The range of electric bikes available to buy has increased immeasurably in the past few years, with two-wheelers designed for every style of riding and any kind of budget. The great thing about a carefully chosen electric bike is that it can revolutionise cycling. Electric bikes offer a huge amount of convenience thanks to the assistance that comes from the combination of a battery and motor up to the legal limit of 15.5mph.
However, electric bikes still need to be pedalled and having the ability to choose how much assistance is needed is one of the big pull factors of the latest two-wheelers. They can take the pain out of a daily commute and remove the strain from a weekend spent pedalling through the countryside. In between, there are folding electric bike options for taking on the train through to electric cargo bikes that can carry a weekly shop and the kids to school and back in one fell swoop.
While electric bikes used to attract a degree of scepticism from seasoned cycling purists, many have since been converted. It’s easy to see why, because choosing the right electric bike for your needs can make life so much easier. Even many cycling pros have admitted it’s hard to dispute the appeal of battery power for getting that extra push over the hill from time to time.
The best electric bikes for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Canyon citylite:on comfort: £2,799, Canyon.com
- Best budget – Halfords carrera actuate 2: £1,349, Halfords.com
- Best folding bike – Brompton electric P-Line: £3,144, Brompton.com
- Besr trycle – Jorvik JMT6: £3,499, Jorviktricycles.com
How I tested
I’ve tested the following selection of electric bikes by using them in a wide variety of cycling scenarios, depending on their type of design. The bikes have been evaluated for everyday essential requirements, including their rideability, which covers everything from comfort levels to ease of use.
Electric bike manufacturers love to enthuse about a product’s battery size, the power of its electric motor and the overall range. I am therefore always keen to test just how accurate these claims are and how the stats panned out during everyday cycling activities. I was also keen to see how well the design of each electric bike matched its target market. You can read my in-depth testing criteria at the end of the guide.
Canyon citylite:on comfort
Best: Electric bike overall
Battery: 400Wh
Motor: Bosch performance line
Range: 50 miles
Gears: 5
Computer: Yes
Weight: 20kg
Why we love it
- Comprehensive specification
- Hub-mounted motor is cool
- Belt drive is very smooth
Take note
- Limited amount of gears
- Cargo accessories are extra
Anyone wanting a fuss-free but premium electric bike experience will love the universal appeal of the Canyon citylite:on comfort. There’s so much to like about this bike, from the instantly identifiable design through to the quality of the ride. Canyon picks its components with care, too, so everything is designed with rider convenience in mind. There’s a fantastic hub-based Bosch performance line motor along with belt drive, which makes pedalling smooth and provides seamless power delivery.
Being an urban-style electric bike also means that the Canyon citylite:on comfort comes with lots of versatility. It’s possible to carry up to 27kg of cargo at the rear and 10kg over the front wheel, subject to being kitted out with the accessories. Even if it’s used in basic guise, it packs in a high level of kit as standard, with front and rear lights plus a kickstand, meaning it’s ready to go, right out of the box.
Buy now £2799, Canyon.com
Halfords carrera actuate 2
Best: Budget electric bike
Battery: 367Wh
Motor: Hyena rear hub
Range: 50 miles
Gears: 9
Computer: Yes
Weight: 19kg
Why we love it
- A great affordable option
- Decent specification
- Respectable range
Take note
- Some cheaper components
- Computer could be better
If your budget is tight, there’s no better way of entering the world of electric biking than popping along to Halfords. Its carrera brand carries a wide range of models, with the electric hybrid actuate 2 being a great, affordable option. The design looks more premium than the price tag suggests, while there are impressive levels of features and functions for the money.
This is a very rider-friendly bike too, with a battery range of up to 50 miles plus nine-speed Shimano gear shifting that offers plenty of opportunity to get involved if you prefer. The aluminium frame keeps it on the manageable side of things, which makes it ideally suited for a variety of cyclists, and comfort levels are solid, too. Dig deeper, and there are some compromises on the components front, but it’s hard to argue with the value delivered by this electric two-wheeler.
Buy now £1349, Halfords.com
Brompton electric P-Line
Best: Folding electric bike
Battery: 300Wh
Motor: 250W
Range: 45 miles
Gears: 4
Computer: Yes
Weight: 15.6kg
Why we love it
- Brilliant folding setup
- Detachable battery pack
- Front wheel hub drive
Take note
- Folding it is a bit of a knack
- Small wheels feel those potholes
The iconic Brompton bike has been given a whole new lease of life thanks to the addition of a battery pack and electric motor. This drives the front wheel, which delivers an altogether zestier ride than conventional models that use just pedal power. A four-gear derailleur setup makes the bike ideally suited to a variety of riding scenarios, too, plus there’s a 12-speed option if more are needed. The ingenuity of the Brompton folding system also makes this model hugely practical for commutes, or for storing in the boot of the car for weekends away.
Considering the svelte one-size-fits-all styling, the humble Brompton is surprisingly comfortable even for longer jaunts. The P-Line is slightly lighter than Brompton’s C-Line edition, too, which makes life easier when the two-wheeler needs to be carried. Better still, the battery pack is detachable and can be carried over your shoulder.
Buy now £3144, Brompton.com
Specialized turbo vado SL 2
Best: Hybrid electric bike
Battery: 520Wh
Motor: Specialized 1.2SL
Range: 80 miles
Gears: 11
Computer: Yes
Weight: 20.1kg
Why we love it
- Striking design really works
- Feels lighter than it is
- Impressive range
Take note
- Bulky with a basket on the front
- Accessories up the price
Specialized’s turbo vado has been tweaked and fine-tuned over the last few years, making the SL 2 edition the one to go for currently. The electric hybrid bike excels in the comfort department, making it ideally suited to arduous commutes or evening and weekend expeditions. Lots of aluminium components, including a lean and mean frame construction, make the bike wonderfully agile.
Meanwhile, large wheels and generous tyres deliver a ride that’s great on less than ideal surfaces. Smart thinking in the design department makes the bike practical, with options for load carrying both over the front and back wheels. Specialized doesn’t skimp when it comes to quality components either, so expect quick and easy gear changes when it comes to using pedal power alone.
Buy now £3099, Specialized.com
Orbea diem 20
Best: Electric bike for urban long distance
Battery: 630Wh
Motor: 250W
Range: 100 miles
Gears: 5
Computer: No
Weight: 23.6kg
Why we love it
- Quirky design fits the bill
- Beefy range adds appeal
- Very comfortable riding position
Take note
- Range extender adds extra cost
- Lacks a handlebar computer
Spanish brand Orbea offers serious electric bike enthusiasts lots of tempting features and functions within the delicious styling of the diem 20. Aimed at taking on the urban environment, it features a striking design that is also easily capable of delivering longer rides thanks to the potent battery and motor combination. Indeed, the choice of components used on this model is second to none, with the Shimano crank-mounted motor being one of the standout features. It also contributes to the hefty price tag.
Nevertheless, this specification makes the Orbea diem 20 an easy bike to ride but with enough rider involvement to make it a serious cycling proposition. There’s a nod to practicality too, with a front-mounted luggage platform offering enough space for day trip essentials. The bike loves being ridden too, with a seemingly insatiable desire to keep on going. There’s even a range extender battery option that’ll make it do just that.
Buy now £4199, Orbea.com
GoCycle G4i
Best: Innovative electric bike
Battery: 375Wh
Motor: 250W
Range: 50 miles
Gears: 3
Computer: Yes
Weight: 17.6kg
Why we love it
- Dazzling overall design
- Wonderful to ride
- Feels super light
Take note
- Bulkier than a Brompton
- Fairly average range
If you love to stand out from the crowd, the all-electric GoCycle G4i is the pick of the crop. This is a bike that makes a style statement, but it also features lots of clever design and uses innovative materials to deliver a much more enjoyable cycling experience. Materials include aluminium, carbon-fibre and magnesium, which reduces weight but increases the wow factor.
There’s an enclosed drivetrain, so no oily chain to worry about, sympathetic suspension and electric drive that is delivered via the front hub. The intelligent three-speed gear shifting makes riding the GoCycle G4i a doddle, while comfort levels are high thanks to the chunky tyres on those striking 20-inch five-spoke wheels. Adding to the appeal is the way the GoCycle G4i folds for storing in the boot of a car or for taking on the train. It’s not as svelte or foldable as a Brompton, although it is just as pricey, but the GoCycle G4i is still a magnificent bit of kit.
Buy now £399, Fullycharged.com
Giant explore E+ pro 1 GTS
Best: Trekking electric bike
Battery: 800Wh
Motor: Giant SyncDrive Pro 2
Range: 155 miles
Gears: 10
Computer: Yes
Weight: 26.3kg
Why we love it
- Munches up lots of miles
- Premium specification
- Plenty of puff for hills
Take note
- Heavy if it needs to be lifted
- Not a true off-roader
Similar to the Orbea diem 20, the Giant explore E+ pro 1 GTS features a formidable range, up to 155 miles if used carefully, which makes it a perfect trekking bike for weekends and extended routes. The styling is definitely in the urban arena, and while the bike is quite hefty to lug around when it’s not under power, the comfort levels are very high indeed. Giant bikes are made up of quality components, too, which means they command a higher price. That, combined with the range on offer, means this is an electric bike that will appeal to someone who’s keen to move on up from something a little less capable.
However, while it falls into the trekking category, the Giant explore E+ pro 1 GTS works best on mixed surfaces that are mostly easy to get over, bearing in mind the quite chunky feel of the bike. It’s therefore brilliant for commuters with unusual or lengthy routes and weekenders who love to take on hilly country lanes or trundle along woodland paths.
Buy now £2999, Giant-bicycles.com
Volt burlington
Best: Easy-to-ride electric bike
Battery: 504Wh
Motor: 250W
Range: 60 miles
Gears: 8
Computer: Yes
Weight: 21.5kg
Why we love it
- Very easy to ride
- Great battery life
- Competitively priced
Take note
- Feels quite heavy
- Pricey accessories
The Volt burlington is perfect for anyone who simply wants a no-fuss step-through bike, much like those frequently found on streets across the Netherlands. British bike maker Volt has taken the classic style and turned it into an easy-to-ride but quietly sophisticated machine that’s ideally suited to streets in towns and cities.
The saddle is comfy, and the handlebars enhance the stress-free riding position. This is endorsed by front forks that boast proper suspension, while the sensibly sized wheels and tyres make the Burlington more than capable on a host of different road surfaces.
Better still, Volt designs its bikes with durability in mind, and the materials choice and quality components make the electric two-wheeler feel like a premium choice. The other bonus is that the standard specification still includes front and rear lights, a rear-mounted luggage rack, along with full mudguards and a built-in Abus bike lock.
Buy now £2049, Voltbikes.co.uk
Jorvik JMT6
Best: Electric tricycle
Battery: 250Wh
Motor: 250W
Range: 35 miles
Gears: 7
Computer: Yes
Weight: 43kg
Why we love it
- Super stable to ride
- Handles most terrain
- Twist-shift gears are great
Take note
- Bulky to store
- Hefty to lift
- Average range
Less confident electric bike converts might find the super-stable Jorvik tricycle a great option. Purchased in electric mountain bike guise, the step-through JMT6 model offers fabulous go-anywhere appeal thanks to fat tyres and wheels, along with plenty of power.
Engineered with meticulous precision, the three-wheeler boasts an innovative differential, which gets the power down while offering lots of control along with seven twist-shift gears to suit all kinds of terrain. At a whopping 48kg, the JMT6 is quite bulky, though this only seems to make the trike feel even more stable, especially when it’s on the soft stuff.
Cargo storage options, both front and rear, make this electric bike perfect for folks with lots to carry, and a range of enticing frame colours ensures it’ll really stand out from the crowd.
Buy now £2790, Jorviktricycles.com
Your questions on electric bikes answered
What is the best electric bike?
The best electric bike options are many and varied, and our selection here covers the core options for average or everyday riders. It’s worth remembering that there are other, more niche electric options available, such as electric mountain bikes and electric gravel bikes. However, our guide targets the more general cycling audience, who might want a bike for commuting or to take the strain out of weekends away and days out.
For anyone watching the pennies, the Halfords carrera actuate 2 makes a great starting point. While at the other end of the spectrum, it’s the CityLite:on comfort that takes the spot. The high price tag is justified by delivering excellence on all levels.
How the bikes were tested
I’ve been riding (and testing) electric bikes for some time. Whenever assessing whether it’s worth the money, I consider the following factors:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
IndyBest is The Independent’s expert-driven shopping section. We extensively test every product we feature to bring you unbiased reviews based on real-world testing, and we only recommend products that pass our rigorous tests. Rob Clymo, our electric bike reviewer, has many years of experience, both as a journalist and as someone who has kept close tabs on the convergence of tech. He covers anything with wheels, from electric cars through to e-bikes, which is why he currently has no less than eleven battery-powered two-wheelers in his garage.
For more recommendations, read our review of the best folding bikes
