Rear brake rotors are an important piece of your vehicle’s braking system, and a part that many drivers don’t think about until they’re warped and sending bad vibrations throughout the vehicle. That shouldn’t be the case, because it represents a real safety problem when things get bad. And when it comes time to replace them, you should know what to look for.
There are a variety of rear brake rotors on the market, including smooth, drilled, slotted, and hybrid versions. They can also be made of different materials (e.g. aluminum and ceramic) and come with things like protective coating formulations. It can get confusing. But to aid you in your search, and help you parse out the language of your vehicle’s brakes, we’ve put together this list of the best brake rotors—and even gave you a handy-dandy buying guide to help you understand it all. Read on to become the braking expert you always dreamed of becoming.
Best Overall
ACDelco Advantage Non-Coated Rear Disc Brake Rotor
Best Value
Wagner Premium E-Coated Brake Rotor
Honorable Mention
Bosch QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Rotor
Best Rear Brake Rotor Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
ACDelco Advantage Non-Coated Rear Disc Brake Rotor
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Best Value
Wagner Premium E-Coated Brake Rotor
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Premium Pick
Bosch QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Rotor
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Great for Chevy, GM
ACDelco Silver Rear Disc Brake Rotor
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Best Corrosion Resistance
ACDelco Professional Rear Disc Brake Rotor
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How We Selected Rear Brake Rotors
For this guide, we evaluated more than 15 rear brake rotors, evaluating them based on several criteria. This criterion includes the type (drilled, slotted, smooth, etc.), construction such as aluminum, and auxiliary features such as painted centers for corrosion resistance. We also prioritized original equipment-grade rotors aligned with auto manufacturers, such as ACDelco for General Motors, for added confidence. Lastly, we also considered different types of coating. A combination of one or more of zinc, Alutherm 80, and other coating methods awarded additional points to our picks.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look for
Here are some of the more important criteria to consider when buying rear brake rotors.
Type
There are several types of rear brake rotors, including smooth, drilled, and slotted. Smooth rear brake rotors are the most common, usually made of iron. They are beneficial in that they offer more surface area than drilled and slotted rotors, which makes them more warp and crack resistant. Drilled rear brake rotors have holes, allowing them to run cooler. Slotted rotors feature grooves along the rotor’s surface, allowing heat and gas to escape for a longer pad life. Both drilled and slotted are similar.
Some rear brake rotors also offer cross-drilled or drilled/slotted combinations allowing them to run cooler and work well with heavy loads. These are best reserved for towing and performance applications.
Materials
Rear brake rotors can be made of cast iron, aluminum, steel, carbon, ceramic, or a combination of materials. Aluminum and steel are default options. In general, cast-iron rear brake rotors have longer lifespans than steel and aluminum rotors. Ceramic represents the next level up, producing less dust while offering greater noise control and better stopping power. They are also up to 70 percent lighter than steel rotors.
Coating
With water, mud, debris, and other contaminants on standby, your rear brake rotors should come with a durable protective coating. A lot of rear brake rotors come with protective chemicals to resist rust and abrasion, increasing their lifespan.
Top Brands
ACDelco
ACDelco is a well-known General Motors original equipment (OE) and aftermarket parts manufacturer. They boast an 18-step quality-approval process, backed by GM. Each product is classified in a quality category with the premium grade Gold and the value option Silver. Our favorite ACDelco rear brake rotor is the ACDelco Advantage Non-Coated Rear Disc Brake Rotor, known for its vented design and corrosion-resistant e-coating that makes it a durable workhorse on the trails.
Wagner
Wagner is a manufacturer of all types of braking products with a concentration on brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid. Its premium Wagner OEx brake line claims performance up to two times better than conventional pads, whereas its TQ line is known for quieter braking with specially formulated friction material and a one-piece design. Our favorite Wagner rear brake rotor is the Wagner Premium E-Coated Brake Rotor.
Bosch
Arguably the most well-known company on the list, Bosch is a global parts supplier with billions in annual sales, divided into mobility, industry technology, energy, and consumer goods divisions. Its QuietCast line of brake rotors and ceramic brake pads are formidable, well known for offering quieter operation than comparatively priced units. Our favorite Bosch rear brake rotor is the Bosch QuietCast Premium Disc Brake Rotor
FAQs
Q: How long can brake rotors last?
How long brake rotors last depends on several conditions, including your driving habits and the brake pad and rotor construction. Shorter lifespans typically apply to automatic (versus manual) transmissions.
The best way to inspect rotors is visually. Be sure to check for burn spots, deep grooves, cracks, and variations in rotor thickness. Rotor thickness can be measured using a micrometer or disc-brake caliper. Replacing actual rotors requires intermediate to advanced level expertise we recommend leaving in the hands of a mechanic.
Q: How do you know when to replace brake rotors?
A telltale sign is noise. Do you hear a high-pitched squeal when braking? Is the sound more pronounced with aggressive braking? If so, you are more likely experiencing brake wear, and it’s time to visit the mechanic. Other signs of problems include vibrations in your brake pedal or steering wheel.
Q: Should you change brake pads when changing rotors?
Yes, changing brake pads when changing rotors is highly recommended. Brake pads and rotors wear down in tandem. Replacing both at the same time will allow your new pads and rotors to match up, maximizing contact for greater and more responsive stopping power.
Q: What causes rear brake rotors to warp?
Rear brake rotors can wear over time due to heat. If not drilled, slotted, or vented, heat builds up within the brake rotors and wears out its surface over time. This decreases your brake’s overall stopping power. To minimize warping, practice gentler braking habits by avoiding pressing the brakes incessantly or holding your brake down for a long period.
Q: How long should rotors last?
Expect your rear brake rotor to last up to 70,000 miles or less depending on driving conditions. Several factors lengthen or shorten lifespan, including braking behavior, vehicle weight, and the quality of the rotor.
Final Thoughts
Our choice is the ACDelco Advantage Non-Coated Rear Disc Brake Rotor. It offers a powerful mix of solid cast-iron construction with a vented design and a non-directional grounded finish to reduce thickness variation. It is also an excellent value alternative over ACDelco’s Gold line of rear brake rotors, which offer a bit higher quality materials and protection, including zinc coating for rust resistance. And while ACDelco is a GM parts supplier, this rotor will fit many vehicles.