Brembo Brake Pads Review – A 2021 Guide

| Last Updated: December 29, 2021

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

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Stopping Power: Strong stopping power, improved further with Brembo rotors
  • Dust: Strong material keeps dust down and lifespan up
  • Noise: Less noise-focused than NAO variant, but still very low noise.
View Latest Price →
  • Stopping Power: Brembo's best street all-around pad handles a wide temperature range
  • Dust: Low dust, and lighter color shows up less on wheels
  • Noise: No noise on most applications thanks to a high performance street formula
View Latest Price →

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

Brembo P85075 Disc Brake Pad Set

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

Brembo P56048N Rear Disc Brake Pad

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.

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:

  • Tactical Police Duty
  • Sport Brake
  • Street Brake
  • Street Brake Select
  • Racing

Like Brembo, each of these has different prices and applications to suit various types of driving styles. Nevertheless, Brembo brake pads provide excellent stopping with little noise, as well as less reported brake dust and a longer life span than StopTech alternatives.

A Final Stop on Brembo Brakes

With only two brake pad choices, Brembo provides a simple, no-brainer solution for your aftermarket brake pad needs. All you need to decide is whether you prefer a high-performance or more balanced approach to braking, and Brembo does the rest of the work. Either way, you’ll be satisfied with the durability, safety, and performance of one of the world’s most-trust brake parts companies.

People Also Ask

While Brembo’s storied history and commitment to quality speak for themselves, you may have a few other questions or concerns about the Italian brand. Here is the most common question that people also ask about Brembo.

Where Are Brembo Brakes Made?

As part of the company’s quality control standards, Brembo makes all of their brakes at company-owned facilities. These factories are up to ISO standards, ensuring excellent engineering, manufacturing, and testing on each of their brake pads.

All Brembo brake parts, including brake pads, are produced for the North American market in either Homer, Michigan, or Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Brembo makes all of its parts for the rest of the world at its foundries in Stezzano, Italy.

Who Chose These Products?

Our Product Expert

Steve has been maintaining and modifying vehicles for over ten years. He grew up like most of us did: progressing from Hot Wheels & Legos to racing games like Gran Turismo, eventually taking everything apart just to see what made it tick. His career path was pretty clear early on!

Steve is currently a Certified Auto Repair Technician who graduated top of his class; he's rebuilt engines, transmissions, suspension, and everything in between. Steve also runs his own Youtube production covering hot automotive topics called Cars Simplified. He currently terrorizes the streets of New England in an iconic American classic: the Pontiac GTO.

Who Wrote This Article?

Our Automotive Journalist

Damaso holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is an avid journalist for all things automotive. He has over 25 years of experience reporting on topics ranging from DIY jobs, technological analysis, automotive news, and more. He is a wealth of information and a valued member of our team.

Damaso has been in the automotive world since he was 14 years old and his father decided to bought an auto repair shop. Years later, his passion for electronics, computers, and automotive mechanics motivated him to graduate in Mechanical Engineering and venture into the sales of automotive equipment. For years Damaso worked as a technical advisor assisting car dealerships, tire shops, and even the plants of Toyota and Mitsubishi that operate in his country. He has over 25 years of experience reporting on topics ranging from DIY jobs, technological analysis, automotive news, and more. He is a wealth of information and a valued member of our team.