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On the hunt for an affordable electric bike? Our testers constantly research the best reasonably priced models, and then we buy them to compare side-by-side. Our diverse selection includes the full spectrum of e-bike styles. We put these bikes to the test for weeks and sometimes months, comparing their specs and evaluating every aspect of their performance. We measure each bike against the same metrics of ride quality, distance range, power output, user interface, and ease of assembly to help you find the best model for your needs and budget.
We've tested many of the best electric bikes, which can come in many styles. Each model has pros and cons. If your budget allows, check out the best electric commuter bikes and our favorite electric mountain bikes for hitting the trails. We've also tested and compared the best folding electric bikes if you need a convenient, portable, or easily storable option. We've also tested the best cargo bikes if you need to haul gear or passengers. Take a look at our writeup on the best bike locks for security.
Editor's Note: On August 14th, 2024, we updated this review to remove some discontinued models.
Fenders, front light, 100mm suspension fork, kick stand
Fenders, rear rack, front and rear lights, folding design, front suspension, mounting points for front rack, kickstand, IP-65 rated for water resistance
We were thoroughly impressed with the Ride1Up Turris XR, it exceeded our expectations in terms of performance, comfort, and value, earning high scores in many of our metrics. Powered by a 750W motor, this Class 3 bike quickly hits 20 mph using the throttle and up to 28 mph with the pedal assist function. The hydroformed aluminum frame is sleek and stylish while concealing a 614 Wh battery, which gives the bike a modest range. 27.5-inch wheels roll smoothly, and the knobby tires increase its versatility without adding too much drag. The bike isn't sporty but it feels adequately responsive and stable while cruising. The seated position is comfortable with a high-quality feeling saddle and grips. The frame is available in two styles (ST/step-thru and XR/step-over) to accommodate different user preferences.
The Turris XR has several comfort features, such as a headlight, suspension fork, fenders, and all-terrain tires. Its upright design provides a neutral position for cruising or enjoying the scenery. While it's not the sportiest e-bike, it provides a comfortable ride and it's quite convenient. It's priced a bit higher than most of our budget e-bikes but this bike is an excellent value for its price. Despite a few minor complaints, the overall value and quality make it an excellent option for those who wish to explore bike paths and urban trails. If you want to spend a little more and get more range and an included rack, check out our Editor's Choice from our best electric commuter bike review, the Ride1Up 700-Series. It is more powerful and has a longer range.
Cargo bikes can be quite expensive, but the Lectric XPedition offers incredible performance at a fraction of the price of most of best cargo bike in our review, yet it doesn't skimp on the specs. You get both power and utility with a large battery and motor and many included accessories like fenders, lights, and a clear digital display. This little workhorse can haul to 450 pounds! Few other cargo bikes of any size or price range can match that. A telescoping stem and seatpost make it easy to adjust for different riders, and it has a short enough wheelbase to fit on many bike racks.
The only real downside to its compact size and short wheelbase is that this bike doesn't handle as well as bigger bikes, especially at higher speeds. The smaller wheels and lack of suspension mean the bike transmits bumps more readily on rough surfaces. Overall, the bike performs admirably and can haul some serious gear. It's also much less expensive than most other cargo bikes.
The Lectric XP 3.0 can quickly be folded and stored in tight spaces, such as a car trunk, small office, or hall closet. Despite its compact size, it has numerous adjustable features to accommodate a wide range of user heights. The bike has multiple convenience features like fenders, lights, a comfortable seat, ergonomic grips, and a cargo rack that can carry 150 lbs. Lectric even sells a passenger seat to turn your foldable bike into a taxi. The XP 3.0 has a 500W motor, which allows it to reach speeds up to 28 mph using pedal assist and 20 mph with the throttle. The bike runs on a 500Wh removable battery, which fits inside its folding frame. For those wanting more range, a longer-range battery is available for a bit more money. 3-inch knobby tires and the bike's suspension fork provide a relatively smooth ride over most terrain. Moreover, the bike is easy to use straight out of the box. It comes almost completely assembled and can be set up and ridden with little time and effort.
This bike's compact size and ability to fold are awesome, but it's not all roses. The XP 3.0's smaller battery gives it less range than models with larger batteries. The bike has a tight turning radius and is quite maneuverable, but the short wheelbase and tall handlebar at higher speeds make it feel less stable. Despite this, we never felt uncomfortable riding this bike, even at 28mph. It folds into a compact package, but it's quite heavy at 62.5 lbs, so carrying it up a flight of stairs or lifting it into a trunk can be challenging. Nonetheless, this affordable folding model is an excellent option for anyone looking for a compact e-bike that's easy to store and transport.
This bike now ships with a 350W hub that produces 500W at peak power.
The Nakto Camel 250 is a very affordable Class 2 e-bike with a retro cruiser style that impressed us with its value. This bike features a 360Wh battery and 250W hub motor capable of traveling almost 20 miles using only the throttle. The Nakto's frame features a low, step-thru frame, making ingress and egress simple. The included rack and basket allow you to carry some items along, while its long stem and seatpost can accommodate riders of various heights. The Nakto is simple and comfortable, with upright seating and a smooth ride. It features a twist throttle for effortless movement and can reach speeds up to 20 mph. The bike also has fenders, a kickstand, and a headlight. The included basket and rear rack make it ideal for commuting and running errands in town.
The Nakto Camel 250 is noteworthy due to its positive user reviews and included features. We compared the Nakto to several similarly priced competitors, finding its simple pedal-assist system less impressive than its range, speed, and comfort. This bike's quality isn't the caliber we're accustomed to testing, but it feels like a good option for those on a tight budget.
The Nakto Camel 250 is a simple and affordable way to enjoy the benefits of an e-bike.
Credit: Laura Casner
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Our test process is multi-faceted. We performed specific range and handling tests, and used each bike for commuting, running errands, and just cruising around town.
Credit: Jason Peters
Why Trust GearLab
After researching the best, most popular, and most highly regarded affordable electric bikes, we purchased 10 for our side-by-side test. We ran each model through the same rigorous testing process while focusing on several key performance attributes. We did our distance range testing on the same course with the same rider using the throttle only to see how far each model could travel on a full charge. We also tested our other key performance metrics, which are discussed below.
We performed several quantifiable tests to directly compare the different models, determining each bike's strengths and weaknesses. Instead of arbitrary testing, we focused on several specific performance attributes, such as ride quality, distance range, power output, user interface, and ease of assembly. Our head-to-head testing exposes the individual performance of each bike and shows how they stack up next to one another.
We used five rating metrics to evaluate these bikes:
Ride Performance(25% of overall score weighting)
Range on a full charge (25% weighting)
Motor Power (25% weighting)
Interface Quality (15% weighting)
Ease of Assembly (10% weighting)
Our budget electric bike test was led by Jeremy Benson. Benson is the Senior Mountain Bike Review Editor for OutdoorGearLab and has years of experience testing mountain, gravel, and electric bikes. He is an obsessive cyclist and racer competing in the professional class's endurance gravel and mountain bike events. While he loves to ride using only his power, he doesn't discriminate and can often be found riding e-MTBs on the trails and electric bikes around town. His years of experience testing and riding bikes for fun and training have allowed him to sense the nuanced and often subtle differences between the products he tests while on the road or trail. Benson is also the author of two guidebooks, Mountain Bike Tahoe and Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Routes: California, published by Mountaineers Books in 2017.
Each bike's handling was tested in several ways including in a figure-eight course to test steering and cornering capabilities.
We tested the user interface of each model during our test rides.
Analysis and Test Results
We tested a broad range of bike styles that include Class 1, 2, and 3 models. Despite their differences, we put each bike through the same tests to bring you apples-to-apples comparisons.
What's the Best Value?
The electric bikes in this review all qualify as relatively affordable, yet they still represent a broad range in price. Though we don't consider price when scoring products, we still love a good value. Our testing revealed a clear correlation between price and performance, and the top-rated models are the most expensive.
Larger wheels and tires generally provide a smoother ride but smaller wheels coupled with a suspension fork also perform quite well.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ride
A bike's ride quality is one of its most important attributes, and we give it a 25% weight in the overall score. Each model we tested was different and had varying handling characteristics, comfort levels, and features that helped define how they rode. Wheel size and geometry are integral to how a bike feels while turning and how stable it feels at speed. Fit adjustments for the seat and handlebar are essential elements that affect comfort across a range of user heights. Additional features like racks, bike lights, and fenders also play into the overall quality of the user experience.
The Ride1Up Turris XR impressed us the most with its excellent, comfortable ride. It may be light on features, but this bike has composed and predictable handling and is very stable at speed. The 27.5-inch wheels roll smooth and fast, and the girthy tires provide decent damping for bumps and cracks in the road. It has a relaxed seated position and comes in 2 frame styles to suit a wide range of rider heights and preferences.
The Nakto Camel 250 impressed us with its ride quality, comfort, and wealth of features. It handles smoothly and predictably, with a cruiser bike style and a comfortable upright body position. It also came fully equipped with useful features like fenders, a headlight, a horn and bell, a covered front basket, and a rear cargo rack, which enhanced user-friendliness.
For a folding model with small, 20-inch tires, we were impressed by the ride quality, versatility, and included features of the Lectric XP 3.0. (testing of the 2.0 shown)
Credit: Jason Peters
We were also pleasantly surprised by the ride quality of the Lectric XP 3.0. Its smaller wheels and compact folding design do decrease its stability somewhat compared to the larger wheeled competition, but a suspension fork and girthy 3-inch wide knobby tires provide a relatively smooth ride and expand its versatility to a wider range of surface conditions. It has a very wide range of fit, and it also comes equipped with lights, fenders, and a rear cargo rack that can hold 150 lbs; a passenger kit is available.
The Nakto Camel is a budget offering that is still quite enjoyable to ride with mellow handling and some nice included features.
Credit: Laura Casner
Range
How far an electric bike can travel on a single charge is its distance range. Many factors play into a bike's range, including battery storage capacity, rider weight, terrain, and rider input. We weigh this metric at 25% of each bike's overall score. To make our range test as consistent as possible, we used the same rider on the same test course for each one. We rode all of these bikes from a full charge until the battery died while recording all of the ride info with a GPS-enabled cycling computer. For the Class 2 models, we also removed the rider input/pedaling variable by performing this test using the throttle only. For the Class 1 models without a throttle, we turned the cranks to activate the cadence sensor but didn't put any effort into pedaling, making the bike do all of the work. This test gave us an accurate assessment of the low end of each bike's range and, more importantly, how they compare to each other. Our test course contained around 100 vertical feet of elevation gain/loss per 2 miles. It is safe to assume that every bike we tested could be ridden much farther on perfectly flat terrain, especially while pedaling and using pedal assist instead of just the throttle.
It didn't come as much as a surprise that the top-performing models in our range testing also happened to have the largest batteries. With its 614Wh battery, the Ride1Up Turris XR rode away from the field with 22.1 miles and over 1500 feet of elevation gain/loss. Not only that but at 17.3 mph, it held the highest average speed of all the models tested. Not too far behind was the Lectric XP 3.0 with its 500 Wh battery. We were able to ride it for 24.5 miles with just over 1,000 vertical feet of elevation.
The Turris XR is an excellent value.
Credit: Joshua Hutchens
Power
The point of electric bikes is that they have power, and as one of the three most essential elements, we give power test results a 25% weighting in the overall score. A bike's power output depends primarily on its motor's size, and the models we tested have motors ranging in size from 250W up to 750W. For the Class 2 and 3 models, we performed various tests using the throttle and pedal assistance to determine each bike's top speed, acceleration, and ability to hold speed up moderately pitched uphills. For the Class 1 models, we performed the same tests, just without the throttle, and soft-pedaled to let the motor do all the work.
With a 750W motor, the Ride1Up Turris XR blew the competition away in this metric. It was able to accelerate from a complete stop up to 20 mph in just under 10 seconds using the throttle, and it was able to accelerate and hold speed up hills that made other models slow and bog down. This Class 3 model is also capable of supporting speeds up to 28 mph using pedal-assist. Nipping at the Turris XR's heels was the Lectric XP 3.0. It has a 500W motor, and it is also Class 3, capable of speeds up to 28 mph using pedal assist. We found the smaller wheels to allow for very quick acceleration using the throttle, and it felt eager to get up to its top throttle speed of 20 mph.
The controls and display on the Lectric XP 3.0 were among the best in the test.
Credit: Jason Peters
User Interface
The controls and display are the primary ways that riders interact with an electric bike, and we weighted this metric at 15% of the overall score of each cycle. Their quality and user-friendliness vary dramatically among the models we tested. All serve their intended purpose, but some shine as ergonomic and cutting-edge, while others are more rudimentary. The top-rated models have ergonomic control buttons that are easy to reach while riding and digital displays that provide a wealth of information at a glance. Battery charging was nearly identical amongst all of the models tested, with relatively standard charging ports, cables, and times for each. All but one model had removable batteries, a design we appreciate for easier charging and security purposes.
The Lectric XP 3.0 has a great user interface. The buttons and throttle are very straightforward with good ergonomics, and the large digital display is very easy to read. We particularly like how the display is centered in the middle of the handlebars.
Simple yet effective, the interface on the Ride1Up Turris gets the job done.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Ride1Up Turris XR has a slightly simpler interface that consists of a thumb-paddle throttle and a combo control/display unit. It's super easy to use, and the display shows everything you need pertaining to your ride, but its position on the left grip isn't quite as easy to see as those that are positioned in the middle of the handlebar.
Most bikes arrive in a box like this with roughly 80% of the assembly completed. The remaining setup is up to the consumer.
Assembly
We ordered every bike tested in this review. They were all shipped to us directly in a box, and most require some assembly to get up and rolling. However, since it is a one-time task, we only give a 10% weight to the difficulty of assembly. The majority of these bikes came mostly assembled and required only a few relatively simple steps to finish the job. Those unfamiliar with bikes may be best off taking their bike to a shop with skilled mechanics, but all of the tested models can be assembled by the consumer at home using the included tools and instructions. However, sometimes it is nice to keep some extra tools handy in case you need to do any adjusting or maintenance later on.
The Lectric XP 3.0 was by far the easiest to get up and running, as it arrived completely assembled. Unboxing it and removing the protective packing materials only took a few minutes. Of course, it needed to be unfolded and locked into its open and rideable position, but that was the extent of its assembly; It couldn't be easier.
There are lots of electric bikes on the market. We hope this review helps you find the right one.
Credit: Laura Casner
Conclusion
Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular for good reason. Whether for a commute, running errands around town, or just for exercise, e-bikes are a great way to save some gas money, get around quickly and efficiently, and have some fun to boot. We love them as a way to make trips to the grocery store not only more eco-conscious but also an easy and fast affair. They make riding to work on a hot summer day a less sweaty event and are just plain old fun to cruise around on. We know that there are lots of options on the market, and not all of them are easily affordable. We hope that with this review, you'll be able to find one that suits your needs without breaking the bank or sacrificing quality.
