Best electric mountain bikes: top-rated eMTBs to tame the trails
The best electric mountain bikes make ascents a lot easier while providing all the performance and handling you want on the way back down. They add some extra power on the flat too.
You can turn your FOCUS to climbing the steepest, most technical slopes you can find – or just go longer and faster with a grin from ear-to-ear. The ability to cover ground quickly means you can go out and explore places you wouldn’t otherwise consider. These bikes also enable you to ride in ways you usually couldn’t. As designs become more refined, their handling increasingly rivals – and in some cases exceeds – that of non-assisted mountain bikes.
For more on what to look for when buying an e-MTB, read our buyer’s guide at the bottom of this article. Otherwise, check out our guide to the best electric bikes for advice on choosing the right ebike for you. If your riding will not be exclusively off-road, then the best electric gravel bikes are worth considering instead. What’s more, motor-assisted miles on tarmac call for the best electric road bikes.
Best electric mountain bikes in 2023
Marin Alpine Trail E2
Slack geometry and Shimano’s EP8 motor make the Alpine Trail E2 a formidable bike. Andy Lloyd / Marin Bikes
- £5,695 / €6,199 / 5,999 as tested
- Marin’s first full-suspension e-MTB
- Capable, fun and comfortable
Marin launched the Alpine Trail E at the end of 2020 and it’s the Californian brand’s first full-suspension electric mountain bike.
Luckily, it’s been worth the wait because the Alpine Trail E is a capable, fun and comfortable e-MTB with a well-thought-out spec that offers good value for money including top-spec dampers, Shimano drivetrains and branded components.
You get an aluminium frame with 150mm of travel, with aggressive, descent-focused geometry, while Shimano’s EP8 motor provides the power.
The Alpine Trail E2 is at home on a broad spectrum of trails and lives up to Marin’s promise as a bike that will put a smile on your face.
The range also includes the cheaper Alpine Trail E1 at £4,295 / 4,499 / €4,899.
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Nukeproof Megawatt 297 Factory
Nukeproof also took the top step in our inagural eMTB Bike of the Year test. Steve Behr / Our Media
- £7,000 / €8,200 as tested
- Comfortable, efficient climbing
- Good balance of motor power and range
The winner of our first ever eMTB category in Bike of the Year, the Nukeproof Megawatt scores on geometry, spec and suspension and, with its 170mm rear travel and mullet wheels, is designed for enduro riding.
The top-drawer spec includes a Fox Factory 38 fork and Float X2 shock, Shimano XT drivetrain and four-piston brakes, DT Swiss H 1700 Spline 30 wheels and Maxxis tyres.
Power comes from a Shimano EP8 85Nm motor with three customisable assistance levels and a 630Wh battery supplying the juice. We got over 2,000m vertical in Eco mode and up to 1,400m in Boost.
We loved the downhill performance, a mix of fun and stability that’s hard for bike designers to get right. The super-smooth rear suspension with balanced geometry makes it easy to ride quickly with little effort.
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Orbea Rise H10
- £6,623 / 8,000 / €7,100 / AU12,600 as tested
- Well-finished alloy frame
- Throttled-down Shimano EP8 motor gives natural ride feel
The Orbea Rise H10 is an alloy version of the original carbon Rise. It’s a stripped-back ‘eMTB Lite’, with less power and weight than a fully assisted eMTB, that Orbea says is “less e, more bike”.
The Rise H10 gets a larger battery than the original, at 540Wh, and is powered by a 60Nm Shimano EP8 motor that’s throttled down to limit its usual 85Nm torque and extend range. You can add a 252Wh range extender.
The H10’s frame has nicely smoothed welds at the top tube junctions that could fool you into thinking it’s carbon, and side-on it’s not obvious there’s a battery in the down tube either. Geometry is trail-oriented and modern but not cutting-edge.
With its higher-torque motor than the Specialized Turbo Levo SL, the Rise feels more powerful on climbs. It can handle rougher, steeper trails, although it’s not as sure-footed as more enduro-oriented ebikes. It’s happiest on rollercoaster singletrack and berms though.
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Specialized S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL
- £12,500 / 15,000 / €14,500 / AU24,200 as tested
- Top-drawer spec to match the price
- Highly tunable geometry
- Lower-powered assistance leads to more rider input to keep up pace
First in our line-up of very spendy Specialized electric bikes, the enduro-focused Turbo Kenevo SL mixes a 19kg weight with 170mm travel.
It’s built from FACT 11m carbon fibre, with the tunable Specialized Turbo SL 1.1 motor meting out 35Nm of torque – about half that of most eMTB motors. That’s powered by a 320Wh integrated battery. You can buy a separate range extender to add another 160Wh.
The geometry is tunable, with 2 degrees of head tube angle adjustment via angled headset cups and flip chips in the suspension pivot. In the low setting, climbing is smooth and composed with subtle assistance. Handling feels more like a pedal-powered bike than an eMTB, with impressive composure on rougher trails.
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Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo
- £13,000 / 15,000 / €13,999 / AU24,200 as tested
- Great frame, motor, battery life and power delivery
- Crazy price, tyres not robust enough to keep up
We really liked the Turbo Levo’s frame and motor when we reviewed the base model, but were underwhelmed by its components and their effect on handling. We’ve also reviewed the Turbo Levo Comp Alloy more recently, again with mixed results, in this case raising issues with the suspension damper, tyres and the bike’s value for money.
The range-topping carbon S-Works model rectifies all that – although at a price. Our reviewer rated it the “best bike he’d ever ridden”.
The Brose motor pushes out up to 565 watts and 90Nm for impressive climbing with smooth power delivery and there’s battery capacity to stay the course. The rest of the spec is as top-drawer as you’d expect.
With 150mm of suspension travel and variable geometry, the bike can be fine-tuned to whatever you want to ride, although we swapped out the tyres to something better able to keep up with the rest of the bike’s capabilities.
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Vitus E-Sommet VRX
For the money, the E-Sommet has to be one of the best electric mountain bikes out there. Ian Linton / Our Media
- £5,499 as tested
- Draped in high-end components at a reasonable price
- Impressive geometry and suspension
Rolling on a ‘mullet’ setup and featuring up-to-date geometry (boasting a 64-degree head tube angle), the E-Sommet is Vitus’ top-spec eMTB designed for enduro with 167mm of rear travel.
It’s powered by Shimano’s EP8 motor capable of 85nm peak torque and 250W of peak power combined with a 650Wh battery. We achieved 1,800m to 2,000m of ascent in the Eco mode from a single charge. This figure dropped in Turbo mode to 1,200m.
With Vitus being a direct-to-customer brand, the E-Sommet is adorned with top spec for its very reasonable price. It features a 170mm RockShox ZEB Ultimate fork, a Super Deluxe Select RT shock and Shimano’s XT groupset.
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Whyte E-160 RSX
- £7,999 as tested
- Calm and composed, hides its weight well
- One of the best-handling electric mountain bikes tested
Available in 29in or ‘mullet’ form, the E-160 RSX is a 150mm do-it-all electric enduro bike.
It comes well equipped with Fox Performance Elite 38 forks and Float X rear shock, SRAM GX Eagle AXS and DT Swiss wheels. Power comes from a 250W Bosch Performance Line CX motor with a 750Wh PowerTube battery.
Whyte has positioned the battery partially beneath the motor to lower the bike’s centre of gravity, giving it a well-balanced geometry and truly special handling characteristics for a bike of its weight.
We managed to get 2,000m of ascent in Tour mode, and regularly hit 1,500m in eMTB mode. The 26.32kg weight (size large) was masked on the descents thanks to the low centre of gravity, making the bike easy to lean from one side to the other.
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Whyte E-180 RS
A mix of stability at speed with agile handling makes for great descending on the Whyte E-180 RS v3. Andy Lloyd / Our Media
- £7,699 as tested
- Geometry and motor/battery positioning designed for stability
- Near-perfect descending performance
With 27.5in wheels and 170mm rear/180mm front travel, the downhill-oriented, alloy Whyte E-180 RS v3 sits at the top of the brand’s range.
There’s a quality spec with Fox Factory fork and shock, DT Swiss wheels and SRAM X01/GX Eagle drivetrain. Assistance comes in the form of an 85Nm Bosch Performance Line CX motor with a 625Wh battery and a Purion display.
The layout of the motor and battery is designed to give a low centre of gravity and there’s a flip chip to adjust geometry, dropping the head tube angle by one degree. Even in the high setting, it’s quite slack.
We managed 2,300m of climbing with the motor in Eco mode, although that dropped to 1,200m with higher assistance. Descending was near-perfect, with great stability over rough ground and the agility to handle complex trail features.
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Yeti 160E T1
Yeti’s first eMTB is an impressive ride, but feels under-specced for its price. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media
- £11,899 / 12,700 / €13,790 as tested
- Superb suspension, balance and handling
- Very expensive, without top-spec kit all-round
The Yeti is an expensive proposition, but we reckon its 160mm-travel six-bar suspension sets a new benchmark for enduro eMTBs and its downhill capabilities are second to none.
It’s powered by a Shimano EP8 motor with a 630Wh battery. The TURQ-series carbon frame is decked out in Shimano XT with DT Swiss EX 1700 alloy wheels and Fox 38 Factory fork and Float X2 rear shock; there’s also a less expensive C1 spec of the 160E.
There’s loads of grip on bumpy or rough terrain, with the rear tyre giving up before the suspension. Downhill needed a little tuning to raise the bars, but once done the controlled suspension and well-chosen geometry led to incredible, fast-descending performance.
Canyon Spectral:ON CF 7.0
Although it hasn’t got the most progressive geometry, it’s still a good-looking and top-performing bike. Ian Linton / Immediate Media
- £4,299 / 6,299 / €4,497 as tested
- Carbon main frame
- Playful handling when ridden fast
Redesigned in March 2020, the Canyon Spectral:ON’s main frame is now carbon with an alloy rear triangle, instead of all alloy, and its 504Wh battery is now internal.
Like its predecessor, it has mullet wheel sizes, with a 29in front and 27.5in rear wheel. On this CF 7.0 model, there’s 150mm of travel at the rear and a RockShox Deluxe Select shock, while power comes from a Shimano Steps E8000 motor, running through a 12-speed Shimano XT derailleur.
The motor provides plenty of power to get up steep climbs, while the feel when riding fast is more playful than planted.
We’ve also tested the top-spec, £7,599 / 9,000 Spectral:ON CF 9.0. Its components are better, but we reckon there’s little other reason to choose it over the 7.0.
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Focus JAM2 7.0
- £7,499 / €7,999 as tested
- Tunable geometry and 150mm travel
- Responsive, agile handling despite a 25kg weight
The Focus JAM2 7.0 rolls on 29er wheels with 150mm of linear-progressive suspension travel, while power comes from the Shimano EP8 85Nm motor, with a high-capacity 720Wh battery from Focus.
A flip chip enables you to tune the geometry and the JAM2 has Focus’s CIS system with cables and hoses threaded through the stem. There’s a built-in USB-C charge port on the top tube and another neat touch is the custom tool bag that sits under the front of the down tube.
We rated the rear-wheel grip when climbing, and the geometry adds playfulness on flowy trails, with direct, responsive handling despite the 25kg weight.
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Merida eONE-SIXTY 10k
- £9,000 / 9,799 / €9,799 / AU11,999 as tested
- Smooth-riding over choppy trails, high-value spec
- Geometry is a bit short and high
Powered by the Shimano EP8 motor system, this top spec of Merida’s enduro-oriented eOne-Sixty has a carbon front triangle and single-pivot alloy rear. The ride is smooth over obstacles and on fast, choppy trails, although the reach is slightly shorter and the front end a bit higher than we’d prefer.
This top-spec model has everything you could desire, including Shimano XTR gearing and brakes, and DT Swiss carbon wheels with Maxxis rubber, along with a Fox Float X2 Factory fork and shock, and a RockShox Reverb AXS wireless dropper seatpost.
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Mondraker Level R
The Mondraker Level R electric mountain bike sits in the brand’s ‘super enduro’ category, where the FOCUS of performance is on the downhills. Andy Lloyd / Out Media
- £5,999 / 8,499 / €5,799 as tested
- Composed climbing and descending
- 27kg weight limits climbing range, but isn’t an issue on descents
Mondraker sets the alloy Level R 29er in its ‘super enduro’ category, with the brand’s Forward Geometry and 170mm travel from a Fox DHX2 coil-spring shock and dual-link suspension system.
Power is provided by a Bosch Performance Line CX motor with four assistance levels, 85Nm of torque, a 750Wh battery and Kiox 300 colour display that can link to your phone, enabling ride recording and motor tuning.
You sit centrally on the bike, which leads to calm climbing with little tendency to front-wheel lift. We weighed the Level R at 27kg, which we found limited ascending capacity to around 1,300m. Weight was less of an issue on descents though, with the Level R feeling planted and well behaved.
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Santa Cruz Bullit CC X01 RSV
- £10,499 / €11,699 / 11,499 as tested
- Exceptionally fast and capable bike
- Possible to overwhelm the forks and brakes on steeper trails
The Santa Cruz Bullit is a name that goes back to 1998, but the reimagined bike is a far cry from the original – the Bullit is now a 170mm-travel e-MTB with a carbon frame and mixed wheel sizes.
The bike’s climbing ability impressed most during testing – it feels unstoppable going uphill, thanks in part to the Shimano EP8 motor.
The Bullit is also extremely capable downhill, particularly on faster and rougher trails, but slower, tighter and steeper sections need a bit more care.
There are four models in the range, with starting at £6,899 / 7,499 / €7,699 for the Bullit CC R, which uses Shimano’s Steps E7000 motor, and rising to £10,499 / 11,499 / €11,699 for the top-of-the-range Bullit CC X01 RSV featured here.
Also consider…
These bikes scored fewer than 4 out of 5 in our reviews but are still worth considering.
Giant Reign E 1
- £6,299 / €6,399 / AU9,799 as tested
- Good spec and powerful Yamaha motor
- Low motor efficiency and sometimes harsh ride
The mullet-wheeled Reign E 1 has 160mm of travel with slack geometry that was overhauled in 2021. There’s a Giant SyncDrive Pro motor (built by Yamaha) with 85Nm torque and a 625Wh battery, along with Shimano XT components, a Fox 38 Performance Elite fork and Float X2 Performance Elite shock.
Climbing performance is well balanced and capable due to the central position, but the motor’s on/off power delivery limited us to 1,700m climbing on a charge. When descending, there’s a direct, taut feeling, but that can translate to a stiff, harsh ride over bumpy terrain.
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Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Elite
Lapierre designed the Overvolt GLP to compete in the emerging ebike racing scene. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media
- £5,399 as tested
- Agile, eager to turn and easy to hop up and over obstacles
- Can be tricky to control on climbs
Nico Vouilloz and Yannick Pontal have both won ebike races on the Lapierre Overvolt GLP 2 Elite, designed for the emerging motor-assisted racing scene.
The carbon frame makes this better value than some of its rivals and, out on the trails, the Overvolt is agile and eager to please.
The relatively small battery limits range against the competition, though, and the front end can be tricky to keep in check on climbs.
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Merida eOne-Forty 9000
- £7,000 / €7,199 as tested
- Nimble handling
- Suspension holds it back on technical terrain
Merida uses the same carbon frame with alloy rear end on the eOne-Forty as its longer-travel eOne-Sixty, but kits it out with a 133mm-travel shock and steepens the head and seat tube angles.
It uses a Shimano Steps E8000 motor with an integrated 504Wh battery in the down tube for plenty of power and range.
The eOne-Forty is nimble on flowy trails, but the short suspension and front-end geometry make it nervous on steep descents. The top-spec bike internationally is now the 8000, with the UK range topping off with the 700 spec.
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Mondraker Crafty R 29
The Mondraker Crafty R 29 full-suspension e-MTB has plenty of composure for more aggressive riders. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media
- £5,899 / 7,199 as tested
- Super-stable and excellent cornering grip
- Powerful motor with good weight distribution
While the Crafty is never going to be described as lively, weighing in at 25.1kg for our test build and with a long wheelbase, it is very composed, feeling super-stable when riding fast and with excellent cornering grip.
Our tester noted, however, that while taller, more aggressive riders will enjoy the Crafty for its ability to handle technical terrain flat-out, smaller or more timid riders may find it hard to muscle the bike around and ride it dynamically.
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Saracen Ariel 50E Elite
Saracen’s Ariel 50E Elite is the brand’s only electric mountain bike and is aimed squarely at the all-mountain and enduro categories. Andy Lloyd / Our Media
- £6,500 as tested
- High-quality spec
- Geometry, battery capacity and tyre choice let the bike down
With 150mm travel from a Fox DHX2 Factory shock and a 160mm-travel Fox 38 Factory fork, a Shimano M8100 XT drivetrain, DT Swiss wheels and Shimano EP8 motor, the Saracen’s spec is impressive.
The 504Wh battery limits range though and we’d like to see a slacker head angle than the 65 degrees on offer, which limited performance on steep sections. Traction from the dual-compound Maxxis tyres wasn’t that great on rocks or roots when climbing, although the low bike weight made for a nimble ride.
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Scott Ransom eRide 910
Scott’s enduro-ready Ransom eRide 910 eMTB gives you 170mm of travel, but we found the ride a bit harsher than its rivals. Andy Lloyd / Out Media
- £6,499 / N/A / €7,190 / AU14,500 as tested
- Good motor and spec for the price
- Raw-feeling downhill ride
Another enduro-oriented eMTB, the Scott Ransom eRide has 180mm of travel and runs on 29in wheels. There’s adjustable geometry and some quality parts, including a Fox 38 Performance Elite fork and Float X2 Performance shock, with a SRAM X01/NX Eagle drivetrain, Shimano XT brakes and a Bosch Performance Line CX motor. We reckon it’s reasonable value for money.
We found the ride wasn’t quite as calm or controlled as some rivals though. The rear tyre choice led to slipping on climbs and the downhill ride felt raw and un-smoothed. A tyre swap-out might remedy much of this.
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Thok TK01 R
The TK01 R is a striking-looking bike with its bold moto-style graphics. Ian Linton / Immediate Media
- £5,900 / €6,490 as tested
- Good motor and spec for the price
- Awkward setup and geometry, poor tyre choice
Italian ebike specialist Thok gives you 170mm travel with its enduro-oriented, alloy-framed TK01 R. It’s powered by a Shimano EP8 motor, which along with the bike’s geometry makes for great climbing. Descending is more of a mixed bag though, and required quite a bit of fettling for handling confidence.
The spec’s good value for the bike’s price, although we didn’t find the tyres quite up to the job. The Thok is a good cruiser, just don’t press it to its limits.
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YT Decoy Core 4 MX
The YT Decoy Core 4 MX has a quality spec, but is held back by its rather outdated geometry. Andy Lloyd / Out Media
- £7,000 / 8,000 / €7,500 / AU12,000 as tested
- Good motor and spec for the price
- Awkward setup and geometry, poor tyre choice
YT gives you 165mm of travel from its mullet-wheeled, carbon Decoy Core 4 MX. There’s top-drawer kit including a Fox Factory fork and shock, Crankbrothers Synthesis alloy wheels and a Shimano XT M8100 drivetrain.
Assistance comes from a Shimano EP8 motor and 540Wh custom battery, which YT says has high energy density. We found the range lower than with the stock Shimano battery though and were only getting around 1,000m of climbing in Boost mode.
There’s a rearward-biased seated position, which means care is needed to prevent front-wheel lift on climbs. Performance downhill is poppy and fun, encouraging flicking across the trail and confidence in corners, although on steeps a slacker head tube would lead to improved handling.
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Buyer’s guide to electric mountain bikes
Electric mountain bike types
You can now find capable electric bikes for all types of mountain biking. Mathieu Echeverri / Lapierre
Whereas first-generation e-MTBs tended to be trail-oriented with around 150mm of travel, there’s now an increasing range of mountain bike disciplines covered.
That includes overbuilt models designed for downhill use at one end of the spectrum, including the Specialized Turbo Kenevo and the Cannondale Moterra Neo.
At the other end, there are lighter machines such as the Specialized Turbo Levo SL and the Lapierre eZesty that use lighter, less powerful motors and smaller batteries similar to electric road bikes. That drops the bike’s weight and ups agility over more heavily built machines.
You’ll find e-MTBs with either 29in or 27.5in wheels, but ‘mullet builds’ with a 29in wheel up front and a 27.5in rear are becoming increasingly common. This setup gives good stability at the front and better agility from the smaller rear wheel. Examples include the Canyon Spectral:ON and the Vitus E-Escarpe.
Most e-MTBs are full-suspension bikes, but you can also find trail-oriented electric hardtails, such as the Canyon Grand Canyon:ON and Kinesis Rise.
Electric mountain bike motors
Bosch, Shimano and Yamaha motors are popular for electric mountain bikes. Mathieu Echeverri / Lapierre
Popular choices for electric mountain bike motors are Bosch, Shimano Steps and Yamaha, while Fazua’s lightweight motor is increasingly making an appearance on weight-focused bikes.
Bosch Performance Line CX motors provide 600Wh peak power and 85Nm of torque for fuss-free climbing. There’s a natural ride feel and good battery management that gets impressive range out of the system’s battery.
Shimano’s Steps E-8000 and E-7000 systems are still found on some eMTBs, although they’ve started to show their age, with lower power output and torque than newer rivals. Its smaller batteries give you less range too, but still boast low weight and a compact design, along with the ability to tune the output.
However, Shimano has added the EP8 motor to its range. This boosts torque to 85Nm while reducing weight by around 200g, lowering pedalling drag, increasing range and lowering Q-Factor. The EP8’s launch coincided with Shimano increasing battery capacity to 630Wh. and more, you’ll find it being specced on newer electric mountain bikes, including many of our picks above of the best electric mountain bikes.
Meanwhile, Giant uses the Yamaha Syncdrive Pro motor on its e-MTBs. Its Smart Assist mode uses an array of six sensors, including a gradient sensor, to work out how much power to deliver in any given situation.
A popular choice on road-going ebikes, the Fazua motor system is to be found on some lighter-weight e-MTBs, such as the Lapierre eZesty. It’s lighter, less powerful and has a smaller battery. That means you typically need to put in more of your own pedalling effort, but it drops the bike’s weight down closer to non-assisted models. Plus, you can remove the battery completely and ride the bike without it.
Specialized has its own motor units, which it specs on the majority of its electric bikes. Its Turbo Levo SL trail bike uses the low-torque SL 1.1 motor and a 320Wh battery for less assistance and lighter weight.
Electric mountain bike battery capacity
Some bikes allow range to be extended with an additional battery. Simon Bromley / Immediate Media
To get you up hills, produce enough power and provide adequate range, most electric mountain bikes will have battery capacities of around 500Wh to 700Wh.
An internal battery in the down tube makes for clean lines, but there are also e-MTBs with external batteries. These typically lower the weight and, in models such as the Lapierre Overvolt, mean the battery can be placed lower and more centrally.
But, as mentioned above, e-MTBs with smaller-capacity batteries down to 250Wh are appearing. These trade a more limited range for lighter weight and the potential for improved handling.
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Fastest Electric Bikes for Sale in 2023: Top 5 Rapid E-Bikes
The Monaco-made Voxan Wattman has 150kw of power, or 203 horsepower, and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 3.4 seconds. It was specially created to set new world speed records, so you can’t just go out and buy one.
Another super-fast e-bike that is solely made to break records is White Motorcycle Concepts’ WMC250EV.
It’s not intended to be a road-going machine, and was created to target the world land speed record for electric motorcycles, and also to show that its unusual technologies are improvements over conventional ones.
Its name comes from its intention to hit 250mph, but its final top speed may be higher than that. When it was initially tested, just to make sure that its systems and technical elements were working as they should, it got up to 170mph without really trying.
Fastest E-Bikes You CAN Buy
Hi Power Cycles Revolution XX
Heavy-Duty Tyres and World-Class Brakes
Windscreen for High Speeds
i Power Cycles’ Revolution XX Super E-Bike is an impressive machine with extraordinary performance and incredible top speeds.
The top speed of the Revolution XX is officially listed at 70mph, and test riders have been able to achieve 74mph on a flat surface.
The manufacturers state that they believe this is the fastest e-bike ever produced that has usable pedals at top speed.
It looks more like a dirt bike than a bicycle, with heavy-duty tyres, world class brakes and even a windscreen — necessary when going at such high speeds.
The windscreen is specially designed to breach wind resistance at top speeds, helping riders gain an extra few mph on the top end, and the suspension system is individually factory tuned to suit the rider who purchases it.
The battery system allows for a nearly 100 mile range, which is more than enough for an off-road speed run.
Only 20 units of the Revolution XX will ever be made, so this is a very exclusive bike.
It is also worth noting that, according to the HPC website, the bike will ship fully compliant with US Class 2 e-bike laws, meaning it will be limited to 20mph. Of course, as we’ve discussed earlier, you can remove speed limiters, but it will render the bike unusable on public road
Hi Power Cycles Revolution X
Upgraded motor with increased efficiency and lower weight
Compliant with US Class 2 e-bike laws
Hi Power Cycles’ Revolution X is the manufacturer’s flagship model, which boasts a top speed of up to 65mph depending on which power option you choose.
The Revolution X has a 6,000W power level as standard, but buyers can upgrade to a 7,000W or 8,000W machine to reach the top speeds.
The model was first launched five years ago, but in 2022 the manufacturer has added an all-new motor, a 7% increase in maximum efficiency, a lower weight and less cogging torque.
The bike’s starting price is 13,000, with any added extras like two-stage colours, coloured rims, upgraded power levels, upgraded charger, individually factory-tuned suspension, added lighting etc costing extra.
As standard, you can choose from gloss red, gloss white, matte black or clear coat paint.
You can choose from the Thunderbolt (speed motor) or Striker (high torque motor) depending on what kind of ride you’re after.
The Speed motor blends speed, acceleration and torque in a way that’s perfect for moderate trails and moderate hills. With this motor, you can achieve speeds of 55mph on the 6,000W model, 60mph on the 7,000W model, and 60mph on the 8,000w model.
The Torque motor is for riders who want more acceleration/torque while sacrificing a bit of top speed. It’s more efficient than the Speed motor in most circumstances, and is better suited to steeper hills and trails. With this motor, you can achieve speeds of up to 45mph with the 6,000W model, 47mph with the 7,000W and 50mph with the 8,000W.
Like the XX, the Revolution X will ship fully compliant with US Class 2 e-bike laws, meaning it will be limited to 20mph.
Stealth B-52
2500W continuous power: highlights the power capability
60-mile range: emphasizes the range of the bike
Motorcycle-grade brakes: emphasizes the quality and precision of the braking system.
The Stealth B-52 reaches top speeds of up to 50mph, and is comparatively cheaper than the Revolution models listed above at around £9,500.
It weighs 64kg, has a max range of 60 miles on economy or 25 miles on full-throttle, and a recharge time of 3 hours.
The Stealth B-52 comes complete with motorcycle-grade brakes which gie you precise stopping control with just two fingers on the levers.
A silent, high-torque, brushless DC hub motor gives you fast acceleration, and is coupled with suspension that will give you a smooth ride even on the toughest trails.
It is designed with solid state, digital inverter technology with no moving parts to prevent wear-and-tear and reduce maintenance intervals.
It has a continuous power of 2500W and the peak power is 6200W, and its noise emission is just 65db — quieter than the average vacuum cleaner!
You can get the Stealth B-52 in Pitch Black or Pitch Black Fluo depending on preference, and you can add on front and rear mudguards and a controller cover if you wish.
Delfast Top 3.0/3.0i
Full charge range of up to 200 miles
On-board computer with GPS
With a full charge range of up to 200 miles and a top speed of 50mph, the Delfast Top is a great e-bike for anyone looking for endurance as well as speed.
Some critics say it blurs the lines between electric bicycle and electric motorbike, but as it still has pedals, we’re including it in this list — like many of the other bikes we’ve featured, it looks more like a dirt bike with pedals than a regular bicycle.
There are two models of the Delfast Top available depending on your location — the Delfast Top 3.0, which can be bought in the EU and internationally, and the Delfast Top 3.0i, which is only available in the US.
The Delfast Top 3.0i has an on-board computer and 4G GPS, while the 3.0 has a built-in 3G GPS navigation system. Aside from this, they are functionally the same in terms of speed, range and more.
In terms of speed modes, both bikes will ship as a Class 2 e-bike, powering up to 750W with a top speed of 20mph and a Gates Carbon Drive single gear belt drive.
The EU version has a limited mode with a 15mph max speed, which is suitable for road driving in the UK and EU, as well as a 20mph eco version.
Both bikes have an Unlimited mode, which on the US 3.0i model is up to 5000W and 50mph, while the EU 3.0 model can go to 3000W and 50mph.
Therefore, while the top speeds remain the same, the regional versions of the bike are adapted to be road legal in their respective territories while still able to be opened up off-road if you choose — a great bike for all terrains and uses, including commuting.
Both models come in a range of colours, with black or white as standard and orange, red and blue available at an extra cost.
The 10 Best Electric Bikes For Adults in 2023
You can speed up your daily commute, make hills feel slightly less steep, and cover considerable distances without breaking a sweat. Plus, they present an environmentally-friendly alternative to other modes of transportation.
You’ll experience cycling from a whole new perspective – but first, you have to pick the best electric bike.
We tested 2023’s most popular cheap electric bikes and summed up our findings in this round-up. Stick around and find an e-bike that suits you – no matter your budget or needs!
In a hurry, after 42 hours of research we recommend the following bikes for each category:
Rad Power RadRover 6
Rugged aluminum construction, 26-inch wheels with extra-wide tires, and a 750-watt motor to help you power up steep inclines, all available at a reasonable price. There’s no doubt that the RadRover 6 deserves the title of the best fat tire e-bike.
Ride1Up 700
The Ride1Up 700 is a price-friendly and fully loaded commuting e-bike that does not sacrifice on all the good features. Powered by a 48V Geared Hub Bafang Motor with 750W peak power and fitted with a decent capacity 500Wh 48V 13AH Reention Dorado ID Plus battery with Samsung cells.
Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 Remixte
Tesoro Neo X 3 Remixte top rated Cannondale e-bike is built for endurance, comfort, and efficiency. The motor is optimized for quiet and smooth engagement, with multiple pedal-assist levels and a 104-miles range and a range extender battery can be used with this bike. It’s the high-performance road e-bike of 2023 with motor that assist up to 28MPH!
Quick Comparison Table
Best Commuting E-bike Ride1Up 700
Built for smooth city commuting
Best Road E-Bike Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 3
An ultra-quiet and fast motor for a smooth and natural-feeling ride
Best Fat Tire E-Bike Rad Power RadRover 6
The Hummer of fat tire electric bikes
Top 10 Electric Bikes For Adults in 2023
Listed below are some of the best electric bikes – and after putting them to the test, we have the utmost confidence in their capabilities. Dependable motors, sturdy frames, substantial battery capacities; these e bikes have it all.
You’ll probably notice that we didn’t go too cheap even though we included quite a few solid budget picks.
“You get what you pay for “– that saying held up for a reason.
We get that not everyone can afford to splurge on a high-end e-bike, and that’s fine. However, don’t go into this expecting to get the same level of performance from a budget pick as you would from a premium one.
Now that we have that settled, keep reading for our complete list of the best electric road, fat-tire, mountain, and folding bikes on the market!
Best Rated E-Bikes
The skinny-tire, pedal-assisted rides entered the scene a few years ago – and there’s been an ever-increasing variety of electric road bike options ever since.
There’s one for everyone – and we rounded up the best road e-bikes for grownups in 2023 for you.
If you’re thinking of adding one to your collection, now’s your chance!
Cannondale Tesoro Neo X 3 Remixte – Our Pick
By now, Cannondale has become a household name in the e-bike world. This company is well known for producing high-quality bikes of just about any variety. from commuters to fitness and mountain bikes.
So, it’s no surprise that Tesoro Neo X Remixte is one of the best adult e-bikes you can pick up.
It’s a dream to ride, looks gorgeous, and has more than enough range to take you quite a few rounds around the town.
The only thing holding it down is its hefty price. Still, you can’t expect to pay pennies for a premium bike.
Cannondale Tesoro Neo X3 Remixte – Our Pick For Best Road E-Bike of 2023
Frame Build
The Tesoro Neo X 3 features what Cannondale calls a Remixte frame. This is just a fancy word for a frame that has a slightly lowered upper tube, so it’s easier to mount.
Another benefit to this frame design is that it combines the sturdiness of a step-over frame with the approachability of a step-through frame.
This is not where cool frame features end. all cable management is done through it. Besides resulting in clean frame lines, hidden cables also mean less potential for them to snap or break.
To make the ride as comfortable as possible, the Tesoro Neo X 3 features a front suspension with 100 millimeters of travel.
Motor Battery
This e-bike is fully decked out with Boch electronics. from the battery to the motor.
The most peculiar thing about this e-bike is that it features a Boch Performance mid-train motor. This means there’s no throttle, but it makes the e-bike lighter and better at climbing steep hills.
Tesoro X 3 Remixte features a Bosch Power Tube battery that can hold 13.4 Ah of charge. You can expect around 50 miles of ride on a full charge. I managed to squeeze out around 45 miles, but I live in a pretty hilly area.
It takes around 5 hours for the battery to recharge, which is almost an industry standard. If you’re planning on using this e-bike for daily commuting, I recommend you get a spare battery to eliminate any downtime for recharging.
Tires Ride
The Tesoro X 3 Remixte handles like a dream. You’ll feel almost no road shock thanks to the generous suspension travel and decent all-terrain tires.
And don’t worry if you snag a pothole; the aluminum fenders feature a durable tubular design. This provides additional stiffness and durability that’s much needed for rough terrain.
Ride 1UP 700 Series
The Ride 1UP 700 series e-bike can be described in one word. value. Not only does it feature a stylish frame, but it also comes with a powerful motor and a beefy battery. All that for a pretty affordable price.
The only thing holding this bike down is a bit more involved assembly, but when you factor in the price-to-performance ratio. this is a pretty reasonable sacrifice.
Ride 1UP 700 Series Electric Bike
Frame Build
The 700 Series features a pretty hefty aluminum alloy frame that comes in two flavors: step-through and step-over. Both versions weigh around 62 lbs. This does make it a bit more cumbersome to lug around, but at least the bike won’t break if you fall or run into a pothole.
Both the cables and the battery are hidden inside the frame to protect them from harm and extra style points.
On top of all that, the 700 Series also features a pretty decent front suspension with up to 100 millimeters of travel. The suspension works in combination with the fat tires to absorb almost all road shock. resulting in an incredibly pleasurable ride experience.
And since this is an all-around commuter e-bike, you also get a rear cargo rack with 50 lbs of carrying capacity for groceries and other knick-knacks.
Motor Battery
The 700 Series comes with a pretty beefy 750W motor that can churn out 62 Nm of torque. This makes it perfect for just about any type of terrain. You’ll have more than enough power to conquer even the steepest of hills with very little effort.
Another benefit to having a high-torque motor is that you can accelerate pretty fast. It will take you just a couple of seconds on the highest pedal assist level to reach the max speed of 28 MPH.
The motor is pretty responsive, so you’ll have no trouble adjusting to the pedal assist. And if you ever get tired of pedaling, you can always use the throttle system. But that will only get you to 20 MPH.
The battery is just as impressive as the motor. It is rated at 16 Ah and provides you with around 50 miles of range. This is incredible for an e-bike in this price range. Most other models struggle to provide you with even 35 miles of range.
Tires Ride
The 700 Series e-bike features 27.5-inch wheels with 2.4-inch high-volume tires.
Thanks to their heft, the tires are capable of absorbing quite a lot of road shock. Add to that the front suspension, and you get some of the best riding experiences ever.
If you’re looking for a decently priced, high-performing daily commuter, I recommend you give this e-bike a try.
The Best Electric Bikes: Upgrade Your Commute For A Sustainable Ride
At Luxe Digital, we independently research, review, and recommend products we love and that we think you will love, too. Learn more about how we curate the best products for you.
We’ve been lucky over the past four years to test and review some of the best electric bikes on the market. From the top electric commuter bike to fat tire e-bike, folding bikes, and eMBX — if you can name it, we’ve most probably tried it. When testing the most popular electric bike brands, we follow strict testing guidelines to make sure that we can compare e-bikes objectively (more on that below).
What does it mean for you?
Well, if you’re here, I’m guessing you want to understand the different ebike options available today and figure out which electric bike is best for your particular use case.
If that’s you, you’re in the right place.
This is the fourth year in a row that we update our ranking of the best electric bikes. We’ve organized our list by bike category (e.g., city bike, cruiser, mountain bike, etc.). We’ve also shortlisted the top three overall best ebikes that we think will be great options for most people.
In a rush? No problem! Here’s our shortlist of the absolute best options available right now:
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? We’ve been regularly updating our ranking of the best electric bikes since 2019. We started by testing only high-end ebikes. Those were expensive, premium options at the time. But since then, we’ve broadened our ranking to also include more affordable ebikes across multiple categories as the market itself has evolved.
We personally ride as many of the bikes in this ranking as possible to give you our unique point of view and hands-on experience. If we were unable to get our hands on a particular model but thought it was worth being included on our list for your consideration, we performed detailed online research to give you the best recommendations possible.
The 11 best electric bikes of this year
Here’s the full list of the best ebikes of the year. You can directly click on the category that you’re most interested in:
- Overall best electric bike:Ride1Up-LMTD
- Best premium ebike:LeMond Prolog
- Best value electric bike:Ancheer Commuter
- Best foldable ebike:Lectric XP 3.0
- Best cargo utility ebike:Specialized Haul ST
- Best city commuter electric bike:RadCity 5 Plus
- Best electric cruiser bike:Flyer Cruiser
- Best mountain bike:Specialized Turbo Levo Expert
- Best fat tire electric bike:Ride1Up RIFT
- Best road electric bike:Specialized Turbo Creo
- Best electric trike:Lectric XP Trike
Methodology: Our approach to testing and ranking the best electric bikes
At Luxe Digital, we rate every product against the values that are important to us:
- Craftsmanship: How is it made? Is the brand using high-quality materials and expertise?
- Design: How does it look and feel? Is it aesthetic and timeless?
- Function and purpose: How well does it perform? Does it achieve its stated claims?
- Impact: Does the brand have a positive impact on your daily life and the planet?
- Value for money: Is it worth its retail price? Is the price justifiable?
Things you should pay attention to when buying an electric bike
Let’s quickly go through the things you should take into consideration when shopping online for an electric bike.
There are really only two factors to consider when comparing electric bikes: What you’ll do with your ebike and how much you’re ready to spend on it.
We told you it would be quick
Okay, there’s a little bit more to it once you get into the details, but these are the two important questions you should start with to keep your search for the best ebike focused and relevant.
Once you’ve defined your use case and budget, you can start comparing technical specs and features for the different electric bikes that are most relevant to your needs.
We’ll do that in a second, but first, let’s briefly talk about the three different types of electric bikes available today. There are categorized into three classes.
The three legal classes of e-bikes
First thing first, you should understand the class of ebike you want. There are three legal classes of electric bikes on the market in the US:
- Class 1 electric bikes: The easiest and safest to start with, class 1 ebikes use a pedal-assist motor to support your ride. You need to pedal in order to engage the electric motor. The motor will disengage as soon as you reach 20 mph.
- Class 2 electric bikes: These ebikes are equipped with a throttle motor that you can engage without pedaling. The throttle is usually a grip-twist or a button. Type 2 ebikes are also limited to 20 mph.
- Class 3 electric bikes: This is the fastest class of e-bikes with a pedal-assist motor that can reach a top speed of 28 mph. While you don’t need a license to ride them, it’s highly recommended.
Check our dedicated guide to electric bike classes to learn more about the system and see examples for each type. Check also your local rules and regulations to know where and how you can ride each class of ebike. For example, the city of New York enacted a law in 2023 prohibiting the sale, lease, or rental of electric bikes that fail the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standard 2849.
Next, let’s see what you want to use the bike for.
The eight categories of electric bikes
Based on our experience riding electric bikes for several years, we’ve broken down this guide into eight categories of ebikes. These categories are based on different use cases and terrains. It’s important to choose a bike that suits how and where you want to ride to get the best experience possible.
Here are the eight different categories of electric bikes you should consider:
- Folding electric bikes: They are designed for portability and can be stored in small spaces. Folding bikes are ideal for travelers, RVers, city dwellers, and office workers who want to easily store their bikes. Just keep in mind that their design usually makes for a less stable ride.
- Utility cargo electric bikes: These bikes offer a large cargo capacity and can be customized to your needs, which makes them perfect to replace your car for most trips. Cargo ebikes are heavier, however, and thus best suited for riding out straight from your garage to school to drop your kids or to the store.
- City commuter electric bikes: These are great if you primarily want to ride to and from work. Commuter bikes are designed for city use and can replace your car. They have quick power output, higher speeds, and features like brake lights to improve your visibility on the road.
- Cruiser ebikes: This type of bike is built for comfort and ease of use. They are perfect for long slow rides on dedicated bike lanes or by the beach.
- Mountain electric bikes: Purposefully built for off-road use with rugged suspension systems, light frames, strong tires, and frame geometry that make them well-suited to riding trails.
- Fat tire electric bikes: Specially designed for off-road and rough terrain. They have wide tires that provide traction and stability, and a powerful motor that helps you to move quickly over different surfaces.
- Road electric bikes: Ideal for riders who want to go faster and farther on well-paved roads. Road ebikes are lighter and come with narrow tires to improve traction and speed.
- Electric trikes: These three-wheelers are a category on their own. They offer additional cargo space (ideal for children or groceries) with a comfortable and stable ride.
We’ve selected a winner for each category in our ranking below.
Now let’s look at the technical specifications to consider when comparing ebikes.
Technical specs to consider when comparing ebikes
You’ll see a lot of technical jargon on manufacturers’ websites when comparing electric bikes online. But really, we think you can narrow it down to only two essential elements:
Motor power output: The speed and electric assistance you need.
The electric motor determines how fast you can go and how much electrical assistance you will get while pedaling. Electric bike motors are measured in Watts and typically range from 250W to 750W—the higher the number, the most powerful the motor. Powerful electric motors will deliver more torque to carry heavier weights. They also accelerate faster and can reach higher speeds (although your top speed will be limited depending on your bike’s class).
Another thing to consider with the electric motor is its placement on the bike. There are two common options on the market: hub-drive motors, delivering power to one of the wheels, and mid-drive motors, delivering power to the pedal crank.
Hub-drive motors are cheaper and easier to maintain, but they’re less efficient and make tire replacement more complicated. On the other hand, mid-drive motors are more expensive but also more efficient and offer a more balanced weight distribution.
Battery capacity: The distance and duration of you ride.
Your ebike’s battery determines how far and how long you can ride. Batteries are measured in watts per hour (Wh)—the higher the Wh number, the more power storage. Higher Wh batteries are generally also heavier, however, so you’ll need to find the right balance between the overall bike’s weight, your own weight, and what you want to do with your bike.
Another thing to look out for is the option to remove (or not) your ebike’s battery. Some models offer a removable battery, which might be more convenient for you to recharge or store. Removable batteries are also easier to change if your battery gets old.
Now that you understand the two most important technical specifications related to electric bikes, let’s look at a few extra elements to consider:
- Weight: the battery and motor can add significant weight to your bike. Understand how that might affect your ride quality, speed, and distance.
- Tires: depending on your use case, you’ll want appropriate tires for the terrain.
- Step-over vs step-through: this refers to the height of the bar in the middle of the frame. Step-over bikes have a high bar that provides more balance and rigidity to your ride. Step-through bikes have a lower bar that makes it easier to get on the bike. I generally recommend step-over for most scenarios, but a step-through is a good option short distance commuting.
- Safety features: look for options such as integrated lights and capable breaks. Break lights are especially important if you want a city bike to ride in the traffic.
- Warranty: we only recommend ebikes from reputable manufacturers, but you should always check what the warranty is like and the quality of the brand’s customer service.
- Additional features: a few extra things to consider depending on your use case is the type of suspensions and the electric bike’s interface (for example, does it come with an app).
- Payment plan: there are so many options available on the market this year that you’re bound to find an electric bike that suits your budget. Many states and brands offer attractive financing plans, vehicle loan programs, or cash incentives to help support your purchase. We’ll mention them in our review below whenever possible.
One more thing before we get to the main course: you should check our selection of the best electric motorcycles if you want more speed and comfort while riding. And if you’re looking for a cheaper and lighter alternative, we have a detailed guide to the best electric scooters too.
Now, let’s get to the most interesting part of this article: our ranking of the best electric bikes of the year!
Overall best electric bike: Ride1Up LMTD
| Ebike category | Class 3 |
| Motor | 750W rear hub with 95Nm of torque |
| Battery | 672Wh |
| Top Speed | 28mph pedal assist and 20mph throttle |
| Range | Up to 50 miles |
| Weight | 53 lbs |