Although the Brembo nameplate is widely associated with performance calipers, it’s also a manufacturer of some of the best brake pads available. Designed for high-end performance on street legal vehicles, Brembo brake pads eliminate squealing and vibrations while also offering durability.
With this mix of features, Brembo brake pads are the perfect aftermarket component for a safe, fun, and exciting driving experience.
Comparison of the Best Brembo Brake Pads
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Who is Brembo?
Founded in 1961, Brembo is an Italian manufacturer of brake parts used by performance drivers across the globe. The name itself is a combination of its original founders (Breda and Emilio Bombassei), but today, the brand is synonymous with unbeatable braking performance. Today, the company makes annual revenues of around $500 million together with a sizable staff of nearly 11,000 employees.
Although the Brembo brand is the most famous, the company also manufactures aftermarket car parts through a variety of names. This list includes:
- AP Racing – high-end brake components for racing
- Breco – brake discs and drums
- Brembo Racing – aftermarket brake parts for motorcycle and vehicle racing
- ByBre – brakes for motorcycles and scooters
- Marchesini – alloy wheels for motorcycles
Through each one of these product lines, drivers, mechanics, and DIYers can find an excellent aftermarket option to meet their style and budget.
Review of the Best Brembo Brake Pads
If you’re a performance enthusiast with a moderate-to-aggressive driving style, Brembo brakes are sure to have a product to suit your needs. So whether you’re leaning toward value or pure braking power, here are two of the highest-rated Brembo brake pads:
Best Overall:Brembo Low-Met Brake Pads
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PROS
- No brake noise or squeaking
- Superior brake feel with no fading
- Excellent bite, even in cold weather
- Shorter stopping distances thanks to low-met construction
- Works well with premium (sport and luxury) European vehicles
CONS
- Users report high amounts of brake dust on wheels
- May not have options for some Asian or American cars
What Type of Brake Pad is This?
Brembo Low-Met Brake Pads are a semi-metallic formulated brake pad that uses engineered friction materials. This allows the brake pad to operate at peak levels without the need for warming up.
What Type of Driving Are These Best For?
Designed for performance street driving or aggressive driving, Brembo Low-Met Brake Pads provide premium stopping power over high and low speeds. In addition, these brake pads are ideal for braking situations with cold brakes thanks to the semi-metallic formula.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
If you’re looking for a more balanced braking approach or don’t need the superior stopping power, Brembo NAO Brake Pads may be the better option. Budget-conscious drivers may also find the price point of NAO brake pads more to their liking.
Bottom Line
Drivers looking for increased performance will find Brembo Low-Met Brake Pads check every box. When paired with Brembo rotors and calipers, this trifecta of brake components is on the high end of the braking system spectrum. However, these brakes may be overkill for everyday driving purposes.
Runner-up:Brembo NAO Brake Pads
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PROS
- Works on most Asian and American vehicles
- Multi-layer shims reduce vibrations and noise
- Low amount of brake dust keeps wheels clean
- Non-asbestos-organic construction for less brake noise
- Reduced friction wear leads to more durability and a longer life span
CONS
- Some users report brake squealing at slow speeds
- Some users report high amounts of wear in a short time
What Type of Brake Pad is This?
Brembo NAO Brake Pads are a non-asbestos-organic brake pad that balances comfort and compressibility with reduced disc wear over time.
What Type of Driving Are These Best For?
As a result of its lower amounts of brake dust and high comfort, these brake pads are ideal for everyday drivers and commuters. Moreover, the acceptable noise levels provide a bonus to drivers of luxury vehicles who want quiet braking performance.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
For everyday driving, Brembo NAO Brake Pads are the perfect match. However, the improved pedal feels and fade performance of Brembo Low-Met Brake Pads are a better option for drivers of sports cars or premium performance vehicles.
Bottom Line
Drivers who don’t want to clean their wheels every few days while still enjoying above-average braking performance will find Brembo NAO Brake Pads to meet their daily driving requirements. Conversely, fast or aggressive drivers should lean toward the advanced stopping power of low-met brake pads.
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What Makes Brembo Brake Pads Stand Out From the Competition?
With a rich history of high-performance products, Brembo brake pads follow suit, providing some of the best braking power among aftermarket components. The key to Brembo’s quality lies in the materials used in the construction of the brake pads. With specially formulated brake pad formulas, the company provides superior performance with low amounts of wear—a one-two punch that few other aftermarket parts can offer.
To put your mind at ease, Brembo provides a two-year limited warranty that, as well as a 60-day warranty that covers manufacturer’s defects.
Wilwood vs. Brembo – Comparison Overview
Founded in 1977, Wilwood is an American competitor of Brembo. The company predominantly makes aftermarket OEM-engineered braking parts for high-performance vehicles with a particular focus on old-school hot rods. On the other hand, Brembo has more than 15 extra years in the industry—a testament to Brembo’s superior braking products for both track-ready and street-legal vehicles.
Calipers
In the aftermarket caliper industry, Wilwood is one of Brembo’s largest competitors. However, the two companies have some major differences. While Wilwood focuses on lower pricing and lightweight brake calipers, Brembo steers toward long-lasting performance at a premium price. Plus, Wilwood has all but cornered the caliper aftermarket for older vehicles; Brembo focuses on aftermarket calipers for newer models.
Brake Pads
With a more comprehensive approach to brake pads, Wilwood has several offerings to suit various driving styles and budgets. They also come in numerous thicknesses for different types of vehicles. Although Brembo only has two brake pad products, they provide two distinct braking styles for drivers. This effectively takes some of the guesswork out of choosing the right brake pad—especially for novice mechanics and drivers.
StopTech vs. Brembo – Comparison Overview
StopTech is another Brembo competitor that offers brake kits or separate brake pads for different types of drivers. In a head-to-head comparison, Brembo has a distinct advantage based on the overall industry. Founded in 1999, StopTech is still a trusted name, but it lacks the brand prestige found in Brembo products.
A Breakdown of Brake Pads
Although StopTech and Brembo have similar products overall, the two companies also have some distinct differences in their brake pad lineups. Brembo offers two brake pad lines while StopTech boasts five different types suited to different types of drivers. StopTech’s products include:
- Sport Brake
- Street Brake Select
