Best Electric Bikes Under $1000

OUR TOP PICK

Bringing you effortlessly to the summit of our electrifying list is a slick and powerful all-rounder bike sure to ease the burden of gravity on your earthbound soul.

Loaded with an awesome 500-watt brushless motor, you’ll be zipping from here to there and back again at a maximum speed of 22mph.

Brushless motors are quieter and more efficient than standard designs, so you’ll have little to no sound pollution to ruin the natural ambiance as you ascend inclines and bolt down straights.

The Ancheer gives you 22 miles of electrified motion or 38 in pedal assist mode, roughly an hour of use per full 6 hour charge.

To keep track of everything as you go, an LCD display to the right of your left handle tells you your battery power, your speed, motor power ratio, mileage, and light signals.

The transmission system provides you with 21 gears in total that let this Ancheer devour hills.

Front and rear mechanical disc brakes provide powerful and responsive braking, ensuring you’re fully in control at all times.

Unfortunately, Ancheer saddles are famously uncomfortable, so we’d like to see them pay more attention there.

Beyond that, the 6 hour charge time is a little longer than we’d hoped for, but for the power it provides you with, it’s worth being patient.

Pros

• Quiet, powerful and efficient 500-watt brushless motor
• 22mph max speed
• 38mph pedal assisted speed
• Lightweight yet durable aluminum frame and fork
• Larger tires for increased speed and traction
• Suitable for the trail, mountain, road, and commute
• You get roughly an hour per charge, depending on the terrain
• Professional 21 gears for amazing adaptability
• Affordable considering its power
• Comes almost completely constructed
• Easy to assemble the rest of it

Cons

• Long 6 hour charge period
• You’ll probably need to replace the saddle before any major rides
• Not far from our limit here price-wise

EDITORS CHOICE

Serving as some kind of Frankensteinian hybrid of push and motorbikes at our number two spot is a high-quality electric bike ready to make molehills of mountains.

The 350 watt rear-drive motor hits a maximum speed of 20mph, so you’ll be carving up the mountainside like a force of nature.

You’ll get roughly an hour of full performance from a single charge.

Better still, use it in eco-mode and knock out a truly awe-inspiring 60 miles per charge.

You have a similar 21 gear transmission system, perfect for dealing with a variety of terrains, and the 6-degree pedal assist function lets you customize your power usage.

The frame weighs 55lbs but has a slightly lower weight capacity of 275lbs, and The LCD display is clear with its information and keeps you in the know.

Where the Prague excels is its boutique, high-end components.

The SR Suntour XCT fork allows you to add presets to the setup that cater to your riding style and different terrains.

Tektro MD-M280 forged aluminum disc brakes with ceramic compound pads give you ultimate stopping power.

On some fairly isolated occasions, the derailleur system needs recalibration as the chain can slip in the middle gear and between the high gears during intensive use.

Again, we have issues with the saddle as well. It’s simply not comfortable enough for heavy use.

Pros

• 21 gear transmission helps it adapt to various terrains
• Eco-mode gives you up to 60 miles of use per charge
• Lightweight yet durable aluminum construction
• Fork has preset capabilities
• Advanced braking system keeps you in control on daunting gradients
• LCD display gives you easy access to loads of information 
• 20mph top speed
• Tires work great off-road, on asphalt, and concrete
• You’ll get 40 miles out of a charge if you limit your power use
• 6 levels of peddle assist to finetune your ride

Cons

• Most expensive on our list
• It’s claimed that sometimes the gears can slip
• Can’t take as much weight as our top pick

BEST VALUE

This next one’s for all the professionals out there, the city slickers and their concrete commute.

The Swagcycle arrives at your door fully assembled ready to leave congested traffic and grumpy drivers in its wake.

And once you’ve arrived at your destination, it folds three times over into a convenient parcel that will fit under a desk, in a vehicle, or on the subway.

The 250-watt hub motor lets you shred up to 15.5 miles of concrete jungle per 4 to 5 hour charge.

Throttle mode will fast track you on those difficult mornings when you’re tired and running late, and the power assist function will provide an easy cruise.

We were a little bit disappointed with how hard it is to ride when the battery is dead, even over a flat surface as it only has one gear.

That said, we still think Investing in this bike is a fantastic way for a city dweller to do their part for the environment and make their lives much easier in doing so.

Pros

• Folds down to a portable and storage-friendly size
• Capable of a maximum 15.5 miles on a single charge
• Charges quite quickly
• Autoguard break function cuts the motor to save energy and slow you instantly
• Affordable
• Three modes to choose from
• It can hold quite a lot of weight for a small bike
• Lightweight yet durable aluminum construction
• The ideal electric bike for commuting

Cons

• Only one gear that makes it difficult to use when the battery is dead
• No appropriate for any off-road use

RUNNER UP

Propelling you majestically into the sunset of fourth place is a powerful 500-watt engine that offers you 25 - 31 miles of pure electric bliss on one charge, not a finger lifted nor a pedal pushed.

Assist mode will carry you an amazing 62 miles, which is super impressive. What we’re a little underwhelmed by though, is the 15.5mph maximum speed.

Making up for a lower max speed are the awesome 27.5 inch Kenda tires.

Kenda are known for making some of the gnarliest ATV tires in the world, so you can guarantee these will shred up a mountain like it’s nothing.

Much like our other listed mountain bikes, you get the strong aluminum construction, the backlit LCD screen detailing your status on the fly, awesome front and rear Tektro disc brakes, and 5 levels of pedal assist.

Unlike our top two options, this bike only comes with 7 speed Shimano gears.

This is the perfect bike for those who prefer distance over speed.

The 500-watt engine makes it an absolute workhorse, and the fact that all the electrical cables are concealed within the frame help to make this one of the most visually appealing bikes on our list.

Pros

• 62 miles max distance
• Kenda tires
• Strong, lightweight aluminum construction
• Great Tektro disc brakes for full stopping power
• Hidden cables for sleek look
• 5 hour charge time

Cons

• Low maximum speed
• Sometimes ships with missing components
• Fewer gears

RUNNER UP

Meeting us halfway up the hill here is an awesome electric bike designed specifically to deal with the most challenging of weather conditions.

You can expect a 500-watt brushless motor for easy climbing and speeds of up to 23mph, a 5-speed LCD display, aluminum construction, and dual disc brakes.

What makes this bike different from the rest are its wheels and tires.

The rims are made from super heavy duty double-layered aluminum alloy, the front of which is controlled by a reinforced carbon steel fork.

The tires are monstrous. They measure 26 inches x 4 inches, designed to displace snow and water, gaining traction on the solid ground beneath.

This bike’s loaded with a 7-gear transmission, and the battery gives you between 22 and 40 miles per charge depending on the riding variables.

It seems quite expensive when you compare the specs to our top picks, but extra focus on the wheels, fork and tires to make it snow-specific was bound to bump up costs.

Pros

• Wide tires for control in snow and rain
• Really fast for a chunky snow bike
• Powerful 500-watt brushless motor gets good distance per charge
• Dual disc brakes
• 5-speed LCD display
• Durable aluminum frame
• Carbon steel fork for greater front wheel control
• Double layered aluminum alloy rims

Cons

• Weather specialization makes it pretty pricey
• Quite a simplistic transmission system
• Bulky design makes it slightly heavier than other bikes

RUNNER UP

Our number six spot is swept up by this awesome design that mixes the benefits of a small commuter bike with the performance of a mountain bike.

With a max speed of 20mph, it’ll carry you between 25 and 40 miles depending on your choice of power consumption - impressive for 350 watts. 

The adaptable LED front light and built-in horn make it perfect for the commute home during the cold months when night draws in before the end of office hours.

Another impressive accomplishment here is the 21 speed transmission system that should give you a really articulate performance, capable of handling a myriad of terrains.

There are a few fallbacks to consider. 5.5 to 6 hours is a large charge time for a smaller bike, and despite the foldable design aimed at commuters, at 53lbs, it’s not much lighter than the full-fledged mountain bikes on our list.

Beyond that, we have to say, it really does look amazing.

The curved black, webbed spokes and the single bar thick middle frame give it a super cool stealthy aesthetic.

This would be the batcycle Batman would use if the batmobile was in the shop.

Pros

• 21 gear transmission
• Folds up for storage and ease of transport
• 40 mile limit on a single charge
• Looks really cool
• Affordable
• Awesome LED lights and horn

Cons

• It’s quite heavy for a foldable bike
• Up to 6 hour charge time

RUNNER UP

Carrying you to and from work here as another 350-watt motor capable of 20mph and 30 miles per charge 10.4 AH battery. You also get the 5-speed LCD display for status updates.

Leaving us gobsmacked is the 24 gear transmission, the most advanced on our list, giving this thing incredible uphill potential.

This system will also provide a pretty satisfying ride should the battery run out on you mid-trip.

The front and rear mechanical disc brakes give you loads of control even in the rain, and, surprisingly, despite the double-walled rims and a 300lbs weight capacity, it’s quite a light bike, weighing 54lbs.

It’s a 6 hour charge time again with this bike, which is around an hour longer than we’d like, but as long as you charge as soon as you finish using it, it’ll be good and ready for your next outing.

Perhaps an isolated incident, we did find a customer who claimed the rear hub failed after a couple of weeks.

Pros

• Best gear system on the list
• 20mph max speed
• 5-speed LCD display
• Lightweight
• Double-walled rims
• Large weight capacity
• Affordable
• Disc brakes

Cons

• Hubs may need replacing
• 6 hour charge time

RUNNER UP

Bringing some versatility to our list at eight is an all-terrain beast with a 500-watt motor and a max speed of 20 mph.

There are some drawbacks to this model straight off the bat.

For instance, you only get 19 miles out of a full charge which seems low for a brushless system, but what you lose in general performance, you make up for in applications. 

Thanks to the 26-inch x 4-inch anti-skidding tires, you can ride this safely in the snow, on the beach, through the desert, up a mountain, on concrete...name the terrain, this thing will traverse it.

It has the normal three functions: throttle, power assist, and natural pedaling.

It’s only a 7-speed system which isn’t ideal for an all-terrain powerhouse, but with assist mode on, it shouldn’t pose a problem.

The charge time was undisclosed, but we did some research and found that Ecotric bikes tend to charge over 6 to 8 hours.

That’s a full day at work, so don’t forget to plug it in before you knuckle down.

Pros

• 500-watt motor can handle steep terrain
• Tires allow passage over sand and through snow
• 20mph max speed
• LCD display
• Mechanical disc brakes

Cons

• 19 mile charge limit
• Longest charge time on the list
• Could do with more gears
• Relatively expensive

RUNNER UP

In our penultimate spot, we have a commuter bike with an elegant design that may appeal to those who like their technology with a nod to the past.

This cruiser design has a mountain rack over the back wheel and a low aluminum step-through frame that makes mounting a breeze.

This is going to save you a lot of hassle if you’re wearing a dress or skirt.

The 6 - 8-hour charge 12.5 AH lithium-ion battery and 250-watt motor muster a max speed of 16 mph, the second slowest of our choices, but it will carry you a redeeming 35 miles per charge.

The 6-speed gears should be plenty for the average city commute.

We really like a basket on a cruiser, but it doesn’t come with one, and due to all the cables gathered in front of the handlebars, we’re not sure you could install one either.

The thing about incorporating the past into the future is that it comes with some of the impracticalities too, but this bike is more about style and comfort rather than performance.

Pros

• Double-walled rims
• 35 miles per charge
• Step-through frame for easy mounting
• Relatively lightweight
• Classic design
• Rear rack
• Facilitates comfortable and healthy posture

Cons

• Low top speed
• Less powerful motor
• No LCD display

RUNNER UP

Our final pick is a super affordable take on the electric mountain bikes of our higher spots.

The 250-watt motor propels you at a max speed of 18.6mph and the lithium battery offers just over 17 miles from a single 4 - 6 hour charge.

It’s a little bit underwhelming compared to our other picks, but when you consider the price, it’s actually a pretty sweet deal, and it’s not all bad news.

You get an awesome 21 gear transmission the likes of which are normally only see on more expensive options.

In place of the LCD display, you get a basic power gauge. It’s not flash, but it gets the job done.

The frame is aluminum alloy, but the fork is carbon steel for maximum strength and control.

You get the three power modes, powerful disc brakes that cut the motor function in an instant, and 30 degrees of gradient climbing potential.

This is the perfect entry-level electric bike.

It does exactly what the others do but to a slightly lesser degree, and it costs roughly half the price, lovely!

Pros

• 21 gear transmission
• 250-watt brushless motor
• Basic 3-speed LED power gauge 
• Low charge time on occasion
• Carbon steel fork
• Lightweight and durable aluminum construction
• Powerful disc brakes

Cons

• Weaker engine
• Quite a low max speed
• Pretty low mileage from a charge