Now that the weather is warming up, it's time to start thinking about getting back out on the road on one of the best budget electric bikes.
These models deliver much of what we like about the best electric bikes, but for less. They're great for those who are looking for an alternate means of transportation, but don't want to spend a lot, and want a little more exercise and range than the best electric scooters can provide.
But, there are a lot of budget electric bikes that are cheap, and not made of the best stuff, or have subpar parts. That's why we tested a number of electric bikes under $1,500 to bring you what we think are the best.
One nitpick we have is that many budget electric bikes lack integrated lights, so you'll want to pick up a set of the best bike lights to make yourself seen at night. You'll also want to get one of the best bike helmets before you head out on the road. If you're looking for higher-end models, be sure to head on over to our best electric bikes page.
Read on for our picks of the best budget electric bikes.
The best budget electric bikes you can buy today
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The price of electric bikes is coming down, but many of the best electric bikes still cost more than $1,500. The Aventon Soltera is a much more modestly priced model that sacrifices little in the name of economy. In our tests, we found it very comfortable to ride, and it looks great, too.
However, the Soltera's rear hub motor does feel a little underpowered, especially on hills, and if you want the least expensive version, you'll have to go with a single-gear model. Still, if you're looking for a low-cost electric bike to get you around town, this is definitely a model to consider.
Read our full Aventon Soltera electric bike review.
No, it's not a VanMoof; the Wing Freedom 2 certainly bears more than a passing resemblance to the electric bike that's twice as much, but if you don't have two grand to spend, this is the bike to get. We had a grand time riding the Wing Freedom 2, and though it's not as peppy as some higher-priced models, it was reasonably fast to respond, and very comfortable to ride.
Wing also lets you customize the Freedom 2 with a few handy antitheft features, such as an AirTag so that you can find the bike if it's ever stolen; a built-in alarm, which you can activate using a key fob, is surprisingly loud; and, you can remove the bike's battery, which also makes charging easier. We also liked that the Freedom 2 has integrated lights — the better to be see and be seen.
Read our full Wing Freedom 2 review.
The Core-5 from Ride1Up is solid proof that an e-bike doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy to be good. Nor does a bike need to be expensive to look great. In our tests, we found the bike's motor to be powerful enough for most situations, but it felt a bit weak going up steeper hills. We also liked its looks, mechanical disc brakes, and easy-to-read digital display. However, the Core-5 does not include any integrated front or rear lights, so you'll want to invest in a pair of the best bike lights.
Unlike more expensive electric bikes, the Core-5 requires you to attach the handlebars, front wheel, pedals, and make a few adjustments, which might require a trip to your local bike shop. Also, while Ride1Up says the bike should fit riders up to 6' 4", it felt small to a 5-foot 11-inch rider, so taller riders may be more comfortable on the Aventon Soltera.
But for those who want an affordable electric bike to get around town, the Core-5 should be towards the top of your list.
Read our full Ride1Up Core-5 review.
The Ride1Up Roadster V2 It looks like a regular, non-motorized commuter bike, but hides inside its frame a battery capable of delivering up to 30 miles of pedal-assisted power. At 33 pounds, this is one of the lightest e-bikes we've tested, and it comes in two sizes, so it should accommodate riders of nearly all heights.
In our rides with the Roadster V2, we found it to be fast and fun on flat and rolling terrain, but was a bit hard to get going on hills, as it's a single-speed model, and its pedal assist lags a bit. And, like the Core-5, the Roadster V2 lacks head- and taillights. Other concessions in the name of economy include a small display and rim rather than disc brakes, but it does have a belt drive rather than a chain, making it quieter as you go about town.
Read our full Ride1Up Roadster V2 review.
The Juiced Ripracer is a lot more fun than it should be, for a lot less than you might think. It's one of the more affordable offroad ebikes we've tested, and it can go just about anywhere. This fat-tire ride has a 40.3-inch wheelbase and 20-inch wheels designed for trails and other unpaved surfaces, though its lack of shock absorbers means a rougher ride than with so-equipped e-bikes.
This bike has some serious pep, and it flew just about everywhere we wanted it to go. We really liked its low-end torque, which made it great for getting up hills. However, it has a cadence, rather than a torque sensor, so it takes a rotation or two of the pedals for the assist to kick in. As it's a BMX-style bike, the Ripracer is a lot smaller than other mountain e-bikes, which also makes it easier to maneuver around tight spaces.
Read our full Juiced Ripracer review.
This is indeed a good e-bike at a good price. You’ll do without the fanciest features, but the 7S is super functional and fun to ride. We also loved its bright blue aluminum wheels. At 37 pounds, it's also quite light for an e-bike. Its rear-drive Bafang motor proved surprisingly powerful, providing an assist up to 18.5 MPH, and was aided by the 7-speed Shimano geartrain.
However, there are a few things we think could be improved. For starters, there are no integrated lights, so you’ll want to invest in a set of the best bike lights to make yourself better seen on the road. We also found that the Propella's battery — which is externally mounted and looks like a water bottle — tends to rattle around a bit, which is annoying. But overall, this is a great value bike for the price.
Read our full Propella 7S review.
The best electric bikes aren't cheap; most models start at $1,500 and go up from there. If you're looking for something more affordable, then the Swft Volt is worth a look. It's reasonably powerful, has both pedal-assist and a throttle, and has enough range to get you a good distance. For better or worse, it doesn't look like an e-bike, either.
However, this bike is not without its compromises: It only has one gear, its battery is not removable, and its display is rather basic. It also required a bit more setup than most other electric bikes we've tested. But, at this price, it's a good alternative for those with a limited budget.
Read our full Swft Volt review.
Folding bikes are great for those who need something that can fit on a train or bus, or don't have room in their apartment for a full-size model. However, the best electric folding bikes — Brompton and GoCycle, specifically — each cost more than $3,000, making them prohibitively expensive for many.
The $999 Lectric XP 2.0 is the low-cost answer for those riders. This folding model comes with a suspension fork, big 3-inch tires, plenty of mounts for racks and other accessories, front and rear lights, and cable-actuated disc brakes. It was a treat to ride, especially when we hit the throttle, and its excellent range meant more time between charges.
The biggest downside is that the XP 2.0 weighs a hefty 64 pounds, more than twice as much as other folding bikes, so it could be a real bear to get up and down stairs. But once you get going, it's a blast.
Read our full Lectric XP 2.0 review.
The Jackrabbit is a curious little e-bike, if you can call it that. It has no pedals — just two pegs to rest your feet — so all the power is provided via the bike's 300W rear hub motor, which can get you going at up to 20 miles per hour. And, at just 24 pounds, it's super light, too.
The Jackrabbit is a lot of fun to ride, but it does require more attention than a normal bike. That's because it's so short, and the rider's weight is so far forward, that even small turns of the handlebars translate into a lot of movement. The bike's small size also makes it uncomfortable for riders taller than 6 feet. And, because you're completely reliant on the motor to power you, it has a much shorter range than other e-bikes. But, if you're looking for some compact fun, the Jackrabbit could be it.
Read our full Jackrabbit review.
New and upcoming budget electric bikes
Two big names in the best electric scooters are releasing budget electric bikes this spring.
The first is Razor, which announced the Rambler 20 fat-tire e-bike. Powered by a 500-watt hub motor, it can reach speeds of up to 19.9 MPH, and has five levels of pedal assist, as well as a throttle. Range is on the short side — just 16.6 miles under ideal conditions — but it has front and rear disc brakes, an LED headlight and taillight, and a display that shows speed, battery life, and power level. The Rambler 20 is available for $999 at Razor.com.
GoTrax has also launched the CTI Electric Bike, which comes in both a step-over and step-through model. It has a 350W rear hub motor with a max speed of 20 MPH and a removable 36V 10.4aH Lithium-ion battery that provides up to 40.5 miles of range. The bike is equipped with head and tail lights, and rides on 27.5-inch tires. It comes in white or black, and is expected to ship at the end of May. You can preorder it for $999 at GoTrax.com.
How to choose the best budget electric bike
When compared to some of the best electric bikes that cost upwards of $1,500, you're going to have to make some compromises when buying a budget electric bike.
Motor
Pedal-assist electric bikes employ one of two kinds of sensors in their motors: Cadence and Torque. A cadence sensor detects when a bike's crankshaft is moving, whereas a torque sensor detects increased force on the crankshaft. Cadence sensors are less expensive — and thus are used on the majority of budget electric bikes — but they're also less responsive than torque sensors. As a result, it may take a revolution or two of the crankshaft before the motor kicks in — which can be a problem if you're trying to start a heavy electric bike on a hill.
Lights
Here's another area where companies cut costs; some electric bikes may not have integrated lights, which will make it harder for you to see and be seen in dimmer conditions. Fortunately, this can be remedied with a set of the best bike lights. It's an added expense, though.
Gears
Less expensive electric bikes may only have one gear. While not a huge deal for something with a built-in motor, it can be an issue if you live in hillier areas.
That being said, even a budget electric bike shouldn't be cheap. Look for models that are well built — if you can take a test ride on one, all the better.
You'll also want to look for features that best suit your needs. If you live in a city, or have limited space, you'll want to prioritize electric bikes that are smaller and lighter, so you can squeeze it into your apartment, or carry it up a flight of stairs.
If you live in the suburbs, you're less constrained by size, and will want to look for an electric bike that's capable of transporting you longer distances. If you're planning to use it to go to the store, you'll want one that can easily accommodate a rack or basket of some sort.
How we test electric bikes
We test the budget electric bikes the same way we test the best electric bikes. It doesn't matter if an electric bike costs $500 or $5,000 — we put it through the same tests, which includes, of course, riding it around a lot.
In the process, we gauge the bike's overall comfort, such as its seat, handlebars and grips, our posture when riding, and how easy everything — especially the seat — is to adjust.
For the most part, electric bikes come fully assembled, but budget models often require you to attach a wheel, handlebar, or some other component. In those cases, we look at the ease with which you can put the bike together: How long does it take, are the instructions easy to follow, are there any special tools required, and are all the tools included?
We also test to see how well it performs as an electric bike. While we don't expect budget electric bikes to perform as well as high-end models, they should still provide an enjoyable experience. To that end, we ride the bikes up hills to see how much assist their electric motors provide, and how fast they are to respond when we start pedaling; lower-quality models will take a longer time to engage, which makes for more difficult starts when going uphill.
Another crucial feature of an electric bike is its battery. Larger batteries allow you to travel further on a charge, and spend less time with your bike plugged in. In the course of testing an electric bike, we see how quickly the battery drains when riding in different conditions. We test this using pedal assist and, when available, throttle, to see how much the battery is impacted.
Last, we also look at what other features come with the bike — a large display, integrated lights, disc brakes, etc — and factor this in with its price to determine its rating.
For more details on our testing and rating methodology, please check out the Tom's Guide how we test page.
