With safety and performance on the line, the last thing you should do is skimp on your vehicle’s braking system.
Thanks to Max Brakes, you won’t have to. Offering durable, high-quality, and affordable brake components, Max Brakes has the ideal mix of products for every type of budget and taste.
Find out how a new set of brake pads and rotors can make your driving experience more enjoyable, reduce excess noise, and reduce brake dust, all while keeping you safe every time you get behind the wheel.
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Comparison of the Best Max Brakes
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Who is Max Brakes?
Max Brakes is a Toronto-based manufacturer and supplier of brake parts and components throughout North America. Since 2003, the company has maintained its mission statement: to provide high-quality brakes and rotors to individual consumers at the best price possible. In just under 20 years, Max Brakes has gone from a small, privately-owned company to the #1 provider of brake parts in Canada.
Today, Max Brakes manufactures three different types of brake pads and eight brake rotor variants, providing an array of options for every type of driver. The company also owns Atom Auto Parts—an economical brand that still offers the same quality synonymous with Max Brakes.
Review of the Best Max Brakes
With a variety of brake components, Max Brakes has rotors and brake pads for up to 99% of cars on the road. So if you’re looking for OE replacements or superior aftermarket parts, check out some of these acclaimed parts from Max Brakes.
Best Max Rotors:Max Brakes Elite XDS Rotors
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PROS
- Anti-rust coating reduces corrosion and rust
- Cast from G3500 grey iron for better strength and durability
- Sizable difference in stopping power compared to similarly priced products
- Rounded and cross-drilled slots
- Reverse engineered from OEM parts for perfect fitment, and exact vane count and weight
CONS
- Black anti-rust coating rubs off
Where Does This Model Land in Max’s Lineup?
Max Brakes Elite XDS Rotors are the top-of-the-line offering in the company’s lineup. Although it comes with a steeper price, that money buys the highest grade of iron (G3500) from Max Brakes for a longer life span than other options.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
With anti-corrosion coating, these brake rotors are ideal for wet climates and coastal areas. In addition, drivers with the need for speed will love the improved braking power and temperature reduction. This can lead to less brake fade and overall better performance.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Those on a budget may not be able to justify paying a premium for this product, especially if they’re more defensive drivers or commuters. In this case, Max Brakes Premium OE Rotors or Max Brakes Premium XD Rotors are a better choice.
Bottom Line
Built with the highest quality materials and designed for spirited driving, Max Brakes Elite XDS Rotors impart the stopping power and quiet operation that car enthusiasts crave. But with a higher price, thrifty DIY mechanics or those with commuter vehicles may want to look at more affordable rotors.
Best Max Brake Pads:Max Brakes Carbon Ceramic Pads
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PROS
- Excellent durability
- Anti-noise shim ensures less squealing
- Chamfered for excellent fit
- Noiseless operation after completing the bedding process
- Up to 35% more braking power than similar carbon ceramic pads
CONS
- Hardware not included
Where Does This Model Land in Max’s Lineup?
Max Brakes Carbon Ceramic Pads are the mid-grade option of the company’s three available brake pads. While these may lack the stopping power of the two other types of brake pads, they balance out with anti-noise capabilities and superb brake dust control.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
These carbon-ceramic brake pads are ideal for commuters and everyday drivers, providing adequate stopping power without the hindrances of brake dust found with semi-metallic brake pads.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
For aggressive drivers who want pure stopping performance, the semi-metallic or M1 brake pads from Max Brakes are a better choice.
Bottom Line
With quiet, smooth operation and above-average braking for everyday drivers, Max Brakes Carbon Ceramic Pads are almost beyond reproach. But if you’re searching for a brake pad that’s built for speed and quick stopping, opt for one of the other brake pads on this list.
Best Max Rotors for the Money:Max Brakes Premium OE Rotor
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PROS
- Lifetime rust-free guarantee
- Zinc coating for corrosion protection
- Excellent braking power in a variety of conditions
- Casted out of G3000 grey iron to increase the life span
- Meets OE specifications for guaranteed fit and easy installation
CONS
- Poor aesthetics compared to other options
- Not as good at dissipating heat as drilled and slotted rotors
Where Does This Model Land in Max’s Lineup?
The OE product line is the more economical choice of Max Brakes three product lines, slotted below the XDS and XD. Within the OE lineup, the Premium is one of three choices along with the Elite OE and Geomet OE brake rotors.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
These rotors are ideal for everyday driving, although they’re also strong enough to stand up to more aggressive driving. Thanks to its solid metal construction, it’s also less prone to cracking than drilled and slotted variants. This makes it a more durable choice, making it a value buy.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
If you haul heavy payloads or need premium towing power, you may want to opt for a drilled and slotted rotor, as these are more suited to this type of driving. In addition, those in wet climates may want the superior drainage associated with drilled and slotted rotors.
Bottom Line
For an entry-level blank and smooth rotor, few other rotors can top the benefits of Max Brakes Premium OE Rotors. But those with drilled and slotted rotors as the OE options on their vehicle may want to stick with what they know works.
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Best Max Brake Pads for the Money:Max Brakes Metallic Pads
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PROS
- Exceptional durability
- Chamfered and slotted to replicate OE parts
- Superior stopping power for towing and hauling
- Quiet braking operation, even for semi-metallic brake pads
- Excellent heat transfer for better stopping power in all conditions
CONS
- Noisier than ceramic versions
- Produces a decent amount of brake dust
Where Does This Model Land in Max’s Lineup?
Max Brakes Metallic Pads are the entry-level brake pad in the company’s lineup, below the carbon-ceramic and M1 premium brake pads. However, they are the only semi-metallic option from Max Brakes.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
Because they can endure higher temperatures than their ceramic counterparts, these semi-metallic brake pads are ideal for lively drivers and those that like to open their car up on the open road.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Although semi-metallic brake pads offer superior stopping power, they aren’t without their drawbacks. Everyday drivers are concerned about excessive brake noise or constantly cleaning brake dust off their wheels may want to go with ceramic brake pads.
Bottom Line
With an intriguing combination of stopping power and affordability, Max Brakes Metallic Pads are a great value purchase. But drivers that are finicky about squeals or brake dust should turn to ceramic brake pads.
Editor’s Pick for Max Rotors:Max Brakes Premium XD Rotor
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PROS
- Firm and quiet operation
- Cross-drilled to minimize uneven wear and warping
- Made from G3000 grade grey iron for long-lasting durability
- Emulates drilled OE rotors for excellent fit and familiar performance
- Users report an impressive aesthetic, especially with sportier vehicles
CONS
- Not zinc-coated
- Some users report a short life span due to cracking
Where Does This Model Land in Max’s Lineup?
Max Brakes Premium XD Rotors are in the middle of the pack in the company’s brake rotor lineup, right between the XDS and OE models. The XD the name itself has two options, with the Premium at a slightly more affordable price than the Elite XD.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
With cross-drilled holes, these brake rotors are ideal for street performance, as well as everyday driving. The drilled holes are also ideal for wet climates, allowing water to escape and providing improved bite in wet weather conditions.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
In many regards, choosing a rotor that matches the OEM is ideal. Therefore, drivers that have drilled and slotted or blank and smooth rotors may want to go with the OE or XDS options. Also, drilled rotors aren’t designed to handle heavy heat loads, making them a poor choice for track-ready vehicles.
Bottom Line
For those who don’t own high-performance vehicles, Max Brakes Premium XD Rotors are an excellent mid-grade choice that provides a balance between affordability and performance.
Editor’s Pick for Max Brake Pads:Max Brakes M1 Supreme Ceramic Brake Pads
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PROS
- Very little brake dust
- Comes with hardware clips for easy installation
- Up to 30,000 miles of smooth braking performance
- Long life span, even in comparison to other ceramic brake pads
- Scorched to improve stopping power and lessen brake fade and wear
CONS
- Stopping power can lack over short distances
- Won’t work with heavier vehicles such as trucks and SUVs
Where Does This Model Land in Max’s Lineup?
Max Brakes M1 Supreme Ceramic Brake Pads are the creme de la creme of brake pads from Canada’s top manufacturer. With an anti-noise cloth shim, scorching, premium ceramic, and a proprietary break-in G-Layer Formula (glazing), few other competitors measure up to these brake pads.
What Type of Driver Are These Best for?
Suited for everyday driving or high-end street performance, these brake pads provide great stopping power for a ceramic option. They also have low amounts of brake dust for less cleanup and noise reduction for quiet operation.
Should I Choose a Different Option on This List?
Thrifty DIY mechanics and buyers may find that these brake pads exceed their budgetary restrictions. As a result, the premium carbon-ceramic brake pads are a great substitution that still provides all of the benefits of a ceramic pad.
Bottom Line
For drivers that want the stopping power of a semi-metallic brake pad with all of the benefits of a ceramic brake pad, Max Brakes M1 Supreme Ceramic Brake Pads are unbeatable. Budget-conscious buyers should look elsewhere.
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Max Brakes vs Power Stop – Comparison Overview
Even with top-notch quality, Max Brakes isn’t without competition. One of those competitors is Power Stop. Here’s a quick glance at the similarities and differences between the two brake suppliers.
Warranty
Max Brakes offers a one-year warranty for brake rotors and a 30-day warranty for brake pads. Power Stop’s warranties aren’t as generous, offering a 60-day warranty on its products accompanied by a three-year, 3,000-mile warranty that covers cracked rotors and leaking calipers.
Max Brakes Premium OE Rotor
Product Lines
Overall, Power Stop has a more comprehensive line of brake products than Max Brakes does. Max Brakes manufactures and supplies brake pads, brake rotors, and brake kits that combine the two. On the other hand, Power Stop produces:
- Brake kits with or without calipers
- Brake pads
- Brake shoes
- Brake rotors and drums
- Brake calipers
- Brake hoses
- Pad wear sensors
- Big brake kits
Pricing and Quality
Both companies have different product lines to differentiate quality and pricing.
Max Brakes offers:
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Three types of brake pads
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XDS, XD, and OE brake rotors in order from the highest quality to most economical
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Each rotor is also further subdivided into Geomet, Premium, Silver, and Elite categories
Power Stop has an even more expansive product line for all types of vehicles and budgets. This list includes:
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Extreme Severe Duty
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Extreme Street Performance
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Evolution Sport
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Evolution Plus
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Evolution Clean Ride
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Euro-Stop
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Track Day
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Top Cop Z37
Max Brakes Carbon Ceramic Pads
Max Out Your Stopping Power With Max Brakes
With high-quality brake pads, rotors, and kits designed, manufactured, and supplied by Max Brakes, you’ll never have to worry about superior stopping power and excellent value for the money. By using the company’s products together, customers can effectively eliminate brake-related issues while providing the best stopping power possible.
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People Also Ask
When purchasing any type of brake product, you may have some additional questions about the operations and origins of the company. Here are some of the most common questions potential customers also ask about Max Brakes.
Where Are Max Products Made?
Based just outside of Toronto in Markham, Ontario, Max Brakes uses Chinese-made slugs (rough components) and assembles/machines them at their factory in Canada.
Who Makes Max Products?
Max Brakes is a 100% privately owned Canadian company that produces its own brake components and accessories.
What Kind of Warranty Does Max Offer?
Max Brakes offers a one-year brake rotor warranty against cracking when paired with the company’s brake pads. The company also has a six-month warranty against warping or manufacturer defects. Brake pads from Max Brakes carry a 30-day warranty against manufacturer defects. However, the warranty does not apply to improper installation, mileage, or abnormal operations.
Are Max Brakes Any Good?
Based on reviews in forums and e-commerce stores, Max Brakes products have mostly four- and five-star ratings with many consumers praising their durability, easy installation, and affordable pricing.
Meet the Team!
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