The best electric bikes we tested
Best standard electric bike: Velotric T1
Best electric cargo bike: Aventon Abound
Editor’s Note: Since our initial testing, the REI Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1, our pick for best electric bike for everyday riding, and the Tern HSD S+, our pick for best compact electric cargo bike, have been discontinued. Our latest round of testing found a new best electric bike overall, the Velotric T1, and a new best cargo electric bike, the Aventon Abound. We are currently testing folding electric bikes to find a winner.
Electric bikes have popped up everywhere. You can see them flying along the road just like regular bikes, and sometimes you may not even realize a bike has an electric secret tucked discreetly away inside a traditional-looking frame.
But no matter what shape they take, the benefits of an e-bike vary greatly. For some, they make long rides in difficult conditions easier to tackle. For others, they make it easier to commute to the office. Even those with physical issues preventing them from biking can use an e-bike to help them get back on the road.
Just like their human-powered counterparts, e-bikes have grown to cover a wide variety of form factors, from standard two-wheelers to beefy cargo haulers to compact folders. To find the best e-bike, we tested 24 different models for comfort, quirks, power and battery life. After our testing, we found two bikes that stood above the rest.
It’s worth noting that even an all-around great bike may not be your best bet for any number of reasons (size and budget, perhaps), so be sure to see our alternative recommendations below in case our top picks aren’t a fit.
Best standard electric bike
Slim, sporty and kitted out with quality hardware, the Velotric T1 is a true biker's bike. It feels just like riding a normal bike but is backed by enough boost to make every ride that much easier.
Read our review
Best electric cargo bike
With loads of capacity for cargo of all types and a beefy motor and battery pairing to help you go the distance, the Aventon Abound is an excellent hauler. Plus, it comes in at a reasonable price that is only that much more astounding for all the extra hardware Aventon tacks on, like front suspension and hydraulic disc brakes.
Read our review
Best standard electric bike: Velotric T1
The Velotric T1 is a downright excellent bike. In form and function, it fits right in the same space a standard road bike would, but has the benefit of a modest motor built into the rear wheel that gives enough boost to make every ride that much more relaxed, taking the sting out of headwinds and slight grades. That motor power comes on quietly and about as smoothly as I’ve ever experienced from a hub-drive e-bike thanks to a great torque sensor, which adds motor power based on how hard you’re pedaling, so the bike doesn’t lurch. The motor power feels like it’s simply coming out of thin air, and the ride feels perfectly natural as a result, even if you push it up to the bike’s top motorized speed of 25 miles per hour.
That said, there’s no throttle for zero-effort riding. If you’re looking for an e-bike because you want your riding to be easier but don’t want to shift what biking feels like, the Velotric T1 is practically perfect. Where others we tested, like Ride1Up’s options, are all too obvious about their motor power and can, at times, feel like an electric scooter, the Velotric T1 just lets you really enjoy going for a bike ride — without the same heavy breathing and sweat.
The T1 comes kitted with a useful eight-speed Shimano Altus transmission that lets you dial in a comfortable cadence and resistance. After a 46-plus-mile ride in which I hardly ever reached an aerobic level of effort despite keeping up a decent 13-mile-per-hour average clip that was in line with most of my other rides, the bike finally petered out after warning me its battery was low for nearly 7 miles. While it doesn’t have the longest range of the bikes we tested, it proved wonderfully efficient, using less energy per mile (a little under 16.5Wh per mile) than anything else I tested while still zipping along and keeping my effort light. This stunning efficiency means that the Velotric’s 40-mile range comes from a much smaller battery than most other e-bikes (352.8Wh compared to others with 600Wh or more), which helps give this bike its natural, sporty feel. Plus, even if the battery is dead, the Velotric remains easier to ride than the rest thanks to its lower weight.
Beyond just being a good electric bike, the Velotric T1 is a good bike. It comes well-equipped with robust hydraulic disc brakes that have more than once helped me come to a screeching halt and avoid real peril. The thru-axle for the front wheel feels especially robust and keeps the wheel sitting straighter in the forks compared to the quick-release skewers of the Ride1Up 700 Series, Turris and Aventon Level.2. A built-in headlight runs on the bike’s battery, ensuring you’ve got visibility if you get caught out at night. The included taillight, bell and stock pedals could all be better, but these are easy and cheap items to upgrade later. The bike also has a nifty fingerprint scanner for turning it on, though I didn’t find it very reliable, especially when slightly wet.
The bike’s frame is gorgeous, with a clean paint job, hidden cable routing and plenty of braze-ons for daily commuting and bikepacking. The only major downside here is that Velotric only offers two sizes, and despite what it says are proper size ranges, it will likely feel too small for riders 6’3” and up. This didn’t stop me from loving the bike, but it’ll take extra modification to dial in for tall riders. Fortunately, that modification is no harder than the simple assembly of the bike.
With a lightweight design and a hidden battery in the downtube, this is a sleeper of an e-bike. This makes it easier to put anywhere a traditional bike would go (like bike racks and car carriers) or to carry into your home for charging. This does mean you can’t get away with removing the battery to charge it inside and leaving the bike outside. If a non-removable battery is a dealbreaker, you may want to opt for the Aventon Level.2 or Priority Current. However, you’ll be dealing with a much larger and heavier bike in either case.
Since the Velotric T1 is discreet about the fact it’s an e-bike, it may prove less of a target for theft. Even if it is targeted, it includes an aggressive alert system. A slight bump to the bike can send a notification to your paired phone and the bike features built-in GPS tracking — a feature exclusive to the Velotric in our second round of testing — so should a thief get away with your bike, you may be able to track it down. It’s an interesting extra, but the GPS has shown up as weak when the bike is indoors and the feature gradually drains the battery.
Altogether, the Velotric T1 proves an excellent e-bike, especially for those coming from a traditional bike and just looking for a motor to take the edge off the hardest parts of the ride. There are cheaper e-bikes that fit a similar role, but the upgrades Velotric made justify the price. Velotric’s T1 ST appears to be a similar option for shorter riders and tighter budgets, though we haven’t tested it to confirm it’s on par with the T1.
For riders who want more motor power, the Aventon Level.2, Ride1Up 700 Series and Ride1Up Turris provide plenty, though they can be jerkier, noisier and less natural-feeling to ride. The Priority Current is a luxurious ride with some truly outstanding qualities, but it comes at a substantially higher price without feeling like it offers a better experience. One of its best traits — its natural ride feel — is shared by the Velotric T1. The Velotric T1 is a step up in several ways, providing a classy design with excellent components that all but the Priority Current don’t seem to match.
All these bikes are also much heavier, making them far more difficult to deal with at home and harder to ride when the battery dies. And even though they have bigger batteries, the Velotric T1 beats them on efficiency, going a considerable distance on its smaller battery. They’re all good e-bikes in their own right, but the Velotric T1’s ability to integrate motor power into a natural riding experience makes it stand out.
Best electric cargo bike: Aventon Abound
A blend of power and capacity is critical for a cargo e-bike and the Aventon Abound nails it. The Abound is a large bike, fitting an extensive rear rack that can serve as a platform for hauling all sorts of things. Big boxes? A couple of kids? Another adult? Check, check and check. Aventon has accessories that facilitate all these types of cargo and I’ve been able to haul a considerable amount even when taking advantage of only one of the carriers available. The bike can fit a front rack, too.
All that cargo capacity is fitted onto a powerful e-bike that’s highly adjustable for different riders. It is a touch small for riders at the upper end of its height range, though. The Aventon Abound relies on a considerable 720Wh battery to power its beefy rear hub motor, which makes flying along at up to 28 miles per hour a breeze.
It can go a serious distance, too. I was able to ride along briskly for 26 miles using pedal assist and then continue to cruise for another 11 miles using an included thumb throttle to see the bike do 100% of the work before the battery petered out. That said, this isn’t a bike I’d want to get stranded with without a charge while riding given its weight.
The Aventon Cargo has a lot of features that come together to make it an especially convenient option for cargo. The throttle means you can get the motor to give you as much assistance as possible or even do all the work, which is helpful if you’re tired or simply hauling a heavy load. The thicker tires and front suspension also help keep the ride smooth, which is important when you have cargo or passengers. Robust brakes help stop the bike even faster than it starts. Fenders protect you on wet roads, and built-in lighting ensures you can see at night. I wish the frame had better points for locking the bike up, but that’s a simple nitpick for a bike that offers so much all for a reasonable price.
While the Aventon Abound stood out from the pack, it isn’t the only bike I’d recommend. The cargo bike market is full of wonderful options, ranging from affordable picks like the Lectric Xpedition at $1,399 to the jaw-dropping Tern GSD S10 LX at $4,999.
The Tern Quick Haul P9 Sport is a strong alternative to the Abound. It makes up for the big downsides of the Abound: its size and weight. The Quick Haul P9 Sport is surprisingly light, nimble to ride (feeling almost like a normal bike), wonderfully built and packed with all the benefits of a mighty mid-drive motor. It can’t haul as much because of its smaller rear rack, though I found it plenty capable in this regard nonetheless.
How we tested
A potential e-bike rider can find an electric bike to suit almost any need nowadays. It’s no longer a matter of compromising your cycling needs to get a bike with the extra oomph of an electric motor. No matter where you like to ride, from mountain biking to road, there’s something for you.
We looked at a range of specifications and prices, including models from the big direct-to-consumer brands and veteran cycling industry stalwarts. After this testing, we winnowed down the options and tested these bikes, plus more new entrants to the market, against one another to land on a few true standouts that deliver a quality ride and exceptional value.
That said, we concentrated on bikes meant for everyday use, so we skipped dedicated mountain bikes and road-racing machines meant for serious enthusiasts. The bikes we examined for this article are meant for everyday use by people who may not primarily consider themselves cyclists, but want to get out on two wheels more often for utility and fun but need a little extra motorized muscle. Here’s how we tested.
Setup and hardware
- Assembly: If a bike required assembly, we considered that. For some, this can be a steep challenge. For any assembly, we also tracked how involved it was and how long it took. We’ve assembled quite a few bikes ourselves already, but some still prove onerous.
- Setup: Beyond assembly, some bikes take work attaching accessories. And some require further tweaks to brakes and derailleurs. Any issues or difficulties encountered here were factored into our assessment.
- Components: A bike is more than its frame and wheels, though those count for something. Our assessment of each bike also weighed the extra hardware the bike provides, such as its brakes, axles, drivetrain, seat and handlebars.
Electronics
- Battery: We’ve taken into account where each bike’s battery is, its capacity and how easy it is to install and remove.
- Controls: Electric bikes generally have some extra buttons providing control over the motor assistance, any onboard lights and possibly a throttle. We’ve assessed the quality of this hardware and its intuitiveness.
- Display: For bikes with built-in displays, we’ve considered the quality of the display, its visibility and the types of information it can display to the rider.
Ride quality
- Weight: E-bikes often have more going on than traditional bikes, and that adds significantly to the final weight. We’ve evaluated how heavy and hard to maneuver each bike is compared to its competitors, including overall weight and how easy or difficult it is to manage that weight because of its design.
- Feel: Every bike has a different feel. Some are nimble. Some are laid-back. Some handle like a boat. We’ve ridden each bike to get a sense of that quality.
- Comfort: Separate from feel, we’ve also considered ride comfort. This comes in part from a proper fit, but also from some gear, such as suspension, saddles, hand grips and pedals. These were an important consideration in our evaluation, though we tried not to be overly critical if a bike was simply not a good fit, instead noting where the cutoffs might be for riders of different heights.
- Cargo capabilities: For cargo bikes specifically, we put them to task with a bit of hauling using available accessories. We saw how well they managed panniers, grocery runs, large packages and even passengers in some cases.
Powered riding
- Assist: E-bikes have different ways of providing motor assistance, generally cadence sensors, torque sensors or throttles. We noted what was provided by each bike in our testing and how effectively and naturally it provided that assistance. Some have throttle for full assistance, but even these can vary in quality.
- Motor power: Beyond the sheer wattage a motor can provide, we also considered how smoothly it delivered that power (e.g., was it jerky or gradual, and did it ramp up slowly or spring in as soon as we needed it), and whether it supported us in the face of some of biking’s biggest slogs: headwinds, steep uphills and long distances. We also considered whether motors were being a little overzealous and taking perhaps too much of the work onto themselves, which can not only feel unnatural but also take some of the joy out of riding.
- Battery life: We considered the battery capacity of each bike and tested how far it could get us. Electric bikes don’t get all their power from their batteries though, so to subtract our own effort from the equation (which can vary significantly from ride to ride) we used a Garmin Rally XC100 power meter to keep track of exactly how many watt-hours we put into each ride. After riding, we’d use a smart outlet to see how much power the bike had used (a bike’s battery meter tends to be imprecise and unreliable). Then we determined the percent of work done by both the bike and our own legs, and we generated a new estimate of pure-electric range, illuminating which has the juice for long hauls and which will sputter out mid-commute.
What you need to know about electric bikes
While electric bicycles have been around for a century, the modern e-bike era dates back roughly to the turn of the millennium, when a few key technologies — lithium-ion battery packs, lightweight brushless motors, cheap and available cadence sensors and power meters — came together just as the traditional bike industry was trying to find its way amid the rise of the commercial internet.
These days, e-bikes are a massive part of the bicycle industry, with huge growth in ridership over the past decade and through the Covid-19 pandemic. The major players include scrappy start-ups and legacy cycling brands and as the market grows, the offerings have become more varied. There are electric bikes available to suit almost any rider and type of riding.
What are e-bike classes?
The answer to this has to do with the legal questions about what exactly defines an e-bike versus an electric scooter, electric motorcycle or other similar vehicle. While that answer varies a bit depending on where you’re riding, there are some general guidelines nowadays, and the limitations are typically governed by what “class” a given bike falls into.
You’ll see three classes of electric bikes: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. These divisions have to do with both top speed and the method by which you control the bike — pedal only or pedal and throttle, and with where you can ride each type of bike based on its capabilities.
These restrictions vary worldwide, and electric bike usage rules even vary from US state to US state, but overall the situation breaks down as follows.
- Class 1: Top speed 20 mph; pedal assist only; allowed on bike paths and MTB trails in most states, with some restrictions.
- Class 2: Top speed 20 mph; pedal assist and throttle modes; allowed on bike paths and MTB trails in most states, with some restrictions.
- Class 3: Top speed 28 mph; pedal assist mode (to top speed), throttle mode (limited to 20 mph); allowed on streets and bike paths; off-road use restricted in most states to motorized trails only.
These speed limitations are defined by safety and the 750W (1 horsepower) limit on e-bike motor size imposed by most US states. Trail use is restricted for more powerful bikes because they are more damaging to the trails. This same rationale limits motocross and ATV riding to motorized trails intended for powered vehicles rather than the singletrack trails meant for bicycles.
You may come across bikes with bigger motors putting out 1,500W or more, with “unlocked” or “jailbroken” modes that allow for higher top speeds, up to roughly 40 mph. In most jurisdictions, such vehicles count as electric motorcycles or electric scooters, and they can’t — and really shouldn’t — be ridden on bike paths, MTB trails or the like.
Torque or cadence sensor?
To provide a natural feel, the motor used on your e-bike needs to know whether or not you’re pedaling and how fast or powerfully you’re doing so. Manufacturers have two ways of telling the electronics what you’re up to: torque sensors and cadence sensors.
Less expensive bikes use cadence sensors, which measure how fast the cranks are spinning (this is done most often via a magnet mounted on the crank arm or within the bottom bracket assembly), and a pickup or sensor that ticks each full rotation the magnet makes (higher-precision models can take more measurements per rotation to get a more accurate real-time estimate of pedaling speed).
More expensive models use torque sensors, which measure how much force you use to pedal. There are several ways to do this, ranging from strain gauges that measure how much force you’re putting into one or both crank arms to more complex sensors that measure the rotational torque on the bottom bracket — but they all get pretty close to figuring out how much wattage you’re putting out.
Technology aside, the types of sensors produce a different feel when you’re using an e-bike in pedal assist mode.
- Cadence sensor: Typically has a more “on-off” feel when riding and can have a delayed feel(less than a second but noticeable) to engage when you’re just getting underway from a stop. While their acceleration curve feels fairly predictable on flat ground, cadence sensors can take a bit of getting used to on uphill efforts if you prefer a very high or low pedaling cadence, since the motor assist can feel a bit out of sync with your own effort, engaging when you don’t need it or cutting out when you do.
- Torque sensor: Typically more natural feeling. Since the motor has a better idea of how much effort you’re putting in, it can adjust its output more granularly. This generally means a more predictable acceleration from a standing start, smoother adjustment to your pedaling on the flats and more predictable motor assistance when the roads get steep.
Which to get? You won’t see many torque sensors in bikes priced below roughly $1,800, so it’s largely a matter of budget as to what you’ll end up with. That said, if it’s within your budget, a torque sensor feels nicer, but not having one is by no means a deal breaker.
Mid drive or hub drive?
The Bosch mid-drive motor unit is dependable, quiet and responsive to pedaling input.
The question of where to put the motor remains open for e-bike designers, but you’ll find most bikes have it either integrated into the front or rear hub (a hub drive) or the bottom bracket around the crankset (a mid drive).
Since they provide power at the cranks, right where the rider does, mid drives are more efficient — so they don’t need to be as powerful — and provide more torque to tackle challenging terrain. This is why most high-end e-MTBs use them. The ride quality is impressive, and a mid-drive motor paired with a torque sensor (as is typically the case) makes you feel stronger rather than like you’re riding a motorcycle.
Hub drives are placed — as you might expect — at the hub, so they either pull the bike forward (if placed at the front hub) or push (if placed at the rear), which is more common. They aren’t as efficient as mid drives, and the sensation of riding an e-bike with a hub drive isn’t as natural. It feels a lot more like riding a scooter or a motorcycle. This is also because more hub drives are paired with cadence sensors to manage their pedal assist modes and most throttle-assist e-bikes are fitted with hub drives.
Both hub drives and mid drives work just fine, and the differences likely won’t matter to most riders. Many riders like throttle assist, especially if they’re using a bike to carry heavy stuff, and don’t mind the slight reduction in ride quality. One unexpected benefit of mid drives is that it’s easier to change a flat since you don’t have to deal with the cables and lock nuts you’d need to detach to deal with a hub-mounted motor. (Plus, being able to use whatever wheels you like can make for a lighter bike.)
The hub drive and battery on the Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1 are supplied by Bafang. It’s great to see a name-brand motor and electronics on a bike at this low a price.
For manufacturers, the differences are more important, and that’s reflected in the somewhat higher price of mid-drive models. A mid drive needs a frame designed around it, while hub drives allow more flexibility since designers don’t need to consider motor placement and more traditional frame designs can be used.
Battery placement also affects frame design, and you’ll see various battery locations. For traditional-style frames, you’ll see them placed everywhere from under the cargo rack or on the handlebars (for small front-hub-drive units) to behind the seat tube. Lately, most manufacturers have taken to integrating the battery into the downtube, which makes the bike look less obviously electric but can require a smaller, lower-capacity battery, limiting range.
Does e-bike motor wattage matter?
You’ll typically see e-bikes advertised with motor power between 250W and 750W. There are a few bikes with more powerful motors, but 750W or 1,000W is the limit in many US states. The question is if it matters in practice. In our experience, a 250W motor is fine for flat terrain and can certainly spin a bike up to 20 mph on urban bike paths, city streets and the like. For a bike you’re mostly using to carry yourself, it’ll probably do. To put it in context, 250W is in the range of what a strong, average-sized cyclist is putting out when they’re cruising along.
However, a 250W motor may struggle under some conditions: It won’t be able to churn out the speed necessary to climb uphill or as you pile on cargo weight. As you add more power, you get the ability to carry bigger loads without slowing down, and you’ll be able to maintain your speed uphill. Often, the bigger motors deliver more torque, so you’ll see snappier acceleration as well. So, if you’re a bigger rider, want to carry more or live someplace where you’re likely to want to carry you and your stuff uphill, you may want to check out bikes in the 350W to 750W range.
Whether this matters to you is largely a question of the situations in which you ride, balanced against your budget, how heavy a bike you want to store and other factors. With a few outliers like the light and powerful GoCycle G4, the high-spec’d Gazelle Ultimate C380+ and the high-powered moto-style bikes — all of which had more apparent oomph — most of the bikes we tried delivered a similar performance for most riders, in keeping with the intended use of each bike.
What about battery capacity?
The Level.2’s battery is slickly integrated into the downtube and is easy to remove for charging with a lock and toggle. Overall, it’s a very clean design.
Battery capacity is, again, a compromise between weight and ride time. Even on rolling terrain, we had no problem getting nearly 30 miles out of the Brompton Electric C-Line (estimated 44-mile range) with a 250W motor driven by a relatively tiny 300-watt-hour (Wh) battery. Bigger, more powerful motors are going to require more battery capacity, so in a way, it’s a vicious cycle and the great majority of bikes we tested had estimated ranges on flat ground in the 40- to 60-mile range (very dependent on cargo load, terrain, wind conditions and riding style). Whether that’s a 300Wh battery driving a 250W motor or a 900Wh battery feeding a 750W one, the results were similar.
As for integrated batteries, they are generally fine for an urban commuter like the Velotric T1 and for most uses of these bikes (most everyday bike trips are well within the ranges of the bikes we rode for this piece). But there are options if you plan to ride longer or wander without a clear destination. If you want more range, you may want to look into a bike with a removable battery rather than a fully integrated one. This way, you can carry a second battery or purchase a bike that can take a dual-battery kit (several Bosch mid-drive models, like the Gazelle Ultimate, are compatible with dual batteries).
Are e-bike batteries safe?
If you’re interested in e-bikes, you’ve probably read about the threat of battery fires. It’s a real concern since lithium-ion batteries pack a lot of energy, and when things go wrong, they can burn very hot and be difficult to extinguish.
That said, some of the reported fires have been linked to misuse — fast-charging batteries that aren’t meant to be, storing or charging many batteries together where they’re prone to overheating— and low-quality batteries that haven’t met independent testing standards.
Eventually, we’ll have better legal protections as these batteries become more ubiquitous. But right now, as a buyer, you can increase safety by looking for UL-certified batteries (we looked for these as we rounded up models for testing and have noted the certifications obtained for the models we recommend). Take care not to charge or store batteries in hot environments and take the steps you would take with any rechargeable device: Don’t leave it plugged into the charger once the batteries are full and watch out for excessive heat or damage.
Other electric bikes we tested
With a compact frame to fit almost anyone, great parts specs for the price, sensible electronics and a do-it-all design suited for utility hauling, getting to work or just riding for fun, the e1.1 is hard to beat. If you can find it, you should buy it.
Read our review
The Co-op Cycles Generation e1.1 was our original winner and a remarkable option for its universality. It was compact and nimble but featured a built-in rack to make light cargo runs a cinch. Despite its low price, it tacked on quality hardware, decent motor power and enough battery life to get you where you’re going. And unlike most direct-to-consumer brand bikes, it could be assembled and maintained at local REI stores nationwide. Unfortunately, REI has discontinued this model and it isn’t available on the site.
If you truly want the best and have the money for it, go for the Gazelle. But most will be happy with the Velotric.
Read our review
An all-around bike with the absolute best parts package and beautiful ride quality, the Ultimate C380+ has it all, from a Bosch mid-drive motor to a fuss-free Gates carbon belt and Enviolo/Nuvinci transmission.
This is one of our favorite folding e-bikes, and we're currently retesting the Brompton against a pool of newcomers to find the best folding electric bike.
Read our review
Brompton has long made the best folding bike, and the electric version — which folds just as compactly — sacrifices only a little storage space, making it one of our favorite folding electric bikes and one of the few you can take and store anywhere, like under your desk or in an overhead compartment.
This bike is top-notch, but probably too expensive for most people.
The Priority Current is an excellent e-bike, but an expensive one, thanks to several high-quality features. The Current is built around a strong Bafang mid-drive motor that channels its muscle and yours into a Gates carbon belt drive and Shimano or (as tested here) Enviolo internally geared hub in the rear wheel. This is a low-maintenance system that has incredible torque at low speeds and can race along at high speeds. Since the Enviolo hub can shift gears while the bike isn’t moving, it’s also a great option for city riding, where you might have to come to a sudden stop, since you can always shift it back into the lowest gear to be ready to start up from a standstill.
However, its many upgrades begin to feel like they offer diminishing returns while the price and weight leap up well above the Velotric T1. If you’re enticed all the same, it’s worth mentioning the Current is available through the Costco Next program for hundreds off its retail price, which would be reason enough to nab a $60 Costco membership for those savings alone.
The tedious and confusing assembly process of this bike held it back from being considered for a top spot.
The Ride1Up Series is a solid e-bike, though not for the faint of heart. I’ve assembled many bikes for review, but this one took 80 minutes and was a headache. Assembled, the bike is a quality ride, with thicker tires and front suspension that make for a smooth ride. Its powerful motor and big battery offer speed and distance, but they come with weight and size. The motor can also be a bit noisy. If you want an e-bike that’s a bit more motorcycle-like and less bike-like, this is a reasonable alternative to the Velotric T1, but it’s not quite up to the polished level of the T1.
The lower price tag of the Lectric shows in its build quality, but if you need a simple cargo e-bike, this could be the one for you.
If what you’re looking for from your cargo bike is a simple tool, the Lectric Xpedition might be it. This bike is so simple that it practically rolls out of its box ready to ride after removing some packaging. Most of the components are quick-release, even the pedals, so it’s an effective toolless assembly. The bike isn’t as elegantly built; it has a ton of cables and wires running every which way and feels pretty cheap compared to the competition, but that’s because it is cheap next to them at $1,399.
It can still haul plenty of cargo, and I managed some grocery runs and even an evening out with another adult riding on the back. It does the job, but the Aventon Abound polishes the experience and includes major upgrades (torque sensing, bigger battery, suspension fork) that easily justify the uptick in price.
Our previous winner for the best electric cargo bike is now unavailable.
Read our review
Tern’s HSD packs a high-performance Bosch mid-drive motor, automatic shifting and a huge amount of cargo capacity into a semi-folding frame that stores in less space than most ordinary bikes. It’s expensive, but it can replace a car — and fit in one. If you can find it, it’s worth consideration.
Too pricey for most, the Tern GSD S10 LX would be great if you want the best of the best cargo e-bike.
The Tern GSD S10 LX is the no-holds-barred, all-in, luxury SUV of the cargo bike realm. It comes with a powerful mid-drive motor, Magura four-piston hydraulic disc brakes, a locking kickstand, dual-battery support, a Cane Creek Thudbuster suspension seat post, a suspension fork, an integrated front wheel lock … the list goes on. It’s a remarkable bike, but naturally, all this hardware adds up on the receipt to the tune of $5,000 ($5,700 if you want two batteries for 1,000Wh of capacity). As impressive as all of that is, it didn’t feel leagues better to ride than the Abound; it could be quite noisy, and all of that componentry makes for a complex bike that could prove difficult to maintain.
The flagship bike from the big direct-to-consumer e-bike brand is a powerful, well-appointed and comfortable city commuter or recreational ride, though we’d like to see more weatherproofing and a more straightforward display.
Read our review
The Aventon Level.2 is a savvy city e-bike in the same vein as the Ride1Up 700 Series, except this model was super simple to assemble, taking just 19 minutes before it was ready to ride. Of course, it’s also about $400 more expensive. It emphasizes power and range over portability and it takes a fully loaded approach to its hardware. It’s comfortable and peppy, easily hitting 20 miles per hour and soaking up small road vibrations. Built-in lights and functioning brake lights are a plus. But with a price that edges so close to the Velotric T1, the Aventon Level.2 just doesn’t stand out as the winning option.
With a sportier feel but not as much range or power as the Aventon Abound, we think our winner is the better buy.
The Tern Quick Haul P9 Sport was a surprise and a delight. Its mid-tail cargo design keeps it from being super long and handling like a boat, so it ended up having a sporty-feeling ride as the name suggests. A powerful mid-drive motor lets it zip along and hydraulic disc brakes bring it to a quick stop. Its adjustable seatpost and handlebars can support a range of riders, and I felt perfectly comfortable at the end of a 34-mile ride even at 6 feet, 3 inches tall. It’s a pretty big uptick in price over the Aventon Abound and doesn’t offer the range, throttle power or cargo capacity of the Abound. But it is a worthwhile alternative if you want a normal-feeling bike with enhanced cargo capacity and an easy-to-carry design.
We wish the GoCycle G4 folded up into a more compact package, otherwise, it's a fantastic bike.
Read our review
The futuristic Gocycle G4 is the best riding folder we’ve tested, e-bike or not. With sure handling, plenty of power and a quality build, it’s a great vacation or recreational ride, but doesn’t fold up compactly enough to be a commute and everyday workhorse.
A single-speed drivetrain held this otherwise fun bike out of our top considerations.
Read our review
The RadRunner 2 is a compact, fun electric bike versatile enough to go from city commuting to hauling your family’s gear to the beach. A single-speed drivetrain limits you to flatter terrain, but it’s a great little bike.
This big, heavy, electric bike could benefit from hydraulic brakes over mechanical ones. That, along with odd tire sizing kicked it out of the running for our top spot.
Read our review
A longtail electric cargo bike with a 350-pound capacity, the RadWagon 4 can replace a car for most trips. It’s big and heavy and uses an odd wheel size, but it’s fun to ride and easily handled everything we threw at it.
Most people don't need all the power the Ride1Up Revv 1 provides and will be better served by the more discreet Velotric T1.
Read our review
Moto-style e-bikes aren’t great for pedaling and they’re a little underpowered to work as motorcycles on the road, but the Revv 1 is a fun ride at a reasonable price.
While the Go 1 is overall a great compact utility bike, we found it challenging to mount panniers to the rear rack.
Read our review
A compact and capable hauler for a kid and your stuff, the Go 1 is a well-designed, powerful utility bike that’s fun to ride and can handle almost any road you’d want to take it down.
The Packer 1 is fantastic for carrying passengers, but isn't as optimized for carrying other goods on the back.
Read our review
If you’re looking to haul a couple of kids to school, the Packer 1 can handle it, and there’s room for your stuff too. It’s surefooted and powerful, looks great, and has room to sock away plenty of your stuff for the ride to work.
The Electra is a great electric bike, but the Velotric T1 is better and cheaper.
Read our review
The Electra is a retro-styled city e-bike from Trek, priced to compete with online brands. You get the convenience of shop support, but the trade-off is you get mechanical brakes and some cheaper parts that could be upgraded.
With a powerful motor and big battery, the solidly built Turris can handle most trips short of singletrack at a more affordable price than many competitors. It’s a bit heavy and assembly can be complex, but it’s a useful bike for the low cost.
Read our review
The Ride1Up Turris XR faces a similar fate to the Ride1Up 700 Series. The two bikes have much in common, with the Turris being like an off-road version of the 700 Series. It’s a good bike, fun and comfortable to ride, and can go the distance with pedal assistance and throttle operation. Its low price makes it attractive, especially for the quality hardware it packs, but its tedious assembly may stand in the way of some, and there’s no ignoring the extra size and weight for anyone who doesn’t have a ground-floor garage to store it in.
Too heavy, expensive and difficult to store for most, we think the Aventon Abound is an all-around better option.
Read our review
The Globe Haul ST has more cargo capacity and power than most compact utility e-bikes, so you can commute, carry groceries or haul your kids to school in style and comfort.
This bike is overkill for most and is closer to a motorcycle than a bike.
Read our review
The Super73-R Adventure electric bike is a retro moto-style e-bike that’s well built and gets you around in ’70s style. It’s expensive and impractical but a ton of fun to ride.
The Cannondale Adventure is quite a heavy bike, and doesn't quite have as much motor as we'd like, which makes uphill treks require more work.
Read our review
A capable all-rounder from a veteran bike brand, meant for taking it slow and enjoying the scenery (with backup from a shop for purchase and repair). This versatile bike will easily take you from your daily commute to weekend rail-trail explorations.
If you don't want to spend money on an entirely new bike, check out this conversion kit.
Read our review
Maybe the best electric bike is the one you already own. The Swytch Kit lets you turn your current bike into a capable e-bike, with a tiny battery pack ideal for commuters (or for use on folding bikes).
