The Best Brake Pads

Written by Chace R. in Brakes

*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

In today’s automobiles, safety features are becoming more advanced and sought after than ever before. Everyone wants to feel safe in their vehicle and are always looking to protect their family, friends or any other passengers, but they often overlook the oldest and most important safety feature: the best brake pads.
It doesn’t matter if you have technology that brakes for you if the pads give out, so it is more important than ever to have reliable brake pads available. Below, we will analyze some of the best brake pads currently on the market and give you the information needed to pick out the ideal product for you. 

Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1083 

Almost universally acclaimed as one of the best brake pads available, these brake pads will stop your vehicle consistently and quietly for years with proper installation and maintenance. Constructed to meet the highest industry standards, Wagner’s Thermoquiet QC1083 offers optimal stopping power with minimal noise pollution all at an affordable price. 

Product Specs  

With proprietary friction formulation, these brakes provide a quiet, low-dusting operation and, to make everything even smoother, the brakes use a Dynamic Noise Absorption technology that targets and absorbs vibration at the point of contact. They also feature a thermal-sensitive friction component that adjusts the brakes to different temperatures to ensure optimum braking power in various conditions.

They weigh about 6.3 pounds and measure 5.2 x 8.5 x 2.5 inches, meaning they fit many standard vehicles. For the price, these brakes offer some of the best specs of any ceramic brake pad in the industry. 

Pricing  

Similar brake pads will usually go for around $30+, but this product can be found for about $25 on Amazon or another mainstream car parts retailer, including NAPA Auto or Autozone. While cheaper brake pads are readily available, the Wagner brand is known throughout the industry as being one of the most trusted and reliable brands, which is essential when buying a product that might save your life or your wallet. We would recommend spending the extra money for the Wagner brakes because we believe their durability and effectiveness will save you money in the long term. 



How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how the Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1083 compares and give you the information to decide what brake pads best suit your needs. We ranked each product based on price, assembly time, design quality and warranty while also giving you the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. 

Bosch BC905 QuietCast

ACDelco 14D883CH

Power Stop Z36-1329

Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1083

Price                                           $

This product is one of the most economically efficient options on the market, offering high performance and durability at a reasonable price.

Assembly Time                      4.5/5

This pad is easy to use and assemble for anyone familiar with basic car mechanics and brake pad usage. They are fairly customer friendly, and an online tutorial that teaches you how to install brake pads should be good enough to guide you in applying these pads.
The small deduction is that if you live where roads are salted frequently, expect a hassle removing the pins that hold the pads in position on the caliper. However, their replacements are cheap and easy to find, so it is a minor knock on an otherwise easy assembly process. 

Design Quality                        4/5

This product is well designed and will consistently provide optimal breaking power for many miles with proper installation. However, one knock on the product is they are not consistently the same (some have pads that are closer to the edge of the backing metal plate than the others). These inconsistencies didn’t affect the performance of the product though, so no need to worry if your pads look slightly different, they will still perform the same. 

Warranty                                  3/5

The warranty of the product depends on who you purchase it from. Most common car part retailers will offer a limited lifetime replacement warranty should the product be flawed or improperly installed by one of their experts. Make sure to ask about the warranty when purchasing this product since it isn’t provided by the manufacturer and isn’t consistent among sellers.

Pros

  • Dynamic Noise Absorption technology
  • Thermal-sensitive friction feature
  • Patented Laser-Shaped Friction Technology
  • Integrally Molded Insulator (one-piece design)
  • Excellent braking power

Cons

  • The manufacturer doesn’t provide a warranty
  • Inconsistent design
  • Needs maintenance in areas where roads are frequently salted

You can find this product at:

https://www.amazon.com/Wagner-ThermoQuiet-QC1083-Installation-Hardware/dp/B002VI2YG2/

Bosch BC905 QuietCast

The next product on our list is more expensive than the Wagner Thermoquiet’s but offers similar quality and performance. These brake pads are also ceramic, but they weigh less coming in at only 1 pound each. They measure about 4.9 x 4.1 x 3.4 inches and offer an advanced aerospace alloy used in patented copper free ceramic and a semi-metallic friction formula compliant with 2025 Copper Free legislation.

They also have a protective transfer layer which extends pad and rotor life and slots and chamfers for premium quality, fit, and function. The hardware kit (if available) and synthetic lubricant may be included to help you perform a complete brake job without having to make another stop.

Price (Around $30)                  $$

While more expensive than the previous product on our list, it isn’t overly expensive and offers a decent value.

Assembly Time                      5/5

This brake pad set is easy to install as each QuietCast hardware kit contains everything you need to do the job right. The package also comes with a synthetic lubricant, which should help make everything come together easily and extend the longevity of your brakes. For the most part, this is the only difference between the above product and this one, but each part of the kit can be purchased separately, and the lubricant is unnecessary for proper installation. 

Design Quality                       4/5

The Bosch BC905 features molded shim technology that protects shim attachments and ensures great stability. The OE style multi-layer provides not only decent strength and stability but also insulation against noise. The slots and chamfers are also OE designed, ensuring excellent fit and function. The entire set is engineered, manufactured and tested in North America, which speaks for the quality of the product and the consistency. 



Warranty                                 3/5

Manufacturers’ warranties may not apply in all cases, depending on factors such as the use of the product, where the product was purchased, or who you bought the product from. Please review the warranty carefully and contact the manufacturer if you have questions. The retailer may offer a warranty separate from that of the manufacturer, especially if they handle the installation. 

Pros

  • Engineered, manufactured and tested in North America
  • High stopping power
  • Molded shim technology
  • OE style multi-layer shim construction
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Some customers complained they were too loud or became loud after a little use
  • Not as durable as other pads

You can find this product at:

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-BC905-QuietCast-Premium-Ceramic/dp/B008HZOZ2E/

ACDelco 14D883CH

One of the best-quality disc brake pads on the market, the ACDelco is reliable, durable and easy to install. These pads are ceramic and semi-metallic, ultra-safe and applicable for a wide range of vehicles. They are tested using SAE J2784 standards for braking effectiveness, and its noise, vibration, harshness, durability, and wear are all tested for an assurance of quality, so you know these brakes won’t let you down.

While they are somewhat expensive, they are of superior quality, with exceptional stopping power that will ensure your safety no matter the conditions. They weigh an astonishingly light 8 ounces and measure 8.2 x 6.2 x 2.8 inches.

Price (Around $40)                  $$$

These are some of the most expensive brake pads available and offer a longer lasting and more durable option that people who frequently drive long distances may appreciate.

Assembly Time                       4/5

They are just as easy to install as all the other products on our list but don’t offer the added benefits of the installation kit provided by Bosch. The stamped backing plate allows for proper pad movement within the caliper assembly, reducing noise, brake pulsation and help to protect against premature wear, so if you are in an area where roads are heavily salted, these brakes may be worth the investment as the parts are easier to replace than other products on this list. 
 

Design Quality                        5/5

They test these brakes way more than the other products on our list to ensure that you get consistency in every single item. They are also designed the meet the highest industry standards. We love these brakes, but the cost is too high for most and probably isn’t worth it unless you are frequently traveling long distances or heavily stressing your brakes in various harsh conditions. 



Warranty                                  4/5

Despite advertising the highest level of testing and meeting the industries highest standards, the manufacturer only offers either a 12 or 24-month warranty (unlimited miles) which leaves much to be desired.
However, if you do frequently wear out brakes through frequent use and stress, then this may be a great benefit. As with all the other products on our list, if they are professionally installed or purchased at certain retailers, the warranty may be different so check before buying from your retailer of choice. 

Pros

  • Independently tested to  SAE J2784
  • Great braking power
  • Quiet and low-dusting
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Warranty not as good as we think it could be
You can find this product at:

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-14D883CH-Advantage-Ceramic-Hardware/dp/B004HE554Q/

Power Stop Z36-1329

Driving a fully loaded SUV, truck or towing a trailer puts a high demand on your brakes. This kind of driving can lead to a shorter brake life and the potential for premature failure when you need them the most, but Power Stop has developed these pads that offer enormous braking torque for your SUV or truck, even under a full load.

They designed the Z36 metallic compound on these pads for thermal stability, giving you the confidence to stop under severe conditions. So, whether you drive in the mountains, haul serious loads or tow trailers, you can find consistency and safety with these best brake pads. They weigh a hefty 5.7 pounds and measure 10.2 x 6.1 x 2.6 inches.

Price (About $50)                          $$$

This product is meant only for those who are frequently hauling heavy equipment in an SUV or pickup truck. We included them on the list as an example of what the higher end of brake pads looks like for those that need them to function in the harshest conditions. We don’t recommend these brakes for just everyday use as you would probably just be wasting your money, but they are durable and perform at a high level.


Assembly Time                            3.5/5

Because of their size and weight, these are by far the most difficult pads to install on our list. However, they are also the strongest product we tested and the one we would recommend for anyone who is frequently towing a large load or hauling equipment in a mountainous area. We would also suggest possibly getting a professional installation for this product unless you are experienced at replacing brake pads.
 

Design Quality                              5/5

Well designed and tested, these brakes do everything they say they can do and more. They have a three-year warranty which speaks to the durability, reliability, and strength of these brakes so they won’t give out on you even in the harshest of conditions. 

Warranty                                       4/5

The manufacturer offers a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty. While the mileage may seem low, it is because these pads are often used to carry heavy loads or in harsh conditions, so it is impossible for the manufacturer to guarantee continued usage after many miles of heavy-duty hauling. 

Pros

  • Power Stop Brakes
  • 3-Series Brake Caliper Covers
  • Soul Brakes
  • Ceramic Brake Pads
  • Great for hauling 

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Low Mileage Warranty
You can find this product at:

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Z36-1329-Front-Truck-Brake/dp/B00AMMXA6C/

Best Brake Pads – Conclusion

In conclusion, we would recommend the Wagner ThermoQuiet QC1083 as the best brake pads for those who are looking for the perfect balance of quality, quietness, durability, and price.

Overall, we gave the product a 4.5 out of 5, matching even the much more expensive ACDelco’s, and believe the average car owner will be more than satisfied with the result. If you are interested in any of the best brake pads on our list, then follow the links provided and get the best brake pads for you today. 

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