Best Cheap Electric Bikes | These Bikes Won’t Break the Bank

While Lectric’s e-bikes have long been known to deliver incredible value, we can’t deny that our jaws hit the floor with this one. Not only has the base model’s price of $999 been carried over from the previous generation (in spite of huge upgrades and political turmoil), but its performance matched, and sometimes exceeded, bikes that cost two or three times more.

The XP4 is truly among the best budget-friendly e-bikes we’ve tested. It’s one of the lowest-priced e-bikes we’ve seen that boast coveted features such as a torque sensor, integrated turn signals, custom quick-release pedals, a color display, and a custom hydraulic brake system.

It also features a sturdy frame that comes in both a high-step and step-thru design. Both versions come equipped with a cargo rack with an impressive 150-lb capacity, making the XP4 suitable for carrying groceries, a laptop bag, or even a passenger. It also fits a broad range of riders from 4’10” to 6’3”, offering a comfortable ride to short and tall users alike.

We found the base model to be well-equipped with its capable 500W motor, 499 Wh battery, custom brake system, front suspension, and responsive pedal assist system. Shoppers willing to shell out a bit more cash can pick up an upgraded 750W model that also includes a larger battery, a suspension seatpost, and a wider range of color options.

Regardless of which version you choose, we can’t emphasize enough how great a buy the XP4 is!

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One of the absolute highlights of recent years was the Ride1UP Portola. The brand swung for the fences on its first-ever folding e-bike, and it absolutely nailed a home run in the attempt!

Ride1UP equipped a 750W motor onto a small folding e-bike while giving it all it needed for a great ride. It has a reinforced folding stem that largely eliminates the notorious wobble many folders have. It also has great handling with a low center of gravity on its 20” tires, which helps you take advantage of the 130-lb carrying capacity of the welded-on rear rack.

That’s right, this can be a folding e-bike for two with the optional buddy package!

The Portola didn’t skimp on much of anything and evoked some “holy crap” comments from the review team when breaking down its value. You get 80mm suspension from the fork, hydraulic brakes with 180mm rotors, an 8-speed cassette with rapid-fire shifters, fenders, and finally front and rear lights. In short, it’s extremely well-equipped for its price.

So what’s the catch? The stock battery is on the small side, but still capable of 16-mile rides on max power from our testing. If you’re willing to drop another $100, you can get nearly 30% more juice to make it ride further.

Whether you’re looking for an e-bike that’ll fit in your trunk, tuck away discreetly in the garage, or you just like insanely good value propositions on a bike that happens to fold, then look no further than the Portola as the best cheap folding electric bike.

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We praised the second-gen Soltera for its responsive pedal assist system; as a lightweight city e-bike, its style meshed perfectly with the bike’s torque sensor and pedal-pressure-dependent power output. With the Soltera 2.5, Aventon has tweaked and upgraded the bike to improve its comfort and performance, while maintaining an incredibly affordable price point.

In contrast with many e-bikes in its category that place their rider in an aggressive forward lean, the Soltera 2.5 has more upright and relaxed geometry. Coupled with the bike’s compact handlebars and ergonomic rubber grips, we found the Soltera’s ride to be comfortable, crisp, and precise.

The Soltera weighs in at 46 lbs, making it one of the lightest and most portable full-size e-bikes on our list. Whether you’ll need to carry your bike up to a second-story apartment or are seeking options that are easy to load onto a vehicle rack, the Soltera 2.5 is decidedly on the more manageable side for an e-bike. The bike’s low weight also adds to its agile handling!

Priced between $1k and $1500 (at the time of writing), this is a well-equipped e-bike that offers excellent value. The Soltera 2.5’s hydraulic disc brakes, integrated turn signals, color display, Bluetooth connectivity, and three sizing options allow us to consider it a smart buy for cost savings, safety, and performance.

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The original Discover 1 was the e-bike that helped propel Velotric to success by offering comfort, solid performance, and great color options at an affordable price. The brand improved upon that foundation with the Discover 1 Plus primarily by making the bike more customizable in both its fit and speed.

We found the bike to be peppy and easy to pedal; the cadence-sensor-activated 500W motor can quickly carry riders up to preset speed limits as determined by the bike’s five pedal assist settings. Users can customize the bike’s maximum speed anywhere between 12 and 28 mph, making the Discover 1 Plus Class 3 capable.

As a city cruiser, it’s comfortable to ride and equally suited to leisurely cruises and commuting. The step-thru frame provides easy access to riders between 5’1” and 6’4”, thanks in part to the Discover’s adjustable stem, which allows for alterations to the handlebar height and riding position. The bike’s weight capacity of up to 440 lbs makes it suitable for larger riders as well.

It’s not uncommon for e-bikes in the Discover 1 Plus’s price range to be limited to compact folding frames or make sacrifices in terms of performance to keep costs low. In our experience, Velotric didn’t cut corners! This bike provides balanced speeds, safe braking, and good range and climbing power for its price.

Did we mention it also comes in a selection of fun and vibrant colors? We think the Discover 1 Plus is a great choice for comfort- and budget-conscious shoppers who want an extra dash of personality.

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The Ride1Up Roadster V3 is light, fast, and remarkably responsive. It also happens to be extremely reasonably priced, making it an easy choice for one of our top picks on this list!

This bike has one of the best examples we’ve tested of a rear-hub motor paired with a torque sensor. The Roadster’s 500W motor is uncommonly powerful for a lightweight city e-bike, and it delivers pedal assistance smoothly and naturally. As a result of this combination, riders can swiftly reach the bike’s maximum speed of 28 mph and pedal over steep hills.

The Roadster V3’s riding position is sporty without feeling too aggressive, while its handling is expectedly crisp and predictable. We loved how effortlessly it felt to carve through corners and weave around obstacles! The bike is available in three frame sizes recommended for riders between 5’2” and 6’4”, with the smallest option being an easily mountable mid-step frame.

Ride1Up equipped the bike with versatile, grippy gravel tires and a 9-speed Microshift drivetrain with a clutched derailleur. These features make it suitable for cruising the streets or hitting light off-road trails. The bike is also available with a single-speed belt drive, offering a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution for those who don’t need the flexibility of a wider gearing range. Both versions also include a throttle!

We think it’s also one of the brand’s cleanest-looking e-bikes to date, and with a weight of around 44 lbs, the Roadster V3 is also one of its most manageable.

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As cheap e-bikes go, the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 is the most affordable e-bike to have ever earned our stamp of approval. It’s simple yet thoughtfully designed to strike a balance between performance and price. Put another way, we wouldn’t have thought it was possible for a bike this cheap to feel and perform as good as it does.

To be clear, there are some tradeoffs for the Lite’s rock-bottom price, though we consider them worthwhile and well-mitigated. For example, riders can rely on the pedal assist system for more power to make up for the limitations of the bike’s single-speed drivetrain. Additionally, while the bike doesn’t include fenders or a cargo rack, Lectric did manage to squeeze in integrated lights for safety and visibility.

As a result, the XP Lite 2.0 has everything most riders will need, along with a simple user interface that makes it well-suited for those new to e-bikes. It’s also relatively lightweight and portable, with a built-in carry handle and an overall weight of around 48 lbs.

With components including hydraulic disc brakes, a color display, and a modest but effective 300W motor and 374-Wh battery, we consider even the base model to be well-equipped. Those with some breathing room in their budget can choose to upgrade to a Gates Carbon belt drive, a long-range battery, or both!

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As e-bikes evolve and new models with upgraded technology are released, previous-generation models get phased out and marked down for a fast sale. This doesn’t mean they’re bad bikes, however; if you’re looking for a great ride that won’t break the bank, clearance sales are an excellent place to shop!

The RadExpand 5 from Rad Power Bikes is one such discounted model. At the time of writing, it can be purchased for around $1k. Not bad for an e-bike with a powerful 750W hub motor, a sizable 672-Wh battery, and some of the best handling we’ve experienced on a folding e-bike with a step-thru frame!

This bike feels extremely stable to ride; 4-inch tires add cushion while helping it to feel planted. It also has great steering control as a result of its BMX-style handlebars and non-telescoping stem. Like all of Rad’s e-bikes, it benefits from controlled power levels that allow riders to get around effectively while feeling safe and approachable.

At roughly 62 lbs, the RadExpand 5 falls into the mid-weight category for a folding e-bike. Despite having a handful of components that aren’t quite as advanced as those on current-gen models, we consider it well outfitted for its time. Its performance backs up that sentiment, with well-balanced programming, solid range, reliable climbing power, and good brakes.

Once this bike is gone, it won’t be coming back! If you’re looking for a safe and reliable classic, we recommend picking one up while it’s still in stock.

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In our experience, Retrospec is a brand with a well-earned reputation for building affordable and value-packed e-bikes. The Chatham Rev 2 is one of the lowest-priced beach cruiser-style bikes we’ve reviewed, and it offers excellent comfort and performance for its price.

Like most cruiser-style e-bikes, it has a retro look, a cushy saddle, swept-back handlebars, and upright rider positioning. As a result, we found the ride to be expectedly relaxed and enjoyable. Retrospec thoughtfully equipped the bike with 3-inch tires, which increased the bike’s stability while moving and smoothed out bumps to make it even more comfortable.

The Chatham Rev 2 is equipped with a 350W hub motor and a cadence sensor. We liked that the motor felt peppier than we expected, with a wide range of power levels, and we found that the low-effort pedal experience complemented the overall casual vibe of the bike. It also did much better than we anticipated in the pedal portion of our strenuous Hill Test!

The bike’s setup has the benefit of being simple to learn and operate while still being effective. To keep costs down, Retrospec equipped the Chatham with a simple LED indicator panel instead of a display, as well as a basic 7-speed drivetrain and mechanical disc brakes. The bike gave us respectable performance across the board, making for a cool, comfortable, and cost-friendly ride!

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The Aventon Pace 500.3 ST gets our nod as the best cheap step-thru (ST) e-bike. For us, it largely comes down to feel; this is a bike that’s easy to mount, comfortable to sit on, and extremely fun to pedal once you’re there.

As a last-gen model marked down for clearance, it’s also selling for a fantastic price at the time of writing!

The Pace 500.3 ST is a stellar e-bike that seamlessly blends together commuter, city, and cruiser elements. Its handling feels graceful and spirited, and its relatively low weight of around 53 lbs makes it easy to maneuver when off the bike, too.

It’s also nice to see multiple frame sizes to choose from, which isn’t often the case when shopping for a cheaper e-bike. The bike’s standover height ranges from just under 16.5” to around 17.5”, depending on frame size, allowing riders to step through the frame instead of swinging a leg all the way over the saddle.

The feel element we mentioned above wasn’t just about handling or sizing. The Pace’s 500W motor provides dialed-in acceleration thanks to the bike’s torque sensor, so riders who pedal with light effort can enjoy a relaxed ride, while those comfortable with more legwork can cruise at swifter speeds. Additionally, the bike has excellent range, with a battery capable of going up to 67 miles on a single charge.

At its current price, the Pace 500.3 ST is well deserving of its place on our list!

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It’s nearly impossible to find any e-bike with a mid-drive motor below the two-thousand-dollar mark, let alone one worth recommending. Heybike managed to pull off such a feat with the Alpha: an affordable, well-equipped, mid-drive fat tire e-bike.

The Alpha has a lot going for it, with a powerful and engaging 500W Mivice mid-drive at its core. This motor, boasting 105 Nm of torque, dishes out pedal assistance in spades, making the bike both quick when needed and easy to pedal uphill.

It’s also one of the lighter fat tire e-bikes we’ve tested, weighing in at a relatively manageable 71 lbs (many exceed 80 lbs and sometimes approach 90). In spite of its lower-than-average weight, the Alpha still manages an impressive 400-lb payload capacity, making both the high-step and step-thru frame styles suitable for heavier riders.

The Alpha scored well across the board in our testing, with solid motor performance, effective braking, and great range in our low-power range test. The bike’s starting assist level offers a practical amount of power while approaching 80 miles on a single charge!

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Another classic model available at a fantastic price, the Velotric Nomad 1 Plus is a comfortable, capable, and approachable fat tire e-bike with lots of personality.

Like a cruiser-style e-bike, the Nomad puts a big focus on comfort. We liked the bike’s mostly upright posture, its cushy saddle, and its ergonomic handlebars, which vary in their curve depending on frame style. The ride itself is well cushioned, thanks to the bike’s suspension fork and 4-inch-wide tires, which help to smooth bumps and rough surfaces.

Thanks to its 750W motor, the bike is plenty capable of handling hills, but its approachable acceleration is a welcome departure from the often punchy feel of many other fat bikes. This sense didn’t change when we adjusted its speed; the Nomad ships as a Class 2 e-bike with a 20 mph limit, but its maximum speed can be adjusted anywhere from 12-28 mph.

Like other Velotric models we’ve tested, the Nomad 1 Plus comes in a variety of unique color options. The bike we tested (pictured above) featured a cool Forest green paint job, while the bike is also available in a muted Indigo Gray, a flashy Mango yellow, and a vibrant Cyan.

The Nomad 1 Plus is a seriously affordable and well-executed fat tire e-bike that doesn’t overcomplicate things. Its user interface and suite of integrated features are relatively basic but cover all the bases; if you’re looking for a colorful and cost-effective bike that doesn’t leave anything out, we highly recommend taking a closer look.

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They say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but in terms of tremendous value, Lectric has struck again with the XPedition 2.0 cargo e-bike. This heavyweight hauler has an incredible payload capacity of up to 450 lbs between the rider and the cargo rack, making it extremely well-suited for family adventures, errand running, delivery work, and more!

The XPedition 2.0 starts at an incredibly reasonable $1400, making it one of the lowest-priced bikes of its style we’ve had our hands on. At that price, one might expect compromises in features or capability, but the XPedition proved it had none of those faults; the bike felt sturdy under load and boasts appreciated elements like a torque sensor and integrated turn signals.

The base model is well equipped with a 750W motor, a generous 624 Wh battery, and extras like a suspension seatpost and seat pads for the cargo rack. Buyers with flexibility in their budget can upgrade to a dual battery or expanded dual long-range battery option for greater range; both upgraded models include more accessories for cargo and/or passengers.

This bike features Lectric’s custom PWR+ programming, which essentially blends the typical feel of e-bikes with torque and cadence sensors. With a relatively high baseline of motor output that also adapts to rider effort, the XPedition is easy to get moving when loaded and delivers more power on demand.

We were big fans of the bike’s look (the Raindrop Blue paint job adds a great splash of color), its overall performance, and its value. Even when purchasing the long-range model, the bike’s battery capacity and included accessories make it an awesome value buy when compared to similarly priced models!

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Cheap moped-style e-bikes don’t often stand out in the visual department; many share cookie-cutter frames that are hard to distinguish from one another. The Retrospec Valen Rev 2 is an affordable moto-style bike with a huge comfort factor and a seriously cool design.

We liked the bike’s thick, extended saddle, which kept our range testers comfortable on long rides. We also liked the bike’s 750W motor, which delivered the power and acceleration we expected for this style of bike; the Valen has fast and fun acceleration up to its top speed of 20 mph.

In our experience, the Valen holds up visually and in the overall quality of its ride. To reduce complexity and keep costs down, however, Retrospec specced (no pun intended) the Valen Rev 2 relatively simply. It has a single-speed drivetrain, an LED indicator panel instead of an LCD, and a rigid dual-crown fork instead of a suspension fork.

With this approach, we found the bike straightforward, uncomplicated, and easy to operate, though riders who prefer more functionality can consider upgrading to the Valen Rev+. As it is, the Valen Rev 2 is an approachable and budget-friendly moped-style e-bike that looks the part and feels well put together.

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After testing and reviewing hundreds of e-bikes, you might imagine that it would be difficult to narrow the list down to such a small selection. In this case, the task was relatively simple; there simply aren’t many cheap e-bikes out there that balance quality and affordability well enough for us to recommend.

The main factors we focused on when assembling this list were:

• Price in Perspective: Our starting point for recommendations typically starts around $1000, but many models we selected were priced higher, sometimes by hundreds of dollars. We selected bikes that were relatively cheap overall, but also cheap within their respective categories.
• Variety: It wouldn’t be helpful to include bikes from only one or two brands, nor would we be doing ourselves a favor by focusing too much on any particular style of e-bike. We intentionally chose a variety of e-bikes from various categories and manufacturers.
• Safety and Reliability: As we’ve stated, we have a certain quality threshold that each bike must meet to get our stamp of approval. The bikes we’ve included here are built with parts that should last. Each model performed well in multiple areas of our testing.