10 Best Brake Calipers 2021 [Reviews & Buying Guide]

The vehicle’s brake system is made up of various components. Most car models feature disc brakes, which are made up of three parts namely, pads, rotors, and brake calipers. When you press the brake pedal, the pistons distributes the hydraulic pressure to the brake liner via the calipers. This causes the brake pads to press against the brake liners, bringing your vehicles to a stop. However, the process involves friction, and everywhere there are frictions, there are wear and tear.

Over time, the brake calipers are subjected to intense heat and friction. This means you need to replace them from time to time. However, as with any other part of the vehicle, you need to ensure that you pick the best. After going through numerous consumer reports, we have put forth a conclusive list of the best selling brake calipers that are currently on the market. These models stand out in terms of construction, performance, and durability. They are also easy to customize and install to meet your needs.

Best Brake Calipers – [Reviews & Buying Guide]

1. ACDelco 18FR1379 Professional Disc Brake Caliper

1. ACDelco 18FR1379 Professional Disc Brake Caliper
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Quiet with a firm pedal feel and quick stopping distance, ACDelco 18FR1379 professional brake caliper will improve your vehicle’s performance in all possible ways. This ergonomically designed brake caliper is compatible with most vehicles, making it great to use on the left or right wheel axle. We love the easy installation, which will save you both time and energy. Even better, each of these units is independently tested for vibration, noise, and harshness. This ensures that it lives up to the highest standards.

Key Features
  • Made from high-end aluminum and cast iron
  • Pressure tested to ensure fast and safe braking
  • Not attached to the brake pads, allowing for easy customization
  • Wide vehicle compatibility
Pros
  • Comes in an all-new, advanced construction
  • Has a weather-resistant finish
  • Super easy to install
  • Made by a reputable brand
Cons
  • None worth noting

2. Power Stop KC2152-36 Z36 Truck and Tow Brake Kit

2. Power Stop KC2152-36 Z36 Truck and Tow Brake Kit
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Investing in a high-quality brake caliper goes a long way in ensuring a reliable braking system for your car. Having been made by a reputable brand, Power Stop KC5336-36 boasts of a heavy-duty powder coating. This ensures superior temperature resistance and rust protection. Even better, this unit comes with a high-end piston, which makes the pedal softer. Additionally, this unit has stainless steel shims that offer improved heat dissipation and virtually no noise.

Key Features
  • Engineered to withstand heavy-duty use
  • The premium steel shims ensure improved heat dissipation
  • Crafted from Z36 carbon-fiber ceramic
  • The slotted rotors ensure that the brake stays cool even in extreme conditions
Pros
  • Ensures a dust-free braking performance
  • It produces virtually no noise
  • Perfect for stop and go traffic
  • Comes with all the required hardware
Cons
  • Slightly heavier than other aftermarket models

3. Callahan CCK01523 Caliper Set

3. Callahan CCK01523 Caliper Set
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Callahan brake caliper set is a value-oriented set that is built to suit the needs of daily drivers. Unlike other models on the market, these calipers are crafted from high-end materials to ensure durability and efficiency. The premium materials also ensure a smooth, silent operation. Along with this, this unit comes ready for installation. This will save both your time and effort. Being a set, the unit comes at a decent bargain price. Moreover, it is customizable to fit your needs perfectly.

Key Features
  • Comes as a set of two
  • Premium construction ensures reliability
  • Pressure tested to ensure optimal performance
  • It is easy to install
Pros
  • Provides a powerful and consistent braking
  • It comes at a budget-friendly price
  • Strong enough to handle rough use
  • Ensures silent and quick brake response
Cons
  • The exterior coat tends to fade over time

4. Hity Motor Front Brake Caliper

4. Hity Motor Front Brake Caliper
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If you are a keen driver, you will notice that you often depend on front brakes more than the rear. This is why you need a reliable brake caliper that provides a powerful and smooth braking performance. This is where Hity Motor Front Brake Caliper comes in. Unlike other models from the market, this unit is crafted from tough materials that eliminated dust buildup and noise. We also love the included mounting bracket that allows for easy installation. Moreover, the included silicone lubrication ensures optimal resistance against high temperatures.

Key Features
  • Solid construction materials
  • Equipped with abutment clips
  • Designed with premium, seals, boots, bolts, and pins
  • Takes less time to install
Pros
  • Advanced design reduces dust build-up and noise
  • Has impressive temperature resistance
  • Makes a great replacement caliper set
  • Includes all the necessary hardware
Cons
  • Built for certain vehicles

5. DRIVESTAR 18B5080 18B5081 Rear Brake Calipers

5. DRIVESTAR 18B5080 18B5081 Rear Brake Calipers
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DRIVESTAR 18B5080 rear brake calipers are designed to ensure above-average performance and durability. These machine precision calipers come ready to use and take minimal time to install. For starters, they are made from premium materials for enhanced durability. Better still, this caliper has undergone numerous tests to ensure the best performance. Each of the components ensures superior resistance to corrosion, leakage, and heat. What’s more, these calipers do not come attached to brake pads, allowing for easy customization.

Key Features
  • Compatible with very many car brands and models
  • Do not come attached to brake pads to allow for easy customization
  • Superior construction to prevent leakage and corrosion
  • The pads are not includes allowing for easy customization
Pros
  • Built using premium materials for durability
  • Provides a superior seal against dust
  • Attractive design for open wheels
  • Comes with all the necessary hardware
Cons
  • The casting is somewhat larger than the model included on the stock caliper

6. Raybestos FRC11690N Brake Caliper

6. Raybestos FRC11690N Brake Caliper
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One of the features that make this unit stand out is the fact that it is crafted with only new, tough materials. As such, it meets or exceeds the original requirements. Dissimilar to other models on the market, this unit boasts of zinc plating which ensures superior corrosion resistance. This makes it withstands all the weather elements, providing a long life regardless of where you use it. Additionally, this unit comes with all the necessary installation hardware. This saves you the headache of having to find additional hardware separately.

Key Features
  • Boasts of a strong iron casing
  • The zinc-plated exterior ensures superior corrosion resistance
  • Designed to match OE specifications
  • No core return required
Pros
  • Stylish design gives it a decent look even on open wheel
  • Made with only newly manufactured parts
  • Provides unparalleled performance and style
  • Easy to customize to meet your needs
Cons
  • A bit high price tag

7. Motorcraft Brake Disc Caliper

7. Motorcraft Brake Disc Caliper
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Constant braking exacts heats and pressure on the brake pads, calipers, and rotors. This makes them wear out gradually and eventually break. This means you need to replace them from time to time. Unfortunately, an inferior model would mean that you have to replace them more often. Motorcraft brake disc caliper is specifically designed to ensure solid performance. Unlike other mediocre products, you don’t need to replace them more often. Even better, thanks to the superior performance, this unit will reduce wear and tear on the braking pad and rotor. This will go a long way in saving you money. Additionally, this model comes with the required mounting hardware, making it easy to install.

Key Features
  • Tested to withstand leaks and abrasions
  • Features OE casting that ensures fast and convenient installation
  • Includes advanced inlet-port copper washers, boots, and seals
  • Also, powder-coated to withstand weather elements
Pros
  • Crafted by a reputable brand
  • Ensures fewer leaks for enhanced performance
  • Has the latest technology that ensures no noise
  • Perfect for daily and heavy-duty use
Cons
  • The coat does not last for long

8. MAYASAF 18B5044 18B5045 Front Disc Brake Caliper

8. MAYASAF 18B5044 18B5045 Front Disc Brake Caliper
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If you have a sports car, it makes sense, investing in a high-end braking system. MAYASAF understands this and brings you a superior disk brake caliper to match your vehicles. Unlike other models, this unit is made from rugged materials with impressive heat dissipation capabilities. This ensures optimal performance even under extreme conditions. The tough construction also eliminates any dust buildup and noise. For added convenience, this unit also includes a mounting bracket to allow for quick installation.

Key Features
  • Zinc plated or aluminum coated to prevent weather damage
  • Excellent heat disputation
  • Has impressive resistance to dust buildup and noise
  • Meets or exceeds the performance of OEM parts
Pros
  • The included installation bracket makes work easier
  • Superior construction materials
  • Great bargain for your money
  • Rigorously tested to ensure your safety
Cons
  • Some of the installation hardware isn’t included

9. YHTAUTO Front Brake Caliper

9. YHTAUTO Front Brake Caliper
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One of the signs of a loose, binding, or sticking caliper is the sudden thudding or high-pitched noise when you press the brake pedal. While the braking system might still work effectively, it could break at any time. Obviously, you wouldn’t want this to happen when going downhill. YHTAUTO front brake caliper is a smartly designed unit that meets or surpasses the OME performance. It is also tested under extreme conditions to ensure performance that you can rely on. Moreover, this unit comes with all the hardware needed for easy installation.

Key Features
  • Superior heat resistance
  • Designed to withstand rugged use
  • Powder-coated to withstand harsh weather
  • Solid, cast iron construction
Pros
  • Provides consistent braking power
  • Easy to lubricate when needed
  • Great value for your money
  • Wide compatibility with trucks and small cars
Cons
  • The mounting bolts aren’t included

10. A-Premium Brake Caliper

10. A-Premium Brake Caliper
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When searching for high-end OEM auto parts, you will hardly miss finding these brake calipers from the A-Premium brand. These calipers are compatible with most vehicles, thus the high popularity. As expected, these calipers are crafted from high-end materials that ensure optimal performance. For enhanced convenience, they have also undergone vigorous pressure tests to ensure efficient braking. Additionally, the caliper isn’t attached to the pads, allowing for easy customization.

Key Features
  • Has undergone a vigorous test to ensure efficiency
  • Comes with all the necessary mounting hardware
  • Constructed from iron casting and aluminum to ensure enhanced longevity
  • Has zinc plated surface to ensure superior rust and corrosion protection
Pros
  • Tested to ensure safety
  • Easy to install thanks to the included assembly tools
  • Comes with a mounting bracket
  • Good quality at a reasonable price
Cons
  • Doesn’t fit some specific vehicle models

Factors to consider when selecting the best brake calipers for your vehicle

Brake calipers play a crucial role in ensuring your safety and that of your car. However, as with any of the other vehicle parts, brake calipers aren’t equal. Below are some of the crucial features worth considering before making your final purchasing decision.

The construction materials

As mentioned previously, brake calipers endure a lot of pressure and friction every time you press the brake pedal. As such, it is wise to select a model that is made using the strongest and highly durable parts. If you are looking for improved braking performance, then we recommend going for models that are made from metal. Unfortunately, while the metallic calipers are heavy-duty, they often produce some noise. If you have a smaller car, we recommend going for the ceramic calipers, which are silent and durable.

Is it durable?

As you have probably noted, brake calipers do not come cheap. Therefore, it can be financially draining when you get something that you will need to replace after a short time. While the main determining factor is the construction materials when it comes to the durability of a brake caliper, it is also important to consider the type of your car and how often you use it. Additionally, ensure that the calipers have a powder coating to prevent corrosion and other weather damage.

Ease of installation

Another factor you’ll need to consider is the ease of installation. For starters, a model that comes with an installation bracket takes less time to install. Next, go for models that come with all the necessary hardware required during the installation. While these parts may require expertise during the installation, you could learn some tricks and know-how to change them yourself.

Conclusion

Various warning signs indicate that your brake calipers are damaged. For instance, if you notice a loud screeching noise whenever you press the brake pedal, the brake calipers may be worn out. You may also notice you are applying more force for your brakes to respond. If you notice any of these signs, then you need to replace your brake calipers. Unfortunately, if you delay or fail to replace them, it may cause more damage to your braking system. Even worse, this could compromise your safety. The above brake calipers make a great replacement for your car. We have only included the best models that deliver optimal performance and durability. All the best!

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