What is the Difference in Brake Pads I am sure that you have been to a shop and they have asked you what kind of brake pads do you want? Do you want the premium Ceramic pads? The medium grade Semi metallic pads? Or the basic organic brake pads? If you are like most of my customers you would give me the look of what the heck is the difference. Well simply put the more you pay the longer they last. Ceramic brake pads have excellent stopping power and disperse heat well. Ideal for most normal driving applications, they produce very little dust or noise and are long lasting. Semi-Metallic These brake pads are 30 to 65 percent metal and are considered to be very durable, according to CarsDirect. These brake pads may also not function well in extreme, low temperatures. AutoAnything says these brake pads are less expensive and easier on the rotors than ceramic brake pads, but that they are louder and do not last as long as ceramics. Non-Asbestos Organic These brake pads are generally made fro