When you are looking to buy yourself an electric bike there are so many things that you need to consider. It is important to make sure you know who you are buying from and it is important to make sure that you are aware of the features that the bike comes with so that you aren’t disappointed. There are so many electrical bikes available on the market and it can be extremely hard to narrow down your options and find something that you like if you have no idea what you should look for. In order to help you with your purchasing decision, we have come up with an electric bike buying guide as well as a list of our picks for the top ten electric bikes available on the market.
One thing that could have a massive influence on your purchasing decision is how fast the bike is capable of going at its top speed. This could be very important for you if you are considering buying a bike in order to make a bit of a longer commute, or if you like leaving your duties until the last minute. When considering speed it is also a good idea to consider how many gears are incorporated into the design so that you know just how many speed options the bike is capable of traveling. You may also want to have a look at the tire size/ width if you plan on traveling around on the bike at high speeds for any length of time as a wider tire will help to give you more balance and support throughout the duration of your ride.
Electric Bike Comparison Chart
Buying Guide
Price
This is generally the first that people look at when it comes to buying a product and it can make a large difference in the overall quality of the bike. When considering what price you are willing to pay to buy yourself an electric bike it is important to make sure that you set yourself a budget so that you are can be sure that you will be able to afford the bike and not be in financial difficulty as a result of your purchase. Electric bikes have gotten a lot more popular in recent years and there is certainly a range of budget bikes available as well as more expensive bikes for people who have a higher budget. Just make sure that you don’t base your thoughts on the bike solely around the price; many people with a higher budget end up buying a lower end bike because there are definitely some nice options available and only you know what is going to work for your circumstances.
Warranty
Warranty is definitely one of the most important aspects of buying a bike and is always something that you should take a look at before making your purchasing decision. Some companies will charge an additional price tag in order to be able to offer a warranty over a longer term; this is a nice offer from the company if you have the money for it as it can really give you peace of mind knowing that two years down the road when you encounter problems with the product the manufacturer has your back. Always make sure that you read the warranty agreement given so that you don’t end up paying for something that you don’t want or need.
Distance
Depending on the bike that you buy, you will notice a range of distances that the bike is able to travel before the bike requires a recharge. It is important to make sure that the distance you wish to travel on the bike is well within the confounds of the maximum distance that the bike can travel as the battery within the bike may not charge quite as well and last as long over a long-term period.
Charging Method
Depending on how expensive of a model you buy it is always a good idea to check and see how the bike charges. Depending on the bike you may actually need to purchase or install a charge station in your home as an electrical outlet may not do the job for you. Another thing that you should definitely consider is that time that it takes in order to fully charge the product. It is even more important to know how long it takes to charge the product if you are going to be going on regular trips with the bike such as taking it to and from work so that you can be sure that you always have a vehicle available to you.
Comfort
This can be an especially important factor for some people if they are going to be using the bike to commute to and from work. Some people will surely want some extra features that allow you to store your personal items somewhere on the bike and others will just want a comfortable, adjustable bike so that it can suit their height and weight. Another thing that you may want to consider is whether you want the bike to have suspension built into the design. Depending on the conditions that you ride in you will likely have a different need suspension as well as comfort wise and it is important to follow your own needs rather than follow what other people say that you should do.
Safety
One thing that you will notice when you are looking at a variety of electric bikes, is that they may have different safety features incorporated into the design. This may make a large difference to you depending on the purpose of the bike that you want to buy. For instance, if you are thinking about buying a bike for your child you will likely want to purchase a bike that isn’t too fast for them so that they don’t end up hurting themselves as a result of losing control of the bike and running into something.
Other things to consider include whether you want your bike to be safe to ride while you are out at night. In order for a bike to be safe while riding at night, it should have headlights, as well as a taillight, incorporated into the design of the unit and it should also have a variety of reflective lights on the bike in various locations as well. A proper bike helmet is always a smart thing to wear when riding at any time of day. Often time’s companies will put reflective lights on the wheel spokes and they will often have a reflective patch on the rear of the bike as well in order to help improve visibility at night. If you are going to be traveling in high traffic areas another thing you will want to consider is some type of a bell or some type of a horn so that you can let other vehicles know what your plans are and where you are located so that you don’t get injured while riding around.
Weight
Often times an electric bike will have a maximum weight capacity and it is important to follow this so that you don’t break the bike, but also so that you stay covered under any kind of a warranty that the bike has. Another thing that may affect your purchasing decision is how heavy the bike is. If you are going to be using the bike on rougher terrain or a place with a lot of sharp turns it may be more convenient for you to have a lighter bike so that you can maneuver around easier.
Electric Bike Reviews
This is a great bike available for a mid to high price range. If you can afford this bike it does have a lot of nice features incorporated into its design in order to make it appeal to a broad audience. This bike is powered by a 500-watt motor which actually allows the bike to travel at pretty fast speeds. The bike can travel at speeds of up to 20 mph and it also has seven different gears incorporated into the design so that you can travel at a slower speed if you like to have more control.
The wide tires on this bike help to make for a very stable ride and the bike is capable of holding up to a 260 lb person without issue. The bike itself weighs a total of 58 lbs making it kind of heavy to lift around but not so heavy that you can’t pick it up and put it away for storage purposes. The battery used in this unit is a 36 Volt 11AH battery and the design is capable of being fully charged in a period of six hours. It can travel 18 – 33 miles on a full charge depending on riding settings and environmental conditions.
In order to speed up the bike, there is a throttle to make the task quite easy; all you have to do is twist in order to gain speed. To make braking safer and more performance efficient there are rear disc brakes on the back of the unit so that you can slow down in a pinch if you need to. Generally, this bike is meant to be used for people who are 5’8” in height to about 6’8” in height meaning that this bike is capable of working for quite a variety of people.
Pros:
- Made out of a more expensive aluminum frame rather than a steel frame
- Rear disc brakes so that you can stop faster
- Fits people who are 5’6” to 6’8” in height
- Fat tire size helps to provide great stability while riding
- Can travel at speeds of up to 20 mph
- Throttle allows you to change your speeds with ease
- Powerful 500-watt electric motor
Cons:
- Takes six hours to recharge which is not great if you are using this as a commuter bike
- Price range may be out of reach for some people
This bike is a little bit on the cheaper side of things as far as electric bikes go. The nice thing about this bike though, is that it has many of the same features that you would find on a higher-end electrical bike. Amazingly this bike sports a high-end aluminum frame rather than a steel frame like some of the other cheaper bikes have on the market. In order to make the bike even more lightweight and allow it to travel at a faster speed the fork of this bike is even made from a carbon fiber design. This bike has very good brakes for the price as it uses disc brakes on the front as well as the rear wheel to offer an optimal braking experience.
The bike can hold 330 pounds and the disc brakes are an excellent, higher-end addition. The whole bike is 64.4 inches long.
This bike has an amazing 21-speed transmission built into its design so that you can travel at any speed you like during your journey. It has a nice bright headlamp on the front of the brake as well as a horn and a wheel reflector light in order to make riding in darker conditions much safer. The design holds a 36 volt 8AH battery and is capable of traveling anywhere from 35-60 km on a single charge depending on the speed that you are traveling at. The tires that come with this bike have a fair amount of tread on them allowing you to tread on rougher terrain with ease. Something you don’t see too often on an electric bike is pedals and this bike allows you to use pedals or the motor in order to maneuver around as you wish.
Pros:
- Lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork allow for better maneuverability
- Very large 21-speed transmission allows you to choose your speed as you wish
- Capable of being pedaled like a regular bike as well as being used without pedaling
- Disc brakes on the rear as well as the front of the bike help to offer optimal braking
- Can travel anywhere from 35-60 km on a single charge, can travel from 25-35 km/h
- Headlamp, rear reflector light as well as a horn built into the design help to make it safer when riding in traffic or dark times of the day
Cons:
- Bike does not come tuned and you will need to take it to a bike shop to get this done
- Button display can be challenging to learn at first or without reading instructions
The Swagtron EB-6 is truly a state-of-the-art hybrid bike. It comes with pedals (also known as pedelec) but it also packs enough electric power to keep you going for 20 miles on good roads. You can, of course, pedal or you can let the EB-6 do all the work. With a charging time of under 5 hours, you’ll be good to go in relatively short order. The cool thing is that the EB-6 can power up a slope up to 25 degrees on its own! In case the power is not enough or you’d like to stay in shape, you’ll have access to the Shimano 7-speed SIS shifting/gear componentry. The power cable(s) are easily detached and that’s by specific design to make your maintenance and repairs easier.
For safety, there’s a bell included with the EB-6 and with its aluminum alloy body, it’ll be easy to move around! We like the fact that the battery can be removed from the bike for security purposes AND to charge it more conveniently! Its weight capacity is 264 pounds, its battery power is 350 Watts, 36 Volts, 7.8 Ah li-ion. The maximum speed is around 18.5 mph or 30 km/h. There’s a great one year warranty with the whole deal too!
Pros:
-
- Capable of traveling at a decent speed of over 18 mph (unassisted) which is quite impressive for the size of the smaller motor
- Can travel anywhere from 20-25 miles on one charge depending on the speed
- Very sturdy design can hold a 264 lb person
- One year warranty
- Seat is adjustable for added comfort
- Twist throttle makes it easy for the rider to change speeds
- Aluminum Alloy frame
- Pedal option is available on this bike if you want to get some exercise
- Very cool looking bike which anyone would appreciate (not tame or traditionally feminine look)
Cons:
- Price may be out of reach for some people
- No headlight built into the design for night time or dark time of the day
- Might have too aggressive a look for some more conservative patrons
Ancheer is the widest seen name in electric bikes online! It’s a huge name and they do know a few things about electric bikes, that’s for sure! This particular model of Ancheer is suited to mountain biking, paved roads, and off-road cyclocross terrain. It offers an Aluminum Alloy body and pedals along with carbon steel front shocks, magnesium alloy wheels, 21-speed Shimano shifters, dual disc brakes and 26-inch wheels with a total load capacity of 330 pounds! It’s also a full-suspension bike! That’s a lot of goodness packed into one bike.
The recommended heights for a rider are from around 5’1″ to as tall as 6’3″. That’s a wide range. The 250 Watt, 36 Volt battery can push you as fast as 17 miles per hour for about 30 miles. That’s also a long way on one charge! It features a 3-speed smart meter button and a bright LED headlamp and horn. Unfortunately, the battery is not removable so it can’t be charged away from the bike, which means charging typically should happen at home or at the apartment. The tires are a pure cyclocross tires (you’ll know what that means if you know cyclocross). For those who have no idea what I mean, imagine tiny, thin road bike racing tires got together with thick, chunk, studded motocross tires and had a baby. That’s what these tires look like – thicker and chunkier than road tires and they have a mild studded pattern which road bikes to not have.
The stylish looks are pretty obvious with this bike with six alloy spokes per wheel rather than the traditional multi-spoke pattern found on traditional bikes. The bike is foldable into something like a small suitcase size for convenience and storage. It’s one of the easiest bikes in the world to transport for camping trips and you won’t need a bike rack to hang off the front or back of your vehicle!
This ranks near the top for us in terms of looks (is it wrong to go for something because of looks?) 🙂
Pros:
- Aluminum frame was used in the design of this bike
- 21-speed transmission allows the rider to be able to ride at the speed they please
- E-bike and pedal-assist mode so that you can exercise or relax as you wish
- Front and rear disc brakes make it very easy to stop the bike
- LED front headlight and horn make it much safer to ride in dark times of the day as well as busy areas
- Full-suspension
- Enviable looks
Cons:
- Could have more power and removable battery for charging convenience.
This bike is the second Ecotric on our list and for good reason. This bike receives top marks on Amazon and many competitors’ bikes do not! Like many e-bikes, the Ecotric comes with pedals so you can get your exercise from pedaling but this gem comes with a powerful 500 Watt motor. That’s twice as powerful as many others. The 36-volt battery is (refreshingly and thankfully) removable so it can be recharged away from the bike itself. The Aluminum Alloy frame is welded to precision and it’s evident that this bike is not a budget model with inferior workmanship.
Disc brakes are included and expected but disc brakes on any traditional bikes are considered upgrades. This Ecotric bike can carry you at 20 Miles per hour for about 20 miles (maybe more). That’s fairly impressive we’d say! Charge time is 6-8 hours so overnight is probably most convenient. The weight of the bike is around 57 pounds which is not as light as some but quite normal for its size. speaking of size, it really breaks down to a small package when folded!
It features 20″ wheels which are smaller than traditional bike wheels, but this one works just fine! Its Shimano 7-Speed gear shift system is robust and ample. Owners have given the bike a 4.3 rating out of 5 and that’s better than most! The small wheels detract a bit from its otherwise aggressive and “cool” look factor, but it’s obviously engineered well and ultimately you want the thing to work well. The Ecotric 20″ Fat Tire bike delivers for sure! If you don’t believe me, check out this video!
Pros:
- Capable of traveling at 20 mph and can travel for as long as 23 miles on a single charge
- Easy to use throttle control to change between the seven-speed options available
- Aluminum frame adds to the eye appeal of this design
- High-quality shifter and derailleur
- Large 500-watt motor is easy to get up to speed
- Eye appealing ergonomic design and color to appeal to a broad audience
- Can change between using the pedals or using strictly the E-bike portion of the bike
Cons:
- Price range will surely be out of reach for some people but it’s still half the price of other options
If you have an average to higher-end budget range then this could definitely be one of the many bikes that interest you. This bike does contain some nice features for the price tag that it has. This bike is quite fast considering that it has a 300-watt motor built into its design. The bike uses a very nice aluminum frame and incorporates the motor INSIDE the frame so it enhances aesthetics and security.
In order to make this unit more comfortable for users, this unit has a fully adjustable seat and a nice kickstand that you can use so that you don’t have to hang your bike up somewhere in order to store it. Another thing that you will like about this bike is that there are reflectors on the tires of the bike and this definitely helps you to be able to see the tires better when you are riding the bike at night time or during darker hours of the day and makes you much more visible and safe when combined with the headlight and the horn that comes with the unit. This is a very sturdy bike design with a very high weight limit of 350 lbs which is quite good for the price tag on the unit. This unit has a very nice warranty on it in order to give you some peace of mind. With your purchase of this unit, you will receive a 180-day warranty on the bike as well as a one year warranty on the battery depending on your weight and where you normally ride.
Pros:
- Headlight, horn and reflective tire reflectors come with the unit
- This unit has a top speed of 20 mph
- The unit is capable of traveling for as long as 20-25 miles on a single charge
- Very sturdy bike with a maximum rider weight of 350 lbs
- Variable speed throttle on the bike makes it quite easy to change your speeds
- Very nice aluminum frame with hidden motor
- Can be folded in half for storage/transport
Cons:
- Higher price tag than some of the cheaper units may be out of reach for some people
- Might get stolen simply because it’s an electric bike!!
If you have a low-mid budget range then this could definitely be a bike that may be of interest to you. This bike offers a very nice aluminum-framed design and comes in a unique black/green/white color that appeals to a broad audience. The bike is capable of being an E-bike as well as a pedal bike in order to suit your personal needs. This bike is capable of traveling anywhere from 15-25 miles on a single recharge and has five different speed settings built into the design that you can choose from for your own comfort. The battery of this unit is fairly large at 36 volts and 10.4AH which means it does take a fair bit to charge, but that is the price that you have to pay in order to be able to use your bike for a longer distance.
The Samsung Lithium-ion battery is housed inside the frame so it improves the overall aesthetic. The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain offers unparalleled quality for the shifters and gear deraillers. The Vilano Atom has mechanical disc brakes and very cool looking mag rims.
Pros:
- This bike can travel between 15 and 25 miles on one charge
- Lightweight bike allows for good maneuverability
- Offers 7-speed gear settings so that you can choose a speed that is comfortable for you
- Aluminum frame offers long term durability and an eye-appealing design
- Can be pedaled or used as an E-bike in order to suit your biking preferences and needs
Cons:
- Smaller wheels and frame reduce overall road comfort
- No shock absorbers at all! Seriously?
The Super73 is the only one of this type of looking bike on our list, and in fact, we couldn’t find another one anywhere online that looked like this. It’s has a retro-looking mini-bike frame, and it’s unmatched in its stylish appeal. It’s not too aggressive or passive. It carries the right amount of “style” and “cool” factor. Its powerful 500-watt motor is pretty robust for its size and its 20-inch fat tires have a tread pattern like a fast road machine (slick pattern)! It can bring you up to 20 mph and go for up to 20 miles. It is capable of throttle/motor drive or pedal drive only (not a combination or “pedal-assist”).
The disc brakes are of decent quality and it carries riders up to 275 pounds. The battery is hidden under the seat (it actually looks like a part of the seat from a profile at a distance) so it doesn’t actually look like an electric bike from a distance. The internally geared brushless DC hub motor is capable of outputting up to 900 watts of peak power. This bike tops our list for “syle” if not for overall value.
Pros:
- Good-looking bike (arguably the most unique-looking bike on our list)
- Set of pedals allows you to get exercise if you desire
- Can travel up to 20 miles on a charge and can reach 20 mph
- Moderately priced
Cons:
- Could have better and more REAR suspension for use off-road or in rough terrain areas
If you have a mid to high budget and you want to get yourself a fast bike then this could very well be the bike for you. This bike is capable of traveling at speeds of up to 23 mph and can travel up to 55 miles so long as you are using the lightest level of pedal-assist available on the bike. This bike incorporates a fairly large 750 watt motor in its design which does add to the overall weight of the bike but does help it to reach its fast speeds. This is a very sturdy bike and it is actually capable of holding one person who weighs up to 300 lbs. One cool feature that is in the design of this bike is the shark/tiger mouth commemorative color and design honoring the Flying Tigers during the second world war. The 6061 aluminum alloy frame adds toughness and the fat tires add a tough, aggressive aesthetic, in addition to offering all-terrain usability.
Pros:
- Large 750-watt motor can make the bike travel at speeds of up to 23 mph
- This bike can hold one 300 lb person
- Frame, pedals as well as the top tube of this bike all fold up for easy storage and transportation
- This bike can travel at 55 mph so long as you pedal on the easiest level
- For adults with heights ranging from 5’10” to 6’6″
Cons:
- Higher price tag of the unit could certainly be out of reach for some people
- This bike does not have good suspension and this could be added (to the rear) to improve the off-road experience
This last bike is actually a bike specifically made for kids. This bike is an electric-powered tricycle and it is a great, extremely cheap bike that you can get for your kids in order to get them used to driving around an electric vehicle. This bike is fairly durable and is made out of a combination of plastic, steel as well as rubber. The throttle on this bike is capable of traveling at nine different needs so that the rider can choose the speed that they are traveling at with ease. This tricycle can support a rider that weighs up to 120 pounds which makes this a great bike, suitable for almost all kids. The bike offers a comfortable backrest design as well as a 12-volt battery that it uses to power the bike and get it moving around. If you would like a warranty on this unit you can purchase one at an additional cost which is a nice thing to have in order to give you a bit of peace of mind with your purchasing decision. The bike does travel at fairly fast speeds for children at 9 mph maximum, but the machine is recommended to be used by children eight or older so it is important to use your personal discretion when buying this product.
Pros:
- Easy to operate hand brakes
- Extremely affordable price tag, much cheaper than most electric bikes on the market
- The backrest will help to keep the user comfortable even for a long ride duration
- Fairly durable wood, rubber, and plastic design
- Push-button throttle is extremely easy to use
- The user has to be under 120 lbs
Cons:
- This unit takes twelve hours to charge and can only be driven for 30 mins at a time
- Could use more reflector lights as well as a headlight in order to make this bike more visible
Final Thoughts & Conclusion
Hopefully, after reading this article you now have a bit of a better grasp as to the electric bike that you may want to purchase. There are so many features and options available that it is likely going to take you a fair bit of time to narrow down the bike that is perfect for you. No matter the style or the brand that you choose for the bike it is always important to make sure that it has the features that you want and that it is made out of high-quality materials so that you can expect the bike to last for a long period of time. Always make sure that you have a look at the warranty before you purchase your bike so that you know exactly what you are covered for and so that you can be comfortable knowing that you are covered for the things that you want to be covered for and for a duration that you are comfortable with. Best of luck in your search for the best electric bike and hope you find one you like!