When you tell someone that you want to buy a set of new tires, one of the common questions they’d ask is, “Is it Michelin or Goodyear or Pirelli?” Yes, these are practically the most popular premium tire brands in the world, but then, tires from these brands are very expensive.
Meanwhile, many other good brands offer “high-quality,” all-terrain, all-season tires at affordable prices – talk about Falken and Yokohama. Falken tires are very good and deliver impressive performance on all road types, but how do they perform against Michelin tires?
In this Falken vs Michelin comparison article, we’d explain the difference in performance between tires from both brands, Michelin and Falken. But before that, who’s Falken Tire?
Falken Tire Overview
Founded in 1983, Falken is relatively new in the industry, but it has already made its name in the market, thanks to its high-performance tires, which are also suitable for utility cars.
The Falken Tire brand is a Japanese tire manufacturer specialized in producing tires for passenger cars, light & medium trucks, SUVs, and crossovers. It is owned as a subsidiary under Sumitomo Rubber Industries, with its global headquarters located in Kobe, Japan.
Most Falken tires are made in the company’s main plant in Kobe, Japan. Notwithstanding, the company has manufacturing plants in many other locations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and America.
Falken tires are remarkable for their affordable price tags; they are fairly priced and still deliver almost the same performance as tires from “Premium” brands such as Michelin, Firestone, Continental, and others.
Michelin Tires Overview
Michelin is a global-leading tire manufacturer operating from France. The company has been around for over a century, and has developed patented technologies for tire production.
These patented technologies used by Michelin contribute to making the brand’s tires outperform most of its competitors in different ranges/tire types.
With the global popularity of Michelin, quite a lot of people think it is an American company, but that’s not true. Michelin is a French multinational tire manufacturer founded in May 1889 by André Michelin and Édouard Michelin; its headquarters is located in Clermont-Ferrand, France.
In the global ranking, Michelin is the second largest tire manufacturer behind Bridgestone; however, the company – Michelin – is larger than Goodyear and Continental combined. It manufactures different types of tires for different roads, and different vehicles, including heavy plants.
Although a French company, Michelin tires are produced in different countries worldwide, including France, Thailand, Poland, India, Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and other countries.
Falken Tires Vs Michelin
Here’s a table that quickly highlights the main differences between Falken tires vs Michelin tires – comparing all tire models.
| Tire Brand | Falken | Michelin |
| All-season tires | Yes | Yes |
| All-terrain tires | Yes | Yes |
| Wet performance score | 83% | 85% |
| Dry performance score | 88% | 88% |
| Tread Life Rating | Up to 70,000 | Up to 80,000 for specific models |
| Road Noise | Low | Low |
| Overall performance | Good | Good |
1. Wet Performance
Wet roads are the best tracks to test a “Good” tire; not all tires can grip well on wet roads. Falken makes its tires with a silica compound and also integrates a couple of techs to improve traction control of its tires on wet roads. The techs work because Falken tires handle well on wet tracks.
On the other hand, Michelin also uses advanced compounds and techs for its tires, and these techs make their tires handle well on wet roads. Michelin tires typically come with widened, deepened grooves to ensure better traction control on moist roads.
Both Michelin tires and Falken tires perform well on wet tracks – generally. There is no specific winner here.
2. Dry Performance
Well, even poorly built tires would drive well on dry tracks. Notwithstanding, Falken and Michelin’s tires are well built to deliver impressive performance on all types of dry terrains. Braking and drifting all respond swiftly when you drive with tires from either of these brands.
3. Technologies and Features
This is where you’d find a number of tangible differences between Falken and Michelin; the brands use different technologies, as well as integrate different features to their tires.
Falken uses the following technologies in its tire production: 4D Nano Design, Gyroblade, Silent Core, Runflat, Core Seal, and other technologies. All these technologies serve specific purposes towards reducing tire noise and improving performance on all terrains.
Michelin tire technologies include Acoustic, Runflat, Airless, EverTread, and Puncture-proof Tire System. These techs help to reduce noise, wear and tear. Both Falken and Michelin use advanced technologies to produce their various tire series.
4. Treadlife / Durability
While Falken tires and Michelin tires are all durable, most Falken tires last between 55,000 miles to 70,000 miles; meanwhile, some Michelin tire models last up to 80,000 miles. In essence, Michelin tires typically have a longer tread-life rating than Falken tires.
5. Road Noise and Comfortability
Michelin’s exclusive Acoustic Technology reduces road acoustics by 20%, which implies reduced road noise. Also, Michelin tires are built with Helio+ technology for improved gripping and traction on wet/slippy roads.
Falken utilizes its Silent Core technology to ensure that its tires do not generate a lot of noise as you drive at any speed level. Also, this tech minimizes vibrations in the tire interior to improve comfortability. Silent Core reduces road noise by 10 decibels.
6. Tire Types and Cost
Falken tires cost around $120 – $250 depending on the model/series you want to buy; however, some of its high-performance tires cost above $300.
Michelin tires are more expensive than Falken tires, typically, and that’s because they’re ranked as “Premium” tires. Michelin tires typically start from $180 – $400+.
Summary
Comparing Falken tires vs Michelin, there is no definite winner; there are some Michelin tires that outperform Falken tires in certain tire ranges, and vice versa. However, Falken is a more affordable replacement tire brand with lots of tire varieties/sizes to choose from.
Both Falken and Michelin tires aren’t too noisy, and they perform well on all terrains. The brands also have specific-purpose tires such as winter tires, summer tires, all-season tires, etc.