For years, electric bikes have been slightly gimmicky—bulky, inconvenient, expensive machines whose usefulness (and battery life) was limited. But that has changed over the past few years. As commutes changed or got shorter, and cities made accommodations for people socializing outside, the way people moved around also changed.
Electric bikes are now lighter, more attractive, and more powerful than ever. You don’t need to be physically fit to ride one. It gets you outside, reduces fossil fuels, reduces congestion, and it’s fun. Over the past few years, we’ve tried almost every kind of ebike there is, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. Whether you’re tooling around your neighborhood buying wood chips from the hardware store or trying to trim a few miles off the ride for a socially distanced visit, we have the best ebike for you.
Many bike manufacturers have had supply issues over the past year, so stock may fluctuate. You may also notice bike prices are rising. Multiple factors, including the pandemic, have complicated the global supply chain, and exemptions on a 25 percent tariff on all ebike imports have recently expired. We’ve done our best to include lower-priced options. My fellow Gear writers and I will continue to test and ride bikes, so if you don’t see one you like now, check back later. Once you get one, check out our favorite biking accessories, bike locks, and gear for a bikepacking adventure.
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Updated April 2021: We added new models like the Gazelle Ultimate C380 HMB, added a list of honorable mentions, and removed older models.
