Best Brake Pads Review 2025: Top Picks for Cars & Trucks

Last Updated on March 21, 2025

If you’ve been struggling to find the best brake pads, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what makes a brake pad reliable, and we’ve curated a list of the top-rated brake pads of 2025—perfect for both beginners and experienced drivers.

Related: Best Brake Rotors Reviews

Why Brake Pads Matter?

Brake failure is one of the leading causes of road accidents. Unfortunately, many drivers overlook the importance of brake pads, which are a vital part of the braking system. Whether you’re driving a high-performance sports car or a daily commuter, having durable, high-quality brake pads is crucial.

🚗 High-quality brake pads:

• Provide strong stopping power
• Last longer than low-quality alternatives
• Are quieter and produce less dust

On the other hand, cheap brake pads may:

• Wear out quickly
• Cause noisy braking
• Leave behind brake dust

So, what are the best brake pads for cars and trucks in 2025? Let’s explore your top options.

Our Top 3 Recommended Best Brake Pads Comparison Table

Top 5 Best Brake Pads – Detailed Reviews 2025

If you’re new to choosing brake pads, don’t worry—we’ll walk you through the most important factors to consider, such as performance, material, noise level, and durability.

The market is flooded with different brands and types of brake pads, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the marketing claims. That’s why we’ve analyzed user reviews, expert feedback, and product features to bring you the best braking pads for 2025.

Here’s what you’ll find in this guide:

• The top brake pad brands trusted by drivers
• Pros and cons of each product
• Key features and compatibility for various vehicles

Whether you drive a sedan, SUV, or pickup truck, we’ve got the best brake pads recommendations to match your needs. Let’s get into our top picks!

Akebono ACT905 ProACT Ultra-premium ceramic brake pad (Our Top Pick)

Akebono is one of the most treasured brands when it comes to efficient braking systems. It is a high performing brake pads with smooth braking. It is quiet in operation and has low dusting. In normal driving conditions, it performs outstandingly and has a variety of pads for different cars. With its expert experience of more than 75 years, you can count on their pads. Akebono ACT905 is one of the best ceramic brake pads for the money!

Technical Features of Akebono ACT905 Brake Pad Kit:

Features	Actron CP9670
Ultimate upgrade:	for OE semi-metallic, organic and low-metallic brake pads
Extremely rotor friendly:	Yes
Ultra-Quiet:	Yes
Vehicle optimized ceramic formula :	Yes
Low Dusting:	Yes
Smooth Braking:	Yes
Vehicle-Optimized Formulations :	Yes
Pads available:	400
Braking Expertise:	more than 75 years
Exterior:	Machined
Safety Rating:	DOT Certified
Dimensions:	6.5 x 3.7 x 3.2 inches
Weight:	1.77 pounds

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Main features:

• Smooth braking
• Ultra-quiet
• Low dusting
• Vehicle optimized formulations
• Enhanced durability
• Great and knowledgeable braking expertise

Pros:

• It operates silently without making the funny loud noise made by some brands
• The brakes are of high quality and offer a significantly improved pad wear performance in normal driving conditions.
•  Akebono ACT905 help to lower or get rid of dusting
• They are very efficient in performance as they offer consistent and smooth stopping power over different driving conditions.
• They are built to meet the specific OE quality, fit, and performance needs of your car.

StopTech 309.10010 Street best performance brake pads

For those looking for brake pad sets for stopping a car in both hot and cold environments, this is the ideal pad. StopTech 309.10010 is a high-performing pad with even pad wear. It is silent in operation and has a low dust formulation. The factory fit makes setting it up on your vehicle to be easy and fast. Use it in your car if you want to have strong stopping power.

Technical Features of StopTech 309.10010 Street Performance Front Brake Pad:

Features	StopTech 309.10010
Perfect for:	spirited street and light track use
Front pad set:	Yes
High-temperature compound:	Yes
Rotor-friendly:	Yes
Low Dusting:	Yes
Precision-cut backing plates:	Yes
Functions in hot and cold temperature:	Yes
Factory fit:	Yes
Does not fit:	2008 Subaru Impreza WRX
Exterior:	Machined
Dimensions:	6.3 x 4.1 x 3.2 inches
Weight:	4.65 pounds

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Main features:

• Front pad set
• High-temperature compound
• Low dust formulation
• Even pad wear
• Functions in hot and cold temperatures
• Factory fit

Pros:

• Have a low dust formulation that keeps the wheels cleaner
• Can perform in both cold and warm environments
• These braking pads are very quiet in operation.
• They are created with a factory fit which makes fixing them yourself to be easy
• They have outstanding stopping power.

Wagner ThermoQuiet QC465A ceramic disc pad set with installation hardware

Wagner is another top brand with high-quality brake pads. The Wagner brake pads are quiet in operation and lower dust. The Wagner ThermoQuiet QC465A ceramic disc pad is an effective braking pad. It is long-lasting and made of ceramic. Furthermore, it has great stopping power that makes it be desirable for use in high traffic areas. Also, it is comprehensive in nature as it covers both domestic and foreign cars.

Technical Features of Wagner ThermoQuiet Ceramic Disc Pad QC465A:

Features	Wagner C465A
Perfect for:	covers both domestic and foreign cars
Superior Stopping Power:	Yes
Longer Pad Life:	Yes
Rotor-friendly:	Yes
Low Dusting:	Yes
One Piece Brake Pad:	Yes
Integrally molded sound insulator:	Yes
Quieter:	Yes
Dimensions:	8.5 x 5.3 x 2 inches
Weight:	3.04 pounds

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Main features:

• Longer lasting
• Ceramic disc pad
• Integrally molded sound insulator
• Less dust
• Comprehensive coverage
• Quieter
• Great stopping power

Pros:

• They perform silently
• They are durable and provide a longer pad life
• Wagner QC465A have excellent stopping power
• They are made of ceramic pas which is great in normal driving conditions
• They assist in lowering or eliminating dust

Bosch BC905 QuietCast Premium disc brake pad set

Bosch is a notable brand and can be found in most of the vehicles in the United States. It covers domestic, Asian and European cars. With more than 70 years in this field, you can rely on Bosch pads to offer you high performance when it comes to barking. That’s why it is the best brake pad for trucks.

Technical Features of Bosch BC905 QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Pad:

Features	Bosch BC905
Quiet operation:	Yes
Copper Free:	Yes
Ceramic and Semi-Metallic:	Yes
Ceramic Upgrade:	Yes
Hardware included (where required):	Yes
Platform Specific:	Yes
Multi-layer rubber shim:	Yes
Advance Aerospace Alloy:	Yes
Dimensions:	4.9 x 4.1 x 3.4 inches
Weight:	1 pound

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Main features:

• Molded shim technology
• Compliant with 2025 copper-free legislation
• OE style rubber core shim
• Quiet operation
• Electronic stability
• Pads individually wrapped
• Antilock braking technology

Pros:

• It is very silent in operation
• Bosch is very experienced in this field, and thus, they provide quality pads.
• It covers a wide range of cars from domestic, Asian, and European cars.
• It is very durable

ACDelco 17D785CH Professional ceramic front disc brake

AcDelco 17D785CH is a powerful braking pad for an effective braking system. It is durable and operates quietly. In addition, it is of a factory fit and very simple to install. It has a low dust package and a high-quality braking power that enable even fast racing cars to a perfect stop. This covers different types of cars and is a great choice for many. This ceramic front disc is one of the best-rated brake pads!
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Technical Features of ACDelco 17D785CH Premium Disc Brake Pad Sets:

Features	ACDelco 17D785CH
Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH):	Yes
Copper Free:	Yes
Ceramic, semi-metallic, and organic formulas:	Yes
Premium shims, slots, and chamfers:	Yes
Stamped backing plate:	Yes
High-Quality Baking Powder:	Yes
Low Dust Package:	Yes
engineered to OE expectations:	Yes
Dimensions:	8.2 x 6.2 x 2.8 inches
Weight:	5.3 pounds

Main features:

• Long-lasting ceramic formulation
• Noise dampening shims
• Are the factory fit
• High-quality braking power
• Low dust package

Pros:

• They are very durable and will serve the user for a long period of time
• ACDelco 17D785CH have a low dust package for easy maintenance
• They are factory fit for easy installation by DIYers
• They don’t make noise while in use

Types of brake pads

1. Ceramic

Usually, ceramic brake pads are made of ceramic fibers, nonferrous filer materials, bonding agents, and perhaps some small amount of metal. They are lighter in color but a bit costly than other types of brake pads. Also, they are cleaner and more silent in operation. They provide excellent barking attributes without wearing down the rotors. Here you may check the good brake rotors list.

2. Semimetallic

This is made of about 30 to 65 percent metal, mostly made of chopped steel wool or wire, iron powder, copper, or graphite combined with organic fillers and friction modifiers that bond all the ingredients together. Also, they are very long-lasting and have outstanding heat transfer, but as well wear down rotors quickly. Furthermore, it might be noisy and may not perform well in low temperatures.

3. Low-metallic NAO

This is created from an organic formula combined with small amounts of copper or steel to assist with heat transfer and offer better braking. With the added metal, there is more brake dust and they might be a bit noisier than other types.

4. Nonasbestos organic

At times, they are referred to as organic or NAO, this kind of pad is made from fibers like rubber, Kevlar, glass, and carbon, with filler materials and high-temperature resins. These pads are softer and make less noise. But also, they wear very quickly and form more dust.

Factors to consider when choosing brake pads

• Features

The first thing to consider in a quality braking system is the features. There are different types of brake pads created with varying features. A powerful brake will have great stopping power, lower noise, and prolong the life of your rotor and other brake parts. Features to look for include slot for friction, clips & springs, pad & wear sensors, metal plates, and pad wear indicators. Ensure the brake pad you acquire has these features for optimal performance.

• Quality

Stay away from used pads as they are not as effective as brand new ones from top brands. Also, avoid going for the low-quality and cheap brake pads as they won’t offer the same performance as the more advanced and quality pads. Don’t gamble your life as they may mean life and death.

• Compatibility

There are different wheel makes that need different braking pads. When choosing a brake pad, ensure that it is compatible with your car wheels so that you don’t end up making a grave mistake. To b just certain, make use you check the user’s manual that came with your car to make the right choice. Also, don’t fit the brake pads the wrong way as this might be dangerous for you and other motorists when the braking system fails.

• Driving patterns

Depending on the type of driving that you engage in, it will determine the best kind of braking pads that suit your driving needs. For instance, individuals who usually pull heavy loads should use ceramic or metallic brake pad sets. But for normal driving within the city, an organic or semimetallic brake is great for use. So, if you brake hard during driving or pull off emergency brakes most of the time, you should as well get the right brakes for your car.

• Weather

The weather of the area we live in also plays a huge role in the kind of braking pads that we use. If you stay in a hot climate and utilize cold climate brakes, this may be dangerous as they may fail to perform as needed. Check the weather the brake pads are best suited for before acquiring them. This is extremely important. If you don’t know which braking pads are best for your car, consult a professional mechanic for a way forward and to help you make the right decision.

• Safety

The most important safety system on your car is your braking system. So, ensure that you have the most effective and efficient braking system in place. Whether you drive a truck or car on a daily basis, you need a very reliable and consistent braking system in place. For normal use, stock brakes are okay, but for added safety, performance brakes are the best.

• Performance

For individuals who like driving at high speeds or have racing cars, they need to make their brakes to be a priority. Brakes are very crucial and the more efficient and effective they are, the better. So, such individuals should have high-performing brakes so that they can stop the car at high speed. Braking at high speed creates a lot of heat, which brings about diminished performance and a higher chance of warped and damaged motors.

• Brand

Who makes the best brake pads? There are various sets of braking pad brands to pick from. Not every brand has high-performing brake pads, as some have low-quality pads while others have high-quality pads. Always consider buying a barking pad that will give you the safety that you eagerly need at all times when driving. Don’t go for the low-quality brands, as this might mean compromising your life. So, what’s the best brake pads brand? Some of the notable brands to buy your baking system include Wagner, Akebono, Bosch, Stop tech, AcDelco, Brembo, and many others.

• Price

For the best and most efficient braking system, you need to acquire the best quality. To do that, you will have to spend a few more bucks to get such a braking system. There are as well some lowly priced braking pads on the market. It’s better for you to spend and be sure with your barking mechanism than go for an inferior product that might risk your life altogether.

When is the best time to replace your car brake pads?

• When there is a clicking noise from the pads – if you apply your brakes and hear a clicking noise, this is a great indicator that you need to change the braking pads. This noise is usually brought about by the small metal ship that surrounds the brake pads, which creates an unpleasant sound.
• Vibration from the braking pad – in case you apply your brakes and feel constant grabbing and vibrations, this is a good sign that your brakes have worn out and need replacement. The brake pad becomes worn out as a result of heat. So, the moment you feel vibrations, you should change your brakes quickly.
• Too thin brake pad – check your brake pads from time to time. When you see that you have very thin braking pads, this is a good indication that they need to be replaced instantly. Especially when you see less than a quarter-inch of them, you should act fast before it’s too late.
• A grinding sound – another simple indication that your brake pads need to be replaced is when you hear a growing or grinding sound when you apply brakes. This shouldn’t be taken lightly and when you here such sounds constantly, buy new brake pads and fix them. This grinding sound is caused by the brake disc and caliper grinding together.
• Screeching sound – Last but not least, a screeching sound. The moment a driver applies the brake and hears a high-pitched screeching sound, this should be enough sign to tell them that they need to make a replacement of their barking pads. This awful sound is normally caused by a small shin surrounding the brake pads.

Conclusion

One of the most important sections of your car is its braking system. The braking pads being a part of that system, you should ensure you get the best quality for efficient and proper stopping of the car at any time. Acquire a braking pad that has advanced features, performs well, produces less noise and is very efficient in use. Always choose a pad that is meant for your weather, and it should also be suitable for your car. Brands as well matter as there are those that are known to offer long-lasting and high performing braking pad sets and you should look at the price too. Avoid inferior brands with low-quality brakes that may put your life in jeopardy. If you want to read brake pads rules and regulation then check here.

I hope you’ve found our review and guide concerning the best braking pads to be of great help to you. As per now, you can go ahead and make an informed decision on acquiring the best brake pads set for your car.

The Best Brake Pads FAQs

1. What are brake pads and how do they work?

Brake pads are essential components of your vehicle’s braking system. They apply pressure to the brake rotors, creating friction that slows down or stops the vehicle when you press the brake pedal.

2. How can I tell if my brake pads need replacing?

Common signs include:

• Squealing or screeching noises
• Reduced braking performance
• Vibration or grinding sounds when braking
• Indicator light on the dashboard (in some vehicles)

3. What types of brake pads are available?

There are three main types:

• Ceramic Brake Pads – Quiet, long-lasting, and produce less dust
• Semi-Metallic Brake Pads – Durable and offer strong braking power, but may be noisy
• Organic Brake Pads – Softer and quieter, but wear out faster

4. How often should brake pads be replaced?

Most brake pads need replacement every 30,000 to 70,000 miles, depending on your driving habits, vehicle type, and brake pad material.

5. Can I replace brake pads myself?

Yes, with basic mechanical skills and the right tools, you can replace brake pads at home. However, if you’re not confident or experienced, it’s safer to have a professional mechanic do the job.

6. Which brake pads last the longest?

Ceramic brake pads generally last the longest due to their high heat resistance and durability. However, longevity also depends on your driving style and environment.

7. Are expensive brake pads worth it?

Higher-quality brake pads often provide better stopping power, last longer, and produce less noise and dust. They’re usually worth the investment, especially for performance or daily-driven vehicles.

8. Do new brake pads need to be broken in?

Yes, new brake pads go through a process called “bedding-in” to ensure optimal performance. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper break-in.