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Replace Your Car’S Worn-Out Discs With The Best Brake Rotors

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Last Updated: May 3, 2024, 1:07 p.m.

Most people love fast cars, but in the real world it doesn’t really matter how many seconds a car takes to get to a certain speed. What really counts is how fast it stops, because that could potentially save the lives of you, your family, and fellow citizens on the road. Your brake rotors play a massive role in your car’s stopping power.

Most of the latest cars ship with high-quality brake rotors, but what most people don’t know is that they should be replaced after 50,000 miles or so, which means most cars on the road are probably overdue. But how can you buy the right brake rotors if you barely know anything about them? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a carefully researched list of the highest-quality brake rotors of 2023.

Buying Guide: Brake Rotor

If you bought your car a couple of years ago, chances are that it’s overdue for a brake rotor replacement. Just like brake pads your brake rotors slowly wear out little by little every time you stop your car. For those who don’t know too much about cars, finding the right brake rotor replacement can be overwhelming and confusing, but we’re here to help you. This buying guide will help you navigate the market and make an informed purchase decision. So, here are some major considerations to keep in mind when choosing brake rotors.

What Type of Brake Rotors Do You Need?

Brake rotors come in many shapes, sizes, materials, and types. The first step is to find out which type fits your needs. Let’s kick off the guide by quickly going over some of them.

Smooth or blank brake rotors

These are the most common standard brake discs that most cars come with. It provides a full face for your pads to clamp down on to slow down and stop your car. It’s an ideal choice for average people looking to go from point A to point B as they’re low-cost and offer lots of friction for a solid braking performance. They don’t crack easily either as there aren’t any drill holes or weak points. We recommend these for the average driver who isn’t interested in high-speed driving or racing laps around tracks, especially since there aren’t any holes for heat to dissipate quickly.

Cross-drilled brake rotors

Next, we have cross-drilled brake rotors. If you live in hilly or rainy areas, these are the ones to go with because they have drilled holes that efficiently dissipate water and heat. The cooler and drier your brakes, the better they’ll perform. Thanks to their all-weather reliability, these brake rotors are recommended for those who drive in challenging conditions. Keep in mind that if you install them in a racing car for fast driving purposes, they’ll wear out quickly and crack as the drilled holes are weak points. The repeated heat-and-cool cycles won’t help either.

Slotted brake rotors

Here’s one for heavy vehicles! If you’re a fan of off-roading or just driving elevated vehicles like SUVs and trucks on the road, you’re better off with slotted rotors. Just like crossed-drilled rotors, these are effective at getting rid of heat and water. But unlike crossed-drilled rotors, slotted rotors are also great at dealing with dust, debris, dirt, and mud without getting clogged up. They’re the go-to choice for most off-roaders. But be sure to get high-quality ones from a reliable brand because they’re prone to cracking, especially if they’re not built well. They also tend to get noisy over time so they aren’t ideal for those who spend most of their time cruising on city roads.

Drilled and slotted rotors

Drilled and slotted rotors are a combo of the two types discussed above. These are designed for motorheads, racers, and those who like to push their car to its limit. As long as you’re doing that in a safe and controlled environment, drilled and slotted rotors won’t let you down. They’re fitted in most of today’s high-performance cars and offer a sharp braking response in dry and wet conditions. They can quickly get rid of heat buildup and reduce brake fade. The only downside is that these rotors are pretty expensive. If you have the budget for it, we’d recommend these if you often drive in the rain or if you like taking your car to the track for a spin from time to time. Keep in mind that too much high-speed driving and braking can cause these rotors to crack due to the drilled holes. When they do crack, they cannot be resurfaced so you’ll have to replace them altogether.

What Are Brake Rotors Made Of?

No one likes to replace their brake rotors early, which means durability is a huge quality to look for when you’re in the market for them. Aside from the type, the next factor that determines your brake rotor’s durability and performance is its material composition. Here’s a quick run-down.

Steel brake rotors

Steel rotors have been popular among racers for a long time as they’re relatively lightweight and thin, which means that they not only handle heat better but also add less weight to the car. But the downside is that they wear out quickly and start making noise. This is not the ideal material choice for city driving.

Cast iron brake rotors

Cast iron is the most commonly used brake rotor material. It’s cheaper and durable, making it a solid choice for daily driving needs. Since cast iron rotors are relatively heavier, you won’t find them in high-performance cars.

Layered steel brake rotors

Unlike the thin and lightweight steel brake rotors, layered steel rotors are reinforced with multiple steel sheets laminated together. They don’t warp as easily and they offer much higher durability. In recent years, they’ve grown in popularity among car racers.

High carbon brake rotors

These are much lighter than most other materials. Thanks to a rotating weight shed of about 10 pounds, you can expect significantly shorter stopping distances with these rotors. They’re also silent and don’t vibrate as much. The only downside is their higher price, which limits them to high-performance cars only.

Aluminum brake rotors

Aluminum rotors are commonly found in motorcycles because they’re not great at handling higher volume pressures like the weight of an SUV, truck, or even a long-wheelbase sedan. Since the material has a relatively lower melting point, it can wear out quickly in cars. These rotors can still be an option for those who drive slowly, safely, and who don’t put much pressure on the brakes.

Ceramic brake rotors

Ceramic brake rotors are most often installed in luxury models from high-end brands like Porsche or Ferrari. That’s because they have the highest heat capacity of all the other materials and rotor types listed above while still being lighter than steel and cast iron. As you can imagine, you’ll rarely spot them on the road because they’re significantly higher priced.

Performance Metrics by Type

Now that we’ve gone over the major types and materials of brake rotors, let’s look at some key performance metrics. Depending on your driving needs, each of these qualities will vary in relevance. A casual city driver wouldn’t care about quick heat dissipation as much as a car racer, while a racer wouldn’t care as much about long-term reliability. Here’s a quick overview of some of the major performance metrics in brake rotors and the types that excel in them. Read this section carefully and make your selection based on your needs.

Fading resistance

Fading resistance essentially represents how well a rotor resists being worn out due to friction over time. Since that mostly depends on being able to quickly dissipate gasses and heat, drilled disc rotors and slotted rotors win in this department.

Grip

Drilled and slotted rotors offer the best grip as they’re able to produce more friction, and it’s highly noticeable. That’s why they’re a common choice for racers to get them out of clutch situations.

Wear and tear

Since smooth or blank rotors produce the least amount of friction, they wear down the slowest, making them a popular choice in city cars.

Cooling

When it comes to heat dissipation, drilled rotors are the way to go as the holes help lower the temperature unlike blank ones.

Wet performance

A rotor needs to be able to quickly remove water for solid performance on wet roads. The holes on drilled and slotted rotors help a lot in doing so.

Crack resistance

Since holes act as weak points for cracks, blank rotors are the best at resisting cracks.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Acdelco Brake Rotor
Best Ceramic: Detroit Axle Brake Rotor
Best Compatibility: Raybestos Brake Rotor
Best For Toyotas: Bosch Brake Rotor
Best Rust-Resistance: Callahan Brake Rotor

Reviews

Best Overall

Acdelco Brake Rotor

Pros	Cons
Affordable price yet high-quality build Made of durable carbon fiber Officially compatible with GM vehicles	Almost exclusively fits GM cars

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Best Ceramic

Detroit Axle Brake Rotor

Pros	Cons
Premium material composition Excellent 10-year warranty coverage Includes two front ceramic brake pads	Very expensive due to the ceramic build

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Best Compatibility

Raybestos Brake Rotor

Pros	Cons
Reliable and durable build Offer dependable braking performance Compatible with many makes and models	Relatively heavier than others

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Best for Toyotas

Bosch Brake Rotor

Pros	Cons
Easy to install in most Toyota models Works well with ABS control systems Rust-resistant with aluminum and zinc build	May be prone to warping issues

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Best Rust-Resistance

Callahan Brake Rotor

Pros	Cons
Backed by a one-year warranty Great stopping performance and heat dissipation Offers excellent rust resistance	Only fits a select list of cars

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FAQs

How much will a brake rotor replacement cost me?

Depending on the type, quality, and material you choose, you can expect to spend between $40 to $80 on a brake rotor replacement. Keep in mind that high-end, ceramic replacements for sports cars can cost much more.

Can worn brake pads potentially damage my brake rotors?

Yes. Just like rotors, pads also wear out with time and need to be replaced. Driving for extended periods with worn out brake pads can damage your rotors due to consistent metal-on-metal contact, eventually leading to deep grooves on the disc.

What type of brake rotor should I get as an average driver?

For regular city driving needs, blank rotors are a solid choice in terms of reliability, cost, and long-term durability. All other types may offer better heat dissipation or sharper performance but this comes at the cost of durability, reliability, and affordability.