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Best Wheel Brands Featured Image by Jaye Haych

10 Best Wheel Brands

The main reason for buying a car is to simplify travel. However, your vehicle shouldn’t be dull to fulfill its purpose. It’s no secret that most factory wheels are boring. You can modify your ride with aftermarket wheels to improve visual appeal. Reputable wheel manufacturers use lightweight alloys, aluminum, and other metals. Alloy wheels are lighter than standard steel wheels, enhancing your car’s performance, handling, and fuel economy. But which are the best wheel brands?

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the 10 best wheel brands:  

1. Enkei

Enkei is a Japanese brand and the world’s largest wheel manufacturer, founded in 1950. The company brand produces wheels for consumers and automakers. Its consumer division offers racing, tuning, performance, and truck & SUV wheels. In Dec 2023, Enkei unveiled the new Enkei Vanquish, Giotto, and Adventurer wheels. The Vanquish is perfect for vehicles like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru WRX. Off-road enthusiasts can buy the Adventurer wheel with a 10-spoke design. [1]

Enkei

Image source: Enkei

Pros: Enkei is known for its high-performance, lightweight wheels with aesthetic designs. The brand uses innovative Durville die casting and MAT metal flow forging technologies, ensuring its wheels are competitively priced, durable, and dependable. Its extensive selection offers many wheel styles, sizes, and finishes to cater to all consumers.

Cons: Enkei is affordable but not the cheapest wheel brand. 

Price Range: $215-$785

 2. RAYS

RAYS is a Japanese wheel manufacturer founded in 1973. The company has several wheel brands, including Volk Racing and Gram Lights. Volk Racing is perfect for consumers who prioritize performance over aesthetics, while Gram Lights is the best option if you seek ultra-light wheels with stylish designs and colors.

RAYS

Image source: RAYS Wheels

Pros: RAYS’ wheels are known for their style and performance. The brand offers wheels for different vehicles, from sleek street machines to rugged off-road warriors. You can use RAYS’ new browser-based AR Wheel Simulator to check how the wheels will look on your car before buying. [2]

Cons: RAYS specializes in lightweight alloy wheels for high-performance sports cars. It has limited options for daily commuters and commercial vehicles. RAYS’ wheels are expensive.

Price Range: $474-$7,342

3. Ronal Group

Ronal is a Swiss wheel manufacturer founded in the 1970s. The company offers aluminum alloy wheels for vehicles, motorcycles, and heavy machines. In Mar 2023, Ronal produced its first wheel for the BMW Group from 100% secondary aluminum at its Landau plant. The company seeks to reduce its CO2 emissions in manufacturing by 50% by 2030 and achieve CO2-neutral wheel production by 2050. Its Landau plant also produced the first light-alloy wheels made of 100% secondary aluminum for the all-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible. [3]

Ronal Group

Image source: Ronal Wheels

Pros: Ronal is an eco-conscious wheel brand. The brand uses recycled aluminum, reducing CO2e emissions in production by up to 75%. Its alloy wheels can be recycled to make new wheels.

Cons: Ronal specializes in forged cast and hybrid wheels. Its collection may not meet the needs of high-performance cars.

Price Range: $540-$1,800

4. OZ Racing

OZ Racing is an Italian car and motorcycle wheel manufacturer founded in 1971. The brand specializes in alloy wheels for consumers and motorsport teams. It is also an OEM supplier for several leading automakers. In Jan 2024, OZ launched the new Estrema GT HLT for its I-Tech wheel collection. Estrema GT: HLT technology offers extreme concavity in larger diameters and tailor-made customization options for OZ wheel owners. [4]

OZ Racing

Image source: OZ Racing

Pros: OZ Racing is a global leader in alloy wheels for high-performance vehicles. F1, rally, and Indy cars use OZ’s wheels. The brand leverages innovative technologies, like Estrema GT: HLT, to fuse strength, performance, and lightweight characteristics.

Cons: OZ’s wheels are expensive. The brand offers a few wheel designs. Most OZ options are differentiated by price points.

Price Range: $500-$1,200

5. Konig

Konig is a German wheel brand that entered the aftermarket wheel business in the 1980s. The company started grabbing market share from rivals after its takeover by Singapore-based YHI International. This deal helped Konig improve its wheel quality and production capacity. Its brands include Ultragrams, Advanti Racing, Maxxim, Bravado Performance, and Mamba Off-Road. Konig Ultragrams offers lightweight, flow-formed wheels with excellent brake clearance. [5]

Konig

Image source: Konig Wheels

Pros: Konig is one of the most respected wheel manufacturers in the world. The brand offers innovative wheels for different car models. Its wheels meet unique performance requirements. For example, motorsport teams seeking 15×10-inch wheels and 245/40R15 tires can use Konig Ultragrams. These wheels are known for their versatility and performance.

Cons: Konig’s top-end wheels can be pricey. However, the brand offers affordable options. You can buy the 15×7 Konig dial-in wheel on Amazon for only $161.80.   

Price Range: $160-$495

6. SSR (Speed Star Racing)

SSR is a Japanese wheel brand founded in 1971. Its SSR Mk1 was the world’s first three-piece wheel. The original Speed Star Racing brand went bankrupt in 2005. However, Tanabe acquired and restored SSR to its former glory. You can buy SSR wheels on Amazon.

SSR

Pros: SSR offers innovative and stylish wheels. The brand provides over 20 color options for show rims. SSR’s wheels meet the Japan Light Alloy Wheel (JWL) and Vehicle Inspection Association (VIA) standards.

Cons: SSR’s wheels are expensive. Most of its products cost over $500.  

Price Range: $276-$1,400

7. American Racing

American Racing is a wheel brand founded in 1956 by drag racer Romeo Palamides. The company initially specialized in magnesium aftermarket wheels for drag racing and muscle cars and later expanded its offering. Its collection features cast and flow-formed aluminum wheels for modern and vintage muscle cars. In Aug 2024, American Racing released the new VN516 G-Force wheels. You can buy American Racing wheels on Amazon. [6]

American Racing

Image source: American Racing

Pros: American Racing is a leader in drag racing and muscle car wheel manufacturing. The brand produces stylish, high-performance, and lightweight forged aluminum wheels.

Cons: The brand specializes in drag racing and American muscle cars. Its wheels may not meet the needs of passenger and commercial vehicles.

Price Range: $107-$606

8. Vossen

Vossen is a Miami-based wheel brand founded in 2006 by Jav Azadi. The company started as a wheel importer before moving into wheel design and manufacturing. Its products combine aesthetic appeal and performance. The brand offers 215 wheel styles under 6 models: HFX, Vossen Forged, Urban Automotive x Vossen, Novitec x Vossen, Hybrid Forged, and Vossen x Champion Motorsport. [7]

Vossen

Image source: Vossen Wheels

Pros: Vossen uses a flow-formed casting process to increase rim strength and reduce weight. The brand offers high-quality wheels with unique designs for different segments, from luxury vehicles to high-performance sports cars.

Cons: Vossen is a high-end wheel brand. Its wheels are expensive. You’ll need over $2,000 to buy the best Vossen wheels for your ride.

Price Range: $449-$2,875

9. BORBET

BORBET is a German alloy wheel producer founded in 1962. The brand offers wheels for different market segments, from high-end sports cars to rugged SUVs and off-road vehicles. In Dec 2023, the company unveiled the new BORBET TF and XV wheel designs. The TF (twenty-four) is the first 24-inch wheel from BORBET. You can buy the BORBET XV for your Audi A4/A6, BMW X3/X4, Mercedes E-Class/S-Class, or Tesla Model 3/Y. [8]

BORBET

Image source: BORBET

Pros: BORBET offers affordable wheels. The brand uses cutting-edge technologies, such as the Performance Cut process, which reduces the weight with precise molding.  

Cons: BORBET offers a limited wheel variety.

Price Range: $190-$1,100

10. MHT Luxury Wheels Inc

MHT is an American high-end aluminum alloy wheel manufacturer. The company offers wheels, tires, steering wheels, and auto merchandise. Its wheel models include DUB, Styles, Foose, Fuel, US Mags, Niche, and Rotiform. The US Mags C10 is perfect for classic trucks. You can buy MHT wheels on Amazon. [9]

MHT Luxury Wheels Inc

Image source: MHT Wheels

Pros: MHT has produced high-quality forged, multi-piece, and monoblock wheels for over three decades. It is one of the most respected wheel brands for exotic and sports cars.

Cons: MHT specializes in wheels for exotic and sports cars. It doesn’t cater to passenger and commercial vehicles.

Price Range: $239-$530

 References & more information

  1. Nunez, A. (2023, Dec 11). Three New Wheel Styles for 2024! Enkei
  2. OVR Staff (2O24, Aug 21). Rays Tribute 2024: From Track to Trail, A Celebration of Iconic Wheels. OVR Magazine
  3. Awan, Z. (2023, Mar 15). RONAL GROUP produced its first wheels for the BMW Group from 100% secondary aluminum. Aluminum Today
  4. OZ Staff (2024, Jan 22). OZ Racing presents Estrema GT: HLT technology, emphasizing concavity and customization for extreme performance. OZRacing.com
  5. Konig Wheels (2024, Aug 21). Konig Ultragrams: A Solution to the Tire Shortage Crisis. KonigWheels.com
  6. Wheel Pros Staff (2024, Aug 23). American Racing Unveils the All-New VN516 G-Force. WheelPros.com
  7. Wheels Doctor (2022, Aug 22). The History and Success Story of Vossen Wheels: A Closer Look. WheelsDoctor.com
  8. BORBET (2023, Dec 20). BORBET world premieres at the Tire Cologne. BORBET.de
  9. MHT Wheels (2022, Apr 12). US Mags at Lone Star Throwdown 2022. MHTWheels.com
  10. Featured Image by Jaye Haych

 Tell us what you think? Did you find this article interesting? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.

Kevin Johnson

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