Budget vs Premium Tyres

There are many factors to consider when buying new tyres - and one of the most persuasive factors will usually be the price. As anyone who has bought tyres will know, there is a huge difference in price between budget and premium tyres and in comparison, premium manufacturer tyres look quite costly. So, what’s the difference between budget and premium tyres? And how do you know which to choose?

When deciding between budget or premium tyres, rather than choosing the tyres that will make the least initial impact to your bank balance, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of all products and choose the tyres that will provide the greater economy in the long run.

Budget or Premium Tyres?

To really understand whether you should choose budget or premium tyres for your vehicle, there’s a few things to consider. Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between budget and premium tyres.

What are Budget Tyres?

Budget tyres are cheaper tyres that are often made by manufacturers that you may not have heard of. Budget tyres need to be manufactured to a certain standard by UK law, so they will always meet the minimum tyre safety requirements. However, they will not be able to match the safety, performance and efficiency of premium manufacturer tyres.

The cheaper price tag reflects the materials used in the tyre, so budget tyres will usually wear much more quickly. If you are expecting a long service life from your tyres, budgets may turn out to be less economical if they need to be replaced more frequently.

What are Premium Tyres?

Premium tyres are produced by well-known tyre manufacturer names and tend to carry a larger price tag. The cost reflects the long, trustworthy history of the company, the meticulous research and testing which goes into each tyre, as well as the superior materials used to construct the tyre.

So are premium tyres worth it? They tend to deliver a premium performance and are designed to wear slowly, resulting in a longer tyre life. Due to competition between manufacturers, these tyres are constantly being updated and improved when it comes to safety on the road.

Budget vs Premium Tyres - Which Should I Choose?

When choosing budget or premium tyres, it is important to first think about what you expect from a tyre and how it will suit your driving style and vehicle. Each tyre is designed with different specifications in mind.

I tend to…	Drive mostly in urban areas	Drive mostly in rural areas	Drive long distances	Drive shorter distances	Expect high performance	Expect high levels of safety	Expect a long tyre life	Desire a small initial cost
Budget Tyres	✓	×	×	✓	×	×	×	✓
Premium Tyres	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	×

If you are still struggling to make a decision between budget and premium tyres, it may benefit you to take a look at the EU Tyre Label. This will provide information, such as how fuel efficient your prospective tyres are, which can help you to understand whether it’s budget tyres or the benefits of premium tyres that will best meet your driving demands.

It is important to remember that road safety and tyre life will be improved for both budget and premium tyres if you look after them properly. Still debating between budget vs premium tyres? Take a look at our helpful advice from PTA Garage Services for some tips on tyre maintenance. Alternatively, find tyres to buy online today from a variety of manufacturers.