Best electric bikes: for every type of rider and budget

The best electric bikes help you go further, faster and for longer. They provide a smooth ride and make hills easier to climb.

Cheap electric bikes start from £500, but you can pay £5,000 or more for premium models.

We find other reviewers cover pricier e-bikes, so we've focused our testing to date on the best electric bikes around £2,500 or less from top brands such as Cube, Carrera, Giant, Raleigh, Trek and more.

We found five electric bikes that impressed enough to be Which? Best Buys and one Great Value option, too. 

The best electric bikes

Only logged-in Which? members can view the electric bike test results below.

Join Which? now to get instant access to our verdicts and Best Buy recommendations below.

The electric bikes we tested 

All the electric bikes we tested are listed in alphabetical order below, including all electric mountain bikes and electric bikes for less than £1,000 we've tested and reviewed. 

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best electric bikes from our tests

Join Which? to get instant access to our verdicts and Best Buy recommendations below.

Apollo Metis Electric Bike

Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range 10-15 miles

Measured weight 21.4kg

Rider heights 5ft 2in (S frame) to 6ft (M frame)

Motor Shengyi, front-hub

Battery size/claimed charging time 209Wh/4-5 hours

Need to know Kingmeter LED display, speed sensor, three assistance levels, Shimano Revo 6-speed gears with twist shifter, V-brakes, 26-inch wheels, kickstand, rear luggage carrier (max load 25kg)

Apollo Phaze-E Electric Mountain Bike

Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range 10-15 miles

Measured weight 19.3kg

Rider heights 5ft 3in (M frame) to 6ft 1in (L frame)

Motor Shengyi, front-hub

Battery size/claimed charging time 209Wh/4-5 hours

Need to know Kingmeter LED display, speed sensor, three assistance levels, Shimano Tourney 6-speed gears with twist shifter, V-brakes, 26-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand

Assist Hybrid Electric Bike

Available from Halfords (£549)

Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range 10-15 miles

Weight 18kg

Rider heights 5ft 3in to 6ft 1in

Motor Shengyi, front-hub

Battery size/claimed charging time 115Wh/2-3 hours

Need to know Kingmeter LED display, speed sensor, three assistance levels, single speed, V-brakes, 20-inch wheels, kickstand, quick-release seat clamp, rear luggage carrier (maximum load 25kg)

Basis Dorchester Electric Bike

Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range up to 25 miles

Measured weight 23.4kg

Rider heights 5ft 2in to 5ft 10in

Motor Basis, rear-hub

Battery size/claimed charging time 400Wh/4-6 hours

Need to know LED display, three assistance levels, Shimano Tourney 6-speed gears with twist shifter, V-brakes, 24-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand, quick-release seat clamp, rear luggage carrier (maximum load 18kg)

Carrera Crossfuse Electric Bike

Available from Halfords (£1,999) (Men's frame), Halfords (£1,599.20) (Women's frame)

Most recently tested April 2025

Manufacturer's claimed range 30-35 miles

Measured weight 21.3kg

Rider heights 5ft 3in to 6ft 2in (men's frame), 4ft 11in to 5ft 8in (women's frame)

Motor Bosch active line, mid-hub

Battery size/claimed charging time 400Wh/6.5 hours

Need to know Bosch Purion LCD display, Torque and speed sensor, four assistance levels, Shimano Acera 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 28-inch wheels, front suspension, quick-release seat clamp and front/rear wheel

Carrera Vengeance Electric Mountain Bike 2.0

Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range 20-25 miles

Weight 23kg

Rider heights 5ft 6in to 6ft 1in (men's frame), 4ft 11in to 5ft 7in (women's frame)

Motor Suntour eco, rear-hub

Battery size/claimed charging time 317Wh/5-6 hours

Need to know Suntour OLED display, cadence sensor, four assistance levels, SRAM 8-speed gears with clicker shifter, cable disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front suspension, quick release seat clamp and front wheel

Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 625 (2023) Electric Mountain Bike

Available from The Electric Bike Shop (Out of stock)

Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 55 miles, according to Bosch eBike range calculator

Weight 23.9kg

Rider heights 5ft 3in (S frame) to 6ft 5in (XXL frame)

Motor Bosch Performance (3rd gen), mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 625Wh/5.4 hours

Need to know Doesn't come with pedals, Bosch Purion LCD display, torque sensor, five assistance levels, Shimano 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels (XS, S models) 29-inch wheels (M to XXL models), front-wheel suspension, quick-release seat clamp and front wheel, other colours available

Looking for a more portable electric bike? Read our guide for the best folding electric bikes

Elops High Frame Electric City Bike 900

Most recently tested April 2025

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 43 miles

Measured weight 29.3kg

Rider heights Under 5ft 1in (XS frame) to 6ft 5in (XL frame)

Motor Elops, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 417Wh/6 hours

Need to know BTwin LCD display, pedalling sensor, four assistance levels, Shimano Altus 7-speed gears with twist shifter, mechanical disc brakes, 28-inch wheels, front wheel suspension, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (maximum load 27kg)

Giant Ease-E+ 2 (2021) Electric Bike

Available from Giant (£1,649)

Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 43 miles under 'good' conditions

Weight Not stated. Giant says: 'Weight can vary based on size, finish, hardware and accessories'

Rider heights Under 5ft 3in (XS frame) to 6ft 4in (L frame)

Motor Giant SyncDrive Move, front-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 300Wh/3.5 hours

Need to know Giant RideControl ONE display, Giant PedalPlus three-sensor system, five assistance levels, Shimano 8-speed gears with clicker shifter, V-brakes, 29-inch wheels, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (maximum load not stated)

Giant Entour E+ 2 (2022) Electric Bike

Available from Giant (crossbar frame) (£2,499), Giant (step-through frame) (£1,749-£2,499)

Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 65 miles under 'good' conditions

Weight Not stated. Giant says 'weight can vary based on size, finish, hardware and accessories'

Rider heights 5ft 1in (XS frame) to 6ft 7in (XL frame)

Motor Giant SyncDrive Core, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 400Wh/4.5 hours

Need to know Giant RideControl Dash LCD display with USB charging port, Giant PedalPlus six-sensor system, five assistance levels, Shimano 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand, built-in front light, rear luggage carrier (maximum load not stated)

Giant Talon E+ Sport (2022) Electric Mountain Bike

Available from Giant (£2,499)

Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 68 miles under 'good' conditions

Measured weight 24kg

Rider heights 5ft 4in (S frame) to 6ft 4in (XL frame)

Motor Giant SyncDrive Sport, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 500Wh/5 hours

Need to know Giant RideControl One LED display, Giant Smart Assist six-sensor system, five assistance levels, Shimano Avilio 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, quick-release seat post

Raleigh Motus GT Electric Bike

Available from Raleigh (£2,000) Only available in store

Most recently tested April 2025

Manufacturer's claimed range up to 80 miles

Measured weight 25.8kg

Rider heights 5ft 5in (S frame) to 6ft 6in (L frame)

Motor Bosch active line plus, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 500Wh/7 hours

Need to know Bosch Intuvia LCD display, five assistance levels, Shimano Alivio 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 28-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, quick-release front and rear wheel, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (maximum load 27kg), other colours available

Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0 (2025)

Available from Specialized (£3,250) (Out of stock)

Most recently tested April 2025

Manufacturer's claimed range up to 80 miles

Measured weight 25.3kg

Rider heights 5ft 1in (S frame) to 6ft 4in (XL frame)

Motor Specialized SL 1.1, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 320Wh/5 hours

Need to know MasterMind TCD display, four assistance levels, SRAM NX 11-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front wheel suspension, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (maximum load 27kg), other colours available

Pendleton Somerby-E Electric Hybrid Bike

Available from Halfords (£1,099)

Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range 25-30 miles

Weight 22kg

Rider heights 5ft 1in (17-inch frame) to 6ft 1in (19-inch frame)

Motor Bafang, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 317Wh/4-5 hours

Need to know Kingmeter LED display, speed sensor, three assistance levels, Shimano 8-speed gears with clicker shifter, V-brakes, 29-inch wheels, kickstand, rear luggage carrier, other colours available

Make sure your bike can be locked securely with our guide to best bike locks

Trek Dual Sport+ 2 (2023) Electric Bike

Available from Trek (£1,403)

Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 34 miles

Weight 17.41kg

Rider heights 5ft 5in (M frame) to 6ft 6in (XL frame)

Motor Hyena Drive, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 250Wh non-removable/not stated

Need to know Trek LED display, torque sensor, three assistance levels, Shimano 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, built-in front and rear lights

Trek Marlin+ 6 (2024) Electric Mountain Bike

Available from Trek (£2,100)

Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 39 miles, according to Bosch eBike range calculator

Measured weight 24kg

Rider heights 4ft 9in (XS frame) to 6ft 5in (XL frame)

Motor Bosch Active Line Plus, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 400Wh non-removable/6 hours

Need to know Bosch Purion 200 LCD display, torque sensor, four assistance levels, Shimano Cues 9-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels (XS to S frame) 29-inch wheels (M to XL frame), front-wheel suspension, quick-release seat clamp, works with Bosch eBike Flow App, other colours available

Trek Verve+ 1 (2022) Electric Bike

Available from Trek (step-through frame) (£1,313), Trek (crossbar frame) (£1,181) Currently, out of stock

Most recently tested April 2025

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 31 miles, according to Bosch eBike range calculator

Measured weight 23.2kg

Rider heights 4ft 10in (XS frame) to 6ft 1in (XL frame)

Motor Bosch active line, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 300Wh also 400Wh, 500Wh/5-7.5 hours, depending on battery size

Need to know Bosch Purion LCD display, torque sensor, four assistance levels, Shimano Altus 8-speed gears with twist shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand, built-in front light, rear luggage carrier (maximum load 25kg), other colours available

Volt London Urban Electric Bike

Available from Volt (£2,099)

Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 60 miles

Weight 22.1kg

Rider heights 5ft 7in or more

Motor Bafang, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 504Wh/3-4 hours

Need to know SpinTech LCD display, torque sensor, five assistance levels and boost lever, single-speed gear, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, front luggage carrier, optional rear carrier for an additional £30

Voodoo Bizango-E Electric Mountain Bike

Available from Halfords (£2,300)

Most recently tested April 2025

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 60 miles

Measured weight 26.7kg

Rider heights 5ft 5in (S frame) to 6ft 4in (XL frame)

Motor Shimano EP6, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 504Wh/7.5 hours

Need to know Shimano SC-EN500 LCD display, four assistance levels, Shimano CUES 10-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 29-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension

The best electric bikes under £1,000

Only logged-in Which? members can view the electric bikes for less than £1,000 test results below.

Join Which? to get instant access to our verdicts and recommendations below.

The best electric mountain bikes

Only logged-in Which? members can view the electric mountain bike test results below.

Join Which? to get instant access to our verdicts and Best Buy recommendations below.

Travel smart get our free Travel newsletter and start planning better holidays

How we test electric bikes

We test e-bikes from key UK retailers such as Argos, Decathlon and Halfords, with a focus on lower-priced bikes (around £2,500 or under) from top brands, including Cube, Giant and Trek.

Brands can't buy their way onto our tests. We pay for all the electric-bikes we test and regularly revisit the e-bikes on sale to see if there are new and popular models that need testing. And when we find them, we do.

Motor and ride quality

• Our diverse panel of cyclists ride each bike and evaluate how smoothly it accelerates, how it responds to changes in how fast or hard you pedal and how smoothly the power tapers off as you reach 15.5mph.
• They also evaluate each bike's display, motor controls, comfort (on and off-road), manoeuvrability and handling tight turns.
• We ride each e-bike up Brooklands Museum's test hill – which has fixed gradients – to see how they handle shallow and steep inclines. The best can climb very steep 25% gradients and some are even able to hill-start on them.

Acceleration and braking

• We accelerate the bikes multiple times over a set distance to see which are the quickest.
• We repeatedly measure how far each bike travels when the brakes are applied at 15.5mph.
• Brakes can be adjusted, but our tests assesses how good they are when you first get on the bike.

Ease of use and build quality

• Each bike is rated for how easy it is to lift and carry short distances, and how easy the battery is to take out and put back in.
• We also carry out an overall quality assessment, rating for electrical cable management, comfort of handles and saddle materials, and neatness of welding on the frames.

Why we don't test the range of electric bikes

• Factors such as rider weight, motor assistance level, weather, wind speed and road conditions all affect how much you'll get out of your e-bike on any given day.
• As such, there's no single value for the range of an e-bike that is accurate or useful for everyone.
• Typically, the bigger the battery, the further you'll go on a single charge. 

We provide the manufacturers' claimed ranges:

• Some only give an 'up to' estimate. These are an absolute maximum and are usually based on ideal riding conditions.
• Some give a range of possible distances: the shorter range is closer to what you should expect out of the bike if you cycle in hilly areas or in less ideal conditions.

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent

How much should you spend on a good electric bike?

The cheapest electric bikes start at around £500, and you can pay more than £5,000 for top-end electric mountain bikes.

Lower-priced e-bikes can take the strain out of shallow hills, but have motors that are a bit older, noisier and can sometimes – although not always – struggle with moderately steep hills. 

The more premium e-bike features, such as a mid hub motor, lighter frames (for example, carbon fibre) and larger batteries typically appear on pricier models.

Watch: How to buy the best electric bike

Motor position

Front hub motors allow you to more easily customise gears on the rear wheel, but can feel less natural as the motor pulls you forward, rather than pushing you.

Rear-hub motors can feel more natural to ride as you'll feel pushed rather than pulled, but it makes the rear wheel hard to remove and is usually found on more expensive bikes.

Mid-hub motors are often the most expensive choice, but feel the most natural to ride, have a more balanced weight distribution, and can easily change the wheels and are easier to remove.

Battery

Larger batteries cost more, but should get you further on a single charge. Batteries degrade over time, so check you can buy a replacement one and how much it costs.

Weight

Electric bikes tend to be around 10kg heavier than a regular model. A hybrid electric bike typically weighs 22-25kg. Some higher-priced e-bikes have lighter frames and come in at 16-18kg, on average.

Weight distribution is also important for how easy a bike is to lift. Mid hub motor e-bikes have better weight distribution, whereas rear-hub e-bikes with batteries placed over the back wheel are very back heavy.  

Display

The control display usually sits on the handlebars and allows you to adjust the assistance level as you go. Some displays only show battery level, while others give more information such as your speed and the distance travelled.

Assistance levels

Different e-bikes have slightly different setups, but most will offer an equivalent of low, medium and high-assistance modes. These usually equate to the motor matching your input, giving one and a half times your input or even doubling it.

Sensor

An electric bike can come with one, or a combination of, sensor types to determine how much power the motor should deliver to the bike and when.

Speed sensors measure how fast the bike is going, typically based on the speed of the wheel, and deliver power accordingly. Cadence measures how fast you're pedalling and delivers more power the slower you are.

A torque sensor measures how hard you're pushing on the pedals and delivers more assistance if needed. A bike with a torque sensor can engage the motor faster than a cadence or speed sensor, making it great for hill starts.

Frame size

Getting an oversized or undersized frame can ruin your enjoyment of a bike if you have to reach too far for the handlebars or you simply can’t find a comfortable riding position.

We recommend you test-ride a bike before you buy or, at the very least, check the manufacturer's guidelines to find the right frame size.

Brakes

V-brakes are a common type and are easy to replace.

Cable (or cantilever) brakes only have a cable running between them, so they're less likely to get clogged with mud and are a good option for off-road cyclists.

Disc brakes are increasingly popular – their main advantage being increased stopping power in wet conditions.

Gears

If you only intend to ride on flat terrain, you can get away with an electric bike with a single gear (these tend to be lighter and cheaper), but if you live in an area with hills, you'll need one with several gears to get up them.

Are electric bikes legal in the UK?

Yes, as long as:

• You're over the age of 14
• The motor has a maximum power output of 250W
• The motor only propels you when you're pedalling
• The motor doesn't propel the bike when it's travelling more than 15.5mph.

The e-bike must also show the motor's power output and/or the motor's manufacturer, plus the battery's voltage and/or the maximum speed of the bike.

If it meets these requirements (which all the electric bikes we've tested do), then you can cycle them anywhere normal non-electric bikes are allowed, such as cycle paths.

Do you need a licence for an e-bike?

No, as long as it meets the requirements outlined above, it counts as an 'electrically assisted pedal cycle' (EPAC) and doesn't require a licence to ride. It also doesn't need to be registered, taxed or insured. 

Are throttle e-bikes legal in the UK?

An e-bike with a throttle means it can propel you without pedalling. 

Some e-bikes have a 'walk' button that propels the bike to a maximum of 3.7mph before you have to start pedalling.

In this case, they still count as an EPAC and make it easier for riders who are less able to get going from a standing start. 

But any throttle that propels you faster than this without pedalling means the e-bike is classed as a twist-and-go EPAC.

These twist-and-go EPACs require type approval (which the manufacturer or importer should do) and registering with the DVLA to be ridden legally.

You can tell if a twist-and-go EPAC has been type approved, as it will have a plate showing its type approval number.

How do you charge an electric bike battery?

Most electric bikes use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, which can be charged at home.

Most Li-ion batteries discharge over time, even if the bike and battery are turned off.

Leaving a battery completely discharged can affect how long it can last before needing to be replaced – the long-term life of the battery – and some manufacturers won’t cover the battery under warranty if it’s been left in a discharged condition.

We advise you to charge the battery at least once a month, even if you’re not using the bike.

It's also important to do so safely to avoid fire risks. While e-bike battery failures are low, the best practice when charging your e-bike battery is:

• Always unplug when it's fully charged and don't leave it charging overnight
• Use the manufacturer-approved charger and battery for the bike, and don't use a third-party one
• Don't cover the charger or battery while it's plugged in, as it could lead to overheating
• Don't leave the battery near other heat sources
• If you leave the battery outside during hot weather, leave it in a shaded and well-ventilated area to avoid overheating.
• Don't use the battery if it appears to be damaged
• If you spot any wear or tear on the charger, replace it with an official replacement charger from a reputable retailer
• In the event of a lithium-ion battery fire, don't try to put it out – get out of the house and call 999

National Fire Chief Council – get more battery charging and storage advice for e-bikes