The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (2024)

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Adrienne So

Gear

We tested the best electric bikes in every category—commuting, mountain biking, foldable, cruisers, and more.

The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (3)

    Photograph: Will Matsuda; Getty Images

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    Featured in this article

    The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (4)

    Best Electric Bike for Most People

    Trek FX+ 2

    Read more

    The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (5)

    Best Commuter Ebike

    Rad Power Bikes Radster Road

    Read more

    The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (6)

    Best Mountain Ebike

    Canyon Spectral:ON CFR

    Read more

    The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (7)

    Best Budget Ebike

    Propella 9S Pro V2

    Read more

    For years, electric bicycles were bulky, inconvenient, expensive machines with limited battery life. Slowly, that has changed. Ebikes are now lighter, more attractive, and more powerful than ever. You don't need to be physically fit to ride one. They get you outside, reduce traffic congestion, and shrink your carbon footprint. I ride one daily to take my kids to school. They're just fun.

    Over the past few years, WIRED's Reviews team has tried almost every kind of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. We review upward of 50 new ebikes a year by riding them on a variety of terrain for at least 40 miles over the course of at least two weeks. We test cargo bikes by hauling kids and groceries, we ride mountain and gravel bikes on trails, and we test commuter bikes while running errands on regular city streets (including up and down steep hills). In addition to our real-life testing, we evaluate specs like weight, tire size, battery life, motor power, and the sourcing of key components. If you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!). Once you buy an ebike, check out our Best Bike Accessories, Best Bike Locks, and the Best Ebikes for Elderly Riders. Not into pedaling? Read our Best Escooters guide for other transport options.

    Updated June 2024: We added the Rad Power Radster Road, the Linus eDutchi, the Gazelle Eclipse, and the Aventon Ramblas. We also updated links and prices.

    Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

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    • The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (8)

    Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

    Senior Associate Reviews Editor

    TopicsShoppingelectric bikesbuying guidese-bikesBicyclesoutdoors

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    The 16 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride (2024)

    FAQs

    What's the difference between an eBike and an electric bike? ›

    However, you may have heard the terms "e-bike" and "electric bike" used interchangeably, leaving you wondering whether there is any difference between the two. In short, the answer is no. "E-bike" and "electric bike" refer to the same thing: a bicycle that is powered by an electric motor.

    What is the average price of a good eBike? ›

    Average Costs

    The average price to buy an electric bike is between $600 and $2,500. There are also many eBike models that are much more expensive than $1,000, with some costing as much as $8,000. The typical eBike rider will pay around $1,500 for their ride.

    Which eBike is easiest to pedal? ›

    The NBD's ultra-low center of gravity makes it much easier to stay in control. Best of all is getting on the bike.

    Are there any fully electric bikes? ›

    You'll also find electric bikes from popular brands, including Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Raleigh, Brompton, Haibike and many more. Or if you prefer getting around on something with a bit more maneuverability, check out our range of electric scooters.

    Are eBikes harder to pedal than regular bikes? ›

    It's not hard to pedal an electric bike. If you turn the pedal assist to 0, it's the same as pedaling a traditional bicycle. If you have the motor running on the e-bike, it's even easier! You pedal and travel faster on an e-bike.

    How much faster is an ebike compared to a regular bike? ›

    But when you ride an e-bike rather than a regular bike, you'll get from point A to point B a lot quicker. Most electric bikes will allow you to move 15 to 20 miles per hour. That'll get you anywhere you want to go quickly.

    How many years does an ebike last? ›

    With proper care and maintenance, your electric bike can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years. The lifespan will vary based on the quality of the components, usage patterns, and how well you maintain your bike.

    Which class of ebike is best? ›

    Class 3 e-bikes, also known as speed pedelecs, are the fastest and most powerful type of e-bike. They have an electric motor that provides assistance while the rider is pedaling, and the motor stops assisting once the bike reaches 28 miles per hour.

    Are e-bikes worth the money? ›

    Long-Term Savings: A report from the Transport Research Laboratory suggests that the average cost to charge an e-bike is about $0.08 per charge, leading to savings when compared to the cost of fuel for cars. Over time, e-bike users save on the costs associated with car maintenance and public transport fares.

    Can you ride an electric bike without pedaling? ›

    The answer is yes—and no. There are some e-bikes that feature a throttle, which will allow you to ride without pedaling. However, that feature does come with some downsides. Other types e-bikes, including both of the Bluejay models, require riders to pedal in order to engage the battery and the motor.

    What is a class 3 ebike? ›

    Class 1: eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and have a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph. Class 2: eBikes that also have a maximum speed of 20 mph, but are throttle-assisted. Class 3: eBikes that are pedal-assist only, with no throttle, and a maximum assisted speed of 28 mph.

    What ebike has the highest top speed? ›

    What's the fastest electric bike?
    ELECTRIC BIKEGOOD FORTOP SPEED
    Hallomotor FC-1Speed110km/h
    Hi Power Cycles Revolution XSpeed96km/h
    Stealth B-52Speed80km/h
    Delfast Top 3.0iSpeed80km/h
    3 more rows

    Do electric bikes charge when you pedal? ›

    Well yes it is possible but not common! Generally speaking, most electric bikes do not charge when you pedal. They need their batteries to be plugged into a power outlet to be powered. However, some models offer the possibility of charging while you pedal, although this is often very inefficient.

    How much does the average e-bike cost? ›

    Purchasing: a basic commuter e-bike costs $1,000 to $4,000, while a customized high-end e-bike can range between $10,000 to $12,000.

    Have any electric bikes caught fire? ›

    Although battery fires are relatively rare, several people have been killed as a result of e-bikes and e-scooters catching fire in their homes.

    Do you still pedal on an electric bike? ›

    The answer is yes—and no. There are some e-bikes that feature a throttle, which will allow you to ride without pedaling. However, that feature does come with some downsides. Other types e-bikes, including both of the Bluejay models, require riders to pedal in order to engage the battery and the motor.

    How fast do e-bikes go? ›

    If you're still looking for a quick answer to the question “how quick can an e-bike go?” the answer is between 15.5 mph and 28 mph, legally, depending on where you live, but your legs can get you to whatever top speed you could reach if it were a traditional bike.

    What are the pros and cons of eBikes? ›

    Electric Bicycles: benefits and downsides vs. traditional bikes
    • 1 – Enhanced Riding Experience. ...
    • 2 – Increased Speed. ...
    • 3 – Reduced Physical Fatigue. ...
    • 4 – Adjustable Assistance Levels. ...
    • 1 – Increased weight. ...
    • 2 – Reduced physical exertion. ...
    • 3 – Extra effort when running out of battery.

    Why are e-bikes better than bikes? ›

    Easier riding

    They're not like a motorbike – you'll still need to pedal – but the motor essentially boosts your pedal power as you ride, making things faster and easier. Compared to a regular bike, you'll get far more out of your pedalling, which really helps on hills.

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