Out of all the components of the braking system, brake pads need the most attention because they will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Because they come in pairs, both pads will need to be replaced even if only one shows signs of failure.
Getting a brake pad set is an easy and cost-effective solution to replacing worn brake pads. Each set typically has four individual brake pads, enough for a pair of wheels.
Need brake discs to go with the pads? Check out SureStop® front and rear OE replacement brake disc and pad kits. SureStop® is a leader in high-performing yet affordable replacement brakes that meet strict OE quality standards for the ultimate in safety and performance. These brakes are bolt-on ready and provide premium, low-to-no-dust stopping power.
7 Best Brands for Brake Pad Sets
To help you shop for a new brake pad set, we’ve listed down the six best brands (and a specific brake pad series that we recommend) on the market today:
- SureStop®
- Powerstop® Z16 Evolution Ceramic Series
- Centric® Premium Series
- Beck Arnley® Foreign Branded Series
- Crown®
- StopTech® Street Series
- EBC® Ultimax Series
SureStop OE Replacement Brake Pads
Brake pads and discs go hand in hand, which is why most professionals recommend replacing your brake discs when installing new pads. If you decide to go this route, SureStop is the perfect brand for getting the full job done. SureStop’s OE replacement brake pads are available in complete brake disc and pad kits, engineered to provide premium, consistent braking performance right out of the box. They’re a perfect fit for both your daily driver and your wallet.
Key Features:
- Brake pad surfaces are thermal scorched for fast break-in
- Guaranteed fitment and easy installation
- Environmentally friendly
- Low-dust formula, keeping wheels clean and reducing wear and tear
- Textured multi-layer shims reduce noise and vibration for a smooth, quiet commute
- Full steel jacket alloy
- Machined mounts
- OE-style slots and chamfers for clean, quiet stopping
- Sold as a kit with brake discs included for a convenient, one-stop-shop solution
Our Score: 10/10
PowerStop Z16 Evolution Ceramic Series Brake Pad Set
The second brand on our list is PowerStop, which is best known for its innovative brake parts and accessories. PowerStop brake pads are designed for noise-free braking. They come with dual rubber backed shims, which reduce noise six times better than plain steel shims.
With 20 percent more stopping power and OE positive mold technology, these ceramic brake pads are a must-have. Z16 Evolution Ceramic brake pads are affordable stock replacements for your vehicle.
Key Features:
- Manufactured to meet OE specifications
- Features a true ceramic formula for maximum performance
- Surfaces are thermal-scorched for fast break-in and smooth usage
- Guaranteed fit and easy installation
- 30-day or 500-mile PowerStop limited warranty (excludes wear and tear or race use)
Our Score: 9/10
Centric Premium Series Brake Pad Set
Centric sets the standard for quality and innovation in braking technology. The brand offers products designed for the street and track and has earned industry honors for developing innovative brake technology.
The Centric Premium Series is a testament to its innovative approach to producing brake system parts and accessories.
Key Features:
- Brake pad sets offer high-friction performance
- Molded according to OE standards
- Prevents vibration with built-in gas slots, chamfers, and shims
- Scorched to remove contaminants and enhance pad break-in
- 60-day or 3,000-mile Centric limited warranty
Our Score: 9/10
Beck Arnley Foreign Branded Series Brake Pad Set
The Beck Arnley Foreign Series offers brake pads with over 9,000 applications for Asian and European vehicles. You’ll find a wide selection of ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic brake pad sets from this brand.
Key Features:
- Manufactured according to OE specifications
- Made from top-quality materials for superior durability and performance
- Molded with no rough edges to ensure exact fit
- Chamfered and slotted for better longevity
- Post-cured to avoid break-in
- Sets are easy to install
- 1-year or 12,000-mile Beck Arnley limited warranty
Our Score: 9/10
Crown Brake Pad Set
Crown Automotive is the premier manufacturer of quality replacement parts for Jeep CJ, Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, and Commander.
It is the go-to for durable and highly reliable brake pads for Jeep vehicles.
Key Features:
- Made from ceramic, steel, or semi-metallic material
- Guaranteed direct fit for easy installation
- Some brake pad sets may include disc brakes and slippers
- 1-year or 12,000-mile Crown limited warranty
Our Score: 9/10
StopTech Street Series Brake Pad Set
StopTech Street Select Brake Pads provide superior stopping power and reliability for passenger cars and light trucks. The brand offers brake pad sets that provide exceptional stopping performance while reducing noise and dust.
Key Features:
- Made from aramid fiber
- Dyno-tested for optimum operation and longer service life
- Low-dust friction formula delivers peak efficiency and stopping power
- Guaranteed direct fit for easy installation
- Designed for daily drivers and touring
- StopTech 60-day limited warranty
Our Score: 9/10
EBC Ultimax Series Brake Pad Set
EBC is an aftermarket parts brand known for high-performing and meticulously engineered brake system parts. The EBC Ultimax Series, in particular, is known for its line of silent brake pads.
These brake pads have beveled edges and factory-fitted shims to minimize braking noise. The chamfered rim also prevents edge lifting to protect against corrosion and avoid pad separation.
Key Features:
- Manufactured to OE specifications
- Unique break-in surface coating for near-instant bedding
- Designed with a center-line slot to prevent heat cracks
- Features a unique mix of synthetic and metallic fibers for smooth braking
- Shims included in some sets
- Guaranteed direct fit for easy installation
- 1-year or 10,000-mile EBC warranty (wear and tear or race use not covered)
Our Score: 8/10
Our Recommendation
We recommend SureStop brake pad sets because they match similar products by major manufacturers in terms of quality and performance but they are available at a more affordable price. You won’t have any problems installing these brake components because they have guaranteed fit right out of the box. The pads are sold as a kit with brake discs included, so you’ll have all the parts you need in each set, and you can start the replacement job right away.
Types of Brake Pads
There are four types of brake pads categorized by their material. These are organic, ceramic, metallic, and semi-metallic brake pads.
Organic Brake Pads
Organic brake pads replaced the early, hazardous brake pads made from asbestos. They are made from a combination of rubber, glass, resin, and cellulose. Because they are softer and wear out faster, they are commonly used in small and light vehicles.
Ceramic Brake Pads
Ceramic brake pads are lightweight. They perform well and provide excellent braking performance. They are made from a mix of ceramic fibers, filler materials, and copper fibers. They also produce less dust and last longer than most brake pad types. However, these tend to cost more than the other types.
Metallic Brake Pads
Standard metal brake pads are perfect for vehicles that need a great amount of stopping power. They are made from a combination of bonded copper, steel, iron, and graphite. However, these brake pads are not ideal if you’re driving a high-performance vehicle. Metal brake pads are also heavier than products made from other materials.
Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Modern vehicles usually have semi-metallic brake pads. They are made from a combination of metal and synthetic materials, which are bonded with an organic resin. Semi-metallic brake pads are highly resistant to thermal damage and wear. They also produce less friction than the other types of brake pads.
What to Consider When Looking for a Brake Pad Set
Choosing a replacement brake pad set can be difficult due to the variety of options available. Simply knowing which brands to consider may not be enough. To help you arrive at a decision, here are some factors you need to keep in mind when in the market for a new brake pad set.
Application
Always check for compatibility before purchasing a brake pad set for your vehicle. Getting a set that’s designed for your ride’s specific year, make, and model guarantees a perfect fit and easy installation.
Quality
As part of your vehicle’s braking system, your replacement brake pads should be guaranteed safe to use and resistant against premature wear. This will ensure that your vehicle remains capable of slowing down and coming to a stop to avoid road accidents.
Cost
The cost of a brake pad set replacement depends on its brand and intended location. Aftermarket brake pad sets may cost anywhere between $20 and $200. Prices will also vary depending on whether you need a 2-wheel or 4-wheel set.
Best Brake Pad Sets Recommended for:
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