In the market for a new electric bike, or new to the e-bike world in general? Don’t sweat it. Our team spends days researching e-bike brands, models, and trends so we can make informed recommendations depending on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Here are some of our favorite e-bikes.
Best Folding Commuting E-bike: Gocycle G4i+
There are tons of e-bikes on the market that fall short of expectations. They’re usually put together using third-party components and equipped with generic features that don’t add too much value to your ride. That’s not the case when you opt for the G4i+ by Gocycle. The bike’s designer, Richard Thorpe, previously worked as a sports car design engineer at McLaren. He brought every ounce of his talent to this fourth-generation beauty.
Crafted from the ground up, it was inspired by Formula One’s performance-oriented, automotive style and is just as functional as it is sleek. The bike folds up in minutes, becoming compact enough for storage in tight spaces and maneuverability in elevators, on public transportation, and more. This is a Class 2 e-bike, which means it offers electric pedal assist up to 20 mph and features a throttle that can get you from a full stop to top speed in no time. It’s made of carbon fiber, aluminum, and magnesium. This keeps the e-bike’s weight down to 37 pounds and ensures improved range and performance when compared to other heavier e-bikes. In fact, it’s one of the lightest folding electric bikes on the market.
The Gocycle G4i+ also comes with an Android- and iOS-compatible app called GocycleConnect. It links your ride to your phone using Bluetooth and offers preset ride modes like Eco, City, and On-Demand. You can even create a custom mode based on the amount of electric assist you want from the motor. The app will showcase important ride stats like battery, distance, calories burned, average speed, and more so you’re always in the loop.
If the G4i+ is out of your price-range, you can opt for the more affordable G4i and G4, also by Gocycle.
Fastest Electric Bike: Delfast TOP 3.0
If speed is high on your priority list when shopping for an electric bike, Delfast’s Top 3.0 is a great option. This e-bike looks and performs more like an electric motorcycle than an e-bike, and its impressive 200-mile range beats that of most electric cars. In fact, Delfast holds a Guinness World Record for “greatest distance traveled on an electric motorized bicycle on a single charge” — a whopping 228 miles.
Capable of reaching top speeds of 50 mph, thanks to its ultra-powerful rear hub motor, this beauty will thrill anyone who likes to feel the wind in their hair while riding. The motor draws in 3,000 watts nominal and puts out 182 newton-meters of torque, allowing you to climb the steepest ascents effortlessly.
The Top 3.0 is versatile, too. It performs just as well on city streets as on off-road trails. Riders love its double-disc hydraulic brakes, LED headlamp, and integrated color display, which showcases everything from performance data to navigation through a built-in GPS. The electric bike also comes with sturdily mounted, adjustable mirrors that show a flashing blinker indicator when your turn signal is on.
The Top 3.0 scores major points for battery power, too. Its battery pack is sheltered within the bike’s frame and boasts nearly 3.5 kilowatt-hours of capacity. It’s made of high-quality LG 3200mah cells, has a smart BMS, and features a 60-amp controller. And you can rest assured this e-bike is built to last — its frame is made of high-tensile steel that feels super sturdy even at top speeds. Its motorcycle tires provide max traction on different kinds of terrain. And its motorcycle-grade lighting offers stellar visibility.
You can cruise confidently when you purchase the Top 3.0. The frame is covered by a lifetime warranty, and everything else is covered for two years or 30,000 km.
Best Electric Bike on a Budget: 26” NAKTO Camel Electric Bike for Women
You can certainly find a top-quality electric bike on a budget. Our pick is the 26” NAKTO Camel Electric Bike for women. It offers the best of both worlds: amazing quality and performance at a fantastic price, and is a customer favorite.
This model offers three speed modes and an on-demand throttle, plus a good battery life that makes commuting a breeze. You’ll also love the pedal-assist mode — it keeps you riding comfortably without having to put in any effort. What’s more, the Nakto Camel is super easy to access, making it great for riders recovering from injuries or just looking for something that’s easy to mount and dismount.
The Nakto Camel’s carbon steel frame offers plenty of durability (in fact, it’s made of the same material that’s used to construct earthquake-resistant structures). The bike can support up to 300 pounds and is best suited for riders between 4’9” and 6’6”. It also features a rack and basket setup for hauling cargo to and from destinations.
In the performance category, the NAKTO Camel certainly impresses. Its carbon-steel front forks offer great shock absorption on city streets and even light trails, and its 36V, 250W brushless motor is top of the line. It can reach top speeds of 25-30 mph while letting you conquer inclines easily. And its lithium battery yields 25 miles on a single charge and can be removed for recharging or storage.
The best part? You get all this for less than $1,000. The bike even comes with a one-year warranty.
Best Electric Bike for Serious Riding: The Traveler by GoTrax
If you’re looking for an electric bike that can handle long rides and plenty of miles, check out the Traveler by GoTrax. It’s marketed as a commuter bike, but it’s so much more than that. Its 48V, 10aH battery charges fully in just 4-6 hours. It yields a range of up to 31 miles on a single charge using pedal assist and 20.5 miles on the electric motor alone. It can also reach a top speed of 20 mph, getting you where you need to go quickly and efficiently during every ride. You can remove the battery effortlessly any time you need to re-up the power, adding even more convenience.
This electric bike was also designed with comfort in mind. The seat can be adjusted depending on your preferences, and the ride feels closer to that of a cruiser than a standard road bike. That said, this is still a robust model. Its 500W motor offers plenty of power for hills and very light off-road trails, and its thick tires will give you great traction on a diverse range of terrain. Its frame is sturdy and built to last a long time, too, provided you care for it properly.
Best Electric Mountain Bike for Hunting: The QuietKat Jeep E-Bike
Jeep and QuietKat joined forces to develop this electric mountain bike. Part eMTB, part high-powered electric fat bike, it’s one of the most advanced models on the market and features full suspension for stable riding on rough terrain.
The QuietKat comes with a Bafang Ultra mid-drive motor, which is great for hitting rugged trails. You can choose between two levels — a street-legal 750W “classified’ option, or a 1,000W “unclassified” option for use on private land or areas where OHVs are allowed. The custom air fork, RockShox RL suspension, and four-bar suspension linkage are ideal for quiet cruising over all kinds of terrain including snow, sand, mud, and more, making this a top pick as a winter or hunting bike.
You can customize your bike with convenience-boosting add-ons like racks and bags. And since the weight is distributed more heavily on the rear wheel, the bike offers more traction and torque on steep hills and inclines. Riders can toggle between 10 levels of pedal assist, too. The bike’s head angle is on the slack side, and its longer wheelbase offer super stable handling. Extra wide handlebars give you even more control over the bike’s front end.
