Welcome, auto enthusiasts! Get ready to dive into an electrifying face-off between two titans of the brake world: Akebono vs Brembo.
We’ll burn rubber examining their performance, quality, and costs, weighing the pros and cons to determine who really stops the competition.
Buckle up, it’s time to find out which brand truly has the braking power!
Akebono vs Brembo – Brand Comparison Table
| Akebono | Brembo | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | Italy |
| Year Founded | 1929 | 1961 |
| Made In | Japan, United States, China, France, Slovakia | Italy, Germany, China |
| Founder | Sanji Osame | Emilio, Sergio and Alberto Bombassei and Italo Breda |
| Parent | Stand-alone | Stand-alone |
| Overall Quality | cost-effective option that provides OEM quality | high-quality option, but there may be cheaper alternatives that provide similar performance |
Akebono PRO-ACT vs Brembo OE Replacement Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – PRO-ACT and OE Replacement from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, durability, performance, stopping power and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| Akebono | Brembo | |
| Series | PRO-ACT | OE Replacement |
| Material | Carbon | Cast Iron |
| Coating | High carbon | UV coating technology for maximum corrosion resistance |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | High resistance to thermal cracking and fade | Engineered with precision to precise tolerances, utilizing advanced technology for unmatched durability and comfort |
| Performance | Precision machined for optimal performance | Good performance and lifespan, thanks to innovative features such as exclusive pillar venting technology |
| Price | $118.09 | $39.00 – $1201.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
Akebono Performance Ultra-Premium Ceramic vs Brembo Ceramic Brake Pads Comparison
In the following section, I’m going to compare the most renowned Brake Pads series from both brands by various product specs & features, prices, warranty, performance, stopping power, brake dust accumulation and noise levels.
Here is a detailed comparison table showcasing what each brand has to offer:
| Akebono | Brembo | |
| Series | Performance Ultra-Premium Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | These brake pads, formulated with specific applications in mind, guarantee a quiet and smooth braking experience. Designed by experts to endure even the toughest braking conditions, they are the perfect replacement for noisy and dusty semi-metallic pads. | Brembo Ceramic brake pads are engineered to deliver superior braking performance, effectively enhancing your vehicle’s stopping power. These pads also excel in minimizing noise, vibration, and harshness during braking. |
| Price | $49.00 – $137.00 | $23.95 – $238.95 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 30 days from the date of installation | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months |
| Dust Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Dust) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
Differences
1. Overall Performance and Quality
Akebono
- Akebono brake parts are prized for their consistent reliability. They are often used as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts by various car brands, including Mazda.
- Noted to produce less brake dust, Akebono pads are particularly good for street driving. This means your wheels stay cleaner for longer.
- Customers have praised Akebono’s ceramic brake pads for their longevity and reliability, with some users experiencing three years of trouble-free use.
- However, some feedback suggests that Akebono brake pads might not provide as aggressive a bite as other brands, meaning they may not stop as quickly under certain conditions.
Brembo
- Brembo is renowned for high-performance brake parts, often used in demanding applications such as racing.
- Users have praised Brembo pads for their linear response and superior stopping power, compared to standard pads.
- Brembo brake discs paired with their pads have been reported to significantly improve braking performance.
- The benefit of Brembo’s performance brakes becomes most evident when repeatedly braking from high speeds, such as on a racetrack.
- Though Brembo parts are more expensive, users believe they are worth the investment for those prioritizing high performance and strong braking power.
2. Rotors and Brake Pads Prices
I’ve gathered some interesting information regarding the brake rotor prices for both brands. You can take a look at them in the table below:
| Akebono Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Brembo Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Akebono Brake Disc goes from $45.72 | Brembo OE Replacement Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $30.80 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Akebono Brake Disc goes for $232.47 | Brembo GT Series CCM-R Cross Drilled 2-Piece Brake Rotors go for $13,795 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for Akebono and Brembo below:
| Akebono Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Brembo Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Akebono Pro-ACT™ Ultra-Premium Ceramic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $28.66 | Brembo Ceramic Brake Pads go from $23.95 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Akebono EURO™ Ultra-Premium Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $143.04 | Brembo Premium Low-Met OE Equivalent Rear Brake Pads go for $545.95 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
Akebono
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Low dust | ❌ May not bite quite as hard as OEM pads |
| ✔ Quiet | |
| ✔ Cost-effective |
Brembo
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ High performance | ❌ Cost |
| ✔ Brand reputation | |
| ✔ Heat capacity |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Based on the feedback, both Akebono and Brembo manufacture high-quality brakes, each excelling in different areas.
Akebono offers reliability, less dust, and cost-effectiveness, while Brembo stands out for its high performance, especially in high-speed applications.
Given these characteristics, it’s fair to declare a tie as both brands cater to different driving needs and preferences.