CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
Bikes have always been a great mode of transportation. Now, with the integration of the electric bike, you get added speed and convenience. The number of e-bikes in bike shops is rising as their popularity increases. They're a great option for commuting and come in a wide variety of styles.
To help you find the best option, CNET tested commuter e-bikes from Rad Power, Aventon, Lectric, Fiido and Ride1Up. We focused on real-world scenarios like commuting through cities, with some models tested for suburban and light off-road use. We evaluated each bike’s handling, motor performance, range, safety features and overall value to bring you the top choices.
What is the best e-bike overall?
CNET's editors have crowned the Aventon Soltera 2 as the best overall e-bike. The Soltera 2 offers an affordable price, a lightweight (41 pounds) bike frame and a seven-speed cassette, alongside iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills. But there are plenty of other good options for those specifically after a folding e-bike, one that can carry heavy cargo or something for kids and teens rather than full-grown commuters, and you'll find the full suite of our favorite electric commuter bikes below.
Best Electric Bikes for 2025
Hide our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $999 at Aventon Aventon Soltera 2 Best e-bike overall Photo Gallery 1/1 $999 at Aventon The entire Aventon lineup offers affordability and versatility. The $1,799 Abound is a cargo bike suitable for carrying passengers or groceries, while the $1,699 Aventure 2 is a multifaceted fat-tire bike ideal for all-terrain riding in any season. The Soltera 2 is more of an everyday e-bike that's great for commutes, with a seven-speed cassette and a weight of just 41 pounds. Like the other Aventon bikes, the Soltera 2 features a sleek, detailed display, integrated signal lights, iOS/Android app compatibility and a throttle for assistance on hills. Hide our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $749 at Engwe Engwe L20 2.0 Best budget step through electric bike Photo Gallery 1/1 $749 at Engwe The Engwe L20 2.0 is the updated version of the L20 James Bricknell previously reviewed and loved. The update has changed some things that have improved it, like the ability to fold the bike away and a more powerful 1000W motor to make acceleration smoother. The downside of having the fold in the center is the weight limit is reduced so he wouldn't recommend riding with a baby seat like he used to on the 1.0 version. Aside from that the L20 2.0 is a great fat tire bike that his wife uses every day to ride around the neighborhood. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $999 at Lectric Lectric XP 3.0 Best for heavy cargo Photo Gallery 1/1 $999 at Lectric The Lectric XP 3.0 fat-tire folding bike is great for its portability, foldability and impressive capabilities. It's robust and versatile, with a total payload capacity of 330 pounds, including a rear rack that supports up to 150 pounds. Furthermore, it offers a range of useful accessories and a key ignition, making it less attractive to thieves. The XP 3.0 also comes in a step-thru version for getting on and off of it easily. The XP was also tested in South Carolina and proved to handle well due to its 20-by-3-inch tires and front suspension fork. In addition to being foldable and durable, the XP 3.0 can hit a top speed of 28 mph, powered by a 500-watt motor. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $380 at Gotrax Gotrax V14 Electric Balance Bike Best electric balance bike for kids Photo Gallery 1/1 $380 at Gotrax James Bricknell's 6-year-old and testing partner really enjoyed her time with the Gotrax V14 balance bike. It's helped her learn how to balance correctly and she can zip around at an average speed of about 11mph. Every day they ride down to get her bus to school as well as ride to the local parks. The Gotrax is incredibly sturdy and easy to use with excellent braking and a simple electric on/off that his daughter picked up immediately. He would have liked it if the bike had two speed settings, low and full, so the kids can handle the acceleration better when they are starting out, but he would still recommend this for anyone who wants to use their electric bike with their child riding beside them. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $1,499 at Tenways Tenways CGO600 Pro Best for a traditional bicycle experience Photo Gallery 1/1 $1,499 at Tenways For folks who need pedal-assist without the bulkiness commonly associated with e-bikes, the Tenways CGO600 Pro is an ideal choice. It offers a smooth ride, with assistance on or off, and weighs about the same as a standard bicycle, at 37 pounds. The Tenways CGO600 Pro utilizes a carbon belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes, requiring minimal upkeep. Its design is so discreet that it's nearly impossible to tell it's an e-bike from a distance. The bike’s display is minimalistic, and the vehicle can be powered on via a user-set passcode. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $3,799 at Woom Woom Up5 and Up6 Best for young riders Photo Gallery 1/1 $3,799 at Woom The perfect bike for riding with young ones, so no more travel fatigue. The Woom Up e-bike, sized for either children or teens, features a premium design and three pedal-assist levels up to 12 mph. The bike includes a user-friendly app with straightforward assembly and provides a smooth, comfortable ride. Despite the initial cost, its build quality and components are exceptional, and this bike should hold some resale value by the time your little one outgrows it. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 $799 at Fiido Fiido X Best for short commutes and small spaces (Update: Discontinued) Photo Gallery 1/1 $799 at Fiido The Fiido X is a compact folding e-bike perfect for shorter commutes and for small storage spaces like an average apartment. Its sleek design makes it one of the most attractive folding bikes available. You could easily store it in a car trunk, a closet or the corner of a bedroom. Whether it was part of my daily commute or on some trails in South Carolina, this bike held its own. Show our expert take
Show our expert take Photo Gallery 1/1 See at Async Async A1 Pro Best for full-time throttle use (Update: Discontinued) Photo Gallery 1/1 See at Async Boasting a futuristic design, the Async A1 Pro looks as fun as it is to ride. Its cutting-edge features include a 5.5-inch display and Bluetooth connectivity with LTE, which means users can track the bike using a Find My Bike feature. Its off-road mode enables up to 35 mph speeds, providing an exciting riding experience. Though you can use pedal-assist to extend battery, this isn't a bike you buy for exercise but for full-speed thrills, as it challenges the distinction between e-bike and motorbike. Show our expert take