Welcome, fellow gearheads and car enthusiasts!
Today, we’re putting two automotive giants, Duralast and Raybestos, head-to-head in a thrilling brake system showdown.
We’ll rev up their performance, quality, prices, pros, and cons, and burn rubber to find out who truly holds the pole position.
Fasten your seatbelts, it’s time for a high-octane comparison!
Duralast vs Raybestos – Brand Comparison Table
| Duralast | Raybestos | |
| Country of Origin | United States | United States |
| Year Founded | 1979 | 1902 |
| Made In | mostly in United States, China, Mexico | mostly in China |
| Founder | Pitt Hyde | Arthur H. Raymond and Arthur F. Law |
| Parent | AutoZone, Inc. | Brake Parts Inc |
| Overall Quality | great quality if you opt in for their Gold series | high-quality with good friction rating |
Duralast Gold Brake 55097DG vs Raybestos Element3 Premium Coated Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Gold Brake 55097DG and Element3 Premium Coated 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:
| Duralast | Raybestos | |
| Series | Gold Brake 55097DG | Element3 Premium Coated |
| Material | Iron Alloy | High Carbon |
| Coating | Fully coated | Grey fusion 4.0 zinc coating |
| Type | Vented | Vented |
| Durability | Smooth stopping with no pedal pulsation and enhanced durability | Original equipment design, vane configuration, and weight |
| Performance | The high-carbon steel formulation effectively reduces noise and dissipates heat | Unmatched stopping power, corrosion and rust-resistant finish, reduced brake fade for high performance |
| Price | $106.99 | $19.00 – $307.00 |
| Warranty | 3-year, full-replacement warranty | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ |
Duralast Elite Copper Free Ceramic vs Raybestos E3 Performance 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:
| Duralast | Raybestos | |
| Series | Elite Copper Free Ceramic | E3 Performance |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic, Organic |
| Performance | These next-generation pads are designed to last up to three times longer, ensuring exceptional durability for your vehicle. The patented transfer layer technology safeguards both the brake pads and rotors, minimizing wear and tear. | Engineered for smooth and quiet operation, these brake pads are designed to outperform stock options. They incorporate EHT Enhanced Hybrid Technology and professional-grade formulations, ensuring optimum performance and reliability for an enhanced braking experience. |
| Price | $38.99 – $81.49 | $14.00 – $53.00 |
| Warranty | Limited-Lifetime | Raybestos Brake Products will be free from non-conformities in materials and workmanship |
| 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
Duralast
- Reviews on Duralast brake parts are mixed. Some users find them adequate for daily use, while others prefer brands like Centric or Powerstop.
- A user mentioned that Duralast gold ceramic brake pads work smoothly and quickly, and are reasonably priced.
- Some individuals on Reddit have found Duralast brakes and rotors to be satisfactory.
- However, there’s also feedback about Duralast Gold rotors and pads squealing when stopping.
Raybestos
- Raybestos brake parts, such as their coated rotors and Centric Posi Quiet ceramic pads, are often recommended by users.
- In discussions about brake pad brands, Raybestos is regularly listed with other reputable brands like Centric, Wagner, Acdelco, and Power Stop.
- One user wondered if Raybestos had maintained quality control since moving production overseas.
- Raybestos Element3/EHT brake pads are praised for having a good “bite” and an even range as they warm up. They’ve been used successfully on a variety of vehicles, from trucks to small cars.
- Raybestos is also named as a reliable brand in discussions about reasonably priced brake pads and rotors.
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:
| Duralast Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | Duralast Brake Rotor 31263 goes from $22.99 | Raybestos R-Line™ Brake Rotor goes from $14.74 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | Duralast Brake Rotor 70172DL goes for $1001.99 | Raybestos Specialty Street Performance Slotted 1-Piece Rear Brake Rotor goes for $236.02 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for Duralast and Raybestos below:
| Duralast Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Raybestos Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | Duralast Ceramic Brake Pads D223 go from $15.49 | Raybestos R-Line Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $14.49 |
| Most Expensive Pads | Duralast Gold Ceramic Brake Pads DG1897 go for $162.99 | Raybestos Street Performance Specialty Metallic Rear Brake Pads go for $146.86 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
Duralast
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good for daily use | ❌ Users report that Duralast Gold brake pads may produce more brake dust than other models |
| ✔ Affordable | |
| ✔ All Auto Zone (Duralast Brand) brake pads have a limited lifetime warranty |
Raybestos
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ High-quality brake rotors | ❌ Some customers are experiencing noise issues with their pads |
| ✔ Reputable brand in the brake system market | |
| ✔ Durability |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
Both Duralast and Raybestos have their strengths and weaknesses.
Duralast offers affordability and a good performance for daily use, while Raybestos offers high-quality brake rotors and durability.
However, considering the concerns over noise with Raybestos and mixed reviews with Duralast, it’s challenging to declare a definitive winner.
Thus, it’s a tie between Duralast and Raybestos, as both have their unique benefits.