8 Best Brake Pads For Your Car – A Safe Driving Experience

A safe and smooth driving experience means all your car parts need to be in their prime. However, the inevitable wear and tear is something that all car owners can’t avoid, and the more you use your car, the sooner this will happen. At some point, these parts will need to be replaced, and that is especially true for your car’s brake pads.

In my experience, choosing the right replacement brake pads can be quite tricky- there are thousands of products from various brands and manufacturers, all offering different things and promising you the entire universe, yet falling short in their delivery. Plus, brake pads are made with a variety of materials, are designed for different purposes, and may or may not even fit your car.

To help you avoid the same dilemma, I took the liberty of researching and evaluating brake pads and came up with this list of the 8 best brake pads for your car- these are selected based on their quality, performance, and durability, so you know that with each product on this list, you’re in safe hands.

Read also related articles: Ceramic vs Metallic Brake Pads, too much transmission fluid, best bluetooth car adapter, car inspection cost, and best touch screen car stereo.

Best Brake Pads for Front Brakes

Here are the best products I found for front brake pads. Check out these amazing brake pads for front brakes that deliver the best quality, performance, and durability.

1. KFE Ultra Quiet Advanced KFE815-104 Premium Ceramic Front Brake Pad Set

My top pick for front brake pads also hailed as Amazon’s Choice is KFE Brake Systems’ ultra-quiet ceramic brake pads, for the ultimate noiseless and smooth brakes. These pads are designed to fit perfectly and last for many years.

The ceramic pads are durable on their own, but with KFE’s unique Thermo score manufacturing process, these pads need a much shorter break-in time than most other brands. The shims are layered with dual rubbers, and the brakes feature strategic slots and chamfered edges, so you get a smooth, low vibration performance with high brake bite each time.

If you are looking for pads with high fade resistance and consistent friction regardless of the weather, these brake pads are sure to give you the ability to do harder, faster, and longer brakes, so you can drive safely as you please.

The asbestos-free formulation makes these pads a somewhat environmentally friendly option, especially as compared to older pad designs. They also work for a variety of car models from old to new, so you’re sure to find one that fits your car like a glove.

2. Wagner QuickStop ZD1421 Ceramic Disc Pad Set

Wagner’s QuickStop ceramic disc pads are another great and highly rated brand for brake pads, and for good reason- it’s low noise, low vibration, and consistent braking, so you’re sure to get the best and most optimum stopping performance each and every time for years to come.

Each brake pad is OE engineered and certified in the USA for that top quality and performance guarantee. Made with ceramic compounds, and fitted with the perfect slots, shims, and chamfers, these pads work like magic in its quiet but reliable operation.

These pads are also 100% OE post-cured for that consistently smooth and even brake performance throughout the brake pad’s life and come with a matching hardware kit and brake lubricant.

The best part? You can get these pads installed in-store, so you are guaranteed with perfect fitting, professionally mounted brake pads.

3. American Black ABD888M Professional Semi-Metallic Front Disc Brake Pad Set

If you are looking for brake pads that offer the smoothest performance, American Black’s brake pads may be the answer to your question. These front disc brake pads deliver the smoothest noiseless and dust-free brakes you’ll ever experience.

These OEM pads are engineered with positive mold technology designed to craft quality materials with consistent friction, ensuring great performance and a long lifespan so you can drive safely every time.

The pads are post-cured, and features multilayered shims, chamfers, and slots, for strong stopping power without the noise, vibration, and dust. You can break in these pads really fast due to the friction scorched surfaces, and the low resin formula makes the pads resistant to wear and tear.

4. ACDelco 14D477CH Advantage Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pad Set

One of your best and most affordable options for front brake pads is ACDelco’s advantage ceramic disc set- these are high quality, versatile, and lightweight brake pads designed to be used for various vehicle applications and last for a long time.

These pads are engineered with a smart combination of ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic compounds to provide the best performance possible. And, if you want smooth brakes that produce low noise and vibration, ACDelco’s basic shims, slot’s and chamfers deliver just that.

With these brake pads, you get a smooth, reliable, and safe driving experience at all times- suitable for both regular and heavy-duty applications. Plus, these are easy to install right out of the box and come with a 1-year warranty for your safety and satisfaction.

Best Brake Pads for Rear Brakes

These amazing brake pads for rear brakes offer the most value for your money- they deliver the best quality, performance, and durability, so you can drive safely at all times.

1. Bosch BC905 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad

If you are looking for rear brake pads, you really can’t go wrong with a leading and trusted brand like Bosch. This one is even tagged as Amazon’s Choice, so you know that car owners and enthusiasts like you swear by this product.

It’s made with advanced aluminum-based aerospace alloy and other premium-quality ceramic and semi-metallic materials that are completely copper-free, all engineered and manufactured in North America as a testament to quality and performance.

These extremely durable brake pads provide the superior stopping power and smooth, noiseless operation due to its excellent design, including a pre-attached OE-style multilayered shim with a rubber core that acts as both insulator and added strength. Talk about staying true to its name! Bosch’s QuietCast brake pads are as quiet as it gets as compared to other brands.

Each brake pad is also equipped with protective transfer layers and powder-coated backing plates to increase performance and durability- these brake pads create little dust, are rust and corrosion resistant, and leave you with pads and rotors that last as long as you can imagine.

The best part is, it comes with a hardware kit and synthetic lubricant for easy installation and maintenance, so you can always ensure that you’re getting a complete brake job.

2. Power Stop Z26-1405 Z26 Extreme Performance Carbon-Ceramic Brake Pad

Another quiet and low dust brake pad from a trusted brand is Power Stop’s extreme performance brake pads made with a signature carbon-ceramic formula designed to provide optimum performance and thermal stability.

Say goodbye to dusty wheels and noisy brakes and say hello to high-performance driving. Power Stop brake pads are well-loved by street racers and muscle car owners due to unparalleled performance and quality.

The carbon fiber infusion makes these brake pads better than their OE counterparts- they are fade and heat resistant, perfect for cars with big wheels and high horsepower. These pads offer great brake torque and withstand heat temperatures of up to 1500 degrees.

The shims are made of stainless steel and each pad is fitted with a powder-coated backing plate for maximum rust and corrosion resistance. Each kit also comes with its own hardware set and a high-temperature brake lubricant.

Simply put, these are great brake pads that will last you for a long time, even with constant, heavy use. Whether you want to use your car for everyday driving or high-speed races, these brake pads are perfect for you.

Best Brake Pads for Front and Rear Brakes

If you need to replace all the brake pads in your car, I also managed to find these amazing brake pads for front and rear brakes that deliver the best quality, performance, and durability.

1. Max Brakes Front & Rear Performance Brake Kit

Do you need both front and rear brake pads? Not to worry, Max Advanced Brakes offer exactly that. These pads are high performance, high quality, and high durability, so you can get the best driving and braking experience all throughout.

The company guarantees 100% perfect fitment and performance that exceeds your expectations, so you know you’re up for something good when you choose to go with Max Brakes for your car’s brake pads.

These pads are made with an organic ceramic formula for top performance and durability, are equipped with anti-noise shims for a smooth and quiet brake experience and are designed with rounded slots and chamfered cross drills to handle heat and dust, and provide greater braking power.

2. Detroit Axle Front and Rear Ceramic Brake Pads with Hardware

Here is a great option for those looking for something suitable for older car models. Detroit Axle’s brake pads come in a full set of two front brake pads, two rear brake pads, and a hardware kit for quick and easy mounting and installation.

These pads work best for 1998 to 2002 models of Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car, and Mercury Grand Marquis (with 1 ¾” wide steel piston calipers).

Each pad is made with high-quality ceramic and copper fibers and compounds designed for high heat stability, less heat fade, and quick and smooth operation- much better and quieter than its semi-metallic counterparts.

The company has been servicing the industry for over 30 years worldwide, and as a testament to their products’ quality, each brake pad comes with a 10-year warranty. With Detroit Axle’s brake pads, you can prolong the life of your beloved car and drive it safely all year round.

Best Brake Pads Ultimate Buyers Guide

Here’s a little something to help you understand my criteria for picking out the best brake pads on this list, and guide you in deciding for yourself which brake pad is the most suitable for your needs, so your car can be in great shape at all times.

The thing is, when choosing brake pads (or any product or service you’d like to avail, really), you need to know what you’re looking for- what do you need? What’s your price range? What are some nice additions? These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself.

I’ve listed down the most important factors in choosing the right brake pads for you:

Your vehicle type and model

The absolute most important thing when buying something for your car is what kind of car you have. Different products are made for different things, and the same goes for brake pads. For one, the brake pads for cars are different from those for trucks, trains, motorcycles, and so on.

For car brake pads, these also come in different designs to fit different car types and models. The size of the pad, its slots and chamfers, and the overall shape and style of the pad may not fit your car brakes if it’s made for, say, an older car model.

Make sure to first check whether the brake pads you’re eyeing for are compatible with your car. You might not get a free replacement or warranty if you manage to break your brake pads because you bought the wrong ones, and it’s not safe to drive a car with ill-fitting brake pads.

Brake pad materials

Brake pads are also made out of different materials, depending on the manufacturer’s technology and the pad’s purpose- aka whether it’s for every day or heavy-duty use. The material affects the pad’s quality, durability, performance, and price.

You’ll find organic, ceramic, and semi-metallic brake pads, or even a combination of two or more types. More recent brake pads come in asbestos-free and copper-free formulas to comply with environmental regulations, so they produce less ecological footprint, but may slightly be more expensive.

Ceramic Brake Pads

These are dense compounds fired under extreme temperatures to come up with high quality and durable brake pads that are perfect for everyday driving. Ceramic pads are low noise, low dust, and low vibration options for a smooth and pleasurable driving experience. Plus, these create less tension and wear and tear on your rotors, so both the brakes and rotors last longer.

Semi-metallic Brake Pads

On the other hand, semi-metallic pads are a combination of metal, non-metal, and organic elements to create pads that have higher heat stability and resistance to wear and tear than ceramic pads. These pads withstand the heaviest usage and the harshest weathers, perfect for muscle cars and street racers. The only downside is that these are noisy and tough on the rotors.

Installation requirements

Another thing you have to consider when buying brake pads is how they are supposed to be installed, such as whether you can do it by yourself or you’ll need the help of a professional. In theory, installing a brake pad should be quick and easy even for the most clueless car owners, but we all know that’s not the reality. I, myself, have had some minor troubles in this department.

Most suppliers and manufacturers of brake pads offer full sets of pads and hardware kits so their customers can install the pads at their convenience. If this is the route you want to take, make sure that the pads you’re buying are those that are supposed to be an easy installation and come with the necessary hardware and brake lubricant.

There are also some pads that require in-house installation. Sellers of these pads promise perfect fitment, better friction consistency, and longer pad life, but as a customer, you might not want to shell out the added cost of hiring a professional. What you need to remember here is that these pads usually need a few extra tools and processes to successfully mount, and these may not be available in your home garage.

Price range

Finally, there’s the issue of how much the pads cost. This number can vary depending on the factors I just mentioned, and some others, like the popularity of the brand, the product demand, the inclusions of the brake pad set you want, where you’re planning to purchase them, and so on.

You’ll find some good deals on brake pads online- some for less than $20. The usual price range is somewhere between $20 to $80 for either front or rear pads, or around $100+ for a full set. Make sure to check exactly what you’re paying for- how many brake pads are in the set, are matching hardware kits included, is brake lubricant also provided, etc.

Of course, if you’re also paying for professional installation, that adds an easy $100 to $300 to your expenses, so you need to be prepared for that as well.

And, most importantly, make sure to buy only from trusted suppliers. When it comes to brake pads, faulty ones can be a recipe for disaster, and you really wouldn’t want to gamble on your life just to save a few bucks.

Some helpful tips…

The right time to change your brake pads: Any decent car owner gets his car checked regularly, and that includes the car’s brake pads. You’ll know it’s time to change the pads when you hear unusual noises and scraping sounds, they are much thinner than before, you can’t brake as smoothly and easily, and when your car’s indicator lights say so.

The average lifespan of brake pads: Like everything else in your car, brake pads experience regular wear and tear- more so if you use your car for heavy-duty purposes, drive a lot (such as if that’s your occupation), or typically drive along high traffic routes. On average, brake pads should last you about 50,000 miles, half if you drive in a densely populated city.

The right way to change brake pads: Your car has 4 brake pads- 2 sets in front, and 2 more at the back. The correct practice is to replace brake pads as a set, rather than individually. Meaning, if a front pad needs replacement, you need to replace both front pads at once. Front pads need to be replaced quicker than rear pads and discs.

The Verdict

Out of the 8 brake pads I’ve included in this list, Bosch BC905 QuietCast brake pads are the absolute best! Made by a leading and trusted brand, and hailed as Amazon’s Choice, Bosch’s brake pads deliver the highest quality, performance, and durability in giving car owners the smoothest driving and braking experience.

Look no further if you want a noiseless and dust-free operation with hybrid ceramic and semi-metallic brakes that are lightweight, environmentally friendly.

That’s it! I hope I’ve answered all your questions in choosing the perfect brake pads for your car. If you have any questions or comments, feel