The Finest Electrical Bikes of 2024

The electric bike industry experienced meteoric growth following the pandemic, leading to plenty of options for the modern commuter. While the industry initially focused on electric assist cargo bikes, now you’re just as likely to see electric cruisers, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, fat bikes, and folding bikes cruising local roads and trails.

Our team spent two years (and counting) and 10,000 collective miles putting dozens of different electric bikes (also commonly known as e-bikes) to the test, with 12 making the cut for our list of recommendations. We’re confident our time and effort will help you narrow your search and choose the right electirc bike for your unique needs.

Listed here are our favorite bikes of the bunch. Each entry has been thoroughly ridden and tested, with special attention to fit and feel, maintenance, and build difficulty. In our comprehensive buyer’s guide, we highlight the key aspects you need to consider in your purchase decisio , including range, top speed, and carrying capacity.

Use our comparison chart for a side-by-side look at specs and features and be sure to read our buyer’s guide and faq section so you know what to look for when considering an electric bike.

Editor’s Note: We updated this Guide on May 16, 2024, with the addition of one new electric bike, the Heybike Brawn, a burley fat-tire model.

The Best Electric Bikes of 2024

Best Electric Bikes Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Electric Bikes

We rode a massive fleet of electric bikes for several months. The testing team is headed by Chelsey Magness, the current 24-hour mountain biking world champion, and includes many professional athletes as well as an entire neighborhood of moms, dads, bike commuters, bike mechanics, a few totally novice riders, and even one prolific DIY e-bike builder.

Most of the bikes were tested over the course of several months in Bend, Ore., with its nationally renowned bike infrastructure and culture that includes hundreds of miles of trails, dirt roads, gravel paths, and paved bike lanes. Additionally, we tested bikes in deep sand and washouts, horse trails, and even in light snow coverage.

We used the bikes for a wide variety of purposes: school drop-offs, overloaded grocery runs, geocaching adventures, night-time commuting, pub crawls, and lots and lots of just riding for fun.

Unless indicated, all bikes were built up from the box (as delivered) as well as maintained by our team (a few of whom have some basic bike maintenance skills). Every bike that made our list was tested by at least four different people, and we took individual praise and/or criticisms into account in our final review.

Our teams at GearJunkie have also tested the best electric cargo bikes and the best e-bikes for hunting. As new electric bikes hit the market, we’ll be sure to keep testing to ensure this list always includes the best of the best.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Electric Bike

As electric bikes gain popularity and new brands enter the market, choosing the best model for you can seem daunting. Shopping for a standard human-powered bike is already a complex process of sifting through specs and comparing components. Electric bikes — with their batteries, motors, and throttles — give potential buyers with a lot to consider.

In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we break down all of the variables and terminology that you need to make an informed purchase. From wheels to wattage, this guide has you covered. Once your primary bike needs are met, check out our guides on accessories like bike lights and bike racks.

Key Terms to Know

Range

An electric bike’s range is the total distance it will go before the battery is depleted. Numerous factors affect range, including battery capacity, terrain, air temperature, and manual input from the rider’s pedaling. E-bike ranges have improved in recent years, but the spectrum still tops out at just over 100 miles.

In reality, most e-bikes fail to live up to their advertised range. The manufacturer will claim a range of 80 or 90 miles, and though those numbers may be technically reachable under very specific conditions, you likely won’t manage them during real-world use.

Ultimately, a bike’s range entirely depends on how much the rider pedals. If the rider pedals at 100% effort all the time, the range will be much greater than if the rider relies on the motor to do most of the work.

High-end electric bikes don’t necessarily have better ranges than more affordable options. Larger, heavier batteries have greater capacity, but you won’t find them on lightweight performance-minded models. There are many styles of e-bikes — from cargo to gravel to commuter — and all of them must deal with the challenge of mounting a heavy battery onto a bike frame.

As a rough reference, a robust cargo bike with top-end battery capacity, such as the Xtra Cycle Swoop, will have an average range between 25 and 65 miles. A high-end carbon-framed speed demon will get somewhere between 30 and 100+ miles per full charge.

Throttle

An electric bike throttle works much like a motorcycle or electric scooter. In most cases, the throttle is integrated into the right-hand side of the handlebar for easy access while riding. Throttles provide on-demand power with no pedaling required. The presence of a throttle is part of what determines an e-bike’s class — which we explain later in this guide. Most of the bikes on this list have throttles.

Display

Like the instrument cluster in a vehicle’s dashboard, an electric bike’s display informs the user of facts and figures related to their ride and their bike’s performance. Most e-bike displays are small 1-3-inch screens with options for switching between settings and modes. Most displays read out MPH, total trip mileage, current modes, and remaining battery life.

Pedal-Assist

Pedal assist is the primary electric bike mode. Also known as PAS (pedal assist system) pedal assist combines the active engagement of traditional cycling with the commuting efficiency of an electric scooter.

In pedal assist mode, a drivetrain sensor monitors the revolution of the pedals and engages the motor accordingly. With battery-powered assistance, people are able to enjoy longer rides on more challenging terrain with less physical output. Pedal assist is like having a strong tailwind at your command.

Many e-bikes have various PAS settings. In most cases, the greater the setting or level, the more assistance you’ll get from the motor. Low settings will feel much like riding a traditional bike, and high settings will have the bike doing most of the work. As more pedal assist is activated, the battery will deplete faster.

Regenerative Systems

Some electric bikes have regenerative systems that can recharge the battery while you’re braking or vigorously pedaling. A bike that can recharge while coasting downhill theoretically has a greater potential range than one that cannot.

In truth, gradient-assisted braking systems are still in their infancy, and most bikes that have them only see minute benefits. In very hilly areas, regenerative systems hold some value, but in our experience, this technology is still mostly a marketing ploy in the electric bike world.

Types of Electric Bikes: What Bike Is Best for Your Riding Style?

Just like regular bicycles, electric bikes come in a variety of styles, each with a different kind of rider in mind. Every bike is built for an intended application, which in turn dictates its components and design. Some bikes — like the Specialized Turbo Vado SL — cross the boundaries and exist in multiple categories simultaneously. For the most part, electric bikes lean into the commuter, cargo, mountain, or performance categories.

Electric Commuter Bikes

Electric commuter bikes are built to carry their rider from point A to point B. These bikes tend to be comfortable, streamlined, and relatively lightweight. On this list, the ET Cycle F1000 and the Specialized Turbo Vado SL are great commuter options. Both bikes have at least eight gears, a comfortable saddle, and a rear storage rack. Gears aren’t strictly necessary on an electric bike, but they do help to expand your range, and they’re quite handy in hilly areas.

Electric commuter bikes are defined by reliable components and utilitarian styling. In most cases, commuter bikes are designed for paved surfaces.

Electric Cargo Bikes

Gas is expensive, and many families are looking to electric bikes as a potential car replacement now that they’ve become reliable and affordable. Electric cargo bikes are the ultimate stand-in for a full-size vehicle. Bikes in this class offer storage for standard day-to-day errands. With the right cargo electric bike, you can make a run to the grocery store, pick up your laundry, and even take your kid to school.

On this list, the X Cycle Swoop and the Specialized Globe Haul LT are standout family cargo bikes. Both models are available with modular accessories that can be customized to fit the rider’s lifestyle From two-seat kid haulers to large front racks, these bikes are viable alternatives to a car payment.

Because electric cargo bikes tend to be large and heavy, many have options for multiple batteries, which may be a good option if you’re planning to consistently haul a lot of weight. Cargo bikes won’t offer the speed of performance models or the off-road capabilities of mountain bikes, but that’s not what they’re made for.

Electric Mountain Bikes

Electric mountain bikes prioritize recreation over day-to-day utility. Just like traditional mountain bikes, electric bikes in this category are built for slashing singletrack and crushing cross-country circuits. Standard features include full suspension, dropper seat posts, and large rugged tires.

On this list, the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy is a beast of a mountain bike. It has all of the high-end components we’d expect from a $3,500 Specialized model, plus a reliable frame-integrated battery and a mid-drive motor that cranks out 90Nm of torque.

If you love mountain biking but could use a little help on the climbing segments, electric mountain bikes are a glorious solution.

Electric Performance Bikes

The performance category is all about speed and serious cycling. These bikes have top-notch components such as all-carbon frames and wireless shifting. All of the nonessentials are cut away to decrease weight and maximize in-motion mechanics. You won’t find any externally mounted batteries here. The whole assist system is integrated into the frame.

Classes of Electric Bikes

Electric bikes are grouped into three classes. The class system helps lawmakers legislate electric bikes and their specifications. There are fundamental differences between each class.

Class 1

Class 1 electric bike motors only engage when the rider is pedaling. Once these bikes hit 20 mph, the motor will stop assisting. Class 1 models are ideal for cyclists who want a more traditional sans-throttle experience.

Class 2

Class 2 electric bikes do have a throttle, but it tops out at 20 mph. The pedal assist modes in this class will also cease at 20 mph. In some jurisdictions, class 2 is the most powerful legal option. Class 2 models may also be a good option for riders who don’t wish to travel at high speeds.

Class 3

Most of the bikes on this list are class 3. Class 3 electric bikes have pedal assist and throttle-only capabilities. Motors on class 3 models will power riders up to 28 mph. In recent years, class 3 electric bikes have become increasingly popular as vehicle replacements.

Types of Motors: Rear Hub vs. Mid-Drive

The vast majority of electric bikes are powered by either a rear hub motor or a mid-drive motor.

Rear hub motors are housed in the hub of the bike’s rear wheel. When engaged, rear-hub motors create the sensation of being pushed along from behind. Most commuter and cargo electric bikes are equipped with rear hub motors. A slight downside: rear hub motors create complications if you ever need to remove the rear wheel

Mid-drive motors are mounted directly to the crankshaft and the drivetrain, which creates a natural feeling of assistance because the power comes from the same place as a regular bike. Many electric mountain bikes utilize mid-drive motors. Unfortunately, mid-drive motors create significant wear and tear on the chain and gears over time.

On this list, the Biktrix Juggernaut has a rear hub motor while the Specialized Turbo Levo sports a mid-drive.

Portability: Folding Electric Bikes and Vehicle Rack Compatibility

Electric bikes are notoriously heavy, so any increased portability that’s worked into the design can be a major asset.

While some standard bike racks are compatible with electric bikes, many are not. Hitch-mounted platform-style racks tend to work better, but many electric bikes require special electric bike-specific racks. Check out our article on bike racks for more information on transporting an electric bike with your car.

To solve the portability problem, some electric bikes fold down into a trunk-sized package. While a folding frame doesn’t make sense for a high-performance bike, it’s a major asset in the commuter and cargo categories. On this list, the ET Cycle F1000 is a comfortable folding cargo bike with a step-through frame.

Fat Tire Electric Bikes and Winter Riding

With the right tires and feature set, electric bikes can be capable of four-season transportation. Fat tire bikes have been popular in snowy places for years now, and fat electric bikes are following suit.

If you’re seeking an electric bike for winter use on snowy and icy surfaces, 4-inch (or wider) tires are a must. As for tread, the deeper and knobbier, the better. For a fully winterized ride, we also recommend studded pedals and extra bright lights. Keep in mind that lithium battery performance drops in cold temperatures, and your bike’s range probably will, too.

Electric Bike Specs: Watts, Volts, Amps, and Torque

On paper, electric bike performance is determined by specs such as motor wattage and battery voltage. As a prospective buyer, it’s important to know that a motor’s “size,” or potential output, is measured in watts. Voltage measures a battery’s ability to deliver power to the motor.

Battery capacity is also measured in amp-hours (Ah). Amperage is the rate at which electrical current flows. A battery with a capacity of 1 amp-hour can supply a current of 1 amp for 1 hour.

It’s easy to get bogged down in e-bike specs and power ratings. Ultimately, there are only a few key facts that shoppers need to know. On mostly flat terrain, a 750W electric bike will generally get you where you need to go without the need to pedal vigorously. In hilly areas, a 1,000W model is a better choice.

If you’re a powerful cyclist and you don’t plan to use your bike to haul loads of cargo, you should be able to get by with something in the 250-500W range. If you’re going to be shopping and transporting other humans with your bike, at least 750W is the way to go.

For context, a 150-pound person can get by with a 500W electric bike equipped with a 36V 15 Ah battery for personal commuting use on moderate terrain.

Accessories and Features

Endless accessories and add-ons are available for electric bikes. Some models come with lights, horns, racks, and fenders. Others do not. Ultimately, included accessories add a lot of value, especially in the budget category.

On this list, the Biktrix Juggernaut Hub Duo comes with a rear rack, kickstand, and front and rear lights. The State 6061 is a bare-bones model — no rack, no lights, no stand, no water bottle cages. Then again, it only costs $1,000.

Accessories can always be purchased later, but you’ll often save money if you opt for included options. Electric bikes tend to need a few upgrades from their stock feature set, so it’s a good idea to factor this into your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions