15 Best Electric Bikes Under $1,000

The electric bike popularity explosion is here. More and more people in cities are looking to get away from having to drive. And it’s no wonder. According to TomTom’s traffic index for 2019, commute times are increasing in almost every major city in the world. Driving to work in many cities has become a gigantic waste of time, a health hazard and plain old annoying. So what are the alternatives?

The primary alternative has been public transit. But in many cities worldwide, particularly North America, the transit systems have been woefully underfunded for decades? The result? Long wait times, late buses and trains, and incredibly crowded and unpleasant conditions. Another wrinkle that has been thrown into this picture is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s changed many aspects of daily life, not the least of which is transportation. With everyone suddenly living the social distancing lifestyle, at least for now and perhaps the foreseeable future, it’s exposed to our public transportation systems’ weakness even further. 

Enter the mighty electric bicycle. Sure it’s not for everyone, but most people can make incredible use of these capable vehicles. They’re quiet, fast and in many cases incredibly compact by way of the foldable variety. They often will get you to your destination just as quickly as if you were stuck in the traffic jams of city life, and they cost far less than most cars. When electric bikes first made their appearance on the scene about a decade ago, many who coveted one, still had to think twice about them. Their range wasn’t that great, and they would often cost over $5,000.

But it’s the year 2020, and times have changed. And while there still isn’t a massive amount of choice around cheap electric bikes, there are now enough affordable options. Now don’t be fooled. While these affordable electric bikes may all hover at or below the $1,000 mark, that doesn’t mean they are low quality. I’ve gone out of my way to find you the best electric bikes that are affordable and reliable, built with quality parts and won’t fall apart after a few years of use. 

This amazing electric bike from Nakto is the definition of a cheap electric bike that comes in well under the $1,000 mark and has a plethora of fantastic features. First, it’s a folding bike, meaning that it will be easier for you to carry it around when you need to. It also means that it will most likely be welcome on most forms of public transit for those multi-mode trips. Next is the fact that this folding electric bike comes equipped with a powerful rear-hub 250W motor. That’s plenty of power to get you even through the hilliest parts of your town.

It has more than acceptable range, a removable battery with lock, and offers three modes of riding, including full throttle, pedal-assist, and non-assisted pedaling. There’s plenty of awesome features included. Perhaps the only area where the manufacturer decided to save some money was the brakes that are not the standard disc brakes on more expensive electric bikes. The Nakto is an extremely compelling electric bike package that is one of the most affordable e-bikes available.

I think it’s a mistake to believe that Fat Tire bikes are not suitable for driving around the city. They certainly are, and they’ll provide an extra layer of comfort and cushion. This is especially true if your commute involves frequent bumps and potholes. So let’s look at this affordable electric bike and all that it has to offer. First, Ecotric has become a trusted brand of bikes in the electric bike game.

Founded in 2010 in California, the brand has grown significantly and now offers a wide variety of inexpensive electric bikes for men, women, and kids. Available with three fashionable rim colours, including the orange rims pictured above, the Ecotric 26″ Fat Tire Electric Bike resembles a mountain bike and is a beast on streets, beaches, trails, and even snow.

Yes, this is an all-season electric bike that is easily one of the cheapest and most capable e-bikes. With an aluminum frame and an uber-powerful 500w motor, front-shock absorption, and plenty of other bells and whistles enumerated below, this is a terrific bike for someone who isn’t afraid to get dirty on their rides, all year round.

Go ahead, take the long way home. Take that steep hill you’ve never gone up before. Explore, take a different route, take in the sights and sounds of the city you call home. That’s what you’ll want to do on this premium folding electric bike from Swagtron. The ancillary effect of owning the EB7 Plus might even be that you fall in love with your commute once. I know, that seems far-fetched, but that’s what a superb electric bike might do for your soul. This full-throttle or pedal-assist bike can travel up to 19 miles before needing a recharge.

Known for producing a wide variety of electric mobility products, including hoverboards, scooters and skateboards, Swagtron has created a terrific e-bike with the EB7. With an eye-catching design With a remarkable level of premium features, I’m kind of shocked that this electric bike fits well under the $1,000 price point. The only downside is that it’s a bit heavier than some of its rivals, but I suppose that’s what happens if you ant all the bells and whistles along with a pretty sexy frame.

Hailing from Seattle, Washington, the Propella bike company is so far a one-product company. But while that may seem a bit strange, it certainly shows the level of focus and iterative work the company has been doing since 2016. Their current bike is version 3.4 and is the sixth-generation electric bike that is affordable, stylish and full-sized. Widely lauded in the press by publications like Wired, Electrek, Fast Company and others, the Propella is an obvious candidate for one of the best looking e-bikes anywhere.

And while any electric bike under $1,000 is usually beleaguered with compromises, including and most commonly beset by less than appealing aesthetics, the Propella has managed to avoid that pitfall. For a full-sized electric bike in this under $1,000 category, it is also astonishingly light at a mere 34.5 lbs. How Propella managed to do this is probably a combination of the aluminum alloy frame, fork and profile tubes.

Arriving faster and without the usual sweat and toil of riding a regular bike is just one of the electric bikes’ benefits. That much and more is achievable with this cheap electric bike from Hotebike. When I say “cheap,” I don’t mean low-quality. Otherwise, I wouldn’t include this bike on the list. We’ve now entered the era of the highly affordable electric bike. With plenty of quality options now available, it’s hard to stand out for any manufacturer.

Yet, the Hotebike company has several products that squeeze in under the $1,000 price point and do it with style and quality. This 26″ City Electric Bike bountiful with an abundance of features including five pedal assist levels and a handlebar-mounted thumb throttle. This bike is a truly capable two-wheeler with a 350w brushless hub motor and a massive 21-speed gears. It’s an electric bike that you won’t mind taking on the roads in the city and even on a trail or two, considering it has a front-shock suspension system. Check out all of its hallmark features:

The Hyper Bike Co is well known for creating fun bikes, both electric and standard, that appeal to a broad population set. But where they really specialize is in making bikes that appeal to the younger generation. Their lineup of BMX bikes is fantastic, and now they’ve moved into the electric bike business. The Radster Electric Bike is an affordable electric bike that’s been built simply for a great deal of fun. It’s profile more resembles that of a fun little moped, and you can pretty much think of it in that way.

Oh sure, it’s still got pedals, but this electric bike that costs a mere $698 US is one of the best electric bike deals available. And while this is mostly a no-frills e-bike designed to be more fun and affordable, it’s still got plenty of range. And at such a low price, you can’t be too upset that it doesn’t have as many whiz-bang additions as higher-priced electric bikes. It’s also available in two beautiful colours, red and silver.

Let’s look at the features and specifications:

A quick peek at the official Ancheer website may not readily inform you that their origins as a company are in Hong Kong. With distribution in North America out of California, the Ancheer brand has grown by way of a small set of incredibly affordable electric bikes. All of which fall under the $1000 price barrier. Through aggressive retailing across multiple channels, they’ve managed to secure a place as one of the leading cheap electric bike brands.

But cheap doesn’t mean subpar. In the case of Ancheer, it means amazing value for the price. At only $629 US, this electric folding bike offers plenty to like. The 250W motor will accelerate this e-bike up to a top speed of 15mph and uses a 100% lightweight aluminum alloy frame. It folds in a flash and includes three riding modes, including throttle only driving. Small, fast, and lightweight, that’s the Ancheer 20 Inch folding city commuter electric bike. Don’t miss it! Here’s what’s under the proverbial fender, so-to-speak.

Ah yes, the Schwinn brand. There is plenty of nostalgia wrapped up around that brand name. At least for people in my age bracket. Children of the ’80s and ’90s, at least in North America, can attest to probably owning a Schwinn brand bike at some point. So it’s no wonder that the brand is still around, they’ve now gone full-blast into the electric bike category. And if you prefer a cruiser type bike with some electric boost to it, that won’t break the bank; this e-bike might be the right choice.

The Schwinn EC1 isn’t a powerhouse with top-of-the-line components, but for under $1,000, that would be an unreasonable expectation. But what the EC1 may lack in that department, it more than makes up in comfort and a surprisingly peppy ride. With some mid-end Shimano parts, five electric motor assistance levels, the EC1 has plenty of range at near 45 miles. Check out the rest of the Schwinn’s features:

This affordable, stylish, and frankly rather stunning folding electric bike is frequently sold out. It may be one of the world’s most popular electric bikes. Seen on streets worldwide, the Jetson Metro is designed for city use and dubs itself as a weekday warrior. In other words, this is a supremely awesome commuter electric bike. With a price point well below $1,000, this Jetson bike offers three pedal assist power levels, giving you a small, medium or large boost. All you have to decide is how much you want the 36V lithium-ion battery to assist you.

It also has a built-in magnet strong enough to keep it securely folded while you’re either carrying or storing it. Like with most electric bikes, it comes with a removable battery that can be locked in place. And don’t worry, this bike didn’t cheap out on the built-in display either. It rocks a beautiful and compact LCD that displays the current speed, distance travel, pedal-assist level, battery life, and more. If you’re still not convinced, just read the reviews for this bike at any online retail shop. Perhaps then you’ll know you need a Jetson Metro.

When we discuss the best cheap electric bikes under $1000 on the market, we mustn’t forget the lowly mountain bike. Even though its primary mission is to go off-road, the mountain bike is extremely versatile. Slap on a pair of road tires, and all-of-a-sudden you have a very capable road bike. That’s the reason I wanted to include this electric mountain bike from eAhora. It’s versatile in every sense and delivers on the promise of plenty of power, style and reliability. Outfitted with a massive 48v Samsung lithium-ion battery, the XC100 is capable of powering the 350w motor.

But that’s not all. Let’s say you live in a hilly city or simply envision yourself taking this bike out on the trails. With the patented E-PAS system, you’ll generate electricity back into the battery any time you’re going downhill or simply gliding along the road. This means more range and more power.

This powerful electric mountain bike has an almost absurd level of features, even though it retails well below $1000. Dual mechanical disc brakes, a Shimano 7-speed shifter with M360 derailleurs, removable battery, and LED display are just the start of superior riding experience. Did I mention that it comes in four different colour schemes and tops out at, wait for it, 28 MPH assisted speed?

This nifty and speedy electric bike from Vilano, a Florida based manufacturer, is perfect in a few scenarios. Need to zip around town? Check. How about riding to work? Yup, no problem there. What about taking it for a joyride on a flat or hilly trail? It can do that also. Powered by a pedal-assist or throttle only system, this folding electric bike comes in at well below a thousand dollars US and uses a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain.

Perhaps my favourite part of this bike is the awesome looking mag wheels that are flanked with disc brakes on the front and back. My least favourite part? The bundle of wires that are inelegantly lead from the handlebars to other parts of the bike. But I suppose there’s a price to be paid for a cheaper electric bike offering. The daily commute or weekend fun awaits with this highly affordable e-bike.

This Aluminum alloy bike is a viable alternative for those that want to ride an electric bike without sacrificing the comfort of full-sized 26-inch wheels. Its lightweight aluminum frame provides for high-performance and excellent range. It also doesn’t cheap out on any components. We’re talking about a KMC chain, Kenda tires, Tektro disc brakes and Shimano drivetrain. And while only a 250W motor powers this bike, that should still be plenty to power this lightweight bike through all kinds of complicated terrain.

I generally wouldn’t expect to see a bicycle with the front-fork suspension at this price, but the Wrangler 600 has that also. This pedelec and throttle only mountain bike has a removable and integrated battery that you can lock in place. Its aesthetics are some of the best I’ve seen on an electric mountain bike. It gives off a very sleek, stealthy vibe.

If you know that you will be taking your electric bike mainly on relatively smooth roads amidst the urban jungle that is your city, this Swagtron is just the fix you need. The EB12 is a favourite of bike couriers because of its speed, lightness, and quality. It’s a modern and full-sized e-bike that features a 53cm frame and plenty of awesome featured, not the least of which is a highly optimized and aerodynamic frame.

Its thin wheels and tires are built for one purpose, speed. Engineered for strength and lightness, the EB12 is made of high-grade 6061 series aluminum for the rims and diamond frame and can support riders up to 265 lbs. It’s powered by a 36V battery that, in turn, powers a 250-watt motor. Powerful, fast, lightweight, and it even has some cargo space. This is a city warrior, what else could you possibly want in a full-sized and affordable electric bike?

This compact bike is dubbed as the ultimate electric utility bike. The fact that it comes in at under 1000 dollars is frankly quite astonishing. The Rad Runner 1 from Rad Power Bikes is perhaps the best value for your money when compared to other electric bikes on this list. Available in two colour finishes (black and forest green), the Rad Runner 1 is a fat tire bike designed to take on literally any situation and any terrain. Sure it’s small, but don’t be fooled for a moment.

This electric bike has a monstrously, powerful drivetrain. Featuring a huge 750W geared hub motor, it’s no surprise that it garnered tons of awards. With over 330 accessory combinations, the Rad Runner 1 has tons of attachment points, which means you can outfit it with plenty of racks, platforms, and other accessories. Did I mention it has an insane 750W motor with over 80 Nm of torque? The Bafang geared hub motor will get you up practically any steep incline.

And don’t worry, you’ll be out-accelerating almost any other electric bike or car. One of the cheapest, most affordable, and most value for the dollar electric bikes has arrived, and it has a name—the Rad Runner 1. Behold the king of affordable e-bikes.

Ancheer rarely disappoints with their electric bike offering. That’s due to their continued dedication to innovation and the use of high-quality materials. But the company has also made it a point always to be mindful of price. And that’s why they’ve had so much success by producing cost-effective electric bikes. That same philosophy has been applied to this electric mountain bike from Ancheer. With a combination of high-quality parts and features, give this bike a second look before making your purchasing decision. You’ll be getting plenty of awesomeness for around $600.