This may sound counterintuitive, but I’m sure you’ve heard it before – if you want to save money in the long run, it’s always best to buy quality. This applies to many things, and it’s no different when it comes to buying brake pads for your car.
Brake pads are an essential part of your car’s braking system, and they take a lot of wear and tear. The average lifespan of a set of brake pads is about 50,000 miles, but this number can vary greatly, depending on the type of brake pad, the weight of the vehicle, the general driving conditions, and your driving style.
At Engineering Explained, they’ve established that both the price and production quality of brake pads play a big role when it comes to their performance and longevity. So if you already have a brake-saving driving style, the only other thing you can do is to buy long-lasting brake pads.
The Longest Lasting Brake Pads
We’ve prepared a list of brands that are well-known for making premium brake pads, and each of these brands has a brake pad line that is designed for longevity and durability, alongside safety, comfort, and excellent stopping power.
1. Brembo Nao Ceramic Brake Pads
Pros
- Minimal brake dust
- Excellent heat dissipation
- Low noise & vibration
Cons
- May wear slightly faster than others
There are many reasons that Brembo brake pads are known for being some of the best in the business. For starters, they have a unique design that helps them dissipate heat quickly and evenly. This prevents the brakes from overheating, as heat can cause them to wear down more quickly.
Additionally, Brembo brake pads are made with high-quality materials that are designed to withstand intense heat and stress. Combine that with a noise and vibration dampening design, less brake dust from wear on the pads, and a low carbon footprint, and you have a brake pad that checks all the boxes.
2. NRS Galvanized Brake Pads
Pros
- Corrosion resistant
- Environmentally friendly, recyclable
- Hold up in harsh environments
Cons
- None
NRS brake pads are known for their quality and durability. They are a perfect choice for those who need a reliable brake pad that will last for a long time. NRS brake pads are made with high-quality materials, so you can be sure that they will provide superior braking performance throughout their lifespan.
Just a few of the advantages of NRS Galvanized brake pads are rust resistance, corrosion resistance, less noise and vibration, optimal performance – including a shorter stopping distance, and the 100% recyclable nature of the material. If you’re looking for a durable, environmentally friendly brake pad that will be better for your safety, these will do the trick.
3. Bosch QuietCast™ Premium Disc Brake Pads
Pros
- Excellent stopping power
- Rust & corrosion resistant
Cons
- Some reports of squeaking noise
Bosch brake pads are known for their quality and performance. They are a popular choice among drivers, and Bosch is a trusted brand name. Their brake pads are designed to provide superior stopping power and long lasting durability.
The powder coated backing plates prevent rust and corrosion, giving you as much life as possible out of each brake pad, and the friction material has been fine-tuned for the best performance you can ask for. The high quality bonding between the steel and the rubber core shims will ensure your safety while driving.
4. Akebono Ultra-Premium Brake Pads
Pros
- World automaker supplier
- Low noise and vibration
- Work well in harsh conditions
Cons
- None
Akebono brake pads are known for their high quality and performance. They are the OEM choice for many automakers, and are often specified as Original Equipment by leading carmakers. Akebono is the No. 1 friction supplier in the world, and supplies brake pads to all six of the world’s largest automakers.
These brake pads offer a smooth, reliable, and safe braking experience, even under pressure, and the perfect fit prevents noise and vibration under almost any driving conditions. Designed to meet the needs of each individual vehicle, the Akebono Ultra-Premium brake pads offer extreme compatibility between friction and rotor.
5. Wagner OEX Premium Brake Pads
Pros
- Good warranty
- Great for bigger vehicles
- Longer lifespan
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than other options
There are a few characteristics that make Wagner brake pads stand out from the rest. One of the main reasons Wagner brake pads are so popular is because of the company’s innovative nature. They were one of the first companies to introduce low-metallic brake pads, helping to reduce noise and dust on the road.
Wagner products are also backed by a strong warranty, which gives drivers excellent peace of mind when they install them. And finally, Wagner brake pads are affordable without sacrificing quality, making them an excellent value-for-money option.
6. PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads
Pros
- Affordable
- Consistent wear
- Low noise
Cons
- Not for extreme cold conditions
PowerStop brake pads are known for their stopping power and durability. They are a perfect choice for those who are looking for an affordable brake pad that will provide superior braking performance without sacrificing day-to-day drivability.
The PowerStop Z23 Evolution Sport Carbon-Fiber brake pads are designed to wear evenly, providing you with consistent stopping power throughout the lifespan of the pads. They produce very little dust as they wear, due to PowerStop’s low dust formulation. Add to that dual layer rubberized shims that almost completely cancel noise, and the fact that these are ready for fitting with no modification to your vehicle, these are an excellent option for someone looking for a new set of quieter and smoother brake pads.
7. ACDelco Gold Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Pros
- Established brand
- Strong, premium choice
Cons
- None
ACDelco has been in the business for over 100 years, and they have established themselves as a premium supplier of auto parts around the world. Their brake pads are thoroughly quality tested for stopping power, sound, vibration, and smoothness, as well as durability and longevity.
The ACDelco Gold Semi-Metallic brake pads are a premium option from this brand, known for their reliability due to high bond integrity and high quality shims that reduce noise and harshness. These brake pads are made with steel strands through the friction material, making them stronger, as well as more conductive, so that the heat is directed away from the rotor, lowering the wear on the rest of the braking system.
What to Know Before Buying Brake Pads for Your Car
When you take your car in to have your brake pads replaced, many mechanics will advise you to replace your rotors at the same time. Others will assure you that it is not necessary, and that your rotors can be replaced less often.
Both of these can be true, but both of these parts of the car’s braking system have a significant effect on performance, so if you decide not to replace your rotors at the same time as your brake pads, it is best to be absolutely sure that each of the rotors is evenly worn.
If you do not replace your brake rotors when you replace your pads, and if the rotors are not evenly worn, there is a good chance that your new brake pads will wear down unevenly, which, in turn, affects the wear of the rotors, and you will likely end up needing to replace both earlier than expected.
If, however, your mechanic checks your rotors and assures you that all of them are evenly worn, you may decide to wait until your next brake pad change before replacing your rotors. The risk is simply that the rotors may need replacing before the brake pads do again, and you will have to take your car to the garage twice, rather than only once. This could turn out more expensive that doing both at the same time, or it could just be an annoying disruption to your schedule. Choose wisely.
