There is no doubt that brakes are one of the essential components of a vehicle.

Inexpensive but important, brake pads are necessary for your brake system to function efficiently.

However, with so many options in the market, tracking down the right replacement set for your brake pads can be challenging. Sometimes it feels like you need an expert to help you out when looking for a new set in the crowded market.

The fact is that the method of purchasing is much easier than it looks at first glance. Today, all brake pads on the market pass stringent government tests that guarantee a high production degree.

Sizing is very straight forward, and it’s not too difficult to find one that will match your car once you know the specifications you are looking for and how to look for the best. Anything that will fit is easy to find, but finding the right package is a different story.

To help you search for the best pads available, we’ve combed through all products on the market and returned with a list of our top favorites.

  1. Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD1414

The Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD1414 are designed to provide the everyday driver with reliable performance.

With both Organic and semi-Metallic formulations, Duralast brake pads use platform-specific friction materials.

If you are experiencing longer stopping distances or if your brakes are squealing, Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD1414 is a good replacement choice for you.

Features

    • Comprehensive vehicle coverage
    • Reliable stopping performance
    • Single-layer steel shim for noise dampening
    • Powder-coated backing plate to resist corrosion.
    • Ceramic friction formula
  1. Bosch QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set

    The material of construction: Ceramic/Semi-Metallic

    Bosch QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad set is a value-oriented offering meant for daily drivers. The pads are produced from Bosch’s patented ceramic or semi-metallic material that includes a rubber core designed to keep things durable and quiet.

    Bosch is a legendary name, bringing to the market both anti-lock braking and stability control. Like these innovations, the QuietCast pads are not as innovative, but they have some of the most efficient and reliable braking available today.

    The pads come with lubricant and stainless-steel hardware included, a thoughtful Bosch touch that ensures that as soon as the package arrives at your doorstep, you are ready for installation.

    Durability

    Although the Bosch pads are covered in a chemical spray that impregnates the material with a protective coating, the brake pads’ life on these pads is still sub-standard. In most situations, they won’t last as long as the factory-installed pads. With a price in the mid-range budget side, though, you’ll end up saving money in the long run.

    Advantages
    • Stainless steel hardware included
    • Certified copper-free
    • Powerful and consistent braking
    • Budget price beats durability over time
    Disadvantages
    • Less durable than factory pads

    1. Duralast Ceramic Brake Pads D1293

    Duralast Ceramic Brake Pads D1293 is another excellent and highly rated brake pad brand. The reason being, it’s low noise, low vibration, and consistent braking, so you’re sure to get the best and most optimum stopping performance every time for years to come.

    Features

    • Comprehensive vehicle coverage
    • Duralast Official Brakes of NASCAR
    • Reliable stopping performance
    • Single-layer steel shim for noise dampening
    • Powder-coated backing plate to resist corrosion.
    • Ceramic friction formula

    1. Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD704

    Duralast is well known for its good quality products. They won’t disappoint here either. Made ceramic and semi-metallic materials, these brake pads are of excellent quality and excellent stopping power.



    Features

    • Comprehensive vehicle coverage
    • Duralast Official Brakes of NASCAR
    • Reliable stopping performance
    • Single-layer steel shim for noise dampening
    • Powder-coated backing plate to resist corrosion.

     


    1. Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD1774

    The Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD1774 pads are created to provide the everyday driver with reliable performance. With ceramic and anti-metallic formulations. Duralast Semi-Metallic Brake Pads MKD1774 use platform-specific friction materials. These brake pads are suitable for you if your breaks are squealing.

    Features

      • Comprehensive vehicle coverage
      • Reliable stopping performance
      • Single-layer steel shim for noise dampening
      • Powder-coated backing plateto resist corrosion.
      • Semi-Metallic friction formula

     

    When is the right time to change your brake pads?

    Brake pads are designed to last around 20,000 to 65,000 miles of use, depending on what material is used to build them. Your vehicle owner’s manual will probably have an estimated expected lifespan for your particular pads. But since the brake pad’s life expectancy varies a lot depending on what conditions you drive in.

    Here are some other more precise ways to determine whether you need a new set:


    • Illuminated Brake indicator light

    Many vehicles, especially the newer ones, incorporate a low-pad warning system that detects if the brake pad is worn down. this light could indicate a different brake problem, so be sure to read the computer code of your car to make sure that it is your brake pad that needs to be replaced and not some other component


    • Unusual Sounds

    As unusual sound, while braking is one of the first indications that your brake pads are starting to wear out, the sound may differ, but they typically sound like squealing, grinding, or screeching. The sound is caused by a metal pad embedded at the edge of the brake pad with the specific purpose of warning drivers that the pad’s replacement is required.


    • Vibrating Brake Pedal

    It’s essential to get your car off the road as soon as possible when you feel a grinding, rumbling, or vibration when braking. This could mean that you’ve worn your brake pads entirely, and you are now pushing the brake capillary against the brake rotor itself, causing costly damage.


    • Thin Brake Pads

    You can take off your wheel and have a close look at the brake pads themselves to see how much pad material is left if none of the previous indicators have shown up, but you know you are close to needing a new set. The standard procedure says it is necessary to replace anything less than one-quarter inch thick.

    How to Install Brake Pads.

    Video link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6HxORx0g-g  

    While brake pad installation can be intimidating, it is one of the simplest operations to perform on a vehicle. It’s just like changing a tire.

    As with a tire change, to remove the wheel and access the brakes, the car must first be jacked up. Remove the wheel, and it will expose the brake caliper and rotor. The caliper itself must be removed to replace the brake pad; a brake caliper pin that can be removed with a socket wrench will hold it in.

    The pads can be replaced after the clipper is removed. Brake pads with the included fastener slide. If you have some mechanical know-how and are ready to take a crack, go for it! It’s not too complicated, and it can help you save a lot of money.

    Factors to consider when buying brake pads

    One of the most commonly replaced parts in the world of cars is brake pads. They are used every day when a car is on the road to provide the friction needed to slow the car down. As such, they wear out much faster than every cap component, more or less. Below are some of the key things to consider if you are looking for replacement brake pads for your vehicle.

    1. You should know your types of brake pads.

    There are four main types of brake pads available so that you can find appropriate replacements, and it is important to know in advance which type your vehicle is equipped with. It’s always important to consult with the specialist if you are unsure of what you are looking for.

     

 

  1. You should know your types of brake pads.

There are four main types of brake pads available so that you can find appropriate replacements, and it is important to know in advance which type your vehicle is equipped with. It’s always important to consult with the specialist if you are unsure of what you are looking for.

 

  • Semi-metallic

Semi-metallic brake pads contain 35-65 percent metal and are very durable, offering exceptional heat transfer. However, they can also be noisy, damage the rotor, and be less effective in cold weather.

  • Organic, non-asbestos organic or NAO

These pads are made up of fibrous materials like rubber, carbon, or glass, which are quieter than semi-metallic alternatives. However, because they are softer, they tend to wear out faster and create more dust.

  • Low-metallic NAO

These pads are designed to assist with heat transfer and breaking speeds. They are usually made of an organic formula with a small mix metal, such as steel or copper. These pads work efficiently, but more metal in the formula means they generate more noise and dust.

  • Ceramic

The most effective brake pads are mostly made of ceramic fibers. Generally, they are quiet and clean while doing minimal damage to the rotors. The downside, inevitably, is that they are more expensive.

It may be possible to have a higher quality brake pad installed on certain occasions. However, to make sure that’s the case with your car, it is important to consult with an expert.

  1. What brake pads do you need for your car?

Knowing the different common types of brake pads is a step in the right direction. Next, it is crucial to identify the most suitable pad for your vehicle type, as choosing the wrong type could have disastrous consequences.

The type of vehicle driven is one of the biggest influences on your choice of brake pad characteristics:

  • Light or compact cars

A small or compact vehicle doesn’t require as much force to bring it to a stop.  Organic brake pads should provide the stopping power you need, producing little noise and a very slight expense.  The only downside is a potential for brake dust build-up demanding a ceramic pad replacement down the line.

  • Medium-sized cars

With increased size, more stopping power is required. A low metallic NAO, at the potential cost of more noise, would be recommended. However, more costly ceramic pads would make a good fit.

  • High acceleration or sports cars

Any car with rapid acceleration needs to be able to decelerate at an equally impressive rate. As a result, a semi-metallic or high-performance ceramic set of brake pads is recommended to provide the necessary stopping power.

  • Heavy-duty vehicles – lorries, vans, SUVs

The considerably higher weight of large vehicles requires a braking power boost. It is recommended to have brake pads with more metal content. The more metal in the formula, the more effective braking should be. Upgraded or heavy-duty pads may be noisy, but they will keep you safe on the road.

  • What brake pads to buy?

While the above recommendations for each type of vehicle should be used to help guide your decision, there are some other things to consider.

Choosing a brake pad is often a question of choosing priorities and compromising accordingly. The noisiest and dustiest may be the best pad that provides the best braking performance. You may want pads that decrease the amount of noise generated, but as rotors are worn down, the softer material will likely lead to more frequent replacements. Ultimately, no single brake pad can be all things to all cars. Manufactures always keep their brake pad formulas a trade secret instead of providing a range of pads for each vehicle application.

However, you should not be fooled into believing that the decision is a simple case of better vs. best or good. If they do not meet the correct standards for the driving you are involved in, the most expensive brake pads on the market may not make your car any safer. Before committing, consider the routes your car takes and the weight your car routinely carries and seek expert advice where you can.

Conclusion

One of the most significant components of your vehicle is your brakes. Brake pads are what make it possible for your vehicle to slow down and stop on command, so you’ll want to have the best possible brake pads for your driving style.

It is essential that you have good brake pads installed and maintain them at all times to keep your vehicle both functional and safe. When you want to ensure the best performance, you can’t automatically go for the cheapest set of brake pads.

At some point, you will eventually have to decide what level of maintenance your car or truck needs, especially when it comes to parts that wear out regularly. The good news is that there is an incredible number of choices for brake pads and brake shoes. So, it should be relatively easy to find ones that suit your car, your wallet, and your driving pattern.