Skip to main content
To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories.
- Podcasts
- Video
- Newsletters
- Magazine
- Events
- WIRED Insider
- WIRED Consulting
- Jobs
- Coupons
Adrienne So
Gear
We tested the best electric bikes in every category—commuting, mountain biking, foldable, cruisers, and more.
Photograph: Will Matsuda; Getty Images
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED
Best Electric Bike for Most People
Trek FX+ 2
Read more
Best Commuter Ebike
Rad Power Bikes Radster Road
Read more
Best Mountain Ebike
Canyon Spectral:ON CFR
Read more
Best Budget Ebike
Propella 9S Pro V2
Read moreFor years, electric bicycles were bulky, inconvenient, expensive machines with limited battery life. Slowly, that has changed. Ebikes are now lighter, more attractive, and more powerful than ever. You don't need to be physically fit to ride one. They get you outside, reduce traffic congestion, and shrink your carbon footprint. I ride one daily to take my kids to school. They're just fun.
Over the past few years, WIRED's Reviews team has tried almost every kind of electric bike, from the best heavy-duty cargo bikes to high-end mountain bikes. We review upward of 50 new ebikes a year by riding them on a variety of terrain for at least 40 miles over the course of at least two weeks. We test cargo bikes by hauling kids and groceries, we ride mountain and gravel bikes on trails, and we test commuter bikes while running errands on regular city streets (including up and down steep hills). In addition to our real-life testing, we evaluate specs like weight, tire size, battery life, motor power, and the sourcing of key components. If you don't see what you want, check back later (or drop me a note!). Once you buy an ebike, check out our Best Bike Accessories, Best Bike Locks, and the Best Ebikes for Elderly Riders. Not into pedaling? Read our Best Escooters guide for other transport options.
Updated June 2024: We added the Rad Power Radster Road, the Linus eDutchi, the Gazelle Eclipse, and the Aventon Ramblas. We also updated links and prices.
Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.
Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
TopicsShoppingelectric bikesbuying guidese-bikesBicyclesoutdoors
I used to ride thin, high-pressure tires everywhere. But adhering to “the supple life” and cycling on wider, lower-pressure tires boosted my comfort and stability without slowing me down.
Joe Ray
It’s the best time of the year to pick up all the tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and gear you’ll need for summer fun. Just remember these deals end tonight.
Scott Gilbertson
The WIRED Gear team has tested all types of kids' bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
No matter the genre or location, these gadgets will upgrade your experience.
Louryn Strampe
The Instagrammable luggage brand isn't just popular for its cute colors. Beis' Carry On also has a comfy handle and a built in weight gauge.
Nena Farrell
Clear, colorful AeroPresses are a win, but the awkward, unsightly Go Plus is not.
Joe Ray
The all-electric Mustang gets a dirt update—perfect if you prefer going sideways.
Aarian Marshall
As rental companies flood the market with used Teslas, look out for these telltale signs of a lemon.
Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica
