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Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre

Jonathan Benson
Tested and written by Jonathan Benson
9 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the Are Budget Tyres Finally Good Enough? 8 Cheap Tyres VS 1 Premium Tyre, displaying how each tyre performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tyre's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

Performance Overview

This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.

Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
Winrun R330
King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
Nankang Econex NA1
Davanti DX390
Tomket Sport Series 1
Triangle SporteX TH201
Double-Coin DC99
Continental PremiumContact 7

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Spread: 4.74 M (13.4%) | Avg: 38.72 M

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 35.27 M. The difference between best and worst was 11.8%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    35.27 M
  2. Tomket Sport Series 1
    37.83 M
  3. Nankang Econex NA1
    38.45 M
  4. Davanti DX390
    39.08 M
  5. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    39.32 M
  6. Winrun R330
    39.41 M
  7. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    39.48 M
  8. Double-Coin DC99
    39.62 M
  9. Triangle SporteX TH201
    40.01 M

Dry Handling (s)

Spread: 1.66 s (3.2%) | Avg: 52.81 s

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 51.73 s. The difference between best and worst was 3.1%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    51.73 s
  2. Nankang Econex NA1
    52.23 s
  3. Tomket Sport Series 1
    52.78 s
  4. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    52.84 s
  5. Winrun R330
    52.85 s
  6. Triangle SporteX TH201
    52.97 s
  7. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    53.21 s
  8. Davanti DX390
    53.32 s
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    53.39 s

Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)

Spread: 70.00 Points (70%) | Avg: 76.67 Points

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 70%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    100 Points
  2. Winrun R330
    90 Points
  3. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    85 Points
  4. Tomket Sport Series 1
    85 Points
  5. Triangle SporteX TH201
    80 Points
  6. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    75 Points
  7. Nankang Econex NA1
    75 Points
  8. Davanti DX390
    70 Points
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    30 Points

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Spread: 14.46 M (45.8%) | Avg: 40.95 M

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 31.58 M. The difference between best and worst was 31.4%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    31.58 M
  2. Tomket Sport Series 1
    38.69 M
  3. Nankang Econex NA1
    39.61 M
  4. Davanti DX390
    40.75 M
  5. Winrun R330
    40.91 M
  6. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    43.45 M
  7. Triangle SporteX TH201
    43.6 M
  8. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    43.93 M
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    46.04 M

Wet Handling (s)

Spread: 11.42 s (13.5%) | Avg: 91.82 s

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 84.85 s. The difference between best and worst was 11.9%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    84.85 s
  2. Tomket Sport Series 1
    89.21 s
  3. Nankang Econex NA1
    89.36 s
  4. Davanti DX390
    92.19 s
  5. Winrun R330
    92.25 s
  6. Triangle SporteX TH201
    93.11 s
  7. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    93.93 s
  8. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    95.24 s
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    96.27 s

Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)

Spread: 50.00 Points (50%) | Avg: 72.78 Points

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 50%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    100 Points
  2. Tomket Sport Series 1
    90 Points
  3. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    75 Points
  4. Winrun R330
    70 Points
  5. Nankang Econex NA1
    70 Points
  6. Triangle SporteX TH201
    70 Points
  7. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    65 Points
  8. Davanti DX390
    65 Points
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    50 Points

Wet Circle (s)

Spread: 1.30 s (11.3%) | Avg: 12.34 s

Wet Circle Lap Time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 11.5 s. The difference between best and worst was 10.2%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    11.5 s
  2. Nankang Econex NA1
    11.9 s
  3. Tomket Sport Series 1
    12 s
  4. Winrun R330
    12.4 s
  5. Davanti DX390
    12.4 s
  6. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    12.7 s
  7. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    12.7 s
  8. Triangle SporteX TH201
    12.7 s
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    12.8 s

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Spread: 10.36 Km/H (13.8%) | Avg: 70.26 Km/H

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 74.91 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 13.8%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    74.91 Km/H
  2. Nankang Econex NA1
    74.13 Km/H
  3. Davanti DX390
    70.98 Km/H
  4. Winrun R330
    70.83 Km/H
  5. Tomket Sport Series 1
    70.52 Km/H
  6. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    69.61 Km/H
  7. Triangle SporteX TH201
    69.51 Km/H
  8. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    67.3 Km/H
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    64.55 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)

Spread: 1.00 m/sec2 (30.3%) | Avg: 2.87 m/sec2

Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental PremiumContact 7 with a result of 3.3 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 30.3%.
  1. Continental PremiumContact 7
    3.3 m/sec2
  2. Nankang Econex NA1
    3.2 m/sec2
  3. Davanti DX390
    3.1 m/sec2
  4. Winrun R330
    3 m/sec2
  5. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    2.8 m/sec2
  6. Tomket Sport Series 1
    2.8 m/sec2
  7. Triangle SporteX TH201
    2.7 m/sec2
  8. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    2.6 m/sec2
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    2.3 m/sec2

Comfort Performance Overview

Subj. Comfort ( Points)

Spread: 10.00 Points (10%) | Avg: 91.89 Points

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Winrun R330 with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 10%.
  1. Winrun R330
    100 Points
  2. Continental PremiumContact 7
    92 Points
  3. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    91 Points
  4. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    91 Points
  5. Davanti DX390
    91 Points
  6. Tomket Sport Series 1
    91 Points
  7. Triangle SporteX TH201
    91 Points
  8. Nankang Econex NA1
    90 Points
  9. Double-Coin DC99
    90 Points

Noise (dB)

Spread: 4.20 dB (6%) | Avg: 72.19 dB

External noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Double-Coin DC99 with a result of 70.2 dB. The difference between best and worst was 5.6%.
  1. Double-Coin DC99
    70.2 dB
  2. Davanti DX390
    70.3 dB
  3. Nankang Econex NA1
    71.9 dB
  4. Continental PremiumContact 7
    72 dB
  5. Winrun R330
    72.2 dB
  6. Tomket Sport Series 1
    72.6 dB
  7. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    72.9 dB
  8. Triangle SporteX TH201
    73.2 dB
  9. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    74.4 dB

Value Performance Overview

Price

Spread: 40.32 (87.9%) | Avg: 55.46

Price in local currency (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Double-Coin DC99. The difference between best and worst was 46.8%.
  1. Double-Coin DC99
    45.87
  2. Winrun R330
    46.59
  3. Nankang Econex NA1
    46.69
  4. Tomket Sport Series 1
    50.49
  5. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    54.3
  6. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    55.18
  7. Triangle SporteX TH201
    56.08
  8. Davanti DX390
    57.78
  9. Continental PremiumContact 7
    86.19

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Spread: 1.54 kg / t (18.6%) | Avg: 8.82 kg / t

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Tomket Sport Series 1 with a result of 8.28 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 15.7%.
  1. Tomket Sport Series 1
    8.28 kg / t
  2. Winrun R330
    8.37 kg / t
  3. Continental PremiumContact 7
    8.38 kg / t
  4. Davanti DX390
    8.56 kg / t
  5. Double-Coin DC99
    8.63 kg / t
  6. Triangle SporteX TH201
    8.71 kg / t
  7. Nankang Econex NA1
    9.18 kg / t
  8. King-Meiler Sport 1 KM
    9.42 kg / t
  9. Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1
    9.82 kg / t

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Position Tyre Score
Continental PremiumContact 7 99.6%
2 Tomket Sport Series 1 92.1%
3 Nankang Econex NA1 89.8%
4 Winrun R330 89.5%
5 Davanti DX390 88.3%
6 Triangle SporteX TH201 86.8%
7 King-Meiler Sport 1 KM 85.9%
8 Maxtrek MAXIMUS M1 85.7%
9 Double-Coin DC99 82.5%

Test Winner

Double-Coin DC99
Double-Coin DC99

82.5%

Discussion

20 comments
  1. alespa archived

    How bad is the ice performance of the current crop of all-seasons (& more specifically, the best) vs, say, a reference winter tire (blizzak/870/etc)?

    I'm looking at moving to all-seasons (the contis, in particular) for my winter set of tires on a gs450h (currently 225/50/17 alpin 6 about to start its 4th season - might replace early). Winters here are generally mild (Sofia, Bulgaria), but I do drive in conditions that sometimes form the worst kind of ice (a few below subzero + wet weather + road with basically no sunlight = smooth, slick... you know) - plus the hard ice at winter resort parkings, of course. Same day I can be driving on a highway (140kph) in 15+ degrees dry & sunny weather (say, going to the seaside or to Greece or anywhere southern and/or generally flat), which sounds like the perfect way to degrade winter tires (both compound and thread) - or am I perhaps worrying too much and should stick with winters? And yes, I do see snow regularly, but the snow performance of today's all-seasons seems almost indistinguishable from a non-X-Ice-type winter tires.

    #9665
    1. TyreReviews alespa archived

      I've only done ice traction and braking but it was broadly similar. Data out in next few weeks.

      #9672
      1. alespa TyreReviews archived

        ...and I guess I should've posted under the correct article. Not sure how I ended up here, I was looking at the "best 2024 all-seasons" one. Sorry and please move if you're able - my bad.

        #9675
  2. Mark archived

    I'd be very interested to know the relative effect of tyre wear. We all know that a 50% worn tyre does not perform as well as it did when it was new. What we dont know is how does a 50% worn premium tyre compare against a brand new budget tyre...?
    Maybe if you buy budget but change at 50% wear, you might be overall safer than if you buy premium but run it til it's not legal anymore, I don't know?
    A purist will buy premium AND change well within the limit but not all of us have the budget to do that, so I'd love to see some hard facts on the topic.
    thanks, Mark

    #9486
    1. TyreReviews Mark archived

      In aquaplaning you likely would be safer with two budget tyres, but in every other way I would rather be on the premium tyre.

      #9495
  3. Osama Bin Jinping archived

    all your tests are done at high speeds. i am interested in the slow speed dry/wet braking test. does that also translate to cars driven inside the city at slow speeds (30 to 40 km/h)?

    #9018
    1. TyreReviews Osama Bin Jinping archived

      Trends continue but naturally things are much closer as distances are shorter

      #9019
  4. Denis archived

    I would compare budget summer tyres with the European winter tyres, as this should be the case. Those who wants to save some money, they would not even change non-studded winter tyres. I'm working in tyre online store in Latvia, mostly this is the issue - most of the drivers does not see the benefit in switching tyres, European winter tyres are considered as All season tyres: www.jaunasriepas.lv

    #8910
    1. TyreReviews Filip archived

      lol, top gif.

      External noise is a factor, however tyre companies can direct the noise of the tyre with tread pattern design, meaning some companies can direct the noise into the wheel arch to get a better EU label score, but have worse internal noise. I don't think it makes a massive difference.

      Pitch is also another thing you notice a lot more inside which isn't recorded on the external noise tests.

      #8891
        1. TyreReviews Filip archived

          Ah thanks, that's a copy and paste issue on my part!

          #8893
  5. Jon archived

    Did you try putting 4 different budget tyres on the car - some part worn etc. The number of times while I've been waiting for a tyre change someone has come in and asked for a single tyre change with the cheapest replacement going.

    #8859
    1. TyreReviews Jon archived

      I've not done all 4 but there's a video on the channel comparing budgets on the rear and premium on front of an M2

      #8864
  6. TassieLorenzo archived

    Best thinking face emoji in video thumbnail yet! :D

    #8855
  7. juraj archived

    I would add another recent test, where they compare set of premium tyres vs set of budget brands (some maybe rather known midrange brands, not necessarily Asian unknown brands):
    https://autozurnal.com/test...

    I know it is in Slovak, but nowadays with google translate available... anyway, it is mostly about graphs and numbers :)

    Btw, the test also confirms CPC7's great wet road abilities. I think the test was done in cooperation with Czech car club, as they have the same results in different graphic design on their web.

    #8853
    1. TyreReviews juraj archived

      There's a bunch of similar tests on the site from this year, all very similar results. It's nice when tyre testers agree.

      Though you are correct, I wouldn't call any of those tyres budget at all, lowest is mid range / tier 2. This is a true budget test!

      #8854
      1. TyreReviews TyreReviews archived

        Sorry, I realised there was a page 2 with lots of budget tyres on too, but I realised that as I was taking off on a flight so just got around to replying now :)

        Thanks for the link!

        #8856
  8. David Hoffman archived

    Retreaded passenger car tires are sometimes good for slow moving low load vehicles that travel on dirt roads. Farm cars, hunting cars we call them. In the USA the last company to offer retail retreaded passenger car tires finally went out of business recently. They produced lots of junk tires that failed at highway speeds and were a nightmare to own. Their off road low speed low load tires performed much better.

    #8827
    1. TyreReviews David Hoffman archived

      Agreed! Truck and bus tires also often get re-treaded, but they're designed to be!

      #8832