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To help you find the best folding electric bike, we tried out dozens of folding ebikes, testing to ensure the folding mechanism worked efficiently and easily allowed you to store the bike in a trunk or in a large closet when not in use. We also loved full-size ebikes with durably made disc brakes, long-lasting battery packs, integrated lights, adjustable seat posts, and powerful motors that can reach 15.5 mph, 20 mph, and even higher. If you want a bike that can help you to commute to work with ease, find the best electric bike for you in the list below.
The best folding electric bike that we tried was easily the Speedrid Folding Electric Bike. This electric bike offers riders a smooth bike ride, thanks to carbon steel front fork shock absorption, and includes mechanical disc brakes on both the front and rear of the unit. It’s also a powerful bike with a 500-watt motor that can easily reach 24 MPH. Keep reading to learn more about other high-quality folding electric bikes available for purchase.
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: Offers an extremely smooth ride, thanks to wide tires (20”) and a high-strength carbon steel front fork shock absorption system. This electric bicycle also easily folds into a small and compact form factor, making it great for transport and travel.
The Speedrid Folding Electric Bike is likely the best electric bike on the market, folding or otherwise, thanks to ultra-safe mechanical front and rear disc brakes. The 500-watt motor can easily reach 24 miles per hour at full power and the high-strength carbon steel front fork shock absorption system offers a smooth and efficient ride. We also loved the built-in LCD display, which offers a series of useful metrics like speed and battery life.
Though the battery can easily be removed, to deter theft, we did find that it only got around 20 miles of use out of a single charge, which may not suit consumers looking to go on lengthy trips. Additionally, this electric bike does not come fully assembled, and the procedure takes around an hour to complete. If you would rather avoid the hassles that come with assembly, the best electric bike may be what you need.
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best throttle electric bike, with a thumb throttle system that can quickly reach 30 MPH, assisted by a powerful 750w motor. This is a great choice for those looking to tackle lengthy trails, as the battery gets 50 miles of use on a single charge.
The eAhora X7 Plus Folding Electric Bike features an electric motor that is plenty powerful, 750 watts, allowing you to reach 30 miles per hour. This maximum speed can also be reached quickly, thanks to an innovative thumb throttle system. We found the front and rear hydraulic disc brakes to be extremely responsive, upping this bike’s safety rating, and the battery to be long-lasting, getting around 50 miles of use out of a single charge.
Though you can travel long distances on one battery charge, we did find that the max speed decreases as battery life decreases, so take that into consideration. Also, the battery is not easily removed, though the ebike features several locking mechanisms for peace of mind. But just for extra security, you may still want to invest in the best bike lock, which will also come in handy if your household has other bikes.
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best budget folding electric bike with plenty of high-end features, including an ultra-durable carbon steel frame and an extremely light form factor, clocking in at just 42 pounds. This bike also arrives 95 percent assembled, so it’s great for those itching to get out on the trails.
This Nakto 16″ Folding Electric Bicycle comes in at a budget-friendly price point while still offering features in line with higher-priced competitors, including an ultra-durable carbon steel frame that offers ride stability. We loved the extremely light form factor, 42 pounds, and the fact that it folds to less than half of its size when not in use. We also appreciated that it arrived nearly assembled, requiring just a few steps to make it roadworthy.
Though this is a durable ebike, the maximum load capacity is 200 pounds, which may not suit consumers of all body shapes. Some of the best adult tricycles have a much larger weight capacity. Additionally, the battery only gets around 20 miles on a single charge, though it does reach a maximum charge on the quicker side, at around four hours.
Award: BEST VALUE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Best value electric bike with an incredible feature set, despite coming in at a relatively low price point, including six levels of pedal assist and a highly useful LCD display.
The Shueriu Folding Electric Bike is a value-priced ebike that boasts many innovative and high-end features, including six pedal assist options to suit the fitness level of nearly any consumer. We loved the multifunctional LCD display, which relays useful information such as speed, miles traveled, and battery life, among other metrics. The cushioned saddle is also well made and extremely comfortable, making it perfect for long rides through any type of terrain. To that end, the maximum weight capacity here is 330 pounds, which is on the higher side.
Though the 21-speed Shimano gearing is great for ascending hills and climbing over tricky terrain, the 350w motor can only reach a maximum of 19 miles per hour. For your kids’ fun outdoor biking, consider getting them one of the best kids mountain bikes. Also, the battery can only get 19 miles of use while operating in full assist mode, though it does charge rather quickly in just three to four hours.
Award: BEST THROTTLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Powerful throttle design that allows you to careen out of stoplights or reach a maximum speed quickly, with a bright LED headlight for night riding and sturdy double-layer aluminum alloy wheels that offer stability.
The Ancheer Folding Electric Bike boasts an innovative throttle design that provides a quick burst of speed, making it excel at pulling away from traffic lights or providing an extra energy burst to get up a hill. To that end, the seven-speed professional transmission system makes short works of steep inclines and rocky terrains. This electric folding bike is lightweight, also, clocking in at around 50 pounds and the built-in LED headlight is luminous enough to increase the safety rating during nighttime rides.
The display here is limited and is not a full-featured LCD screen, but rather a simple analog panel that shows limited metrics. Additionally, the 250-watt motor can only reach a maximum speed of 16 miles per hour, despite the high-grade throttle system that gets you to that speed in mere seconds. This is still one of the best bikes on the market.
Award: EASIEST TO ASSEMBLE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Arrives fully assembled and ready to hit the road, with a unique tri-fold design that allows it to fit in ultra-compact spaces when not in use and proprietary autoguard technology that adds another layer of safety to the braking process.
Read Full Review: SwagTron EB5 Review
The SwagTron Series EB5 Folding Electric Bike arrives fully assembled and ready to go, eliminating the need for an hour or two of assembly before becoming roadworthy. This ebike also features a unique tri-fold design, allowing it to fold in on itself in multiple layers when not in use. In other words, this ebike can fit just about anywhere once it is fully folded. We also loved the quick-disconnect power lines, which makes maintenance a breeze, and the included autoguard technology, which works in tandem with the disc brakes to provide a safe and stable braking process.
The lithium-ion battery pack does only get around 15 miles of use on a single charge, and it takes quite a long time to reach a maximum charge, over six hours. Also, the push-button ignition here is extremely convenient, but requiring a key would deter theft. Make sure to read our buying guide on the best electric road bike.
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: High-quality ebike with plenty of tech-forward features, including a built-in USB port for charging gadgets, integration with a proprietary smartphone app, and a battery that reaches a maximum charge in just 3 hours.
The SwagCycle Pro Folding Electric Bike is made from high-grade components, such as air-filled rubber wheels that offer fantastic traction and shock absorption. This is also a tech-friendly ebike, with a built-in USB port to charge gadgets on the fly and full integration with a proprietary smartphone app, the latter offering access to a wide range of useful metrics. We also loved the safe and ultra-durable dual disc brakes, which we found to stop on a dime without too much blowback. This electric mountain bike does have smaller wheels than some, but we found them to be more than adequate on rocky terrain and steep inclines.
Though this ebike can reach a maximum speed of nearly 20 miles per hour, it can only get 15 miles of use out of a single charge, despite the ability to reach a maximum charge in just three hours. Additionally, this is a pedal-free design, which may not suit consumers who like the option to manually pedal their bicycles. For long-distance commutes, or traveling between cities, read our guide on the best electric cargo bike.
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Award: BEST FOR NIGHT RIDING
WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely bright and luminous headlight that is perfect for night riding, with a powerful rear suspension system, three layers of pedal assist, and a battery that can easily be removed.
The Jetson Metro Folding Electric Bike is a fantastic choice for night riding, thanks to a powerful LED headlight. The built-in twist throttle makes short work out of steep inclines and the powerful rear suspension ensures a smooth ride. We also loved the three levels of pedal assist on offer, suiting consumers of different fitness levels, and the removable battery, which makes it easy to keep it charged while out and about.
Though the battery is decent, allowing for nearly 30 miles of use out of a single charge, the motor can only reach a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. Also, there is a weight capacity limit here of 260 pounds. For those seeking a taste of adventure, read about the best electric mountain bike. But if you want a bike for riding across different surfaces, read our best gravel e bikes guide.
Award: BEST ADJUSTABLE DESIGN
WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely adjustable design that can accommodate a wide variety of body shapes and heights, with 20” fat tires that excel across multiple terrain types, including beaches and snowy roads.
The Ecotric Folding Electric Bike boasts a number of adjustment points to suit different body types and heights, with adjustable handles, and saddle, and wheel heights. We loved the 20” fat tires and the excellent Shimano external seven-speed gear system, both of which combine to make this ebike excel across a wide variety of terrain types, including snow and sandy beaches. We also enjoyed the front and rear mechanical disc brakes, which provided a quick and safe stop.
Though the battery can be easily removed, for on-the-go charging, it does take nearly eight hours to reach a full charge and it only gets around 20 miles of use on a single charge. Also, though this ebike can handle nearly any terrain you encounter, it doesn’t do so well with ultra-steep hills, so take that into consideration. And also read our buying guide on the best electric trike.
Award: BEST LIGHTWEIGHT
WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely lightweight design, weighing just 41 lb, making it easy to carry when not in use, with a rustproof aluminum alloy frame, a rear-drive system, and powerful dual disc brakes along the front and back of the ebike.
The Fiido D2S Folding Electric Bike weighs just over 40 pounds, making it easy to carry when not in use or to retrieve from trunk storage if folded up. The aluminum alloy frame is rustproof and all of the electrical components, including the LCD display and the battery, are IP54 waterproof, ensuring they will remain operational even in a heavy rainstorm. We also loved the extremely powerful dual disc brake system, which is located along the front and rear of the ebike.
This electric bike’s lightweight does have a slight drawback, however, as the maximum load capacity is just 260 pounds, which may not suit consumers of a certain body type. Additionally, the 250-watt motor can only reach a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. For those commuting and needing something more portable, check out our best folding electric bike buying guide.
To help narrow down to the above list, we made sure that each folding electric bike we chose could easily and quickly fold into a compact shape, allowing for easy storage in the trunk of a car or in a large closet. We also liked ebikes on the lighter side, eliminating some of the stress of carrying it while walking on multiple flights of stairs or across long distances.
As far as motors, we liked powerful and speedy motors that could reach anywhere from 15 to 25 miles per hour, with advanced throttle systems that allow consumers to reach said maximum speed in just a few moments. Battery life and range were also important factors, so we made sure that each folding electric bike we chose could get at least 20 miles of use out of a single charge and we preferred batteries that could reach a maximum charge in three to five hours.
Safety weighed heavily on our minds as we went through and tested the electric bikes on the above list. We liked bikes with advanced features intended to increase safety, such as mechanical disc brakes, large tires, robust suspension systems, and bright LED headlights.
Additional features were also looked at. We liked ebikes with multifunctional LCD screens, allowing riders to instantaneously peruse a number of metrics, including speed, battery life, and more. Finally, we liked aesthetically pleasing bikes that looked great as they tackled heavy rides.
