Best Electric bikes of 2024: Top Models Reviewed

Searching for the right electric bike to replace your car or enhance your commute? Electric bikes boost your pedaling power, helping you navigate faster while controlling your workout intensity. We’ve reviewed over 100 models, from budget options to high-end electric mountain bikes. Discover our top picks to find the ideal bike for your lifestyle and budget below.

With so many types and models of Electric Bikes on the market today, this review highlights our favorites in each category. If you already know what type of e-bike you’re after, our detailed category-specific reviews offer even more guidance. We’ve tested everything, from the best electric commuter bikes for urban rides, cargo bikes for heavy loads, folding electric bikes for compact travel, class 3 electric bikes for higher speeds, to top-rated budget motorized bicycles for those seeking affordability.

Best Overall Electric Bike

Ride1Up 700-Series

The Ride1Up 700-Series is a feature-rich electric bike that combines stylish design with impressive performance at an affordable price. With 27.5″ wheels and 100mm front suspension, it offers a smooth ride. The 720Wh battery provides a range of up to 32.4 miles on throttle power, while the 750W motor reaches speeds of 20 mph with throttle and up to 28 mph with pedal assist. It comes in both step-over and step-through frames, making it great for commuting or urban exploration.

This bike includes adjustable features, a rear rack, fenders, and lights for wet or dark conditions, though it weighs nearly 64 pounds due to these extra components. Assembly takes more time than some models, but this is a one-time task.

Testers praised its power, range, and comfort, earning it our Editor’s Choice award. For a more relaxed ride, check out the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser, which has a higher weight capacity.

Best Value Electric Bike

Ride1Up Turris XR

Our testers were thrilled with the ride quality of the Ride1Up Turris XR; its 27.5 x 2.4″ Kenda tires and 100mm suspension fork provide a stable and confident experience. This bike’s performance outshone several pricier models in our review, showcasing excellent value.

A powerful 750W motor propels this Class 2-3 model to 20 mph in just 8.4 seconds using the throttle. With any of the bike’s five pedal assist modes, reaching 28 mph is a breeze.

The hydroformed aluminum frame includes a locking 614Wh battery that can be removed for off-bike charging or to prevent theft. During our range test, we rode the Turris for 22.1 miles on throttle power alone. While this is less impressive than the Aventon Level Step-Thru, which covered 28.4 miles on a full charge, it’s essential to note that the real-world range is likely much higher since we did not pedal the bikes at all during the range testing. The Turris’ larger wheels ensure a smooth ride, while the robust knobby tires provide excellent traction and vibration dampening.

Despite its stability, testers found the bike to be agile and enjoyable to ride. Although the Turris has less adjustability compared to the Ride1Up 700-Series, its overall geometry and quality components impressed our testers throughout its recommended height range. The bike is available in both step-thru (5’1″-6’2″) and step-over (5’6″-6’4″) frames. The step-thru version is easy to mount and dismount, featuring backswept handlebars that make it suitable for seniors or those seeking a more relaxed riding experience.

The Turris XR includes full fenders, a headlight, and a kickstand. Testers found it significantly easier to assemble than the Ride1Up 700-Series.

While it may not be as relaxed as the Cafe Cruiser, the Turris allows for an upright riding position that feels commanding. Weighing just under 61 pounds, the ride quality isn’t particularly sporty, but its 750W motor can easily support riders up to its 300-pound weight limit. If you’re looking for more range, the Ride1Up 700-Series features a larger 720Wh battery and smooth-rolling tires, offering an additional 10.3 miles of range in our tests. Another great value that fits in your car’s trunk is the foldable Lectric XP 3.0. Despite its folding design, this bike maintains a stable ride quality that our testers rated highly.

The XP 3.0 offers a throttle-only range of 24.5 miles and performance that exceeds its price point. Considering all the data and tester feedback relative to the price, the Turris easily earned our Best Buy award. It’s an outstanding bike for the money!

Best Overall Cargo Bike

Aventon Abound

The Aventon Abound is a Class 2 cargo bike designed for heavy lifting, boasting a remarkable 440-pound carrying capacity. Equipped with a 750W hub motor and a torque sensor, this bike delivers smooth acceleration and ample power. Similar to the Rad Power RadWagon 5, the Abound features 20″ wheels, a suspension fork, and a dual-foot, wide center stand for convenient parking. The Abound excels in range; in our testing, it outperformed the RadWagon 5 on the same course, traveling 12.4 miles farther on a full charge despite having the same battery size. Its impressive 37.4-mile range puts it ahead of all other cargo bikes we’ve tested, alleviating any concerns about range anxiety.

Tester Victoria McNamara shared her thoughts on the Abound, stating, “The rack is wildly versatile with tons of accessories that unlock its different purposes. Whether hauling kids, cargo, coolers, or surfboards, this bike feels substantial when loading and compact when parking due to its 20” wheels; it’s fantastic.”

We also discovered a couple of unique features that we grew fond of: the bike includes rear turn signals and a dropper seatpost. While we initially thought the turn signals were unusual, testers found them helpful, especially when carrying a load, as hand signals can feel unstable. The dropper seatpost, typically seen on mountain bikes, lowers the center of gravity during descents.

This is the first cargo bike we’ve tested with this feature, and it’s one we now wish to see on all cargo bikes. Being able to touch the ground while stopped on a fully loaded cargo bike enhances stability, making the dropper post an excellent solution. Operated by a lever under the saddle, a quick touch lowers the seat by 100mm, allowing for easy stabilization of your load.

The Abound offers an upright seated position with a commanding view, featuring 700mm handlebars that can be adjusted up or down using a telescoping stem—an advantage over the RadWagon 5 and KBO Ranger. Aventon claims this bike accommodates riders from 4′ 11″ to 6′ 3″, and our testers found this range to be accurate. Impressive features like fenders, wheel guards, a storage box, and lights powered by the bike’s battery helped it score well in our assessments.

Like other cargo bikes, the Aventon Abound is heavy, weighing in at 84 pounds 5 ounces, but the steady power of the motor compensates for this weight. The 20″ wheels keep the bike’s dimensions manageable, although they don’t roll as smoothly as the 24″ wheels found on the Blix Packa Genie. After extensive testing, measuring, and hauling, we confidently awarded the Abound our Editor’s Choice award. Testers highly recommend the Abound, but if budget is a key consideration, the Lectric XPedition is worth checking out. The XPedition offers similar capabilities with only a slight reduction in refinement.

Most Useful Electric Bike

Specialized Globe Haul ST

The Specialized Haul ST stands out as a versatile cargo bike without feeling overly quirky. Its compact 43″ wheelbase allows for easy storage and agile handling, while its sturdy frame and robust specifications prepare it for heavy-duty use.

Testers praised the ride quality, with one noting, “this bike is fun,” a sentiment not echoed for any of the other cargo bikes we reviewed. The 3.5″ Carless Whisper tires absorb bumps effectively, providing remarkable stability.

Versatility is a key characteristic of this bike; as tester Joshua Hutchens remarked, “It’s not too much bike for commuting, and it’s just enough to haul groceries or a single child.” If the goal is to make car trips easier to replace, the Haul ST excels, ranking among the most useful products in our bike reviews.

This bike is well thought out and highly customizable. Specialized offers a wide range of accessories to enhance its capabilities, or you can create your own using the T rail rack. With a 772Wh battery and a 700W motor, it delivers ample power and a range of 31.9 miles.

While this falls short of the Aventon Abound’s 37.4 miles, the Haul ST boasts a top speed of 28 mph compared to the Abound’s 20 mph limit. From the sturdy handlebar to the 13-gauge spokes, the Haul is built to handle its maximum weight capacity of 419 pounds. Its unique short-tail frame design simplifies turning, parking, storage, and transportation on bike racks, with only a slight compromise on utility compared to longer bikes like the Yuba Spicy Curry, which is 13 inches longer. For those needing to transport two children or a dedicated kid corral on the rear rack, options like the Blix Packa, RadWagon 5, or Haul LT, the long-tail version of this bike, should be considered.

One drawback of the Haul ST is its price, along with the cost of accessories. For instance, a throttle is sold separately, a feature that many other eBike manufacturers include at no additional cost. While the plastic cargo bins outperform any panniers we’ve used, they come at a premium. Nonetheless, testers unanimously agreed that the bike excels at its primary function: hauling. It offers a fun and convenient way to reduce car trips. If the price is a concern, consider the Aventon Abound or Lectric XPedition. Though they are a bit longer, both models feature 20″ wheels.

Best Value Cargo Bike

Lectric XPedition

The Lectric XPedition is an impressive cargo bike that combines robust features with an affordable price. Equipped with a 750W motor and a 672Wh battery, this Class 1-2-3 cargo hauler offers a range of 25.7 miles, outperforming the Blix Packa Genie. It boasts a hauling capacity of up to 450 pounds, with an additional 300 pounds on the rack, significantly surpassing the capacity of other tested cargo bikes. Its 48.4″ wheelbase and 20″ wheels make it agile and easy to store.

Testers appreciated the high-quality display, fenders, lights, and adjustable telescoping seat post, which contributed to its superior user interface score compared to the KBO Ranger. Lectric also provides a variety of reasonably priced accessories that enhance the utility of this electric bike.

While the smaller 20×3″ tires offer benefits, they compromise stability at higher speeds compared to bikes like the Blix Packa Genie. The rigid fork helps keep the weight down, but the front end lacks the comfort found in suspended models like the Aventon Abound. For budget-conscious users seeking fun and utility in a cargo bike, the XPedition is an excellent choice and earns the Best Buy award. For those desiring more refinement and range, the Aventon Abound is a delightful alternative. Additionally, while not a cargo bike, the Lectric XP 3.0 features a welded rack capable of carrying 150 pounds, allowing it to function as one effectively.

Best Fat Tire Electric Bike

Aventon Aventure.2 Step-Through

The Aventon Aventure.2 Step-Through is an incredibly versatile bike designed to handle a variety of terrains. Featuring robust 4-inch wide tires and a comfortable front suspension, this bike ensures stability and smooth rides, making it perfect for exploring dirt roads or leisurely trails. Despite its curb weight of 77 pounds, the powerful 750W motor easily propels you to a top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. In our range test, the 720Wh battery provided a distance of 28.1 miles solely on throttle power.

While it shares several features with the Lectric XPeak, subtle differences set them apart. The XPeak has a smaller 672Wh battery, resulting in about 3.5 miles less range. The torque sensor on the Aventure.2 enhances ride quality and ensures smoother acceleration. Capable of supporting riders up to 400 pounds, it surpasses the XPeak’s limit of 330 pounds. Testers praised the high-quality, centrally mounted display with full-color graphics, enhancing the overall riding experience.

Available in both step-through and step-over styles, the bike comes equipped with fenders, lights, a rear rack, and integrated turn signals, making it well-suited for urban environments and adverse weather conditions. Whether you’re on an adventure or commuting, this bike is perfect for exploring.

However, its weight is the main drawback. At 77 pounds, it can be cumbersome to transport, making it challenging to load onto bike racks or into the back of a truck, as well as maneuvering up stairs.

Removing the battery simplifies this, reducing the bike’s weight to 68 pounds, manageable for many hitch racks. The 4-inch wide knobby tires excel on various surfaces but can feel sluggish on pavement, resulting in a delayed handling response. Overall, the Aventure.2 is an excellent choice for riders seeking the freedom to explore a wide range of terrains with their electric bike. If you appreciate the comfort and versatility of large wheels, consider the Blix Ultra, which boasts similar specifications. The Lectric XPeak, while less refined, is a more budget-friendly option with comparable capabilities.

Best Folding Electric Bike

Blix Vika+ Flex

Our folding electric bike test gave the Blix Vika+ Flex top honors. The Vika+ Flex received high marks across all of our rating metrics. This small yet powerful bike has a robust 500W motor, allowing for quick acceleration and a top throttle speed of 20 mph.

Using pedal assist, it can reach up to 24 mph. A 614Wh battery holds enough power to travel 27.5 miles in our throttle-only range test.

While not conquering the 31.2-mile range of the RadExpand 5, the Blix is almost 13 pounds lighter. The ride quality wasn’t as impressive as the Lectric XP 3.0 with its 3″ wide tires, but testers all agreed that its handling was top-notch with above-average stability at high speeds and predictable steering. Hydraulic disc brakes provide excellent control and stopping power to its 20″ wheels.

The Blix has a wider range of fit than most competitors, with a highly adjustable seat and handlebar allowing for riders from 4′ 11″ to 6′ 2″. Our testers loved the useful features, including integrated lights, fenders, and a sturdy rear cargo rack. At 51 lbs and 14 oz, it is significantly lighter than other top performers and folds down small for easy portability and storage. Lead tester Jeremy Benson had this to say, “A folding bike ceases to be convenient if you can’t lift it into the trunk of a car. Blix didn’t get carried away with this bike, and it’s great as a result.”

We found the Vika+ Flex to be our test group’s most well-rounded folding model, but it still has some minor drawbacks. With a rigid frame and comparatively narrower 2.4″ tires, it sometimes feels less forgiving, especially over rougher terrain. Of course, the nature of its folding design and smaller wheels means it doesn’t have the same composure as the larger wheeled, non-folding competition. It has a respectable range, but it was bested slightly in that metric by bikes with bigger, heavier batteries. Those concerns aside, the Vika+ Flex proved to offer a high level of performance in a convenient folding package, making it the best folding model we tested.

Long-Term Thoughts: After testing the Blix, we didn’t want to get rid of it; the bike’s compact folded size makes it so convenient. The main difference between this folding electric bike and others tested is that the Blix actually feels compact and less cumbersome when folded. While folding or unfolding the bike, a cable disconnected underneath the cable wrap, preventing it from powering on. Blix customer service was able to troubleshoot the issue quickly, telling us where to unwrap the cable to find the problematic connection.

Best Value Folding Electric Bike

Lectric XP 3.0 Step-Thru

The Lectric XP 3.0 is a versatile folding electric bike designed for convenient storage in tight spaces like car trunks and office corners. It accommodates riders between 4’10” and 6’3″ with its adjustable features, including a cargo rack, fenders, lights, and a comfortable seat. The 500W hub motor provides impressive power, reaching speeds of 28 mph with pedal assist and 20 mph with throttle. Its 500Wh battery offers a range of 24.5 miles, and users can opt for a long-range battery for extended trips.

The 3-inch knobby tires and suspension fork enhance comfort compared to the Vika+ Flex. Notably, the bike arrives fully assembled, making it user-friendly. While the 25″ handlebar adds to maneuverability, the bike’s weight of 62.5 lbs can make transport challenging. Overall, the XP 3.0 excels in performance and is highly recommended for various users, whether they need a folding bike or not.

Long-Term Thoughts: After extensive use, including exposure to rough conditions, the XP 3.0 remains robust. We added a passenger kit for extra utility and upgraded the pedals for better stability.