Replacing worn brake pads isn’t just a vital safety measure—it’s an inexpensive way to prevent pricey repairs. Worn brake pads give an early warning with a high-pitched metallic squeal. Grinding or a change in pedal feel means the pad surface has worn away, creating an unsafe situation where stopping power is reduced while other brake system components wear down. Continuing to drive in this scenario can lead to costly brake caliper replacement or even a dangerous broken rotor.
Replacing brake pads is an 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 online allows drivers to pick the characteristics most important to them, and it almost always saves money in the process. We chose five brake pad brands that deliver 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 providing 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.
Best Factory Replacement Brake Pads: Akebono Ultra-Premium Ceramic Brake Pads
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Rear
Why We Picked It:
Akebono is an original equipment supplier of brake pads for several different carmakers and hones their engineering on racetracks across the world. Their factory replacement brake pads are available for almost every car model, 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 organic-compound brakes from the factory, so these replacement pads should last longer than the originals.
Pros:
- Designed for factory-fit levels of performance
- Ceramic material increases pad life
- High quality
Cons:
- Pricey for factory replacement brake pads
- Marginally less stopping power than stock pads from a cold start, but equal performance once the vehicle has been in motion for a short time
- Not high-performance brakes despite ceramic construction
Best High-Tech Brake Pads: Power Stop Z23 Evolution Sport Carbon Fiber-Infused Brake Pads
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Rear
Why We Picked It:
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.
Pros:
- Excellent price for a performance brake pad
- Well made
- Includes anti-squeal and anti-corrosion lubricant for back of pad and brake hardware
Cons:
- Not available for every vehicle
- Marginally less stopping power than stock pads from a cold start
Best High-Performance Brake Pads: StopTech Sport Brake Pads
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Rear
Why We Picked It:
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.
Pros:
- Available for a wide range of models
- Strong stopping power without fading, quick warm-up process
- Included shims and wear indicators
Cons:
- Produces more brake dust than regular pads
- Some owners report noise in stop-and-go traffic
- Only vigorous driving will reveal the added stopping power, so not for casual use
Best Budget Brake Pads: TRW Automotive Premium Brake Pad
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Rear
Why We Picked It:
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.
Pros:
- Cost-effective
- Reputation for quality
- Available for a wide array of vehicles
Cons:
- Slightly pricier than metallic or off-brand ceramic pads
- Many different part numbers makes ordering complex
Best Brake Pads Without Hardware: Power Stop Z16 Evolution Without Hardware
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Rear
Why We Picked It:
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.
Pros:
- Inexpensive no-frills pad set for the skilled mechanic
- High quality
- Available for a wide variety of vehicles
Cons:
- Only a skilled mechanic should identify whether shims and wear indicators are reusable
- Just the pads, no hardware or lubricant provided
- Adding extra hardware if needed later eliminates the savings
- Fits: Specific Models - Check Fitment Chart and Product Description for Accurate Information
- Kit Includes: 4x Front & Rear Disc Brake Rotors + 4x Front & Rear Ceramic Brake Pads + 2x 10oz Brake Cleaner & 12oz Brake Fluid
- Brake Kits are built to exceed OEM Specification and have the proper fit and finish required for superior stopping power
- Fits: Chevrolet Avalanche 2008-2013; Express 1500 2009-2013; Silverado 1500 2008-2013; Suburban 2017; Suburban 1500 2008-2014; Tahoe 2008-2020; GMC Savana 1500 2009-2013; Sierra 1500 2007-2013; Yukon 2008-2014; Yukon XL 1500 2008-2014
- Cadillac Escalade 2008-2014; Escalade ESV 2008-2014; Escalade EXT 2008-2013;
- Ceramic, Semi-Metallic, and Organic formulas provide safety and reliability for a range of vehicle applications
- Ceramic, Semi-Metallic, and Organic formulas provide safety and reliability for a range of vehicle applications
- Basic shims, slots, and chamfers help to diminish noise, vibration, and braking harshness
- No curing or machining required, ready to be installed right out of the box
- Vehicle tested to ensure performance that meets or exceeds industry standards
- OE designed 4-layer premium noise-eliminating shim
- 100% copper-free vehicle specific formulas
- Low dust formula ceramic brake pads designed to keep those wheels clean
- The Z17 Ceramic brake pad surfaces are thermal scorched for a fast break-in
- Chamfered and slotted like OE pad to ensure noise-free braking
- Bosch dedicated engineering to platform specific premium materials, ensuring exceptional stopping power and quiet operation with low dust
- 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 Copper Free legislation
- Ceramic, Semi-Metallic, and Organic formulas provide safety and reliability for a range of vehicle applications
- Basic shims, slots, and chamfers help to diminish noise, vibration, and braking harshness
- No curing or machining required, ready to be installed right out of the box. Attachment Method: Bonded
- High friction pad for better high speed stopping
- Zero fade race developed compound
- Brakes effective right from cold
- Bosch dedicated engineering to platform specific premium materials, ensuring exceptional stopping power and quiet operation with low dust
- 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 Copper Free legislation
- Brake Fit: Road Caliper
Brake Pad Color: Black
Brake Pad Model: Replacement Pads
Pad Use: Standard
Post Mount Type: Replacement Insert
METHODOLOGY
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. 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 make 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.
FAQ:
Are ceramic or metallic brake pads better?
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.
How long should ceramic brake pads last?
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.
Do ceramic brake pads stop better?
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.
How do you break in new ceramic brake pads?
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.
What happens if you don’t break in brakes?
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.