Nick Koleszar is a bike nerd. He writes and edits BikeRide's product reviews and the scripts for our video reviews.
The huge range of brands, models, and types of e-bike makes it difficult to find the right one. That challenge is even harder if your budget is under $500. But don’t worry, BikeRide.com has your back!
We’ve reviewed 26 electric bikes under $500 to find the best options in five popular categories. Our in-house scoring system helps us identify the most promising candidates.
We then compare each bike’s performance, handling, comfort, specifications, overall quality and pricing to identify the best deal in every category.
Keep reading to see our top picks for e-bikes under $500.
Totem’s Victor 2.0 is a hybrid with a 350W hub motor, a suspension fork, and 1.95” puncture-resistant CST tires, all at an impressive entry-level price point.
Experts and owners appreciate the Victor’s strong acceleration and ability to cruise at 20mph. Despite the low cost, the Victor is light for an e-bike, weighing in at just 46lb.
Riders also enjoy the comfortable ride and useful capacity to handle bumpy roads and light trails. This bike even offers a good battery range.
Bigger riders find the Victor 2.0 on the small side, but still a good way to get around. Testers and owners agree this bike is a highly attractive option when buying a budget e-bike.
If you’re hoping to find a budget e-bike that combines impressive portability with surprising performance and fun, ENGWE’s T14 folding bike could be your ticket to ride.
Experts are impressed by this tiny tot’s ability to cover the miles at useful speeds, and the compact dimensions mean this bike will squeeze almost anywhere when folded. ENGWE includes fenders, a rear cargo rack and passenger seat, and front light.
The budget category offers few options when it comes to electric folding bikes, but if your primary requirement is a bike that folds down small, the T14’s combination of value and performance could be a winner.
Above all else, a good commuter should be practical and easy to use. In the budget category, the DYU C6 delivers on both fronts, with an approachable step-through frame, a suite of accessories that even includes a basket and a lock, and a real-world range of 37 miles.
Owners and testers praise the comfortable ride, strong brakes, and easy assembly. The reportedly responsive aftersales support should help mitigate possible quality control issues.
Reviewers and buyers say the DYU C6 is good value, making it a solid option if electric assistance and the aesthetics of a Dutch-style city bike are high on your shopping list but your budget is low.
The ANCHEER Gladiator gives you a hybrid ride with a punchy 500W motor, a suspension fork, and very little else.
Owners enjoy how much fun this bike is to ride off-road, thanks to chunky tires and impressive hill-climbing ability.
The Gladiator’s 500Wh battery serves up a real-world range exceeding 30 miles, making it an adept commuter. For regular commuting, you’ll want to add fenders, a cargo rack, and a rear light.
There may be better options out there for dedicated commuting and urban rides, but the Gladiator’s fun quotient, especially off-road, has owners pronouncing it both a solid bargain and a great introduction to e-bikes.
If you’re seeking a truly compact e-bike for less than $500, you’ll be hard-pressed to beat the DYU D3F, which is tiny, even before you fold the handlebar down and drop the saddle.
When folded, you can pick it up by the built-in handle and stick it in your car, carry it on the train, or stash it under your desk.
The D3F’s 38lb isn’t exactly ultra-light, but that’s thanks to a big battery, giving this 14”-wheel runabout a surprisingly useful battery range. This bike even comes with fenders and lights. The disc brakes and tiny turning circle are ideal for busy urban areas.
As a campsite runabout, handy pit bike, or fun ride for kids, the D3F is a considered good value.
Here at BikeRide, we’re a bunch of passionate cyclists with an obsession for the minutiae of bicycles and cycling accessories.
We pore over the details of the products we review, searching the internet to find every reliable expert review and trustworthy piece of buyer feedback.
When possible, we combine this data with our in-house bike testing, and we distill everything into a straightforward assessment that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each bike or accessory.
All BikeRide reviews get a score out of 100. This score is generated using a combination of ratings by trustworthy experts and owners and those given by our tester when we’ve had a chance to test the product in question.
The ratings combine to generate a final score for each bike or accessory, making it easier for you to compare the different choices.
Why You Can Trust BikeRide Reviews
BikeRide has reviewed almost a thousand bikes ranging from budget commuters to elite race bikes. This gives us huge experience when it comes to assessing the quality and value of any bike we review.
Finding e-bikes under $500 worth recommending is a challenge, but we’ve reviewed 26 bikes in the category and come up with a list of the best five.
Whether a bike is a standout option, a huge miss, offers excellent value, or is a debatable purchase, our approach is the same: collect reliable data, examine all relevant details, and define the key qualities and reasons to buy or not buy.
We love cycling, and we want you to love cycling, too, by finding the perfect bike.
Photo: Scott C.C
How Electric Bikes Work
Electric bikes are those driven by a motor in the wheel’s hub or at the bottom bracket. This motor is powered by a battery, and the whole system is managed by a controller and cadence or torque sensors.
Cadence sensors track pedaling speed (cadence), and torque sensors measure pedal effort. E-bikes may have one or both types.
Based on speed and/or torque measurement, the motor controller tells the motor how much power to provide, and the corresponding energy is drawn from the battery.
Many e-bikes have throttles that let you activate the motor to add a quick boost of speed to your pedaling or get around without pedaling.
The simplest e-bikes have a basic cadence sensor, a single gear, and a limited choice of power levels. As e-bikes go up in price, so does sophistication by adding more refined cadence sensors or torque sensors, gears, and higher-performing parts.
E-bikes designed for a lower price point usually have simple displays, limited battery and gearing range, and less refined ride quality and motor assistance.
Choosing the Right Style of Electric Bike
Like regular non-electric bikes, e-bikes come in different designs to suit different riding styles. It’s hard to find one e-bike that does everything well, so it’s important to decide what you need yours to do before you start your search.
If you want something that’s easy to store and carry in your car for relaxed weekend cruises around campsites and parks, a folding bike might be best.
If you place a premium on comfort, then you should look for suspension, bigger wheels, wider tires, and an upright riding position.
Narrower tires with smoother tread are quieter, roll more efficiently, and weigh less, making them ideal for zipping around town or getting to and from work.
If your commute or weekend ride involves bumpier terrain or trails, you might want wider tires with chunkier tread for improved bump absorption and better traction over loose or muddy surfaces.
If you need to carry kids or cargo, look for e-bikes with large, sturdy cargo racks and good accessory options to expand the bike’s utility, such as cargo baskets, child seats, and weather protection.
Top Speed and the Law
To qualify as an e-bike under US federal law, an e-bike motor’s continuous power output must not exceed 750W, and the bike must not be able to go faster than 20mph using the throttle and 28mph with pedal assistance.
Rules can change depending on the state, county, municipality, and even park in which you ride, so it’s important to check the laws in your area.
In general, e-bike usage and speed limits are more restricted on public trails and parkland. Some parks exclude all e-bikes, while others limit e-bikes based on speed and power.
E-bike speed limits only apply to the speed reached when using the motor. They don’t limit how fast you can pedal an e-bike unassisted or when coasting downhill (but the normal rules of the road, including speed limits, still apply!)
Photo: Scott C.C
Pedal Assist Versus Throttle
The pedal assist system (PAS) is what activates to provide motor assistance when you pedal.
Budget e-bikes use cadence sensors that simply tell the controller you’re pedaling and switch the motor on.
More expensive e-bikes use torque sensors that let you control how much assistance you get from the motor by exerting more or less force on the pedals.
Some people prefer the more natural feel of a good torque sensor; others enjoy being able to pedal very lightly to activate the cadence sensor but still get full assistance.
E-bikes should have at least three PAS levels, but most have five, and many offer a way to fine-tune the strength of the motor assistance in each PAS level to suit your experience and riding style, though budget e-bikes may lack this option.
Most e-bikes have handlebar controls: a cluster of buttons on the left side of the handlebar for changing PAS levels and accessing menus.
Some budget bikes have just one button, meaning you must cycle through the PAS levels to get back to 0. This can get confusing if you need to drop assistance quickly, such as in busy urban areas.
Some e-bikes only provide pedal assistance, but many, especially cheaper models, offer both pedal assist and a throttle.
E-bike throttles include motorcycle-style twist throttle or a button you push with your thumb. On some very cheap e-bikes, the throttle is an on-off switch, making it hard to control speed with the throttle. Better throttles make it easier to modulate the bike’s speed.
Photo: Nick Koleszar
Assembly and Maintenance
Most e-bikes arrive requiring some final assembly. If you plan to assemble the bike, check that the brand provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions.
Some bikes come with the tools needed for assembly, and many brands provide video guides to help with assembly.
If you’re unfamiliar with basic bike mechanics, it’s worth paying a local bike shop to put the bike together so you can be confident everything is assembled correctly and safely.
Single-speed drivetrains and rim brakes are easy to maintain. Bikes with multiple gears have derailleurs that often need some tuning when they first arrive and require occasional attention to ensure smooth shifting.
Similarly, brakes need regular servicing to maintain peak performance. Over time, parts like brake pads, tires, and chains wear out and require replaceing
An e-bike’s maximum range depends primarily on the motor power and size of the battery pack. However, the weight of the bike and payload (rider and cargo), ambient temperature, speed, and terrain all affect battery range.
Most entry-level e-bikes offer a real-world range of around 15 to 30 miles. A bigger battery means more range, but it also adds weight and bulk, so some bikes, like folders, may have smaller batteries so they’re easier to carry.
Rechargeable batteries don’t live forever. Every time they’re charged and discharged, their life is shortened. Battery life is quantified in charge cycles (a full charge and discharge). Higher-end batteries get more charges before they degrade.
Like a phone battery, the total charge held decreases with use until it needs to be replaced. It’s important to check that you’ll be able to buy a new, manufacturer-approved battery pack when this time comes.
Oftentimes, cheap e-bike models are discontinued after a couple of years, and finding replacement batteries is difficult or impossible.
To get the most out of your e-bike’s battery, always follow the manufacturer’s charging and care instructions.
Photo: Scott C.C
Motor Power and Performance
Some brands state peak motor power ratings, but continuous (nominal) power output is more useful when comparing models. Budget e-bikes typically have continuous power of between 250W and 500W.
Motor power isn’t the only thing that matters, though. Higher torque means faster acceleration and better climbing ability. All things being equal, an e-bike’s ability to go fast or climb steep hills depends on the voltage of the e-bike system.
Many entry-level e-bikes use 36V systems. These can have better battery range, but if you need to climb hills or carry heavy cargo, look for 48V e-bikes with higher power and torque.
Weight and Portability
Most budget e-bikes have aluminum frames, but some use steel. Neither of these is as light as carbon fiber, which costs a lot more.
To reduce weight when sticking to a small budget, look for e-bikes with smaller wheels, motors, and batteries.
Fat tires and full suspension might sound great if you’re hoping to go off-road, but good suspension systems are expensive. Cheap suspension components tend to be heavy, and they often don’t perform well.
Also, rubber is heavy, so large, wide tires can add a lot of weight. The same goes for super-sized batteries.
Folding bikes, especially those that combine folding frames and folding stems, can be the perfect solution to the challenge of storing or transporting an e-bike. However, folding mechanisms inevitably add weight, and if they’re not engineered well, they can challenging to operate.
Photo: Scott C.C
Wheels and Tires
Choosing wheel size, tire width, and tread style is a compromise between price, weight, comfort, and performance.
Smaller wheels are more nimble and take up less space, but they don’t handle bumps so well, and they tend to make steering twitchy.
At the other end of the spectrum, 26″ wheels with 4″ knobby tires offer a smooth ride with plenty of grip over loose surfaces, but they’re inefficient on smooth roads, noisier, and bulkier.
If you’re looking for an around-town or commuting e-bike, you’ll probably find 20″ or 26″ wheels with lightly treaded tires around 2″ wide to be a happy compromise.
Ride Quality and Fit
Suspension can help smooth out bumpy terrain, but it adds weight and complexity.
Good suspension components are expensive, so the suspension on budget bikes tends to be unimpressive, often adding noise (from clunky components) and weight, with little improvement to ride quality.
Other ways to provide a more plush ride include wider, larger-volume tires, a suspension seatpost, or a wider saddle with more padding.
A more upright riding position is generally easier to live with, as it doesn’t require so much physical flexibility and reduces the weight on your hands and wrists. Some bikes come with ergonomic grips that spread the pressure and reduce the strain.
Fit is also a key consideration when choosing an e-bike. Most budget brands only offer one size per model, and they typically exaggerate the height range.
Taller riders often won’t get full leg extension for pedaling, while shorter riders may not have enough clearance to stand over the frame.
Looking out for customer and tester reviews with details about their height and how the bike fits can help you avoid buying a bike that’s too small or large. BikeRide’s reviews always include this information when it’s available.
Photo: Scott C.C
Brakes and Safety Features
Hydraulic disc brakes provide the ultimate braking power and feel, but are typically too expensive for budget bikes.
Mechanical disc brakes may lack the feedback of hydraulic brakes, but they tend to be more powerful than rim brakes, especially in wet weather.
Rim brakes have been around for over a century and are well proven. Though they’re fine for gentle rides and low-speed commuting, they’re usually not adequate for stopping faster, heavier e-bikes.
Most e-bikes come with integrated lights, and some include a braking function at the rear. Others even have rear turn signals, which help increase safety when used with the usual hand signals.
Photo: Scott C.C
Accessories/Extra Features
When looking for a budget-price e-bike, it’s generally better to focus on fundamentals such as ride comfort, handling, brakes, motor power, and battery range. However, some entry-level e-bikes do include useful accessories or features.
For example, the DYU C6 comes with a front basket that is both aesthetically pleasing and handy. ENGWE has given its little T14 a padded back seat. Sure, it’s not ideal for carrying a full-size passenger, but a buddy can still hop aboard for a short journey.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are e-bike classes?
Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance only when pedaling, and assistance stops at 20mph. Class 2 e-bikes have a throttle that provides motor power up to 20mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28mph.
Are e-bikes under $500 reliable?
When you add the cost of a motor, battery, and controller to the basic cost of a bicycle, it doesn’t leave much room for profit if the e-bike only costs a few hundred dollars. Therefore, it’s inevitable that the materials, design, build, and quality control aren’t going to rival $2,000 e-bike. Still, our reviews try to highlight e-bikes with terrible reputations for poor reliability so you can avoid them.
How long do e-bike batteries and how much do they cost to replace?
E-bike batteries usually last 300-1000 charge cycles (3-5 years of normal use). After this, you’ll notice a big drop in range.
Replacements start at around $250, with bigger batteries costing more. If the battery pack isn’t user-removable, fitting a new battery can require changing some wiring.
Can I ride a budget e-bike in the rain?
Any e-bike you buy today should be able to cope with normal rain, but it’s best to avoid riding through deep puddles or allowing big splashes to hit the bike. E-bikes certified to meet the UL 2849 standard have been tested to ensure they’re safe to ride in rain.
Do I need a driver’s license or insurance to ride an e-bike?
In most places, as long as your e-bike meets the rules to be classed as an e-bike, and not a moped or motorcycle, you shouldn’t need a license or insurance to ride it in public. However, it’s always important to check the laws in your area.
How fast can I go?
Where they’re allowed, Class 3 pedelecs can do 28mph using pedal assist. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are limited to 20mph. If you want to go faster than this on an electric bicycle, you’ll have to do it without the motor’s help, ride on private property, or comply with relevant local laws for an electric moped or motorcycle.
