The Best E-Bikes for Every Type of Rider

Stephen Johnson

October 8, 2025

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Stephen Johnson

Senior Staff Writer

Covering smart glasses, VR headsets, popular culture, and more.

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Our Top 10 Picks

Best Overall

Vvolt Centauri II

$2,599.00
at Vvolt

$2,599.00
at Vvolt
Best Commuter E-Bike

Pace 500.3 Ebike

$1,499.00
at Aventon

$1,499.00
at Aventon
Runner-up: Best Commuter E-bike

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2

$5,099.99
at SPECIALIZED

$5,099.99
at SPECIALIZED
Best Budget E-Bike

Propella 7S XR

$1,199.00
at Propella

$1,199.00
at Propella
Best Fat-Tire E-bike

Aventon Aventure 3

$1,999.00
at Aventon

$1,999.00
at Aventon
Best Foldable E-Bike

RadExpand 5 Plus Electric Folding Bike

$1,899.00
at Rad Power Bikes

$1,899.00
at Rad Power Bikes
Runner-up: Best Foldable E-Bike

Ride1Up Portola

$995.00
at Ride1Up

$995.00
at Ride1Up
Best Cruiser E-Bike

Mod Easy 3

$2,399.00
at MOD Bikes

$2,399.00
at MOD Bikes
Runner-up: Best Cruiser E-Bike

Ride 1Up Cafe Cruiser

$1,395.00
at Ride1Up

$1,395.00
at Ride1Up
Best Utility E-Bike

RadRunner Plus Electric Cargo Utility Bike

$1,799.00
at Rad Power Bikes

$1,799.00
at Rad Power Bikes

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.

My Top Picks

Best Overall

Vvolt Centauri II

No 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.
- The Good
  - Mid-drive motor provides smooth power transfer
  - Maintenance-free, automatic transmission belt drive
  - Many small details that add up to a refined ride
  The Bad
  - There is no throttle
  - Not the longest range
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Best Commuter E-Bike

Pace 500.3 Ebike

The 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 ride hits the bullseye between “high performance” and “beginner friendly.” Great for commuters.

Read my full review of the Aventon Pace 500.3.
- The Good
  - Step-through frame makes it great for beginners
  - The torque-sensing drive provides a smooth assist
  - Powerful motor
  The Bad
  - Lack of suspension means it can feel bumpy
  - Sensitive throttle
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Runner-up: Best Commuter E-bike

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2

If you need a commuter bike to get to your high-paying job, Specialized’s Turbo Vado will get you there in style. It’s not cheap, but this high-performance e-bike excels for urban commuting, fitness, and exploration. Equipped with the Specialized SL 1.2 motor delivering 320 watts and 50 Nm of torque, it offers a natural and responsive ride. The bike features a sleek design, Future Shock 3.1 suspension, and advanced connectivity options, including Apple Find My and Turbo System Lock.
- The Good
  - Perfect handling
  - Sleek look
  - App integration is top-notch
  The Bad
  - No throttle
  - Battery can’t be removed
Get It Now

Read Full Review

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 5.0 E-Bike
Best Budget E-Bike

Propella 7S XR

The Propella 7S is a lightweight, stylish bike that’s fun to ride even without a throttle. If you want to pay a little more than a grand for a riding-around-town e-bike that performs well and looks snazzy, this is the bike for you.

Read my full review of the Propella 7S.
- The Good
  - A lot of bike for the price
  - The matte-black frame with electric blue details is stylish AF
  - Lightweight
  The Bad
  - It’s not going off-road
  - Relatively low power
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Best Fat-Tire E-bike

Aventon Aventure 3

If you’re into riding a squishy-tired beast off the beaten path and you don’t want to spend a ton, the Aventure 3 is the best choice. I’ve ridden mine on all kinds of terrain—creek beds, fire roads, gravel paths, muddy ruts—and it’s performed admirably. It works great on a local bike path, too. The excellent security features, app infrastructure, and attention to detail make this best-in-class.

Read my full review of the Aventon Aventure 3.
- The Good
  - Powerful 750W motor with 80Nm torque and 28mph top speed
  - Fully customizable pedal assist settings via app
  - Excellent suspension and ride comfort on rough terrain
  The Bad
  - Battery life could be better for long or demanding rides
  - Upright riding position may not suit those who prefer a more aggressive geometry
Get It Now

Read Full Review

Aventon Aventure 3 E-Bike
Best Foldable E-Bike

RadExpand 5 Plus Electric Folding Bike

In 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,” he says, “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.”

Read the full review of Rad Power Bikes’ RadExpand 5.
- The Good
  - Low BMX-style handlebar and a well-thought-out design
  - User-friendly controls
  - Comfortable, smooth ride
  - Many ways to customize and add any accessory you can imagine
  The Bad
  - Only goes up to class 2, topping out at 20 mph
  - BMX-style bars and heavy weight may make it tricky to store
  - Only works for people between 4’10” and 5’10”
Get It Now
Runner-up: Best Foldable E-Bike

Ride1Up Portola

In 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.

Read the full review of the Ride1Up Portola.
- The Good
  - Low price
  - 750w motor provides a powerful torque
  - Seat is well-padded and the upright position makes it a comfortable ride
  - Small and portable when it’s folded
  - Adjustable to various classes to fit your local laws
  The Bad
  - Heavy
  - May not work well for taller riders
Get It Now

Read Full Review

Ride1Up Portola Foldable E-Bike
Best Cruiser E-Bike

Mod Easy 3

Big, 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.

Read the full review of the Mod Bike Easy 3.
- The Good
  - Ultra comfortable ride
  - Stylish, motorcycle-influenced design
  - Numerous accessories like cargo carriers (and even a sidecar!)
  The Bad
  - Maybe too many bells and whistles
Get It Now
Runner-up: Best Cruiser E-Bike

Ride 1Up Cafe Cruiser

A cruiser that can easily be pedaled to nearly 30mph, 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 road trip—and the price is reasonable, too.

Read the full review of the Ride1Up Cafe Cruiser.
- The Good
  - Low price for the features
  - 750w rear motor provides a ton of vroom
  - Comfy padded seat, front suspension, and upright rider position
  - Great battery life
  The Bad
  - Powerful pick-up can provide a jerky ride
  - Heavy, which is scary at high speeds
  - Some corner cutting
Get It Now
Best Utility E-Bike

RadRunner Plus Electric Cargo Utility Bike

The RadRunner 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 Plus is a best-in-class utility e-bike.

Read my full review of the Radrunner 3 Plus.
- The Good
  - Can handle most terrain types
  - High upper weight limit of 350 pounds
  - User-friendly design
  - Comfortable seat and a smooth ride
  The Bad
  - Limited color options
  - Expensive
Get It Now

Best e-bikes FAQ

What’s the difference between an e-bike, a bike, and an e-motorcycle?

The difference between these vehicles comes down to features and legal classifications. A bicycle is entirely human-powered, whereas an e-bike has an electric motor and working pedals, limits on speed, and can (usually) be ridden anywhere a bicycle can be ridden. An e-motorcycle has no pedals, faster speeds, and requires a license and registration like a gas-powered motorcycle.

How fast can e-bikes go?

Either 20 mph or 28 mph, depending on their classification. Generally, e-bikes in the United States fall into three categories. Class 1 e-bikes have assisted pedaling but no throttle and a top speed of 20mph. Class 2 e-bikes have throttle and pedal assistance and a top speed of 20mph. Class 3 e-bikes have a top speed of 28 mph from pedal assistance, and generally have a throttle that provides assistance up to 20mph. Here is a more in-depth look at how e-bikes are classified.

How long does an e-bike battery last?

E-bike batteries vary, but in general, 20 to 60 miles is a good ballpark—that said, there are so many variables that it’s impossible to generalize. If you pedal a light bike, you can get a longer ride even with a small battery, whereas a heavy bike with a big battery isn’t going to ride for long if you’re going up hills and leaning on the throttle.

What do you think so far?

What to avoid when buying an electric bike

Buying a bicycle of any kind from a company that isn’t established in the market is generally a bad idea. Most respected brands sell e-bikes directly to consumers. The e-bikes sold through large retailers like Amazon or Walmart are generally less expensive, but also less reliable and less safe. Check out this post for more details on the difference between chain retailer e-bikes and products from established brands.