Ridden and wrenched, not sponsored
The electric bikes actually worth buying.
Independent reviews with real specs and real photos, by a mechanic who rides every bike on real roads. Skip the marketing range claims and the bad welds. Here is the honest shortlist.
What do you ride for?
The shortlist
Six ebikes worth your money, testedBest overall value

Ride1Up 700 Series
Best overall value
750W30-50 mi28 mph
$1,5954.6/5
Read review → Best budget folding

Lectric XP4
Best budget folding
750Wto 85 miFolding
from $9994.5/5
Read review → Best fat tire

Aventon Aventure 3
Best fat tire
1,440W peak65 mi4in tires
$1,7494.5/5
Read review → Best step-through

Velotric Discover 2
Best step-through
Torque sensor75 miStep-thru
$1,6994.5/5
Read review → Best for utility

Rad RadRunner Plus
Best for utility
750W55+ miCargo
$1,7994.3/5
Read review → Best premium commuter

Aventon Level 3
Best premium commuter
864W peak70 miTorque
$1,6994.6/5
Read review → Specs and prices are pulled from each maker and checked by hand; they move with sales. Affiliate links in our reviews, which never change our rankings. How we test.
Find your ride
Start with how you will use itIgnore the range number on the box. Advertised range is measured at the lowest assist on flat ground by a light rider. Real range is usually 50 to 70 percent of that. We tell you the honest figure in every range guide and review.
Before you buy
The guides that save you moneyCOST
How much an ebike costs
What you actually pay, from a $999 folder to a $2,000 commuter.
Read →BASICS
Ebike classes explained
Class 1, 2 and 3, and which is street-legal where you ride.
Read →RANGE
Ebike range, really
Why the advertised range is optimistic, and what you will get.
Read →BUYING
How to buy an ebike
Hub vs torque sensor, motor, brakes, fit, and the specs that matter.
Read →
By Ravi Kapoor, ebike mechanic and daily commuter