The best tire brands in 2026, according to Consumer Reports
These brands stand out for quality, thread life, and value — even if some of them are more expensive than competitors
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Tires might all seem the same, but there are important differences between brands, from the materials they’re made of to their tracks and tread life.
Consumer Reports tested just about all the tires on the market to determine which brands you should buy.
Continue reading to see which make the list and why.
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#1: Michelin
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Michelin topped CR’s chart, thanks to the tires’ “good mix of grip, handling, and long tread life.” While they’re certainly more expensive than other brands, CR think its worth the price, especially when considering the tread life. CR tested eight different Michelin tires and recommended all of them.
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#2: Continental
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All seven continental tires tested earned CR’s recommendation, but reviewers particularly liked its truck trucks, which stand out among the other picks. Continental a reliable and safe choice for consumers, CR said.
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#3: Vredestein
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Dutch tire manufacturer Vredestein is not as well known in the American market, but earned high scores from CR. “This European company has been building tires for more than a century, and it shows,” CR wrote. It recommended all seven of the Vredestein tires it tested. “In fact, Vredesteins typically rank among the top tires in any category they compete in,” the reviewers said.
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#4: General
Screenshot: generaltire.com
A division of Continental, General Tire has been around for more than a century. “In our tests, the brand has become synonymous with value,” CR said. “General models are typically strong performers that deliver good performance for the money.” It said its two brand favorites are the Altimax Grabber HTS60 all-season truck tires and the G-Max RS UHP summer tires.
