Are budget e-bikes worth it?

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What you should look for when buying a budget electric bike

Ride1Up Roadster V3 e-bike
(Image credit: Dan Cavallari)

The benefits of e-bikes are undeniable, which is why there are so many offerings at so many price points. And with that explosion in popularity comes a complication: how do you choose the one that’s right for you, especially if price is a strong consideration? The temptation to buy one of the best budget electric bikes, especially if it’s your first time buying one, is strong. In many cases, a budget e-bike is a great investment at a low cost.

But it’s important to use caution when buying a budget e-bike. There are well-built e-bikes for a reasonably low price tag on the market, almost always from reputable brands. There are also not-so-great budget e-bike options that can ruin your ride or even pose a safety risk to you and your property.

It’s absolutely possible to buy a budget e-bike that will serve your needs well and provide years of fun. In order to choose one that’s safe, fun, and right for you, it’s vital that you first understand a few key considerations that will serve you well regardless of what type of e-bike you’re interested in buying.

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E-bike batteries are not all created equal

An e-bike’s battery is arguably the most important component for several reasons, the most important of which is your safety. Budget e-bikes from reputable brands are still likely to have batteries from equally reputable manufacturers who ensure the batteries are properly built, stored, transported, sealed, and tested to certain standards.

Other budget e-bike brands might source batteries from the lowest bidder in an effort to keep their overall price low. This can be okay, but it also could lead to damage to the bike, short battery life or poor performance, or even in certain circumstances, fires.

Any budget e-bike worth buying will feature a battery from a reputable manufacturer. The bicycle brand will often list the battery manufacturer’s name, and/or a UL certification. That certification is an indication that the battery design has been tested to certain specifications that deem it safe and appropriate for e-bike use.

Tip: Look for batteries that are manufactured by brands you know; Samsung is a very popular one. You’ll often see the battery spec sheet list “Samsung cells” or something similar. If there’s a UL certification listed, that’s even better.

Motors

There are two basic types of e-bike motor: a rear hub motor and a mid-drive motor. The latter is situated within the frame, between the cranks to which your pedals are attached.

Just about all budget e-bikes will feature a hub motor. For starters, hub motors offer more power more quickly, since it can deliver that power directly to the wheel with no components in between. A mid-drive motor, conversely, creates power that needs to be transmitted through the drivetrain to the rear wheel. Power losses are inevitable along the way.

That said, hub motors place a lot of weight within the wheel. That ‘rotational weight’ has an effect on the bike’s handling. (Mid-drive motors are popular on mountain bikes precisely because the weight is low, and centered on the bike, which creates less of an adverse effect on handling).

Some budget e-bikes may also feature a front-hub motor. I’ve mostly seen these on some folding bikes, but they can appear on other designs. Be very careful with front hub motors. They have an outsized impact on the bike’s handling, since they are mounted within the front wheel, which in turn impacts your handlebar’s position and stability. If at all possible, err toward a rear hub motor or mid-drive motor.

Tip: Like the battery research you’ve already done, be sure to research the motor. Look for reputable motor brands like Bosch, Bafang, Shengyi, MXUS, and DAPU.

Design

If the budget e-bike you’re considering looks like a cheap bicycle with a battery and motor strapped to it, chances are that’s exactly what it is. Modern e-bikes feature frames and other components that are specifically designed to handle the added weight of batteries and motors, not to mention the additional forces placed upon the bicycle by the power assist. In other words, most quality e-bikes look like e-bikes rather than a normal bicycle with additional components bolted on.

That said, some budget e-bikes will skip high-end features like batteries integrated into the frame, in order to keep costs down. An externally-mounted battery doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a low-quality bike. But you will want to pay close attention to the brand, certification, and features like lockability of the battery, as mentioned in the section above.

Tip: Specifically look for weight capacity ratings when shopping for a budget e-bike. Remember that number will include not only you, but also any cargo you’ll regularly be carrying. The frame and other components should be built specifically to handle extra weight and stresses from the motor’s power.

Brand

If it wasn’t already apparent, your money is best spent by buying a budget e-bike from a reputable brand. That doesn’t mean smaller, newer brands don’t make quality budget e-bikes; it simply means you’ll need to pay closer attention to all the considerations mentioned here before putting your money on the line.

If you’re unsure if that budget e-bike from a smaller brand is a good investment, don’t be shy about reaching out to that company. Their responsiveness, and the clarity of that response, will tell you a lot about the care that does — or does not — go into creating their products.

Tip: “Reputable brand” does not necessarily mean “Big, well-known brand.” While the big players like Specialized and Trek offer entire lineups of reliable e-bikes, more budget-friendly options are available from solid e-bike brands like Ride1Up, Velotric, Lectric, and Propella.

Bottom line

As the popularity of e-bikes continues to grow, the market also continues to gain budget e-bike options. It has become easier and easier to find a budget e-bike that’s reliable, safe, and ideal for your needs.

In years past, finding one of the best e-bikes at a reasonable price presented specific challenges, notably around shoddy construction and unreliable batteries. Now, most brands have been able to lower prices on high-quality gear. A great bike at a great price can certainly be yours as long as you familiarize yourself with the most important aspects of buying a budget e-bike. Pay close attention to the battery, motor, design, and brand, and you should be able to find the perfect e-bike at a reasonable price for your needs.

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Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Dan Cavallari is the former technical editor for VeloNews Magazine, who currently reviews electric bikes, bike lights, and other bike accessories for Tom's Guide. In addition to VeloNews, his work has appeared in Triathlete Magazine, Rouleur Magazine, CyclingTips.com, Road Bike Action, Mountain Bike Action, CycleVolta.com, Tomsguide.com, and much more. Dan also hosts two podcasts on his site, Slow Guy on the Fast Ride: One is about cycling and other outdoor activities, while the other looks at mental health issues. Most recently, Dan also covered the 2022 Tour de France. Dan lives outside of Denver, Colorado with his family.

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