Top 5 Best Brakes For An F150 (2020 Review)

Are you currently looking for the best brakes for F150 pickups?

If so, you are in the right place.

In this PopularMechanic.com guide, you will learn the following:

  • What do Brakes Consist Of?
  • How Do Brakes Work? 
  • What are the Different Types of Brakes?

And More!

Top 5 Best Brakes For An F150 (2020 Review)

Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose the best brakes for F150.

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Power Stop Z36-1414, Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
  • Pads are chamfered and slotted for quietness
  • Powder-coated backplate to extend life
  • Carbon fiber reinforced ceramic lining
  • Pads are chamfered and slotted for quietness
  • Powder-coated backplate to extend life
  • Carbon fiber reinforced ceramic lining
View on Amazon

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Bosch BC1414 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
  • Rubber core shims for noise insulation
  • Copper-free ceramic formula
  • Protective transfer layer extends pad and rotor life
  • Rubber core shims for noise insulation
  • Copper-free ceramic formula
  • Protective transfer layer extends pad and rotor life
View on Amazon

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EBC Brakes DP43034R Yellowstuff Performance Brake Pad
  • High Friction media for stopping power
  • No warm up time
  • Repeated use without fade
  • High Friction media for stopping power
  • No warm up time
  • Repeated use without fade
View on Amazon

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Motorcraft BRSD-1414 Brake Pad: Automotive
  • OEM pads precisely engineered
  • Silent braking with proprietary shims
  • Moderate priced
  • OEM pads precisely engineered
  • Silent braking with proprietary shims
  • Moderate priced
View on Amazon

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Hawk HB791Y.714 LTS Brake Pad
  • Superior fade resistance
  • Ferro Carbon Formula to minimize stopping distances
  • Free of harsh vibrations
  • Superior fade resistance
  • Ferro Carbon Formula to minimize stopping distances
  • Free of harsh vibrations
View on Amazon

Our Overall #1 Rated Pick

(updated 7/21/2020)

Our number one pick for best brakes for F150 is the Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads.

These pads are perfectly capable of smooth cruising or rough and tough towing.

The use of advanced carbon-fiber ceramic friction material makes them capable of bringing even the most robust of vehicles to a stop in short order.

Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads are also chamfered and slotted in order to minimize operational noise, which is further aided by the use of premium stainless steel shims.

We have compiled all of the necessary information to assist you in making the most out of your upcoming brake purchase.

The Ford F150 was first introduced in 1975 and has since gone on to become one of the top-selling vehicle models in the United States. 

This immense popularity has led to the production of a near-endless supply of aftermarket parts, both OEM and performance-based in nature.

However, we know that you want only the best for your truck, and this is why you will only find Ford F150 Brakes that are of the highest quality listed in the following guide.

Every F150 on the road today has been constructed with the “Built Ford Tough” moniker in mind, and the following brake pads will maintain the same level of rugged dependability that you have come to expect from your pickup.

Top 5 Best Brakes For An F150 Truck

What Do Brakes Consist Of?

Everyone is probably pretty familiar with what brakes do. We all know that brakes bring your vehicle to a stop on command.

But do you know what components make up your truck’s braking system?

If not, you are far from alone, as many vehicle owners are not aware of the specifics regarding brake system operation.

That is what we are here for, as the following will serve as an expedite brakes 101 course.

Your braking system consists of several main components. These include components within the fluid delivery side of the equation, such as the master cylinder, brake lines, and brake hoses. 

Also included in the braking system are foundation components such as calipers, brake rotors, and brake pads in disc brake layouts.

In drum brake systems, these components include wheel cylinders, drums, and brake shoes.

These components work together to deliver the needed force to bring your vehicle to a halt, even under demanding circumstances.

How Do Brakes Work?

Okay, so now that we have hashed out the components that you can expect to find in your vehicle's braking system, how does the system work? 

While the overall process can seem quite complicated, the concept behind a brake system’s operation is not overly difficult to grasp.

When you press on your vehicle’s brake pedal, a push rod extends and depresses a plunger within your vehicle’s master cylinder.

When this occurs, brake fluid is forced out of the master cylinder’s ports and through the attached brake lines. 

This fluid travels through each individual brake line, creating hydraulic force which acts upon the brake caliper or wheel cylinder located at each wheel location.

As this fluid pressure acts upon these components, the pistons within push outward on their corresponding brake shoes or brake pads.

This outward motion of the brake pads or brake shoes causes them to come into contact with the brake drum or disc which they are positioned against. 

Depending upon the type of brake system that your vehicle is fitted with, either the included drums or rotors are slowed due to the friction created by this braking application.

As such, these drums or discs, which are attached via studs to each individual wheel, cause a vehicle to slow.

For a more detailed description of how brakes work, check out this article.

Did you know: Ford's F150 is so popular that it's been a global best seller since the truck's release in 1948! There's a reason you see so many of them on the streets today.

What Are The Different Types Of Brakes?

When most individuals speak of replacing their vehicle’s brakes, they are referring to replacing brake pads, though rotors often need to be turned or replaced as well. 

At times, consumers opt for the use of an all encompassing brake kit if the replacement of multiple components is required.

These kits can be purchased in economy packages or high-performance packages for vehicles that are regularly used for towing. 

Many of these high performance packages include added bells and whistles such as multi-piston calipers and slotted rotors.

Brake pads are considered consumable parts, meaning they are not intended to last for the entire life of a vehicle, and will require eventual replacement.

Most often, worn brake pads are first noticed when braking times become increased, brake noise becomes audible, or lower than normal brake fluid levels are observed in the master cylinder mounted brake fluid reservoir.

However, when brake pad replacement becomes necessary, multiple options exist, and it pays to have a working knowledge of the different types of new pads available.

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Organic Brake Pads

Organic brake pads have been the industry standard for many years.

However, they have changed in composition from their original form. Organic brake pads were originally composed of asbestos fibers.

This is a practice that has since been discontinued due to the negative ramifications of unintentional inhalation of such matter.

Today, organic pads consist of rubber, carbon, glass, fiberglass, Kevlar, and other similar materials bound together in resin.

Brake pads of an organic composition tend to provide notable stopping potential, at a low price point.

These pads also are relatively quiet in relation to other pad times, and impart minimal wear on rotors.

However, organic brake pads are known to be the least durable of all brake pad types.

Ceramic Brake Pads

Ceramic brake pads have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason.

These pads consist of a hard ceramic compound, as their name would imply.

Ceramic brake pads also include many embedded copper fibers, which assist in heat and friction distribution.

The blend of these two properties provides consistent braking upon every pedal application.

Pads of a ceramic nature tend to be ultra-quiet in operation, and offer an efficient stopping power under nearly any set of circumstances.

However, ceramic pads also impart a higher level of wear and tear on other brake system components, such as a vehicle’s rotors.

In relation to organic pads, ceramic brake pads can be slightly more expensive.

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Metallic Brake Pads

Metallic or semi-metallic brake pads are a favorite of those that demand the height of efficiency in braking.

These pads consist primarily of a mixture of copper, iron, steel, or other composite alloys.

These metals are then blended with a resin to fill out the remainder of the pad.

Pads of a metallic nature are known for their efficiency. The bulk of high performance and racing vehicles feature this style of pad, as little can replicate their overall stopping ability.

The trade off to this is that metallic pads can be rather noisy, and are harsh on brake rotors.

Metallic pads are generally priced at a moderate point, often commanding an expenditure that is somewhere in between that of organic and ceramic pads.

For a more in depth look at brake pads and the different kinds, check out this article.

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Our Reviews Of The Best Brakes for F150

Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads are just what any performance-minded chevy truck owner needs to bring their workhorse to a halt in a moment's notice.

These front brake pads employ the use of carbon-fiber medium material to reinforce the already robust stopping potential of traditional ceramic pads. 

This results in next-level braking performance.

In addition to robust stopping power, the Power Stop Carbon-Fiber Ceramic pads offer virtually noise-free operation.

This is made possible by the pads’ thermal scorched surface and chamfered slot design.

Pros

  • Pads are chamfered and slotted for quietness
  • Powder-coated backplate to extend life
  • Carbon fiber reinforced ceramic lining

Cons

  • To the higher price end

Bosch QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pads permanently banish braking noise, and bring your truck to a stop in silence.

A substantial amount of this silence stems from the use of Bosch’s proprietary rubber core multi-layer shims that offer a level of noise insulation that is second to none.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking that this level of silence means subpar performance.

On the contrary, Bosch QuietCast Premium Ceramic Brake Pads utilize advanced aerospace alloys, patented copper-free ceramic, and a semi-metallic friction formula to provide high-end braking performance.

Pros

  • Rubber core shims for noise insulation
  • Copper-free ceramic formula
  • Protective transfer layer extends pad and rotor life

Cons

  • Not designed for severe duty applications

If you currently do a substantial amount of towing or hauling with your F150, then EBC Yellowstuff Performance Brake Pads are the perfect fit for your application. 

These brakes utilize a high friction media for superior stopping power and are capable of quickly dissipating heat build-up. 

This heat dissipation virtually eliminates the presence of brake fade, which ultimately provides safer and more reliable braking performance.

EBC Yellowstuff Performance Brake Pads are easy on rotors as well, which in turn minimizes the need for premature replacement. 

On the contrary to many performance brakes, EBC Yellowstuff pads need no warm-up period in order to offer viable stopping power.

This makes it possible to meet the demands of the road, no matter the duration of one’s drive.

Pros

  • High Friction media for stopping power
  • No warm uptime
  • Repeated use without fade

Cons

  • Higher cost than most competitors

Motorcraft Brake Pads are the perfect selection for those looking to return their F150’s braking performance to like-new levels of efficiency.

Motorcraft is the manufacturer of the OEM part for the bulk of Ford Motor Company’s vehicle components, and precision engineers every part to perfectly fit the Ford car or truck for which it was manufactured.

Those who purchase Motorcraft Brakes will also be pleased to discover how truly quietly these OEM pads operate.

The use of high-quality surface media and proprietary shims provide your truck with silent braking applications, without sacrificing anything in the way of performance and safety.

Pros

  • OEM pads precisely engineered
  • Silent braking with proprietary shims
  • Moderate priced

Cons

  • Seems to have more dust than other brands

If you are currently seeking a more efficient way to bring your F150 to a halt, look no further than Hawk Performance LTS Brake Pads. 

These pads use a proprietary Ferro-Carbon formula to minimize stopping distances and provide a braking experience free of the harsh vibrations that often accompany similar market offerings.

One of the most impressive characteristics of the Hawk Performance LTS Brake Pads, is that they accomplish this outstanding level of performance without producing any audible noise or notable amount of brake dust.

Pros

  • Superior fade resistance
  • Ferro Carbon Formula to minimize stopping distances
  • Free of harsh vibrations

Cons

  • Higher priced than most competitors

My top pick for the best F150 brakes pads is the Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads. 

These pads offer the perfect hybrid between high-grade performance and superior operational characteristics, making them ideally suited for every application from towing to cruising.

Power Stop Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads feature an advanced carbon-fiber ceramic friction material, which is capable of bringing even the most robust of vehicles to a stop in short order. 

These brake pads are also chamfered and slotted in order to minimize operational noise, which is further aided by the use of premium stainless steel shims.

Together, these notable attributes culminate to present consumers with a brake pad that any F150 owner would be proud to outfit their hard-working pickup truck with. 

If you are currently searching for the best brake pads for your F150, do not make your final decision until you have first checked out Power Stop’s Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Brake Pads.

About Your Mechanic

About Josh Boyd

I’ve been an ASE Certified automotive/heavy equipment technician since 2010. I began my career performing basic automotive maintenance at a service center before working as a Toyota technician at my local dealership.

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