Best Brake Pads

Insider Reviews For The Best Products

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Bosch BC905 Quiet Cast Premium Disc Brake Set
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BOTTOM LINE

Included in this set is a lubricant that makes installing and using the pads easy. Bosch guarantees that the rubber core and other elements will make the pads perform smoothly and quietly.

PROS

Bosch designed these pads to stop your tires quickly and to help your vehicle run more smoothly. Each pad features a rubber core with an aerospace alloy added over the top for lasting performance.

CONS

Bosch only gives you one sensor instead of giving you one for each pad. You might notice that the pads sound louder than your old ones did.

StopTech Street Performance Front Brake Pad
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BOTTOM LINE

Designed to fit different vehicles, these street performance pads will make you feel like a street racer. The set comes with a compound that prevents wear and tear from routine driving and helps the pads wear out smoothly.

PROS

The backing plates used to create these pads ensure that each one will fit perfectly on your vehicle. These pads also feature a compound that allows the pads to wear down evenly.

CONS

You may find that you need to press down harder on your brake to feel any response from these pads. The set also produces a lot of noises.

AC Delco Professional Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pad Set
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BOTTOM LINE

Many customers like that AC Delco put these brake pads through a variety of tests to ensure that they operated smoothly and effectively. You might like the limited vibrations and noises produced too.

PROS

This set went through a number of tests to ensure that the pads would wear evenly and not produce a lot of noise. The chamfers and other components work well to cut down on vibrations and sounds.

CONS

Some customers received packages that included used parts. We also found reviews from customers who claimed the set didn’t fit their vehicles.

Akebono ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set
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BOTTOM LINE

With both metallic and organic materials used in each brake pad, this set is suitable for most drivers and vehicles. You may experience some minor issues until you break in the pads though.

PROS

Made from organic and metallic materials, these brake pads run quietly to help you stop without hearing any screeching sounds. The manufacturer designed this set to wear less on your rotors too.

CONS

These pads may not fit all makes and models listed in the product description. They can produce more dust than you expected also.

Power Stop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Pads
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BOTTOM LINE

Anyone who drives often and regularly will like this set of brake pads designed for use on front wheels. Not only do you get durable brake pads, but you get a hardware kit and a brake lubricant.

PROS

Made from a combination of ceramic and carbon fiber materials, these pads evolved from the old designs used in the past. The set comes with a kit that includes both lubricant and extra hardware.

CONS

These pads will wear out quickly when used on race cars. Some drivers may find that their brakes screech when they come to a stop also.

Shopping Guide for the Best Brake Pads

No matter how old your vehicle is, you’ll need to replace the brake pads every now and then. When you read the manual that came with your car, you can find out exactly when to replace those pads. It’s important that you buy the best brake pads for 2023 because these parts play a key role in a few different things. The best brake pads will help your vehicle handle better on the open road and when you drive on crowded highways and city streets. New pads can also help you more easily handle your vehicle and maneuver it wherever you want to go.
Finding the top brake pads for 2023 that will work on your vehicle is easy when you use our shopping guide. We want to provide you with absolutely everything you need to know about brake pads.
You’ll find out the different types that you can buy and whether you should go with OEM parts or pads from another company. Our shopping guide to the top pads will even help you decide how much you should spend before you start shopping. After using our product matrix to learn the ins and outs of the top five pads, you can check out all the other sections of our guide.

Selection Criteria

If you’re like most shoppers who have no experience shopping for a car battery, you might head to a local shop and buy the first model that you see. While auto parts stores sell batteries, you’ll need to get some help to make sure you get one that will fit your car. When you shop online, you can actually enter the make and model of your vehicle and its year to find batteries that manufacturers guarantee will work in those models. That is why our shopping guide focuses on batteries that you can buy online. We provided our readers will links that go directly to our top choices on Amazon.

To find the best batteries around, we checked with experts to find which ones they use in their own cars and which ones they recommend to their family and friends. You can view all the resources we used and reach through those pages for yourself. Once we had more than 20 batteries to look at, we used Amazon to see which batteries had the highest reviews and which models had the worst reviews. We used those ratings to track down the five best batteries that you can use in any car or vehicle.

Selection Criteria

When a neighbor’s cat runs out in front of your car, you must hit the brakes and come to a complete stop. You’ll also use your brakes to avoid an accident when vehicles in front of you come to an unexpected stop. We know just how important finding the right set of brake pads for your car is, which is why we created this shopping guide. Though you can take your car to a mechanic and have a professional change those pads for you, you can also do the job at home. Even if you don’t feel confident in your own mechanical skills, you can purchase brake pads online and save some money.
Our shopping guide to the best brake pads is the best place to start your search. As you already noticed in the product matrix at the top of the page, we found the five best sets. When you read through this guide, you’ll find in-depth product descriptions for each set that will go beyond what you see in that matrix. We also compiled the most information about brake pads, including the materials used in those pads and the cost of those sets. To find the best brake pads for any of your vehicles, just keep reading.

In-Depth Product Description: Bosch BC905 Quiet Cast Premium Disc Brake Set

Bosch has a great reputation for the auto parts that it makes, including its line of disc brakes such as the BC905 set. Each set comes with the four brake pads that you need on your vehicle. You can opt for a different set that comes with a fluid designed specifically for those brakes. This set costs just a little more. Bosch gives you all the stopping power that you want with this set. When properly installed, the pads will help you come to a complete stop without hearing any screeching noises and without your tires spinning. A small number of reviewers found that this set was louder than their old ones though.
We like that this set uses both copper material and an aerospace alloy. That alloy is exactly the same as the one used on aircraft today. Beneath the alloy exterior is a core made from rubber that cushions the brakes to help them stop on a dime. This set also provides the friction necessary to stop your tires on both wet and dry roads. Bosch also added a transfer layer to each brake pad, which extends the life of the pad and makes your rotors last longer.

Signs That You Need New Brake Pads

The most common sign that you need new brake pads is when your current brakes begin producing a loud noise when you come to a stop. You might hear these noises when you slam on your brakes because of an obstacle in the road ahead or when you slow down to make a turn. The most common sound is a screeching noise. You may also hear a squealing noise. Those sounds can worsen because the brake pads wore down and now there are two pieces of metal rubbing against each other.
Another sign that you might need new brake pads is when you find that you must exert more pressure on your brakes just to stop. When you install new brakes and other parts, you need to bleed the brakes first. This requires that you push down on the brake pedal multiple lines to drain the old fluid. This also ensures that the pads, rotors and other parts will work when you hit the open road. If the pads are too worn down, you may need to push the brake pedal all the way down to the floor before your car comes to a stop. If you aren’t sure if you need to install new pads, you can ask a licensed mechanic for help.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a New Mechanic

  • Amount of experience
  • Number of years in business
  • Better Business Bureau affiliated
  • If estimates are available

What are Brake Pads?

Brake pads are essentially pads that work with your brakes and protect them from damage. The rotor is the portion of the braking system that spins. If you do not have pads, the rotor will keep spinning each time that you apply pressure. The metal will eventually wear down over time. If you do not have pads, the rotor will wear down even faster. The pads have some type of textured surface that creates friction against the rotor. When you stop on your brake pedal, it sends a signal to the rotor and tells it to spin. The pad will rub against the rotor and slow it down before bringing it to a total stop.
Most vehicles today feature disc brakes, which are more effective and will last longer than older designs. Some vehicles still use drum brakes. You may have a newer model vehicle that has disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the back. Most cars today only use disc brakes though. That is why it’s so important that you know the make and model of your vehicle as well as its year. If you purchase the wrong type of pads, the set may not fit on your vehicle.
Disk brakes
Drum brakes

In-Depth Product Description: StopTech Street Performance Front Brake Pad

If you ever wanted to feel like Vin Diesel when driving to work, these Street Performance brake pads from StopTech will help you live out your fantasies. This set comes with four pads and detailed instructions for those who want to install the pads on their own. You can also pay a mechanic to have the pads professionally installed for you. Designed specifically for street racers, this set stands up well to light racing on most city streets. You can also use this set when racing on different types of tracks. StopTech also designed this set for everyday driving and those who want better stopping power.
Those these brake pads do not fit all vehicles from all manufacturers, they will fit most cars. Each one has a scorched surface that gives you more stopping power and helps you come to a total stop faster. The pads produce less dust than other models do, which will extend the life of your rotors. This set also has a precision fit and produces less noise. StopTech added shims that will also cut down on the vibrations produced as you drive and stop. A small number of customers didn’t like the sounds that this set produced though.

Types of Brake Pads

Whether you buy online or purchase from a local auto shop, it’s important that you do more than just consider your budget. You must think about the best type of brake pads for you based on the age of your car as well as your budget. We also recommend checking out the manual that came with your vehicle. Auto manufacturers will usually recommend the types of replacement parts that you should use and when you should replace those parts. Before we get into the ins and outs of buying new brake pads, we wanted to go over the leading types that you can buy.

Standard Brake Pads

When you need new brake pads and can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a set, you might consider a standard set. The term standard comes from the fact that these sets are average in terms of both price and design. You’ll get the braking and stopping power that you want, but you may not get the durability that you need. Standard sets might last for a few months but will break down faster than some of the other types can. You may need to spend more money over time to replace those pads.

Original Equipment Brake Pads

You’ll come across the term OE and the term OEM when shopping for brake pads. OE stands for original equipment, while OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. Both terms refer to brake pads and sets produced by the same companies that make cars. These products can also come from companies that have official authorization from auto manufacturers to make parts. You’ll find brake pads designed for specific vehicles from Honda, Toyota, Ford and other car companies. Some OE parts are also suitable for specific models or years of vehicles. Though OE brake pads are more expensive than standard models, they will last longer.

Premium Brake Pads

A step up from OE brake pads are the premium pads that some companies make. You’ll also find ultra-premium brake pads available for select makes and models. Premium sets have a unique design that allows a steady stream of air to flow over the brakes, which will keep them from burning out. The pads can last up to twice as long as others do and will reduce wear and tear on your rotors too. Ultra-premium brake pads will last even longer and do a better job of protecting the rotors. While premium pads are more expensive, ultra-premium pads can cost even more.

Performance Brake Pads

If you want to drift around corners and make sharp turns without slamming on your brakes, you should consider performance brake pads. Also called racing pads and severe or heavy duty brake pads, these are sets designed for those who drive at fast speeds and need to make sudden stops. Performance pads are also suitable for those who drive in extreme conditions, including in climates where temperatures are extremely high or low and those who carry heavy loads. These pads often go through more testing than the other types do.

Brake Kits

Depending on where you buy your brake pads, you may have the option of purchasing a brake kit. This is a kit that comes with the exact number and type of brake pads that you need and want. Kits are best for those who need to replace more than just their pads though because most sets come with rotors and other parts. One benefit of buying a kit is that you can select different types of pads for your front and rear brakes. Most kids also come with hardware and lubricants too.

How Do You Use Your Vehicle?

With so many different styles of brake pads out there from so many different companies, the sheer number of choices can seem overwhelming. A good way to figure out which pair or set will work best for your vehicle is with a look at how you primarily use your vehicle. Many shoppers need a replacement set for vehicles that they drive to work every day and for running errands around town. OEM and standard pads are suitable for commuters.

If you need brake pads for a truck or an SUV that you use for towing, you need stronger pads made from metallic or semi-metallic materials. These pads are strong enough to support the weight of your vehicle and anything you tow and will not screech or shake when you stop.

There are also brake pads available for off-road vehicles. You might have an old pickup truck that you and your friends use to drive through the woods. Off-road brake pads are suitable for that truck. We also recommend looking at both racing and performance brake pads. Performance models help you get more out of any vehicle while racing pads are suitable for both road and course races. You must consider how you use your vehicle before buying a pair of pads.

How to Check for Wear and Tear on Your Brake Pads

  • Listen for any grinding or other unusual sounds that you hear when applying the brakes
  • Pay attention to the way your vehicle feels and if it shakes or vibrates when you stop
  • Look at your dashboard to see if any indicator or warning lights come on
  • Check your pads for signs of wear and tear at least once a year

In-Depth Product Description: AC Delco Professional Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pad Set

No matter how much experience you have with car repairs, you probably know the name AC Delco. We choose the Professional Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pad Set from the company because of the high reviews that it got from customers online. The manufacturer puts each set through rigorous testing before sending them out, which lets you know that this set will work effectively with your car. This set also goes through extensive testing to ensure that the pads wear out evenly and that they won’t produce a lot of sounds and vibrations that can shake your whole car.
Made from a variety of materials, including both ceramics and some alloys, this set is suitable for different types of drivers. Each pad features a carefully designed backing plate with a layer of friction material on top. The manufacturer actually molds those pieces together to ensure that they do not come loose from each other. You’ll also notice that the backing plate itself has a stamped design, which keeps the pads from wearing out. That design also reduces the vibrations that your brakes produce when you come to a sudden or slow stop. AC Delco gives you a good warranty on this set and lets you exchange or return the set if it doesn’t fit your vehicle.

Which Material is Best?

Though you should consider the age of your vehicle and its make and model, you also need to think about which material will work best for your vehicle. We recommend that you consider each type of material carefully in terms of how much that material will affect the price of the brake pads and whether one material is better for your car. The companies that make brake pads typically make them out of one of three materials. You can use the info below to see the pros and cons of each material and what goes into the process of making each one.

Organic Materials

Many people claim that brake pads made from organic materials are better than any other type. Those who are against these pads often include shoppers who heard about the dangers of asbestos before. Though manufacturers once used asbestos, they now use organic materials that include carbon fiber and rubber. Manufacturers stopped using asbestos in the 1970s, though it took some companies until the 1980s to stop. Brake pads can also use other organic materials such as glass. While these pads are often cheaper than other types and run fairly quietly, you won’t get as much wear out of a set.

Metallic and Semi-Metallic

Brake pads made from metallic and semi-metallic materials are popular with drivers and mechanics today because these materials are durable and will last a long time. Metallic pads use only metals such as steel and copper. As the friction created by those metals rubbing against each other can produce loud noises, many companies now use semi-metallic materials that mix the metal with other compounds. You might find steel or copper brake pads that feature filler materials added to the compound or pads that have a lubricant applied to the surface of the metal. These pads last longer than organic ones do but are more expensive.

Ceramic

Many of the brake pads that we looked at when creating our list feature ceramic materials. Manufacturers began using these materials in the 1980s after learning about the dangers of asbestos and researching new materials that would work in brake pads. Companies typically mix the ceramic material with copper or carbon fibers that made it more durable. Ceramic brake pads are popular with shoppers who want pads that will last for years and will run quietly. The main downside is that ceramic pads do not work well in cold weather. Cold temperatures can actually make the ceramic break. You’ll find that ceramic brake pads are the most expensive too.

WARNING

If you purchase an older or vintage auto and worry that it might have older brake pads made from asbestos, consult with a mechanic before attempting to remove those pads. Any of the tools that you use can break the pads and release the asbestos particles into the air. Breathing or inhaling those particles can make you sick.

Lifetime vs. Limited Lifetime Warranty

Before you buy new brake pads, make sure that you look at the warranty that comes with the set. Most manufacturers offer either a limited lifetime warranty or a lifetime warranty on those parts. A limited lifetime warranty covers only certain things. This will typically only cover manufacturer error or damage that occurred during the shipping process. A lifetime warranty will cover more things and will last for the life of the brake pads.

It’s important that you understand what lifetime means to manufacturers also. This term does not refer to your lifespan. You shouldn’t expect to use the same pads for decades and then request a full refund later. Manufacturers generally use this term to describe the expected lifetime of the pads. The warranty may only last the first 12,000 to 25,000 miles that you drive after putting the pads on your car. Companies will often tell you how long the warranty lasts before you buy.

You should also look at the return policy of the shop or site where you buy your pads from too. We included links to these brake pads on Amazon because it has such a strong return policy. You can often return your brake pads for a full refund without going through the manufacturer.

Expert Tip

If you put thousands of miles on your vehicle every year, consider buying brake pads with an extended warranty available. You can pay extra to get more coverage.

In-Depth Product Description: Akebono ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set

Many drivers who do their own repairs at home want brake pads that they can easily install. That is why so many drivers choose the ProACT set from Akebono. Designed for those who want to upgrade to a better braking system, this set uses a combination of both organic and metallic materials. While some drivers found that they pads kicked up more dust than their older pads did, most found that this is a good quality set. We added it to our list of the best brake pads because it has a large number of positive online reviews and a relatively small number of negative reviews.
As an ultra-premium set, these brake pads run much smoother than others do and run more quietly too. Not only do they produce less noise, but you may find that your car shakes less also. Though some customers found that they needed to break in the pads over time, a large number of users claimed that the pads required no break-in time and that they worked properly right away. We like that this set uses some ceramic materials in addition to metallic materials. Ceramic brake pads will not wear down your rotors as quickly as other kinds can.

Certification Status

You should never purchase brake pads without first making sure that the set has at least one type of certification. One of the more common types of certification is something called Differential Effectiveness Analysis. Also called D3EA, this lets you know that the brake pads meet the standards for this type of certification. Another important certification to look for is something called Brake Effectiveness Evaluation Procedures. Also known as BEEP, this tells you how effective the brake pads will work when installed on your vehicle. BEEP certification also lets you know that the pads went through and passed an extensive amount of testing.

Most product descriptions will include information about any certifications that a brake pad set has. You can also read through those descriptions to find out more about the testing that different manufacturers use. The top brake pads will go through both mileage and usage testing. This tells you how many miles the pads can go before they need replacing and whether the pads will stand up to use on different types of roads. You may want to find out if the manufacturer tested those pads in different climates and at different temperatures, especially if you live in a region with both hot and cold weather.

Simple Brake Repairs That You Can Do On Your Own

  • Replace the rotor
  • Pad replacement
  • Bleed brakes of excess or old fluids
  • Install new calipers

What Type of Car Do You Drive?

The amount of force that it takes to bring a vehicle to a complete stop depends on the overall weight of that vehicle. A large pickup with a bed full of logs will take more force to stop than an economy car with a single person inside will. You must consider both the weight and the size of your vehicle when buying new brake pads.
  • Compact cars will work well with lighter brake pads made from ceramic materials. If you have a compact or economy car and buy ceramic pads, you should be aware that those pads can produce quite a bit of dust.
  • Sports cars require either performance or semi-metallic brake pads. These pads allow those vehicles to come down to a lower speed much faster without kicking up debris that can prevent drivers from seeing clearly.
  • Trucks and SUVs do best with severe duty and ultra-premium brake pads. Even if you drive in an SUV without any passengers or cargo, the weight of that vehicle will affect how quickly you can stop. Any larger vehicle needs thicker brake pads.
  • If you have a sedan or any larger car, you can use almost any type of brake pads. Both semi-metallic and ceramic pads will work well.

In-Depth Product Description: Power Stop Z23 Evolution Sport Brake Pads

Thanks to Power Stop, the next evolution in brake pads is here. The Z23 Sport Brake Pads are pads that work just as well on those days when you need to pick up groceries as those times when you want to compete in a street race or on the track. These pads use a combination of carbon fiber and ceramic materials to give you the stopping power that you need on a wet road. Power Stop actually took standard ceramic brake pads and infused a carbon fiber material inside. This process ensures that the brake pads will last for hundreds of miles or more.
One of the top features that many customers like about this set is that the backing plates have a powder coated material. This material makes the back plates last longer because it keeps the metal from rusting when exposed to any type of moisture such as rain or snow. You’ll also notice shims on each pad made from rubber. Those shims keep the metal parts from grinding against each other and producing loud noises when you stop. Power Stop also gives you a hardware kit and some lubricant with the Z23 set of brake pads.
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a health care provider.
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