Even though the old saying "you get what you pay for" is mostly true with tires, you can still find low-cost tires that are above average in quality. Cheap tires can mean low prices and low quality, but not always. You can find decent tires that handle well, have good tread wear, and don’t make your vehicle sound like a freight train, all within your budget.

That's what we're going to focus on today. Helping you find the right budget tires for your situation that are still quality.

So, what defines economical, budget tires?

When tire shops talk about budget, economical, and low-priced tires, they usually mean tires that are priced under $100, generally speaking. 

The size of the tire affects the price, so the cheaper light truck and SUV tires will be more than that per tire. And, as we all know, pandemics, inflation, global conflicts, and supply chain issues can impact how much we all pay for, well ... everything. 

The best budget tire brands offer the same options as premium brand tires. For example, all-season treads, fuel-efficient ratings, and even great warranties. Let's take a look at some great budget tires.

Budget all-season tires

All-season tires are made for every weather condition, from winter snow to heavy summer rains.

The Atrezzo SH406 by Sailun is a value-priced all-season tire. It's perfect for any time of year and sells for under $100 in most sizes, and comes with a 45,000-mile tread warranty.

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Another all-season budget option comes from Ironman. We're talking about the iMOVE Gen2 AS. It's an M+S (mud + snow) rated tire with technology that promotes even wear, long tread life, and reliability through all weather conditions. The iMOVE Gen2 AS also sells for less than $100 in most sizes.

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Budget touring all-season tires

The Westlake RP18 Radial is a standard touring tire for passenger vehicles and is best suited for everyday road use.

One thing special about this tire is it's designed to produce low resistance when in contact with the pavement, which improves fuel efficiency. And who wouldn't like savings at the pump these days?

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Falken's Sincera SN201 A/S is an excellent tire for all-weather touring and ride comfort for compact and mid-sized vehicles.

Its all-season rating means it provides a good balance of performance and traction with wet, dry (spring, summer, autumn), and cold (winter) weather conditions such as snow and ice.

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One more to consider among cheap all-season touring tires comes from Cooper, and their Evolution Tour; you'll like the 65,000-mile tread warranty, too.

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Speaking of fuel-efficient tires ... 

Saving money is on everyone's minds these days. And with skyrocketing gas prices, finding tires that deliver improved fuel efficiency is key.

Otani's EK2000 is perfect for passenger vehicles and offers the improved fuel efficiency you're looking for. This tire provides low rolling resistance, which leads to a longer life, better gas mileage, less vibration, and a low amount of road noise.

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Sticking with the saving money on fuel theme, the Laufenn G FIT AS is a touring tire that provides unparalleled ride comfort while elegantly balancing fuel efficiency and all-weather performance.

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Budget high-performance tires

The Crosswind HP010 is a high-performance tire designed specifically for passenger vehicles. This tire offers substantial dry and wet performance while delivering a smooth and quiet ride.

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Have an SUV? We didn't forget about you!

You might think there's no way budget-friendly tires exist for an SUV. But you'd be wrong. 

The RB-SUV tire from Ironman is designed for light trucks and SUVs. It is a touring tire made for long trips on the highway. It maintains stability at high speeds and is M+S (mud + snow) rated for extra security. 

Westlake's SL369 A/T model is another option. It's a radial light truck tire designed for off-road and rocky conditions. The sidewalls are reinforced to block rocks and debris from cutting or chipping away at the tire. It's perfect for the weekend warrior in you.

Here is a premium sports tire that is street legal and can handle year-round weather conditions. The Proxes ST III from Toyo strikes an excellent balance between all-weather capability and high-end sports performance. These tires' low profile and wide footprint minimize rolling resistance, increase fuel economy, and lower road noise.