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THE WORLD of folding e-bikes is growing faster than we can keep up with. These days you can find folding electric bikes that are lightweight and built for short commutes, and folding electric bikes with rugged features built for off-road adventures.
Like regular e-bikes, folding e-bikes are outfitted with compact motors that produce heavy wattage and torque. You can expect them to reach upwards of 20 mph depending on the design, which is what laws usually classify as either a Class 1 e-bike or Class 2 e-bike (the main difference is Class 1 only uses pedal assist while Class 2 can have a throttle). Any two-wheeler north of 20 mph veers into Class 3 e-bike category, which is a little more rare to find.
While speed is definitely fun on an e-bike, foldable e-bikes focus on portability and ease-of-use. Unlike regular e-bikes, folding e-bikes are lighter, which means they're also easier to store and carry. That's why they've become incredibly popular for city commuters who don't have much storage, and outdoorsmen who like biking off-road, but don't have the car space to carry several bikes at once. We rounded up the best folding e-bikes available in 2023, based on price point and performance. Ahead, you'll find there are folding e-bikes for all types of use, with models catering to all types of individual needs. Ready to see what's out there?
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If you're looking for a lightweight option, then look no further than the Qualisports Volador folding e-bike. It weighs 36 lbs and packs 350 watts of power that helps the bike travel up to 30 miles on a single charge. Thanks to a clever design, the Volador is very capable over a wide variety of terrain, including pavement, hard-pack trails, gravel, grass, and more. So you can use it as a bike to run errands or take it with you on camping trips.
Our team found that this electric bike's biggest selling point is its weight (or lack of). That makes it surprisingly easy to transport, especially once folded. Our only real gripe is the lack of any cargo racks or other special features. It is, however, available in three colors (rather than the standard "black-only" of most e-bikes).
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Volador Folding Electric Bike Lightweight
This foldable e-bike from Swagtron is probably more for fun than function, but don't let that prior statement fool you. The 37-pound bike can go up to 15 mph via throttle, or you can kick up the speed and switch it to pedal-assist.
Our team loved the ultra-compact folded size of this bike, which is perfect for commuters, apartment dwellers, and anyone tight on storage space. At roughly two feet wide by two feet tall, it's small enough to stash in a closet or even keep in the trunk of your vehicle until you need it.
You probably won't be running errands or taking this model on any extended trips. But for those who want to take it for a leisurely spin around the park or to your local bodega, it's the perfect grab-and-go bike. Well done Swagtron. Well done.
Swagcycle EB-5 PLUS Folding Electric Bike
This is a foldable e-bike from Swagtron is more for fun than function, but don't let that prior statement fool you. The 37-pound bike can go up to 15 mph via throttle or you can kick up the speed and switch it to pedal assist. You won't necessarily be taking any long trips or running errands with this bike, but for those who want to take it for a leisure spin to the park or to your bodega it's the perfect grab-and-go bike. Well done Swagtron. Well done.
Swagcycle EB-5 PLUS Folding Electric Bike
If, like us, you were impressed with the Heybike Ranger but are looking for a more affordable folding e-bike, then we recommend the Heybike Mars. It's essentially the little brother to the Ranger. It tops out at 20 mph (5 mph short of the Ranger) and has a shorter range, too. You also don't get the LED display or step-thru design like you do with the Ranger.
While it lacks some of the features we love most about the Ranger, this is still a competent folding e-bike. Our team appreciated the balanced design, which still ticks all the essential boxes of what we look for in an electric folder—namely, 500 watts of power and a solid 48-mile range—while keeping price top of mind.
Let's not downplay the trade-off here: You save several hundred bucks. So, if you're willing to forgo a couple of premium specs but still want the core of what the Ranger is, then go for the Mars. It's our pick for this year's most balanced folding electric bike, and well worth a look.
This foldable e-bike from Vivi looks and feels a lot like your "ordinary" mountain bike. But a clever design leads it to pack 500 watts and premium hidden details like dual suspension and a Shimano 21-speed transmission. As far as range and speed go, the battery is good for up to 50 miles per charge, and it'll run up to 20 mph.
Our panel of gear testers was pleasantly surprised at just how fun this bike is to ride. It's a blast on the trails, where it easily tackles hard-packed dirt and other light terrain without issue. We found it to be a little heavy at almost 60 pounds, but that's still reasonable for a moderately equipped mountain bike.
What sets this folding e-bike apart is value. At less than $400 (plus delivery) for a solidly built off-road electric two-wheeler, it's hard to complain. Take this bad boy out on some easy trails and feel just how fun it is to ride.
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Electric Bike for Adults Foldable 500W Electric Mountain Bike
Hipeak's foldable e-bike has started to garner attention fast from outdoor enthusiasts. This bike's fat tires are capable of grinding through all kinds of trails and terrain. Plus, added features like a front fork suspension and a seven-step shifting system help riders maneuver both off- and on-road as comfortably as possible. What's cool is this e-bike's battery was designed to be easily removed, so you can use it as a traditional non-powered bike while the battery charges.
Our gear testers loved the combination of this folding e-bike's rugged construction, go-anywhere fat tires, and very reasonable price point. We found the 750-watt power output and beefy 20-inch-by-4-inch puncture-resistant tires to be more than enough to tackle just about any terrain. Plus, added features like a rear cargo rack and clean, easy-to-read LCD display make it more usable and add even more value.
This is another well-priced folder at just under $800 delivered. For that price, you're getting essentially a mountain-ready bike and a "daily driver" that's perfect for hitting city streets or rides to the park, too.
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750W Foldable Electric Bike for Adults
Rad Power Bikes has some of the best e-bikes money can buy. Take its RadExpand 5, which is built to the brand's signature high standard. We're talking a sturdy 6061 aluminum frame, thick, rugged tires, and 750 watts of power. The RadExpand 5 also packs a number of functional features like a cargo rack for carrying goods, plus reflecting striping on the tire sidewalls and LED headlights for evening rides.
We've long been fans of Rad Power, and our gear testing team found this e-bike further proves why we love them so much. The combination of a 750-watt geared-hub motor and chunky fat tires help the RadExpand 5 tackle mountain trails and steep hills with aplomb. We also love that, given its size and capabilities, it folds down surprisingly small.
There's no getting around the fact that this e-bike is a little more expensive than others on this list. But if you want a trusted foldable model that's going to hold up in all conditions, you'll find the RadExpand 5 a worthy investment.
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Lectric's line of electric bikes has been a long-time customer favorite, and the XP Lite, in particular, is a favorite foldable e-bike among many thanks to its streamlined battery placement and powerful motor (720 watts). This bike falls into a Class 2 placement, reaching up to 20 mph via pedal-assist or throttle. What's special about the XP Lite is it travels up to 40 miles per charge and weighs under 50 pounds, all while being priced under $800. Now, those are stats we can get behind.
Our outdoor gear team has been a fan of Lectric for years, namely for the incredible value of its e-bikes. The XP Lite is one of the most affordable in its line-up, yet it delivers a surprising number of premium features. Namely: A 300-watt motor with 720 watts of peak power. Our test unit also arrived fully assembled, so all you'll need to do is unbox yours upon delivery, and you're ready to ride!
A solid motor, chunky, go-anywhere tires, and an easy-to-read LCD display panel round out some of our favorite features of this best-in-class folding e-bike. Did we mention it's under $800 delivered?
One of our favorite e-bike brands, Aventon, is at the top of the industry due to its durable builds and great designs. The Sinch 2 Step-Through is wonderfully simple, allowing the rider to get on the foldable e-bike with ease and pedal through all types of terrain thanks to its thick tires.
What immediately sets this electric folder apart from us is the great looks. The clean design of the frame feels sleek and modern, while the tan sidewalls of the tires add a dash of retro to the mix. It's a combination that helps this folding e-bike stand out among a sea of all-black look-a-like bikes.
The only downsides: It's a bit heavy at almost 70 pounds, and it doesn't fold down as small and compact as others on this list. It's also among the priciest models we tested this year at $1,500. But in terms of taking this on vacation, to the beach, or on a camping trip, it stores perfectly. Still, we see the Sinch 2 as a great travel cruiser e-bike.
Heybike e-bikes are known for affordability and durability, making them a smart choice for first-time buyers and those who don't want to pay more than $1,000 for an e-bike. The Ranger foldable model is one of the brand's more expensive models. But that premium price point includes a number of useful features: LED headlights, an LCD display, dual shock absorbers, and a cargo rack. The Ranger is outfitted with 4-inch thick puncture-resistant tires and a 500-watt battery good for up to 48 miles on a single charge, and a top speed of 25 mph.
This is a flagship e-bike without the typical (i.e., more than $1,000) price tag. Over our months-long test with this folding electric bike, we found that it delivered on every front. It's fast, stable, capable over all but the steepest off-road terrain, and just plain fun to ride.
If you expect to use your e-bike in all kinds of environments (day and night, road or trail) then this is a solid choice for a feature-loaded folding electric bike.
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Ranger Electric Bike for Adults Foldable
A quality motor, strong frame, and thick tires are the heart and soul of this top-rated foldable e-bike from Rattan. But what really makes this bike shine is its ability to convert to a two-seater, hence the small seat on the back. Plus, its Class 3 designation means this bike can top out at an impressive 28 mph. As mentioned earlier, it's rare to find a good folding e-bike with such a high classification. You not only get blazing speed here, but you also get a twist throttle to go (Class 1 e-bikes are only pedal assist).
We're big fans of Class 3 electric bikes and their ability to go seriously fast. We love that this model is a unique blend of Class 3 and tandem-passenger capability. For solo cyclists who occasionally like to ride with an extra passenger in tow, this folding electric bike makes it easy.
This folding two-wheeler strikes a good balance of power, speed, range, and utility, especially with its unique second seat. Our only real gripes are that we wish the rear backrest was bigger, and the $200 delivery fee pushes the all-in price of this model over $1,000.
If you're into e-bikes but haven't yet heard of Oraimo, you will. Its line of folding electric bikes, in particular, is solid, and this midrange model is well worth a look. It boasts a powerful 750-watt motor with up to 1,000 watts of peak power delivery and a 45-mile range. Add to that a seven-speed Shimano gearbox and 20-inch fat tires, and this has all the capabilities of a go-anywhere e-bike.
Our gear testers loved this new-for-2023 model. Thanks to impressive specs and a premium feature set, this folding electric bike is more than capable of tackling trails and paved roads equally. What truly set this model apart for us, however, was the fast-charging battery. Where many electric bikes require overnight charging, this model charges from zero to full in around 3.5 hours. It's perfect for riding to work in the morning and then fully charging before you head home for the day.
This midrange electric folder from Oraimo seriously delivers. Its roughly $800 price tag puts this on the high-end of budget e-bikes we tested, but the value makes it more than worth it.
Are folding e-bikes worth it?
Many folding e-bikes offer similar features to traditional electric bikes but in a more compact package. The best folding e-bikes collapse down to a relatively small footprint that can easily be stored in a closet, garage, or even the trunk of a car. For small-space living, they're a great alternative to full-sized electric bicycles.
What is the disadvantage of a folding e-bike?
Naturally, folding e-bikes prioritize size and portability over rideability. This means that most models sacrifice comfort and convenience features to allow them to collapse down as small as possible. For example, some folding electric bikes only have one gear. So, you may need to slightly adjust your usual riding stance and style.
Is it harder to pedal a folding e-bike?
With (usually) a single gear and a smaller wheel size, folding e-bikes can be slightly harder to pedal. But, considering that most riders use them to cover relatively short distances, we think that harder ride is a worthwhile trade-off given their ultra-compact designs.
As mentioned earlier, there are a few characteristics you should look for when buying a folding e-bike. Here are the most important ones:
Most folding e-bikes are lighter than your average e-bike, but some folding models can still be a pain when having to carry them frequently, especially if you have to travel up steps. If you live in an apartment or anywhere you anticipate carrying your bike a lot, then we recommend prioritizing a lighter folding e-bike. These designs are typically a little less powerful and not as feature-rich (with cargo racks, headlights, etc.), but in the end, they will save you a lot of time and energy. If you don't have to worry about weight as much and plan on carrying your folding e-bike in an SUV or RV or storing it at a vacation home, then you can prioritize a more feature-loaded bike. Examples include thicker tires, more rugged frames with cargo-carrying capabilities, and bigger batteries.
Power is huge when it comes to shopping for e-bikes. A good wattage range for folding e-bikes can be from 350-750 watts, depending on the size and design of the bike. More wattage usually requires a bigger battery. So you'll want to take into account added size and weight, but if you want to go far and fast, then you can usually go with a higher wattage battery. We say "usually" because e-bikes also rely a lot on torque for speed and potential range, as well as the general build of the bike—is it heavy and made to go off-road, or is it light and meant for paved road riding?
In order to help build local legislation for safety, e-bikes have been divided into different classes. Some cities only allow Class 1 e-bikes, while others allow up to Class 3. It's true it may be hard for authorities to enforce which e-bike you use. But the reality is if you're using an e-bike in a town or city that's not in code with the local law, you risk getting a ticket.
So, without getting too deep into the weeds, here's a quick rundown: Class 1 e-bikes are defined as pedal-assisted and can go up to 20 mph, while Class 2 e-bikes are defined as having a throttle (along with pedal-assist) and can go up to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes are defined by having a throttle and can go up to 28 mph. Check with your local laws and see if there are any guidelines about what kind of e-bike class you can use freely and legally in your neighborhood.
We consulted with Men's Health writers and editors on the best folding e-bikes in 2023. Experts, including our gear and commerce editor, John Thompson, reviewed a number of foldable electric bikes and evaluated their design, performance, durability, and features. We also considered the price point of each, as some folding e-bikes promise a better overall value than others. Ultimately, we agreed on the models above as our picks for this year's best folding electric bikes.
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