The 17 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride

If you're ready to upgrade, you should get the new Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2, which is so stunningly beautiful and fun to ride that I find myself running many more dumb little errands around my neighborhood just so I have an excuse to stay on it.

It has a bigger motor and a bigger battery than the FX+ 7. Specialized's app is better—in addition to the usual motor turning/navigation/battery status displays, you can remotely lock it with your phone. The bike is integrated with Apple's Find My, so iPhone users like me can locate it should it get stolen. And Specialized's proprietary accessories are also just better. I love my Po Campo bags, but the Coolcave panniers are probably my favorite bike accessory. I dump whatever gooey things my kids are holding when I pick them up from school, and rinse and drain when we get home.

I find the Trek's TQ motor to be ever so slightly more natural, as I feel Specialized's custom motor whirring into action when I put weight on the front pedal to move forward. The two bikes weigh the same, if weight is an issue. However, if I could buy another bike (must not buy another bike!) I would get a Specialized, and so should you.

Outdoor retailer REI sells a few versions of its city commuter line. The most bare-bones version is the CTY e1.1 ($1,299), but I think it's worth upgrading to the CTY e2.1, which is still well under $2,000 and goes on sale a lot. It's a class 1 ebike with a 250-watt Suntour HESC motor, a 418-Wh battery, and a whole host of commuter extras, like front suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, big 2-inch-wide tires, gel grips, lights, and a hefty kickstand.

It's not the fanciest bike out there. It weighs a hefty 54 pounds and has a little less torque than some of our other picks, so it might not have quite enough oomph to get you up some of the bigger hills. But you don't need an app to use it, and it's reasonably priced. If you live near an REI, the store shop will assemble it and offer discounts on maintenance and free tubes, and you have a 365-day return policy.

This scarcely seems fair, since this particular Brompton (8/10, WIRED Recommends) won't be available in the US until this fall. However, I got my hands on a model, along with reviewer Chris Haslam, and I have to concur that this is the best folding electric bike. Bromptons fold to an unbelievably one-third of their full size and are as irresistible as little candy M&Ms. It has undergone several updates since I first reviewed its electric line in 2021, the most significant being that this is a burlier bike meant for trails.

I really like parts of the design, which include a removable battery pack that you clip onto the handlebars. Haslam noted that the steering has gotten better, and the bike absorbs every bump with ease. The geometry has been tweaked to make it more comfortable to ride, as well. While it is considerably bigger than the lightest non-electric Brompton, it's in line with what other electric bikes weigh. The company has even included new bearings on the rolling wheels, so you can push it smoothly instead of carrying it on public transport.

I have not always been a fan of Lectric! But the company's bikes have seriously improved over the past year. The XPress rides like a much more “bikey” bike, with a traditional (and comfortable!) frame and a new torque sensor that makes pedaling feel natural. Its 86 Nm of torque is powerful enough to get up the steepest hill in my neighborhood, which I've named Battery Killer, though I have found the range much less than the promised 60 miles. Using the throttle generously, I get around 25 miles, and I’m only 115 pounds—the range really should be better than that, so much so that I don't recommend downgrading to the XPress 500 ($999).

Still, for zipping around your neighborhood as fast as possible, this is a pretty great bike for the price. It gets up to 28 mph quickly. The LCD is huge, bright, and easy to read, and the controls are simple to understand. You don't need an app, and it has hydraulic disc brakes, integrated lights—the works. Lectric is a direct-to-consumer company, but its assembly process is also one of the easiest I've experienced. This is the best entry-level electric bike right now.

Trek took the frame of its popular Slash mountain bike and added a motor and battery to create the quietest, most natural-feeling electric mountain bike that WIRED reviewer Steph Pearson has ever tested (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has two standout features. The TQ motor has a pin ring drive transmission, which replaces the whirring gears and cogs of a normal motor with two rings with differently-sized pins (it's physics, look it up). Also, there's an extra idler pulley to take up slack on the chain and reduce pedal kickback, which is when your pedals suddenly reverse direction when you're not paying attention and claw at your shins.

The result is a delightful, floaty ride that gives you just enough assistance when you need it and doesn't feel like you're trying to drive a tank through tight, technical turns. Pearson did note a small, persistent rattle that neither she nor her bike shop could identify or fix, but that seems a small downside considering how fun this bike is otherwise.

I've been waiting for a major bike manufacturer to release an affordable, reliable daily driver that can be a car substitute. Specialized's Globe Haul ST (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is the company's first light cargo ebike, and it's a winner. It fits a wide variety of heights. The powerful 700-watt motor relies on an IPX7-rated battery with a remarkable range of well over the stated 60 miles. The display is intuitive, and the pedaling feels natural. The compact 20-inch multi-terrain wheels are maneuverable and feel stable on roads, dirt, and gravel.

The proprietary accessories pull in partners like Fjallraven and are attractive and versatile. But I have two small qualms: There's no suspension, which can make a difference if you're carrying a lot of things and people; and there's no belt drive. However, Specialized uses quality components and has a large network of affiliated shops to get routine maintenance. This is the bike that everyone in my family—me, my husband, and my two kids—asks to ride whenever we leave the house.

If you want an electric bike, do not be put off by fears of battery fires—new legislation and new technology make each iteration of electric bike safer than the one before. For example, Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes recently introduced a new technology called Safe Shield, in which the batteries are encapsulated in heat-absorbing resin to extinguish a fire, much like the batteries in an electric car. If you're concerned about electric battery fires, one of the bikes in the new line-up, like the Radster Road (8/10, WIRED Recommends), would be your best pick. (It's also worth noting that every bike in our roundup has UL certification, which means it meets the safety requirements of a top third-party testing agency.)

The Radster Road is a long-distance commuter that is UL-certified, with big, efficient 29-inch Kenda tires, an IPX6-rated 750-watt rear hub motor, and a 720-Wh proprietary semi-integrated battery. It has a truly ridiculous range (I put about 30 miles on it and only wore the battery down halfway) and comes with a ton of stuff at a very reasonable price. For example, you can switch between ebike classes on the computer, and it has a new torque sensor that makes pedaling feel infinitely more natural. It's also a lot quieter than other bikes at this price. It does weigh almost 75 pounds, though.

If you’re after an affordable pedal-assist bike that’s equal parts form and function, this loaded beach cruiser from Priority could be a great fit. For under $2,000, you’re getting head-turning style and high-end features, including a low-maintenance carbon belt drive, a center-mount kickstand, motor-sensing hydraulic brakes, and a built-in brake light on the back fender. At just 49 pounds, the bike is easy to pack and maneuver, though all those extras mean you’ll likely want to have it assembled at a local shop.

I love how easy it is to get on the road thanks to the e-Classic’s step-in design (there’s also a step-over model) and intuitive control hub. There’s an optional throttle, perfect for navigating tricky terrain or coasting a few notches below the 20 mph top speed. With only three gears and three motor speeds, there’s less granularity in choice for different topography than something like the Propella 9S Pro, and the eager motor feels more like a scooter than a natural extension of your body. Still, with around 30 to 40 miles of range and one of the comfiest seats you’ll ever mount, this bike is a solid commuter that’s easy to fall for. —Ryan Waniata

If you're a road cyclist who wants the lightest bike around so that you can commute 15 miles to work and pop through a park on your way home, the bike you're looking for is the Santa Cruz Skitch (9/10, WIRED Recommends). It has an extremely light carbon fiber frame, with an equally light but powerful Fazua 60 motor and a 430-watt-hour battery. It's a class 3 ebike and also the lightest electric bike I've ever tried. My tester came with all the fixings, including a dropper seat post and a very fancy SRAM button transmission that let me click through gears easily and seamlessly, with no exposed cabling. I cackled with glee as I tried to race a Dodge Challenger home in my neighborhood and swung through a cyclocross course.

It does cost $6,000, which puts a damper on your gleeful commuting—one does not simply leave a Ferrari parked and unattended in front of the 7-Eleven at midnight. But if you have a 10-mile commute and access to a locked garage, this would be my pick.

Note: In June, Urban Arrow will release an updated version of the Family to the US market (it's only available in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany). We will test it then, so if you're curious, you might want to hold off.

The R&M Load used to be my top pick for a bakfiets, a Dutch-style front-box cargo bicycle. However, the Urban Arrow Family (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is cheaper—not by a little—and offers many of the same features that attracted me to the Load, like comfort and maneuverability. It doesn't have suspension, though, so it's best for smoother streets.

I love the Enviolo continuously variable shifters, which allow you to downshift while the bike is at a standstill. Rather than wobbling and terrifying my children as I frantically downshift while pedaling, I can use walk assistance to push the bike to a convenient spot, downshift while standing still, and then pedal upward at the torque and power level of my choice. With this system, I've beaten people uphill who weren't riding cargo bikes. There is also a version with the more powerful Bosch Cargo Line motor.

★ Alternative: I feel obligated to point out here that the bike I use to tote around my own family (and cargo all over Portland) is the Tern GSD S00 (8/10, WIRED Recommends). The Bosch Cargo Line motor is powerful enough to speedily transport me and two kids to school and back every day, along with all of our backpacks, groceries, and gear, and it's small enough that it takes up only a reasonable amount of space in our garage. I first rode one with my daughter when she was 3, and we can still ride it now that she's 10.

Aventon updated the popular Abound cargo ebike and made two versions. The Aventon Abound LR is the long-tail, while the Abound SR ($1,899) is shorter and slightly cheaper. I tested the Abound LR, which is an excellent little cargo ebike that comes with a built-in rack, fenders, lights, and a surprisingly nimble 750-watt rear hub motor.

This class 2 ebike has up to 60 miles of range (or more like 30 with my 210-pound, 6’2” frame), and it rides much like the commuter bikes you might be familiar with, just with smaller wheels to accommodate the rack on the rear. I love how affordable this bike is, at less than $2,000, and I love the rigidity offered by Aventon’s newer dual-walled frame. The fact that the Aventon downstem for the seat comes with a built-in shock absorber that you can adjust with a bike tool is also awesome. This bike feels sturdy enough to haul up to a 440-pound payload, and remains comfortable while you’re doing it. The only downside? The gearing is odd; you’ll have to pedal like mad to keep up with the 20-mile-per-hour speed you’ll easily achieve with the throttle. —Parker Hall

This ebike comes with a few major caveats. It's a direct-to-consumer bike, and we contracted with a local service to assemble it at my house. However, several parts were missing or unusable, and we had to wait a day for replacements. Also, the company claims that the minimum height is 5'2", but I am 5'2" and can't fit on it. The seat post tapers, so it can't be cut. I had to sub my own seat in, so I didn't get to use the comfy, beautiful saddle with suspension that comes with this bike. I find the laid-back, Harley-style seating difficult to maneuver while riding, which is probably related to the fact that overall, I'm just a little too short to ride this.

However, my family and I really like this sidecar style. The sidecar can carry up to 150 pounds, so anyone in my family can ride it, with a special shout-out to my dog, who loves it. I also love that you can quickly detach the sidecar, so it's versatile and easy to store in my crowded garage. It has everything you need—a 750-watt hub motor with a throttle, a big, easy-to-read color display, and hydraulic disc brakes. If you want to cosplay as Indiana Jones and Dad Jones in the Last Crusade, this is the bike to get.

When reviewer Steph Pearson took the Ford Bronco electric bike for a spin, she noted that it's part of a trend—car manufacturers want to get in on that sweet, sweet ebike action. (Rivian also recently announced a new ebike company.) It has a powerful 750-watt motor, Pirelli tires, an integrated cockpit with an analog speedometer, and an enormous, 2,000-lumen headlight. It looks a bit like a motocross bike or an enduro bike, but it also looks like a Bronco. (You can get a custom Bronco paint job for an additional $390.)

Pearson noted that the Bronco is a powerful, lively ride, if a bit cramped for someone who is 5'9". It has four modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Baja—but Pearson noted that it feels like you're supposed to lean back and ride it at full power, like on a Ducati. It's fabulously fun, but the battery has a shorter range than you might expect for such a heavy bike. Still, if you're nostalgic for a Bronco, this might be a bargain. Until the end of June, people who buy or even only test the Ford Bronco or its sibling Ford Mustang eBike at a participating US Ford or Pedego dealer can enter to win an actual $40,000 Ford Bronco Big Bend Edition automobile.

Reviewer Matthew Korfhage described the updated Jackrabbit OG2 as “a wee scooter that looks like a bicycle.” While it's marketed as an electric bike and looks like an electric bike, it has footrests instead of pedals, and you power forward via the throttle. It's completely tiny and completely adorable. (I reviewed the original Jackrabbit when it debuted in 2021 and also noted that everyone loves it, especially in its bright candy colors.) A micro ebike is also incredibly convenient for urban living, as you can stash it in a restaurant, car trunk, or apartment pretty easily as you're moving about the city.

At 6'1" and 200+ pounds, Korfhage pushed the limit on the OG2's stated specs. But it's worth noting that the Jackrabbit is easily customizable, with optional RangeBuster battery extenders ($400). It's also a bit expensive compared to the previous model, and only having rear brakes is nerve-wracking at top speed. Still, it is a tiny, customizable, and adorable ebike. Korfhage might not be a “Jacko,” as Jackrabbit’s devoted users call themselves, but he is a fan.

If balancing upright is your top priority, you might want to consider a tricycle. SixThreeZero's bike keeps you in a comfortable, upright position without having to balance on a leg to keep it upright. It has a 250-watt motor with 40 miles on a charge and a top speed of up to 15 mph when you use the throttle. A big rear basket fits a load of groceries or even your puppy. However, it does weigh over 70 pounds and is pretty bulky; you'll need a garage to store it. As our reviewer Stephanie Pearson says, three wheels can be almost as fun as two.

★ Alternative: WIRED reviewer Julian Chokkattu says the Lectric Trike ($1,499) (6/10, WIRED Review) is not for anyone living in a walk-up. It's heavy and bulky, and even though it folds, it's difficult to manage. But if you have a garage, it's an affordable way for someone who can't handle a two-wheeler to get out on the road. Trikes have their own set of challenges, but the Lectric has great range, enough power, and strong brakes. Plus, it comes with racks and even a support seat.