In the high-stakes world of automotive safety, brake systems take center stage.
Today, we’re comparing two giants in the field: EBC and PowerStop.
We’ll delve into their performance, quality, prices, and more, identifying strengths and weaknesses.
So buckle up and join me as we determine which brand truly stops the show.
EBC vs PowerStop – Brand Comparison Table
| EBC | PowerStop | |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | United States |
| Year Founded | 1978 | 1995 |
| Made In | United States and United Kingdom | mostly in United States, Canada, China |
| Founder | Andy Freeman | Arvin Scott |
| Parent | Freeman Automotive UK Ltd. | TSG Consumer Partners |
| Overall Quality | high-quality pads and slotted rotors | good brand for any brake part but there are different levels of quality |
EBC Slotted vs PowerStop Evolution Performance Drilled, Slotted & Plated Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Slotted and Evolution Performance Drilled, Slotted & Plated 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:
| EBC | PowerStop | |
| Series | Slotted | Evolution Performance Drilled, Slotted & Plated |
| Material | Cast Iron | Cast Iron |
| Coating | Anti-corrosion Coating | Zinc coated |
| Type | Solid | Vented |
| Durability | When used with high-friction brake pads, the braking system demonstrates extended longevity | OEM vane configuration and weight |
| Performance | Gases are expelled through the slots, reducing brake fade and minimizing noise for improved performance | Solid stopping power, drilled for better cooling and performance, 100% Mill balanced |
| Price | $88.00 – $898.00 | $60.00 – $1124.00 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months or or 10,000 miles of highway use | cover defects in material and poor workmanship for 3 years or 36,000 miles of use |
| Stopping Power Rating (More Stars = More Stopping Power) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Levels Rating (Fewer Stars = Less Noise) | ⭐ | ⭐ |
| Performance Over Stock Rating (More Stars = More Performance) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
EBC Redstuff Ceramic vs PowerStop Z16 Clean Ride 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:
| EBC | PowerStop | |
| Series | Redstuff Ceramic | Z16 Clean Ride Ceramic |
| Material | Ceramic | Ceramic |
| Performance | EBC Redstuff Ceramic brake pads stand out with superior ceramic pad compounds that resist heat buildup, dust, and squealing. Moreover, they eliminate squealing even under extreme cold or hot temperatures, ensuring a quiet and efficient braking experience in all conditions. | Power Stop Z16 Clean Ride Ceramic Brake pads feature Evolution ceramic with a low dust formula, delivering superior braking power while keeping your wheels cleaner. The pad surfaces are thermal scorched for a quick break-in process. |
| Price | $56.00 – $310.00 | $17.34 – $77.96 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months or or 10,000 miles of highway use | covers defects in materials or workmanship for 90 days from the purchase date or 3,000 miles of use |
| 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
When it comes to the quality and performance of brake parts, the experiences from customers are quite mixed for both EBC and PowerStop. Here’s a quick comparison based on the reviews:
EBC:
- Some users found EBC brake parts, such as Redstuff pads and slotted rotors, to be high quality.
- A user noted the EBC Yellowstuff pads performed better than stock pads on a 2022 WRX.
- For a Golf GTI, a combination of Stoptech slotted rotors and EBC Redstuff pads was highly recommended.
- However, there were some complaints about EBC brake parts. Issues included screeching noise and brake pads not fitting OEM sport calipers, even after compatibility checks.
PowerStop:
- PowerStop brake parts were appreciated by some users for good stopping power and zero dust production.
- A user stated that a set of front calipers, pads, and rotors from PowerStop performed excellently.
- On the downside, some users reported a strange clicking noise that worsened during braking.
- For a Lexus, a user suggested sticking to OEM brake parts for guaranteed performance and longevity, implying less satisfaction with PowerStop.
In conclusion, both EBC and PowerStop have their strengths and weaknesses.
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:
| EBC Rotors Prices⁽¹⁾ | PowerStop Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | EBC RK Series Premium Plain 1-Piece Rear Brake Rotors go from $58.19 | Power Stop Autospecialty OE Vented Front Brake Rotor goes from $16.18 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | EBC Fully-Floating Slotted 2-Piece Front Brake Rotors go for $1,581.80 | Power Stop Evolution Performance Drilled and Slotted 1-Piece Front Brake Rotors go for $1,240.35 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for EBC and PowerStop below:
| EBC Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | PowerStop Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | EBC Ultimax2 OEM Replacement Rear Brake Pads go from $31.67 | Power Stop Euro-Stop Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $17.58 |
| Most Expensive Pads | EBC RP-X Racing Front Brake Pads go for $438.72 | Power Stop Track Day Spec Advanced Front Brake Pads go for $209.14 |
3. Pros and Cons
In this section, I’ve tried to showcase the most noticeable advantages and disadvantages for these two experts in brakes.
EBC
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ EBC brake pads and rotors are often recommended for their solid performance | ❌ Some users have reported that EBC brake pads produce a lot of dust and noise |
| ✔ Range of options | |
| ✔ Good value |
PowerStop
| Pros | Cons |
| ✔ Good value for the price | ❌ Users are reporting annoying squeaking or grinding noises that can come from some of their brake pads |
| ✔ Availability | |
| ✔ Easy installation |
Which Is the Better Brand Overall?
After considering the feedback of both EBC and PowerStop brake parts, it’s not easy to declare an outright winner due to mixed reviews.
Both brands offer solid performance and good value.
However, with the range of options and consistent performance, EBC slightly edges out over PowerStop, despite the occasional reports of dust and noise.