Best Tires for Comfort and Noise: Enjoy Smoother Rides

The best tire for comfort and noise will offer you a great driving experience

byAlice Musyoka|
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BYAlice Musyoka/ LAST UPDATED ON August 14, 2023

Have you ever driven down a quiet road only to be interrupted by a constant hum, squeal, or noise that persisted no matter what music you played? It was probably the sound of your tires. If you want to make your drive a little quieter, change the tires. In this buying guide, we highlight some of the best tires for comfort and noise.

Best Value

Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Radial Tire

Summary
Developed to be eco-friendly, this all-season tire is designed for drivers looking for a tire that offers predictable handling, all-season traction, and everyday comfort. It can be driven in diverse weather conditions.
Pros
It has a positive impact on the environment with regard to low noise emission, long wear, and energy efficiency. It uses a tread compound with low oil and high silica content to decrease rolling resistance and braking distance.
Cons
The tire loses its grip quite fast and may start to slip on dry and wet roads, putting you at risk. In addition, it has very little traction in freezing conditions.
Honorable Mention

Michelin Premier A/S All-Season Radial Tire

Summary
The tires are constructed by one of the oldest and most reputable tire manufacturers in the world. They are all-season touring tires designed using a  computer to reduce road noise and vibration and increase fuel efficiency.
Pros
The Premier Radial Tire is equipped to handle light snow, rain, and high speeds while reducing highway noise. It can fit on light trucks and SUVs as well. Michelin uses a special technology called EverGrip that gives the tires an extreme grip on the road. The rubber is treated with silica for increased handling and performance.
Cons
They are a bit pricey for a single tire. They also may not last quite as long as other brands. While Michelin claims each tire has a tread life warranty of 60,000 miles, the tire may wear down much more quickly.

Summary List

Also Consider

Best Tires for Comfort and Noise: Reviews & Recommendations

This is our budget choice for tires designed for comfort and noise, and they are developed to be eco-friendly. As an all-season tire, it is designed for drivers looking for tires that offer reliable handling, great traction, and everyday comfort. Plus, they have circumferential grooves that help direct the flow of water to prevent the vehicle from hydroplaning.


As far as the noise levels go, these tires have a positive impact on the environment with regards to low noise emission. They tend to have a long lifespan as well, and they are energy efficient. The tires use a tread compound with low oil and high silica content to decrease rolling resistance and braking distance.


There are a few things you should keep in mind before making a final purchase, however. The tires can lose their grip over time, and they may start to slip on dry and wet roads, putting you at risk. In addition, they have little to no traction in freezing conditions or roads covered in snow and ice.

The tires are constructed by one of the oldest and most reputable tire manufacturers in the world. They are an all-season touring tire designed using a computer. The techno wizardry reduces road noise, making the tires quiet on highways and at high rates of speed. Plus, they have a low vibration and can increase fuel efficiency.


The Premier Radial Tire is equipped to handle light snow, rain, and high speeds while reducing highway noise. It can fit on light trucks and SUVs as well. Michelin uses a special technology called EverGrip that gives the tires an extreme grip on the road. The rubber is treated with silica for increased handling and performance.


You may find that these tires may not last as long as other brands. They are a bit pricey for just a single tire, so getting a full set will cost you. They also may not last quite as long as other brands. While Michelin claims each tire has a tread life warranty of 60,000 miles, the tire may wear down much more quickly.

This touring tire is designed for use on a crossover or SUV. It will deliver solid year-round traction. It has deep micro treads to create a lot of gripping edges for improved handling. The outside edge of this tire is nicely rounded to help you maintain continuous contact with the road. This improves your ride and helps you have improved highway handling. This tire is a size 255/50R19, but it comes in several sizes for broad SUV compatibility.


What makes this tire stand out is the rubber compound. It’s formulated to help the tire stay flexible and retain traction in colder temperatures. They are quiet tires that handle well on both dry and wet roads.


One downside to this tire is that they feel really firm. This can cause them to feel a bit bumpy on roads that aren’t smooth. They can also cause quite a bit of vibration if they aren’t perfectly balanced.

This tire has SSR (Self Supporting Runflat) to give you extended mobility in the event of a puncture so that you don’t have to seek immediate roadside assistance. This tire is a perfect combination of stylish design and a quiet ride. This SSR technology works at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. This tire is a size 225/50R17, but it comes stock on several vehicles, so you’re sure to find the size that fits your car.


What’s really nice about this tire is the responsive handling and enhanced steering response. This is due to the symmetrical tread design, all-season tread compound, and notched-rib tread design. You’ll have continuous contact with the road.


Unfortunately, this tire has a reputation for leaking, so you’ll want to check your tires regularly to ensure they maintain proper tire pressure. They can ride hard in colder temperatures.

This is a high-performance all-season tire that comes in size 215/45R17. There are several sizes available, though, so you’re sure to find the one that fits your vehicle. This tire is typically found on performance sedans, sports cars, and sporty coupes. It’s an ideal choice if you’re looking for an OEM replacement. The tire has four circumferential grooves and plenty of lateral grooves while also maintaining a smooth overall design.


This tire strikes a nice balance between an aggressive tread pattern and a quiet ride. This not only gives you traction, but also an enjoyable drive. They also give you a decent speed rating while remaining flexible as well. They last for a very long time, and you can expect to get many miles out of a single set.


Because this tire is an OEM replacement, it won’t give you improved performance. It doesn’t feel secure during high speed or sharp turns. It also tends to lose traction in standing water.

This luxury all-season tire will have you riding in comfort. It will reduce road noise while providing you with a smooth, reliable ride in both wet and dry conditions. This is an OEM tire for several sedans, coupes, and vans on the road. This tire is a size P215/55R17, but it also comes in several other sizes. The tire has a luxury appearance that will improve the look of your car.


What stands out about this tire is that it is long-lasting. You’ll enjoy that smooth, quiet ride throughout the life of the tire. This is thanks to the Computer Optimized Component System. This enables the design and manufacturing to work together and craft a more effective tire.


The one downside of this tire is that it tends to squeal a lot when accelerating or taking turns. This happens even when properly inflated and driving slowly. You’ll also want to be careful in heavy rain when driving on this tire.

This all-season tire is designed for use on an SUV or crossover vehicle. It’s a size 235/65R17, but it comes in several other sizes too. Pirelli designed this tire to be eco-friendly while also long-lasting and dependable. The rubber compound is silica-enhanced. The tread pattern is an asymmetrical design that will give you constant contact with the road.


What you’ll like about this tire is that the rubber compound is formulated to give this tire a long tread life. This means it has a lower rolling resistance, which has the added benefit of improving your fuel economy. This tire will also give you a peaceful ride due to its low noise production.


The downside of this tire is that the ride isn’t the smoothest. You’ll also find that wet traction decreases as the tread gets worn, so the more the tire is used, the less wet weather traction you’ll have.

This standard touring tire is designed for use on sedans, crossovers, and coupes. It balances secure handling and traction with a comfortable ride. The internal construction of this tire consists of two steel belts and a single-ply oyster casing. The rubber compound of this tire is a coupled silica compound. It then has an asymmetric tread pattern. This tire is sized 215/65R16, but it comes in several other sizes for broad compatibility.


You’ll like this tire for year-round driving because it performs well on dry, wet, and lightly snow-covered roads. The tread design on this tire helps prevent uneven tread wear. It also has increased wet traction thanks to the extra deep lateral grooves and siping.


The downside of this tire is that it could be better in snow and slush conditions. It also has a bit of bumpy rebound when driving on roads that aren’t smooth.

This crossover and SUV all-season tire will deliver reliable performance on the road and highway. It’s also usable on pickup trucks and full-size vans. This tire is a size 255/70R15, but it comes in other sizes compatible with these types of vehicles. The tread pattern features a solid center circumferential rib that’s flanked by two lines of independent tread blocks.


What makes this tire stand out is the rubber compound. It has a chip-resistant formula that will improve the tread life, even in rugged conditions. It also has sound barrier ribbing along the outside to give the tire a quieter ride. There’s also a hidden rubber cushion layer under the tread layer that cushions the ride even more.


The downside of this tire is that it isn’t very quiet, and on the highway, it can get even louder. It can also get out of balance and be difficult to get rebalanced, which will cause vibration and shaking problems.

Our Verdict on the Best Tires for Comfort and Noise

The Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 Winter Radial Tire clinches our top spot for its low noise emission and comfort. 

If you want a tire that’s a little more affordable, the Pirelli Cinturato P7 All-Season Radial Tire is your best bet.

Tires for Comfort and Noise Pricing

  • $50 - $100: You can find some quiet tires built for comfort in this price range, but they may not last that long. They can be some of the best tires you’ve ever driven on, but their overall tread life may be shorter than a premium set of tires. Prices for tires are based on the material used to construct them and their size or width.
  • $100 and up: Tires priced here are what you should look for when it comes to improving safety, control, stability, and reduced noise. This price range includes some of the best tires for comfort and noise. They are constructed out of high-quality material and rubber that is built to last you several thousand miles.

Key Features

Size

Size is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing new tires. If you really want to control how much road noise you get from highways, you should stick with narrower tires with varied tread blocks. Tires that are large will reduce comfort and increase ride noise, especially on the highway.

Tread Pattern

Tread pattern is equally as important when choosing tires built to keep the noise down. As mentioned above, you should consider tires that have larger blocks and varied patterns. Also, look for ones with continuous, circumferential ribs with straight thin grooves. Thinner grooves tend to roll easier and don’t make quite as much racket as larger grooves.

Tips

  • If a quiet ride is a high priority, look for features that cut noise such as a narrower tire size, a multiple pitch pattern (created by varied tread block shapes), smaller blocks, softer rubber composition, a reinforced shoulder, continuous circumferential grooves, and small hash marks inside grooves.
  • Summer touring tires are the quietest tires and work well in warm weather. All-season tires aren't as quiet but provide a more comfortable ride. SUV highway tires are noisier than touring and all-season tires but offer good traction, treadwear, and ride comfort.
  • Some tires use silica in the tread compound and are more flexible, even in freezing temperatures. This feature also makes them quieter. Hard tires like all-terrain tires generate more noise as they have wider grooves, wider tread blocks, and wider voids.

FAQs

Q: Why do tires make noise?

A: Tires produce noise because of the air trapped in the tread pattern that is suddenly released as the tire rolls on the road surface. Tread elements can also create something known as rhythmic percussion when they continuously hit the road surface.

Q: How can I choose comfortable tires? 

A: If you like a comfortable, quiet ride, get tires that specifically mention low road-noise, a smooth ride, or comfort. Touring tires that have a low-speed rating (S, T, or H) are usually designed for comfort instead of higher speeds. 

Q: Can't manufacturers simply produce noise-free tires?

A: Because roads are not always smooth and weather conditions are not always perfect, tires must be made with tread patterns to withstand different conditions. Softer tires moving on perfect roads would produce almost no noise. However, the need for enhanced traction in wet weather calls for tread patterns that drain away water.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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