An electric bike offers the chance to explore from a whole new perspective.
The best electric bikes in the world come with the chance to speed up your commute or cycle around your local area and beyond without breaking a sweat. An e-bike can open up all sorts of possibilities. Today, you can even find some of the best electric bikes under $1,000.
Distances that might have previously seemed tough become easy with an e-bike. Plenty of 2021’s best electric bikes come complete with high-rise handlebars allowing you to tackle any kind of terrain or go off-road without having to swap wheels.
There are so many reasons to invest in an electric bike this year.
Perfect for commuting, these bikes can make the journey to work an almost effortless one and can, in particularly busy city centres, even be faster than driving. In London, the average speed a car travels is 7.4mph. It’s easily possible to hit speeds of 15mph on an electric bike, halving the time spent on the road. And that’s without having to bring a change of clothes.
It’s also a great chance to squeeze in a quick workout. Many electric bikes allow you to switch up the power from a relaxing jaunt with top level of assisted pedalling to a building-up-a-sweat level of exertion for a new challenge.
And, of course, it’s a far more sustainable option for getting around. More and more people are switching to electric bikes in urban areas to do their bit for climate change. Swapping from four wheels to two is an easy way to do just that.
In a rush? Here’s our editorial selection of the top three best electric bikes available right now:
The 15 best luxury electric bikes of 2021
- ANCHEER 20MPH Ebike: Best overall electric bike
- ANCHEER 26″ Electric Bicycle: Best value electric bike
- Ride1Up LMT’D: Best premium electric bike
- SWAGTRON Swagcycle EB5: Best foldable electric bike
- Hicient: Best electric mountain bike
- Angotrade: Most versatile electric bike
- ANCHEER Folding Electric Commuter: Best electric bike for the money
- Priority Embark: Best electric road bike
- ANCHEER 20″: Best lightweight electric bike
- Speedrid fatbike: Best fat tire electric bike
- ECOTRIC 26″: Best beach electric bike
- ECOTRIC Snow Ebike: Best snow electric bike
- ANCHEER 27.5”: Best electric hybrid bike
- Speedrid Folding Ebike: Best electric bike for commuting
- ANCHEER e-cruiser: Best vintage electric bike
Check our special electric bicycle buyers’ guide after the list to see exactly what you should pay attention to before purchasing an e-bike. We also share our editors’ methodology to test and review the best electric bikes of the year, so you can shop with confidence.
ANCHEER 20MPH Ebike: Best overall electric bike
Smooth yet powerful ride. Easy on the road yet very capable on rugged terrain. The ANCHEER 20MPH Ebike easily wins over the overall best electric bike of 2021 category.
The brand is rapidly becoming one of the most popular ebike manufacturers in the world with a range of well-built and fairly-priced models. We picked the ANCHEER 20MPH Ebike as our winner because of its versatility, ease of use, and affordable price.
The bike comes equipped with a 350W high-speed brushless motor. That’s more than enough power for your daily commute, a cruise on the mountain, or a meander along your favourite trail.
On full ebike mode, the motor reaches an average speed of 20 mph. You can also select an assisted mode with four different power options, or a normal bike mode with the electric motor fully off. A small controller on the bike’s handlebar lets you easily change modes according to your needs.
The ANCHEER 20MPH Ebike has a 36V 10.4Ah Lithium-Ion battery attached to its frame. The battery is removable and can reach a range of up to 40 miles per charge. You can recharge the battery on or off the bike.
The entire bike is made of a high-quality Aluminum Alloy. The frame is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre yet solid and durable. The rims are made of double-walled Aluminum Alloy to offer greater durability and a faster ride with less drag. On the front wheel, you’ll find a powerful suspension fork to ensure riding comfort across all terrain.
When ordering online, this electric bicycle arrives 85% assembled. You can choose to finish the assembly yourself (ANCHEER has online video guides to help you along the way) or request an assembly service from Amazon if you prefer that a professional do it for you.
ANCHEER 26″ Electric Bicycle: Best value electric bike
As the winner of our best value electric bicycle of the year, the ANCHEER 26″ Electric Mountain Bike comes in at a far more accessible price point than most on the market. But its low price should all but be ignored when it comes to the quality and versatility of this e-bike, which boasts a lightweight frame and robust design.
The ANCHEER comes with a very capable 250W high-speed brushless motor. Ride it in pedal-assist or full throttle mode to hit speeds of 20mph if pedalling alongside the engine.
The ANCHEER’s motor comes with three working modes, so you can select how much assistance you want, from light assistance to full ebike. It’s a bike that’s easy to control and straightforward to engage with multiple riding modes.
Alongside its low cost, this bike combines comfort, range, compatibility and size, making it a strong choice for a first electric bike without investing too much money. It’s available in three different colour sets.
No wonder it’s the best selling EV bike on Amazon!
Ride1Up LMT’D: Best premium electric bike
We like to call the Ride1Up LMT’D “the Tesla of e-bikes”. With its powerful 1000W peak electric motor, upgraded LCD display, and high-quality materials throughout, the Ride1Up LMT’D is more than deserving the premium electric bike category winning title. You’ll be surprised that its price remains affordable for the segment, however. Ride1Up is indeed known for designing some of the best value electric bikes on the market, and the LMT’D is no exception.
The LMT’D was designed almost as a car replacement, offering up to 50 miles of pure electric ride on a single charge using the higher levels of pedal assist. It can reach speeds of 28mph. It’s a bike made with extreme attention to detail, with a similar setup to a motorcycle and fast acceleration to match.
Costing just a little over $1,000, it’s full to the brim with impressive features like a high-speed brushless motor and a battery capacity twice as powerful as most of the other bikes on the market. The large capacity Samsung Lithium battery is hidden inside the bike’s frame, boasting a stealthy look with no exposed wires.
The Ride1Up LMT’D’s body is made of a lightweight alloy, all the internal circuits are protected and the electronics are locked in. The ebike also comes with Schwalbe Super-Moto X tires, an RST Asteria air fork, dual-piston Tektro Hydraulic brakes, and a comfortable silicone saddle. It’s available in midnight grey or desert and sand.
SWAGTRON Swagcycle EB5: Best foldable electric bike
SWAGTRON’s Swagcycle EB5 folding ebike offers everything you could want from an electric bike with the added bonus of it being easily portable. SWAGTRON is a brand known for making some of the best selling electric scooters and hoverboards online. With the Swagcycle EB5, they’re applying their expertise to the world of electric bicycles with great effect.
It’s an incredibly easy bike to own, from its lightweight frame to its “neutral” balance, making it simple to carry up a flight of stairs. It’s a great starter bike for someone branching into the electric bike world who wants something easy to manoeuvre and equally as easy to ride.
The geometry of this bike means virtually anyone between 4ft 10in and 6ft 7in can ride it comfortably. It’s lightweight but durable, combining a smooth and stable journey with a clever design.
It can reach speeds of 15mph on battery power alone and easily packs into a compact bag. It folds up small without any exposed pieces, meaning there’s no chance of accidentally smearing oil as it’s transported. With most components and connections integrated into the frame, it’s a great urban bike and perfect for commuting.
Another bonus: The SWAGTRON Swagcycle EB5 is so compact that it comes pre-assembled. No need to figure out how to build it yourself. Unpack it and it’s ready to ride right away.
Hicient: Best electric mountain bike
It can be hard to find an electric bike that fits the brief of combining all of the top features of a traditional e-bike with all of the additional features of a mountain bike. But Hicient’s electric mountain bike does just that, pulling together all of the factors to create a top-quality mountain e-bike.
With a powerful electric motor and a class-leading range, the Hicient’s bike allows any mountain biker to sail through the more strenuous parts of the journey while making the fun parts all the more interesting.
It’s a popular choice on the market that’s known for its outstanding battery life, whisper-quiet motor and climbing performance. It offers great control on uneven terrain with a reputation for helping bikers climb uphill and descent back downhill with ease.
The low centre of gravity and the position of the motor allow for stability and agility when travelling downhill and the weight of the bike helps when cycling in particularly loose conditions. The Hicient bicycle comes with a classic 21-speed gear and premium disc brakes for reliable shifting, powerful braking, and an overall comfortable mountain bike experience.
Angotrade: Most versatile electric bike
Angotrade is one of the best electric bike brands on the market and, with this latest release, the brand has somehow improved on its offerings. Angotrade’s 26″ folding mountain offers advanced electronics and sleek design to make it one of the best picks on the market for those looking for a strong allrounder for endless occasions.
The Angotrade bike comes in slightly cheaper than other models from the brand. Yet, we think it’s also their most versatile electric bike. It offers smooth automatic shifting, mechanical front and rear disc brake, and a 21-speed Shimano professional transmission system. And, of course, it’s hundreds of dollars cheaper than its predecessor.
Its edgy design is complemented by its tech-heavy features, with a monitor implanted into its crossbar, and a pouch on the front to carry an extra battery if you want.
Ride it in high-power mode to hit top speeds of 22mph with minimum effort or cycle without pedal assist fairly easily, despite the 20kg frame. It promises a range of 93 miles when riding in Economy mode or 37 miles when riding with full power. It has sufficient power for tackling hills or getting started pedalling. It also only takes about four hours to charge fully.
ANCHEER Folding Electric Commuter: Best electric bike for the money
Another excellent offering from best selling electric bike brand ANCHEER, the Folding Electric Commuter is an amazing value for money. It offers all the essentials features you would expect from an expensive electric bike but at a fraction of the price.
You wouldn’t know it’s the cheapest electric bike on our list by just looking at it.
First, you can buy with confidence knowing that the ANCHEER brand is the top-rated bicycle brand on Amazon. Reviewed by thousands of cyclists, ANCHEER’s bikes are among the best bikes on the market today.
With this model, you’re not sacrificing quality for the price, though. The bike is made of high-quality materials that are lightweight yet durable. It’s foldable in just a few seconds, so you can easily store it away when not in use.
The battery is also removable, which we like for extra safety. You can recharge it on the bike or off the bike, whichever you prefer.
Priority Embark: Best electric road bike
A smooth and quiet ride is exactly what you’ll get from the Priority Embark electric bike. Much like many other bikes produced by the brand, the focus is on ease of riding and low maintenance while offering a high-quality journey and a sleek look. Perfect for your next road trip!
The Embark is a sporty e-bike that combines features from a mountain bike and a commuter’s bike. It’s a great allrounder that feels light when accelerating and is easy to peddle, even when doing most of the manual work.
The frame is made of Hyfromed aluminium tubing, making it a sturdy choice without being too heavy. Its central motor position allows for easy balancing and offers a lower centre of gravity. It comes in 3 different size options: 17″, 19″, or a 21″ frame size making it a satisfying choice that’s comfortable for many riders.
It’s possible to ride this e-bike in two different styles: comfort or performance. The latter offers a longer stem for a more efficient riding experience while the former has a more comfortable and upright stem, suitable for shorter distances.
It has four different levels of pedal assist and can hit speeds of up to 20mph.
ANCHEER 20″: Best lightweight electric bike
With an aluminium frame and a removable battery, the ANCHEER 20″ is the perfect e-bike for those who don’t want to lug a heavy bicycle around. The ANCHEER 20″ weighs just about 50lbs but this drops even further when the battery is removed.
ANCHEER is known for being a popular brand online and offers a stylish bike with plenty of impressive features. It boasts electrical assist up to 17mph and a 7-speed transmission gearbox for an almost-maintenance-free drive system.
When the battery and motor are removed – easily, by dropping out of the downtube – the bike can be ridden as a standard model. It’s an excellent option for those who want a versatile bike both with and without power.
Speedrid fatbike: Best fat tire electric bike
Looking for the riding comfort of a fatbike with the assistance of an electric motor? Check the Speedrid fatbike. With its powerful 500W electric motor, upgraded LCD display, and high-quality materials throughout, the Speedrid fatbike is more than deserving of winning our best fat tire electric bike award — no wonder the model is in such high demand online.
The Speedrid was designed to ride effortlessly through snow, sand, or muddy terrain.
Costing just short of $1,000, it’s full to the brim with impressive features like a 48V high-speed brushless motor and a battery capacity twice as powerful as most on the market. It’s heavier than average, at 59lbs (27 kg), but makes up for that weight with plenty of innovative elements.
The Speedrid has a powerful double layer aluminium alloy wheel rim and uses a high-strength carbon steel front fork to absorb shocks better. The fat tires can take you from the road to the off-road whenever you feel like it.
ECOTRIC 26″: Best beach electric bike
Another winner in the fat tires category, the ECOTRIC 26″ is our favourite electric bike to ride on the beach or any other sandy surface.
With its powerful 500W electric motor and extra-large tires, the ECOTRIC 26″ is easy to ride on the road too if you want. It’s a great all-weather bike that can be used even throughout the winter in snowy conditions. Make sure to pull on extra layers to keep you warm, however, as you might get cold driving at 20 mph on pure electric power.
On the handlebar, you’ll find an extra-large display to show your speed and the mode in which you’re engaged. You can easily switch between the three different assist mode with a dedicated button on the left.
ECOTRIC Snow Ebike: Best snow electric bike
At a price slightly higher than the ECOTRIC 26″, the ECOTRIC Snow Ebike brings a stylish look in stealth black and more power with its 1000W electric motor. If you can shed the extra cash, you’ll love the look of this bike (and the look on everyone’s face around you).
ECOTRIC’s Snow Ebike brings reliable shock-absorbing suspension and robust mountain tires to go off-road or to the office. When fully charged, the battery will easily take you over 25 miles. The exact range will vary based on how much assistance you require from the electric motor.
This bike ships 90% assembled, so you’ll have to put in a little extra work to finish it up. Alternatively, you can request a professional to do it for you if you order from Amazon.
ANCHEER 27.5″: Best electric hybrid bike
Hybrid bikes bridge the gap between standard bikes and mountain bikes. Add some electricity to the mix, and the result is an e-bike that can tackle almost every terrain. The best on the market is ANCHEER’s 27.5″. With great styling and an integrated battery, it’s a bike that’s not intimidating for beginners with a variety of driving modes.
It boasts a 30 miles range when used in assist mode. The hybrid nature of the bike means its brakes are incredibly responsive, and it’s a smooth and balanced bike to ride on long distances.
ANCHEER’s 27.5″ looks almost indistinguishable from non-powered counterparts, making it the perfect choice for anyone who would prefer to ride a more understated vehicle. It features one of the best LCD displays with an upgraded panel for more readability while riding.
Its inbuilt technology makes climbing hills an easy task, and the motor will cancel out any wind resistance when pedalling into a strong headwind. It reaches a maximum speed of 20mph and remains relatively easy to cycle once the battery runs out thanks to its lightweight frame.
Speedrid Folding Ebike: Best electric bike for commuting
With everything from a powerful 500W motor, large capacity battery, and a sleek and foldable design, Speedrid has created an electric bike that’s become many a commuter’s best friend with this Folding Ebike. This smart, light bike runs smoothly on the road and has plenty of commuter-friendly features while remaining at an accessible price point.
With speeds up to 22 mph, you can ride in all-electric mode to your office in the morning or use the electric motor to get an extra boost when powering through traffic jams.
Commuters stuck in their cars will look at you with envy.
Once in the office, you can easily detach the battery to recharge it at your desk. Alternatively, you can leave it on your bike and plug it in through the night at home if you prefer. When fully charged, the battery offers up to 22 miles on average.
ANCHEER e-cruiser: Best vintage electric bike
Electric bikes can be quirky as well as being technologically jam-packed. Combining the past and the future on two wheels, the e-cruiser by ANCHEER offers all of the features of a standard e-bike but with kitsch aesthetics and a vintage colourway to create an electric bike with a difference.
The battery is smartly tucked away underneath the rear shelf. You wouldn’t know it’s an electric bicycle by looking at it. It also makes it even easier to remove the battery if you prefer to charge it off the bike.
Along with being one of the most unique looking electric bikes on the market, the ANCHEER e-cruiser is an excellent option for commuters with its quiet motor for a seamless journey on the road.
It offers speed and confidence with a 250-watt drivetrain. It comes in two colour options (black or white) and a standard 26 inches aluminium frame.
Which electric bike is best for your lifestyle?
Whatever your lifestyle demands, there’s an electric bike on the market for you. Perhaps you want an easily liftable bike for commuting or one that’s fast and can tackle hills without a problem.
When choosing the e-bike that’s perfect for you, take into account factors like:
- How often will you be using the bike? Daily? Weekly? Every so often?
- What will you primarily be using it for? Commuting? Exploring? Or something else?
- What speeds are you hoping to hit? With this in mind, make sure to research the maximum legal speed in your country.
- What sort of terrain will you be cycling on?
- Do you want a front or rear motor drive e-bike?
- Do you need a bike that folds and is easily portable?
Our methodology to select and rank the best electric bikes of the year
Although the best electric bike is the one that suits you and your lifestyle, there are a few different factors to take into consideration when choosing a list of strong contenders.
Firstly, we looked at the offerings of some of the most popular cycling companies in the world. Then, we branched out our search to take into account other companies that might not specialise in electric bikes, but had released one or more highly ranked vehicles.
We also looked at the range and charging time of each e-bike, the quality and positioning of its motor, the variety of sizes and heights available and also the price of each bike.
Frequently asked questions about electric bikes
The best electric bikes are those with a long range, powerful motor, strong battery life and lightweight body. Most popular electric bikes have a rear or centre drive motor and offer the ability to remove the battery for easy transportation.
The overall best electric bikes are made by ANCHEER. These bikes are often in high demand and offer smooth Bosch motors and seamlessly shifting gears. Despite their impressive power, they’re low maintenance bikes that are great for everything from commuting to weekend cycles.
Rear drive electric bikes are generally better than front motor drive electric bikes as the drivetrain directly connects to the rear motor. This offers a better-positioned centre of gravity and more power behind the wheel. Front drive e-bikes can struggle climbing hills and tend to have traction problems at low speeds.
