Welcome auto enthusiasts! Get ready for a deep dive as we pit Akebono against Wagner, two titans in the automotive brake systems industry.
We’ll rev up our analysis on their performance, quality, and prices, hit the brakes on their pros and cons, and finally decide which brand takes the checkered flag.
Buckle up, it’s going to be an exciting ride!
Akebono vs Wagner – Brand Comparison Table
| Akebono | Wagner | |
| Country of Origin | Japan | United States |
| Year Founded | 1929 | 1891 |
| Made In | Japan, United States, China, France, Slovakia | mostly in China |
| Founder | Sanji Osame | Herbert Appleton Wagner |
| Parent | Stand-alone | Federal-Mogul Motorparts group |
| Overall Quality | cost-effective option that provides OEM quality | generally considered to be of respectable quality |
Akebono PRO-ACT vs Wagner BD126407E Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – PRO-ACT and BD126407E 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 | Wagner | |
| Series | PRO-ACT | BD126407E |
| Material | Carbon | Cast Iron |
| Coating | High carbon | Zinc coated |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | High resistance to thermal cracking and fade | Balanced through spin balancing and precision cut to minimize vibrations, enhancing stability and control |
| Performance | Precision machined for optimal performance | The Original Equipment (OE)-specific vane design ensures powerful braking performance and efficient heat dissipation, while effectively managing noise, vibration, and harshness |
| Price | $118.09 | $53.98 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles | covers defects in material and workmanship for 24 Months/24,000 Miles |
| 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 Wagner QuickStop 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 | Wagner | |
| Series | Performance Ultra-Premium Ceramic | QuickStop 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. | Wagner’s QuickStop Ceramic brake pads are meticulously crafted with OE-matched friction formulations and configurations, ensuring reliable, like-new braking performance and maximum durability. |
| Price | $49.00 – $137.00 | $11.21 – $144.42 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 30 days from the date of installation | covers defects in materials or workmanship for a period of 24 months (24,000 miles) |
| 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
As a car owner who values performance and quality, I have experience with both Akebono and Wagner brake parts.
Here’s a comparison of the two brands based on customer reviews and my own experience:
Akebono
- Users often praise Akebono brake parts. They’re lauded for their reliability and consistency.
- Akebono brake pads are preferred by car manufacturers like Mazda as OEM parts, suggesting high quality.
- These brake pads produce less dust compared to other brands, which is a bonus for cleanliness.
- For street driving, many users find Akebono brakes to be a top choice.
- Despite these advantages, some users mention that Akebono brake pads may not bite as hard as brands like Brembo.
Wagner
- Wagner brake parts, specifically the Wagner ThermoQuiet brake pads, also come recommended by many users.
- These brake pads are said to have a good bite and produce fairly low brake dust.
- The premium Wagner brake rotors are engineered for maximum performance and are equipped with an E-Shield protective electro-coating to inhibit corrosion.
- However, a few users have reported issues with Wagner brake parts, including failure and noise production.
Overall, both Akebono and Wagner offer commendable brake parts.
Akebono may be a better choice for those valuing reliability and low dust production. Wagner might be preferred by those seeking strong bite and corrosion resistance.
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⁾ | Wagner Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Akebono Brake Disc goes from $45.72 | Wagner Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $18.86 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Akebono Brake Disc goes for $232.47 | Wagner Vented Front Brake Rotor goes for $385.06 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for Akebono and Wagner below:
| Akebono Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Wagner Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Akebono Pro-ACT™ Ultra-Premium Ceramic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $28.66 | Wagner QuickStop Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $10.77 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Akebono EURO™ Ultra-Premium Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $143.04 | Wagner QuickStop Ceramic Front Disc Brake Pads go for $144.42 |
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 |
Wagner
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Reliability | ❌ Complains about brake dust and noise from some of their brake pads |
| ✔ Respectable quality | |
| ✔ Affordable pricing |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the customer feedback, I believe Akebono emerges as the better choice overall.
Despite some concerns about the bite, Akebono’s proven reliability, consistent performance, and significant reduction in brake dust give it an edge.
Wagner gets noted for its affordability and quality, but issues of noise and brake dust complaints slightly diminish its appeal.