That there are enough folding electric bikes on the market to create a list of more than four or five says much about how in-demand folding e-bikes are. That we can actually cull the best electric folding bikes of 2024 list from the many offerings out there shows just how much this segment has matured.
Folding e-bikes are popular for a number of reasons. They are popular with anyone for whom storage space is at a premium, be it home, work or motorhome. They are also well-regarded for the fact that once folded they don’t need to be leaned against a wall to be stored.
The procedure to fold an e-bike can vary in both technical difficulties and requirements for strength of the back and hand. Each of the e-bikes we included is relatively simple to fold
Our roundup of folding e-bikes encompasses multiple wheel sizes, tire widths, and abilities. No matter where you’ll be riding or why there’s a folding e-bike to best suit your needs.
The 8 Best Folding Electric Bikes of 2024
Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5
Versatility is one quality we consider in every e-bike we review. While there’s nothing wrong with buying an electric bike for the express purpose of going for rides on sunny weekend days, we like an e-bike that doesn’t limit its owner to only that. We value the ability to go explore an unpaved trail or dirt road, to commute to work or just run errands. The Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 is an e-bike with loads of versatility, which is why it leads our roundup of the best folding electric bikes.
The RadExpand 5 is built around a durable but light aluminum frame and steel fork. It features a 750W brushless hub motor which has enough power to get riders up to its top 20 mph speed with a half-twist throttle and keep that pace even when going uphill. Range is estimated at 25-45 mi, which will be enough for all but the longest commutes.
In order to achieve its price point, Rad Power went with mechanical disc brakes and 180mm rotors so that the e-bike has enough stopping power. Thanks to its 4-in.-wide tires, the RadExpand 5 can handle most any surface, from road to dirt. It has a 7-speed drivetrain to make the hills more manageable, both up and down. Thanks to its upright seated position and fat tires, this is one of the most comfortable folding e-bikes in our roundup, which is why it makes our collection of best electric folding bikes for 2024.
Pros
- 750W brushless hub motor for consistent power on hills and when off road
- Half-twist throttle gives superior speed control to push-button throttles
- 4-in.-wide tires give a very cushy ride and allow for better handling and riding on different surfaces
- 275-lb. payload capacity can carry rider and groceries
Cons
- Mechanical disc brakes don’t offer as much stopping power as hydraulic
- Comes in only one size
Lectric XP 2.0
The Lectric XP 2.0 has many of the hallmarks we like to see in a versatile folding e-bike. It has a rear rack, lights, fenders and fat tires for a cushy ride, which make it easy to include in our roundup of the best folding e-bikes. But the XP 2.0 has something none of the other bikes we selected have: a sub-$1000 price. It is easily the most affordable folding e-bike on our list.
We’ve seen our share of inexpensive e-bikes that are customer service nightmares waiting to unfold. In our estimation, $1000 is pretty much the bottom limit in terms of reliability and safety. Any less and we don’t see the experience working out well. With Lectric, there is a customer service team that is responsive, and replacement parts are generally easy to get—supply chain issues aside.
The 500W brushless motor provides plenty of power for cruising at top speed either in pedal assist or with the push-button throttle. Thanks to a switch for the throttle, this e-bike can be ridden as Class 1 (no throttle), Class 2 (up to 20 mph with throttle) or Class 3 (throttle, plus pedal-assist to 28 mph).
In addition to coming with a rear rack, the XP 2.0 includes options for large front and rear baskets for anyone wanting to do their grocery shopping or haul an otherwise unwieldy load. Finally, thanks to the 3-in.-wide knobby tires, this bike can be taken on lighter off-road areas. This collection of best folding electric bikes would be incomplete without the XP 2.0.
Pros
- At $1000 it’s the least-expensive e-bike we reccommend.
- Can be ridden as a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike
- Comes with lights, fenders and a rear rack
- Suspension fork and 3-in.-wide tires offer a smooth ride
Cons
- Braking can be a little slow because of mechanical disc brakes with 160mm rotors
- Range is a modest 19-32 mi.
Blix Vika+ Flex
As much as we love the utility of folding e-bikes, just because an e-bike folds doesn’t mean that it will be more practical than any other e-bike. We selected the Blix Vika+ Flex because it is practical in the way we want to see from commuters. The rear rack can hold up to 55 lbs., making it suitable to carry a bag with a laptop and change of clothes, plus a load of groceries. Add in fenders and lights and this e-bike makes a very effective commuter, which just one reason we included it with our best folding electric bikes.
The 500W rear hub motor provides smooth acceleration whether in pedal assist or using the thumb button throttle, thanks in part to the e-bike’s relatively low weight, at 55 lbs. The low weight offers yet another benefit—less mass makes it easier to stop and the mechanical disc brakes and 160mm rotors don’t leave the bike feeling like it’s hard to stop.
In our sister publication Electricbikereport.com’s testing they found real-world range to be between 27 mi. (PAS 5) and 43 mi. (PAS 3), a very respectable capacity.
One of the big limiters that folding e-bikes face is fit. Most have a handlepost that cannot be adjusted in height, but the Vika+ Flex does, meaning it can better accommodate both smaller riders and taller riders. Comfort while riding is key to enjoying an e-bike, which is why we selected this as one of the best folding electric bikes.
Pros
- Adjustable handlebar height helps it fit more riders comfortably
- Range of 27-mi. (PAS 5) to 43-mi. (PAS 3)
- Relatively light for a folding e-bike at 55 lbs.
- Semi-slick tires roll faster than knobbies on paved surface
Cons
- With no suspension fork and 2.4-in.-wide tires the ride is rougher than some competitors
- Push-button throttle can cause bike to lurch slightly as it accelerates
Aventon Sinch
The Sinch recently got a redesign in which they kept our favorite features—a punchy motor and hydraulic disc brakes—but added a number of features that made the bike a better folding bike than it was. With the revisions, including the Sinch in our compilation of the best folding electric bikes seemed obvious.
Not everyone folds their e-bike up at the end of every ride. Maybe it only needs to be folded while at the office, or the train ride home. Some e-bikes need to be folded to remove the battery for charging, but that’s not the case with the Sinch. The battery is externally integrated, making it removable whether the bike is folded or not.
The 500W brushless hub motor provides impressive torque, giving it terrific hill climbing ability. It offers five different PAS levels and our sister site, Electricbikereport.com, found in their testing that the Sinch had an effective range of 28 to 39 miles, actually exceeding the manufacturer’s own claims.
One of the best features of Aventon’s redesign is that the frame now features a step-thru design. The standover height has now dropped from 27 in. to just a hair over 15 in. This bike is an example of going from good to greta by building through refinements and not overhauls – and that’s why it keeps it’s spot on the list of best folding electric bikes.
Pros
- Integrated battery can be removed whether the bike is folded or not
- Impressive power on climbs despite 500W motor
- 15-in. standover height is great for riders of limited flexibility
- The battery range of 28-39 miles makes this e-bike practical for commuting
Cons
- Noticeable lag before motor kicks in – about a pedal stroke or so
- The motor can be slow to accelerate at lower PAS
Tern Vektron S10
The Tern Vektron is unusual among the e-bikes we selected in that it is the only one featuring a Bosch Performance mid-drive motor (and one of the only two with mid-drive motors). Tern claims the Vektron S10 can achieve as much as 62 mi. on a single charge. Mid-drives are uncommon among folding bikes, but we like them because the power tends to come on faster and the acceleration is often less jerky. When it comes to the best folding electric bikes, the Tern Vektron S10 must be considered.
We laud e-bikes that can accept a rack or basket and many folding e-bikes lack that capacity. The Vektron S10 can not only accept a rear rack, Tern offers a variety of add-ons, like baskets and panniers and the rack is strong enough to accept a child seat from Thule or Dash.
The parts pick on the Vektron S10 is noteworthy as well because of the Magura hydraulic disc brakes and the 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain. Fenders, lights and a bell are all included as well. And while premium parts do increase the bike’s cost, they also drop the bike’s weight, making this a rare folding e-bike that weighs in at only 48.7 lbs.
Folding e-bikes are notorious for fitting riders in a fairly narrow range of height. The Vektron S10 features a stem and seatpost that both telescope in length, giving riders as petite as 4-feet-10 and as NBA as 6-feet-5. The Vektron S10 is a rare e-bike among the folding set; few offer as many options or as much quality, which is why it’s one of the best folding electric bikes on the market.
Pros
- Bosch mid-drive motor is efficient and more responsive than hub motors
- Weighs less than 50 lbs.
- Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain
- The Vektron is arguably the design closest to working as a cargo e-bike; no other folding e-bike has as many different accessories for hauling people and stuff
Cons
- Doesn’t have the low standover height of a step-thru design
- With relatively narrow tires and an aluminum fork, the ride is a bit rougher than with some e-bikes
GoCycle G4
Easily the freshest approach in folding e-bikes came from a former McLaren designer. The GoCycle G4 takes a most unusual approach to the folding e-bike challenge. With a frame featuring parts made from aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber, the G4 is not just stylish, but it’s light and relatively maintenance free. If only because of its unique design, we needed to include the GoCycle G4 among our best folding electric bikes.
It’s hard to say what someone will first notice when they see the G4 for the first time. It could be the lack of any chain. Or it could be the sweeping lines that make it look like it came from a Tom Cruise sci-fi flick. Or maybe it is the fact that this e-bike alone among folders has rear suspension, giving it an unusually comfortable ride.
Not only did GoCycle completely encase the drivetrain so that there’s no risk of black marks on hands or pants, they took the unusual approach of building the motor into the front wheel and the motor gets its input from pedal torque sensors, making the response more like a mid-drive motor than a rear hub motor. The fact that the wheels feature single-sided hubs means that in the case of a flat, the wheel needn’t be removed from the bike to render a fix.
Despite its trim, space-age appearance, the G4 has a number of accessories that can be added, from a front bag to a rear rack and even fenders; unfortunately, lights are extras as well. The performance on this bike is so good we had to include it among the best folding electric bikes out there.
Pros
- The drivetrain is completely enclosed which preserves it from the elements and keeps pants grease-free
- Rear suspension with 1-in. of travel is seldom seen on folding e-bikes
- Front wheel motor responds as quickly as some mid-drive motors
- At 37.7 lbs. it is the lightest folding bike in our collection
Cons
- Lights and fenders are add-ons to an already expensive bike
- USB charger only works when bike is not in use
Espin Nesta
Assembling picks for the best electric folding bikes means keeping certain use cases and demographics in mind.
We’ve got a number of friends whose parents sold the house, bought a motorhome and a little car to tow behind it and his and hers folding electric bikes. It’s a thing, as we say. Setting our envy aside, finding the right folding bike for an older person can be a challenge.
Many folding bikes require the rider to swing a leg over the saddle. We included the Espin Nesta in our roundup of best folding electric bikes, in part, due to the lowest standover height in our collection, at 15-in. making it easy to step over before rolling away.
With a 750W hub motor that puts out 85Nm of torque, this bike is an unusually strong performer, giving it terrific hill-climbing abilities. Its overall efficiency—one benefit of a more powerful motor—is high enough to result in a range of 25-70 miles (depending on PAS level), making it very attractive for riders wishing to undertake longer excursions.
Some folding e-bikes can be a little hard to handle. The combination of a short wheelbase, small wheels and upright position can make them feel unstable. One of the Nesta’s best features is how stable it feels, even at speed.
The parts pick includes some terrific choices like a 100mm air/oil suspension fork, an eight-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors. Its color display is one of the largest we’ve countered, making it very friendly to folks who wear reading glasses. No list of the best folding electric bikes would be complete without the Nesta.
Pros
- 750W hub motor produces 85Nm of torque for powerful acceleration
- 100mm air/oil suspension fork is uncommonly found at this price and it smooths bumps better than spring forks
- Unusually large color display
- 4-in.-wide tires for a cushy ride
Cons
- Rear rack isn’t terribly practical due to 40-lb. weight limit
- Could accommodate riders of lesser stature if the handlebar height was adjustable.
Montague M-E1
Montague is one of the oldest and most respected brands making folding bikes; it was only a matter of time before they offered their first folding e-bike. Theirs is unique among our other entries here, which is why it was a must-have in our roundup of best folding electric bikes.
Most folding e-bikes have 20-in. wheels, which don’t roll as easily as larger wheels. Not only are they slower, but they draw down the battery more quickly due to the reduced efficiency of the wheels. Knobby tires only exacerbate this. For riders wanting the most efficient folding e-bike, the Montague M-E1 is significant because it’s the only bike in our roundup with 700C wheels.
Smaller 20-in. wheels are popular for folding e-bikes for the simple reason that they are smaller and therefore make the bike easier to store because it takes up less room. One of our favorite features of the M-E1 is that when folded it can be rolled more easily to wherever it is to be stored, with the rider guiding it by the handlebar. Anyone concerned about lifting a 60-70-lb. bike would do well to consider the M-E1.
The bike is equipped with quality Shimano parts throughout, from the 250W STEPS motor to the 10-speed Deore drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, and with a 10-speed cassette, the M-E1 ties with the Tern Vektron S10 for havingthe best drivetrain of any folding e-bike we selected.
Lights and fenders are standard, and the motorcycle-style kickstand serves double duty, keeping the bike upright whether the bike is folded or not. At around $4000, it’s not cheap, but the quality of this electric bike makes every dollar spent worthwhile. The M-E1 is unique among folding e-bikes which is why it ranks among the best folding electric bikes.
Pros
- 700C wheels for improved efficiency
- A 10-speed drivetrain with smaller jumps between gears
- Five-year warranty on the frame and two year warranty on the motor and electronics
- 250W Mid-drive Shimano STEPS motor provides plenty of power despite its modest rating
Cons
- 50mm spring fork doesn’t offer great performance
- Rear rack isn’t especially practical for carrying loads
Criteria We Used To Rank The Best Electric Folding Bikes of 2024
When looking at the surprising number of folding e-bike models on the market, we needed to ask some hard questions about just which bikes deserved to be a part of this particular collection. The criteria would be different if we were picking the best electric bikes of 2024, which you can take a look at here.
So while there once was a time when folding e-bikes weren’t so plentiful, they are plentiful enough now that we can make some recommendations not just in terms of quality or ease of folding, but in terms of how well the e-bike fulfills its other missions.
Here are the questions we asked and the rough order of priority:
- Is it a good e-bike? First and foremost, any folding e-bike we recommend must be of sufficient quality that we can recommend even to riders who may never choose to fold the e-bike. We want to see quality motors, batteries, frames and components.
- How easily does it fold? It’s a folding e-bike, and to qualify on that front, the e-bike can’t be so difficult to fold that no one ever undertakes that procedure. Not only must the operation be straightforward, but it must be something that a person of average hand strength can execute; if the only want to ride the e-bike safely demands tightening something with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hands, then it didn’t make our list.
- Is it easy to manage once folded? So what do you do with the e-bike once folded? We want to see e-bikes that sit up with the aid of a kickstand or something similar (like the rear rack). The e-bike also needs to be easy enough to pick up and move to its resting spot. Some designs handled this with more ease than others. Keeping the drivetrain out of the way so that it doesn’t leave black marks on clothing or furniture is a real consideration.
- How heavy is it?This relates to our previous point. A folding e-bike isn’t worth much if it weighs 100 lbs.
- Does it fulfill its other purposes well?Even after an e-bike has passed these other tests, we consider whether the e-bike makes an effective commuter or off-road explorer.
Folding e-bikes are a category with tons of promise, but with so many (sometimes competing) needs, they can struggle to fulfill the whole of their purpose. We find these bikes remarkable because they accomplish so much and can be viewed as capable e-bikes that happen to have the added benefit of folding up after a ride.
We recommend looking at just how much storage space a potential buyer has. These bikes have a variety of different footprints and its possible that if one won’t fit the space a buyer has, another might.
There you have it! Our picks for the best electric folding bikes of 2024. What do you think about the e-bikes we included here? Any we missed out on that we should consider? Let us know in the comments below!
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