Best electric bikes 2024

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.

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

We found five electric bikes that impressed enough to be Which? Best Buys and several we reckon are really Great Value. 

The best electric bikes

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

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All 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 under £1000 we've tested and reviewed. 

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Apollo Metis Electric Bike

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Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range 10-15 miles

Measured weight 21.4kg

Rider heights 5ft 2in (S frame) to 6ft 0in (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

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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

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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 (max load 25kg)

Basis Dorchester Electric Bike

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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 (max load 18kg)

Carrera Vengeance Electric Mountain Bike 2.0

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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 eight-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

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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 nine-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

Elops Electric City Bike 120E

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Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 34 miles

Weight 26kg

Rider heights 5ft 2in to 6ft 2in

Motor Elops KM790, rear hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 313Wh/4-5 hours

Need to know B'Twin display, cadence sensor, three assistance levels, Shimano six-speed gears with twist shifter, V-brakes, 28-inch wheels, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (max load 27kg)

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

E-move Premium Electric Bike

Available from Argos (men's frame) (£475), Argos (women's frame) (£475)

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Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 18 miles

Weight 19.5kg

Rider heights 30-34in inside leg measurements

Motor Not stated, rear hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time not stated, non-removable/4 hours

Key features LED display, three assistance levels, seven-speed gears with clicker shifter, disc brakes, 28-inch wheels, quick release seat clamp and front wheel

Giant Ease-E+ 2 (2021) Electric Bike

Available from Giant (£1,649)

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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 eight-speed gears with clicker shifter, V-brakes, 29-inch wheels, kickstand, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (max 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)

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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 nine-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand, built-in front light, rear luggage carrier (max load not stated)

Giant Talon E+ Sport (2022) Electric Mountain Bike

Available from Giant (£2,499)

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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 nine-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, quick release seat post

Muddyfox Electric Avenue Hybrid Bike

Available from Evans Cycles (£629), Muddy Fox (£1,100)

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Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range 15-17 miles

Weight 18.7kg

Rider heights 5ft 1in (S frame) to 6ft 0in (L frame)

Motor Muddyfox, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 230Wh non-removable/3-3.5 hours

Need to know LED display, three assistance levels, single-speed gear, mechanical disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, other colours available

Pendleton Somerby-E Electric Hybrid Bike

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Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range 25-30 miles

Weight 22kg

Rider heights 5ft 1in (17" frame) to 6ft 1in (19" 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 eight-speed gears with clicker shifter, V-brakes, 29-inch wheels, kickstand, rear luggage carrier, other colours available

Pure Free City Electric Bike

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Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 28 miles

Measured weight 20.9kg

Rider heights 5ft 7in to 6ft 2in

Motor Pure, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 313Wh/6 hours

Need to know LED display, three assistance levels, Shimano Tourney seven-speed gears with twist shifter, V-brakes, 28-inch wheels, quick release saddle and front wheel, kickstand, built-in front light rear luggage carrier (max load 25kg)

Raleigh Array Electric Hybrid Bike

Available from Eco-move (£1,199) (Out of stock)

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Most recently tested April 2023

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 60 miles

Weight 23kg

Rider heights 5ft 0in (S frame) to 6ft 1in (L frame)

Motor Suntour, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 400Wh/5 hours

Need to know Suntour OLED display, four assistance levels, Shimano seven-speed gears with clicker shifter, mechanical disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front suspension, kickstand, quick release seat clamp and front wheel, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier

Raleigh Felix+ Electric Bike

Available from Halfords (£1,499) (out of stock), Raleigh (£1,799) (Out of stock)

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Most recently tested April 2024

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

Measured weight 23.5kg

Rider heights 5ft 4in to 5ft 9in

Motor Bosch Active Line Plus, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 400Wh/6.5 hours

Need to know Bosch Intuvia LCD display, torque sensor, four assistance levels, Shimano Acera eight-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 28-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand, quick release seat clamp, built-in front and rear lights, rear luggage carrier (max load 25kg), other colours available

Rockrider E-ST 100 Electric Mountain Bike

Available from Decathlon (£699.99)

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Most recently tested May 2022

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 31 miles

Weight 22.5kg

Rider heights 4ft 9in to 6ft 6in (men), 4ft 9in to 6ft (women)

Motor Vision, rear-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 380Wh/6 hours

Need to know B'Twin LCD display, cadence sensor, three assistance levels, eight-speed gears with clicker shifter, mechanical disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front suspension, quick release seat clamp

Make sure your bike is night-ready and can be locked securely with our guides to Best bike lights and Best bike locks

Rockrider E-ST 900 Electric Mountain Bike

Available from Decathlon (£1,699)

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Most recently tested April 2024

Manufacturer's claimed range Up to 43 miles

Measured weight 23kg

Rider heights 5ft 3in (S frame) to 6ft 1in (XL frame)

Motor Brose Drive T, mid-hub

Battery sizes/claimed charging time 500Wh/6 hours

Need to know Brose Comfort LCD display, four assistance levels, Shimano Decore 10-speed gears with clicker shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, quick release seat clamp, doesn't come with allen keys or wrench that's needed to adjust handlebars and attach pedals

Trek Dual Sport+ 2 (2023) Electric Bike

Available from Trek (£2,025)

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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 nine-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 (£2,500)

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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 nine-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) (£2,000), Trek (crossbar frame) (£2,025)

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Most recently tested April 2024

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 eight-speed gears with twist shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, 27.5-inch wheels, front-wheel suspension, kickstand, built-in front light, rear luggage carrier (max load 25kg), other colours available

Volt London Urban Electric Bike

Available from Volt (£2,299)

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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

The best electric bikes under £1,000

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The best electric mountain bikes

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How we test electric bikes

We test e-bikes from key UK retailers such as Halfords, Decathlon and Argos.

We focus on lower-priced bikes (around £2,500 or under) from top brands, including Giant, Trek and Cube.

We buy all the electric-bikes we test and we regularly revisit the e-bikes on sale to see if there are new and popular models that need testing. When we find them, we do.

Motor and ride quality

• Our testers – of various ages, heights and genders – 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 evaluate each bike for comfort (on and off-road), manoeuvrability and handling tight turns.
• They also rate each bike's display, motor controls, gears and brakes.
• We take each e-bike up Brooklands Museum's test hill – which has fixed gradients – to see how they handle shallow and steep inclines.
• The best electric bikes can climb very steep 25% gradients, and some are even able to hill start on them.
• The best electric bikes are comfortable to ride over potholes and rough ground, easy to handle, with clear displays and good controls – in other words, a joy to ride.

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 e-bike travels after the brakes are applied at 15.5mph.
• While brakes can be adjusted, our tests assess how good they are out-of-the-box.
• The best have responsive brakes with short stopping distances. They are also quieter, and the triggers don't need squeezing all the way in to activate.

Ease of use and build quality

• Each electric 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 assessment on the overall quality of the e-bike, including the 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

There's no single value for the range of an electric bike that is accurate or useful for everyone.

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 a general rule of thumb, the bigger the battery, the further you'll go on a single charge. 

We provide the manufacturers' claimed ranges, but with the following advice:

• Some only give an 'up-to' estimate. These are an absolute maximum and are usually based on ideal riding conditions (smooth surfaces, no wind etc.).
• 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.

Find out more about how Which? is not influenced by product manufacturers or retailers and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

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, on average, is 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 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 are over the age of 14
• The motor has a maximum power output of 250 watts
• 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, like 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 that 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 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 (e.g. carbon fibre) and larger batteries typically appear on pricier models.

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 - don't leave it charging overnight
• Use the manufacturer-approved charger and battery for the bike - don't go third-party
• Don't cover the charger or battery while it's plugged in - 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 – for more battery charging and storage advice for e-bikes