Never underestimate the importance of a good set of tyres. And we’re not just talking about condition here; as well as ensuring your tyres have plenty of tread and are free of cracks, bulges or sidewall damage, it’s worth paying attention to the brand name on the side too.

Although the majority of tyres look pretty much the same, they certainly don’t perform the same. Take a look at any of the independent tyre tests carried out by publications like Auto Express and Which? - you’ll notice that there’s often a surprisingly large gap in performance between brands. That discrepancy often varies depending on the car that’s used for the test, the conditions the tyres are tested in (be it dry or wet) and the specific model of tyre that’s used. For instance, a high-quality eco tyre from a leading brand might offer more dry grip than a cheap summer tyre from a brand you’ve never heard of. The gulf in performance really is that significant.

All of this begs the question: how do you know which tyre brands are good and which ones you should avoid? With so many different variables at play, even in the relatively controlled conditions of a tyre test, it can be tough to determine which tyres offer the best value for money.

To help make your search for fresh rubber a little easier, we’ve done the hard work for you and studied tyre tests from across the industry to identify the brands that are most consistent. And don’t worry, they’re not all premium brands: we’ve split our selection into high-end, mid-range and budget options.

What makes a good tyre brand?

Before we dive into the brands we’ve chosen and why, first let’s consider what makes a tyre brand good. Because it certainly isn’t just the logo on the sidewall. Here are a few standout attributes that all of the best brands have in common, whether they’re at the top end of the market or the more affordable end.

Consistency in dry and wet conditions

The best brands out there develop tyres that offer a consistent, predictable level of grip in both dry and wet conditions. Sure, a tyre will always have less grip in the wet - but it should still have enough that the car remains controllable and manageable, even at higher speeds.

Poor quality tyres might grip well in the dry, but aquaplane very easily in the wet - a characteristic that can be incredibly dangerous.

A winning balance of fuel efficiency, grip, noise and longevity

Developing a good tyre is all about compromise. Yes, grip is important - but so is fuel efficiency, road noise, ride comfort and the rate at which the tyre wears. Any brand can create a super grippy tyre using a soft compound, but it will wear extremely quickly.

Likewise, it’s easy enough for a brand to create a fuel efficient tyre with minimal rolling resistance - but this often comes at the expense of grip and safety. Leading brands figure out how to mix the best of both worlds, giving you a tyre that delivers in every key area.

Superior technology 

Believe it or not, tyre technology is advancing remarkably quickly. As proof of this, a German magazine recently took the 2004 Porsche Carrera GT for a lap around the fearsome Nürburgring Nordschleife on brand-new Michelin tyres. It managed to lap the circuit 16 seconds quicker than it could when it was new, using the best tyres available at the time. That’s a perfect illustration of how far tyres have come in the last 20 years or so.

The best tyre brands around today don’t rest on their laurels - they continue to push the boundaries and incorporate the latest technology to ensure their tyres outperform the competition.

Excellent value for money

Even high-end tyre brands still need to offer value for money. If Michelin charged over the odds for a subpar tyre, for instance, word would soon get around and customers would go elsewhere. All of the manufacturers on our list sell tyres that are worthy of their price tag.

A diverse range of tyres and sizes

Some smaller brands only cater for specific types of vehicles, like 4x4s or high-end sports cars. But the best brands cover a much broader spectrum, offering a variety of sizes and styles to suit practically every car on the road (as well as dedicated winter tyres).

Most of them offer a selection of different ranges too, with some prioritising fuel efficiency and others focusing more on outright grip. This allows customers to choose the tyre that’s right for them and their vehicle.

Motorsports pedigree

This might not be directly relevant to your daily driver, but it is something that all of the best tyre brands have in common. The reason why motorsports is so important is that it’s a testing ground for new technologies and innovations. Leading tyre manufacturers test and refine new compounds, materials and designs on the race track, which is the ultimate test of endurance and performance.

The lessons learned in competition are then incorporated into the next generation of road tyres, resulting in improved grip, more predictable handling and increased longevity.

Your guide to the 10 best tyre brands out there right now

The leading high-end tyre brands

The cream of the crop. The following brands lead the way when it comes to technological innovation, creating tyres that justify their high price tags. If you want nothing less than the best for your car, consider one of these brands when you next order tyres.

Michelin

With a history dating back to the late 1800s, Michelin is undoubtedly one of the industry’s biggest and most recognisable names. When you think of tyres, you think of Michelin. Over the years, it has manufactured tyres for everything from Formula One cars to space shuttles, and it owns a few mid-range brands like BFGoodrich and Uniroyal.

Pirelli

If you watch Formula One, you’ll know Pirelli as the sport’s official tyre supplier - a position it’s held since 2011. Currently the world’s fifth-largest tyre manufacturer, this iconic Italian brand has been active since 1872, and its current lineup includes summer, winter and all-season tyres for a broad spectrum of vehicles.

Bridgestone

The world’s largest manufacturer of tyres - and one of the best in the business. Located in Fukuoka, Japan, Bridgestone has 181 factories in 24 countries across the globe, an empire it’s been building since it was founded in 1931.

Continental

German manufacturer Continental is another titan of the tyre world - but tyres are just part of what the company does. It also manufactures brake components, electronics, engine and chassis parts and more.

Our favourite mid-range brands

Striking an excellent balance between price and quality, these mid-range brands are perfect for motorists that don’t want to spend a fortune but still want tyres that can give the top brands a run for their money.

Yokohama

With more than 100 years of experience in rubber manufacturing, it’s fair to say that Yokohama knows its stuff. It owns a variety of brands, including Advan, BluEarth and Parada, and has a long history of success in motorsports.

Dunlop

Headquartered in Birmingham, Dunlop is perhaps Britain’s best-known (and most successful) tyre manufacturer. With a fascinating history of innovation - that includes the creation of early run-flat tyres like the Denovo - Dunlop remains a go-to mid-range brand for all kinds of vehicles.

Falken

Another Japanese brand, Falken is a relative newcomer to the sector, having first started out in 1983. It primarily focuses on producing high-performance summer tyres, like the Azenis range.

The best budget tyre brands

There’s long been a stigma around ‘budget’ tyres, but the reality is that many budget brands still produce excellent tyres that offer exceptional value for money. Will they perform on par with something from Michelin or Pirelli? No - but they cost much less.

Nankang

Located in Taiwan, Nankang was founded all the way back in 1959. It began as a more generalised producer of synthetic rubber products, but now focuses almost exclusively on tyres, which it sells in more than 100 markets across the world.

Nexen

South Korean brand Nexen has been active since 1942, but opened its first dedicated tyre factory in 1985. In recent years, the brand has continued to raise its profile in the US with victories in Formula Drift. 

Kumho

Nexen’s chief rival in South Korea, Kumho is perhaps a more well-known brand here in the UK, and in many ways bridges the gap between budget and mid-range brands. Its range of summer tyres, including the Ecsta PS71, represent exceptional value for money.

So, which tyre brand should I choose?

All of the names we’ve detailed above are in stock and available to order right here at LK Performance. To find the tyre that’s right for you, pay attention to…

• The wet grip rating
• The tyre’s decibel reading
• The fuel economy rating
• And, of course, the price 

You can use the filters on our site to narrow down your selection or switch up the order of the tyres by price, fuel economy rating, wet grip rating or decibel reading, allowing you to prioritise the factors that are most important to you.

Ready to start shopping? Discover our full range of tyres online today by inputting your current tyre width, profile and rim size. Or, if you’re looking to invest in a new set of wheels as well as fresh rubber, don’t forget to check out our range of alloy wheel and tyre packages.