There’s an electric version of pretty much every type of bike these days. Whether you’re after a small-wheeled folder to take on the train or a great hulking cargo bike to carry a couple of kids, you can (and in the latter case, almost certainly should) get your hands on a version that has an electric motor.
- Tenways CGO600 Classic
- Estarli e28.X
- MiRiDER 16 GB3
- Mako Shark
- Tern Vektron Q9
- Giant Explore E+ Pro 1 GTS
- Tern GSD S10
- Orbea Diem 10
- Electric road bikes
- Electric mountain bikes
Yes, some types of bike benefit from power assistance more than others, but e-bikes bring advantages whether you’re commuting, running errands or just simply riding for fun. The following list of bikes is consequently very broad, but we’ve included links to relevant sections if you feel that one in particular lends itself to the kind of riding you’ll most likely be doing.
It’s worth emphasising that all of these bikes have been thoroughly tested by our reviewers, who rate them for build quality, ride performance and value for money. We aren’t half-hearted about this – we put a lot of miles in. This means you can find a lot more detail about each bike if you click through to any of the individual reviews.
All of these e-bikes scored 9/10, except one, which we’ll start with…
Tenways CGO600 Classic Edition
£999 | Buy for £999 from Tenways
Why it shines: A motor and battery unavoidably add to the cost of an electric bike over an unassisted one. The Tenways CGO600 is consequently the only sub-£1,000 e-bike we’d strongly recommend. We scored it 8/10 when it was £1,339, but at its current, seemingly permanently discounted price of £999, it’s honestly without competition. It’s a sleek, single-speed commuter with a belt drive and a double-sided torque sensor that helps deliver smooth, quiet power from a MiVice hub motor. The 250Wh battery is relatively small, but this does keep the bike’s weight down to an impressively low 16kg.
Ideal for: Riders looking for an affordable, low-hassle city bike that blends into the crowd and handles daily commutes with ease. With just one gear, it’s simple to ride and even simpler to maintain. The £1,199 New Edition gets more concealed cabling, an updated display and an integrated rear light on the mudguard. If you’d like a larger (and removable battery), the CGO600 Pro will set you back £1,599. The somewhat confusingly-named CGO600 Plus (£1,699) sheds the belt drive in favour of a chain and derailleur gearing and actually has a completely different motor.
See also: The best electric bikes for under £1,000
Estarli e28.X
£1,895 | Buy for £1,895 from Estarli
Why it shines: The Estarli e28.X is a well equipped urban e-bike that offers an innovative and refined ride at an impressively affordable price. Available with either a diamond or step-through frame, it’s again a belt drive model, but crucially this time the motor features dual-speed gearing to make life easier when setting off or riding uphill. Two gears might not sound a lot, but it really does make the e28.X so much easier to get along with.
Ideal for: Commuters in towns and cities who want something reliable, stylish and smooth that isn’t troubled by the odd minor incline.
See also: The pros and cons of belt drive e-bikes + a few recommendations based on our testing
MiRiDER 16 GB3
£2,495 | Buy for £2,495 from MiRiDER
Why it shines: The upgraded GB3 version of the MiRiDER 16 (also sometimes referred to as the MiRiDER One) packs serious utility into a compact, folding package. This version features a 3-speed geared hub, as well as a belt drive and a punchy motor that can also be controlled with a throttle. The magnesium frame keeps its weight down to a manageable 19kg, while the 252Wh battery can deliver 30–40 miles per charge. Responsive handling and a colour display complete the package.
Ideal for: Riders who want a folding bike that performs like a full-sized one. The nippy (and legal) throttle that provides immediate access to full power is a particular highlight.
See also: The best electric commuter bikes
Mako Shark
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£2,600 | Buy for £2,300 from Shark Bikes
Why it shines: The Mako Shark is built around the highly respected Bafang M420 mid-drive motor, offering 80Nm of torque and solid hill-climbing ability. This is paired with 8-speed hub gearing and a clean, quiet and durable Gates carbon belt. The 540Wh battery, full commuter kit (rack, mudguards, lights) and suspension fork complete an affordable yet high performance town runaround.
Ideal for: Riders who want the benefits of a mid-drive, a low-maintenance drivetrain and a full set of commuting features at a competitive price.
See also: Step-through frame e-bikes: what benefits do they offer and which one should you go for?
Tern Vektron Q9
£2,999 | Buy for £2,999 from E-Bikes Direct
Why it shines: Unlike most folding e-bikes, the Vektron Q9 doesn’t compromise on ride quality. It features a Bosch Active Line mid-motor and Shimano 9-speed gears, while the rear cargo rack (which is child seat compatible) means it’s a multi-purpose mini hauler. At 22kg, it’s not the lightest, but you can wheel it around folded and store it on its end.
Ideal for: Urban dwellers with limited storage or mixed-mode commutes who want a proper bike feel and greater cargo capability in a folding format.
See also: The best electric folding bikes
Giant Explore E+ Pro 1 GTS
£3,799 | Buy for £2,699 from Winstanleys Bikes
Why it shines: The Giant Explore E+ Pro 1 GTS is a long-range, do-it-all trekking e-bike built around Giant’s Yamaha-produced SyncDrive Pro 2 mid-drive motor (85Nm) and a huge 800Wh battery. The system is unusually smooth, adjusting assistance according to pedalling effort. Suspension forks, fast-rolling tyres and a full range of accessories mean it’s well set up for both adventure and fast commuting.
Ideal for: Tourers and serious commuters who want a rugged, high-range electric bike capable of everything from navigating city traffic to tackling countryside trails.
See also: The best electric hybrid bikes
Tern GSD S10 (Gen 3)
£5,900 | Buy for £5,900 from The Electric Bike Shop
Why it shines: The Tern GSD is, to our mind, still the best example of what an e-bike can be. Compact and capable, this third generation version can now carry up to 210kg and yet it’s still small enough to fit in a hallway. If you want to carry an adult passenger or a couple of kids, you of course need a good motor. Bosch’s Cargo Line motor makes light work of heavy loads, while Tern’s modular accessory range (child seats, weather covers, panniers) provides serious flexibility. If you want the greatest number of features and cargo options built into a superb-quality bike, you won’t be disappointed.
Ideal for: Families who need a car-replacing cargo hauler that still fits in a (relatively) tight space.
See also: The best electric cargo bikes
Orbea Diem 10
£5,299 | Buy for £5,299 from Orbea
Why it shines: The Diem 10 is Orbea’s take on the high-end urban e-bike. It combines elegant design with a Shimano EP801 mid-motor to offer strong, efficient support without sacrificing aesthetics. Integrated lighting and internal cabling combine with practical design touches like a rear rack and upright geometry to create a distinctive e-bike that comes across as both premium and purposeful.
Ideal for: Design-conscious urban riders who want cutting-edge performance and good looks in a practical, day-to-day city bike.
See also: The best electric hybrid bikes
What about electric road bikes?
We don’t actually test huge numbers of e-road bikes here at ebiketips and while we’ve certainly had some very good ones in, we can’t currently point to an out-and-out favourite that’s head and shoulders above the rest.
You can however take a look at a few options in our guide to electric road bikes.
What about electric mountain bikes?
A similar story really. The Whyte Elyte 140 Works, which we loved, has been updated with a different motor since we reviewed it, so we can’t really point you towards that one any more.
Take a look at our guide to electric mountain bikes if you’re after something for more serious off-roading.
