Biking can be a whole lot of fun. Apart from the fact that it serves as a great workout, it’s also better on the environment than driving, and frankly, is a great way to start the day. But it can also be a whole lot of work, especially if you live in hilly areas. Ebikes help solve this issue. They can assist your peddling, or let you bypass peddling altogether, helping you go faster, and making it easier and sometimes more fun to bike. Here are the best ebikes we have tested, along with the latest product availability and pricing.
But there are a ton of ebike models out there, and they’re not all created equal. Some are definitely better than others — offering better range, larger batteries, and other features.
There are a ton of things to consider before buying an ebike. For starters, you’ll want to think about the actual electric components on the bike — namely the motor and the battery. There are two types of ebike motor — mid-drive, and hub-drive. Mid-drive motoros are usually positioned in-between the two pedals, while hub-drive motors are usually positioned in the middle of either the front or rear wheel. Hub-drive motors tend to be cheaper than mid-drive ones. But, mid-drove motors are often smaller, lighter, and more powerful than hub-drives.
Ebike motors also deliver a certain amount of power, measured in watts (W). You can usually ignore an ebike’s wattage, as different manufacturers measure wattage differently, and some get a little creative in order to avoid regulation. Comparing ebikes based on wattage may be better when comparing two bikes from the same company, but still, wattage can often be ignored altogether.
Ebikes also come in different classes. In the U.S., Class 1 ebikes offer pedal-assist, but no throttle. Class 2 ebikes offer a throttle with a maximum speed of 20 mph. Class 3 ebikes are again only pedal-assist, but have a maximum speed of 28 mph.
Of course, you’ll also want to consider other aspects when buying an ebike. For example, you’ll want to think about whether you want an ebike that can fold up, or not. And you’ll want to think about whether you plan on taking the bike off-roading, or not. That all comes down to personal preference.
Without further ado, here are the best ebikes in 2023.
Best ebike overall: Heybike Ranger Electric Bike
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Powerful
- Solid value for money
Cons
- A little heavy
Looking for a great all-around ebike that performs well, looks great, and should last you for years to come? The Heybike Ranger is the way to go. The bike is a little pricey, but not actually over-the-top for an ebike, and it boasts a ton of great features.
Under the hood, the bike offers a 750-watt motor and will deliver between 28 to 50 miles of range on a charge. That’s pretty good — though not necessarily as high as some of the other options on this list. The bike also has a backlit LCD display with a charge indicator, the ability change pedal assist levels, and more.
Riding the bike is great too. It’s very comfortable to ride, thanks to its imitation leather handgrips and good amount of padding. Pedal-assist kicks in smoothly and quickly, making it easy to ride. The bike is well-built and premium too.
So what are the downsides? The price is in-line with other ebikes, but the bike is relatively heavy. But that won’t really matter as much while you’re riding it, as it still feels nimble and easy to steer.
Best offroad ebike: GELEISEN Electric Mountain Bike
Pros
- Tons of features
- Long range
- Step-through option
Cons
- Expensive
If you’re more of an off-roader, then it’s worth considering a bike that fits your lifestyle — like the GELEISEN Electric Mountain Bike. This bike offers nice fat tires, a great design, and a ton of helpful features. Juiced Bikes has been making ebikes for years now, and it shows.
There are plenty of things to like about this model. For example, the bike boasts a strong build, that can easily withstand all kinds of use, from road use to mountain biking. The bike has a rear hub 750W motor, with a battery that can deliver up to an impressive 120 miles of range. That’s more than many other options on this list.
It also has some great safety features on board. You’ll get a 1050-lumen front headlight, along with hydraulic brakes and dual-piston calipers. Braking also disables the motor, preventing it from then launching you forward.
This bike is great.
Best commuter ebike: Schwinn Marshall Adult Electric Hybrid Bike
Pros
- Smooth ride
- Good range
- High-tech
Cons
- Charging time
Schwinn has been hailed as the Apple or the Tesla of the bike world, thanks to its stunningly-designed ebikes that offer a more simplistic take on bike design. The Hybrid is around the same price as many of the other top-end ebikes on this list. But, it’s easily the most stylish, and great for riding to work in the morning.
When it comes to features, the Schwinn has a lot to offer. It provides a super comfortable ride, with theft protection features and regular maintenance, if you’re willing to pay extra for them. Without having to pay extra, however, you’ll get a motor that’s able to deliver between 37 and 93 miles of range, depending on how you use the bike. On the higher end that’s not bad. The bike even works with the VanMoof app to control certain aspects of it, making using it even more versatile.
Overall, this is a great bike.
Best rugged ebike: FREESKY 750W Electric Bike
Pros
- Foldable design
- Fat tires
- Excellent range
Cons
- Heavy
Live in a city and want something you can charge easily or swap batteries? The FREESKY 750W is worth considering. FREESKY has become known over the years for building high-quality and well-designed ebikes, and the 750W model is a perfect example of why. It offers excellent performance and a ton of features, plus it folds up so you can store it in tight spaces when needed.
Despite its small size, it offers excellent performance.
Unlike other bikes, the FREESKY boasts solid suspension, and fat tires for an even smoother ride. If you’re in the market for a new ebike, you can’t do much better.
Are ebikes worth the investment?
It really depends what you’re looking for! For many, they’re absolutely worth the investment, as they offer a way to get around, without having to use a car, and without having to exert too much energy. That means that you could get to and from work without breaking a sweat, and then take your bike mountain biking on the weekends, depending on the bike that you get.
How long do ebikes last?
Ebikes should last about as long as regular bikes. That’s to say, you should be able to get a solid 10 years of use out of an ebike. That can vary a little, depending on how you care for your ebike and how you use it. And, of course, keep in mind that some components will need to be replaced sooner.
How far can an ebike go on one charge?
That depends on the model of ebike you get. On the low end, and depending on your usage, you can expect to get around 25 miles of range from your ebike. Some ebikes, however, offer over 100 miles of range.
