Scuffed, chipped or rusted lug nuts aren’t just unsightly. Corroded lug nuts can become stubborn to remove, which can turn a roadside repair into a tow to a tire shop for professional removal.
Years of wear can take their toll on lug nuts, but replacing them with a new set is cheap insurance against complicated repairs. The best lug nuts are durable and even stylish with a variety of color options to curate a custom wheel look. Whether you’re looking to prolong the life of your car or meticulously perfect this oft-overlooked design detail, our top selections for the best lug nuts deliver dependability and value.
- Modengzhe Plastic Lug Nut Covers with Removal Clip : Best Cosmetic Upgrade
- J2 Engineering Aluminum Lug Nuts : Best Anodized Color Lug Nuts
- White Knight Black Spline Spike Lug Nut Set : Best Spike Truck Lug Nuts
- Skunk2 Forged Aluminum Racing Wheel Nuts : Best Racing Lug Nuts
- Mishimoto Aluminum Locking Lug Nuts : Mishimoto Aluminum Locking Lug Nuts
Editorial Picks
Black wheels are trendy among top-of-the-line new vehicles, but almost none of them come with color-keyed lug nuts which mars the intended blackout effect. These clever lug nut covers by Modengzhe add a factory-fit finishing touch available in several coordinating and contrasting colors. In our independent testing, we’ve found this model to fit more securely than the Color Lugs brand, which fell off the lug nuts at high speed. Plastic construction is superior to competitors’ PVC, without an unsightly casting bump on the center of the cap. Tire shops will be boggled by these, so be sure to carry the included removal tool in your glovebox. No spare covers are included.
- Finishes the look of color-keyed wheels
- Snug fit stays securely attached
- Helps prevent lug nut corrosion
- Difficult removal without included tong tool
- Harder to clean inside wheel lug holes
- No spares for replacement
Adding a pop of color to coordinate or contrast with the vehicle body is a detail often seen on show cars. Color-coordinated lug nuts offer an easy and inexpensive way to change the attitude of a vehicle. Black wheels, for instance, offer the perfect platform to play around with new looks. Choose black lug nuts to enhance the stealth effect, or a bright color to complete a two-tone theme. Anodized lug nuts resist chips better than a painted set.
- Design flexibility and fun
- Inexpensive vehicle modification
- More durable than painted lug nuts
- Still susceptible to color chipping
- Pricey compared to bright chrome lug nuts
- Limited variety of colors may not match all color themes
Those looking to make a unique statement will appreciate the unexpected look of these aggressive lug nuts. Finished in black E-coat to complement today’s most popular wheel finish, these conical-seat lug nuts fit a variety of popular trucks and SUVs. Though these wheel nuts take extra care to install by hand, the custom look adds a big dose of attitude to factory or aftermarket wheels.
- Love it or hate it, the eye-catching design makes a statement
- Includes 32 lug nuts to accommodate popular eight-lug wheel styles
- Priced lower than competitors
- Steel is more susceptible to corrosion than aluminum
- Must hand-tighten; no air tools
- Spike portion is not removable
Premium aluminum lug nuts resist corrosion better than steel lug nuts, and they’re much lighter. Unsprung weight is reduced, an important advantage for sports cars or those involved in autocrossing or other racing activities. For those obsessed with squeezing every ounce of performance out of their car, a set of high-strength forged aluminum lug nuts marks the pinnacle of attention to detail.
- Segment-leading corrosion resistance
- Lighter weight than heavy steel lug nuts
- Strong materials should last a lifetime
- Considerable added cost compared to steel lug nuts
- Minuscule performance benefit
- Subtle visual advantage over conventional lug nuts
Pull up to a car meet, and the first thing crowds will check for is the authenticity of your wheels. Authentic wheels deserve name-brand lug nuts as a finishing touch, and the Mishimoto brand carries enough weight to pass this critical social test. Quality workmanship with a price to match, the neo-chrome finish is uniquely resistant to chips and cracking compared to cheaper brands. Aluminum construction means this set of lug nuts might outlast your car.
- Name-brand street cred
- Enhanced theft protection
- Corrosion-free aluminum
- Name-brand pricing
- Don't lose the key
- Neo-chrome finish requires special care when washing
Methodology
Lug nuts are a small but vital vehicle component. We selected lug nuts reviewed by customers and checked for serial complaints relating to cross-threading or chipping. We included a variety of styles and tried to keep prices reasonable.
We rate all lug nuts based on these weighted metrics:
- Quality construction (35%)
- Finish (25%)
- Ease of installation (20%)
- Price (20%)