Even some of the best electric bikes are becoming more affordable. So if you've previously discounted them on price, then now is a great time to get back in the game. We've tried and tested all the e-bikes in our curated list and have categorized options based on a range of factors to suit different needs.
Electric bikes are a fantastic way to make that daily commute or enjoy a nice ride at the weekend. They are particularly great for those who find it physically difficult to ride a bike without an electric motor. All of our options in the guide are pedal assist rather than controlled by a throttle but even a little amount of assistance can make the difference between being able to ride a bike or not.
Not only do electric bikes help the environment in comparison to a car, but cycling with an e-bike can help improve the confidence of a newer rider, and maximize the distances you can achieve. The electrical assistance can also take the strain out of cycling, especially if you commute. After all, who wants to get to the office feeling desperate for a shower before the working day has even begun?
If you're set on having a foldable e-bike then we have the Brompton C Line Explore on our list, but you can also check out our guide to the best folding e-bikes. We've put together six of our favourites to help consumers make informed choices.
As with the best electric scooters, or any motorized vehicle, you’ll need to shop around for what’s right for you and select something from a trusted brand. There are plenty of imitators out there, but stick to our list and you’ll feel just as confident in your purchasing decision as we do with our recommendations.
The quick list
Use our full guide to help you find the best budget e-bike for you. We've rounded up our best options and identified what makes each stand out and why. Use the jump links or scroll down to see our more comprehensive overview of the e-bikes and click through to a full review.
Best for commuters
With an incredible magnetic torque sensor and a smooth carbon belt drive, the CGO600 delivers smooth and seamless performance—an absolute dream for commuters.
Best compact
The folding bike experts have nailed the gear range on the Brompton C Line Explore. 12 gears provide greater flexibility and versatility previously found on Brompton bikes.
Best for range
With an advertised range of 120km, Engwe is pushing the boundaries of how far e-bikes can go. This is a well-built bike utilizing budget-friendly parts and the brand's signature chunky tires.
Best for style
E-bikes are not known for their good looks, but the Pure Flux One bucks that trend. A fun to ride, great to look at e-bike that has easy-to-use controls.
Best budget
At only $550 / £699 / around AU$1300 you'll be hard-pushed to find a cheaper e-bike than this. It's comfortable and perfect for commuters.
The best budget electric bikes in 2024
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Below you'll find full write-ups for each of the best budget electric bikes in our list. We've tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best budget electric bike for commuters
The Tenways CGO600 Pro would win the best prize across a lot of different categories. Above all, though, it is an absolute pleasure to ride. The magnetic torque sensor and carbon belt drive make the whole riding process as effortless as it can be. With no lag between pedaling and the motor kicking in, there's no point when you're doubting whether it's going to work.
The carbon belt drive is increasingly common on bikes and provides a long-lasting and low-maintenance alternative to chain. Not having any grease to deal with is good news for commuters who need to stay clean.
The battery is beautifully concealed within the main frame and all cables are hidden. It's therefore very difficult to tell that this is actually an e-bike. The 36V, 10Ah Lithium-ion battery with LG Cells has a maximum range of 100 km / 62 miles. This is not the longest the best electric bikes have to offer but it is more than adequate for any commute.
The CGO600 Pro is the ideal bike for commuters. It's an effortless riding experience, offers great range, and medium-to-thin tires give riders everything they need to get to and from the office.
View our full Tenways CGO600 Pro review
The best compact budget electric bike
Foldable bikes are everywhere at the moment, but there's nothing more compact than the Brompton C Line Explore. The beautifully engineered 3-part fold makes it perfect for taking on trains, throwing in the back of a car, or zipping around city streets.
The C Line Explore sets itself apart from other Brompton models by being the first of its kind to offer a 12-speed gear system. Even though all 12 gears are rarely needed, having the extra range is ideal for going up hills. The unique system is composed of a 3-speed Sturmey-Archer hub and a 4-speed derailleur.
A 300Wh lithium-ion battery pack and 250-watt brushless motor make it road-legal across Europe and are enough to travel up to 40 miles. The build quality is unbelievable, guaranteeing it's going to last a lifetime.
This Brompton bike gives riders the best of everything: all the gears for various different inclines and the convenience of the compact Brompton package: lightweight, portable, and folding.
Read our full Brompton C Line Explore review
The best budget electric bike for range
The highlight of the Engwe Engine X is the 13Ah battery, which provides an advertised range of 120km. Even though this is only possible at the lowest level of pedal assist, this e-bike provides a range that will be more than enough for commuting or leisurely riding through the countryside. A charging time of five hours is reasonable, given the size of the battery.
The brutalist design won't be to everyone's liking but it certainly stands out in a crowd. The imposing design is bolstered by the 20-by-4-in wheels, which provide a high level of absorption when traveling over uneven surfaces.
The Engine X is a foldable bike which is hard to imagine at this weight and size. In reality, you're only going to want to fold this every so often for occasions such as going on holiday or taking it out on a track. This is not an everyday type of foldable bike, like the Brompton.
if you're looking for a budget bike that has a fantastic range, then there's nothing much better than the Engine X. More refined folding bikes, like the Brompton or the Estarli e20.7, are available but have the downside of being more expensive.
Read our full Engwe Engine X review
The best budget electric bike for style
Pure Electric is one of the biggest retailers of electric bikes and scooters in the UK, but the Flux One is its first foray into bike-building. It's an impressive debut, and the result is a stylish bike that looks much more expensive than its modest price tag of £999 (about $1,400 / AU$1,900) would suggest.
In fact, its design is reminiscent of the Cowboy 4, our current top-rated electric bike, with smooth lines and a carbon belt drive system that helps keep maintenance to a minimum (no need to spend time oiling or tensioning a chain). It's fun to ride as well, with a comfortable, relatively upright riding position, dependable brakes, and easily operated power controls. It's light and well-balanced enough to carry on your shoulder as well, which is a rare bonus.
The downside is its range, which at just 25 miles in ideal conditions means it's more a bike for short city hops than weekend riding. We also found switching between power modes a little jarring at times, but this was a minor grumble. It's still a very good e-bike for the price, but given the choice we'd opt for the Rad Power RadMission 1 instead.
Read our full Pure Flux One review
The best cheap budget electric bike
If you're on a tight budget, the E-Trends Fly is an excellent option, available for around £699 in the UK, although I've seen it go as low as £449 on sale in the UK. That's around $550 in the US and AU$900 in Australia.
The ride is comfortable, and the throttle is easily accessible with just a touch of your thumb. There's also a pushing mode, which gives you a little help from the battery when you need to hop off and wheel it along the sidewalk for a stretch.
The design is a little out of sync with its contemporaries and it uses V-brakes rather than discs, which don't have as much stopping power due to the smaller surface area, although our reviewer didn't have a problem during testing. It's also undeniably heavy, which could be an issue if you need a folding e-bike you can carry onto trains and upstairs easily.
Nevertheless, a great budget buy if you're looking for a folding commuter.
Read our full E-Trends Fly review
How to choose the best budget electric bike for you
Choosing the best budget e-bike might be a little trickier than simply going with the best e-bike money can buy. After all, you're looking at the cheap options because you're on a budget, and e-bikes aren't cheap as a rule.
You shouldn't compromise on what you need on the road just to save a lot of money, especially if you're planning on utilizing that e-bike for your daily commutes or your weekend trips down rugged roads. Quality, performance, and features are still top priority.
Things like the motor for power, battery for range, and torque for hill-climbing are important considerations. If you're spending money on a budget e-bike that won't give you the power and range you need, you're basically throwing money away. You're better off holding off on that purchase until you can afford a better-performing e-bike.
Also take a look at the motor placement and its pedal assist, as well as the weight and, if you're short on space, its foldability. Of course, the type of e-bike and the design matter as well.
How we test budget electric bikes
To give you a full rundown of how each budget e-bike we test rides on the road, we always use it in real-world conditions. That's the best way to find out how it performs in day-to-day life.
By that, we mean putting them through their paces on a range of terrains and gradients. During this process, we test everything, from its full range of power settings to its extra features and custom settings.
We compare its performance, features, and everything else with its price. A budget e-bike won't necessarily mean bargain-basement. After all, e-bikes at this point are never going to be dirt cheap. What we're looking for instead are those that are not just affordably priced but also great value for your money.
Of course, we recommend that you test-ride any bike you're considering before you commit. But our buying guide on the best budget e-bikes should set you off to a good start.
