Best Electric Bikes for 2025


Electric bikes have become increasingly popular in the last few years thanks to their speed and user-friendliness. But with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know what to choose. Electric bikes come in every flavor: mountain bike, fat-tire bike, beach cruiser, cargo bike and folding bike. You name it and a motorized option probably exists. To make this list, CNET experts focused on commuter e-bikes, ideal for smooth riding on paved roads. We test e-bikes from top brands like Rad Power, Aventon, Lectric, Fiido and Ride1Up on the daily commute in midtown Manhattan, Central Park and the West Side Highway bike path. For some models, we also tested suburban commutes and off-road light use, although not on rough trails. We evaluated overall handling, motor performance, range, safety features and value.

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What is the best e-bike in general?

CNET editors crowned the Aventon Soltera 2 as the best overall e-bike. The Soltera 2 offers an affordable price, a lightweight (41 lbs) bike frame and a seven-speed cassette, along with iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills. But there are many other good options for those specifically after a folding e-bike, one that can carry heavy cargo or something for children and teenagers rather than adult commuters – and you can find the full suite of our favorite electric commuter bikes below.

Best Electric Bikes for 2024

The entire Aventon line offers affordability and versatility. The $1,799 abundant is a cargo bike suitable for carrying passengers or groceries, while $1,799 Adventure 2 a multifaceted fat-tire bike ideal for all-terrain riding in any weather. the Single 2 more of an everyday e-bike that’s great for commuting, with a seven-speed cassette and a weight of 41 pounds. Like other Aventon bikes, the Soltera 2 has a sleek, detailed display, integrated signal lights, iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills.

Engwe L20 2.0 is the updated version of L20 I did a review before and loved. The update changes some things that make it better, such as the ability to fold the bike and a more powerful 1000W motor to accelerate acceleration. The downside of having the fold in the middle is the weight limit is reduced so I do not recommend riding a child seat like I used in the 1.0 version. Other than that the L20 2.0 is a big fat tire bike that my wife uses every day to ride around. — James Bricknell

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The Lectric XP 3.0 fat-tire folding bike is great for its portability, folding and impressive capabilities. It’s sturdy and versatile, with a total payload capacity of 330 pounds, including a rear rack that supports up to 150 pounds. In addition, it offers a variety of useful accessories and an ignition key, which makes it less attractive to thieves. XP 3.0 also comes in a step-thru version for getting in and out of it quickly. The XP was also tested in South Carolina and proved to handle well thanks to its 20-by-3-inch wheels and front suspension fork. In addition to being foldable and durable, the XP 3.0 can hit a top speed of 28 mph, powered by a 500-watt motor.

My 6-year-old and testing partner really enjoyed his time on the Gotrax V14 balance bike. This helps him learn how to balance properly and he can zip at an average speed of about 11mph. Every day we ride to take his bus to school as well as ride to local parks. The Gotrax is incredibly durable and easy to use with excellent braking and a simple electric on/off that my daughter took to immediately. I like it if the bike has two speed settings, low and full, so that kids can manage the acceleration better when they start, but I would still recommend it for anyone who wants to use their electric bike with their son riding next to them. — James Bricknell

For people who need pedal-assist without the bulkiness usually associated with e-bikes, the Tenways CGO600 Pro is an ideal option. It offers a smooth ride, with assist on or off, and weighs almost the same as a standard bike, at 37 pounds. The Tenways CGO600 Pro uses a carbon belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes, which require little maintenance. Its design is so clever that it’s almost impossible to tell it’s an e-bike from a distance. The bike’s display is minimalistic, and the car can be powered by a user-set passcode.

The perfect bike for kids to ride — so no more tired travel. the Woom Up e-bike, sized for children or teenagers, has a premium design and three pedal-assist levels up to 12 mph. The bike includes a user-friendly app with straightforward assembly and provides a smooth, comfortable ride. Despite the initial cost, its build quality and components are exceptional, and this bike should have some resale value by the time your toddler outgrows it.

the Fido X a compact folding e-bike perfect for short trips and for small storage spaces like the average apartment. Its beautiful design makes it one of the most attractive folding bikes available. You can easily place it in a car trunk, closet or corner of the room. Whether it’s part of my daily commute or some trails in South Carolina, this bike holds its own.

Boasting a futuristic design, the Async A1 Pro looks as fun as it rides. Its cutting-edge features include a 5.5-inch display and Bluetooth connectivity over LTE, which means users can track the bike using the Find My Bike feature. Its off-road mode enables up to 35 mph speed, providing an exciting riding experience. Although you can use the pedal-assist to increase the battery, this is not a bike you buy for exercise but for full speed thrills, because it challenges the difference between e-bike and motor.

How fast is an electric bike?

Before we get to the top speed, we first need to study the classifications of e-bikes. There are three classes.

  • Class 1 is an e-bike where the motor only supplies pedal assistance while the rider pedals and has a max assisted speed of 20 mph.
  • Class 2 follows the same pedal-assist top speed as class 1 but also has a throttle that allows the rider to go around without pedaling.
  • Class 3 has a maximum assist speed of 28 mph and can be pedal-assist only or pedal-assist with throttle-assistance.

These classes are limited to 1 horsepower (750 watts). That said, some (air quotes) e-bikes can hit 50 or even 60 mph. But they are more like motorcycles with pedals. They are not optimized as traditional bikes for pedaling from point A to B and do not legally fit into the class 1-3 category. Usually only class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed where traditional bikes are.

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Do I need a permit or license to operate an e-bike?

The short answer is no; however, riders must meet their state’s minimum age limit (which may vary). In New York, that’s 16.

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Should I buy an electric bike or an electric scooter?

It’s honestly so fun to have one of each. But if you need a reason to choose one over the other, an e-bike can also be used as a traditional bike so that riders can benefit from exercise with the fact that you can travel further , even with a dead battery. Also, most people I talk to have a better feel for bikes because they have more experience riding them.

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