Brake pads help you come to a safe, smooth stop at intersections, stoplights and during emergencies. Brake pads are made from many different materials, including ceramic, metal and composites. Your driving habits also affect the type of brake pads you will need and how often you'll need to change them.
Brake pads are part of the disc braking system in your vehicle. There's a caliper with two pads and a flat, round brake rotor. The rotor is in the center of the brake caliper. When you depress the brake pedal, pads on either side of the caliper push up against the brake rotor as it spins.
When the pads squeeze the spinning rotor tightly enough, the vehicle stops. Disc brakes are normally on the front and back wheels of your vehicle, and you’ll need a set of pads for the back and front.
Brake calipers normally require two pads to function, but there are exceptions. Always take time to determine the best brake pads for your vehicle model number. Ask your mechanic for advice if you're unsure, and buy the highest quality brake pads you can afford.
Friction material can be riveted to the backing plate or bonded to it with adhesive. The friction material is the component responsible for braking. Friction material bonded to the backing plate with an adhesive will wear down to the plate. Discs and drums may wear down faster when you use bonded friction material.
When rivets are used with the backing plate, the rivets will start to squeak as they come in contact with the drums and discs. The squeaking sound indicates that you need to replace the brake pads.
The best brake pads may be made of ceramic or semi-metallic material, although they may be made of other materials. We looked at dozens of best brake pads and compiled a list of the most popular – and long-lasting-brake pads for sale today.
Comparison Table for Best Brake Pads Options
Product | Image | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Raybestos PGD699C Professional Grade Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set | |||
Akebono ACT787 ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set | |||
| |||
Bosch BC905 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad | |||
Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1324 Ceramic Disc Pad Set | |||
KFE Ultra Quiet Advanced KFE914-104 Premium Ceramic Front Brake Pad Set | |||
EBC Brakes DP41255R Yellowstuff Street and Track Brake Pad | |||
Toyota Genuine Parts 446506100 Front Brake Pad Set | |||
Centric 105.0436 Posi-Quiet Ceramic Brake Pad with Shims | |||
ACDelco 17D785CH Professional Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set | |||
Brembo P83024N Rear Disc Brake Pad | |||
Hawk Performance HB275Z.620 Performance Ceramic Brake Pad |
How We Chose Our Ratings
Brake pads should have several basic features, regardless of the materials used to make them. After you’ve determined the best brake pads for the make and model of your vehicle, look at the same features we did to compile our list.
*Noise, Vibrations, Harshness
Image via Pixabay
Top 12 Best Brake Pads That Are Built To Last
The best brake pads for your vehicle will give you a smooth, easy braking and quiet operation without dust. You’ll see the term OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, in many product descriptions. OEM products are manufactured by a company for use with another company’s product.
Raybestos PGD699C Professional Grade Ceramic
- Specifically engineered to provide premium performance for everyday driving conditions
- Application specific semi-metallic, ceramic and organic friction materials with First To Market coverage
- Shim materials quiet noise, vibration and harshness
This professional-grade ceramic disc brake pad set provides durable shim material to muffle noise, harshness, and vibrations. The chamfers and slots offer consistent function and form. The entire brake pad set is engineered for maximum performance for daily driving.
The Element3 high-grade brake pads are designed to improve friction for better safety and smoother stopping power. The brake pads' shims have a spring lock to fit them to the pad and keep them in place.
Integral electronic sensors and abutment clips may be included in some Raybestos brake pad sets. Some brake pads have slots and chamfers to reduce noise.
Online reviews are unanimously positive. The Raybestos brake pads are the best I've used, writes one reviewer, and combined with new rotors, you'll experience hardly any brake dust. One of the best brake pads for towing writes another user. A few reviewers mentioned that the pads are easy to install.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Akebono ACT787 ProACT Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pad Set
- Model ACT787 comes stamped with engineering number ACT564
- Ultimate upgrade for OE semi-metallic, organic and low-metallic brake pads
- Ultra-Quiet - controls noise, vibration and harshness levels
Upgrade from organic, low-metallic or semi-metallic brake pads with Akebono ProACT ceramic brake pads.
These ultra-quiet ceramic brake pads don’t need a break-in period. Control NVH easily with these brake pads. ProACT pads will protect you even during quick, panic situations and other unusual driving conditions.
Akebono is a Japanese company that was founded in 1929. The company provides aftermarket brakes for Japanese and foreign markets. Akebono has strict quality-control techniques that ensure almost zero defects for every million parts produced.
The Ultra-Premium pads are made to fit OE standards. The company has produced a wide range of brake pads for Japanese, American and European vehicles since 1990.
A few users comment that the ProACT brake pads are amazing and an excellent value for the money. A few reviewers mention that the pads have lasted for at least two years and are still going strong. There aren’t many negative reviews of this product. The one-star reviews mention that the brake pads squeak.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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StopTech 309.10780 Street Performance Front Brake Pad
- High max operating temperature to eliminate fade
- Excellent actuation, modulation and release
- Para-Aramid composites for linear response
These StopTech. one of the best brake pads, can sustain high temperatures to eliminate fading. The pads are manufactured with Para-Aramid materials for better response. The pads help you stop at hot and cold temperatures with equal power and consistency.
You can use these brake pads for light track and autocross applications.
The pads come with retaining clips and shim; you'll need to buy brake grease to complete the installation.
The street performance brake pads are excellent, but not perfect, writes one reviewer. The pads are quiet and won’t leave many deposits, but they do wear out in a year or two, he adds.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Bosch BC905 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad
- Bosch dedicated engineering to platform specific premium materials, ensuring exceptional stopping power and quiet...
- Quiet operation with rubber core multilayer shim provides increased strength and insulation against noise
- Advanced aerospace alloy used in patented copper free ceramic and semi-metallic friction formula is compliant with 2025...
These ceramic disc brake pads boast a rubber core shim with several layers for better noise insulation and longer wear. The OE shim contains coating, steel, rubber, steel and adhesive for multi-layer protection against noise. There's a transfer layer to prolong the life of the rotor and pad.
Bosch engineering created a whisper-quiet brake pad with aerospace alloy that complies with 2025 Copper Free legislation. The alloy is used in both copper-free semi-metallic and ceramic friction formulas.
The chamfers and slots are made of high-grade material for better performance and fit. The backing plate has a powder coating to extend life and prevent corrosion and rust. Many suppliers include a hardware kit containing synthetic lubricant.
Bosch brake pads are available for many Infiniti and Nissan models, as well as Maximas, Pathfinders, Rogues, X-Trails, Sentras and more.
A hardware kit and synthetic lubricant are included with most individually wrapped Bosch brake pads. (Use a different, silicone-based lubricant for the caliper pins.)
Bosch is well-known for its braking products. The company has over 70 years of braking experience and designed its first braking system in 1936. Bosch designed Antilock Braking technology and Electronic Stability Control, so the company has a history of implementing new braking features.
The materials used in the QuietCast brake pads are made to withstand excess noise when you brake unexpectedly.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1324 Ceramic Disc Pad Set
- QUIETER OPERATION -- Application-specific design and a unique laser-shaped friction spreads out heat, sound and...
- LONG LIFE -- Superior formulation design dissipates heat for long-lasting friction performance and reduced brake fade
- CLEANER WHEELS -- Proprietary formulation provides superior braking performance and reduced rotor wear, helping to cut...
This disc pad set comes with installation hardware. According to the manufacturer, it has 15 percent more stopping ability than the average brake pad. This set will keep you away from the mechanic’s longer, so you’ll save money and get a smoother ride.
The dust-free operation will leave less dust on mag wheels and keep rims cleaner. These brake pads are fine-tuned to keep things quiet when you need to stop quickly. Wagner brake pads are made in the U.S.A.
One reviewer comments that the brake pads hold up even in rough, stop and go, New York City driving. Other users comment that the pads are easy to install and don’t need a lubricant on the back shims. The pads have quiet stopping power and cleaner wheels, writes another reviewer.
Many reviewers commented that the brake pads fit great and don’t squeak. One of the few negative reviews mentioned that the pads become noisy and dirty after eight months.
You can use these pads on Toyota Highlanders, Toyota Sienna XLEs. Consult the manufacturer website for a list of all vehicles compatible with the Wagner ThermoQuiet pad set.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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KFE Ultra Quiet Advanced KFE914-104 Premium
- OEM Fitment and Warranty – Perfect fitment, no issues, and no hassle Limited Warranty
- Low Noise - Dual-Rubber Shims dramatically reduces vibration noise
- Less Break-In Time - Thermo Scorched manufacture process help reduce break-in time
KFE Ultra Quiet Brake Pads have a limited warranty and a secure OEM fit. The pads reduce noise with dual rubber shims. You won't need to wait long to break these pads in since they've been through a thermo scorched process at the factory.
Some applications have chamfered edges and long slots to restrict noise. The pads are asbestos-free and meet national safety standards. The parts are from the U.S., but the brake pads are assembled in China. On the minus side, they do emit a noticeable amount of brake dust.
The KFE914-104 Premium Ceramic Front Brake Pad Set is available for many Honda models, including Acura, Accords, and Civics.
An online review from a car mechanic gives these pads high marks and calls the KFE Quiet Advanced brake pad quiet, low-cost and low-dust. Comments from other positive reviews include "fits like a glove," "will buy again" and "easy to install."
There aren't many negative reviews for this brake pad set. Most of them cite "wrong part received." One customer complained that his brakes wore out in ten months, but he received prompt customer service from KFE.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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EBC Brakes DP41255R Yellowstuff Street and Track Brake Pad
- High friction pad for better high speed stopping
- Zero fade race developed compound
- Brakes effective right from cold
Yellowstuff brake pads from EBC are designed for high-friction and stopping at higher than normal speeds. These brake pads can be used on trucks, jeeps, race cars, and for everyday driving.
EBC Yellowstuff DP41255R street and track brake pads have a limited lifetime warranty.
One reviewer comments that EBC Yellowpads work great on a Jeep. Another Jeep owner elaborated that the brake pads stopped brake fades during downhill braking. The brake pads aren’t cheap, he adds, but they are worth it.
One reviewer rated the brake pads as excellent for quick braking but added they do squeak and give off a lot of dust.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Toyota Genuine Parts 446506100 Front Brake Pad Set
- Front pad set; genuine OEM - direct fit
- Genuine OEM - direct fit
- Designed specifically to maintain dynamics engineered products in Toyota braking systems
The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) front brake pad set can be used on 2007 to 2007 Camrys, 2007-2011 Camry Hybrids, 2008-2009 Avalon and 2009-2009 Avalon Hybrid.
The front pad has a direct fit and is designed to maintain braking system by Toyota. You may experience squealing brakes with non-Toyota break pads, but using genuine Toyota brake pads will reduce noise
The Toyota 446506100 Front Brake Pad Set is made with precision-tooled backing plates. The plates let the brake pads move smoothly within the calipers for low-noise, high-efficiency operation.
The top edge of the pad has spreader spring holes.
Use only Toyota Genuine Parts brake pads with Toyota vehicles. You can find similar Toyota brake pads for 2015 Camrys and other Toyota models by looking up the appropriate model number from your local Toyota parts dealer or online.
One reviewer recommended you use 3M copper grease when installing the brake pads. Another customer wrote that the pads lasted through 100 degree summers and freezing winters in the Midwest. Several reviewers mentioned that the brake pads were high-quality and durable.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
$$ |
Centric 105.0436 Posi-Quiet Ceramic Brake Pad with Shims
- Package Dimensions: 7.8 L x 10.3 W x 16.3 H (centimetres)
- Package Weight: 1.746 kilograms
- Country of Origin : United States
Centric Posi-Quiet brake pads with shims offer steady friction operation regardless of the temperature. These brake pads will provide fast, smooth braking with reduced noise.
The shims on these brake pads are mechanically attached and offer reduced noise. Centric brake pads are quieter than pads with drift-lock or adhesive style shims.
The friction material is compressed by severe pressure, creating better density in the brake pad. The compression process used in Centric brake pads with shims is the most up-to-date one you in use today.
The backing plates used for Centric 105.0436 ceramic brake pads are shaved or precision cut. Brake pads with these cut or shaved backing plates fit more precisely in the caliper and result in safe, consistent braking and better pad longevity.
One user wrote that the pads won't give off dust and come with new hardware. The shims are already installed on the back of the pad, and the installation kit contains springs, clips, and pins.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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ACDelco 17D785CH Professional Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
- Tested to SAE J2784 for braking effectiveness, along with Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) and durability/wear testing...
- Ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic formulas provide safety and reliability for a range of vehicle applications
- Integrally molded - friction material molded to backing plate for bond integrity
Your vehicle will get safer, more reliable braking and reduced Noise, Vibration and Harshness. ACDelco, one of the best brake pads, has tested these disc brake pads to SAE J2784 standards for assurance of superior wear and durability.
The sturdy, premium shims, chamfers and slots reduce vibrations, noise, and harsh braking. The friction material is integrally molded to the stamped backing plate for better bonding.
It's backing plate ensures excellent pad movement inside the caliper, quiet operation, a longer life, and brake pulsation.
ACDelco gold-label brake pads are manufactured to OE standards for a variety of vehicles.
The brake pads have a great pedal feel, writes one reviewer.
The negative reviews mention that the brake pads squeak, or that the user received the wrong parts for their car.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Brembo P83024N Rear Disc Brake Pad
- FMSI Steel: D606
This OEM is comprised of about 100 materials and is formulated to be resistant to running and fading. There’s a metal shim backing up the brake pad, and it reduces vibration and sound. Brembo brake pads have layers of Elastomer-Steel-Elastomer (ESE) to reduce the transfer of heat to the caliper and dampen noise.
The backing plate ensures accuracy when you need to brake, and the compressed, molded friction material is perfected by an extreme pressure process. Brembo pads, one of the best brake pads, expel heat into the rotor and stop unnecessary heat elsewhere.
Brembo brake pads are made with stainless steel.
One reviewer writes that the brake pads are clean and have nicely-painted shims. Clips and brake greases are included in the package. The positive user reviews call the brake pads “a work of art” and mention that the pads are competitively priced. The pads are easy to install and well-suited for desert driving, according to users.
The negative reviews comment that these rear brake pads are dusty or filthy. The pads do emit black dust because of the way they’re made, but your results may vary.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Hawk Performance HB275Z.620 Performance Ceramic Brake Pad
- PC- Performance Ceramic brake compound
- Increased stopping power
- Ultra-low dust
Hawk’s HB275Z.620, one of the best brake pads, is engineered with Performance Ceramic, a material that emits hardly any dust and reduces noise. Hawk Performance Ceramic was manufactured to stop the noise, vibrations, harshness (NVH) to ensure your truck or SUV brake pad is quiet.
The linear friction profile of the Hawk ceramic brake pad makes your vehicle’s ABS brakes work without excessive noise or dust. The HB275Z.620 is a clean, rotor-friendly brake pad.
A mixed review of these brake pads mentions that the pads screech when the user brakes. The sound doesn’t affect the braking itself, which is fine. A positive review noted that the Hawk brake pads improved performance and had less vibration, noise or dust than the OEM pads the customer had used previously.
One negative review mentioned that the pads were the dirtiest ceramic brake pads he had ever used, and recommended Wagner Thermo-Quiet brake pads instead.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
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Types of Brake Pads
Here’s a rundown of the types of brake pads you can buy, and a little information about why you should buy them (or opt for another type.).
Image via Unsplash
Ceramic Pads
Ceramic brake pads are expensive but worth it. Buy these pads if you want a durable brake pad set that will stay stable through extreme temperatures. You'll notice that several of our top 10 picks are ceramic. Anyone who drives a lot will benefit from ceramic brake pads, including Uber and Lyft drivers.
Your braking will be smoother with ceramic pads than semi-metallic ones. Ceramic pads don’t emit as much dust, and they’re easier on the brake rotor. Some brands of ceramic brake pads may attract more heat than semi-metallic pads.
Metallic Brake Pads
Semi-metallic brake pads have a high amount of metal and can wear down the rotors. These pads make a lot of noise and produce lots of brake dust, but they’re less expensive than ceramic brake pads.
Low metallic pads help your vehicle stop easily, but they're loud and create a lot of dust. Low-metallic pads also wear down quickly. A fully metallic pad is stronger than a low or semi-metallic one and gives you more consistent braking. However, a full metal brake pad will wear down your rotor.
Soft, organic material is gentle on the drums and discs. Organic brake pads may work for older drivers or people who don’t drive often.
Buyer’s Guide for Best Brake Pads
Image via Pixabay
A thick brake pad will last longer than a thin one, so look at online photos (or examine the pad in person at a store) to make sure you buy the longest-lasting break pad.
Your vehicle will require stronger ceramic brake pads in stop and go city traffic and on mountainous terrain in than in the suburbs or a quiet rural area. Traffic jams lead to more braking and more wear and tear on your brakes and brake pads.
You also need to consider how outside moisture and heat affect your vehicle. You’ll need stronger brake pads if your vehicle is used to pull trailers.
New brake pads usually give you 11 millimeters, and you should wait until you have four millimeters of leeway before you change the pads. Discs with excessive rust are also a sign you need new brake pads.
Hearing louder squeaks every time you hit the brakes? Then it's time for new brake pads. Your disc may be warped if your steering wheel shakes when you stop your car. Replace your disc and/or pads if you experience these problems.
Your vehicle may have a warning light system to notify you that you need to change your brake pads. These vehicle systems have a sensor that lets you know when a brake pad has deteriorated to a certain level. Worn brake pads may cause your car to pull to one side. Rule out a flat tire or other causes before changing your brake pads.
Overheated brakes or worn-out rotors may cause vibrations during hard braking. Do a visual check by looking at your brake pads to see if the outer portion is frayed.
Shop around to find the best brake pads for your vehicle, and always choose safety over price. Talk to your car mechanic if you’re unsure which best brake pads brand is appropriate for your vehicle and driving habits.
Featured Image via Pixabay
Last update on 2021-07-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
