5 Best Tire Brands

There are several types of tires available for those looking for the best tires in 2022, as well as a variety of retailers to choose from. Whether you’re searching for tires with a radial build, tires that improve cornering, or tires that maximize your fuel economy, the automotive industry has an overwhelming number of options for you.

Our team of experts has researched and reviewed the top tire brands in the industry to help you find the right tires for your vehicle. Whether you need a single replacement tire or a full set of tires, our team covers everything you need to know about the best tires on the market.

Top 5 Best Tire Brands

Whether you’re looking for truck tires, SUV tires, or tires for your sedan, chances are the five best tire brands offer tire models that fit your needs. Our expert team reviewed and ranked the top tire manufacturers based on their prices, tire variety, reputations, and customer satisfaction. Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper, Bridgestone, and Pirelli stood out as the top five tire companies in 2022.

#1 Michelin: Best Overall

Dubbed Best Overall in our 2022 industry-wide review of tire brands, Michelin has been one of the industry’s most notable names since the company’s inception in 1889. Michelin tires range from $140 to $875, according to Tirebuyer. Michelin separates itself from the competition through its dedication to tire innovation and development.

Through the Michelin Promise Plan™, Michelin covers its passenger-car tires and light-truck tires with a limited-mileage warranty for treadwear. The plan also offers a standard limited warranty for any defects, which lasts up to the life of the original usable tread or for six years from the date of purchase. Both warranties apply to original equipment tires for 2011–2017 model years and replacement tires.

In the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Original Equipment Tire Customer Satisfaction Study℠, Michelin ranked first in the luxury category, third in the passenger car category, and second in the truck/utility category.

Keep reading: Michelin tires review

#2 Goodyear: Most Durable

Goodyear is the parent company of a number of notable tire brands, including Dunlop and Kelly. However, that doesn’t mean Goodyear’s focus has shifted from its own tire models. Our review team recognized Goodyear tires as Most Durable in the industry in 2022.

Goodyear boasts an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has been the official tire of NASCAR since 1954. Goodyear tires cost $78–$975, according to Tire Rack, and are known for their good tread life. Goodyear offers discounts through its website and through its own credit card, which provides benefits such as special financing on purchases of $250 or more and increased savings on select Goodyear tires.

Keep reading: Goodyear tires review

#3 Cooper: Best Value

Named Best Value in our industry-wide review, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company has been producing quality tires at low price points since 1914. Cooper tires range from $70 to $530, according to Tirebuyer, giving the brand some of the lowest average costs among our recommended brands of tires.
Cooper holds an A+ rating from the BBB and is the fifth-largest tire manufacturer in North America. The company has over a century of experience, and it separates itself from competitors through its dedication to tire safety and keeping drivers safe on the road.

Keep reading: Cooper tires review

#4 Bridgestone: Best for Run-Flat Tires

Bridgestone leads the industry in run-flat innovation and was duly recognized as Best for Run-Flat Tires by our review team in 2022. Bridgestone tires cost $65–$590, according to Tire Rack. Bridgestone employs over 138,000 people in more than 150 countries.

#5 Pirelli: Best for High Performance

Founded in 1872 in Milan, Pirelli partners with two famous American racetracks: Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Sonoma Raceway. Pirelli tires range from $91 to $999, according to Tirebuyer. Although Pirelli tires tend to be a bit on the expensive side, the company prides itself on providing the best-performance tires. In fact, the Italian-based company has been the official tire of Formula One since 2011.

Pirelli holds an A+ rating from the BBB, and our review team recognized it as Best for High Performance in 2022. Besides focusing on performance tires, Pirelli stands out with its dedication to sustainability and by manufacturing increasingly eco-friendly tires.

Types Of Tires

The best tire brands offer a range of different tires to fulfill drivers’ varying needs. Below is a list of the most common types of tires you’ll likely encounter in your search for the best tires:

• All-season tires: These are designed for highway driving in a variety of weather conditions and road conditions. Grand touring tires are often all-season tires.
• All-terrain tires: These tires are meant to perform equally well on- and off-road.
• High-performance tires: They’re built to offer sporty handling, superior grip, and quick responsiveness.
• Snow tires: This category is typically divided into studded tires and studless tires, depending on your needs. Many of the best snow tires come with studs for improved traction.
• Summer tires: Also known as performance tires, these provide wet and dry traction with precise handling during warm-weather conditions.
• Ultra-high-performance tires: Made to support high-horsepower vehicles, they offer an enhanced driving experience with great handling and superb traction.
• Winter tires: The best winter tires generally offer deeper tread patterns and better traction in winter-weather conditions.

The list above is not exhaustive, as there are many types of tires for specific scenarios and driver needs. There’s no consensus on the overall best tire when you’re shopping for new tires, as it’s highly dependent on the needs of your vehicle.

How To Read A Tire’s Sidewall

The many markings and numbers on a tire’s sidewall can make it difficult to tell what type of tire it is. Here’s some of the information you’ll find on the sidewall:

Tire Size

Tire size, or the width of the tire, is the first set of numbers on the sidewall. It’s expressed in millimeters, such as 205 or 275.

Type Of Tire

You can generally identify the type of tire you have by the letters included before the size of the tire. However, sometimes there are no letters to indicate the tire type. A tire without letters or with a “P” before the tire size is a passenger tire with a standard load, or a 4-ply rating.

Weight Capacity

Tires with “XL” after the tire size have more weight capacity than a standard load, but not more weight capacity than an “LT” tire. Tires with “LT” or “ST” before the tire size have heavier weight capacity, as “LT” stands for light truck and “ST” stands for special trailer.

Aspect Ratio

The second set of numbers on the sidewall is the aspect ratio. It’s a percentage that’s calculated by dividing the tire’s height from the rim to the tread by the tire’s width.

Type Of Construction

The aspect ratio is followed by an “R” for radial (the most common type of tire), a “B” for bias, or a “D” for diagonal. In radial tires, plies run perpendicular to the tread. In bias tires, also known as diagonal, plies overlap diagonally.

Rim Diameter

The number after the type of construction is the diameter of the rim, usually given in inches.

Tire Quality Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enforces federal safety standards for all tires sold in the United States. To provide consumers with useful information about the quality of their tires, the NHTSA created the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) Standards. The categories of UTQG ratings include:

Treadwear

Based on actual road use, vehicles are tested on a 400-mile course over a duration of 7,200 miles. The vehicle uses standardized course monitoring tires in tandem with the tires being tested. Treadwear grades compare the standardized course monitoring tires with the test tires. A score of 100 means the test tire will last as long as the standardized tire, 200 means the test tire will last twice as long, and so on.

Traction

Traction is graded on a scale of AA, A, B, and C. These grades are calculated by installing test tires on a skid trailer. The skid trailer is pulled at a constant speed of 40 mph over a wet concrete test surface, and the brakes are momentarily locked. Sensors on the wheel axle monitor the test tire’s braking g-force to determine the traction grade.

Temperature

Temperature grades are determined by running a test tire against a high-speed laboratory test wheel with a large diameter. A test tire’s temperature grade is meant to demonstrate its ability to run at high speeds. Temperature is rated with a grade of A, B, or C, and every tire sold in the U.S. must earn at least a C rating.

In the same way you can check a tire’s sidewalls for information about the type of tire it is, you can find tire ratings on the sidewalls to learn more about the quality of your current tires or ones you’re considering purchasing.

Getting The Best Out Of Your Tires

Even the best tires need to be taken care of, and a little TLC can go a long way. Some of the maintenance tasks that can help you get the best out of your tires include:

• Wheel alignment: If your wheels are not properly aligned, your tires will wear unevenly. Ultimately, this will require you to replace your tires sooner than expected.
• Tire rotation: Rotating your tires regularly, either by the recommendation of your vehicle manufacturer or every 5,000 miles, will ensure your tires’ tread doesn’t wear unevenly.
• Check your balance: Tires and wheels that are out of balance can cause vibrations and make your tires wear unevenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How We Rate Tire Brands

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of tire brands. While there are multiple qualities that make a tire manufacturer successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

• Price: Tire size and type can both affect the final cost. Our team of experts compares pricing across a variety of tires from each brand.
• Tire Variety: To determine this score, we look at the types of tires available, including passenger tires and light truck/SUV tires. Tire types can be based on the season, terrain, and other factors.

• Reputation: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) created the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) Standards to score treadwear, traction, and temperature. Tire brands with high UTQG ratings perform best in this category. Established companies with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
• Customer Satisfaction: We comb through customer reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn about customer experiences. Tire brands with a low volume of complaints score well in this area. We also consider studies from experts like J.D. Power, giving top marks to companies that have a high customer satisfaction index.

*Data accurate at time of publication.