Best Electric Bikes (2026): Commuting, Cargo Bikes, Mountain Biking

When I first started testing the best electric bikes here at WIRED, everyone made fun of me.

(Years later, I can admit that no one at the time really wanted me spending three days counting screws .) Electric bikes were huge, bulky, ugly, and inconvenient.

Sometimes pedals just snapped when I stopped at a red light; people on the street yelled at me for riding motorized vehicles in bike lanes .

In the past 10 years, most people have been converted.

Millions of ebikes on the road have slashed the demand for fossil fuels .

Major world cities have been rehabbed around the use of bikes (and ebikes!) instead of cars.

Electric bikes open up the possibility of active transportation for so many people.

You don't need to be physically fit to ride one.

You can use them to commute to work or to keep up with your faster pals on a mountain bike ride.

I ride one daily to take my kids to school .

They're just fun.

While my top pick is the Trek FX+ 1 ($2,200) , the Lectric XP4 ($999) is possibly the easiest and most accessible way to get started biking on your own.

If you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!).

Need more bikes?

Don't forget to check out our guides to the Best Electric Mountain Bikes , the Best Ebike Locks , or the Best Kids' Bikes .

Updated April 2026: We've added the Aventon Soltera 3, the Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro, the Momentum Vida E+, the Ride1Up TrailRush, the Brompton Electric T-Line, the Salsa Wanderosa, and the Retrospec Judd Rev 2.

We also updated links and prices.

We are currently testing the Aventon Current ($4,599) , the Heybike Ranger 3.0 ($1,499) , and many, many more.

Searching for your first ebike?

I suggest going with an established bike brand.

This has a number of advantages—big bike brands have a large support network of affiliated retailers and shops, so you can test a few bikes without having to assemble or fix them yourself.

They can also offer a warranty on your bike (Trek offers a lifetime warranty on the frame), but you'll want to check with the manufacturer first.

Almost every major bike manufacturer now makes an entry-level commuter ebike.

Trek has two new offerings in the commuter line: the entry-level FX+ 1, the most affordable version with the lighter Hyena motor, and the FX+ 7S, with the silent, smooth TQ HPR50 motor, as the upgrade.

The FX+ 1 has a few notable features.

First, it has a throttle in addition to pedal assist, which makes it a Class 2 ebike .

Second, it has Trek's new EasyMag charging system, which is nuts.

It's like MagSafe but for an electric bike, and just putting your charger on the top tube is so much easier than trying to align a bunch of little pins.

It also has dedicated buttons for turn signals, which is fun.

However, I am getting much less than the advertised 50 miles of range, so I'd keep a charger at work if you're commuting.

Not only is the Lectric XP the most popular electric bike, but sales reports also note that it has been the third-most-popular electric vehicle of any kind , preceded only by Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 cars.

The Lectric XP4 750 is also the bike that I see most often around my neighborhood—the base model XP4 retails for a mere $999 (with standard battery), and for an additional $300 you can upgrade to the XP4 750 for more range and power.

Lectrics are notably the easiest bikes to assemble—reviewer Michael Venutolo-Mantovani only took 20 minutes to put it together—and it's foldable, portable, and very attractive, especially in this forest green color.

It has a powerful 750-watt motor, and even though it had to carry 225 pounds of human reviewer, the battery lasted well over 50 miles in the first week, even on the ups and downs of hills in North Carolina.

There were two downsides—the handlebars are a little narrow if you're on the bigger side, and the flimsy, one-sided kickstand is an afterthought.

But if you want an affordable ride out of the box, this is your best bet.

Of all the ebikes here, the Aventon Soltera 3 is the least ebikey ebike.

By that, I mean it's pretty light (only 37 pounds) and looks and feels basically like a regular analog bike.

It's a single-speed Class 1 ebike , which means it only offers assistance up to 20 mph.

It also has a low-maintenance Gates carbon belt drive .

Gates belt drives are quiet, don't drop out, require much less maintenance, and are long-lived compared to their chain counterparts (although the Soltera 3 also has hydraulic brakes for extra safety, which do need bleeding).

It's light and maneuverable, and reviewer Michael Venutolo-Mantovani notes that it just looks cool.

(Matte black always does.) In fact, he only had two complaints.

The first is that it doesn't have any gearing, which is fine if you live in a place that's mostly flat, but can be annoying if you have to bike near hills.

The other is that the buttons on the display can be a little hard to press quickly for those with bigger fingers.

Specialized's Globe Haul ST came out in 2023, and we're all lucky the company has decided to keep making it.

If you want an electric bike that could be a car replacement but you don't have kids or serious hauling needs (that is, you don't require the bike equivalent of a pickup truck), most people will be very happy with this stylish, Euro-style electric cargo bike.

It has an enormous motor and a battery with tremendous capacity—I carted kids and gear all over Portland, Oregon, for 40 miles and still had over 50 percent left on the battery.

Specialized makes bikes for people who like to bike.

The Globe Haul ST is so comfortable to ride, and attention was paid to small details—for example, spacing out the buttons on the handlebars instead of putting them all together in one tiny console that makes it hard to remember where everything is at speed.

It's moderately priced, can carry a comparatively enormous payload for its size, has a frame that can be easily locked up to a rack, and Specialized has the best accessories game.

The hard-sided Coolcave panniers ($90) with a cargo net are the best for tossing in backpacks, extra helmets, or soccer balls.

And because it's a Specialized bike, it's also just gorgeous.

Last year, we finally saw an update to Urban Arrow's iconic electric cargo bike , which is the best electric cargo bike .

Frankly, it's the bike I should've gotten for myself if I hadn't chickened out about how big it is.

I got nervous about piloting an enormous bike with a lot of cargo in the front, but I shouldn't have worried—the Bosch Cargo Line system is responsive and smart enough for me to take off without crashing.

The updated box is also longer and slimmer, and it finally has front suspension—I hit a pothole at 20 mph and just boinged right out of it.

Overall, it's much easier to ride than you might think from looking at it.

Other salient points include the Enviolo shifters, which let you shift from a dead standstill, and the fact that the box is now made from an expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam.

Urban Arrow described it to me as a protective upside-down helmet for your precious kids and noted that the panels are replaceable.

The one thing I'll point out is that you definitely want a double battery if you're planning on covering any ground in this thing, and because it's designed in Europe, it only has a 250-watt motor.

I live in one of the few states where a 1,000-watt motor is legal, and some people might prefer a little more power, especially with a bike this big.

One of the best use cases for electric bikes is if you love mountain biking but no longer have the muscle to power after your fitter friends on the trails.

The Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo 4 lets you do exactly that.

We normally cap our reviews at around 1,000 words, but reviewer Steph Pearson insisted that she would need all the ones in War and Peace (587,287) to describe just how silky-smooth it feels.

The Turbo Levo 4 has substantial cushioning, a powerful motor, and a lightweight and comfortable carbon frame.

It's a mullet bike—the front wheel is larger than the back to facilitate easier downhill travel—but you can also adjust the headset angle for cross-country riding.

It has beefy brakes and accommodates Specialized's proprietary on-bike storage system.

It's also extremely quiet.

The bike's standout feature is how intuitive it is.

The bike's high-performance torque sensors instantly “feel” what you're doing and amplify it while maintaining control, traction, and precision.

Just switch it into Auto mode and pretend you're back to being your buff twentysomething self all over again.

Best Cheap Electric Mountain Bike
If you really want an electric mountain bike , I would say just get the Specialized and use it as your daily driver as well.

(Also, because I wouldn't be able to afford another bike.) However, if you already own a commuter ebike that you love, and you just want to be able to not irritate your friends on climbs during low-key weekend rides, the Ride1Up TrailRush is the best way to do that.

Ride1Up promises the best specs for the price, and the TrailRush proves that the company knows what it's talking about.

It's a Class 3 ebike , which means it tops out at 28 mph, with high-quality components for the price: a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, a 120-mm RockShox Judy Silver TK Air Fork, and Tektro Orion Quad Piston brakes.

These will all get you up the hill pretty easily, but the TrailRush also has extras like a dropper seat post (everyone needs one, which lets you easily put the seat up and down when you're climbing and when you're descending!) and huge 29-inch Maxxis Minion tubeless-ready tires for covering serious ground.

It's 57 pounds, so, you know, don't let it fall on top of you while crossing a creek, and reviewer Steph Pearson found the assistance to be a little twitchy.

But if you want to ride on the weekends, not have your muscles totally destroyed, and have money left over for burgers afterward, this is the best way to do it.

If you're a city commuter who needs an ebike you can store easily, take on trains, or put in a car trunk, then the cheapest one is the Lectric XP4 .

However, if you're ready for an upgrade, then your best bet is the new Brompton T-Line , whose miraculous quick fold has been 50 years in the making and turns the bike into a tiny package that's as appealing as an M&M.

Reviewer Chris Haslam refers to the T-Line as “positively diaphanous." It's made entirely in the UK from aerospace-grade titanium, with ultralight carbon forks and handlebars.

When folded, it's small enough to fit under a desk, and the battery comes in a detachable pack that's also big enough to fit an ebike lock and some lunch.

The wheels are incredibly tiny 16-inchers (it might feel wobbly if you're not used to riding a Brompton before), and the e-Motiq system is limited to UK speeds, so it won't go faster than 15.5 mph, which is very slow here in the United States.

But this bike is so beautiful that it's MoMA-worthy, feels amazing to ride, and fits in the tiniest of urban apartments, offices, and public transit.

If you're a well-heeled urban commuter, it is well worth the investment.

Reviewer Matthew Korfhage described the Jackrabbit OG2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) as “a wee scooter that looks like a bicycle.” While it's marketed as an electric bike and looks like one, it has footrests instead of pedals, and you power forward via the throttle.

It's completely tiny and absolutely adorable.

(I reviewed the original Jackrabbit when it debuted in 2021 and also noted that everyone loves it, especially in its bright candy colors.) A micro ebike is also incredibly convenient for urban living, as you can stash it in a restaurant, car trunk, or apartment pretty easily as you're moving about the city.

At 6'1" and 200-plus pounds, Korfhage pushed the limit on the OG2's stated specs.

But it's worth noting that the Jackrabbit is easily customizable, with optional RangeBuster battery extenders ($450) .

It's also a bit more expensive than the previous model, and having only rear brakes is nerve-wracking at top speed.

Korfhage might not be a “Jacko,” as Jackrabbit’s devoted users call themselves, but he is a fan.

Riding the Momentum Vida E+ is like riding a couch, but in the best possible way.

If you don't particularly care about weight (it's 62 pounds), this is an incredibly comfortable bike that you don't have to think about very much.

Momentum is Giant's lifestyle ebike imprint, and it shows.

The specs are excellent for a reasonable price.

It has four-piston hydraulic disc brakes, an 80-mm Suntour front fork so you don't immediately pitch yourself head over heels if you hit a pothole, an effective throttle for assistance up to 20 mph, integrated lighting, a kickstand, and fenders.

I have now been reviewing electric bikes long enough to find the very existence of the Vida E+ interesting.

Companies like Rad Power Bikes, Ride1Up, and Aventon made their bones by selling bikes that were much more affordably-priced and accessible than traditional competitors like Trek, Specialized, or Giant.

But the Vida E+ is a pretty luxurious bike that's now available at a comparable price point to DTC competitors like the Aventon Level 3 .

All of these features, plus quality components and a big dealer network that makes repairs much easier?

Sign me up, even if I don't think the touted SyncDrive motor is that much more natural-feeling than a Bosch or Shimano motor.

This is my roundup, so I have the right to include my favorite electric bike that I've tested so far this year, which is the Salsa Wanderosa .

Salsa bills it as an electric gravel bike, but it has full suspension, so is it really an electric mountain bike?

Who knows!

Who cares!

For over a decade, I have been rattling around trails on my house on analog bikes that shake my shoulders out of their sockets and my teeth out of my head.

Now, I don't have to do that and I can rip at 20 mph on my favorite trails.

This bike would be amazing for bikepacking trips, if only motor manufacturer Fazua offered a range extender for the battery.

Fazua does have an app, but it doesn't have a display so that you can maintain the illusion that you're powering your bike entirely with your own legs.

The wireless tapping SRAM shifters worked seamlessly with the motor to get me up steeply graded dirt hills without the assistance feeling weird or jerky.

Best of all, Salsa offers an incredible size range—the XS fits me, at 5'2", and still retains the big 29-inch wheels.

And for all the features it offers, it still weighs a surprisingly little 40 pounds, which means I don't have nearly as much trouble lifting it in a truck or on a bike rack as I do with a 65-pound ebike.

For bikes, bikes, and more bikes, you can check out our roundups of the Best Electric Mountain Bikes and the Best Electric Cargo Bikes .

Retrospec Judd Rev 2 for $1,100 : This stylish, affordable electric folding bike is well-priced, maneuverable, and simplicity itself.

The Lectric XP is just more powerful and offers slightly better value for the price.

Rad Power Bikes Radrunner Max for $2,299 : Rad Power Bikes' flagship utility bike is fun, gorgeous, and easy to assemble.

However, the company was recently acquired after filing for bankruptcy protection , so I am currently keeping it as an honorable mention for now.

Radio Flyer Via Pro for $2,909 : Editor Julian Chokkattu could not have had a better experience than this easy-to-use and easy-to-assemble Class 2 electric cargo bike.

For more info, check out our guide to the Best Electric Cargo Bikes .

GoTrax Mustang for $2,199 : We liked the Mustang , a surprisingly punchy little bike at just the right price.

However, it only comes in one size, so you should try it if you can before you buy it.

Aventon Level 3 for $1,899 : The Aventon Level 3 is easy to ride, with a clean, step-through design and every feature you could want in a standard-size ebike for going around town.

There are built-in fenders and lights, and a big color display shows how much of the advertised range (up to 70 miles) you have remaining.

I have ridden it up to about 25 miles at a time with my heavy 6'2" frame, easily ending my rides with 20 percent of battery left.

The frame feels comfortable and sturdy, thanks to a double-walled construction and improved Shimano gears and brakes.

The front suspension fork and semi-hidden suspension seatpost add to the comfort compared with other bikes I’ve tested in this price range, and I like that the Aventon app lets you set up features like remote locking and geofencing, so you can keep an eye on your expensive bike from afar.

The built-in turn signals, which use the bike’s rear lights, are another bonus when riding in cities at night.

—Parker Hall
Tenways CGO800S for $1,799 : This is a budget step-through city ebike.

It boasts up to 50 miles of battery life, and I got more than 30.

The torque sensor is smooth and responsive to pedaling at various speeds.

However, there's no throttle, and because this bike is meant to fit riders of a huge range of sizes (they say 5'1'' to 6'3''), the frame was not as comfortable to pedal for me (5'11") as some large-size bikes.

—Martin Cizmar
Bike Friday All-Day for $5,800 : Bike Friday bills the irresistibly tiny All-Day (7/10, WIRED Review) as the world's lightest Bosch-powered ebike, and it's true.

You can customize all the colors and components of this folding electric bike, and it has a surprisingly powerful motor for its size.

Bromptons are more widely available and easier to use, but I love this little bike a lot.

Aventon Ramblas for $2,899 : Aventon made a mountain bike !

It's a lot of bike for an affordable price, but just a little too heavy to take out for its intended use case.

It makes a nice, rugged commuter, however.

Linus eDutchi for $1,799 : Need a comfy cruiser?

The Linus eDutchi is a Class 1 ebike with beautiful colors and loads of proprietary accessories.

Priority Current Plus for $3,299 : This sit-up cruiser is a spendier, more powerful version of the Momentum Vida E+ above, with a low-maintenance carbon belt drive.

The Electra Loft Go!

(7/10, WIRED Recommends) is a cheaper version made by Trek, with a less powerful motor.

Xtracycle Stoker for $4,499 : This is probably the bike that I see most often in my Portland, Oregon, neighborhood.

It has a durable, sturdy Chromoly steel frame and large 24-inch wheels, along with a Shimano mid-drive motor that makes it perfect for more grueling conditions.

Unfortunately, you do have to be over 5'6" (which I am not) to ride it.

Gazelle Eclipse C380+ for $6,399 : If you want to know just how great a high-end bike can be, try the Eclipse (8/10, WIRED Recommends) over a cheaper direct-to-consumer bike.

The handlebars are sized to the frame, it has a nicer shifter, a smarter motor—even the paint job is nicer.

It's just much more expensive.

The Gocycle G4I+ for $5,999 : Gocycle's high-end, fast-folding luxury bikes are designed by a former McLaren engineer.

This quieter, lighter iteration has better torque, a new carbon-fiber front fork, and an even more painful price.

The Bunch Original Electric Cargo Bike for $6,499 : I didn't care much for the Bunch , but my family did.

It's a standard, if slightly expensive, box bike as you might see in Europe.

It'll work well if you live in a flat area and don't have to go very fast.

Niu Electric Bike BQi-C3 Pro for $2,499 : Commerce director Martin Cizmar tested this bike and had a litany of complaints.

The riding position is too aggressive, and the bike frame doesn't fit common components like a water bottle and his pannier.

The disc brakes weren't suited to stopping it from 28 mph.

Bike companies reach out to me, and I request testers in my size.

Once I have finished testing, I either return the bikes to the manufacturer, the shop that assembled them, or donate them to nonprofit organizations.

Many ebikes have removable batteries, displays, or built-in wheel locks that make securing your bike much easier.

Other bikes, like the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2, are also compatible with Apple Find My.

Check out our Best Ebike Locks guide for more options.

Many affordable bikes now come direct-to-consumer—meaning that they are pre-tuned or partially assembled in a box.

As Peter Flax noted in Bicycling magazine , these bikes do not get nearly the testing or vetting that bikes from a bigger manufacturer get.

Unless you're not riding much or for many miles, or are experienced at modifying your own bike, I recommend working with an established manufacturer with a dealer network.

If you live in a flat area, you're probably fine with a 250-watt motor, which is the European speed standard.

However, if you live near hills or haul a lot of stuff, you might want to consider a 500-watt or 750-watt motor and a few extras, like hydraulic disc brakes , which will help prevent you from skidding into traffic.

The idea of your garage suddenly setting alight is terrifying, but don't worry—the batteries that manufacturers use today are much safer than those of yore.

We only write about bikes that have been certified safe by a third-party organization.

Also, exercise a bit of common sense.

Do not leave your bike battery charging overnight in a boiling hot garage.

Don't use aftermarket accessories to charge your bike.

And don't plug in a battery that's deformed or smells weird, or try to turn on a bike with a cracked display or computer.

Not sure where to start?

The biking advocacy group PeopleForBikes has a safety education program, E-Bike Smart , which it created in collaboration with the League of American Bicyclists and Bicycle Colorado.

Do not let your children ride your bike unsupervised.

An 80-pound child should not be piloting a 65-pound bike, even if the motor makes it possible for them to do so.

And always wear a helmet, but you already know that.

Right?

Whenever I talk to anyone about a possible ebike purchase, the biggest deterrent is usually the price.

I do want to say here that these are vehicles, not toys.

When I'm carrying my kids to school or flying down a hill at 25 mph, I want the safest possible ride, and I think you should too.

Reasonable auto financing options are the only reason a $2,000 electric bike can feel prohibitively expensive while a $6,000 beater gas-powered car has easy monthly payments.

Many states now offer incentive programs that provide rebates or tax credits for ebike purchases.

Some bike manufacturers and retailers offer financing through companies like Affirm or PayPal.

Your bank might cover ebikes under its vehicle loan program, and I also recommend looking at eBay locally , Craigslist, or local Facebook groups.

You probably have more options than you think.

Ebike Classifications and Rules
Before you buy your electric bike, make sure you can actually use it!

Many cities and states have laws regulating when and where you can ride an ebike.

Check out our guide on the three classes of ebikes .

At least 22 states now use this three-class system , and they may restrict when and where different classes of ebikes are used, depending on whether they have a throttle or can assist above 20 mph.

Cities may also have laws about whether mountain ebikes are allowed on single-track trails.

If your state classifies ebikes under the same laws governing motorcycles and mopeds, you may need a license to ride one.

Our team reviews upward of 50 new ebikes a year by riding them on a variety of terrain for at least 50 miles over the course of at least two weeks.

First, I test range by biking and checking to see how long each bike battery charges.

I test e-assistance and shifters by riding up big hills and by loading panniers and bike baskets with gear.

I ride bikes on a variety of errands on regular city streets, locking them up next to my movie theater or grocery store.

I also check specs like who manufactures each component and what safety standards each manufacturer has adhered to.

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