Brake pads are tricky things. That’s why people go for safe options like PowerStop brake pads. Z17 and Z23 are two of their most popular brake pad options.
Z17 is ceramic-based, good for daily driving, produces more dust, and is more affordable. Z23 is carbon fiber-based, good for rough driving, produces less dust, and is pricier.
When it comes to brake pads, one wrong decision can ruin your whole experience. PowerStop Z17 and Z23 are two safe options for this, but which one should you pick?
Here’s a comparison to help you out.
A Quick Summary of The Comparison
| Feature | Z17 Brake Pads | Z23 Brake Pads |
| Build and specs | Ceramic-based, sturdy | Carbon fiber-based, sturdier |
| Best use case | Regular driving and even roads | Performance-based and rough driving, good on tracks |
| Dust and durability | Produces more dust, good durability | Produces less dust, better durability |
| Price | More affordable | Less affordable |
And that’s the gist of the whole thing. Keep reading below for the detailed breakdown.
Key Differences Between PowerStop Z17 and Z23 Brake Pads
Both brake pads are pretty sturdy and have a good output rate. They’re pretty similar too but some things make both models stand apart.
Build and specs, best use case, dust and durability, price- these are the most major differences between Z17 and Z23.
Let’s see how these work out for both brands.
- Build and Specs
Z17 and Z23- both are made from quality materials. Z17 is a ceramic-based pad good for controlling heat.
Z23 is a hybrid of carbon fiber and ceramic.
It’s better at controlling dusting and wear but also has better heat control.
Ceramic pads are good for controlling heat in brake parts and Z17 is a good example of that.
This pad has a high-temperature tolerance and a higher braking power.
The ceramic can withstand heat better so you won’t have to worry about damage, especially in your everyday driving.
Z23 on the other hand is a hybrid pad for a reason. The carbon fiber makes it much more powerful and durable. The ceramic base makes the pads more heat-resistant.
So not only do you get good braking power, you get it without any noise.
The stopping might feel a little rough but you get used to it over time. Plus the rougher terrains easily drown that out so there’s that.
Also Read: Comparison of Brembo, Wilwood And Baer Brakes.
- Best Use Case
Different terrains need different brake pads.Z17 is an everyday drive pad, good for smoother roads. Z23 is a little rougher, you can use them for tracks and rougher terrains.
Z17 was made for regular use. If your hellcat is more of an errand thing and you mostly drive on smooth roads, Z17 is a good option for you.
They really don’t last on unforgiving terrains so if you see your pads giving up, that’s a possible reason. Z17 also isn’t fit for racing or other kinds of performance-based driving.
Z23 is more durable. These pads are made for tougher situations so they do better in rough terrains. If you’re into racing or other performance-based driving, Z23 is the best option.
You can use them for everyday driving, sure, but you won’t really be utilizing them.
- Dust and Durability
Dust and durability are the two most crucial features of brake pads. Z17 has a tendency to produce a lot of dust and they wear off pretty quickly too. Z23 is much more long-lasting, and durable and produces less dust.
No one wants a tired covered with dust but unfortunately, it really is uncontrollable. The only way you can deal with dust is if your brake pads don’t produce much dust in the first place. Z17, unfortunately, doesn’t make that cut.
The ceramic pads produce a lot of dust, enough to cover your whole tire. You can easily wipe them off but they’ll come back the same.
This also contributes to faster wear of the pads. This is why Z17 brake pads last for a shorter time.
Z23 doesn’t have these issues. The pads are mostly carbon fiber so they produce much less dust compared to Z17. This means the pads wear off slower and last longer.
- Price
This is the most visible difference between the two models. Z17 is more on the affordable side. Most of the time brake pad costs add up cause people install multiple of them together. Z17 is a good option here because the price is lower, to begin with.
Z23 is on the pricier side, but you also get what you pay for. You’ll be getting your money’s worth with these brake pads.
Which Brake Pad Should You Go For?
And here comes the hard part. PowerStop brake pads are all made from high-quality materials regardless of model. They’re all known for good performance output, so comparing them is a little tough.
It gets even harder when you consider how similar most of their specs are.
So as you can guess, there is no straight answer to this question.
But you can cut to the chase if you know what you want.
Ultimately, the final decision will be yours so it is better to go with your own preferences.
That’s the easy way out. If you want a more objective approach, you’ll need to do some serious pros and cons calculations.
If you’re a regular driver and don’t deal with rough roads much, the Z17 is a good option for you. These ceramic-based pads are durable enough to get you through just about any regular road condition.
They also last pretty long and are on the affordable side of the spectrum. A win-win situation, so to speak.
The problem with Z17 is its dusting and lower durability level. The ceramic pads produce a pretty big amount of dust compared to Z23.
You can easily wipe them off of course, but this wears off the pads faster. So you’ll get lower longevity from Z17 pads.
If you’re more of a performance-based driver or deal with rough terrains a lot, Z23 is your best option. This carbon fiber-based pad was made for tough tracks and it can take pretty much anything you throw at it. It also produces less dust compared to Z17 and is more durable. Z23 also lasts longer which is a bonus.
The only problem with Z23 is the price range. If you can spare the extra bucks, Z23 brake pads are hard to beat.
Overall, Z23 is the better choice here. But if you’re looking for something for your everyday drive or with an affordable price tag, Z17 is a pretty solid option.
Also Read: Differences Between PowerStop Z16 And Z17 Brake Pads.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Z23 is a hybrid braking pad. It is made of carbon fiber and ceramic to give you one of the most dust-free stopping experiences.
Ceramic pads are the best option if you want more stopping power.
Yes, PowerStop is one of the best bands for brake pads.
PowerStop is currently made by TSG.
Final Verdict
PowerStop is one of the best options when it comes to brake pads. Both their Z17 and Z23 are amazing products, but the ultimate PowerStop Z17 and Z23 winner depends on personal preferences.
Z23 is an overall good choice but if you want something lighter or more affordable, feel free to go with Z17.
