Welcome to our deep dive into the world of automotive brake systems! Today, we’re putting EBC and Wagner to the test, dissecting their performance, quality, and pricing.
We’ll navigate through their pros and cons, and hopefully, determine which brand truly takes the lead.
Buckle up, as we brake down the details in this comparative review!
EBC vs Wagner – Brand Comparison Table
| EBC | Wagner | |
| Country of Origin | United Kingdom | United States |
| Year Founded | 1978 | 1891 |
| Made In | United States and United Kingdom | mostly in China |
| Founder | Andy Freeman | Herbert Appleton Wagner |
| Parent | Freeman Automotive UK Ltd. | Federal-Mogul Motorparts group |
| Overall Quality | high-quality pads and slotted rotors | generally considered to be of respectable quality |
EBC Slotted vs Wagner BD126407E Brake Rotors Comparison
In this section, I’m going to compare the most popular Series – Slotted 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:
| EBC | Wagner | |
| Series | Slotted | BD126407E |
| 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 | Balanced through spin balancing and precision cut to minimize vibrations, enhancing stability and control |
| Performance | Gases are expelled through the slots, reducing brake fade and minimizing noise for improved performance | The Original Equipment (OE)-specific vane design ensures powerful braking performance and efficient heat dissipation, while effectively managing noise, vibration, and harshness |
| Price | $88.00 – $898.00 | $53.98 |
| Warranty | covers defects in material and workmanship for 12 months or or 10,000 miles of highway use | 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) | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ |
EBC Redstuff 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:
| EBC | Wagner | |
| Series | Redstuff Ceramic | QuickStop 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. | 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 | $56.00 – $310.00 | $11.21 – $144.42 |
| 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 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
In my analysis, both EBC and Wagner brake parts have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Here’s a detailed comparison on their performance:
EBC:
- Some users recommend EBC Redstuff pads and slotted rotors, finding them superior to stock alternatives.
- EBC Yellowstuff pads have been praised for their performance in a 2022 WRX.
- In some cases, users have upgraded their Golf GTI brakes with Stoptech slotted rotors and EBC Redstuff pads, and found the result satisfactory.
- However, EBC parts have received complaints as well. Some users have reported issues like screeching noise and incompatibility with OEM sport calipers, despite compatibility checks.
Wagner:
- Wagner brake parts such as the ThermoQuiet brake pads come highly recommended by some users, who have chosen to use Wagner in all their vehicles.
- Users praise Wagner for their good bite and relatively low brake dust production.
- The premium Wagner brake rotors, with an E-Shield protective electro-coating, help inhibit corrosion on all non-braking surfaces.
- However, Wagner also has its fair share of criticism. Users have reported issues of parts failing or producing noise.
In summary, both brands have their advocates and critics.
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⁾ | Wagner Rotors Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Rotors | EBC RK Series Premium Plain 1-Piece Rear Brake Rotors go from $58.19 | Wagner Solid Rear Brake Rotor goes from $18.86 |
| Most Expensive Rotors | EBC Fully-Floating Slotted 2-Piece Front Brake Rotors go for $1,581.80 | Wagner Vented Front Brake Rotor goes for $385.06 |
Alternatively, you can see the brake pads prices for EBC and Wagner below:
| EBC Brake Pads Prices⁽¹⁾ | Wagner Brake Pads Prices⁽²⁾ | |
| Lowest Priced Pads | EBC Ultimax2 OEM Replacement Rear Brake Pads go from $31.67 | Wagner QuickStop Semi-Metallic Rear Disc Brake Pads go from $10.77 |
| Most Expensive Pads | EBC RP-X Racing Front Brake Pads go for $438.72 | 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.
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 |
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?
Based on the feedback provided, both EBC and Wagner have their strengths and weaknesses.
However, overall, Wagner appears to have a slight edge in terms of reliability, quality, and affordability, despite some users reporting issues with brake dust and noise.
Therefore, I would consider Wagner as the better brake brand between the two.