There are, quite simply, a lot more electric bikes to choose from these days. Pretty much every type of bike from small-wheeled folders to cargo bikes is getting boosted by motors and batteries. This means there are a lot of excellent options to choose from no matter what type of e-bike you want to ride.
Below we’ve rounded up some of our favourites, covering a wide range of disciplines, from commuter e-bikes to the best for those on a tight budget.
Of course, if you already know you want to stick to a particular budget, we also have guides devoted to the best electric bikes under £1,000, under £2,000 and under £3,000 for you to sink your teeth into.
Best electric bikes
- Best folding e-bike – Tern Vektron Q9 | Buy for £3,500 from Surge Bikes
- Best electric hybrid – Ribble Hybrid AL e | Buy for £2,699 from Ribble Cycles
- Best e-cargo bike – Tern GSD S10 | Buy for £4,998 from E-Bikes Direct
- Best budget e-bike – Carrera Subway E | Buy for £1,149 from Halfords
- Best leisure e-bike - Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 | Buy for £2,299 from E-Bike Shop
- Best of the rest
How we chose
Best folding e-bike: Tern Vektron Q9 - £3,500
If you’re after an electric folding bike that’s only selling point is that it’s portable, then this maybe isn’t the folder for you. Instead, it’s just as capable as many regular sized e-bikes, but with the added ability to fold in half.
One of the few e-folders to use a mid-drive motor, it packs a decent punch. The sizeable rear rack also means accessories such as child seats are an option on the Q9 - something that not many other folders can offer.
For more detail, read our review of the Tern Vektron Q9.
For similar options, here's our guide to the best electric folding bikes 2024.
Best electric hybrid: Ribble Hybrid AL e - £2,699
A firm favourite for many electric converts, the Ribble Hybrid AL e has a refined style about it, largely thanks to the MAHLE Smartbike Systems X35+ hub motor and integrated battery. It’s not the most powerful, but for urban environments it provides lovely smooth assistance, adapting to most city hill requirements.
The Fully Loaded edition comes with a rear rack so you can carry up to 25kg of luggage, whether that be a food shop or your stuff for work. 35mm tyres provide good cushioning and inspire confidence if you want to take it off the beaten path.
For more detail, read our review of the Ribble Hybrid Al e.
For similar options, here's our guide to the best electric hybrid bikes.
Best e-cargo bike: Tern GSD S10 - £5,400
A versatile and well thought out longtail, the Tern GSD S10 is a firm favourite for a reason. We tested the S10 version, and if you have the money for it, it’s a worthy investment and genuine car replacement.
Not only is it powerful enough to carry 200kg of load (including the rider), its longtail design means it’s compatible with plenty of accessories, including child seats and trailers. You can essentially tailor this bike for your own needs, although these extras will be an added cost.
For more detail, read our review of the Tern GSD S10 2021.
For similar options, here's our guide to the best electric cargo bikes.
Best budget e-bike: Carrera Subway E - £1,149
The Carrera Subway E is just above the £1k mark, although you’ll often find it below that when it’s on sale. But it’s not just the price that’s attractive, it’s ideal for commuting or leisure riding with its flat bars and 1.95in tyres.
It comes with a Suntour rear-hub motor, which utilises torque sensors to provide an intuitive ride. A reasonably sized 317Wh battery complements this with a stated 40km range, which our reviewer backed up in testing. Naturally, there are some compromises, but at this price point it’s very difficult to beat.
For more detail, read our review of the Carrera Subway E.
For more budget options, here are our guides to the best electric bikes under £1,000 and the best electric bikes under £2,000.
Best leisure e-bike: Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 - £2,299
We really like the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 as a leisure option. It's capable on road and off and at not a massive price tag to boot. It comes with 100mm of front fork travel, and a mid-drive Bosch motor (offering up to 65Nm of torque). It’s a capable and fun bike to ride.
The newer 2024 version has a slightly lower slung top tube, which makes it easier to get on and ride. Hydraulic disc brakes make it a great choice if you’re planning on riding in the wet, and the price is good too for a mid-drive option.
For more detail, read our review of the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 (2021).
Best of the rest
Moustache Lundi 27.5 - £3,799
It’s not the cheapest e-bike in the world, but it does stand out, both in colour and design. The Moustache Lundi 27.5 is incredibly comfortable and packs a punch at the same time. It features a Bosch Performance Line motor with a 500Wh battery or a 625Wh option if you want a bit more range.
The Lundi employs the unique moustache-shaped bars that give the French brand its name, which provide an upright riding position. It also uses Enviolo hub gears, so if you’re not big on maintenance, there’s less cleaning of cogs than with a traditional derailleur system. There is also a slightly more expensive belt drive version.
For more detail, read our review of the Moustache Lundi 27.5.
Cairn E-Adventure Rambler - £3,489
While it looks like Cairn isn’t currently offering the ‘Rambler’ - aka the Campagnolo Ekar equipped version - the SRAM Rival equipped option is still for sale (and currently discounted by £1,000). The E-Adventure is an update to the E-Adventure 1.0, with an updated geometry that’s even closer to mimicking a mountain bike’s slack head angle and long wheelbase.
It uses the Fazua Ride 50 Street Drive Pack, which offers 50Nm of torque and a claimed range of up to 74 miles. It’s designed in the south of England so you know it’s built to withstand British gravel – just one of the very few on offer currently that will tackle our bridleways with ease.
For more detail, read our review of the Cairn E-Adventure Rambler.
MiRider One GB3 - £2,495
The newest addition to the Wigan-based brand’s folding bike range, the One GB3 is as impressive as the previous 2021 model. It’s the first MiRider bike to come with gears, and you get three of them as well as an updated display unit on the handlebars.
But perhaps the biggest upgrade comes with the braking system – the One GB3 uses hydraulic discs. And this may explain why it’s more expensive than previous models. It’s not the lightest bike in the world, but it’s compact enough to be put in a car boot or on the back of a caravan for leisure riding as well as making an excellent commuting option.
For more detail, read our review of the MiRider One GB3.
FAQs
What is an electric bike?
While an electric bike could technically be any sort of two-wheeler, the image that usually comes to mind is that of an ‘electrically-assisted pedal cycle’, or EAPC. This is what most people are referring to when they use the term 'e-bike'.
To be classed as one:
- Any motorised assistance must only work when you turn the pedals
- The assistance is limited to a maximum speed of 15.5mph and after this, it cuts off
- The maximum continuous rated power of the motor must not exceed 250W
So what does this mean? It means an EAPC is not subject to taxation or insurance and doesn't need to be registered. Thus, it is not classed as a motor vehicle, just a regular bicycle! The only difference is you need to be over 14 to ride one.
Is an electric bike worth it?
This depends entirely on your situation, but an electric bike can be a great addition for any rider. We'd like to think the stigma of only older people riding e-bikes has gone by now, as electric bikes can open so many other doors.
They can be car replacements – think cargo bikes, excellent bits of kit that can fit children on for the school run and then provide plenty of space for any shopping you need to do. Other, sleeker bikes can provide people who might otherwise not be able to ride with the opportunity to do so, by keeping their heart rate lower. Additionally, you can ride further and faster with an electric bike, thus giving you more freedom.
They can be a significant investment however, so you must assess your needs and get a bike that can meet them rather than going entirely on looks or price.
Which is the best electric bike to buy?
The best electric bike to buy is the one that will fit your needs and keep you within budget. Although the cost might be daunting, if you're eligible for any cycle-to-work schemes they can often help make the purchase a bit more affordable.
If you’re wanting to ride at bike parks, then an electric road bike isn’t going to make sense, so make sure you look at the right sort of category of bikes and if possible, go for some test rides. If you need help understanding the basics, consider reading our beginner's guide to electric bikes (+ video) article.
Furthermore, the best bike for you might not be the same for your friend. Consider the type of riding you'll be doing and your budget, then build on it from there. We have plenty of buyers guides for you to scour to give you an idea of the best-rated bikes, but nothing will replace going for a test ride before parting with any cash.
What kind of motors do electric bikes use?
There are two main kinds of motors on electric bikes: hub motors and mid-drive motors. Hub motors are positioned within one of the wheel hubs, and mid-drive motors are located at the cranks where you pedal.
There’s nothing to say one is always going to be better than the other, but broadly speaking mid-motors tend to deliver more torque, which is what allows you to set off from standing easier and tackle steeper hills. However, they are also likely to be heavier and more expensive than hub motors.
How we review e-bikes
A lot of work goes into testing e-bikes thoroughly. Our reviewers ride each bike for at least a month before writing up their findings and coming up with final verdicts.
Every bike we review is assessed thoroughly based on its suitability for the intended discipline and riding style. A lot of focus is of course on the motor and battery, but we pay attention to all the component choices from wheels and tyres to the drivetrain and finishing kit.
We also compare the bike to its main rivals – if there is a similar bike with better spec and a lower price, we'll take this into account. In the case of electric mountain bikes, a lot of these have been reviewed by our sister site, off-road.cc, but they follow the same principles as us when reviewing and testing a bike.
Why you can trust us
E-bikes recommended in ebiketips' buyer's guides will almost always be those we've reviewed in full, or which are rated highly by multiple members of the team.
We've reviewed literally hundreds of e-bikes over the years, and the bikes you'll find in this guide will all have scored 8/10 or more to have been considered for inclusion. Whatever the brand, whatever the marketing claims, if the bike hasn't performed, it isn't listed here.
All of our reviewers and buyer's guide writers are experienced e-bikers. You can therefore be sure we've carefully considered our selections, while the advice you'll find below is based on our real-world experience.
If you're new to e-bikes, you might want to take a look at our beginner's guide to buying an e-bike.
