The Finest Affordable E-Bikes Available Today

Every electric bike on this list costs less than £1,200, including several 28 mph bikes and urban cruisers.

Note from the editor: After reviewing this post, we stand by our picks for the best inexpensive electric bikes available as of February 2023. We’ll be reviewing this list on a monthly basis to make sure we’re providing you with the most recent details about items and the market. Consider the ADO A20+, which we deemed the finest all-around inexpensive e-bike if you’re ready to hit the buy button.

Electric-assist bicycles, particularly the affordable e-bike versions that cost less than £1,200 indicated below, have soared in popularity thanks to the fun of riding them and the cost-effective ease they bring to daily commutes. Because of worries about the erratic nature of petrol prices, these less expensive e-bikes are becoming an even more alluring choice for quick excursions or leisurely relaxation.

The Specialist For more than 20 years, I’ve been evaluating bicycles and other equipment while managing the gear crews for a number of journals and websites. I managed product testing for Bicycling, Popular Mechanics, and Runner’s World for four years. Since 2013, when Haibike introduced its first electric mountain bike to the UK market, I have been testing e-bikes. My kids frequently ride on the extended back platform of my Benno Boost e-cargo bike while I go to work and other locations, and I normally keep three to four e-bikes for testing in my garage at any given time.

The term “cheap electric bikes” refers to their cost in comparison to the more expensive electric bikes available in bike shops and from some online vendors. Many of those high-end electric bikes and mountain bikes have been evaluated by us, and some of them are absolutely amazing. But their price can be three or four times that of the models we have. Some cost up to £10,000. These bikes are less expensive, but our testing and research have shown that they are quite dependable for riding and commuting on a daily basis. We concentrated on less expensive solutions from companies like ADO, Lankeleisi, Samebike, and others that you can buy online in order to make these reviews as helpful as possible.
We have added folding e-bikes and even an e-bike with big tyres in addition to regular bikes.

Hub Motors Reduce Prices

Every e-bike in this location has a hub motor as opposed to a mid-drive motor. Hub motors, which are the more popular and less expensive of the two, can be mounted on either the front or, more frequently, the rear wheel. Because their weight is focused on the front or back of the bike, they often don’t offer the same natural manoeuvrability as today’s steadily rising mid-drive engines. The weight of a mid-drive motor, on the other hand, is low and centred over the bottom bracket, which improves control and creates a more balanced ride feel similar to that of a traditional bike.

Less expensive E-bike parts

Often, the parts are less expensive the cheaper the bike. You won’t necessarily be going about on a rattling tin can, though. It simply means that the bike’s designers considered where they could incorporate lower-quality components without compromising safety while investing the most money in hydraulic disc brakes, respectable tyres, and a dependable e-system. And although some of these bikes’ electrical parts might not be branded with well-known brands like Bosch or Shimano, that doesn’t imply they aren’t capable.

Integration and Range of E-Bike Batteries

In the past, the majority of bikes at this price point didn’t do a very good job of concealing their batteries. Instead, businesses publicly mounted them on top of the down tube. But more batteries are starting to appear concealed below the seat tube or inside the down tube. Also, don’t expect to be able to cross the state on one of these bikes. This list’s highest range is 70 miles, however, most models average around 45. Real-world results vary based on the help level you employ, the terrain, and other factors, much like petrol mileage in a car. Still, it’s important to consider the battery range of the bike before you purchase it to make sure it meets your demands.

How These Affordable E-Bikes Were Tested

Our team of skilled testers used the majority of these bikes for their intended uses for numerous hours and distances. I’ve personally tested many of them by riding them to and from work, using them to stock up on groceries and beer, testing their ability to carry passengers, riding them over shaky terrain to see how they handle, and completely draining their batteries to determine how long they can operate between charges. The Bicycle Gear team scrutinised every model in terms of performance, cost, comfort, handling, value, dependability, enjoyment, and overall e-factor before making these suggestions that we think will best meet the needs of anyone wishing to add a little pedal assistance to their ride.

BEST OVERALL CHEAP E-BIKE

ADO A20+

Price: £949

BEST VALUE E-BIKE

ENGWE ENGINE X

Price: £1,175

BEST ROAD E-BIKE

SAMEBIKE LO26-II

Price: £1,190

BEST FOLDING E-BIKE

SAMEBIKE 20LVXD30-II

Price: £949

BEST COOL E-BIKE

SWFT ZIP M20X 500W

Price: £1,149