When you buy tyres online, the brand name is the first thing you see and, for many people, the last thing they think about. Pick a famous name and you feel safe. Pick an unfamiliar one and you wonder whether you are saving money or taking a risk. In reality, the brand is only one input, and it is not the most important.
The Swiss retailer reifendirekt.ch lists tyres from well-known makers such as Continental, Dunlop, Pirelli, Yokohama and Hankook, among many others. This guide does not rank them. Instead, it explains how to compare any brands on the shop with facts you can check yourself, so you can decide for your own car and your own roads.
Compare Tyre Brands at Reifendirekt.ch
In this guide
Start With the Tyre Type, Not the Brand
Before comparing brands, settle the type. A great summer tyre is a poor choice in January, and the reverse is also true. According to the shop, in Switzerland and many other countries a winter tyre obligation applies in wintry conditions, and only tyres with the snowflake symbol known as 3PMSF are approved for snow, ice and slush. For summer it recommends summer tyres, which have a harder compound and lower rolling resistance.
Once you have the type and the size, you have a list of candidates from several makers. Now you can compare. On the shop you can filter by season and size to get that list quickly, and then work through the factors below one at a time. Keep a note of each candidate and its label values, so that the comparison does not rely on memory.
Five Things to Compare
| Factor | What to look for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| EU tyre label | Rolling resistance, wet grip and noise. Category A is best for rolling resistance and wet grip | On every tyre made since 1 November 2012, shown by the shop |
| Customer reviews | Patterns in comments, not single opinions | Product pages |
| Independent tests | Results for your size and season | Motoring clubs and magazines |
| Price per piece | Compare totals including VAT and delivery | Shop prices include VAT and shipping within Switzerland |
| Tread and age | Fresh stock and a sensible tread depth to start with | Sidewall date code |
None of the factors decides alone. A tyre may be cheap and still have an excellent wet grip category. Another may carry a famous name and still have a mid-table label. That is why comparing is worth the effort.
Premium, Mid-Range or Budget?
Tyre makers are often described as premium, mid-range or budget, but these groups are informal, and the retailer does not put the names above into official tiers. It is better to compare the actual tyres. A budget tyre of today can match the safety level of a premium tyre from a few years ago, while still trailing the newest models in wet braking or wear.
- If you drive a lot or fast: prioritise wet grip and the right speed rating.
- If you drive mostly in town: look at noise and rolling resistance, and consider price more.
- If you drive in the mountains: prioritise the snowflake symbol and a deep winter tread.
Reading the EU Label Properly
The label shows three values. Rolling resistance affects fuel consumption, so a better category can save money on longer journeys. Wet grip affects how quickly the car stops on a wet road. Noise is shown as a number of decibels. Reifendirekt.ch advises that anyone wanting low fuel consumption should look for a good rolling resistance rating and that category A also means the highest safety in the rain.
One caution: the label does not describe snow or ice performance. For winter you need the 3PMSF symbol and, ideally, independent winter test results.
Use Reviews Without Being Misled
Reviews are useful when read as a group. Ignore the single enthusiastic and the single furious comments. Look for repeated mentions of the same issue, such as noise at motorway speeds, quick wear, or confidence in the wet. Check that the review is about the right season and a similar size, because a comment on a small-car tyre does not necessarily apply to an SUV size.
See Customer Reviews on Reifendirekt.ch
Work Out the Real Cost
A tyre that costs less up front but wears faster is not cheaper. A simple way to compare is cost per kilometre: divide the price of the set by the distance you expect it to last. You do not need an exact figure, only a rough idea. Add the fitting cost to both options. Reifendirekt.ch says prices are per piece and include VAT and shipping within Switzerland, and that delivery is free from two tyres, so compare full sets.
Do Not Forget Tread Depth
Brands matter less than condition. The retailer gives a legal minimum of 1.6 mm and recommends 3 mm for summer and 4 mm for winter tyres. If your current tyres are near those numbers, they are due for replacement regardless of the name on the sidewall.
A Simple Decision Process
- Choose the season and the size.
- Shortlist three tyres from different makers.
- Compare their labels and note the wet grip category.
- Read reviews and any independent test for your size.
- Compare the price of a full set, including fitting.
- Order a fresh stock and check the date code when delivered.
Where to Compare
Reifendirekt.ch says it has over 20 years of experience in the tyre and car accessories trade and works with manufacturers worldwide. It lists summer, winter, all-season, motorcycle, racing and retreaded tyres. You can start at the Reifendirekt.ch shop, enter your size or use the tyre finder, then compare the results side by side. Prices and availability change, so check the current tyre offers before you decide.
The best tyre is the one that suits your car, your roads and your budget. Use brand names as a starting point, then let the label, the reviews and the total cost make the final choice.
Information was taken from reifendirekt.ch on 26 October 2026 and may change. This article does not rank or recommend any manufacturer. Follow the legal requirements and your vehicle manufacturer’s advice. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Theo Louse
I am Theo Louse. My skills are dedicated to the field of technology information and try to make daily lives more enjoyable. With more than 12 years of experience with BM, we are particularly famous for 100% self-developed ideas. Over these years, we have worked to make everyday life more convenient for the fast-paced world we live in.