What Are the Best Aftermarket Rim Brands?

The aftermarket wheels industry is home to hundreds of wheel manufacturers. When shopping for a new set of rims, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options available to you. But most savvy shoppers are looking for the best of the best: Rims that are the highest quality to perfectly match your ride. 

So what are some of the best aftermarket wheel brands? What makes them so good?  We’ll be going through 10, in no particular order, of the best current rim brands out there. We’ll also briefly overview what makes each brand tick the right boxes. 

American Racing: Top Wheel Brand for Vintage Cars

This vintage aftermarket wheel brand has been around for over 60 years. Originally founded on the principles of providing a high-quality wheel for drag racing, American Racing grew alongside the muscle cars of the 50s and 60s. Today, they’re one of the most recognizable brands out there and are extremely high quality. Their wheels are held to very high standards which is why they’re known as one of the best brands for modern and vintage wheels alike. American Racing rims fit great on any aggressive high-performance vehicle. 

KMC: Top Wheels Brand for Off-Roading

KMC specializes in producing rugged off-road wheels for vehicles that aren’t always going to stay on the pavement. They even offer wheels in smaller sizes that will fit UTV and ATVs. KMC offers unique forged monoblock wheels and true beadlock wheels for rides that can handle the toughest conditions. KMC is known for its excellent off-road performance while still being durable and resistant to damage. They’re an impressive brand with over 40 years in the industry and are a great choice for your rugged off-road truck, SUV, Jeep, or UTV. 

Konig: Best Mix of Price and Quality Wheels

Konig has 40 years of experience as a producer of aftermarket wheels for automobile enthusiasts around the world. They’re not the cheapest, but they are the best option out there for a balance of price and quality. Konig gets honorable mention for having a large selection of wheel options so you know you’ll be able to find something to fit your build. Konig offers wheels with advanced flow-forming manufacturing techniques. This results in a compressed, much stronger aluminum wheel. With such a wide range of options, Konig has wheels for just about any vehicle. 

TSW: Impressive Warranty

Founded by Formula One driver Eddie Keizan in the 1960s, TSW originally produced wheels for F1 racing. Today, Wheel Pros manufactures TSW aftermarket wheels that come with an impressive five-year structural warranty. TSW offers cast and flow-formed wheels that balance strength with durability. They have a massive variety of styles, sizes, and finishes for just about any vehicle out there. 

XD Wheels: Best Rim for Aggressive SUVs

With some of the most aggressive options available on the market, XD is an instantly recognizable brand. They were founded in 1982 in Riverside, California, producing alloy wheels for trucks and sport utility vehicles. Today, Wheel Pros manufactures XD’s rugged, powerful wheels entirely in the USA. They offer cast one-piece rims with bold, loud finishes that handle the toughest conditions. XD rims are a great option for trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. 

Cragar: Your Dad’s Favorite Muscle Car Rim

Cragar Wheels go all the way back to 1930 when Crane Gartz manufactured aircraft engines and cylinder heads for the Ford Model T. Cragar was eventually purchased by Roy Richter and broke into the aftermarket wheel scene in the 1950s with the iconic S/S wheel meant for drag racing. As one of the most famous names in the aftermarket wheel industry, their iconic 5-spoke designs are built for strength and stability under high speeds. Even today, Cragar is a fantastic brand for classic and modern muscle/performance vehicles. 

Fuel Off-Road: Fave Wheels for 4x4s

As one of the most popular rims on the market for trucks, Fuel has quickly earned a high place in the aftermarket off-road wheel industry. Fuel is known for manufacturing durable and aggressive wheels with high load ratings. They produce forged, custom forged, 1-piece, and 2-piece wheels. With so many options available, you’ll even find Fuel rims that fit with UTVs. Fuel is a #1 option for trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs. 

TIS Wheels: Strong Rims, Impressive Finishes

TIS stands for Twenty Inches Strong, which reflects its founders’ passion for manufacturing high-quality large wheels for truck enthusiasts. Today, they offer several other sizes but have one goal in mind: producing the best off-road wheels for trucks. TIS manufactures one-piece wheels as well as forged wheels that result in an extremely strong, rigid wheel. With aggressive designs and impressive finishes, TIS is a perfect match for any off-road truck build out there. 

Motegi Wheels: High-Quality Performance Rims

Motegi wheels began their journey in the Japanese Prefecture Tochigi at the Twin Ring Motegi motorsports race track, with which they share a name. Today, Motegi is a brand of Wheel Pros that produces high-end wheels for racing enthusiasts. They’re a technical partner with Ferrari and manufacture wheels that have high durability and excellent handling at high speeds. While not the most common wheel on the street, Motegi’s extremely high-quality wheels are a fantastic option for performance vehicles expecting to hit the track. 

US Mags: Best Rims for Show Builds

US Mags was founded by racing legend Parnelli Jones and his friend Art Hale Sr. as a wheel manufacturer that made wider wheels for Firestone Tire and Rubber. Art Jr. began producing wheels under the US Mag name again in 2010 and offers wheels for vintage and modern vehicles. Their vintage 1- and 2-piece cast/forged wheels are an excellent choice for classic muscle cars. As a higher-end wheel brand, their wheels are a great option for show builds of classic/modern muscle cars.