On an electric bike, cycling up hills becomes almost effortless, and you won’t be slowed down by strong headwinds. All the worst things about regular cycling are solved by an electric bike. Except getting wet in the rain, of course. You can ride an electric bike in the rain: they’re designed for both dry and wet weather. And there are lots of different types of electric bikes, just as there are with normal bikes. So whether you want to cycle exclusively on the road, or to tear up the trails and tackle some proper mountain biking, there’s an electric bike to suit. Not only are electric bikes good for the environment (especially if you replace cycling with car journeys) they also help you to get fit. While electric bikes cost more than regular bikes, there are ways to bring down that cost. In the UK you could ask your employer if you can buy an e-bike on the Bike2Work or Cyclescheme . This can knock off a big chunk of the cost.
Are electric bikes worth it?
Absolutely. Electric bikes make it easy to cover longer distances than you can on an ordinary bike, and you can easily cycle up hills even if you’re unfit. Electric bikes are for everyone, no matter your age or fitness level. Every electric bike offers a variety of levels of assistance – including pedal power only – so you can choose how much effort to put in. Feeling lazy? Use maximum motor power and barely pedal at all. Electric bikes are legal in most countries, but the laws aren’t the same in all. In Europe and the UK, motors are limited to 250W and assistance speeds to 15.5mph / 25km/h. But in the US, bikes can assist to 20mph and have motors up to 1000W in certain states. Do check the laws in your state before buying.
Best electric bikes: reviewed & ranked
Where to buy an electric bike
You can buy electric bikes from many bike shops these days, including Halfords in the UK. Often you’ll be able to test ride one – some companies will even loan you a bike for a day or two so you can really try them out.
Automatic gears Built-in lock & alarm GPS tracking
Too big for short riders No suspension Price keeps rising
The automatic gears, powerful motor and good range make it a joy to ride. There are lots of useful extras including a built-in lock, alarm and tracking system, and you get LED lights and mudguards as standard – plus a generous three-year warranty. Do note that if you’re under 170cm (5ft7), buy the X3 instead as the S3 has a large frame. One of the biggest attractions of the S3 when we first reviewed it was the low price compared to the S2, but VanMoof has had to increase the price several times, so it’s no longer the bargain it once was.
Mid-drive motor with torque sensor Good display
Heavy Only one frame size
It is heavy, though, and shorter riders may find it too big: there’s only one frame size available. Eskute also sells a non-Pro model which is cheaper and has a motor in the rear wheel hub instead.
Appealing design Good range
Big & heavy No built-in security measures
The classic looks are certainly a highlight, and there are seven gears to help when you’re pulling away from a standstill, as well as on hills. But the powerful motor makes light work of those and the removable battery has a range of up to 60 miles. That, as with all e-bikes, varies a lot depending on many factors. The price includes lights, a kick-stand and mudguards, but there’s nothing in the way of security: no lock and no tracking tech. Amazingly, the price has dropped since we reviewed it, bucking the trend here, and making the Array more attractive. And as long as you’re able to keep it locked up securely and don’t have to leave it, say, on your local high street or at a railway station regularly, that may not be an issue for you.
Good value Well built
No gears No rear light
It’s more affordable than some of its rivals, yet has very few compromises. It’s relatively lightweight, built with good-quality components and is covered by a two-year UK warranty. Mudguards and a front light are included as standard, and there’s no app to complicate things: you just unfold and ride. Like some others here, it’s no longer as cheap as it used to be. The current 2022 model costs £200 more than the 2021 version did, but has a larger-capacity battery for a better range (up to 45 miles) and a new motor with 25% more torque, so it isn’t just inflation. It’s worth noting that there are no gears, which makes it harder to ride – especially up hills – if the battery runs out. But if you’re careful to ensure it doesn’t, it isn’t a problem.
Great ride quality Quiet motor Removable battery
No suspension Keypad system feels like a gimmick No handlebar height adjustment
The battery is built into the seat post and can be removed for charging, though the keypad security system is actually less convenient than if Fiido had opted for a simple key lock. But it’s not a deal-breaker by any means, and you get built-in lights, a torque sensor (for smooth power delivery) and hydraulic disc brakes. Thanks to seven gears, you can still ride this bike when the battery runs out, something that’s not as easy on single-speed electric bikes. Like all Fiido models, watch out for the short warranty on many components: only the frame itself gets the full three-year cover.
Good value UK warranty Improved display
Some entry-level components Limited range
The range of up to 40 miles is fine at this price, and unlike Chinese imports, you can take the Vengeance E to your local Halfords store to get it repaired should anything break. The cheap-looking control panel from the 2019 model has been swapped for the much superior Suntour compact OLED and, aside from the slightly noisy motor, it’s great value compared to many electric mountain bikes.
Large cargo rack which can house a second seat Suitable for shorter riders Cheaper than a cargo bike
Can be cramped for taller riders Very basic display Single speed
Range is relatively limited compared to other bikes here and optional accessories (of which there are many) can push the price up a lot from the attractive-looking purchase price. If you can’t tell from the photo, this is a chunky, heavy bike but strangely it’s not well suited to tall riders, who may well find the frame too small for comfort.
Comfortable Powerful motor Choice of frame size
Heavy No GPS or theft tracking
The price includes the mudguards, lights, kickstand and built-in Dutch-style lock, and unlike the VanMoof S3 (which has GPS, Bluetooth and and embedded SIM for tracking it), it hasn’t got loads more expensive over the past couple of years. If you’re not bothered by the absence of tracking features, then the Pulse is a great choice. Just bear in mind it’s a big, heavy bike: this is great for touring around, but not if you have to regularly lift it up steps or onto public transport.
Impressive range Plenty of torque Affordable
Heavy
It’s a budget bike, but that massive battery and the fact it’s a 48V system will be more than enough to persuade some that it’s the best choice over other foldable models here.
Bafang motor Great value
Heavy Jerky power delivery
There are some upgrades here, though, including a neat display built into the handlebar stem. The battery is removable for easy charging, which will be a critical tick-box for some people. The fork and chainset are entry-level components, but this leaves room in the budget for a decent Bafang motor. It costs $400 / £300 more than the Voyager, which isn’t ideal, but it’s still at the more affordable end of the scale for anyone wanting an electric bike for some off-road fun.
Great fun to ride off road Folds up for storage
Heavy Limited warranty support
Unlike cheap Chinese folding bikes we’ve tested, the M1 is sturdily built and feels sure-footed at speed, both on and off road. Battery life is pretty good, but the 25kg weight and those wide tyres mean you’re not going to enjoy riding it under pure pedal power – especially if you have to cycle up any hills. However, our main concern is that there’s limited warranty support should any components fail: Fiido doesn’t have a repair centre in Europe yet. Quite a few manufacturers sell direct to the public. This can mean they’re a bit more affordable, or better value, but do consider how you’d return the bike if there is a problem. It’s extremely costly to return a bike to China, which is why most Chinese bike manufacturers will offer to send replacement parts you can fit yourself, or take to a local bike repair shop. Don’t be put off buying Chinese bikes: quite a few brands now have warehouses in Europe, UK and the US, so delivery is quick and won’t cost a lot. Local bike shops are better equipped now to service and repair electric bikes, too. What’s important to understand is that you get what you pay for with e-bikes. So, if you can afford more than around $1000 / £800, it’s wise to spend more than that. Even at this price, it’s almost impossible to find one which doesn’t have some compromises in component quality. You might consider that a lot of money, but that’s an entry-level electric bike. Top-end electric bikes can cost several thousand pounds. Here are the electric bikes we recommend.
Electric bike buying guide
When choosing a bike you should first decide what type you want. All types are available including road, hybrid (touring / commuting), mountain, folding, shopper / step-through. Here are the key things to look for:
Frame sizeWeightSensor type – torque or cadenceGearsClaimed rangeWarranty terms
Some of those are fairly self-explanatory, but it’s worth briefly covering them all. Don’t expect there will always be a choice of frame size. Some of the bikes reviewed here come in one size, and it may be too big – or small – for you. For weight, bear in mind that that e-bikes can be heavy, and therefore harder to ride with no assistance from the motor than a normal bike. Weight can also be an issue if you have to carry your bike up flights of stairs. But there are lightweight options at around 15-16kg – the heaviest e-bikes can weigh upwards of 25kg. You should also consider warranty and longevity. An e-bike may be cheap, but if a component fails you don’t want to have to pay to send the whole thing overseas for repair. Worse still, if you can’t get replacement parts at all, your bike may cease to work at all. Some come with a thumb throttle so you can increase the assistance instantly, but under UK law this is not allowed. Bike which meet current regulations come with no throttle at all and the motor just senses when you’re pedalling. Special brake levers are installed on some e-bikes. These detect when you apply the brakes and cut power to the motor. There are laws in the UK covering electric bikes, and you can read more about which electric bikes are legal to use on the road. Bikes that conform must have a motor outputting 250 watts or less (peak power can be higher) and must not operate the motor over 15.5mph. Also, you have to be 14 or older to ride one. Similarly, it’s worth getting a branded battery (Panasonic, Samsung, Sony etc) or at least checking if you can buy replacement batteries. Lithium-ion packs can be recharged between 800 and 1000 times, which could mean a three-year lifespan if you commute to and from work. And batteries will lose their capacity over time, meaning the bike’s assisted range will decrease as the battery ages. A removable battery means you can take it indoors to charge: handy if you don’t have a mains socket in your shed or wherever you keep your bike. If you do buy a bike, you might be interested in our recommendations for the best bike locks and bike helmets. Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
