Best Brake Pad Review Guide For 2023-2024

Best Brake Pad Review Guide For 2023-2024 – Your brakes are one of the most integral safety systems in your ride—full stop. In a white-knuckled panic stop where a matter of mere feet can spell the difference between a collision and a close call, a set of superior brake pads could save your life. Join us as we compare the best brake pads around in our Best Brake Pad Review Guide For 2023-2024 in an effort to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

Best Brake Pad Buyers Guide For 2023-2024

Benefits of Brake Pads:

Increase in stopping power. One of the most effective ways to stay safe on the road during all types of driving conditions is to increase your vehicle’s stopping power. Swapping worn-out brake pads for a set of top-rated brake pads will dramatically reduce your braking distance, potentially preventing you from colliding with objects during panic stops.

Consistent braking performance. Not only will a set of new brake pads optimize your braking power, but it’ll also give you smooth, reliable braking performance. Worn pads can cause inconsistent and unreliable braking performance, increasing your risk of striking objects during hard braking. The best brake pads resist heat and fade for dependable braking performance that keeps you safe.

Longer Lifespan. Upgrading your tired, old brake pads with a set of quality replacement pads will increase their overall longevity. Semi-metallic, fully-metallic, and ceramic brake pads are typically the longest-lasting brake pads available, but organic brake pads tend to wear down your rotors and discs at a slower rate than the other materials.

Reduced brake dust. Certain brake pad materials produce more brake dust than others. Typically, ceramic is the best brake pad material in terms of brake dust buildup, with organic brake pads coming in second. Semi-metallic brake pads usually generate the most brake dust, though the exact amount depends on the manufacturer’s unique friction formulation.

Quieter operation. One of the telltale signs of worn-out brake pads is a piercing, loud squealing or squeaking sound while braking. In addition to boosting your braking power and performance, a set of spiffy new brake pads will reduce these embarrassing noises.

Types of Brake Pads:

SEMI-METALLIC:

Semi-metallic brake pads are composed of metal and non-metal materials. Typically, the composition is roughly 30 percent metal, but the best semi-metallic brake pads that have a composition of up to 60 percent copper, iron, or steel. The remaining composition is usually organic or mineral filters that act as binding agents. Semi-metallic pads have great stopping power, durability, and heat dissipation, but they can be noisy and create more dust than ceramic pads.

FULLY-METALLIC:

Fully-metallic brake pads offer even stronger and stabler braking performance than semi-metallic brake pads. The metals employed in its construction deliver reliable, smooth, and potent stopping power, making this type of brake pads an excellent choice for hard street or track use. Fully-metallic pads have all the above downsides of semi-metallic pads, but they may also wear your rotors quicker than other types of brake pads.

CERAMIC:

Ceramic brake pads are the newest and most expensive brake pad material. These brake pads are made of thick, dense ceramic material. The advantages of ceramic brake pads are superb stopping power, quiet operation, low brake dust buildup, superior longevity, and low wear on rotors. Some drawbacks of ceramic pads include an expensive price tag and reduced efficacy in colder climates. Ceramic brake pads are ideal for city and highway driving in most weather conditions.

NON-ASBESTOS ORGANIC:

Non-asbestos organic (NAO) brake pads are constructed from organic material, so they don’t pollute as friction material is worn down, and they’re easy to dispose of. NAO brake pads feature a softer friction material than other brake pad types, so they’re quieter and easier on your brake discs and rotors. The downside to their soft material is that they wear faster and produce dust. Organic brake pads are recommended for driving applications that don’t require heavy braking.

Top Brands:

AKEBONO:

Akebono was founded in 1929 in Japan, during a time that Japan’s automotive industry had only produced 400 vehicles. Today, Akebono operates research and development technical centers in the United States, Japan, and France, and has become an OEM supplier for such brands as Audi, Chrysler, and Ford. The brand manufactures brake friction materials and foundation brake assemblies such as brake calipers and brake pads. One of its best-selling products is the Akebono ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set.

BOSCH:

Founded in 1886 with a headquarters near Stuttgart, Germany, Bosch is a multinational electronics and engineering company with a reputation for manufacturing premium quality products. Bosch’s portfolio of products is incredibly diverse, ranging from security systems to auto parts and accessories such as brake pads. One popular product in this category is the Bosch BC905 QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Pad Set.

WAGNER:

H.A. Wagner forged the Wagner Electric Manufacturing Company in St. Louis, Missouri in 1891. The company’s first product was a self-starting motor for a desk fan, which proved to be a breakthrough and put the brand on the map. As time marched on, Wagner entered an impressive amount of other product categories, including electric light bulbs for automobiles, self-adjusting brakes, and dual-tandem master cylinders. Today, one of its most popular products is the Wagner QuickStop Ceramic Disc Pad Set.

Brake Pad Pricing:

• Under $30: Shoppers will find a host of appealing options for brake pads in this bargain price range. Value-priced brake pads vary a lot in terms of quality, stopping power, and durability, so be sure to conduct a brake pad comparison to find the right set for your needs.
• $30-$60: The best street brake pads on the market today are usually priced within this range. Buyers can expect to find semi-metallic, organic, and ceramic brake pad options at this price point, with most pads delivering excellent performance, wear resistance, and value.
• Over $60: Generally, the best type of brake pads for aggressive street driving, heavy commuting, and track days are priced at over $60 per set. These premium brake pads are usually ceramic and employ advanced materials and designs to achieve maximum fade-resistant braking power, reliability, and longevity.

Key Features:

MATERIAL:

The best brake pad material for your replacement pads depends on your needs. Semi-metallic and fully-metallic pads offer excellent braking performance, longevity, and durability but can be noisy and generate brake dust. Organic pads are eco-friendly and easy on your rotors and discs, but their braking power and longevity are lacking compared to the other materials. Lastly, ceramic pads offer near-silent, powerful, and reliable braking power at a higher price point.

OPERATING TEMPERATURE:

During most street driving, the average temperature of your brake rotors and pads won’t exceed 392 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, track days can send the average temperature of your rotors and pads soaring near 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s why it’s critical to consider what temperatures your pads will endure and to select pads that are designed to resist fade under this temperature range.

EASE OF INSTALLATION:

Brake pads are sold as a set (front or rear), or as a complete set (front and rear). The amount of hardware included with a brake pad set depends on each individual brand. Some manufacturers include the bare essentials, usually the pads and shims, while others elect to throw in everything you need to install your pads. Some shoppers prefer a plug-and-play set, while others don’t mind purchasing additional hardware necessary for installation.

APPLICATION:

Brake pads are engineered for specific driving applications. Some brake pads like NAO pads are designed for lighter economy cars that are used for light commuting duties. Others are developed from advanced fade-resistant materials and deliver the potent performance necessary for aggressive street or track use. It’s vital that you consider your driving style and application before selecting the best type of brake pads for your needs.

NOISE LEVEL:

While we already mentioned that worn brake pads can screech or squeal like a hangry pig during feeding time, certain brake pads can be noisy during operation, too. Generally, semi-metallic and fully-metallic brake pads tend to be the noisiest of all types of pads, followed by organic brake pads. Ceramic brake pads are usually the quietest brake pads available, though some brands offer more silent operation than others.

Other Considerations:

Brake Dust Buildup:

If you despise having to clean the brake dust off of your wheels every week, consider ceramic brake pads for their low brake dust buildup. Semi-metallic, fully-metallic, and to a lesser extent, organic brake pads tend to produce more brake dust than ceramic brake pads.

Price:

If you’re on a shoestring budget, it’s not always the wisest idea to go with the cheapest brake pads on the market. These discount brake pads are sometimes poorly built and will wear out quicker than slightly pricier brake pads. There are several excellent, value-priced brake pad sets available today, so make sure you select a set that offers a solid mix of performance, longevity, and quality.

Motorcraft BR1258B Pads

Anyone who has owned a Lincoln, Ford or Mercury Grand Marquis are quite familiar with Motorcraft brake pads because they’re the original equipment manufacturer for pads for these types of vehicles and many other types as well. As such, these pads are high-quality, produce great stopping power and conform to all safety standards. They also don’t produce a lot of noise. Their only drawback is they tend to be a bit more expensive than comparable pads, but many consumers feel they’re worth it.

Product Details:

• Country of Origin: China
• Fits multiple makes and models (contact seller with your vehicle for fitment compatibility information)
• Part number: BR1258B
• Fit type: Vehicle Specific

Pros:

• They are OEM replacements for many vehicles
• provide good stopping power
• They don’t produce a whole lot of noise

Cons:

• They tend to be a bit expensive

Akebono Pro Act Ultra-Premium Pad Set

These brake pads are designed to be a direct replacement for compatible vehicles with low-metallic or semi-metallic pads. They’re specifically designed to provide the utmost in performance and do it without needing a long break-in period. Although they’re designed to also be low-noise, we do feel that they become a bit noisy when they’re wet. Even so, these quality pads seem to provide a great ability to stop and do it without producing much brake dust at all.

Product Details:

• Ultimate upgrade for OE semi-metallic, organic and low-metallic brake pads
• Ultra-Quiet – controls noise, vibration and harshness levels
• Superior initial effectiveness with no required break-in period
• Extremely rotor friendly for longer rotor life
• Vehicle optimized ceramic formula for superior performance
• ACT564H is not the part number. it is akebono’s internal code for pads

Pros:

• They don’t require a break-in period
• They provide excellent braking power
• They are virtually dust-free

Cons:

• They are really noisy in wet conditions

Power Stop Extreme Performance Pads

Designed exclusively for muscle cars, these brake pads are designed to provide some great stopping power and do it without producing a ton of dust in the process. Although we did like the amount of stopping power produced by these pads, we’ve found that they were really only suitable for street use, as they don’t provide the ultra-fine stopping power that racing requires. The pads are made with a carbon-fiber ceramic that all but eliminates brake dust and quiets some nice, quiet braking. And this material also helps to resist brake fade, even up to 1,500-degrees, so it is also suitable for high-horsepower cars.

Product Details:

• The Carbon-fiber ceramic brake pad not only features thermal scorched pad surface for a fast break-in but chamfered slots for noise-free braking
• The Carbon-fiber ceramic brake pads are chamfered and slotted and have premium stainless steel shims to ensure noise-free braking, just like the stock brake pads
• An upgraded with powder coated backing plate perfect for muscle cars, significantly enhances braking performance and extends life by resisting rust and corrosion
• Z26 Carbon-fiber brake pad set includes brake grease and premium stainless steel hardware kit
• Fitment: Cadillac ATS 2019-2016; CTS 2015-2009; Chevrolet Camaro 2019-2012; Corvette 2015; Corvette 2019-2017; Dodge Challenger 2019-2015; Charger 2019-2015; Durango 2019-2018; Jeep Grand Cherokee 2019-2012

Pros:

• Provides decent stopping power
• Doesn’t produce dust like inferior brake pads do

Cons:

• Good for road use but not so much for use on race courses

Genuine Toyota Brake Pad Kit

As most readers probably already know, these Genuine Toyota brake parts are an OEM product, so they’re a great pad to replace the brake pad on a compatible Toyota vehicle. They’re a good quality product that doesn’t produce a whole lot of noise or dust and provide good stopping power. They’re also easy to install, although it should be noted that consumers will have to reuse their original shims because these pads don’t come with shims. Having said that, however, we feel these are good pads destined to provide the quality a Toyota owner requires.

Product Details:

• None

Pros:

• They provide good stopping power
• They’re an OEM product

Cons:

• None

EBC Brakes Double-H Pad Change Kit

This kit contains everything needed for performing a brake change on a number of Harley Davidson FLHX Stree Glide models. Some of the models it’s designed for include FLHX 2008 to 2013 Street Glides and FLHX 2014 street glides. They deliver very good performance and have been tested and approved for safety. These pads are high-friction HH-rated pads that provide better performance than standard Double-H Sintered brake pads. Another thing to really like about these pads is that they are made in the U.S, at a plant based in Ohio. Therefore, consumers can rest assured that they are made from high-quality components and to exacting safety and performance standards.

Product Details:

• Fits: Harley Davidson FLHX Street Glide 2008-2013, FLHX Street Glide 2014-2015, FLHXS Street Glide Special 2015
• Complete Double-H Sintered Brake Pad Change Kit includes 2 EBC FA409HH Front Brake Pads and 1 EBC FA409HH Rear Brake Pad
• Double-H Sintered Brake Pads deliver high performance and are well known as the EBC flagship sintered high-performance brake pad
• ECE R 90 brake safety approved and TUV tested, these ultra high friction HH rated brake pads remain a market leader above the rest as nothing else beats the performance of the Double-H Sintered Brake Pad
• Manufactured in the US in the state-of-the-art sintering plant in Ohio, Double-H Sintered Brake Pads perform well in all weather conditions be it dry or wet and have a high longevity lasting for many miles

Pros:

• Fits a number of Harley Davidson Street Glide models
• Pads are safety-tested

Cons:

• None

Conclusion:

There are a few important factors to consider when looking for the best brake pads but the main thing to do is stick to reputable brands and ensure you buy the right materials for your budget. If this doesn’t stretch to a ceramic set then a semi-metallic brake pad with the right thickness should last a long time and perform well. We hope you found our Best Brake Pad Review Guide For 2023-2024 helpful.