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While the technology of modern automotive braking systems continues to evolve, the physical act of slowing or stopping a vehicle is still a relatively rudimentary friction-based operation. Essentially, the brake pads pinch the rotors to arrest forward movement, wearing down the pads and creating an incredible amount of heat in the process. That heat cycling can accelerate pad deterioration. Let them go too long without inspection, and it could become a genuine safety issue affecting your ability to stop. Brake Pad Ceramic
Replacing brake pads is still an average to advanced do-it-yourself skill, but even those who prefer to leave the job to a professional mechanic can benefit from purchasing brake pads online. Selecting your own brake pads allows you to pick the characteristics most important to you and can also save a little money in the process, provided your mechanic is OK with you supplying the parts.
Forbes Wheels chose five brake pad brands that deliver a decent blend of overall value and distinct performance advantages. Many of these pads are ceramic, meaning that they’re made with the same kinds of material used in pottery or plates but much denser. Compared to traditional metallic or organic pads, ceramic pads are a drop-in upgrade that reduces brake noise and dust as well as provides a longer service life. The downside of ceramics is that they need fractionally more warm-up time than conventional pads for full stopping power.
Note that brake pads are vehicle-specific, so remember to select your exact vehicle year, make and model when ordering (some types may default to a particular car, but you can enter your own when searching). Brake pads are sold in “axle sets” of inner and outer pads for two wheels. Front and rear pad model numbers differ.
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Patented copper free ceramic and semi-metallic friction formula
Powder-coated backing plate, Advanced aerospace alloy
Slots and chamfers for premium quality, fit, and function
Best attributes of both ceramic and semi-metallic all in one brake pad
Premium stainless steel brake hardware
Superior noise-reducing shims, 1 million miles of testing, Late-model coverage, including domestic and import application
Low dust formula ceramic brake pads
Thermal scorched, Premium stainless steel hardware and pin bushing kit
Chamfered and slotted like OE pad, Chamfered and slotted like OE pad
Best Factory Replacement Brake Pads
Best Factory Replacement Brake Pads
Akebono Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pads
Akebono is an original equipment supplier of brake pads for several different carmakers and their factory replacement brake pads are available for almost every car model. The manufacturer hones their engineering on racetracks across the world delivering a performance level and feel as close as possible to original equipment specifications. About two-thirds of cars sold in the United States come with basic organic-compound brakes from the factory, so these replacement pads should perform better and last longer than the originals.
Power Stop Z23 Evolution Sport Carbon Fiber-Infused Brake Pads
Power Stop delivers an impressive feature set in the Z23 Evolution Sport: the pad backing is powdercoated instead of merely painted to guard against corrosion, and the ceramic pad material is infused with carbon fiber to reduce brake dust. Included with these pads are a stainless steel hardware kit and rubberized shims to further minimize brake noise. That places these pads firmly in the premium quality tier, but their relatively modest price puts them at the top of the value scale.
StopTech made its name as a purveyor of race-ready brake system upgrades for autocross and high-performance driving enthusiasts. Their Sport Brake Pad line provides advanced braking power and fade resistance without requiring the lengthy warm-up cycles that full-on race brakes require for full stopping power. Performance brake pads can squeal during regular city driving, so be sure to apply an anti-squeal compound to the back of the pad surface during installation.
TRW Automotive Premium Brake Pad
There are many cheap brake pads on the market, but it’s best to resist the temptation to buy no-name brake pads of dubious origin. TRW is a well-known supplier to automakers worldwide. Their Premium Brake Pads deliver consistent performance and the peace of mind of top-tier quality control. This entry-level brake pad delivers a low price without skimping on quality.
Best Brake Pads Without Hardware
Best Brake Pads Without Hardware
Power Stop Z16 Evolution Without Hardware
Intended for experienced mechanics who know how to identify reusable shims and wear indicators, this set of brake pads represents an excellent value for those who only need pads, not associated hardware or lubricants, which this set does not include. These entry-level ceramic pads can still be a good value buy for people who will bring their pads to a mechanic, as any well-stocked brake specialist should have the extra hardware on the shelf.
There are three basic types of brake pads: Non-metallic, organic, metallic and ceramic. Organic pads are composed of a blend of materials, including rubber, glass, carbon, metal and various other materials. Metallic pads use a much higher metal content (30 to 70%) for increased durability and stopping power and sometimes increased noise. Ceramic pads, the newest and highest-tech type, use kiln-fired compounds of porcelain and other materials. Most cars leave the factory with organic or metallic pads, but ceramic pads are quieter and more durable than either and offer braking power on par with, and sometimes superior to, metallic pads.
Though they tend to be more expensive, the cost of ceramics has fallen in recent years, and the extended service life they offer can mean long-term cost savings. Their consistent performance under repeated hard stops makes them a safe choice, and they also produce less noise and brake dust than conventional pads. For this reason, we focused our list primarily on ceramic brake pads.
We pored over real-world reviews on multiple vehicle-specific owner forums to discover the most consistently well-reviewed brake pads, taking into account complaints of excessive brake dust and noise. Our top picks hail from name brands known to employ internationally recognized quality control standards in the production process.
Match your car to your style with varied car accessories like seat covers, floor mats and more. Get competitive pricing from top brands here.
Your driving style determines when brake pads wear out, not by years or mileage. If you’re the type who rides the brakes on downhills, follows too closely on the highway and stops short, guess what? Your brake pads will be toast before a driver who applies the brakes gently and doesn’t use the brake pedal like an on/off switch. Regardless, the early warning sign of worn brake pads is a high-pitched metallic squeal, a grinding sound or a sudden change in pedal feel during braking.
Though metallic brake pads provide better “cold bite” before warming up, ceramic pads’ longevity and quietness make them the industry standard. Most importantly, ceramic pads offer superior protection against “brake fade,” a heat-generated condition exacerbated by hard use or multiple stop that can degrade braking performance.
Driving behavior ultimately determines brake pad life. On average, expect ceramic brake pads to last 60,000 miles under conservative daily driving conditions, though some can last longer. Performance brake pads favor stopping power and fade resistance over longevity and generally require replacement at shorter intervals. Additionally, drilled or slotted brake rotors can scrape brake pad material off with each pass, leading to increased wear.
In normal driving conditions ceramic brake pads perform better over multiple hard stops because they naturally dissipate heat. However, extreme racing applications usually demand the instant “cold bite” that metallic pads provide at a slight advantage over ceramic brake pads. The trade-off is that metallic pads’ stopping power can fade after several intense stops due to heat.
Proper brake “bedding in” involves mating the pad material to the rotor surface in a sequence of increasingly intense near-stops. Do not come to a complete stop during the bedding-in process, which could create a brake pad imprint on the rotor surface. Once verifying that the brake system is fully functional at slow speeds, find a safe and isolated stretch of road. Accelerate to 30 mph, then firmly apply the brake, slowing the vehicle to about five mph. Repeat the process from 40 and 50 mph, and then drive several minutes to cool the rotor surface before braking normally.
Most modern ceramic brake pads are engineered to break in quickly. Failure to bed in brakes properly won’t allow the pad material to mate to the rotor surface, which can cause the brake pad to glaze over and lose friction. Creating a pad imprint on the rotor by holding the brakes after a hard stop can warp the brake rotor, causing vibration when braking from speed.
Adam Barrera is a classically trained consumer journalist with a lifelong focus on cars. In 20 years of print, online and television journalism, engaging audiences through continued conversation on social media is his hallmark. Bylines at AutoTrader and professional roles at Mazda, Cadillac, Ford and Chrysler give Adam's audience an insider's edge.
Brake Pad Pricing A Rustbelt native and tireless supporter of the region, I grew up immersed in automotive, marine, and aviation culture. My work has appeared in numerous publications, including Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics, Esquire, Hot Rod, MSN, and MPH. Decades of hands-on experience and a healthy dose of skepticism provide me the tools to deliver honest and informative news, reviews and editorial perspective