10 Best Folding Electric Bikes 2023, Reviewed by Gear Experts

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Featuring brands like Aventon, Heybike, Rad Power Bikes, and more.

THE WORLD of folding e-bikes is growing faster than we can keep up with. These days you can find folding electric bikes that are lightweight and built for short commutes, or folding electric bikes with rugged features built for off-road adventures.

Like regular e-bikes, folding e-bikes are outfitted with compact motors that produce heavy wattage and torque. You can expect them to reach upwards of 20 mph depending on the design, which is what laws usually classify as either a Class 1 e-bike or Class 2 e-bike (the main difference is Class 1 only uses pedal assist while Class 2 can have a throttle). Any two-wheeler north of 20 mph veers into Class 3 e-bike category, which is a little more rare to find.

While speed is definitely fun on an e-bike, foldable e-bikes focus on portability and ease-of-use. Unlike regular e-bikes, folding e-bikes are lighter, which means they're also easier to store and carry. That's why they've become incredibly popular for city commuters who don't have much storage, and outdoorsmen who like biking off-road, but don't have the car space to carry several bikes at once. We rounded up the best folding e-bikes available in 2023, based on price point and performance. Ahead, you'll find there are folding e-bikes for all types of use, with models catering to all types of individual needs. Ready to see what's out there?

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If you're looking for a lightweight option, then look no further than the Qualisports Volador folding e-bike. It weights 36 lbs and packs 350 watts of power that helps the bike travel up to 30 miles per charge. Thanks to a clever design, the Volador is capable for road travel, trails, gravel, grass, and more, so you can use it as a bike to run errands with or take it with on camping trips.

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This is a foldable e-bike from Swagtron is more for fun than function, but don't let that prior statement fool you. The 37-pound bike can go up to 15 mph via throttle or you can kick up the speed and switch it to pedal assist. You won't necessarily be taking any long trips or running errands with this bike, but for those who want to take it for a leisure spin to the park or to your bodega it's the perfect grab-and-go bike. Well done Swagtron. Well done.

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If you were impressed with the Heybike Ranger but are looking for a more affordable folding e-bike, then we recommend the Heybike Mars. The Mars is essentially the little brother to the Ranger. It tops out at 20 mph (5 mph short from the Ranger) and has a shorter range. You also don't get the LED display or step-thru design like you do with the Ranger. But let's not downplay the trade-off here: you save several hundred bucks. So if you're willing to forgo a couple of premium specs but still want the core of what the Ranger is, then go for the Mars.

This foldable e-bike from Vivi looks and feels like your regular mountain bike, but a clever design leads it to pack 500 watts and hidden details like dual suspension and a Shimano 21-speed transmission. As far as range and speed goes, the battery will pack up to 50 miles per charge and go up to 20 mph. Take this bad boy out on some easy trails and feel how fun it is to ride.

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Hipeak's foldable e-bike has started to garner attention fast from outdoor enthusiasts. The bike's fat tires are capable of grinding through all kinds of trail, plus added features like a front fork suspension and a seven-step shifting system help riders maneuver through terrain as comfortably as possible. What's cool is the e-bike's battery was designed to be easily removed, so you can use it as a regular bike while the battery charges. And at under $1,100, it offers incredible value.

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Rad Power Bikes has some of the best e-bikes money can buy. Take its RadExpand 5, which is built to the brand's signature high standard. We're talking a sturdy 6061 aluminum frame, thick rugged tires, and 750 watts of power. The RadExpand 5 also packs a number of functional features like a cargo rack for carrying goods, plus reflecting striping on the tire sidewalls and LED headlights for evening rides. The bike is a little more expensive than others on this list, but if you want a trusted foldable e-bike that's going to hold up in all conditions, you'll find the RadExpand 5 a worthy investment.

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The XP Lite is a favorite foldable e-bike among many thanks to its streamlined battery placement and powerful motor (720 watts). This bike falls into a Class 2 placement, reaching up to 20 mph via pedal assist or throttle. What's special about the XP Lite is it travels up to 40 miles per charge, and weights under 50 pounds, all while being priced under $800. Now those are stats we can get behind.

One of our favorite e-bike brands, Aventon is at the top of the industry due to its durable builds and great designs. The Sinch Step-Through is wonderfully simple, allowing the rider to get on the foldable e-bike with ease and pedal thru all types of terrain thanks to its thick tires. The only downsides: it's a bit heavy and doesn't fold down as small as some of the others on this list. But in terms of taking this on vacation to the beach or on a camping trip. it stores perfectly. We see the Sinch as a great travel cruiser e-bike.

Heybike e-bikes are known for affordability and durability, making them a smart choice for first-time buyers and those who don't want to pay more than $1,000 for an e-bike. The Ranger foldable model is one of the brand's more expensive models, but with its folding step-thru design comes a number of useful features: LED headlights, an LCD display, dual shock absorbers, and a cargo rack. The Ranger is outfitted with 4-inch thick puncture resistant tires and a 500 watt battery that travel up to 48 miles per charge, and a top speed of 25 mph. If you expect to use your e-bike in all kinds of environments (day and night, road or trail) then this is a solid choice.

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A qualty motor, strong frame, and thick tires serve as the heart and sole to this top-rated foldable e-bike from Rattan. But what really makes this bike shine is it's ability to convert to a two-seater, hence the small seat on the back, plus it's Class 3 designation; meaning the bike can top out at 28 mph. Like mentioned earlier, it's rare to find good folding e-bike with such high classification. You not only get blazing speed here but you also get a twist throttle to go (Class 1 e-bikes are only pedal assist).

Like mentioned earlier, there are few characteristics you should look for when buying a folding e-bike. Here are the most important ones:

Weight

Most folding e-bikes are lighter than you average e-bike, but some folding models can still be a pain when having to carry it frequently, especially if you have to travel up steps. If you live in an apartment or a place where you anticipate you'll be carrying your bike a lot, then we recommend prioritizing a lighter folding e-bike. These designs are typically a little less powerful and are not as loaded with features (like cargo racks), but in the end they will save you a lot of time and energy.

If you don't have to worry about weight as much and plan on carrying your folding e-bike in an SUV or RV, or storing it at a vacation home, then you can prioritize a more feature-loaded bike. Examples include thicker tires, more build-up frames with cargo carrying capabilities, and bigger batteries.

Battery Power

Power is huge when it comes to shopping for e-bikes. A good wattage range for folding e-bikes can be from 350-750 watts depending on the size and design of the bike. More wattage sometimes requires a bigger battery, so you will want to take into account added size and weight, but if you want to go far and fast, then you can usually go with a higher wattage batter. We say "usually" because e-bikes also rely a lot on torque for speed and potential distance traveled, as well as the the general build of the bike—is it heavy and made to go off road or is it light and meant for small road riding?

E-Bike Class

In order to help build local legislation for safety, e-bikes have been divided up into different classes. Some cities only allow Class 1 e-bikes, while others allow up to Class 3. It's true it may be hard for authorities to enforce what e-bike you use, but the reality is if you're using an e-bike in a town or city that's not in code with the local law you risk getting a ticket.

So, without getting too deep into the weeds, here's a quick rundown: Class 1 e-bikes are defined as pedal assisted and can go up to 20 mph, while Class 2 e-bikes are defined as having a throttle (along with pedal assist) and can go up to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes are defined by having a throttle and can go up to 28 mph. Check with your local laws and see if there are any guidelines about what kind of e-bike class you can use freely in your neighborhood.

We consulted with Men's Health writers and editors on the best folding e-bikes in 2023. Experts, including our gear and commerce editor, John Thompson, reviewed a number of foldable electric bikes and evaluated their design, performance, durability, and features. We also considered price point, as some folding electric bikes promise a better overall value than others.

John Thompson is the Gear and Commerce Editor at Men's Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include shopping for rare vintage clothes and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.

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