Have you considered fetching yourself a folding electric bike as we start to head back to the office? The thought of using public transport might be filling you with dread, which - to be honest - is totally natural. Apart from the obvious concerns regarding sanitisation and health safety, that long tube or bus ride to the office - or both, if you're extra lucky - can be tedious and time-consuming. Here's where some of the best electric bikes come in.
If you live in a big city, then riding a bike just makes sense. You're helping the environment, avoiding gridlock traffic and saving yourself from overcrowded spaces first thing in the morning. It's a win-win situation.
By choosing an electric folding bike, you'll be making your life much easier when it comes to saving space or packing your bike away in a car for a road trip. In the (very likely) scenario that you get caught in the rain mid-cycle, having a bike that folds will make going on public transport less fiddly, too. There's a vast amount of choice out there too, no matter what your budget. We rallied up the best electric bikes under £1,000 just to give you some scope of what's out there.
The best folding electric bikes at a glance:
• Best budget electric folding bike: Zinc Folding Electric Eco Pro Bike - View at Decathlon
• Best all-rounder electric folding bike: Himiway Zebra Premium All-terrain Electric Fat Bike - View at Himiway
• Best electric folding bike for battery reliability: eelo 1885 14" Adults Folding Electric Bike - View at Amazon
We've done the hard work and rounded up the best folding electric bikes currently on the market. Shop our top picks below.
Best folding electric bikes 2021:
Best budget electric folding bike
www.decathlon.co.uk
If you're looking for a high-quality electric folding bike that's under £1000, then look no further. The Zinc Folding Electric Eco Pro is practical, rides up to 15.5 miles at once and takes just 15 seconds to fold and unfold. It'll fit perfectly in your boot for weekend trips and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Easy to fold
- Easy ride
Cons
- Minor display issues on long journeys
| Battery: | Approximately 34.2 miles |
| Max weight capacity: | Unknown |
- Customer review: "It is heavy I agree, but it’s totally changed my life. Hills are a doddle, the suspension is great, the battery life is strong and I couldn’t recommend it more highly. I’m seeing a whole new side of London on this bike…. traffic? Schmaffic!"
Best lightweight electric folding bike
www.halfords.com
Getting around has never been easier than with the Carrera folding bike. Whether you're leisure riding or going on your daily commute, the Carrera will give you a power-assisted ride for up to 30 miles at a time. It has a light frame, includes a multi-function LED display and provides up to three assistance levels.
Pros
- Easy ride
- Range is accurate
- Light frame
Cons
- Could benefit from a bottle holder
| Battery: | Up to 30 miles on single charge |
| Max weight capacity: | 100kg |
| Motor: | Rear wheel drive |
- Customer review: "I bought this bike for my wife, as a belated birthday present. She finds it easy to ride with plenty of power to climb the steep hills near. When folded it is very compact and easily fits in the boot of our car. So far the battery has not needed charging and should easily achieve the stated range."
Best all-rounder electric folding bike
uk.himiwaybike.com
Don't let the small size of this bike fool you; the Himiway Zebra Premium All-terrain is small but mighty and packs a punch when you need it to. It folds away quickly for your convenience, is made of durable material and has high torque battery power, as well as a seven-speed gear range.
Pros
- Performs in all conditions and terrains
- Durable material
- Very powerful
Cons
- Cheaper models offer the same power output
| Battery: | 80 miles per charge |
| Max weight capacity: | 181kg |
| Motor: | 250W geared hub motor |
- Customer review: ""I took a long time deciding which e-bike to buy and undertook lots of research and I’m so glad I did. My Himiway Zebra is perfect! Not only is it beautifully designed it is engineered with practicality in mind, ease of use and comfort. Having an e-bike means I am cycling again after many years of being overwhelmed at the thought of cycling up a hill but now even though I know I’ll need to work a bit I’m confident I can manage any slope. My rad really has given me my freedom to enjoy cycling again."
Best mountain electric folding bike
www.infinityebikes.co.uk
The Samebike LO26-II IT bike is great for those who like a little adventure. The rear disc brake design and 7-speed transmission system provide the ultimate rock-climbing ability and paired with the design, which takes up to three seconds to fold up, we can't think of a better option for your next escapade.
Pros
- Best shock absorption tyres
- Super powerful battery
- Intuitive LCD display
Cons
- Only 7-speed transmission, some competitors boast 21-speed
| Battery: | Up to 60 miles in one charge |
| Max weight capacity: | 150kg |
| Motor: | 500W high-speed motor |
- Customer review: "This bike is brilliant it gets nearly as much attention as having a puppy on a lead. I get loads of people saying how cool it looks owing to its unusual design. The bike is great to ride, I go to work on it every day and it takes me 20 minutes each way to get there on full electric and the battery is still on 80%. I use it for leisure too and go for long rides. My only niggle is that on peddle assist the bike wants to go at full speed which makes it a bit awkward to go for just a slow ride. It's foldable so will go in a car boot quite easily. Even the peddles fold up to make more space."
Best electric folding bike for city rides
Equipped with a 250W small but mighty motor, this folding electric bike will have you cruising effortlessly and in any weather condition. It folds three times and makes for a fantastic choice for city riding, thanks to the shock-absorber frame.
Pros
- Well suited to city rides
- Excellent shock absorber frame
Cons
- Smaller battery than most
| Battery: | Up to 37miles |
| Max weight capacity: | Unknown |
| Motor: | 750W |
- Customer review: "This is an awesome bike. I am totally in love with it. It is easy to control and has different speed settings attached. The brakes are excellent and the big tyres make a very comfortable ride. The bike is much lighter than any I've had, so another bonus. I am really glad I bought this, hills are a total breeze. Best bike and seller service. Highly recommend."
Best electric folding bike for battery reliability
This sweet little e-bike will last you 40 miles, give you full thumb throttle control, as well as an LCD display to monitor all your stats. The folding frame means you can save space and store it just about anywhere you like. It's lightweight and has a great battery performance, thanks to the brand's partnership with LG.
Pros
- Reliable LG battery
- Well made
- Excellent folding frame
Cons
- For the price you might expect for terrain versatility
| Battery: | Four to six hours; up to 40 miles |
| Max weight capacity: | 100kgs |
| Motor: | 250W custom rear hub motor |
- Customer review: ""I’ve only had the bike a couple of days, but I’m really impressed with it. At the moment I use my car to get to work because I live at the bottom of a hill, and wouldn’t be able to manage it on my normal bike because I have arthritis, but with pedal assist, getting up the hill was a breeze! I will certainly be commuting to work on it."
FAQs
What is an electric bike?
An electric bike has a battery-powered motor to give you that extra push while you're riding. The rechargeable battery can travel up to 15 miles per hour, which is a much quicker pace than a normal bike.
What are the advantages of an electric bike?
Thanks to the pedal boost, electric bikes can help reduce the impact on your knees and legs, especially when cycling on an incline.
E-bikes also promote health and fitness, as well as eliminate the need for driving a motor vehicle. This is beneficial both in terms of finances but also reduces pollution and earthly impact. There's no catch, and it doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg either. You can even get some great electric bikes under £500.
Are electric bikes legal in the UK?
As long as you are over 14, and your bike is classed as an 'electrically assisted pedal cycle' (EAPC), then you can legally ride an electric bike in the UK. You won't need a license, and you also won't need to register your bike.
To see whether your bike meets the criteria for the EAPC, head over to read the government's checklist.
Marina Avraam is a Commercial Content Writer for Whats the Best, and also writes for Yours.co.uk, heatworld and Closer across beauty, tech, and lifestyle.
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