The best electric bikes 2023

From practical cargo machines, to trail-ready mountain bikes, electric two-wheelers have become popular alternatives to both cars and motorcycles. 

But with so many styles and sizes of e-bike to choose from, selecting the right model for you isn’t always that straightforward, especially if you’re a newcomer. 

With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best electric bikes from several categories to help you decide which one will best suit your needs. 

Gocycle G4i | £4499 | Electric folding bike

From its sleek design, to the excellent motor, the Gocycle G4i is a brilliant electric bike that offers the ride quality of a large machine, and has great portability thanks to its seamless folding mechanism. The three-speed gearbox pairs nicely with the G4drive motor which further adds to the G4i’s smooth ride. 

The carbonfibre mid-frame helps shave some weight off, too, making it lighter than the standard G4 model. Range is up to 50 miles, depending on pedal inputs. 

MiRider GB3 | £2495 | Electric folding bike

Featuring a belt drive motor and three-speed gearbox, the MiRider GB3 is a great electric bike that costs less to buy than the Gocycle. The hydraulic brakes provide great stopping power, while the boost button is a handy tool to help get up to speed from a set of lights or when you need some additional speed for an incline.

The MiRider is easy to fold and store in the boot of a car, and offers a range of up to 45 miles. 

FLIT-16: Commuter Edition | £2499 | Electric folding bike

Lightweight, compact and great to ride, the Flit-16 is a solid choice when it comes to electric folding bikes. The Flit uses a punchy Bafang rear battery and motor hub which – despite its single-speed setup – provides more than enough power for steep gradients. 

And because it tips the scales at just 15kg, it's easy to fold and compact enough to fit inside the boot of your car. Depending on the type of riding, the Flit has a range of up to 31 miles. 

Volt London | £2299 | Urban

The sleek and beautifully designed Volt London is primed for the urban jungle, offering great value and a pleasing ride. Like the Flit-16 folder, it also uses Bafanag’s rear-hub battery and motor, which suits both commuting and leisure riding in equal measure. The London’s 504Wh battery makes it good for up to 70 miles of range. 

At just over £2000, the bike comes ready to ride with a front rack and mudguards, which is good value considering its mix of both commuting and leisure riding credentials. 

Ribble Hybrid AL e | £2299 | Urban

We’re big fans of the Ribble Hybrid AL e: in fact, we liked it so much we named it our e-bike of the at the 2022 Move Electric Awards. It’s very good to ride in town, while also being very capable at covering big distances on longer, more relaxing rides. 

And you don’t need to worry about range either because the Ribble is fitted with the popular Mahle SmartBike Systems X35+ rear-hub motor and integrated 250kWh battery, with up to 60 miles of range on offer. 

Canyon Roadlite:On 8 | £3649 | Urban

If you’re looking for an e-bike that is both agile and fun to ride, then the Canyon Roadlite:ON 8 might be the two-wheeler for you. Like the Ribble and Volt, the Roadlite has been designed for urban riding, and yet it has the capabilities to be ridden for miles in the countryside. It uses the latest Fazua motor which offers good range and power. 

Ribble Endurance SL e | £2699 | Gravel and Road 

The mighty Ribble Endurance SL e is a race-ready electric road bike that is great to ride and packed full of useful features. Like all Ribble e-bikes, the Endurance gets Mahle's Smartbike X35+ drivetrain system which is paired with a sleek iWoc control button on the top tube. Three assistance levels are available.

If you’re an electric two-wheeler that will help you conquer more hills or keep pace with your mates, it’s certainly an electric road bike to consider. 

Cairn E-Adventure 1.0 Rambler Edition | £4289 | Gravel and road

The E-Adventure is built for British gravel, and by that we mean it can handle a lot more than your regular trials. A long, slack frame paired with wide tyre clearances and for the latest Rambler edition, a suspension-compatible frame means you can take it wherever the bridleway goes. Up moor and down rock, it's powered by FAZUA's latest mid-drive system. 

Tern GSD S10 | £4899 | Cargo

While it might be a more expensive option, the Tern GSD S10 is a great cargo bike that is packed full of useful kit. The rear-loading machine can carry up to 200kg, but thanks to its slim design, can be stored vertically to save space. 

Because there is room for kids in the hopper and your food shopping, the GSD S10 is one of the most convincing electric bikes that could replace your car.

Mycle Cargo | £1999 | Cargo

If you’re after a low cost cargo bike then the Mycle Cargo is the pick of the bunch. This longtail bike gets a 125kg maximum load carrier, a seven-speed Shimano drivetrain and up to 37 miles of range per battery (you can install up to two on the frame). 

And if you like your e-bike loaded with accessories, there are plenty of options to choose from to tailor the bike to your own riding needs, such as child carriers and rear baskets. 

Riese & Müller Load 60 | from £6309 | Cargo

With a super spacious front-loading hopper, the Riese and Müller Load 60 is an expensive electric cargo bike that lives up to its high price tag. The front cargo-carrier can be accessorised to suit your needs, for example, you can buy seats to fit children and covers so they don’t get wet. 

And the Bosch motor performs brilliantly, which memes you never have to struggle up hills. 

Whyte E-160 RS | £4999 | eMTB

Simply put, the Whyte E-160 RS is one of the best riding electric mountain bikes available today. Fitted with the Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor and a big 625Wh battery, the E-160 RS has plenty of boost to help you uphill after a downhill trail ride. 

It has a great level of grip which gives you confidence when riding at pace and feels as agile as a hardtail machine. Range varies, but you can use the Bosch range calculator for an estimated figure. 

Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Alloy | £5500 | eMTB

Another capable off-roader, the Levo Comp Alloy is a slick eMTB that doesn't compromise on performance. Its short chainstays and clever geometry setup make it feel like a non-electric machine for plenty of thrills on trials.

The Turbo Levo range has a few different types of e-bike, but we like the middle-of-the-road Comp for its alloy frame and spec. It has great performance for inclines and you get up to five hours of riding time. 

Trek Rail 7 | £5500 | eMTB

Sitting in the middle of the range, the Rail 7 is a long-travel eMTB that is great for ripping down dedicated mountain bike trails. Powered by a Bosch PowerTube 625Wh battery and Bosch Performance Line CX electric motor, it's got plenty of boost to help you up hills and a good range, too.

Picture: Trek Rail 9.8