aggressive, the limits are still high enough so that you don’t reach them every time you leave your driveway. The handling is as you’d expect from a winter tire. There is some responsiveness, which I’d categorize as good enough. With that said, you won’t have a lot of feedback through the steering wheel.
In wet conditions, the Discoverer Snow Claw continues to deliver dependable performance. The traction levels on damp roads are pretty good, while the grip will keep the tire on the road and minimize understeer. There isn’t tons of room to push it, so don’t expect to have fun on a twisty road. On a positive note, the tire’s safety aspects are excellent. It combines short braking distances with excellent aquaplaning resistance, both of which are important.
The winter performance of the Discoverer Snow Claw is excellent. Under normal driving conditions, the tire’s performance on snow is very good. The traction levels are more than enough to provide a safe driving experience on packed and unpacked snow. You can also drive in deeper patches, thanks to the tire’s ability to find traction in those conditions as well. Driving on ice without the studs isn’t the best experience. The tire offers some traction, but it’s not the best. Luckily, as a studdable model, you can fit the studs and get a bump in traction.
When it comes to refinement, there are two sides to the Discoverer Snow Claw. The comfort levels aren’t the most impressive part of this tire. It offers some comfort levels, thanks to its ability to smooth out imperfections and bumps, but it’s not the softest tire in this category. On the other hand, the noise levels are pretty good. We are talking about a winter tire, so it won’t be the quietest in the industry. The hum is there, but it’s not obnoxiously loud.
Pros
- Plenty of performance in multiple conditions
- Deals with snow quite well
- There is the option to fit studs for improved ice traction
Cons
- Ice traction without the studs isn’t the best
- The ride comfort isn’t the softest in this category
Okay Altimax 43 is obsolete and has been replaced by the Altimax 45
Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus has been replaced by Weather Peak.