With so many companies churning out motor-assisted bikes of all types—from the reputable names in "analog" bikes to fly-by-night companies offering mail-order rip-off rides—it can be difficult to know where to start. The bikes listed below have been positively reviewed by me or other Lifehacker staff. Our focus is on affordable, general-interest electric bicycles; we're saving the $10,000 super bikes for another time. No matter what kind of ride you're looking for, there's something here to fit the bill.
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Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Our Top 8 Picks
Table of Contents
My Top Picks
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Best Overall Vvolt Centauri IINo bike is perfect for everyone, but for commuting, riding on paved roads, and generally getting around town, the Centauri II is the best e-bike I've tested.
This future-looking class 3 e-bike is lightweight, nimble, attractive, and packed with small details that add up to an extremely fun ride. It features a three-speed automatic transmission drivetrain with a belt instead of a chain, and a whisper-quiet mid-drive motor that provides a surprising amount of power given its small size.
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Best Commuter E-Bike Aventon Pace 500.3The Pace 500.3 is affordable, well-designed, and it's a class 3, so it's powerful enough to keep up with any e-bike on the bike path. This zippy commuter hits the bullseye between “high performance” and “beginner friendly.”
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Best Budget E-Bike Propella 7SThe Propella 7S is a lightweight, stylish bike that’s fun to ride even without a throttle. If you want to pay less than a grand for a riding-around-town e-bike that performs well and looks snazzy, this is the bike for you.
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Best Foldable E-Bike Rad Bikes RadExpand 5 PlusIn his review of Rad Power Bikes' RadExpand 5, Lifehacker staff writer and foldy expert Daniel Oropeza reports that this bike sets the standard for its class. He says it rides like a comfortable BMX/mountain hybrid e-bike that happens to fold in half. "The inclusion of small details like rear light turning signals, a bell, a nice LED screen, and compatibility with many accessories makes the RadExpand 5 Plus a well-rounded e-bike that can be a good fit for most people looking to save some space at home or take their e-bike in their trunk."
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Runner-up: Best Foldable E-Bike Ride1Up PortolaIn his Lifehacker review, Daniel Oropeza says the Ride1Up Portola is a portable and powerful foldable e-bike that fits in the trunk of a 2011 Corolla. And you can pick one up for less than a thousand bucks. "Anyone looking for a foldable and portable bike without giving up on the essentials of a comfortable and powerful ride should consider this compact e-bike," Oropeza writes.
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Best Cruiser E-Bike Mod Bikes Easy 3Big, powerful, and ridiculously stylish, the Easy 3 is an unapologetic beast of a bike. It's got all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a cruiser (including a freakin' sidecar for a dog wearing goggles) and its fat tires and suspension provide a cushy, dialed-in ride.
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Runner-up: Best Cruiser E-Bike Ride1Up Cafe CruiserA cruiser that can easily be pedaled to nearly 30 mph, Ride 1Up’s Cafe Cruiser is not for beginners. But once you get used to the serious punch under the hood, the Cafe Cruiser is as at-home at the local coffee shop as it is on a long roadtrip, and the price is reasonable too.
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Best Utility E-Bike Rad Bikes RadRunner 3 PlusThe RadRunner 3 Plus is the SUV of e-bikes. It will happily eat up suburban streets, gravel roads, and everything in between. Powerful, easy to use, ridiculously customizable, and fun to ride, the RadRunner 3 plus is a best-in-class utility e-bike.
Stephen Johnson
Staff Writer
Stephen Johnson is a Staff Writer for Lifehacker where he covers pop culture, including two weekly columns “The Out of Touch Adults’ Guide to Kid Culture” and “What People are Getting Wrong this Week.” He graduated from Emerson College with a BFA in Writing, Literature, and Publishing.
Previously, Stephen was Managing Editor at NBC/Universal’s G4TV. While at G4, he won a Telly Award for writing and was nominated for a Webby award. Stephen has also written for Blumhouse, FearNET, Performing Songwriter magazine, NewEgg, AVN, GameFly, Art Connoisseur International magazine, Fender Musical Instruments, Hustler Magazine, and other outlets. His work has aired on Comedy Central and screened at the Sundance International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Festival, and Chicago Horror Film Festival. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
