HomeBuying Guide12 Best Electric Bikes (2023): Affordable, Cargo, Folding, Commuter, and More

12 Best Electric Bikes (2023): Affordable, Cargo, Folding, Commuter, and More

February 10, 2023

12 Best Electric Bikes (2023): Affordable, Cargo, Folding, Commuter, and More

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Person wearing a helmet and standing in a building holding onto a small electric bicycle

It Costs What Now? 

How to Finance Your Bike

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Best for Most People

Trek FX+ 2

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$2,500 at Trek Bikes

Another Great Newbie Ebike

Cowboy 4 ST

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$2,990 at Cowboy

Best Utility Bike

Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser

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$1,595 at Ride1Up
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In a time of multiple global crises—like the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, and the threat of nuclear war—it's hard not to feel helpless. If you're a grown-up who can't quite think of what to do to make anything better, I have a simple suggestion: Hop on a bike. And it seems millions of Americans agree, whether they rented one from a bike-share or bought their own. 

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. And they're fun!

Over the past few years, my fellow Gear writers and I have tried almost every kind of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. We're always testing new ones, so if you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!). And once you buy an ebike, check out our favorite biking accessories, bike locks, and gear for a “bikepacking” adventure.

Updated February 2023: We substituted a new bike for the Rad Power RadWagon, added more safety tips, and added more information about the LeMond Prolog and Harley Serial 1. We also checked links and pricing. 

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  • Person wearing a helmet and standing in a building holding onto a small electric bicycle
    Photograph: Andrija Nikolic/Getty Images

    It Costs What Now? 

    How to Finance Your Bike

    Whenever I talk to anyone about a possible ebike purchase, the biggest deterrent is usually the price. It doesn't help that prices for bikes have shot up in recent years. Multiple factors, including the pandemic, have complicated the global supply chain, and exemptions to a 25 percent tariff on all ebike imports have expired. 

    We've done our best to include lower-priced options, but we think of them as vehicles, not toys. When you're carrying kids to school or flying down a hill at 25 mph with only a helmet for protection, you want a ride you can trust. 

    Reasonable auto financing options are the only reason a $2,000 electric bike can feel prohibitively expensive while a $6,000 beater gas-powered car has easy monthly payments. Many bike manufacturers and retailers do offer financing through companies like Affirm or PayPal. Your bank might cover ebikes under its vehicle loan program, and some utility companies even offer cash incentives to purchase ebikes. You may have more options than you think. 

  • Photograph: Trek

    Best for Most People

    Trek FX+ 2

    The prices on direct-to-consumer bikes are very appealing, but if you wouldn't send your kid down a hill on a skateboard with wobbly wheels, I wouldn't recommend doing the same yourself. If this is your first bike, I strongly suggest going with an established manufacturer that has a large support network of affiliated retailers and shops, so you can test a few and not have to assemble or fix it yourself. I also suggest looking for an all-in-one package—lights and a bell are non-negotiable purchases if you want to ride at night or in the rain. 

    Almost every major bike manufacturer now makes an entry-level commuter electric bicycle. Right now, the most reasonably priced one is the Trek FX+ 2. It comes in two versions, a step-over and a step-through. (I'm currently riding the step-through.) At 40 pounds, it's pretty light! It rides a lot like the light, versatile hybrid that I rode all through college. It has Trek's proprietary 250-watt hub motor, a 250-watt-hour battery, standard 9-speed Shimano shifters, fast road bike wheels, and hydraulic disc brakes, as well as a few fun extra built-ins, like integrated lights, a bell, a rear rack, fenders, and a kickstand. All in all, it's a shockingly affordable package for everything you need to start your 6-mile city commute. 

    ★ Alternatives: We have tried almost all the entry-level cruisers. Specialized makes one that's pricier but with a nicer low-maintenance internal gear hub and belt drive, and we like Cannondale's version as well. Momentum is owned by Giant, and the Voya E+ 3 ($2,000) is equally light and absolutely stunning in person. But its smart shift system may be a little confusing to those new to ebiking, and the base price doesn't include all the commuter extras. 

    $2,500 at Trek Bikes

  • Photograph: Cowboy

    Another Great Newbie Ebike

    Cowboy 4 ST

    VanMoof's ebikes are often touted as the best for beginners, but we picked the Cowboy 4 ST (8/10, WIRED Recommends) for the simple reason that, if an electric bike relies heavily on an app on your phone, it should come with a charger. Like the VanMoof, the 4 ST is beautiful, low-maintenance, and easy to assemble out of the box. However, the stem has a built-in quad lock system and wireless charging. Just buy a compatible phone case (a negligible, if slightly annoying, extra expense) and using Google Maps to get around town is easy and painless.

    You can also use your phone to check the battery level and easily pop it in and out of the frame for charging inside. It's somewhat rare to see features like a carbon belt drive at this price, as well as lights that turn on automatically when it gets dark. On the minus side, the rear hub motor has a power output of just 250 watts, which might not be enough if you live in a very hilly area. Also, you can only unlock it with the app. The 4 ST is optimized for riders who are 5'6" and taller, which makes it just slightly too big for me at 5'2". It also comes in a version with a high top tube, but we appreciate the ease of a step-through. 

    $2,990 at Cowboy

  • Photograph: Ride1Up

    Best Utility Bike

    Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser

    For many years, I recommended Seattle's Rad Power Bikes as a reliable, heavier, great direct-to-consumer bike for people who wanted the option to carry more gear or another passenger. However, their recent lawsuits concerning safety and reliability have given me pause. The company has a new CEO now, but if you're considering buying a new ebike, I would consider a company with a better track record.

    The bike I'm currently riding is the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser with the passenger kit. Any bike at this price point is not going to feel as nice or natural as a slightly more expensive one—the Bafang motor is louder and the assistance a little less smooth and predictable. While there is a passenger kit, the rear rack is only rated for 130 pounds, so you will be restricted to carrying only your daintier loved ones. At 5'2", I also find the smallest step-through frame to be a little large for me. However, I like the Shimano shifters and hydraulic brakes. Also, on a bike this big with not-so-smooth acceleration, you probably want a throttle for maximum maneuverability.

    ★ Alternatives: Every DTC company has a similar bike, at a similar price point, with similar components. The Aventon Level starts at $1,499 and I had no problems with it. And most people I know have one version or another of the RadRunner ($1,499) and have not experienced any problems. As with all ebikes, I recommend not letting it charge overnight and not letting your children ride them unsupervised.

    $1,595 at Ride1Up

  • Photograph: Propella 

    Best Affordable Ebike

    Propella 7-Speed (V3.4)

    Unless you're already an ebike enthusiast, you probably want one that's not too expensive, and that means as close to $1,000 as possible. This is a tough proposition if you want a reliable motor and a frame that won't buckle at 15 mph.

    Propella's 7-speed (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is the best cheap bike we've found. Reviewer Parker Hall notes that it has trustworthy components like a Samsung battery and Shimano disc brakes, plus nifty accessories like a cool suspension seat. It ships directly to you, which is handy if you'd like to avoid a bike shop. Propella updates its bikes every few months. Since it is a direct-to-consumer bike, we're just warning you that your local shop might have issues repairing it.

    ★ Alternatives: If you would like a few more gears, Propella also recently launched the 9S Pro ($1,699).I recently tried the Aventon Soltera ($1,199), which hides the battery in the frame and has a nice backlit display. 

    $1,299 at Propella (7-Speed)

  • Photograph: LeMond

    Best for Road Racers

    LeMond Bikes Prolog

    I have not recently reviewed any bike that is comparable to Greg LeMond's all-carbon-fiber electric bike series. The Prolog has an insanely light frame, a stunning matte paint job, and fancy-schmancy custom-designed fenders. It also has reliable components made by well-known manufacturers—a one-button Mahle drive system, a Shimano gravel-specific gearing system, Panaracer gravel tires—that make it durable, versatile, and easy to repair. 

    However, I can't in good conscience ignore reports of exceptionally bad customer service from the company, which includes sending defective bikes, not returning calls or emails, and not issuing refunds. You may have better luck getting your hands on Specialized's Turbo Vado SL (9/10, WIRED Recommends), which cuts down on weight with a tiny proprietary motor and a battery hidden within the bike's frame.

    $4,995 at LeMond

  • Photograph: Stoker

    Best Cargo Ebike

    Xtracycle Stoker

    On a tandem bike, the person who sits in the front and steers is called the pilot, while the person in back who only pedals is called the stoker. That's where Xtracycle's longtail ebike gets its name; not because the person sitting in back has to do any work (it's an ebike!) but because the Stoker can accommodate two adults comfortably. Of course, the adult pilot can also carry a couple of wriggly kids, a week's worth of groceries, overnight camping gear, or bags of soil from the garden center. The rear footrests and expandable cargo nets that encase the back wheel come standard, then you can further trick out the bike with options like a padded rear set, handrails, panniers, or a front rack. That versatility makes it one of the better options for people who like to use their family ebike for way more than just school drop-offs.

    Even fully weighed down to the 400-pound limit with two adults and their backpacks, the Stoker feels safe and stable, thanks to the 24-inch wheels that provide a low center of gravity and the powerful Shimano EP8 mid-drive motor that delivers tons of torque and up to 400 percent pedal assistance. The 630-Wh battery goes about 45 miles on a charge (or 60 miles if you ride conservatively), which is a week or two's worth of rides for most people. Just know that you'll need to be taller than 5 feet, 6 inches to comfortably pilot a Stoker. Shorter humans should check out the Swoop ($4,999), which has the same motor and battery, and many of the same configuration options, but uses a step-through frame and smaller wheels. —Michael Calore

    $4,999 at Xtracycle
Most Popular

  • Photograph: Urban Arrow 

    Best Cargo Ebike for Families

    Urban Arrow Family Electric Cargo Bike

    The R & M Load used to be my top pick for a bakfiets, a Dutch-style front-box cargo bicycle. However, the Urban Arrow Family (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is cheaper—and not by a little—and offers many of the same features that attracted me to the Load, like comfort and maneuverability. It doesn't have suspension, though, so it's best for smoother streets.

    I love the Enviolo continuously variable shifters, which allow you to downshift while the bike is at a standstill. Rather than wobbling and terrifying my children as I frantically downshift while pedaling, I can use walk assistance to push the bike to a convenient spot, downshift while standing still, and then pedal upward at the torque and power level of my choice. With this system, I've beaten people uphill who weren't riding cargo bikes. The Bosch Performance motor is currently out of stock, but the version with the more powerful Bosch Cargo Line motor is available.

    ★ Alternative: I feel obligated to point out here that the bike I use to tote around my own family (and cargo all over Portland) is the Tern GSD S00 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The Bosch Cargo Line motor is powerful enough to speedily transport me and two kids to school and back every day, along with all of our backpacks, groceries, and gear, and it's small enough that it takes up only a reasonable amount of space in our garage. I first rode one with my daughter when she was 3, and we can still ride it now that she's 7. 

    $7,999 at Propel Bikes
    $6,999 at Clever Cycles

  • Photograph: JackRabbit

    Best Micro Ebike

    Jackrabbit Bike

    The next big trend in electric bikes is micromobility, which refers to tiny personal vehicles. Tiny bikes are more affordable, easier to transport, and easier to store. And just like mini anything, really, they're completely irresistible. 

    I'm testing several micro bikes right now, but the one I'd recommend at the moment is the Jackrabbit (7/10, WIRED Recommends). The bike weighs an astonishingly light 23 pounds, is simple to assemble out of the box, and can fold down to save even more space. It doesn't have pedals, so you won't hit yourself in the chin with your knees; instead, you toggle a thumb throttle to accelerate. My only caveat is that the tiny battery and motor aren't very powerful. I'm only 120 pounds, and slamming on the throttle only gets me to about 10 mph. Also, the range is around 10 miles, which isn't much compared to our other picks.

    ★ Alternative: If you want the convenience of a mini bike without looking so, er, comical, check out the Propella Mini ($999). Propella subbed in 20-inch wheels on a slightly smaller frame, so it feels more or less like a regular bike but fits more easily into the back of your car. 

    $1,000 at Jackrabbit

  • Photograph: Montague

    The Best Folding Ebike

    Montague M-E1

    Reviews editor Julian Chokkattu called the M-E1 “pretty darn close to perfection” in his review (9/10, WIRED Recommends). Folding bikes are great for apartment dwellers, but they're usually tiny. Julian is 6'4" and looks like a happy clown when he valiantly pedals around on most of them. 

    The M-E1 is full-size and virtually indistinguishable from a non-folding bike. It has solid components from reliable manufacturers, like a Shimano mid-drive motor, a comfortable seat, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and all the bells and whistles—integrated lights, fenders, a removable battery, and an easy-to-read display. Most importantly, Julian says, he can ride it around without dying from embarrassment—always a plus.

    $3,995 at Montague
Most Popular

  • Photograph: Canyon

    The Best Mountain Ebike

    Canyon Spectral:ON CFR

    There is some tension over the presence of electric bikes on trails. Still, if you love the sport but are getting older, an e-MTB is the best way to keep doing what you love. WIRED reviewer Stephanie Pearson loved Canyon's Spectral:On CFR (9/10, WIRED Recommends). 

    The Spectral:On CFR is a playful ride, with a larger 29-inch front wheel and a smaller 27.5-inch back wheel on a full-carbon frame with front and rear suspension. You can pick a 720- or a 900-watt-hour battery (the small frame size only comes with the 720); the 720-Wh battery has a quoted range of about 51 miles. Pearson had fast, powerful, and joyful 15- to 25-mile rides on singletrack that left the battery only half-empty. As always, be sure to test out a new electric mountain bike to make sure you know what it feels like, before you try an electric assist on any terrain that is super gnarly. 

    ★ Alternative: I am seriously considering buying the Trek Fuel EXe ($9,199). Trek's adaptive assistance is quiet and perfectly calibrated; the motor is quiet and the battery invisible. When I climbed, it just looked and felt like I was … a little bit more in shape than I actually am. It's the perfect bike if you don't want to buzz cross-country trails, but just need a little assistance to get to the top without falling down. It comes in several different iterations. Bike people are crazy, and at $6,500, the cheapest version is actually not outrageously priced for a full-suspension MTB, even without electric assistance. 

    $10,150 at Canyon

  • Photograph: Lectric

    A More Affordable Folding Ebike

    Lectric Ebikes Lectric XP 2.0

    Our intrepid Editor Julian Chokkattu also likes the original Lectric XP (7/10, WIRED Recommends). For a folding bike, it's not super convenient for apartment dwellers. It weighs 63 pounds and is heavy to carry up and down stairs. He also finds the folding system a little awkward, and you have to leave the key in the battery for it to work. But the 500-watt rear-hub motor offers plenty of assistance, and the fat tires are a smooth ride. It also comes with a lot of accessories, like a rear rack, fenders, an integrated display, and integrated front and rear lights. 

    The newer Lectric XP 2.0 doesn't change the motor or battery but improves ride comfort. That includes a front-wheel suspension, mounting points for racks, wider handlebars, and IP65 water resistance. At $999, that's not a bad deal at all.

    $999 at Lectric Ebikes

  • Photograph: Tern

    Best for Mobility Concerns

    Tern NBD S5i

    Electric bikes are inclusive. Even if you're older or not as fit as you used to be, you can still hop on an electric bike and ride for miles. Tern's newest NBD is designed specifically for people who have mobility issues. The frame has the lowest step-through I've ever seen. The top tube is a mere 15 inches off the ground—you barely have to lift your leg to bestride the bike. 

    It has a bunch of low-maintenance and ergonomic features, such as Tern's maintenance-free Gates drive and internal hub motor, huge handles, big, flat foot pedals, a suspended seat, and a big, bright Bosch display with buttons that you can identify at a touch. It has a Bosch Performance Line motor that provides up to 65 Nm of torque, and a long-lived battery that only went down one bar after 18 miles. At slightly over 51 pounds, it's also relatively light. And yes, it's pretty spendy if you don't need those extra-low inches. But if you do, it's hard to put a price on being able to ride again. 

    ★ Alternative: Still want a light, convenient Tern but don't want to spend quite this much? The Quick Haul ($2,999) is equally small and light but offers a slightly sportier ride, and it's much more affordable. 

    $4,699 at Propel Bikes
    $4,699 at Clever Cycles
Most Popular
  • Photograph: Brompton Electric 

    Honorable Mentions

    Other Ebikes We Like To Bike

    We've tried a lot of bikes over the past year. Here are the ones that didn't get their own spot above but deserve a mention:

  • Photograph: Civilized Cycles

    Electric Bikes We Dislike

    Pass on the Left

    We love to try new bikes. Unfortunately, the bikes don't always like us. 

    • The Civilized Cycle ($6,500): This bike can carry a full-grown person on the back and is a good option for people who want Vespa-like style without having to get a scooter license. However, it doesn't fit anyone shorter than 5'10". Ooohkay.
    • The Harley Serial 1 ($5,599): Our reviewer Matt Jancer says that the Serial 1 was “just adequate” and didn't justify the price tag.
    • The Retrospec Jax Rev ($1,500): We wanted to love this sleek, stylish folding bike, but we couldn't help worrying about its durability.
    • The Izip Vibe 2.0 ($2,300): This is a general point, but the Izip is just one of several direct-to-consumer (D2C) bikes that arrived at my house damaged in transit. It's extremely annoying to ship back an item this big, and with low and variable stock, it's hard to replace. If you want an affordable D2C, I would suggest a Rad Power Bike or another manufacturer that has an established support network.
  • Photograph: Neil Godwin/Getty Images

    Advice to Consider

    Understanding Electric Bike Specs

    You've seen the bikes around your neighborhood. They look like so much fun! You want one! But ebikes have so many different specs and price points. Here's what I would consider, in your position.

    Can I build my own bike?

    Many affordable bikes now come direct-to-consumer—meaning that they are pre-tuned or partially assembled in a box. As Peter Flax recently noted in Bicycling magazine, these bikes do not get nearly the testing or vetting that bikes from a bigger manufacturer get. Unless you're not riding very much or for very many miles, or are very experienced with modifying your own bike, I recommend working with an established manufacturer that has a dealer network. 

    Why do some bikes cost more?

    The motor and battery are more powerful. Batteries and motors from high-end brands like Bosch and Shimano often are more powerful and cover more distance, with a 90- or 120-mile range, as compared to the 15-20 mile ranges you'll see on more affordable bikes. However, this may not matter if you have a short commute.  

    What terrain do you live on? 

    If you live in a flat area, you're probably fine with a 250-watt motor, which is the European speed standard. However, if you live near hills or haul a lot of stuff, I would shell out for a 500-watt or 750-watt motor and a few extras, like hydraulic disc brakes, which will help prevent you from skidding into traffic. 

    I would also look for a mid-drive motor instead of a hub drive motor. Mid-drive motors are located in the center of your bike and feel more natural. A hub drive is on your rear axle and shifts your center of gravity backward, which takes some getting used to. It can throw you off balance when you're going up steep hills.

    Follow some basic safety tips.

    These are big batteries and motors. Do not leave your bike battery charging overnight, and do not let your children ride your bike unsupervised. An 80-pound child should not be piloting a 65-pound bike, even if the motor makes it possible for them to do so. 

Most Popular
  • Photograph: RUBEN BONILLA GONZALO/Getty Images

    Ebike Classifications and Rules

    Check Your Local Laws

    Before you buy your electric bike, make sure you can actually use it! Many cities and states have laws regulating when and where you can ride an ebike. Check out our guide on the three classes of ebikes. At least 22 states now use this three-class system, and they may restrict when and where different classes of ebikes are used, depending on whether they have a throttle or can assist above 20 mph. Cities may also have laws about whether mountain ebikes are allowed on single-track trails.

    If your state classifies ebikes under the same laws governing motorcycles and mopeds, you may need a license to ride one. And no matter what, always wear a helmet. You know that.

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