Best electric bikes | 17 top-rated ebikes for every type of rider
The best electric bike for you will depend on the type of riding you want to do, so in this guide we’ll cover the whole range of different electric bike types and recommend some of the best we’ve tested.
Electric bikes – or ebikes as they’re commonly known – are bicycles with an electric motor and battery that provides assistance as you pedal. There are many benefits to riding an electric bike. Electric bikes make riding up hills easier and will enable most riders to travel at a higher speed over longer distances without arriving at their destination covered in sweat.
Despite common misconceptions, you can still ride an electric bike for fitness. Electric bike laws limit the power of an ebike motor, so you still need to pedal – there’s no twist-and-go throttle here. There is an electric bike for every type of riding. Electric folding bikes and electric hybrid bikes are great choices for cycling to work, the best electric mountain bikes will help you get to the top of the next trail so you can enjoy more descending and the best electric road bikes and electric gravel bikes will enable you to take on longer adventures. Making sense of how an electric bike works and how to choose the right one for you is a daunting task. Luckily for you, BikeRadar’s team of expert testers have put in hundreds of hours riding more than 175 of the best ebikes across all categories. Our testing is 100 per cent editorially independent, so you can always trust our recommendations. In this in-depth buyer’s guide to choosing the best electric bike for any rider, we’ll talk you through the things you need to consider for each category of ebike. We also highlight the best ebikes we have reviewed, as selected by BikeRadar’s expert team of tech editors, for each type of ebike, with links to our detailed buyer’s guide for each category. We also have a general buyer’s guide to electric bike tech at the bottom of this article that answers common questions. For even more information, take a look at our ebike FAQs. There’s a lot to cover here, so use the links below to skip to the section you need, or read on for every detail.
Best electric hybrid bikes
Like a non-assisted hybrid bike, electric hybrid bikes feature an upright riding position, flat bars and stable handling. They’re often the least expensive entry point into ebikes.
With lots of mounting points for accessories such as pannier bags and mudguards, electric hybrids are great if you’re planning to commute to work by bike, ride around town or want to go for leisurely rides on bike trails or through parks.
Electric hybrid bikes can be quite heavy because they tend to use less sophisticated motor systems and the bikes are built for robustness. This is worth bearing in mind if you need to carry them up stairs.
Below is a selection of four of the very best electric hybrid bikes as tested by our senior road technical editor, Warren Rossiter. For more recommendations, check out our full round-up of the best electric hybrid bikes.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0
- £2,600 / €2,999 / 3,500 as tested
- Pros: Well-tuned power delivery; low weight
- Cons: Lower-torque motor means you have to put in more work
Specialized makes two electric hybrid bike ranges. Whereas the standard Turbo Vado is a heavy-duty ebike, the Vado SL uses a less powerful motor with 35Nm of torque. This reduces the weight to under 15kg, but the flip side is that you have less assistance than with the Turbo Vado, which could be a problem on hills.
The other advantage of the lower output is clean looks, with the concealed battery giving a sporty appearance. Specialized fits lights to all models and includes mudguards and a luggage rack on pricier models.
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Canyon Pathlite:ON 5
- £2,499 / €2,699, as tested
- Pros: Great handling and confident off-road
- Cons: Heavy versus its rivals
The Canyon Pathlite:ON 5 is a powerful electric hybrid bike that handles and rides commendably. Our testing found the Canyon’s 100km claimed range to be true, but there’s no denying the bike is heavy at 23.5kg.
Where the Pathlite:ON 5 truly stands out is off the tarmac, where it rivals electric mountain bikes with confidence-inspiring chunky tyres and a shock-absorbing suspension fork.
Tern Quick Haul P9
- £3,100 / 3,299 / AU4995 as tested
- Pros: Great fun to ride and versatile
- Cons: Official add-ons are fairly pricey
The Tern Quick Haul P9 looks like a cargo bike at first glance, but its compact design means it isn’t much longer than a typical electric hybrid.
With the option to fit a huge array of useful add-on accessories both front and back, our tester described the Quick Haul P9 as a “genuinely viable car replacement”.
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Best electric folding bikes
Commuters who travel by public transport or are short on space are catered for too. Oliver Woodman / Immediate Media
If you want to cycle to work or are just pressed for space to store your ride, a compact electric folding bike could be the answer.
Folding ebikes often have the battery hidden in their frames, or they may come with a removable battery to make carrying them on and off public transport a bit easier.
A removable battery also means you can take it somewhere where it’s easier to charge (at your desk, for example, if you use the bike to ride to work).
But the extra weight of the motor and battery means carrying a folding ebike on and off public transport, and up and down stairs, will be harder. The available range can be quite limited in some models too.
For more product recommendations, check out our round-up of the best folding electric bikes.
Brompton Electric
The Brompton Electric adds a front-hub motor to the iconic folder. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
- £2,725 as tested
- Pros: Very compact fold; smooth power delivery
- Cons: Quite heavy; two pieces to carry
A front-hub motor adds electric power to the classic Brompton folding bike, giving you a range of around 40km. The battery sits in a separate pack, which can be removed from the bike for carrying.
Since we tested the Brompton Electric, the standard bike has been redesignated the C Line Explore. It’s been joined by the P Line, which uses lighter frame materials and components to chop almost 2kg off the C Line’s 17.4kg claimed weight.
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GoCycle G4
- £3,999 as tested
- Pros: Larger wheels ride more smoothly; stylish design
- Cons: Expensive; doesn’t fold as small as some ebikes
While pricey, the GoCycle G4 is a folder, commuter and electric bike in one. The ride and handling are far more assured than most folding bikes on- and off-road, thanks to the meaty tyres and larger wheels.
The bike folds in half at its centre, making it easier to roll than to carry and the removable battery in the front of the frame is accessed via the fold. At over 17kg, it’s quite heavy though.
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MiRider One GB3
The GB3 is an upgrade on the original MiRider One, with an accompanying price rise. David Caudery / Our Media
- £2,495 as tested
- Pros: Very compact
- Cons: Price has increased significantly from the original bike
The MiRider One GB3 is an upgrade from the original model we tested a few years ago. Unfortunately, that’s resulted in a significant price hike, but the ebike is still a compact, nippy city commuter.
The belt drive is cleaner and lower-maintenance than a chain, there’s good adjustability, and built-in rear suspension and wide tyres add comfort.
The GB3 design has three speeds, adding flexibility over the singlespeed predecessor, and you can change gear while stationary. We achieved a range of up to 50km.
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Best electric mountain bikes
Electric mountain bikes can be great on the climbs, but handling on the descents can take a bit of getting used to. Ian Linton
An electric mountain bike will get you to the top quicker, particularly on technical, steeper climbs, and with more energy to enjoy the descents. Plus, getting up the ups more easily will give you extra range to explore further.
Recent improvements in eMTB performance mean handling is approaching that of the best mountain bikes without a motor, providing heaps of flat-out riding fun.
But, nevertheless, the extra weight can make handling more tricky on particularly technical sections, so it’s a good idea to ease off a bit until you’ve got the feel of the bike
This is a small selection of the best electric mountain bikes we have tested, as selected by our expert team of mountain bike tech editors, Alex Evans, Robin Weaver and Tom Marvin.
Focus JAM2 SL 9.9
- £7,499/€8,499/AU14,499 as tested
- Pros: Powerful and efficient motor; high levels of performance
- Cons: Inadequate tyres specced; ride remote feels cheap
The Focus JAM2 SL 9.9 is on the lightweight end of the electric bike spectrum, using Fazua’s Ride 60 motor, which provides the bike with 60Nm of torque.
The motor is very frugal, being one of the best for power consumption, with the 430Wh battery lasting longer than other bikes we’ve tested.
Focus has given the JAM2 SL an adjustable geometry, with the frame featuring two flip chips in the linkage and the chainstays enabling the bike to be set up longer, lower and slacker.
While the bike only features 150mm of rear travel, we found it spanned both trail and enduro riding well, which added to enjoyment on gnarlier trails.
The only let down was the slightly cheap-feeling Fazua remote and underwhelming lightweight tyre choice.
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Orbea Wild M-Team
The Orbea Wild M-Team impressed us with its modern geometry and powertrain. Olly Bowman / Our Media
- £9,207/9,844/€9,727/AU17,429 as tested
- Pros: Bosch motor and battery combo performs well; feels capable on all trails
- Cons: Priced at the top end of the market
Winning our Electric Mountain Bike of the Year award for 2023, the Orbea Wild M-Team impresses with a balanced geometry that feels dominant whether the trail is going up or down.
The Fox Factory 38 fork features 170mm of travel, while the 160mm of rear travel is controlled by a Fox X2 Factory shock that does a great job of gobbling up rough terrain and finding grip on technical sections.
The punchy nature of Bosch’s Performance Line CX motor gives the bike great climbing ability, with assistance feeling constant up until the cut-off speed.
Alongside the great spec list, Orbea has fitted the bike with downhill casing tyres, which means you can push the Wild M-Team to the extremes of it’s geometry with little worry.
Our Best Fat-tire Electric Bikes for 2023
The Best Class 3 Electric Fat Bike, 2023
A disruptive model when it first came into the fat-tire e-bike world, the Aventon Aventure set a new high bar for what consumers could expect from a sub-5000,000 electric fat bike when it first entered the market, and the followup Aventure 2 built upon that legacy. While many of its contemporaries have caught up in certain aspects, the Aventure 2 still stands out.
It’s not just the 750W Bafang rear hub motor or the 720Wh fully-integrated battery that have us so enamored with this electric fatty, it’s also that Aventon managed to chock it full of little features and extras that are still somewhat uncommon on many e-bikes in this category. It’s got a torque sensor which both allows for a more natural feel, and also gives it better battery efficiency making you go further without a larger, heavier battery. Throw in a full-color LCD display, metal fenders, a full Shimano Altus drivetrain, Tektro hydraulic brakes and, to top it all off, it’s just a really nice riding bike. The handling is sporty without being overly athletic and, though it is a bit heavy, it handles light doubletrack surprisingly well.
It also comes available in a step-over and step-through frames with a selection of good looking colors to choose from (a standout feature in a sea of black and white fat bikes).
The Aventure ships as a Class 2 e-bike, but like most of the bikes on this list it’s easily convertible to Class 3 through an app that paris to your bike, which gives it a top pedal-assisted speed of 28 mph. We’ve tested and even compared this bike head-to-head against some of its biggest competitors, and the results don’t lie: It’s a new breed of affordable electric fat bike.
To put it short, we’re really big fans of the Aventure and we think you would be too which is why it leads off our list of the best fat tire electric bikes of 2023.
Pro’s
- Unlocked to Class 3, this is an extremely fast and torquey e-bike.
- The full-color LCD display is great and features a percentage based battery readout
- The 720Wh battery is efficiency used for great range thanks to the torque sensor
- It’s got a unique styling for a fat e-bike that reminds us of another Aventon we really liked, the Level.
Con’s
- At 77lbs (we reviewed a large with the optional front and included rear racks), the Aventure is slightly heavier than many of its peers.
The Mokwheel Basalt
This beast of an e-bike has the brawn to carry its rider just about anywhere witha strong motor and 450 lbs payload capacity, and can be accompanied by some seriously impressive optional accessories.
Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus
The Best Class 2 Electric Fat Bike, 2023
We’ve long been fans of Rad Power Bikes’ RadRover line and many e-bikes on this list owe some thanks to the Rover for helping popularize fat tires into the mainstream. While there was plenty to appreciate with past iterations of the Rover, the RadRover 6 Plus is a marked upgrade over its predecessors in such a way that it demands to be seriously considered among anybody’s list for the best electric fat tire bikes.
There is a noticeable aesthetic overhaul compared to previous models that is largely credited to the new semi-integrated battery housed in a more modern, angular frame. There is also a unique dual display in the center and left of the cockpit that’s functional and just plain different.
But looks aren’t all that’s new here. Rad also added hydraulic disc brakes with 180mm rotors to bolster the stopping power and keep riders more in control when needing to come to a stop.
In a category of e-bike that’s often singularly-focused on speed and raw power, the Rad Power Bikes RadRover 6 Plus takes a different, more measured approach. It’s got a 750W rear hub motor that’s very similar to what you’ll find on many other bikes on this list of the best fat tire e-bikes, but the power delivery from that motor is much more gentle, particularly at low speeds. What this does is give the bike a very predictable and controllable power delivery that’s friendly to new riders or those who want a bike that’s easy to ride, all while still being plenty torquey to help you summit hilly areas.
If you want easily-controllable power from a bike that’s backed by an industry-leading e-bike company, the RadRover 6 plus may be the best choice for you.
Pro’s
- The 750W motor feels refined – it’s got plenty of torque but it delivers it smoothly.
- The 672Wh battery delivers impressive range even for its size.
- The hydraulic disc brakes performed very well in our testing, and they added it to the newest Rover model while keeping the price relatively affordable.
- While it may be subjective, we really love the new look of the redesigned RadRover.
Con’s
- The LED screen on the left is noticeably less bright than the center one.
- The cable management feels a bit messy.
The Blix Ultra
With speed, power, and a myriad of options to add versatility, the Blix Ultra is practical and completely fun to ride.
Lectric XP 3.0
Best Ultra Affordable Electric Fat Bike, 2023
The Lectric XP 2.0 already stood out by proving to be a quality folding bike with a solid spread of features at a very reasonable price. The combined package of integrated features such as the rear cargo rack, lights, suspension, and fenders is something you would only expect to see on more expensive models. Now Lectric has raised the bar even further by packing the new XP 3.0 full of upgrades and new features, while keeping the bike at the same price of around a thousand dollars.
The new Lectric XP 3.0 features a motor with increased peak wattage and torque for better hill climbing, a better gear ratio for ease of pedaling, larger brake rotors for better stopping power, an improved suspension for a more comfortable ride, and optional accessories for increased passenger capacity.
All of that capability on a bike that can fold up and fit behind a seat or in a trunk made it easy to choose the Lectric XP 3.0 for the best fat tire e-bike of 2023!
Pro’s
- The XP 3.0 only adds to the already great value of the previous model. For the same price, the 3.0 offers upgrades to the baseline integrated features and even adds new ones.
- While the motor on the XP 3.0 is still a 500W rear-hub, it now features an increased 55Nm of torque and 1000W peak output.
- An improved gear ratio and larger high gear result in a more efficient application of rider input.
- Increased brake rotor size – now 180mm instead of 160mm – gives more responsiveness and efficiency braking despite being mechanical instead of hydraulic disc brakes.
- The 3.0’s suspension fork has an increased travel distance at 50mm, making for a smoother ride on- and off-road.
- The weight capacity of the rear rack has doubled to a max of 150lbs, allowing for additional passenger capacity.
Con’s
- We’d have loved to see the option to operate the XP 3.0 without its key in the bike, but that is one upgrade Lectric has not yet made.
- While the 3.0’s grips are improved, we still would prefer something a bit softer.
The Velotric Nomad 1
With sleek design, excellent range, and plenty of power for speed and uphill travel, the Nomad 1 offers solid value for its price.
Mokwheel Basalt
The Best Fat Tire Electric Bike for Camping, 2023
Half the fun of camping is exploring the area visited. E-bikes offer campers the opportunity to go farther, see more and not be wiped out at the end of the day. The Mokwheel Basalt is unusual among e-bikes in that not only is it well-suited to off-road exploring, but it can serve as a valuable resource thanks to some of its unusual accessories. As a Class 3 e-bike with a maximum speed of 28 mph, it is terrific for getting around most anywhere.
The Mokwheel Basalt may not look all that unusual at first glance. It features a 750W brushless hub motor that can turn 90Nm of torque, making it suitable for riding steep hills, whether paved or not. The 110mm-travel suspension fork improves control on bumpy terrain and the 7-speed Shimano drivetrain helps both uphill and down. Hydraulic disc brakes offer terrific power even on steep downhills and Chaoyang 26 x 4-in. tires provide the necessary cushion and traction for exploring the backcountry.
What really sets the Mokwheel Basalt apart is its massive 940Wh battery that can power a 1000W power inverter that has the ability to run such essentials as phone chargers, coffee makers, electric grills and laptops. Planning to be gone more than a day or two? Mokwheel also offers a solar charger to keep the juice running to those essentials.
Riders can also choose between a traditional frame and a step-thru design. Because it has a 450-lb. payload capacity, campers who want to go bag dinner can carry it back to camp as well. This is ideal for anyone planning to go camping but still wants electricity.
Not only is it the best fat tire electric bike for camping, it’s just a good fat option period.
Pro’s
- 750W brushless hub motor has the power and torque necessary to climb hills and deliver riders to a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph for spirited riding
- Comes in both a traditional frame and a step-thru to fit a broad range of riders
- Can power a number of electric appliances while camping with the help of the optional 1000W power inverter
- 4-in.-wide tires and a front suspension fork make for a very comfortable ride
- 450-lb. payload capacity makes it terrific for hunters wanting to bring home their game
Con’s
The Aventon Sinch
With its low step-thru frame, big tires and suspension fork, this is a comfortable and easy to ride e-bike perfect for accompanying you on road trips and outdoor adventures.
Stealth fender mounts
The F/All-Road boasts fender compatibility front and rear. The mounts are compatible with most fender systems, but we have also made our own system.
The Fara Cycling reflective fenders are made specifically for our bikes and fit easily in minutes. At night you’ll be seen with the reflective coating.
The details
Carbon fiber frame and fork construction Frame weight 980 grams (Size dependant) Fork weight 390 grams Integrated Bikebacking System Integrated Fender mounts front and rear Light rack compatible mounts Three bottle mounts Top tube Bento mount Fork mounted cargo cage attachments Front/rear flat mount disc brakes 140mm (160mm w/adapter) Fully integrated brake cable routing F/R Fully integrated derailleur routing F/R 1.5 Token S-Box integrated headset Compatible with Electronic and Mechanical shifting 1x and 2x compatible 27.2 mm round seatpost, universal clamp 100mm and 142mm TA 12mm axles BB386 bottom bracket standard
4 sizes to fit nearly every rider
Our F/All-Road size range starts from 49cm to fit smaller riders down to 160cm tall and up to size 59cm for riders up to 195cm. The four size options are ideally suited to provide you with an optimal fit.
In addition, stack and reach increments rise evenly throughout the range, providing consistent fit on each and every size. Fork offsets are adapted from the smallest to the largest sizes to ensure great ride quality for all and none of the dreaded toe-overlap.
The Oslo Project
It all began in 2018. We wanted a ride that was quick and responsive on the tarmac, yet still able to tackle gravel roads when called upon. It had to be as fun during the Sunday morning group-rides with our friends as over the hundreds of kms of dirt roads that surround our city. it was an obvious segment that the bike industry just didn’t seem to care about.
With the F/All-Road we’ve hit a home-run and we’re not the only ones who love it. just ask every journalist who’s tested it! It combines feature-packed useability with a subtle elegance in design. Even when packing gear, the bike still performs without fault and inspires confidence on all surfaces and in all conditions.
Beyond the amazing ride quality, we’ve introduced a small revolution in the world of bikepacking with the fully integrated bikepacking system that easily clicks on and off, yet doesn’t leave a trace on the bike when fully removed.
Total integration for bikepacking
A good bikepacking set-up should be looked at as a complete system. From the bike to the bags and the gear you carry. We’ve put endless miles on the road and spent countless nights in tents, and know just how important this is.
We teamed up with industry-leading bag makers Roswheel, utilizing their lightweight and waterproof welded technology and integrated a revolutionary attachment system eliminating the straps all together. The bags snap on and off easily in seconds and when not in use, the system is completely hidden to preserve the clean aesthetics of the frame.
RadWagon 4 Assembly
Leave it to the pros, we highly recommend our ebike assembly service to get you ready-to-ride.
What to Measure
Your “bike inseam”.- or inside leg length.- is the distance between your body where it sits on your bike saddle and the ground. This will typically be an inch or two longer than the length of your trousers, but you’ll want to measure to be sure. You’ll use this number on the chart to get a feel for how the different models will fit you.
How to Measure
Wearing your regular riding shoes and with your back to the wall, stand with your feet spread so there is about 7 inches between them. this is about the distance apart your feet would be when straddling a bike with your feet on
Place a hardcover book against the wall with the spine of the book facing upward. Slide the book upwards towards your groin until it is solidly against your body. This may be a bit awkward, but is way more comfortable.- and safer!- than trying to ride a bike that is too big.
If you have a buddy helping you, get them to measure from the floor to the top of the book spine while you hold the book in place. If you’re going it alone, carefully hold the book in place and measure from the ground to the top of the book spine.