The 4 Best Folding Electric Bikes
Mục Lục
Best Overall Folding Electric Bike
Blix Vika+ Flex
Read the Review
OVERALL
SCORE
Battery Size: 614 Wh | Measured Weight: 51 lbs 14 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Fast acceleration
Complete set of features
Easy assembly
Great range
Wide range of user height
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
Lacks suspension fork
614 Wh |51 lbs 14 oz
After weeks of testing these bikes side-by-side, the most impressive, all-around performance came from the Blix Vika+ Flex. This model has the range for long commutes and all the features you can want, including integrated front and rear bike lights, a USB charger for your mobile phone, a cargo rack, and fenders to keep your clothes clean on your way to work or play. The Vika+ Flex has plenty of power and a max speed of up to 24 mph, while the hydraulic disc brakes control your speed smoothly and effectively. A smaller battery helps it keep its weight down compared to other top performers, along with a smaller folded size that makes it notably more easily portable than the over 60-pound models we tested. Its assembly is also easy-peasy, just a 15-minute affair. Tall riders will appreciate the height range on the seat post, which gave our six-tool lead tester enough room to fully extend his legs while pedaling.
This model does not have any significant drawbacks, though we have some minor critiques. It handles well and has a comfortable saddle, but without a suspension fork or very wide tires, the Blix doesn’t offer the dampest ride of them all. And while it has an impressive range, a few other bikes bested the Blix by a few miles in our range tests. You can perhaps find an e-bike that can (barely) beat out the Blix in a single category, but across all performance areas combined, this bike comes out on top, earning our favor as the most complete, ride-ready folding electric bike.
Read more: Blix Vika+ Flex review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Best Bang for the Buck Folding Electric Bike
Lectric XP Step-Thru 2.0
$899 at Lectric eBikes
OVERALL
SCORE
Battery Size: 460.8 Wh | Measured Weight: 61 lbs 10 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Performance-to-price ratio
Included features
Suspension fork improves ride quality
Powerful
No assembly needed
REASONS TO AVOID
Modest range
Heavier weight
460.8 Wh |61 lbs 10 oz
Our testers unanimously agree that the Lectric XP 2.0 is award-worthy. It covers the most important bases very well, with a respectable range, great ride quality, and best-in-class power. It is Class 2 and Class 3 capable, and we hit 28 mph in the highest pedal-assist mode in its Class 3 settings, impressing with its 500-watt motor. A suspension fork and 3-inch wide knobby tires provide a smooth ride over varied surfaces, and a large range of fit ensures that users of varying heights can ride comfortably. It also comes with included features like integrated lights, fenders, and a cargo rack. Assembly is a piece of cake, too, and the large, integrated display screen keeps your speed, distance, and other data available at a moment’s glance. Lectric manages to offer this bike at a very reasonable price, and we feel it is an excellent value.
The XP 2.0 falls a little short of the competition in the range department due to its moderately sized 460.8 Wh battery. Only using the throttle (no pedaling), we only got 20.7 miles down our range test track. We expect to go even further, though, by utilizing the pedal-assist modes. Despite its space-saving folding design, it still weighs over 60 pounds, meaning that it can still be a challenge to move around or load for transport. Still, electric bikes are expensive, and if you want to pay significantly less than average while getting above-average performance, the Lectric XP 2.0 is our recommendation.
Read more: Lectric XP Step-Thru 2.0 review
Credit: Laura Casner
Best for a Smooth Ride
Aventon Sinch Step-Through
Read the Review
OVERALL
SCORE
Battery Size: 672 Wh | Measured Weight: 67 lbs 13 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Cushy, shock-absorbing ride
Exceptional range
Streamlined and stylish
Slick interface
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier weight and larger folded size
Limited included features
More expensive
672 Wh |67 lbs 13 oz
The smoothest and coolest bike in the bunch is the Aventon Sinch Step-Through. The ride feel while in the saddle of this bike is top-notch, as the 4-inch wide tires and front suspension fork absorb the bumps and cracks in the road. It handles well at high speeds, and the ride is quiet, too. And that excellent ride quality will continue for over thirty miles on a single charge, as we measured this model’s range as one of the best in its class. The Aventon is plenty powerful, too, and assembly after unboxing takes next to no time. The high-tech display screen and great controls are a boon for user-friendliness. And when it comes to street appeal, this bike has it. We love the streamlined design with the frame-integrated (yet still removable) battery and the look of the tan-wall tires. We felt great in the saddle of this bike.
The biggest disadvantage of the Aventon Sinch is its significant weight. Folding bikes have portability as a large part of their appeal, and this model’s nearly 70-pound weight makes it tough to lift in and out of car trunks and trailers. Its folded size is also one of the largest we measured, though it can still more easily fit where non-folding bikes cannot. We were also disappointed that this model does not come with many included features, although Aventon sells accessories to customize your ride. Yet, for the smoothest and most stylish ride in a category not known for either, the Aventon Sinch is going to satisfy.
Read more: Aventon Sinch Step-Through review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Best Folding Electric Adventure Bike
Rad Power RadExpand 5
Read the Review
OVERALL
SCORE
Battery size: 672 Wh | Measured weight: 64 lbs 8 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Rugged for mixed surface use
Excellent range
Stable handling
Great features
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
More involved assembly
Noisier ride from the knobby tires
Limited height adjustment range
672 Wh |64 lbs 8 oz
For those seeking a folding electric bike that’s a bit more adventure-ready than the competition, the Rad Power RadExpand 5 fits right into that wheelhouse. This bike crushes on pavement, fire roads, mixed conditions, and even smooth trails with its knobby, extra-wide tires. Wide handlebars contribute to controlled and stable handling, adding to the damp and pleasant ride quality. The feature set shows this bike’s versatility in urban environments, too, with integrated lights, fenders, and a strong rear cargo rack. The 750W motor easily pushes this Class 2 bike along at up to 20 mph using the throttle or 4 levels of pedal assist. Most impressively, this bike stunned in our range test, gobbling up over 31 miles on our standardized test track thanks to its large capacity 672 Wh battery.
With a recommended user height range of 4’10” to 5’10”, the RadExpand 5 has a fairly wide range of fit, though it is less than ideal for taller riders. While functional, the LED display is quite basic compared to the screen-equipped competition. As with most fat-tire bikes, the wide knobby tires create a louder hum while underway compared to models with narrower or smoother tires. While it does fold down to significantly reduce its size, it’s among the largest in its folded position, and at 64 lbs and 8 oz, it can be challenging to carry or load into a vehicle. These minor drawbacks aside, we recommend this adventure-ready model for those seeking a versatile bike that’s as adept at riding across town as it is tackling dirt roads from your RV.
Read more: Rad Power RadExpand 5 review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Best on a Tight Budget
Ancheer Folding 16-inch Electric Bike
OVERALL
SCORE
Battery size: 288 Wh | Measured weight: 46 lbs 15 oz
REASONS TO BUY
Very low price
Sub-50 pounds
Serviceable performance
REASONS TO AVOID
Sub-par range, power, ride quality
Small wheels
Basic user interface
288 Wh |46 lbs 15 oz
When it comes to spending the least on a folding electric bike while still receiving functional performance, the Ancheer Folding model is our recommendation. You won’t go as fast or as far with this model, but it’s a reliable ride. It’s far from the fastest or most powerful, but it still gets up to around 17.5 mph using the throttle or pedal assist. We like that this bargain model doesn’t skimp on stopping power, coming equipped with mechanical disc brakes. It also comes with a front light (separate batteries required), fenders, a bell, bike tools, and pedals that fold in to increase its portability.
The Ancheer Folding certainly isn’t flawless. While serviceable, the range, power, and ride quality are below average due to its smaller battery and motor. The smaller 16-inch wheels don’t handle as well as 20-inch models, and the height adjustment was not sufficient for our six-foot-tall tester — tall riders should look elsewhere. The LED display is very basic and lacks a speedometer, though it works fine to know which setting you are in and the remaining battery life. In this price range, this is the most adequate model we’ve found. For bargain hunters looking for a folding electric bike for shorter trips and occasional use, the Ancheer is an affordable option.
Read more: Ancheer Folding 16-inch Electric Bike review
Credit: Laura Casner
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Credit: Abriah Wofford
Why You Should Trust Us
Since 2019, we have tested 52 different electric bikes across several e-bike categories. Here, we started this folding electric bike review with extensive research into the category, looking up specs and comparing models at multiple price points while also reading feedback to glean what consumers want in terms of performance. We then purchase our selection of top models, unbox them, and assemble them as we begin our extensive testing process. For several weeks, each bike is charged and ridden repeatedly as our testers incorporate them into daily life, using them on commutes to work and evening joy rides. We also set up standardized circuits to uniformly assess each model. After conducting all our tests, we compile notes and score each product across several predetermined metrics, resulting in a cumulative score for each bike in the test fleet.
Our testing of folding electric bikes is divided into six rating metrics:
- Ride Quality (25% of overall score weighting)
- Range (25% weighting)
- Power (20% weighting)
- Portability (15% weighting)
- Interface (10% weighting)
- Assembly (5% weighting)
Our testing of folding electric bikes is divided into
Our team of e-bike testers is led by Jeremy Benson, our Senior Bike Review Editor at GearLab. Jeremy spends a large portion of his life atop two wheels, for work, fun, and training. Over the past three decades, Jeremy has competed as a Pro class athlete in grueling endurance bike and gravel races across Northern California, while also authoring and publishing a book on mountain biking in the Tahoe area, where he lives. He has professionally tested and reviewed electric and non-electric bikes of all forms with well over 100 different electric bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes, commuter e-bikes, e-MTBs, and more in the past five years. Jeremy’s vast experience building, fixing, and riding bicycles has produced a discerning eye and an uncanny ability to critically assess and highlight the differences in performance between models.
Riding bike paths around town is part of our overall assessment of these e-bikes.We collapse and deploy these folding models multiple times to learn which models make it easy, and which do not.The controls and display on the Lectric XP 2.0 were among the best in the test.
Analysis and Test Results
Our side-by-side testing reveals the advantages and disadvantages of each model, while also providing quantitative and qualitative data used for scoring each product comparatively. After the last test is conducted, each performance metric is weighted according to its relevance to the general user, and overall scores are tallied. Below we discuss the key areas of performance we assessed these bikes across, highlighting stand-out models in each one.
Value
Electric bikes of all forms start at a high price tier, and folding ones are no different. Paying more in this category tends to get you a more powerful motor and a larger battery, both of which improve acceleration, speed, and the all-important range. More expensive bikes tend to have higher-quality features and offer more sophistication in their user interfaces, such as LCD screens that track speed and display trip data. Bucking this trend, however, is the Lectric XP Step-Through 2.0. This model cost about half of the top-tier folding bikes we tested, yet its performance is within striking distance of the costlier models in ride quality, range, power, and user interface. For an even less, the Ancheer Folding 16-Inch is notable for being a serviceable folding electric bike at a bargain-basement price.
Credit: Jason Peters
Ride
Our Ride metric is all about the feels, and what the bike offers to make the ride simply more enjoyable. Each bike’s design, components, and features combine to affect ride quality and convenience. We examine these aspects while riding every e-bike over varied terrain, from city streets to off-road trails. It’s noteworthy that the larger 20-inch wheels universally scored higher in ride quality than the models with smaller wheels. We also test each model’s handling ability at low and high speeds and assess their turning radii. Brake quality and smooth shifting also factor into play. Smooth rides that keep the rider comfortable and confident are the heart of this performance metric. Additionally, comfort plays a factor, as do included features that enhance the user experience.
The cushiest ride accolades go to the Aventon Sinch. A modest but effective 45-mm of travel suspension fork dampens cracks and bumps in the road, and the bulbous 4-inch wide tires have a lot of air volume to further smooth out the ride. This bike is very stable, handling turns at speed and maneuvering around obstacles easily. The mechanical disc brakes aren’t the most powerful, but they function well. It has a nice, comfy saddle, too. Our main gripe is that its height range is perhaps a bit more limited than Aventon suggests, as our six-foot-tall tester (with long legs) could have used a little more seat height adjustment. Also detracting from its score is a somewhat disappointing feature set that lacks integrated bike lights, fenders, or a cargo rack. Bonus points are scored here, though, by the sharp look of this bike and a quieter ride compared to the competition. Look good, ride good.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Blix Vika+ Flex offers great ride quality via other avenues than the Aventon Sinch. With its greater range of height adjustments, tall and long-legged riders will likely feel that this bike fits them better, greatly impacting ride comfort. Its top-notch set of features also makes this model convenient as a regular commuter. We are big fans of bike lights that run off the bike’s battery power, and this bike has them. The rear light also functions as a brake light as the dependable and powerful hydraulic disc brakes are applied. Other features like front and rear fenders, a rear cargo rack, a USB charger for your phone, and a bell are very handy additions as well. It handles quite similarly to the other top-rated models, though with a rigid frame and slightly narrower tires it can feel a bit jarring over rough surfaces.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Rad Power RadExpand 5 also excels in ride comfort, bringing fat-bike vibes to this category. The fatty tires provide cushioning underneath, while the extra wide handlebars grant this bike very steady handling. This handling control is appreciated on city streets, but especially on trails and fire roads that often require more heads-up navigation around obstacles. This bike’s off-road versatility really makes it shine. Another impressive model is the Lectric XP 2.0. Despite a lower price, it provides ample ride quality with a front suspension fork with 80 millimeters of travel. Both of these models also have useful features like lights, fenders, and cargo racks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Range
If you like long rides or have far commutes, hone in on this metric. Knowing an e-bike’s range allows you to plan how far you can go on a single charge. We create a standardized range test by using the same course with the same rider (so rider weight is not a factor) for every model, starting with a full charge and riding until the battery is fully depleted. During this test, we record the distance traveled, elevation gain and loss, average speed, and elapsed time. We only use the throttle in this test to remove the variable of rider input through pedaling. Therefore, the results of the range tests represent the baseline of each bike’s range potential. By utilizing the pedal-assist modes on these bikes, you can almost always extend the distances each model can cruise before the power runs out.
The large, 672-watt hour battery of the RadExpand 5 went the furthest in our range test. We hummed along at a fast average speed of 17.1 mph, traveling 31.2 miles with 1,627 feet of elevation gain while only engaging the throttle. Its power remained strong, too, until its final 1-2 miles, where it slowed down some. Most e-bikes drop off power significantly around 1/4 of the final battery life, making this model stand out even more.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Aventon Sinch and Rattan Folding bikes followed next in distance traveled in our range test, going 30.1 miles and 29.7 miles, respectively. The Aventon’s battery is the same size as the RadExpand 5, and the Rattan’s battery is a bit smaller at 624-watt hours. Also showing admirable performance in our Range metric was the Blix Vika+ Flex. Its 614-watt hour battery chewed up 27.5 miles and 1,470 feet of vertical gain while averaging 16.3 mph on our test course, also maintaining its power well until the end of battery life.
Credit: Jason Peters
Power
Our Power metric takes acceleration, top speeds, and overall power output of the throttle and pedal assist modes into account. A powerful motor helps in traffic conditions on the road, and really improves riding in hilly areas. Our tests measure time from a complete stop to reaching top speed, as well as uphill speed tests. Smooth acceleration also scores bonus points here, as too-aggressive acceleration can feel jumpy. Having more levels of pedal assist allows the rider to fine-tune their speed to match their effort, too.
The Lectric XP 2.0 stands out in this metric, boasting a top speed of 28 mph in its Class 3 configuration with the pedal assist (it can also be configured to Class 2 status) from its 500-watt motor. Its five levels of speed assist give the rider a great range of controlled support while pedaling away. When pedaling, the pedal assist kicks in quickly within a quarter rotation of the cranks. It accelerates eagerly from a stop up to 20 mph (its top throttle-only speed) quickly and maintained an average of 15.5 mph on our uphill test.
Credit: Laura Casner
The Blix Vika+ Flex is another powerful model, hitting 17 mph in our uphill test and having five levels of pedal assist that can support up to 24 mph (if you adjust the speed limit in the settings). The RadExpand 5 has a larger 750-watt motor. It somewhat surprisingly did not outperform the other top models in our acceleration and uphill tests, though it hung with them. It has four levels of pedal assist. The Aventon Sinch and Rattan Folding performed admirably in our Power metric, too, getting up to 20 mph in about 12 seconds from a dead stop and both having five levels of pedal assist. We feel confident that any of these top five performers in this metric have adequate power for the needs of most riders.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Portability
The portability of folding electric bikes is a significant part of their appeal to many riders. The ability to quickly fold, store, and later deploy this model allows it to be packed into a car trunk or stuffed into smaller storage spaces. While all models here pack down much smaller than non-folding bikes, we found large differences in this metric, mostly due to weight but also in their collapsed size. Smaller, lighter bikes fared better here, as they are easier to carry up stairs or lift into a trunk or RV.
The most portable folding e-bike tested is the Swagcycle EB5 Plus. Its 14-inch wheels contribute to a small compact size (26 x 15.6 x 23.6 inches), and it only weighs 37 pounds, roughly half that of the heaviest models in our test fleet. This bike is the most manageable if you plan to take it on public transport or carry it into an office or classroom. The Ancheer Folding 16-inch model also packs up relatively small (29.5 x 15.3 x 33.4 inches) while weighing more (47 pounds).
Credit: Laura Casner
Another impressive model here is the Blix Vika+ Flex. Yes, it’s heavier than the abovementioned models at 51 pounds 14 ounces, but it’s also much more manageable than the other top-rated models that all weigh over 60 lbs and it folds down smaller too. Its pedals fold inward in its collapsed format, saving some space. It also has small magnets that help hold the bike in its folded formation, and a bottom bracket allows it to stand on its own when collapsed. If you don’t want to sacrifice performance and portability is a concern, the Vika+ Flex is our pick.
Compact-mode of the Blix, complete with a stand to keep it upright.We like that the pedals fold to decrease the folded width of the Blix and making portability more convenient.
Most e-bikes have removable batteries. Removing the battery can knock off a few pounds during transport, and it also means that you only have to carry the battery, not the entire bike, to a power source to charge it.
Interface
The user interface consists of everything the rider uses to interact with the bikes. This includes the display, controls, and battery. Some models have basic displays with LED lights, while others shine brighter with LCD screens. The layout of controls and how intuitive they are factor into our Interface metric, too. Removable batteries also allow for off-bike charging and add security when locking up your wheels outside.
Our favorite user interface is on the Aventon Sinch. Its control unit on the left-hand side of the handlebar is easy to reach and manipulate while riding. The five single-function buttons are intuitive for toggling through walk mode, pedal assist modes, and changing data fields on the LCD display screen. The display screen itself is located in the middle of the handlebars. The speedometer and battery life are easy to read, and you can customize the in-field data extras to fit your needs (trip distance, average and max speed, trip time, calories burned, etc). This bike stands out for the Aventon app compatibility, where you can easily change the screen and bike’s settings on your phone. We also like that the battery is integrated into the frame, adding to the bike’s good looks. It is still easily removable to charge off the bike if desired.
We like the high-tech display on the Aventon, though some of the information displayed is a bit small.Despite being hidden within the frame, the battery of the Aventon is easily removable. Locking the battery into the frame adds security, too.
The Blix Vika+ Flex comes in close behind the Aventon with a very visible LCD display screen, making the displayed data very easy to read at a glance. The three buttons of the control pad have a bit of room to improve ergonomically, but we like that we can turn the lights on and off with these controls, and operating them is intuitive. The built-in USB port is very convenient for charging a mobile phone while riding. The battery can be locked into place or removed for charging and security purposes.
The large, easy-to-read display of the Vika+ Flex.LED lights on the side of the Blix’s battery indicate remaining battery power.
The Lectric XP 2.0 impresses in this metric, too. We’re glad Lectric didn’t skimp here despite its lower price tag. The left-hand controls are intuitive and ergonomically placed, and the large 2 x 3-inch display screen has large text that we could read easily, even on bright, sunny days. This bike has a twist-throttle on the right handlebar, and you can set the cruise control to ride at a constant speed, too. Its battery is hidden in its frame, too, which helps in the looks department. The battery can still be removed once the bike is folded.
Lectric’s display is easy to read, even in bright light, and shows all you need to know at a glance.When the bike is folded, you can remove the integrated battery for security or charging off the bike.
Assembly
Ordering these folding electric bikes online means that they come in a box and require some assembly. This only happens one time for most users, so it’s not a major consideration, but still a noteworthy one. If you are unfamiliar with bikes and their components, you may find it easier to select a bike with easy assembly. We timed how long it took us to get each bike set up from its boxed state to assess this metric, and noted the accompanying difficulty.
Three bikes took the lead in ease of assembly: the Aventon Sinch, the Lectric XP 2.0, and the Swagcycle EB5 Plus. These bikes do not require tools (beyond a bike pump) to assemble. Just open the box, remove the packaging, and unfold them. Handlebar and seat heights will need to be adjusted, but this is easily done with quick-release levers. Once you charge the battery, you are ready to ride. These bikes took roughly ten minutes to set up. Perhaps the most difficult part is moving them in their heavy boxes.
Credit: Jeremy Benson
The Blix Vika+ Flex falls closely behind, taking about fifteen minutes to set up and requiring only tightening of the handlebar and installation of the pedals. The most time-consuming model to assemble was the Rad Power RadExpand 5, but it comes with detailed instructions, tools, and only took us 45 minutes to complete.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Folding electric bikes provide a convenient solution for anyone looking to save gas and save space. The expanding e-bike market hosts a plethora of options, and we know you have specific needs you want to meet with your purchase. Our thorough testing process aims to narrow down your choices to help you make a swift, informed decision. We hope our efforts and analyses help you get outside with the wind whipping past your ears on the right folding electric model for you.
Folding electric bikes provide a convenient solution for anyone looking to save gas and save space. The expanding e-bike market hosts a plethora of options, and we know you have specific needs you want to meet with your purchase. Our thorough testing process aims to narrow down your choices to help you make a swift, informed decision. We hope our efforts and analyses help you get outside with the wind whipping past your ears on the right folding electric model for you.