Make errand running and daily commutes a little more fun with our top e-bike picks. (April McCormick)
Imagine trading your gas-guzzling car and stuffy stop-and-go commute for a zippy electric bicycle. It's happening every day in cities around the country, and by the time you finish this article, you might be tempted to join the pack with one of our picks for the best electric bikes.
The global electric bike market is projected to grow from about $50 billion in 2024 to nearly $149 billion by 2032. E-bikes keep gaining speed with consumers for good reason — since their inception they've become lighter and less expensive and go faster and farther on a single charge. Some can even carry a week's worth of groceries. You should expect to pay $1,000 to $4,000 for a quality electric bike, but before balking at the price, consider how much you'll save in gas and wear and tear on your vehicle — not to mention the health and environmental benefits of riding a bike daily.
If you've been considering an electric bike but aren't sure where to start, we have good news. We've researched, tested and rated the best electric bicycles on the market, from commuter and cargo e-bikes to mountain e-bikes and even electric tricycles. We evaluated value, build quality, motor and battery size, foldability, tire quality and extras such as headlights, turn signals, cargo baskets and fenders. Here are the best electric bikes of 2025, according to Yahoo editors.
Update, Sept. 18, 2025: We checked all product prices and availability. We replaced our "best overall" pick (which was no longer available due to the brand's acquisition and paused distribution) with the Urtopia Carbon 1 Pro. We're continuing to test and evaluate new models on a rolling basis as options enter the market. Our other top picks currently remain unchanged.
If you're new to electric bikes, the first decision you should make is which class of e-bike is best for you. The different classes, championed by PeopleforBikes.org and widely adopted by bike manufacturers and governments, help everyone from beginners to e-bike experts find a bike to fit their needs.
A Class 1 electric bike requires you to pedal to engage the motor and keep the bike moving. Once the motor is engaged, it "assists" in pedaling up to 20 mph. Of course, you can go faster on these bikes, but the pedal assist cuts off at 20 mph.
For those who simply want to cruise around town or climb hills with ease, a Class 1 bike is a great choice. These bikes are also perfect for beginner cyclists, including beginner mountain bikers. They're also ideal if an e-bike with a throttle sounds too intimidating.
A Class 2 bike is likely what comes to mind when you think of an electric bike, and the majority of e-bikes fall into this class. They're equipped with a throttle that will take over when you're tired of pedaling. The Class 2 regulation means the throttle will max out at 20 mph (which is quite fast when you consider 25 mph is the standard speed limit on most neighborhood and secondary roads). This class is ideal for commuting, running errands and traveling longer distances or if you like the idea of a trade-off between pedaling yourself and having a motor do the work for you.
Most local governments more strictly limit Class 3 e-bikes because of their higher top speeds. Class 3 bikes are typically pedal assist with a max speed of 28 mph, with pedal assist cutting off when you hit that speed. Some bikes also include a throttle but may not be allowed in all jurisdictions. These bikes are usually required to have a speedometer and, depending on where you live, they may be banned from bike paths, trails and some highways. Class 3 bikes are great for daily commuters or as a substitute for a car, depending on where you live.
Class 4 e-bikes are essentially electric mopeds or motorcycles with pedals. They can go well over 28 mph — we even reviewed one that went 60-plus mph! Most states consider Class 4 e-bikes to be motor vehicles, so they require proper licenses, registration and documentation. In most states, you must be at least 16 to operate a Class 4 e-bike.
Cost: Electric bikes run from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. For a well-built bike, you should expect to spend between $1,000 and $4,000. The lower end will get you a basic e-bike with a motor and battery that will get you where you need to go. The higher end will get you a more powerful motor and battery that can go faster and last longer, plus enhanced safety features and better-quality parts that should stand the test of time.
Class: Decide whether you want a pedal-assist bike that goes no more than 20mph (Class 1) or 28-plus miles an hour (Class 3). Or you may want an e-bike with a throttle that will do the work for you that tops out at 20 mph (Class 2) or goes 28-plus mph (Class 3). Finally, you may want a superfast electric dirt bike or electric moped (Class 4).
Foldability: If you need an e-bike that is easy to transport, you'll want to stick to foldable options. Make sure you also consider durability, weight and tire size.
Weight: An e-bike can weigh anywhere from 30 pounds up to 200 pounds for heftier cargo e-bikes and trikes. The average weight is about 50 pounds. To put that into perspective, a basic nonelectric mountain bike is about 30 pounds.
Motor: Most e-bike motors start at 500 watts, which will get you up to around 20 mph. If you are looking for more power and speed, you'll want to look for motors that are 750 watts or more.
Battery size: The size of your e-bike battery is as important as motor size if you're looking for a bike with long-range distance or one that can hold a heavy payload or perform consistently at high speeds. The higher the watt-hour or voltage, the longer the bike will perform at optimal levels. A good rule of thumb: Look for a battery with a minimum of 350 watt-hours or 48 volts.
Distance on a single charge: When looking at distance specifications, keep in mind that the real number will vary based on how much you weigh, the terrain and how hard you push the bike. If you're of average height and build and just plan on cruising around town, you can take the advertised distance at face value. If you plan to push the bike to its limits, you'll likely go half — or less than half — of the advertised distance.
Top speed: Speed and class go hand in hand, but when you get to Class 3 and Class 4 e-bikes, speed can become a little vague. If you don't want a fast bike, stick to Class 1 or 2 bikes.
Safety features: Do you plan to ride at night? Make sure there's a headlight and taillight. Do you plan to ride on the road in traffic? Look for a bike with turn signals. If you plan to hit the trails extra hard, look for a rugged fork and puncture-proof tires. Also consider whether you need an antitheft alarm or tracking software to protect your investment.
We consulted e-bike experts and visited local bike shops to see which manufacturers made the best models and which bikes the owners and employees particularly liked. We researched the various types of e-bikes, compared costs, battery and motor power, distance on a single charge, brakes and displays, and gave extra points to bikes equipped with enhanced safety features and bells and whistles. We then selected a range of bikes to test before selecting our top picks. Since our original selection, we have continued to test and retest our product recommendations to ensure they reflect what’s best on the market right now. When availability or quality changes — like it did with our former best overall e-bike — we go back to the trail to test more e-bike options. To date, we've tested 13 bikes and continue to add to our list.
Lectric XPeak High-Step 2.0 eBike: While we truly enjoyed testing this all-terrain electric bike, it comes at a higher price than our selection for best electric mountain bike. That said, it does come fully assembled, making it super easy to get started, and one of our testers called it "a beast on wheels."
Lectric One Long-Range eBike: From our testing, one thing is clear — Lectric makes high-quality e-bikes that are worth a look. This one was in contention for our best overall spot but fell short by a hair due to its slightly lower range and slightly higher price point. Plus, unlike our top overall pick, it doesn't fold up all the way — just its handlebars fold down.
Solar Scooters E-Clipse 2.0: What do you call an electric bike that has no pedals? An electric motorcycle, which puts the Solar E-Clipse 2.0 in a slightly different class than the rest of the bikes here, and it's the reason it didn't make our official list above. To ride this electric-powered motorcycle, you need a motorcycle license and registration to hit the roads. Our tester noted that assembly wasn't exactly easy — the bike is heavy and the instructions weren't clear. The video helped, but it was still a confusing process. That said, when the bike is fully assembled, it's a fun ride that can go "crazy fast." Our tester says, "If you want the thrill of a motorcycle mixed with the benefits of an e-bike, this is worth a look."
JetCurrent Pro: This was our previous "best overall" pick, but due to the company's acquisition and paused distribution, it's not currently available. If it becomes available again, it's a great, foldable bike that deserves consideration. Our tester called its ride "smooth and zippy," noting that it's a sturdy bike and a favorite of the whole family.
Vvolt Alpha II: This was our previous top pick for "best lightweight" e-bike, but its 44-pound weight was outdone during our most recent round of testing by our new "best overall" pick, which weighs in at an impressively light 37 pounds. Also, this model is currently out of stock, as the brand is looking to replace it with a new model in September 2025. When the new model is available, it might be worth a look, as the original Alpha II proved to be a quality option at a reasonably affordable price.
There is no single best electric bike that will meet every person's needs. Some will want a bike that folds to fit in their trunk, while others will want a cargo bike or tricycle. The best electric bike for you will fit your budget, go as fast and far as you want and carry extra people or cargo if you need it to. Test a few bikes to find one that suits your height, weight, budget and needs.
Class 1 pedal-assist-only bikes do not have a throttle and will require you to pedal the entire time. Many Class 2 and Class 3 bikes do not require you to pedal to take off, but, generally, you will want to pedal a few strokes to ensure you have your balance before hitting the throttle. All Class 2 and Class 3 bikes can also be used as pedal-assist bikes enabling you to get the best of both worlds — a little extra activity with a boost of power to help to go up hills or log extra miles.
While you can get an electric bike for a couple hundred dollars from Amazon or Walmart, you'll find that those bikes are not as well made or equipped as bikes that cost at least a few hundred dollars more. If you want an e-bike that is built to last with a powerful motor, a longer-range battery and features such as headlights, taillights, fenders and cargo baskets, expect to spend between $1,000 and $3,500.
Laws vary, so it's important to check local city and state laws governing e-bikes. Also check in with the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and National Forest Service for their regulations.
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.