If you've ever glanced at the pages of a cycling magazine, you'll know that finding the best electric bikes under £2,000 is a slightly tall order. Electric bikes often get unfairly dismissed by those not in the know. Many non-cyclists see them as cheating or think they’re not ‘proper’ bikes. That's definitely not the case. For many riders, cycling to work without breaking a sweat is now possible. And adventurous types can pedal further uphill than ever.
Electric bikes are sometimes called Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs). However, don't fall into the trap of thinking that a budget eBike will speed you along without pedalling; after all - it's not an e-scooter or motorcycle. The electric motor of course requires battery power. Power is only delivered to the motor as you put effort into pedalling. Even if the battery is fully charged but you're not pedalling, it'll just behave like a normal push-bike. So, knowing what to expect from one, which of our picks of the best electric bikes under £2,000 is right for you?
The best electric bikes under £2,000 in 2023 at a glance
• Best overall electric bike: Raleigh Trace Electric Hybrid Bike - View at Tredz
• Best electric bike for commuters: Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 EQ 2023 - Electric Hybrid Bike - View at Tredz
• Best electric city bike: Giant Entour E+ 1 Easy Entry 2023 - View at Tredz
• Best electric mountain bike: Decathlon 27.5 Inch Electric Mountian Bike E-ST 520 - View at Decathlon
Shop the best electric bike deals on: Chain Reaction | Halfords | Tredz | Decathlon
To get the full benefit from an eBike, you need to decide how much work you want to put into your journey. This will be partly down to what kind of cyclist you are. A commuter may well need a city or road e-bike with more range and less raw motor power than others. Whereas a mountain biker looking for an assist may need all the trappings of a tough bike plus more power, but a shorter battery life. A city bike, such as for recreational and touring use, is likely to need less range but a good balance of comfort and a lightweight frame.
Sound like a minefield of specifications and choices? No problem. We have a buyer's guide below to help you decide between electric mountain bike or a hybrid and so on. So, hop on and start pedalling - you might find the best electric bike under £2,000 to get you right where you need to go.
Best electric bikes under £2,000 in 2023
Best overall electric bike
www.tredz.co.uk
The great thing about hybrid electric bikes is that they're excellent all-rounders for adventurous types who may find themselves travelling from pavement to countryside track. They won't deliver serious mountain biking performance though, but for everything else, they're a brilliant and flexible choice. That's why we've chosen a hybrid for our top spot here.
We like the look of this one from Raleigh. The tan sidewall tyres and paint make it stand out (although we prefer the slightly pricier blue and gold paint). It has flat bars for a modern and usable frame. Plus, you also have lights, mudguards, panniers, and a kickstand - making this a commuter bike which is fully built for a wide range of needs and purposes. It's also one of the lightest here, at just 16.6kg - so you can reliably take this with you even if you have to dismount to negotiate a few obstacles.
Hydraulic disc brakes offer superb stopping power in all conditions too, but that power comes courtesy of the powerful Ebikemotion X35 rear hub that will flatten hills and let you cruise the flats with ease. And, you can switch things up (or down) thanks to a reliable Shimano 9-speed drivetrain for smooth, dependable shifting. All in all, a fantastic all-rounder.
Pros
- Very well designed and built, with flexible hybrid styling
- Nicely specced and ready to go thanks to lights, mudguards and more
- Light enough to lug around if you have to
- Hydraulic disc brakes and Shimano drivetrain means great power and control
Cons
- Standard colour scheme may not appeal to some
Best electric bike for commuters
www.tredz.co.uk
We like the look of this bike. It looks comfortable to ride with its riser handlebars. The slightly lowered frame makes getting on and off easy and a bit more compact for comfortable riding at lower speeds, like commuting to the office or cruising around town. Complete with a kickstand, Urban Armor frame bumpers and front and rear lights, you'd easily forget this was an eBike.
And that slim silhouette is partly due to the 250w down tube battery, plus the neatly hidden cable routing and that 250w Hydrive rear hub motor. Control is convenient too, thanks to being able to toggle between modes from the comfort of your handlebars. Cannondale has even thrown in a front basket and alloy fenders to keep things practical.
Wide tyres cushion your ride so you can smoothly roll over potholes and take on rough roads with grip and comfort on your side. The interface is also handlebar-mounted and the sleek Intellimount stem securely holds your phone while you ride. From maps to phone calls, it’s all within reach.
Pros
- Sleek silhouette - this doesn't look like an electric bike
- Discrete rear hub motor and downtube battery
- Hydraulic disc brakes for precision stopping power
- Smartphone mount and companion app to keep you informed
Cons
- No rear pannier rack
Best electric city bike
www.tredz.co.uk
With no top tube, this bike, as the name suggests, is easy on and off. This is super useful when you're riding around town, or you're carrying some weight over your rear tyre. If you have a child seat on the back, for example, you've no top tube to throw your leg over, making getting on and off easier and reducing the possibility of falling over. A massive 400Wh battery pack will be more than enough to get you to where you need to be and back again.
in addition, the lightweight Aluminium alloy frame provides a responsive ride with a carbon fork for a smoother ride.
Hydraulic disc brakes deliver confident stopping power, and the Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain is ideal for riding in all kinds of city environments. Best of all for the design-conscious cyclist, it comes in four colours: Night Black, Blue, Dark Red, and Urban Green.
Pros
- The big battery pack should see you through a full day riding in the city streets
- Easy on and off thanks to the easy entry frame
- Good storage options make it a brilliant choice for running errands
- Four colour choices to fit your style
Cons
- At 60Nm, the motor could have a bit more torque
Best electric city bike for range
www.cyclesuk.com
With its super-low step-through frame, the Motus is perfect for hopping on and off around town. Front suspension forks, while adding to weight, add to the comfort and flatten any bumps in the road. Weight isn't really an issue for this bike as its massive 250w Bosch motor will provide you with enough torque to push you along. That said, it's not a light bike by any means, so make sure you won't need to lift it too high as you explore the city streets.
The battery is big, too. It can get you up to 80 miles, very impressive. The 10-speed Shimano Deore groupset and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are going to give you the speed and stopping control that you're bound to need when the roads and pedestrians reach peak rush hour. And if it rains or gets dark - no problem; you have the included rack, mudguards, kickstand and lights.
Pros
- The big powerful motor will handle uphill city roads very well
- Plenty of range at a massive 80 miles
- Powerful hydraulic disc brakes for effective stopping control
Cons
- Some may be put off by it's dated looks
Best budget electric city bike
www.tweekscycles.com
Raleigh is back on our list with an e-bike sporting a stunning paint job and white tyres to match the handlebar grippers and saddle. It looks great and uses a powerful 400Wh removable battery pack to power it up to 60 miles worth of range. The lower price is explained by a lesser-known Suntour battery and a rear hub motor, plus there are mechanical disc brakes.
But, considering that this is a budget option, Raleigh has put value into the things that matter most. Here we have a powerful and reliable Bosch Active Line motor system that provides 250W of power and 40Nm of torque. The battery is a reasonable 300Wh. Extra's to make your time around town safer and easier include lights, mudguards, a lock and a MIK rear rack. So, you're ready to ride right from the start. Struggling uphill with your shopping? Thankfully the Purion controller has a Walk Assist feature that helps you push your bike out of steep car parks and bike cellars. And if you ride over any bumps, the Suntour NEX suspension fork will absorb them very well.
Pros
- A decent 60-mile range means plenty of trips between charges
- Has a modernised traditional design with a beautiful colour scheme
- Comfortable front suspension will absorb most bumps to be found in cities and towns
Cons
- Lesser battery pack and motor than some others here
Best electric mountain bike
www.decathlon.co.uk
Decathlon has a swathe of eMTBs under the fated £2k mark - this one would be our pick if you wanted to spend under the £2k and still get a decent bike. A 420Wh battery will give you around two and a half hours on the trails before being drained of life and needing a recharge. While still utilising basic or unbranded parts, it still holds its own.
The frame of the Rockrider E-ST 520 electric MTB is made of 6061 aluminium with hydroformed tubes, and the BROSE T Aluminium central motor is specially designed for mountain biking. Again, we have a more than respectable 70Nm of torque to handle large obstacles and steep gradients; plus three assistance modes. Battery-wise, this comes with battery cells from LG or Samsung, (LGC-MG1 or SDI) - both are known for their high level of reliability and safety. The Rockrider mountain bike team has designed the battery to lock in place with a simple lever too.
Pros
- The sturdy build will take some punishment
- Good basic specification with plenty of ride features
- A low price point for such a capable spec
Cons
- Battery and motor are large bringing the weight up to 22kg
Best electric mountain bike for battery life
www.decathlon.co.uk
The 900 number means a bigger battery pack for the E-ST, going from 420Wh in the 520 models to 500Wh in the 900 models. You'll also get upgraded shocks, different gears, and four assist modes. Economy + mode comes in two percentages, and the whole lot is running under slightly better hydraulic disc brakes. You can see where the extra £300 goes.
The frame of the Rockrider E-ST 520 electric MTB is made of 6061 aluminium with hydroformed tubes. One welcome feature is that the BROSE T Aluminium central motor is specially designed for mountain biking, and can deliver 70 Nm torque to handle large obstacles and steep gradients. Rebound adjustment and lockout also give better control, depending on the terrain.
Pros
- Big battery pack for longer range
- Upgraded shocks for a more controlled ride
- 4 assistance levels for plenty of power choices
Cons
- It's quite big and heavy
Best electric bikes under £2,000 in 2023: Buyer's guide
Choose the right type of electric bike for you
If you’re new to cycling, you may be starting to feel a little bit overwhelmed with talk of different motors and what’s right for you. Our pick for the best overall electric bike above is a great all-purpose bike (with the exception of serious mountain biking). The rest fall into the following categories:
Hybrid bikes
These have a combination of design features from both road and mountain bikes. They’re a great all-round choice for anyone who likes a bit more freedom and flexibility when out and about. Not as heavy-duty as a full mountain bike, but not so pedestrian as a regular road bike, a hybrid electric will let you do a great mix of most everyday cycling activities, from a commute to a ride through the park and down the odd dirt track. Adding the electric motor to this type of bike really is the icing on the cake.
Commuter bikes
The commuter is a mixed breed of cyclist. Combining some longevity when it comes to battery plus similar handling to a road bike, they also may need to hop on and off other forms of transport. If that's you, then you might consider a folding electric bike. But if you have a well-travelled commute exclusively on your bike, then you'll have a little more choice.
Road bikes and City bikes
We’ve listed these together here because they naturally share a similar environment. A road bike is used on paved or tarmacked roads. They’re engineered to travel quite some distance if needed. City bikes, on the other hand, are primarily built to be more comfortable and portable in an urban environment - so they’ll often have a more upright seating position. City riders typically make shorter runs than Road bikers, so battery and motor power are usually less demanding. In truth, there’s not much to stop you from using a road bike around the city, as long as you find it versatile enough. But a city e-bike is unlikely to make a flexible road bike for longer distances.
Mountain bikes
For mountain bikers, it’s all about going down the bumpy terrain as fast as possible, which makes getting back to the top harder. With gearing and geometry sympathetic to this, the added power from the motor will have you riding the trails for longer. In terms of the frame, you can spend a lot on a lightweight one that can also take the stresses and strains you’ll put it through. The tougher and better equipped they are, particularly with suspension options, the heavier they’ll be. Add a motor and you’ll definitely want to start looking at how much you can carry if you encounter an obstacle.
Lastly, there is another category, the electric cargo bike, but as these are specially built for carrying a load they usually price themselves out of the under £2,000 bracket.
Pay attention to the motor
This is actually easier said than done, as not all eBikes are created equal. As with all tech, their advancement has been fast and motors ever-smaller. Nowadays, you may be looking at an eBike without even knowing.
Broadly speaking, there are two main types of eBike motors: Ones which assist the pedals, making your pedal stroke easier; and others that work with the rear hub and assist the rear wheel.
We’ve tested many over the years and we’ve always found the Bosch motors, which are pedal mounted, to give you the most amount of boost and reduce fatigue the most. This is because the power is directly mounted to the pedals, so you feel it instantly. They’re generally bulkier too, meaning they can put in a bit more torque than rear hub motors.
Motors on the rear hub are much more compact, about the size of the big gear on your cassette so they’re much more discrete. They provide plenty of power in terms of assistance and are a good option for someone who is looking for a discrete boost of electrical assistance.
Stick to your budget
Electric bikes are much more expensive than regular bicycles for obvious reasons; There's more to an eBike than your conventional push bike. Batteries and motors, housing and redesigns cost the manufacturer money, and some of these costs get passed on to the consumer. So, although you’re not exactly in for a cheap ride, you should still be sensible with your initial outlay - especially considering that, unlike ordinary bikes, there’s more maintenance to consider.
Though expensive, the advantages of owning the best electric bike under £2,000 are huge. They enable people who may be carrying an injury, lack fitness or are worried about their health. They increase people's riding range and, most importantly, bring enjoyment back to cycling.
Happily, during the pandemic, the Government did something good for the environment. It took away the £1,000 budget cap on the Cycle To Work scheme and made it unlimited. This has opened up the consumer to a much wider and larger variety of bikes, including that of eBikes, which tend to be slightly more expensive than conventional bikes.
Best electric bike under £2,000 in 2023: FAQs
Are electric bikes worth it?
They do have some downsides compared to push bikes though, but that really comes with the territory. After all, there's a lot more to an e-bike than just two wheels, a frame and some pedals.
And yes, they can be an expensive investment for any cyclist. They also have relatively lengthy charging times compared to many rechargeable gadgets. The size of the battery limits the riding range. They're heavier too. You'll also need to plan when and how best to recharge.
But, look at the benefits. Anyone who struggles to stay fit will get a similar health and fitness boost as with normal cycling. If you’re considering going further or higher, an e-bike will let you avoid over-exertion and turning up for work in need of a shower and a fresh shirt. Cost-wise, when used for shorter journeys, an e-bike can work out to be more efficient than a car. It's a huge saving, considering some e-bikes can be found for under £500. Due to being more nimble around town, they can also shave miles off the commute.
How does an eBike work?
Many eBikes have different ‘modes’ for instance, eco, touring, sport and turbo. Each mode will give you a different level of power from the motor; It also indicates how much motor power is needed. Motors give you up to 250 watts of assistance.
Indeed, you can lightly push on the pedals and the eBike will go up a hill. But, don’t expect to start accelerating up to 15mph from the off - they do not work that way. You'll notice the increase in power and it’ll be a huge benefit uphill.
The best electric bike under £2,000 is not an instant power booster. Every eBike needs you to input something into the pedal for the motor to work. Usually, at around 15mph, the motor stops and human pedal power takes over.
Do I need a licence to ride an electric bike?
Thankfully, you don’t need a licence to ride an electric bike in the UK - but it does indeed need to qualify as one, and not stray into the category of scooters and the like. To meet this standard your e-bike is pedal-assisted rather than a motorcycle-like throttle. In terms of power output, it can’t exceed 250 watts, and that will also tally with a restricted speed of 15.5mph.
That said, riding an e-bike around cities on busy roads isn’t to be taken lightly. Remember, you’re likely to be able to travel faster and longer than before. So, you'll also encounter plenty of other road users and distractions. Therefore, although you won’t need a licence right now, we recommend you ride with the same care and attention as when you’re behind the wheel of a car.
Myles Warwood is a Autos & Fitness Product Writer for What's The Best, Parkers and CAR. His areas of expertise include cycling, fitness tech and hot hatches.
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