Top 8 Akebono Brake Pads Review – Buyers Guide & Review
Are you in the market for new brake pads for your vehicle? With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which ones to choose. How do you know if a certain brand is reliable and effective?
One brand that has been gaining popularity in the automotive industry is Akebono. They are known for their high-quality brake pads that provide superior performance and durability. But is the hype around Akebono brake pads justified?
In this article, we will provide an in-depth review of Akebono brake pads. We will analyze their features, benefits, and drawbacks to help you determine if they are the right choice for your vehicle. So if you are considering purchasing Akebono brake pads, keep reading to learn everything you need to know before making your decision.
Quick Answer!
Akebono is one of the very few leading brands in the automotive industry. Their products are assembled to achieve advanced solutions to braking, noise, vibration and harshness.
If your vehicle is modern for the last 30 years - chances are that Akebono will have designed replacement pads for it! Akebono Brakes originate in Japan, but now manufacture their products in the USA, just like this fantastic example.
Our top pick is the Akebono ACT914. They are ceramic brake pads that are Ultra-Premium graded. They also continue the original innovative brake pedal texture exactly for EU vehicles. Made of the highest quality, Akebono offer optimal braking power and smooth performance. They are very quiet, durable and rotor-friendly. They also include shims and there isn’t any need for a break-in period.
The Best Akebono Brake Pads
Akebono, as you know or now know, is one of the very few leading and trustworthy manufacturers. They have extensive experience and plenty of high-performing and unique features. So, what about the best brake pads that are available for you to buy? Let’s take a look.
This is a ceramic pad of the highest quality. The ACT914 provides optimal braking power that performs smoothly. They are also virtually noise-free! The pads are well-designed to fit well and shims are included.
They are designed so well, in fact, that you do not need to break-in your new brake pads. They are Ultra-Premium graded - Akebono pads are the quality number one brake pads on the market.
They provide optimal braking performance and durability for pad wear. They compliment your vehicle's rotor well, providing longer rotor life. These pads leave little-to-no dusting.
They provide great grip and are very reliable. Users report virtually no brake dust, advising that they fit well and are easy to install. Akebono pads deliver all-round performance for everything you would want in replacement pads.
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A great alternative model to the slightly more modern ACT914
The Akebono ceramics brake pads are still of the same high quality as our top pick. The ACT905 provides smooth braking power and optimal performance.
They are also tremendously quiet! The brake pads are well-designed, fit well and include shims. No break-in is required. Ultra-Premium graded, the brake pads prove to be the best on the market. They are very durable and offer optimal braking performance. They also help to provide longer rotor life.
The brake pads are very well-reviewed. They provide great grip and are very reliable. Users report virtually no dust, advising that they fit well and are easy to install. The brake pads deliver all-round performance for everything you would want in replacement pads.
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The ACT1354 are modern, ceramic brake pads of fantastic quality. Amazon seems to agree! They provide well-performing and smooth braking power. Noise - what noise? They are practically silent.
The brake pads are designed to fit in your vehicle with ease and shims are included. You do not need to break-in these brake pads. They provide optimal braking performance and pad wear durability. They go hand-in-hand with your rotor, adding to its durability too. These brake pads leave low dusting.
The brake pads are very well-reviewed. They provide great grip and are very reliable. Users report virtually no dust, advising that they fit well and are easy to install. The brake pads deliver all-round performance for everything you would want in replacement pads.
This is Amazon’s Choice for pad replacements. Although it is not our top pick - it is still extremely recommended from our side too!
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These are high-quality ceramic brake pads. They are especially designed for European-manufactured vehicles. They optimize smooth braking power and are virtually noise-free! They are well-designed, fit well and shims are included.
They are designed so well that there is no need to break-in your new brake pads. They are Ultra-Premium graded and provide optimal braking performance and durability for pad wear. They compliment your vehicle's rotor, adding to its life. The pads leave virtually no dusting.
They provide great grip and are very reliable. They fit well and are easy to install. It delivers all-round performance for everything you would want in replacement pads.
The EUR1375 are our top pick for the pads, designed for European vehicles.
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Another fit for your European vehicle - the EUR1348 kit is ceramic brake pads of high quality. They provide optimal braking power that is smooth-performing. They are also incredibly quiet during braking! The brake pads have designed well and include shims.
They have been designed to fit your vehicle with ease and no need to break-in is required. The brake pads are graded at Ultra-Premium - the highest quality from the best brand. They provide optimal braking performance and durability for pad wear. They compliment your vehicle's rotor well, providing longer rotor life.
The brake pads are very well-reviewed. They provide great grip and are very reliable. It has an all-round performance for everything you would want in replacement pads.
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Moving away from European-specific brake pads.
These are ceramic brake pads of high quality. Providing optimal braking power, they perform very smoothly. They are also noiseless! The brake pads are well-designed to fit well and shims are included. They are designed so well, in fact, that you do not need to break-in your new brake pads. They provide optimal braking performance and durability for pad wear. They compliment your vehicle's rotor well, providing longer rotor life.
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And finally, one last ACT model that would make a good alternative to our top pick and the other recommended models…
These are ceramic brake pads are modern and of the highest quality. The ACT1707 provides optimal braking power that performs smoothly. They are also virtually noise-free!
The brake pads are well-designed to fit well and shims are included. They are designed so well, in fact, that you do not need to break-in your new brake pads.
They are Ultra-Premium graded brake pads on the market. They provide optimal braking performance and durability for pad wear. They compliment your vehicle's rotor well, providing longer rotor life.
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Akebono ACT1336 Disc Brake Rotor
If you are looking for the top performer brake pads for your car, look no further. Going forward in this Akebono brake pads review, the strong qualities of this product will be outlined.
Designed for specific vehicles, the Akebono ACT1336 Disc Brake Rotor offers the best braking experience to a wide variety of motorists. The product has outstanding initial effectiveness with high resistance to fade. Plus, the brake pads design does not stir up dust, thus preserving your car wheels and other brake parts.
In contrast with conventional brake pads produced with just 8 raw materials, this ultra-premium ceramic brake pad contains about 20 raw ingredients needed to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) when used.
It offers Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) quality replacements, which are just as good as the original brake pads that came with your car at first purchase. This is because Akebono is the original brake parts manufacturer for most Japanese and domestic cars.
Additionally, it has fit shims to eradicate noise further and give a rider a quiet experience. It has Pro-ACT pads that provide consistent and smooth braking power for the most driving condition. The materials are carefully chosen to fit modern aluminum, open-wheel designs. The pads are of excellent production quality, thus earning it DOT certification.
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Buyers Guide Of Akebono Brake Pads Review
Vehicle brake pads will always require replacement once in a while.
Before you get on shopping for new brake pads, there are several things to consider.
• Vehicle make, Model, and Year
Not all brake pads are suitable for all vehicle types. To make sure you get the best fit for your vehicle, find the make, model, and year of your car.
Also, find out if you need brake pads for the front and back of your vehicle. This is because the brake pads used in the front and back of vehicles are usually different.
So, ensure you know the type of brakes you are buying the pads for matches the pads you are purchasing.
• Type of Driving
There are different types of pads for various driving conditions. If you run mostly on the highway, you will need brakes with smooth and quiet stopping power. However, high-performance cars require fast stopping that will not quickly deteriorate.
So, ensure you match the brake pads you intend to purchase with your driving style.
• Current Vehicle Use Time-frame
How long do you intend to use your car? This will determine the type and quality of brake pads you will need to install. For instance, if you leased a vehicle for a maximum of six (6) months, you may not need to purchase high-quality brake pads because of the time limit.
The opposite will be if your current car is to be used for an extended period. You will need to get the awesome brake pads available so you don't to have to bother reinstalling new ones for a good while.
• Brake Pad Fit
To purchase the good quality brake pad fit for your car, you need to know your vehicle's make, model, and year as stated earlier. Manufacturers may often put up a chart or a list of cars their pads are most suitable for.
So, cross-check to ensure it matches your car specifications. If you are not so sure, consult an auto parts store or manufacturer for the best fit.
• Brake Style
There are two main brake styles- drum and disc. Drums are the older models of brake pads. They are located in the center of the wheel and tend to heat foster.
Disc brake pad is the trendy style. They are installed by the wheel's side and function better than drum brake pads, though they are pricier. So, what is your car’s brake style?
• Quality and Material
Brake pads come in different qualities and, to a great extent, determine your safety when driving. Some are lower, while others are higher in quality. The thickness, composition, metal backing, and lots more determine the quality of the brake pad.
• Dust Reduction Ability
Brake pads produce dust when activated. Some produce dust more than others, especially in the wheel area. When this happens, it can cause your brake to develop issues in no time, make the car tires vibrate and make the brakes noisy.
So, go for one that produce little dust. Ceramic brake pads are an excellent option.
• Durability
Usually, these are susceptible to wears, and replacing brake pads often can be very disturbing. Ensure you install durable brake pads so they can give you rest. Go through the manufactures' guide, as they will always list the particular materials that will make the pad last longer.
• Included kit
Replacing brake pads requires some hardware items like chamfers, shims, lubricants, and so on. Purchasing a brake pad kit that has these items included in it will make the process easier.
• Certifications
New brake pads come with certifications. Certifications show that the pads are tested and proven to have good quality, strength, and durability. It includes certifications like the Differential Effectiveness Analysis (D3EA), and the Brake Effectiveness Evaluation Procedures (BEEP).
• Warranty
Warranties show how much trust the manufacturers have in their products. Find out the product warranty before purchasing.
Benefits of Brake Pads
Brake pads are considered the most crucial safety system of a vehicle for these reasons:
Stopping Power
Driving is best when the vehicle's stopping power is ensured and controllable. Brake pads are what bring a vehicle to a halt at the moment's notice no matter the speed. Using a right brake pad can help prevent a collision with an object or person as they help reduce the braking distance during a sudden stop.
Performance
Worn brake pads increase the risk of hitting an object during hard braking, which is a common cause of accidents. A good set of brake pads will provide a dependable and soft braking performance, offer a high coefficient of friction, and provide excellent braking with less pressure on the pedal.
Durability
Usually, the best types of pads are semi-metallic and low-metallic NAO and ceramic brake pads. They are more durable than organic brake pads. But, organic brake pads wear the rotors and brake discs at a slower pace.
Low Brake Dust
Some brake pad materials tend to produce more dust than others. In this light, ceramic brake pads are the best. They provide lesser dust buildup when used. However, the semi-metallic type is known to generate the most brake dust.
Top Brands
Akebono
With more than 85 years of brake pad design proficiency, they take a significant lead in the study of noise control, vibration, and harshness (NVH), thus giving you a noiseless ride.
Akebono is a leading choice in original car equipment manufacturing, with aftermath brake pads made in the US. This company produces ultra-ceramic brake pads at a reasonable price. Usually, the manufacturers design it to produce less noise, as they minimize vibration and coarse level when braking.
More so, these pads have a smooth function and are rotor friendly, making it durable. Considered to be better than most OEM brake products, it contains everything needed to transform a set of front or rear disc brake pads. Akebono also keeps the dust to a minimum, supposedly because of its smooth activating brakes.
Bosch
Bosch manufacturers produce a variety of high-quality brake parts. They provide brake pads designed from the highest raw materials and built to withstand extreme loads. Thus, they have developed a friction formulation that will suit your vehicle, thereby providing optimum braking performance and comfort.
Most Bosch brake pads are made of ceramic and semi-metallic materials of excellent quality and premium engineered to increase stopping ability. Bosch brake pads also come with a rubber core multilayer shim that ensures very little noise is produced.
The brake pads contain a protective layer of powder coating to prevent corrosion buildup and prolong the lifespan. Installing the pads is super easy to install as Bosch ensured all that will be needed to making installation easy is included (slots, chamfers, complete hardware kit, and artificial lubricant).
Wagner
This company has an excellent standing for producing cutting-edge quality brake parts designed to promote automobiles' stopping power. They are noiseless and create a minimal amount of brake dust. Also, the brake pads are designed via a post-cured process to offer consistent braking pressure.
Wagner produces one of the best wagner brake pad of ceramic material that will withstand challenging braking conditions. A Wagner brake kit contains all the stainless-steel parts that make for quick installation (including brake lubricant and installation directions).
More so, Wagner brake pads prove to be more durable because it exceeds OEM specifications by offering the latest braking technologies. By providing solid brake pad materials, Wagner brake pads tender one of the world's quietest brake pads.
Is Akebono a Good Brand?
When thinking of replacing your car brake pads, one thing that comes to mind is which brand to go for. What makes a brand good is not just the name but also the quality of products they bring into the market.
Akebono ceramic brake pads review showcases a high recommendation from users. Akebono ceramic pads are proven to be one of the long-lasting brake pads in the market. They offer superior pad quality and performance for the best value. This makes it the top choice for the best-quality brake pads.
More so, most are made of high-quality ceramic materials. Ceramic brake pads are of the best quality and offer the best driving experience, with lesser noise and dust buildup.
Types of Brake Pads
Think about cruising at high speed, and you suddenly want to slow down, but your brakes aren't working as they should. This is a terrible situation as brake pads are an essential safety part of an automobile. Knowing the type of brake pads your car is designed to use is necessary as they are not all made of the same materials. So, let's have a look at the types of brake pads:
• Semi-Metallic Brake Pads:
The most common type of brake pads is usually semi-metallic. Made of steel wool or wire, graphite or copper, they contain about 30% metals. However, the best semi metallic pad comprise about 65% of metals. They are very durable and are efficient at heat dissipation.
Though they can be noisy and cannot perform well in low temperatures, they are friction modifiers. They have excellent stopping power and does not build dust when used forcefully. Because they are harder than most brake pads of different materials, they wear brake rotors faster.
• Low-Metallic NAO:
Low- metallic NAO brake pads are made from organic materials, though they contain a little portion of about 10%-30% metals. They are noisy and create a considerable amount of brake dust. However, the low-metallic NAO brake pads provide better braking power and are efficient at heat transfer.
• Non-Asbestos Organic (NAO):
These are made with fibers, glass, or rubber materials. Compared to the semi-metallic brake pads, the non-asbestos organic brake pads are usually smooth and do not create much noise. However, they generate a lot of dust, and their damage rate on the rotor is quite fast.
• Ceramic Brake Pads:
Ceramic brake pad contain a small percentage of metals made of ceramic fibers, bonding agents, and nonferrous filter materials. Though this type of brake pads are pricier than other pad materials, they are less noisy and slow in deterioration.
They function well under a wide range of temperatures, reduce pad vibration, and are less rough. The ceramic compounds let ceramic pads handle brake temperature with less heat fade and provide quicker recuperation after a stop.
Akebono Brakes
Since their creation in Japan over 90 years ago, Akebono has established itself as one of the very few leading brands in the automotive industry.
Their products are assembled to achieve advanced solutions to braking, noise, vibration and harshness.
Akebono supply brake pads to all of the major manufacturers of vehicles. Luckily for you, they also create brake pads for direct replacements.
You may also be humble to learn that since their Japan-based inception, Akebono Brakes manufactures all of its aftermarket products in the USA.
Key Features
Some features are the essentials of what any high-quality should possess, but we’ve also included some unique features that Akebono offer in their products…
Guaranteed Fit
A no-brainer, right? Be sure to purchase brake pads that advise you of a guaranteed fit. You can use the vehicle checker on the links we have provided for our recommended products. You need a good quality brake pad that you are sure will fit perfectly.
Direct Replacement
Once you have matched your vehicle's model to the brake pads you need - Akebono’s products are manufactured to directly replace your original brake pads. To attain optimal performance from the replacement brake pads you purchase, they need to be a direct replacement of the original rotors you have/had.
Original Equipment (OE/OEM)
All of Akebono’s brake pads meet the specifications set out by the professional body (OE/OEM). These are safety and performance standards that all quality brake pads should have. This is a key reason why you can trust Akebono.
Increased Stopping Power & Enhanced Safety
The better the friction = the better your vehicle's stopping power will be. Akebono’s brake pads provide more consistent, smoother stopping power. This is especially important for panic stops and tricky driving conditions.
Ceramic or Semi-Metallic Brake Pads
Whether professional or premium grade, brake pads perform better and are more durable when designed with ceramic material. They also help with noise reduction. When eventually worn down, Akebono’s ceramic brake pads leave lighter dust than other non-full metallic pads. Semi-metallic brake pads will also do the job!
Shims Included
Although shims are not necessary for the vehicle to function, they help to provide better friction and less noise. Shims are the thin layers that fit between the brake pad and the rotor. They are typically designed with rubber or metal.
Any Others?
Akebono has developed ceramic brake pads that are ultra-quiet: they reduce and even eliminate braking noises replacement brake pads. As we have touched upon, Akebono’s brake pads offer enhanced durability - their products offer optimal pad wear performance. The results of all of the above also lead to low dusting.
How to Install this Brake Pads
FAQs
The following quests and answer for your better understanding;
Where do Akebono Brakes originate?
Although all of Akebono’s products are now manufactured in the USA, they were originally formed in Japan in 1929.
How long do brake pads last for?
High-quality pad replacements should last between 50,000 - 60,000 miles. Akebono’s products are optimized to achieve such results. Use Brake fluid to get the good performance and its long lasting.
What are the best brake pad and rotor kit that I can buy?
Our top pick is the Akebono ACT914.
Do I need to hire someone to install the parts?
No, Akebono’s pads are easy to install and fit yourself.
Does Akebono make brake pads for my vehicle?
The short answer is: most likely. They design it for every vehicle released by the main manufacturers. Be sure to check which specific pads you need. You can use the vehicle-pad match options from the product links we have recommended.
What Types of Brake Pads are Quietest?
Next to Non-Asbestos, semi metallic and low-metallic NAO brake pads are the noisiest. So, the quietest brake pads are ceramic. However, some brands are more silent than others.
Who produces the Akebono brakes?
These brakes are very popular and trusted through manufacturers globally created by Akebono, providing premium braking energy, silent efficiency, and longer blades as well as pad life. The company is the leader as an OEM auto parts producer like oem pads. They also produce brake components like ceramic brakes, brake disc, brake caliper and more. Due to a leader in ceramic friction technology, Akebono is honored to produce 100% of its own market brakes in the United State. Appreciate a flatter ride and tidy steering wheels along with these brakes.
Which Brake Pad Materials are Better; Ceramic or Metallic?
Metals are good conductors of heat. Two factors that make ceramic brake pads better than semi-metallic are: Ceramic brake pads do better with temperatures and produce less dust than semi-metallic one.
Which Brake Pads Last the Longest?
Semi-metallic, low metallic NAO, and ceramic brake pads last the longest. But, organic brake pads wear the rotors and discs at a much slower rate than other materials.
Does Ceramic Brake Pad Wear Fast?
Ceramic brake pads wear slowly. But they have a lesser friction coefficient, which can wear the brake discs faster than the semi-metallic pads will.
Final Words
Much like death and taxes, you can be assured that your brake pads will eventually need to be replaced. If, however, you use a leading manufacturer like akebono Brakes, you will only have to replace your brake pads once.
Akebono Brakes manufacture brake pads that are direct replacements, guaranteed to fit your vehicle's model if you have matched them correctly. Not only do Akebono pads and brake pad material meet the required safety and performance standards, but they also go above-and-beyond with their quality to ensure increased stopping power and enhanced safety.
Ceramic brake pads are ideal, but sometimes semi-metallic are required which will also perform as needed. Akebono’s high-quality pads ensure that their products perform ultra quietly, offer enhanced durability and result in low dusting.
