Here’s the real deal. Tires have very specific specifications and regulations. The differences come in with tread patterns and material compositions. Softer tires general grip better, but they also wear faster.

You are safe if you look at the warranties mileage. You can spend $600/tire or $100/tire and they’re still only warranted for 40,000 miles.

I just bought 4 new tires for $120 each. My last set was $65 each and were supposed to be 45,000 miles. I got 50,000 out of them.

And any shop that requires an alignment to change tires is taking your money. You don’t need an alignment to swap tires. Find a place that will mount/balance and call it a day.