It’s true that more electric bikes are hitting the roads, which means that there are more choices you can choose from. However, it is known that e-bikes are more expensive than conventional bikes for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, the cost of e-bikes is one of the main reasons some people can’t get one. The good news?
There are budget electric bikes you can get today. And in 2023, there are new models of cheap electric bikes you can choose from.
What To Know About a Cheap Electric Bike
When it comes to the budget electric bikes, we are not talking about e-bikes under $600 because we still want to ensure you get the best quality electric bike despite the more affordable price of electric bikes today.
To give you a bit of insight into the world of eBikes, e-bikes are classified as "cheap" when priced under $1,000. You will likely encounter budget electric bikes under $600, which can be tempting. However, you should be mindful of this because a low price could mean a compromise in quality.
Here at Journey Bikes, we have done our research and created a clear price guide for budget eBikes and compiled a list of the top 6 cheap ebikes you can consider getting today. We have considered the pedal assist, suspension fork, mechanical disc brakes, rear lights, integrated lights, torque sensor, and more
eBikes Under $1,500
Consider electric bikes under $1,500 as the sweet spot for an affordable e-bike. It’s not too affordable that the quality can be compromised, and it’s not too expensive that it will break the bank.
In fact, $1,500 is a competitive price range for an electric bike; therefore, you can expect a bigger selection of good-quality e-bikes with this budget. Furthermore, $1,500 is one of the most common amounts that buyers are willing to spend on an electric bike today.
With a $1,500 electric bike, you can already get a hub/mid-drive motor, mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes, aluminum or steel frame, and an improved derailleur.
A good example is the X-Treme Newport Elite Max an affordable electric beach cruiser that will surely deliver a cozy ride. The bike is equipped with 350 Watts rear hub motor and is made of aluminum. It features a 7 Speed Shimano Tourney Gears and Shifting System.
The bike can travel up to 25 miles on a single charge and it only takes a maximum of four hours to recharge the battery.
Another one is the Ecotric Seagull Electric Mountain Bike is an attractive, affordable bike you can get today. It has a 48V 1000W rear hub with a suspension front fork and Shimano 7 speed system for power and comfort. It can run for 35 miles on a single charge and takes six to eight hours to recharge.
Finally, the GreenBike Legend HD electric folding bike is powered by 48 V lithium battery and is equipped with a 350 W rear-mounted geared hub motor. It has urban design with a folding frame and colored rims. The bike has a broad range that can run 30 to 60 miles with a charging time of up to six hours.
eBikes Under $1,000
eBikes under $1,000 are considered entry-level, which is enough to get quality components. $1,000 is also the common lowest price offered by several reputable e-bike brands today.
$1,000 is your best starting point when looking for a cheap e-bike today.
The X-Treme Malibu Elite Step Through Beach Cruiser is one of our bestsellers under $1,000. It is equipped with a 300 W rear hub motor and a 7-Speed Shimano Tourney Gears & Tires. The electric beach cruiser bike also has a folding basket that will let you carry more stuff.
Another great option is the Ecotric Vortex 36V 350W, which provides a range of 30 to 55 kms on one charge. It comes with pedal assist and throttle-only mode. The bike features a high-strength carbon steel frame that will last for a long time. You can charge it for between five and eight hours, and you can hit the road again.
Finally, X-Treme Trail Climber Elite Max Mountain Bike offers versatility at an affordable price. You can count on this bike to do it all for you. Additionally, it has a step-through frame and runs on a 300 Watt rear hub motor. It features a 7-speed Shimano Tourney Gears and Shifter System and can travel up to 20 miles on a single charge. It only takes four hours to recharge the battery.
Top 6 Cheap Electric Bikes Toda
1. X-Treme Trail Maker Elite Electric Mountain Bike
An affordable electric bike, the X-Treme Trail Maker Elite Mountain Bike is an excellent choice. Powered by a lithium removable battery with a 300-watt rear hub motor, it’s no wonder this is one of our best sellers today. It features top-of-the-line components with a 7-speed Shimano Tourney Gears and Shifter System.
The affordable electric bike is made out of aluminum with a fully adjustable seat and an RTS hydraulic front fork.
You can travel up to 20 miles with this on a single charge. There are three power options for this e bike—first, you can twist the throttle and run on electric power only; second, you can press the Power Assists System (PAS) while you pedal; and the last one is to simply pedal the bicycle.
As for the charging time, all you need is to charge the removable battery for four hours and you’re ready to hit the road again.
2. Ecotric PeaceDove Electric City Bike
Another cheap ebike on our list is this electric city bike from Ecotric. The PeaceDove is inspired by peace, lightness, and freedom—exactly the three things that a peacedove commonly represents! Aside from that, it’s the perfect bicycle to tour around the city for your errands as it comes with one of the best electric bike motors today.
Its steel U-frame guarantees maximum durability that will last you for years. It’s lightweight and sturdy, with ergonomic cushions for extreme comfort. The bike is powered by a 36v battery and 350W rear hub motor.
With seven gears, you can still control your bike easily based on the traffic jam. It allows for three power models: pedal-mode, pedal assist, and electric mode.
Expect the bike to run between 20 and 35 miles on a single charge. The battery can be charged between six and eight hours before you can use it again.
Finally, its front basket and rear rack will let you easily haul your groceries and other items.
3. Aostirmotor A20 Fat Tire Electric Bike
Perfect for those who want a cheap, fat tire-e bike without breaking the bank, the A20 by Aostirmotor ensures great value and a smooth ride. This is one of the best budget electric bikes on the market today.
The e bike is equipped with a 500W motor with a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain. It may seem like the e bike is underpowered, but you’ll be surprised that it can climb low inclines easily. Even if the e bike doesn’t come with suspension forks, it can absorb shocks well, thanks to its 20-inch fat tires.
Although it’s not a high-end e bike, it does have good-quality components. Its battery is located right behind the seatpost and can be removed easily for recharging. The battery range can reach over 30 miles on a single charge.
Finally, it has central folding mechanism, which allows for easy storage. It also comes with a metal stand so it can stand on its own after folding. Indeed, it is one of the best folding model bikes today.
4. Qualisports Nemo Electric Bike
Another affordable folding e bike is this one from Qualisports. With the urban commuter in mind, Nemo will ensure you zip safely through the streets.
Made from aluminum alloy, the Nemo boasts a sleek, folding frame that can be folded in three easy steps for transport or storage. Another great option when you're looking for folding bikes today.
It runs on a customized 250W high-speed geared brushless motor with a built-in clutch that ensures power and comfort all in one. The e bike also comes with a multifunction integrated large LCD display with a 12-point sensor and FOC (Field Oriented Control) technology.
Making the Qualibike Nemo an even more appealing choice to those looking for an affordable bike today, it comes with a unique seat-post lithium battery with a BMS system that keeps the battery from over-charging. The BMS also ensures all the cells work more efficiently to deliver a longer range for the rider.
5. GreenBike Classic HS Electric City Bike
The GreenBike Classic HS is your all-around electric folding e bike that is lightweight and durable. It features a 350W rear hub power that can take you on steep hills.
It can be used as a normal bike that provides all the power or uses the throttle and let the e bike do all the work. Or use Pedal Assist, where you pedal, and the motor gives you a boost.
The Classic HS features integrated lights for better visibility. Its slim, European design and wide, comfortable saddle allow for an excellent ride in the city. It’s also perfect for commuting with its easy, quick folding. This electric commuter bike with integrated lights is definitely one of the best budget e bikes you can get today.
The budget e bike can run up to 40 miles range on a single charge with its high-quality lithium 36 V battery.
6. Revibikes Rebel Folding E-Bike
Designed for the urban environment, the Revibikes Rebel Folding electric bike ensures a practical and fun ride. This entry-level fat tire bike has good battery life and can go through moderate off-road trails.
The bike is equipped with a 500W geared hub motor with a 624 Watt battery. It has an aluminum front fork. Additionally, it has a reinforced folding frame that makes it easy to take around with you.
Featuring 20-inch rims and fat tires, this folding eBike has a range of 40 miles on a single charge!
The bike’s stem can move telescopically and the saddle can be lowered all the way down to the clamp of the seat post. This is a good e bike for taller riders because it can be adjusted easily and with good motor assist and disc brakes.
What to Keep In Mind When Buying a Cheap E Bike
As mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with a cheap e bike, as long as you’re getting a high-quality one. To ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money, there are a few things to remember when buying a cheap e bike.
Motor
How powerful the motor is is important when buying an electric bike. You should be cautious as some cheap e-bikes come with substandard motors that will impact the acceleration or power. In addition, a weaker rear or hub motor will also have a hard time carrying weights and climbing hills.
A good thing to remember is that cheap e bike motors with a little over 250W is decent enough already. However, it is recommended to at least get a 500W motor power.
Additionally, there are two types of e bike motors used for eBikes today—hub motor and mid-drive.
- Mid-Drive Motor
A mid-drive motor, also known as central hub, is positioned at the center of the bike in between the pedals. It is integrated into the frame and provides power via the e-bike’s drivetrain. The motor delivers power to the rear wheel through the chain, making it easier for users to pedal by providing some pedaling force, also known as pedal assist.
With a mid-drive motor, you can reach higher speeds and use gears to keep the motor in the ideal RPM range.
The technology used for mid-drive motors is relatively new, and the expensive, high-end bikes tend to be the ones that are equipped with this.
- Hub Motor
A hub motor is the most common type of motor used in e-bikes and is located in the rear, but you can find electric bikes with hub motors in the front. This type of motor powers the wheel it is built into directly, which means it operates separately from the drivetrain. Also, it is not affected by gear changes.
Hub motors come in two types—geared and gearless. A gearless hub motor, also known as direct drive, only comes with bearings and is common on entry-level bikes.
On the other hand, geared hub motors come with internal planetary gears that help reduce the motor’s RPMs. In turn, it is a smaller motor that can produce more power, which results in better efficiency. You will usually find a geared hub motor on high-end electric bikes.
As mentioned, the type of motor of e-bike has a significant impact on the overall cost of the bike. Therefore, if you want to save more money on the electric bike, you can consider getting a hub motor electric bike instead.
Battery
Cheap e-bikes often have batteries with smaller capacities. This is because batteries take up a significant part of the overall cost of the electric bike.
Batteries on e-bikes are simple—a powerful and stronger battery will deliver a higher range on a single charge. That said, the battery's size and quality are important to consider when buying an electric bike.
All electric bikes, regardless of the price, use different ranges of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. In more expensive models of e-bikes, you will find the battery integrated into the downtube just near the bottom of the bracket, while sometimes, you can find it within the seatpost for a cleaner finish. Finally, the capacity of electric bike batteries are measured in Watt hours (Wh).
So, for example, if your daily commute is around 15km, you can get by with a smaller electric bike battery, such as a 400Wh.
Range
The range is the total distance you can run before your e-bike needs recharging. So, the longer the range is, the less you will have to charge your battery.
The range of the electric bike is related to its battery—the more energy the battery can store, the further the range with pedal assistance.
Cheap electric bikes have a range between 20 and 40 miles. However, it will still depend on terrain and rider weight.
The good news is that you can do a few things to maximize the range of your electric bike. One, take it easy on the throttle; otherwise, cranking it up or seeing how fast you can go can reduce your range. This is because the throttle uses a significant amount of energy.
Another thing that can maximize your e-bike range would be to pedal more. When you use the pedal assist, you can conserve more battery, in turn, will optimize your bike range.
Your tires should be in perfect shape before you hit the road and this will also affect your range. Make sure you always have the correct tire pressure to enable you to ride farther more comfortably. With the right tire pressure, your battery won’t use as much energy to speed up compared to when you have flat tired.
Another important thing to remember is to ensure you’re riding in the correct gear because riding in the wrong gear will strain your battery, resulting in a shortened range.
And finally, since most electric bikes under $1,000 are not recommended to pass through rough terrain, then make sure you avoid it as much as possible.
Size and Weight
A standard e-bike weighs around 50 pounds or more—yes, they can be heavy. The good thing is that there are now lightweight models that you can get. However, the downside to this is that most light e-bikes today have smaller ranges and less power because batteries and motors are heavy.
The size of your e-bike matters because it has a lot to do with your comfort and convenience when you’re on the e-bike.
To help ensure you get the right size, you need to consider a few factors:
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Style: You can choose from various styles of e-bikes—from cruiser, commuter, mountain to road e-bikes—what you choose will help you determine the right size of e-bike for you.
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Frame: The size of the frame is usually between 15 inches and 22 inches. Remember that the frame isn’t adjustable, which is why it’s vital you take the time to try e-bikes to find one that is suited to your height and weight.
- Handlebar height and size: Your arms must be shoulder-width apart when you hold onto the bike’s handlebars. Consider wider handlebars for easier breathing, while narrower handlebars can better help with aerodynamics. Fortunately, there are adjustable handlebars you can get today!
Shop the Best Cheap Ebikes Today
We have listed the best budget electric bikes today. Whether you're looking for a commuter e bike, a mountain bike or a folding bikes, you can find something that won't break the bank. There are many budget electric bikes today, and to find the best one, there are a few things you need to consider that we have listed in this post.
As you can see, you don't necessarily have to buy expensive electric bikes with all of these cheap e bikes available today. Sure, more expensive electric bikes are loaded with features, but these e bikes can accommodate riders well. Whether you're looking for an electric bike, cargo bikes, folding model, or even an electric scooter, you can find something that won't cost an arm and a leg.
When shopping for best cheap bikes, we encourage you to take them on test rides. A test ride will allow you to experience its maximum speed, how the disc brakes and bike lights work, and if the bikes cost is worth it.