Why You Can Trust CNET Best Electric Bike for 2024
We've got e-bike picks for almost any budget tested by CNET editors, plus answers to your electric bike questions.
What is the best e-bike overall?
The Aventon Soltera 2 takes the lead as the best overall e-bike choice. With its lightweight build, affordable price of under $1,000, premium feel and safety features like brake and signal lights, plus a throttle, it stands out as a top contender. However, if it doesn't meet your specific needs, our other top picks reflect the diverse styles of e-bikes available, each tailored to suit different riders' preferences.
Electric commuter bikes weren't always as common as they are today. But the ability to zoom around the city or neighborhood without tiring yourself out has made these eco-friendly modes of transport incredibly popular. Plus, an e-bike is perfect for getting around campus without breaking a sweat if you're in school.
Most of the rideables on this list were tested on a commute through sections of midtown Manhattan, bike paths around Central Park or on the West Side Highway bike path. Others were tested for suburban commutes and offroad when applicable. Note that these all fall into the category of "commuter bike," and we don't recommend trying to traverse rough terrain on one of these babies.
Also, if you do get into rideables and electric commuter bikes, be sure to be safe by keeping several guidelines in mind. Keep your battery charged and make it a habit to check your tires often. Leave enough space between yourself and both cars and riders on plain old human-powered bikes and scooters. Ride and pass with caution, because an electric bicycle will go faster than a traditional bike or scooter. Most importantly, wear a helmet every time you ride.
Best Electric Bikes for 2024
The entire Aventon lineup offers affordability and versatility. The $1,799 Abound is a cargo bike suitable for carrying passengers or groceries, while the $1,799 Aventure 2 is a multifaceted fat-tire bike ideal for all-terrain riding in any season. The Soltera 2 is more of an everyday e-bike that's great for commutes, with a seven-speed cassette and a weight of just 41 pounds. Like the other Aventon bikes, the Soltera 2 features a sleek, detailed display, integrated signal lights, iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills.
The Fiido X is a compact folding e-bike perfect for shorter commutes and for small storage spaces like an average apartment. Its sleek design makes it one of the most attractive folding bikes available. You could easily store it in a car trunk, a closet or the corner of a bedroom. Whether it was part of my daily commute or on some trails in South Carolina, this bike held its own.
The Lectric XP 3.0 fat-tire folding bike is great for its portability, foldability and impressive capabilities. It's robust and versatile, with a total payload capacity of 330 pounds, including a rear rack that supports up to 150 pounds. Furthermore, it offers a range of useful accessories and a key ignition, making it less attractive to thieves. The XP 3.0 also comes in a step-thru version for getting on and off of it easily. The XP was also tested in South Carolina and proved to handle well due to its 20-by-3-inch tires and front suspension fork. In addition to being foldable and durable, the XP 3.0 can hit a top speed of 28 mph, powered by a 500-watt motor.
Boasting a futuristic design, the Async A1 Pro looks as fun as it is to ride. Its cutting-edge features include a 5.5-inch display and Bluetooth connectivity with LTE, which means users can track the bike using a Find My Bike feature. Its off-road mode enables up to 35 mph speeds, providing an exciting riding experience. Though you can use pedal-assist to extend battery, this isn't a bike you buy for exercise but for full-speed thrills, as it challenges the distinction between e-bike and motorbike.
For folks who need pedal-assist without the bulkiness commonly associated with e-bikes, the Tenways CGO600 Pro is an ideal choice. It offers a smooth ride, with assistance on or off, and weighs about the same as a standard bicycle, at 37 pounds. The Tenways CGO600 Pro utilizes a carbon belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes, requiring minimal upkeep. Its design is so discreet that it's nearly impossible to tell it's an e-bike from a distance. The bike’s display is minimalistic, and the vehicle can be powered on via a user-set passcode.
The perfect bike for riding with young ones -- so no more travel fatigue. The Woom Up e-bike, sized for either children or teens, features a premium design and three pedal-assist levels up to 12 mph. The bike includes a user-friendly app with straightforward assembly and provides a smooth, comfortable ride. Despite the initial cost, its build quality and components are exceptional, and this bike should hold some resale value by the time your little one outgrows it.
More for quick transport
E-bike FAQ
How fast can an electric bike go?
Before we can go into top speeds, we first need to go over e-bike classifications. There are three classes.
- Class 1 is an e-bike where the motor only supplies pedal assistance while the rider is pedaling and has a max assisted speed of 20 mph.
- Class 2 follows the same pedal-assist top speed as class 1 but also has a throttle enabling the rider to get around without pedaling.
- Class 3 has a top assist speed of 28 mph and can be either pedal-assist only or pedal-assist along with throttle-assistance.
These classes are limited to 1 horsepower (750 watts). That said, some (air quotes) e-bikes can hit 50 or even 60 mph. But they are more like motorcycles with pedals. They are not optimized as traditional bicycles for pedaling from point A to B and do not legally fit into the class 1-3 category. Typically only class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed where traditional bicycles are.
Do I need a permit or license to operate an e-bike?
The short answer is no; however, riders must meet their state's minimum age limit (which can vary). In New York, that's 16.
Should I buy an electric bike or an electric scooter?
It's frankly pretty fun to have one of each. But if you need a reason to pick one over the other, an e-bike can also be used as a traditional bike so riders benefit from getting a workout along with the fact you can travel further, even on a dead battery. In addition, most people I talk to feel better on bicycles because they've had more experience riding them.