It's tempting to go for the cheapest tee on the rack, but premium and budget t-shirts differ in more than just price. Premium tees typically use higher-quality, longer-staple cotton that feels softer, resists pilling, and holds its shape wash after wash. The stitching is usually reinforced at stress points like the collar and seams, so they simply last longer.
Budget tees can still be a good option for basics you don't expect to keep for years, but they tend to thin out, lose shape, and fade faster. If you're building a capsule wardrobe of pieces you'll wear on repeat, investing a little more in premium fabric and construction usually pays off in cost-per-wear. For occasional or one-off pieces, a budget option can still do the job just fine.