Best Premium Tanks Worth Buying in World of Tanks (2025)

Make smart investments with our expert guide to premium tanks. Learn which vehicles offer the best credit earning, crew training, and competitive performance.

Why Premium Tanks Matter

Premium tanks are essential for progressing efficiently in World of Tanks. They offer increased credit income (typically 50% more than standard tanks), accelerated crew training, and the flexibility to earn while playing your favorite playstyles. But with dozens of options available, choosing the right premium can be overwhelming.

This guide breaks down the best premium tanks by category, helping you invest wisely whether you're grinding credits, training crews, or seeking competitive advantages.

Top Tier 8 Premium Tanks (Credit Farming)

Tier 8 is the sweet spot for credit grinding. These premiums consistently earn 100k+ credits per battle with decent performance:

1. Progetto M35 mod. 46 (Medium)

Why it's great: Autoreloader mechanic provides burst damage flexibility. Excellent gun handling, mobility, and camo rating.

Credit potential: 120k–180k per battle

Best for: Flexible playstyle, both aggressive and supportive roles

The Progetto dominates tier 8 with its unique autoreloader allowing you to dump shells quickly or fire single shots. Perfect for aggressive medium tank players.

2. Bourrasque (Medium)

Why it's great: Two-shot autoloader with incredible burst, excellent camo, and speed.

Credit potential: 110k–170k per battle

Best for: Hit-and-run tactics, light tank–style scouting in a medium

High skill ceiling but incredibly rewarding. The Bourrasque punishes isolated enemies with 720 alpha damage in 2 seconds.

3. Škoda T 56 (Heavy)

Why it's great: Devastating autoloader with strong armor profile. Trades well in brawls.

Credit potential: 130k–190k per battle

Best for: Aggressive heavy tank play, holding corridors

One of the most forgiving tier 8 heavies. The T 56 can brawl with tier 10s thanks to reliable armor and massive burst damage.

4. Defender / Object 252U (Heavy)

Why it's great: Impenetrable armor when hull-down, reliable 440 alpha gun.

Credit potential: 120k–175k per battle

Best for: Tanking damage, frontline pushing

The Defender remains a powerhouse. Point your frontal armor and bounce most tier 8 and many tier 9 shells effortlessly.

5. LT-432 (Light Tank)

Why it's great: Best-in-class camo, mobility, and surprisingly bouncy armor for a light.

Credit potential: 90k–150k per battle

Best for: Active scouting, passive spotting, flanking

The ultimate tier 8 light tank. LT-432 combines scouting capability with combat effectiveness, making it a consistent credit earner.

Best Premium Tanks by Class

Heavy Tanks

Tier 8: Škoda T 56, Defender, Renegade, Löwe
Tier 7: IS-2 (1945), Tiger 131
Tier 6: TOG II*, Dreadnought (fun factor)

Medium Tanks

Tier 8: Progetto 46, Bourrasque, CS-52 LIS, Primo Victoria
Tier 7: Panther/M10
Tier 6: Cromwell B, Type 64

Tank Destroyers

Tier 8: Skorpion G, SU-130PM, TS-5, Strv S1
Tier 7: SU-122-44, E 25 (if available)
Tier 6: SU-100Y

Light Tanks

Tier 8: LT-432, EBR 75 (FL 10), Even 90
Tier 7: HWK 30
Tier 6: Type 64

Premium Tanks for Crew Training

Premium tanks train crews 50% faster than regular tanks. The best crew trainers match your nation and tank class:

Soviet: Defender (heavy), Progetto (medium), LT-432 (light)
German: Löwe (heavy), Panther/M10 (medium), Skorpion G (TD)
American: T26E5 Patriot (heavy), T54E1 (medium)
Chinese: WZ-120-1G FT (TD), Type 59 (medium)
British: Caernarvon AX (heavy), Cromwell B (medium)
French: Bourrasque (medium), Lorraine 40t (medium)
Italian: Progetto 46 (medium)
Swedish: Strv S1 (TD), UDES 03 (TD)

Tanks to Avoid (Not Worth the Investment)

Not all premium tanks are created equal. Avoid these unless you're a collector:

CDC: Paper thin armor, mediocre gun, outclassed by modern tier 8 mediums
FCM 50t: Huge profile, weak armor, struggles in current meta
Most tier 5 premiums: Limited credit earning, matchmaking pulls you to tier 7 frequently
8,8 cm Pak 43 Jagdtiger: Slow, limited damage, better options exist
AMX M4 mle. 49: Awkward armor layout, inconsistent performance

When to Buy Premium Tanks

Timing your purchase can save significant money:

Major sales: Black Friday (late November), Christmas (December), Anniversary (April)
Bundle deals: Premium time + tank packages offer 30–50% better value
In-game events: Watch for advent calendars, marathons, and limited-time offers
Avoid impulse buying: Research performance before purchasing, check reviews from players with 100+ battles

How to Maximize Premium Tank Earnings

Owning a premium tank is just the start. Here's how to maximize credit income:

Use premium account: Doubles credit income (stacks with premium tank bonus)
Fire standard ammo: Premium shells reduce net profit by 50–70%
Optimize consumables: Use food/large kits only when necessary
Focus on damage: Credits scale directly with damage dealt and spotting
Frontline mode: Premium tier 8s earn massive credits during Frontline events
Platoon with friends: Coordinated play = higher win rate = more credits

Free-to-Play Alternatives

Don't want to spend money? These reward tanks offer similar benefits:

Referral tanks: T26E5 Patriot, T-50-2 (refer friends)
Battle Pass rewards: Char Futur 4, Kampfpanzer 50t (season rewards)
Bond shop: Patriot, Guard, Liberte (10–15k bonds)
Event marathons: Occasionally offer free tier 8 premiums for grinding
Rental premiums: Use rental codes and events to test before buying

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best premium tank for earning credits?

The Progetto 46, Bourrasque, and Škoda T 56 are top tier 8 credit earners thanks to strong performance and preferential matchmaking income. Tier 8 is optimal for credit farming.

Should I buy premium tanks with gold or real money?

For best value, wait for sales and bundles. Gold purchases are flexible but often cost more. Premium shop bundles during events offer the most bang for your buck.

Are reward tanks better than premium tanks?

Reward tanks like Object 279e and Chieftain are extremely powerful but require significant time investment. Premium tanks offer instant access and consistent credit income.

What tier should I focus on for premium tanks?

Tier 8 premiums offer the best balance of credit earning, matchmaking, and versatility. They work in Frontline, tournaments, and credit grinding.

Can premium tanks improve my win rate?

Strong premium tanks can help, but player skill matters more. Focus on learning mechanics first, then add competitive premiums to your lineup.

Professional Services for Premium Tank Players

Already own premium tanks but want to maximize their potential? Our professional services help you:

Earn 3 marks of excellence on your favorite premiums
Boost overall account WN8 and win rate
Complete difficult missions and events
Train crews to max skills faster

3-Mark Your Premium Tanks Credit Farming Service

Conclusion

Choosing the right premium tank depends on your goals. For pure credit grinding, focus on tier 8 vehicles like the Progetto 46, Škoda T 56, or Bourrasque. For crew training, match your nation and class. And remember: premium tanks amplify your skill—they won't compensate for poor positioning or game knowledge.

Wait for sales, avoid impulse purchases, and prioritize tanks that fit your playstyle. With the right premium tank and consistent play, you'll never worry about credit shortages again.