Electric bikes are a game changer. This technology is already proving itself as a way to empower cyclists across the spectrum, whether they be casual commuters, hardcore mountain bikers, or anything in between.
The addition of a battery and motor to a bike frame amplifies the effort you put in, giving you a noticeable boost on any terrain. This means you can cover more distance with less energy expenditure, opening up all sorts of possibilities in your riding.
In this guide we’ll show you the 12 best electric bikes to buy in 2023. We’ve split them out into categories to help you quickly find the right bike for you:
- The best electric bikes for commuting
- The best electric folding bikes
- The best electric mountain bikes
The best electric bikes for commuting
The main appeal for many electric bike riders is reducing the effort involved in commuting or other urban cycling. Arriving at work free of sweat and with energy to spare makes all the difference!
The electric bikes in this section can reduce the reliance on traveling by car and using public transport.
Raleigh Motus Lowstep Electric Hybrid Bike 2022
Retail price - £1,780
The Raleigh Motus Lowstep Electric Hybrid is a fine example of an electric bike, and the perfect introduction for anyone looking to explore the world of power-assisted cycling. This is a bike built for comfort and versatility and beneath it sits a powerful motor and battery to assist your riding over an impressive range.
- Range: up to 80 miles on a full charge
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: 6 hours
- Powered by a Bosch Active Line motor and a 400Wh Bosch battery
- Bosch Purion display provides information on speed and lets you change assistance level while you ride
- An alloy frame and fork with 50mm travel give a comfortable ride while absorbing potholes and imperfections in the riding surface
- The Shimano Altus 7-speed drivetrain offers a good choice of gearing, meaning you can tackle inclines whether or not you are riding with motor assistance
- The Shimano Altus 7-speed drivetrain offers a good choice of gearing, meaning you can tackle inclines whether or not you are riding with motor assistance
- Pannier rack, mudguards and an adjustable kickstand make this bike the perfect choice for city riding or commuting
Shop the Raleigh Motus Lowstep Electric Hybrid Bike
Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 Step Through Electric Hybrid Bike 2023
Retail price from - £2,618
With the Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 Step Through it’s easy to see that this bike was designed to make life easier for the rider. A wealth of features let you fine-tune your ride, from the Mission Control app - complete with anti-theft system - and the MasterMind display. Add to that the impressive 530Wh battery and you’ve got a truly noteworthy bike.
- Range: up to 80 miles on a full charge
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: 6 hours
- The battery is easily removable and lockable, offering enhanced security
- Specialized's Mission Control app lets remotely you disable the motor and activate a motion sensor alarm for full peace of mind
- You can also link the app to the MasterMind display to customise performance and access ride diagnostics
- Aluminium frame and fork with 80mm of travel absorb impacts and enhance comfort
- Shimano Alivio 9-speed gears are ready for whatever the gradient, with or without assist
Shop the Specialized Turbo Vado 3.0 Step-Through Electric Hybrid Bike
Riese and Muller Nevo Touring Electric Hybrid Bike 2022
Retail price - £4,259
The distinctive step-through frame and sturdy inbuilt pannier rack are two examples of how this bike embodies comfort and ergonomics to deliver a smooth and reliable ride. For riders looking for a bike to open up their city and reduce the need to own or drive a car, they need look no further than the Riese and Muller Nevo Touring Electric Hybrid.
- Range: approximately 45 miles
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: approximately 4.5 hours
- Integrated lights charge from the battery, meaning you never have to worry about removing or charging your lights
- A built-in kickstand lets you prop this bike up quickly and easily: ideal for loading and unloading, and for parking
- The fork has an impressive 100mm of suspension that will hoover up even the bumpiest of road surfaces, giving you a comfortable ride
- Shimano Deore 10-speed gears give you power on the flat as well as on steep climbs, letting you ride confidently even without e-assist
Shop the Riese and Muller Nevo Touring Electric Hybrid Bike
The best electric folding bikes
Folding bikes have revolutionised the way we commute by providing versatility and the option to use a number of different methods of transport. A bike such as this allows you to hop on a train and hit the road at the other end.
Combining folding bikes with an electric motor and battery is a masterstroke, and one that goes even further to minimise your reliance on a car or public transport.
Brompton C Line Explore Mid Bar Electric Folding Bike
Retail price from - £2,995
It was inevitable that the company that redefined commuting by bike should add electric bikes to their range. If you’re looking for a capable alternative to your car, the Brompton C Line Explore is definitely up to the task. This is a bike designed with portability and convenience in mind.
- Range: up to 20-45 miles on a full charge
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: 4 hours
- Removable battery is ideal for quick charging on the go, and has the double benefit of letting you charge devices from the bike battery while you ride
- Integrated lights run from the main battery, meaning you never have to think about keeping them charged
- 6-speed Brompton gearing is more than enough for city environments and commutes
- Trademark folding frame enables this bike to pack down to an impressive 645mm x 565mm x 270mm
Shop the Brompton C Line Explore Mid Bar Electric Folding Bike
Brompton P Line Urban Mid Bar Electric Folding Bike
Retail price - £3,695
Although the battery and power specs are the same as the C Line Explore, this P Line electric offering from Brompton includes a few subtle upgrades. First is the reduced weight: a whole 2.7kg lighter than the C Line. You'll also find a titanium rear frame as opposed to steel, LED lights, and a superlight saddle, all of which make the P Line Urban a good choice for the hardcore commuter.
- Range: up to 20-45 miles on a full charge
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15mph / 25.5km/h
- Charge time: 4 hours
- A weight of under 13kg means this bike is readily portable and a great option for commuting
- The portable battery comes with an over-the-shoulder carry bag for convenience, security, and ease of charging
- Inbuilt mudguards protect you against road spray meaning you can commute in any weather
Shop the Brompton P Line Urban Mid Bar Electric Folding Bike
Tern GSD S10 LR Electric Cargo Bike 2022
Retail price - £4,700
The Tern GSD S10 LR Electric Cargo Bike is a real contender for anyone looking to move away from car ownership. The sturdy cargo rack can carry luggage or people, offering true versatility, and the modular battery system lets you expand the range up to a truly astounding 121 miles on a full charge.
- Range: 60-121 miles on a full charge with two batteries, or 26-53 with one (comes with one by default)
- Charge time: approximately 4 hours
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15mph / 25.5km/h
- Bosch dual-battery system allows a second battery (purchased separately) to be added, raising the wattage from 400Wh to 900Wh
- Atlas Lockstand™ automatically secures the bike when engaged and unlocks with a button press from the handlebar
- Always-on RearStop™ brake light keeps you visible whenever you slow or stop
- A range of accessories are available for the cargo rack, including child seats
- Compatible with Thule, Burley and Weber trailers with no adapter required
- Designed to meet the needs of an individual or small family
Shop the Tern GSD S10 LR Electric Cargo Bike
The best electric mountain bikes
It may surprise you to learn that batteries and electric motors have found their way to mountain bikes, too. By offering assistance as you climb or pound out long flat sections, electric mountain bikes open up the sport to riders who may previously have felt restricted by the terrain.
The electric mountain bikes in this section are ideal for beginners through to seasoned veterans.
Haibike Alltrack 4 27.5" Electric Mountain Bike
Retail price - £2,499
Moving into the world of electric mountain bikes couldn't be easier than with the Haibike Alltrack 4. This hardtail MTB comes with 120mm travel which is designed to soak up the terrain. It also boasts a 250W Bosch Performance Line motor and a 500Wh PowerTube battery: this means those previously exhausting uphill offroad sections now barely register, getting you faster to the descents.
- Range: up to 62 miles
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: 4.5 hours
- A tough aluminium frame and a SR Suntour fork with 120mm travel combine to provide confidence in off road sections
- 9-speed Shimano Alivio M3100-mix drivetrain is built for the trail, giving you the gearing you need to tackle climbs with or without electric assist
- Schürmann 27.5" wheels with WTB Ranger Comp tyres deliver stability and sturdiness on uneven surfaces
Shop the Haibike Alltrack 4 27.5" Electric Mountain Bike
Trek Powerfly 4 625WH Gen 3 Electric Mountain Bike 2023
Retail price - £3,550
The Trek Powerfly 4 is a bike that offers neat engineering and quality components to the discerning mountain biker, and underpins it all with a hefty 625Wh motor to provide support on any terrain you may encounter. This bike is another fine example of how well the world of mountain biking meshes with eBike technology.
- Range: up to 75 miles
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: 4.9 hours
- 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery offers up to 250w of assistance
- The battery is concealed inside the frame for security and protection, and can be removed without tools when required
- SR Suntour XCM 34 fork boasts 80mm of travel to minimise impact when riding even the most rugged terrain
- Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain allows a wide range of gearing options on flats, climbs and descents
Shop the Trek Powerfly 4 625WH Gen 3 Electric Mountain Bike
Haibike AllMtn 2 Electric Mountain Bike 2022
Retail price from - £3,699
For the serious mountain biker who wants to invest in their sport, the Haibike AllMtn 2 is a great example of what to expect from bikes at this price point. A lightweight frame is combined with an InTube motor that has 85Nm of torque to get you up even the most challenging climbs.
- Range: up to 140 miles
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15.5mph / 25km/h
- Charge time: approx 3.5 hours
- Yamaha PW-X3 motor system weighs in at just 2.75kg while offering an impressive 85Nm of torque
- InTube 630Wh battery affords you enough range for a whole day of mountain biking
- 6061 aluminium frame trims down riding weight
- RockShox 35 Gold Suspension fork is built to perform thanks to its 160mm of travel that will soak up any roots, holes and rough terrain
- SRAM SX 12-speed drivetrain gives you the right gear whatever the incline
Shop the Haibike AllMtn 2 Electric Mountain Bike
Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon Electric Mountain Bike 2023
Retail price - £5,625
When you ride at the sharp end of the mountain biking discipline, you need a bike that can handle any type of terrain without wavering. And if anyone reading this was under the impression that motors and batteries somehow lowered the authenticity of a mountain bike, the Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon is here to dispel that misguided opinion.
- Range: up to 5 hours on a full charge
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15mph / 25.5km/h
- Charge time: approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes
- An assured ride is guaranteed by the carbon frame with 150mm of travel at the rear and 160mm at the front thanks to the RockShox Deluxe Select R fork
- Geo Adjust feature lets you tweak the head tube angle between 63° and 65.5° to accommodate nuanced terrain
- Mullet-style wheel configuration pairs 29" front wheel with 27.5" at the rear, for fine-tuned balance and control
- SRAM NX/SX 12-speed drivetrain gives you the power to climb any hill, with or without assist
- TranzX dropper seatpost to get the saddle out of your way on the most technical sections
Shop the Specialized Turbo Levo Carbon Electric Mountain Bike
Cannondale Moterra Neo 3 Electric Mountain Bike 2023
Retail price - £5,750
The full suspension Moterra Neo 3 from Cannondale will redefine the expectations of even the most hardcore MTB rider. You’ll be impressed by the level of assistance offered, and amazed by the resulting surplus energy levels at the top of each descent. This bike puts the power in your hands to smash any trail.
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15mph / 25.5km/h
- Charge time: 6 hours to full charge
- The integrated 750Wh battery is easy to remove from the frame, and offers enough juice for a full day of MTB
- 150mm travel provided by the RockShox Yari front suspension and complemented by Deluxe Select rear suspension makes for a smooth ride
- Bosch Performance CX gives you 85Nm of torque
- Four-piston brakes ensure immediate stopping power in any conditions, affording the peace of mind you need to ride hard
- Eyelets for a pannier rack, mudguards and kickstand let you expand the functionality of this bike as you see fit
Shop the Cannondale Moterra Neo 3 Electric Mountain Bike
Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy Electric Mountain Bike 2023
Retail price from - £6,255
Here we come to the last bike in our list, the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy. Not only does this bike have a fantastic array of components, but the Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor and 700Wh battery are on hand to quadruple your power and keep you flying through the trails for up to 5 hours.
- Range: up to 5 hours on a full charge
- Power assistance: up to a max speed of 15mph / 25.5km/h
- Charge time: approx 2 hours 35 minutes
- Experience the full capabilities of what an electric bike can do, with your input amplified by 4x
- Turbo Connect Unit shows battery level and can communicate with Bluetooth to the optional handlebar display for detailed ride information
- 150mm of travel at the rear plus 150-160mm at the front provide support on uneven terrain
- Adjustable head tube angle between 63° and 65.5° to accommodate your riding style and the terrain
- SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain let you navigate any gradient with ease, even without electric assist
Shop the Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy Electric Mountain Bike
Rock down to electric bike avenue
The electric bikes in this list are a showcase of some of the finest engineering on offer in 2023. Whether you’re a commuter looking to reduce your reliance on public transport and take charge of your ride to work, or a seasoned mountain biker hunting a new steed that will offer those all-important performance improvements, the ongoing refinement of electric bike tech means there’s something to suit all needs.
We know how tricky it can be to choose a new bike, especially when it comes to unfamiliar technologies. If you need a hand figuring out the best bike for you, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.