The 20 Best Folding Electric Bikes

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the world continues to turn to alternative forms of transportation, at least as of this writing. Sure, more people are driving to avoid the cramped and confined spaces of transit in some cases. But more and more people are turning to the almighty bicycle and the even mightier electric bicycle. A form of ebike that has gained tremendous popularity in recent months is the folding electric bike. Compact, fast, and now often rivaling full-sized electric bikes for range, the best folding electric bikes are a marvel of engineering.

It’s high time that humans considered a return to the bicycle and not just for environmental and global climate change reasons. The folding electric bike has become the perfect solution for a lot of people for almost any need, including complex and multi transportation mode trips.

And really, it’s no wonder. A human on a bicycle continues to rank as the ultimate champion of efficient locomotion, beating out every other form of transport, including walking. Here’s what philosopher Ivan Illich said in 1978 in his pamphlet entitled Toward a History of Needs:

“Man on a bicycle can go three or four times faster than the pedestrian but uses five times less energy in the process. He carries one gram of his weight over a kilometer of flat road at the expense of only 0.15 calories. The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man’s metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well.”

The Benefits of Folding Electric Bikes

There are numerous and wide-ranging benefits of owning and riding an electric folding bike. 

Health Benefits

Of course, just cause you’re riding an electric bike, doesn’t mean that there won’t be some effort involved in your part. This implies some activity level that will provide various health benefits, depending on the length and frequency of riding. 

Small Size & Compactness

Because most folding electric bikes can be neatly folded into a very small footprint, they are immediately easy for storage in even the smallest of spaces. Since many folding electric bikes are used for commuting, they are also fantastic for storing under your work desk. This also means that they can be stored in limited space at home or in your car’s trunk. And because of their relatively small size, they are generally more agile and easier to navigate with than full-size electric bikes. 

Lightweight

Coming with the compact nature of being a folding bike, they are almost always much lighter than their full-sized brethren. That means storing them is easier, carrying them up and down stairs is easier, and lugging them around on transit is easier.

The Perfect Commuter

COVID-19 has exposed our need to commute. Perhaps far fewer of us will have to as working-from-home has become a perfectly viable way of being just as if not more productive. When world economies re-open, there will still be plenty of people that have to make it into the office. The average one-way commute distance in North America is 26 kilometers. While in the U.K., it’s a fair bit lower at 18.5 kilometers, and the European average is even lower at 14.3 kilometers. The good news is that most modern folding electric bikes can handle all of those commuting distances with ease. In most cases, you won’t even have to bother recharging your folding electric bike at your destination before embarking on your journey home.

And finally, let’s talk about the folding ebikes superiority for multi-mode commuting and travel. There’s no question that, however, you combine your modes of transportation, including walking, car, transit, and an electric bike, the folding bike variety has distinct advantages. First, you’ll quickly discover that it is simply easier to carry and more around because of its lightweight nature. Second, many metros and buses around the world won’t let you bring a full-size bike on-board, but if you can fold it, and get it down to approximately the size of a large suitcase, then you’re good to go. 

More Affordable

One of the largest barriers to purchasing an electric bike for most people has been cost. And while the overall cost of an electric bike has come down significantly, folding electric bikes are even more affordable. These days its fairly easy to find a high-quality folding electric bike for under USD 1,000. 

What to Think About When Buying a Folding Electric Bike

Position of the Motor

The vast majority of folding electric bikes are equipped with something called a hub motor. These motors are generally smaller, less powerful, and more lightweight than the mid-drive engines you find on full-sized electric bikes. This means, however, that they are usually located at the front or back wheel. Folding electric bikes with hub motors located at the back of the bike are generally easier to control and steer with, than those with the motor at the front wheel. Some manufacturers try to balance the weight consideration by locating the battery pack as close to the back wheel as possible, but I think this is still not an ideal solution. So when considering a folding electric bike, I’d suggest that your first choice be one with a hub-motor at the back. 

Watts and Torque

The total number of watts your folding electric bike can produce is how much power the bike can transfer to the motor. And while this number is also important for range considerations, you should also examine the torque available. Torque tells you how much instant power your motor can get. An engine with more torque will feel more powerful and accelerate faster. But the downside to more powerful motors is they draw more power. 

So why is torque important? Consider how you will use your folding ebike. Are there a lot of hills in and around your area or along the routes you’ll be taking most often? A high torque bike will much more easily tackle those inclines. Do you want to get somewhere really fast? More torque also means faster acceleration. Just remember that most e-bikes will cut off electric assistance at around 20mph or 32 km/h, which puts them into the Class 1 category in the United States. 

Range

The range consideration is fairly explanatory. How far will your average trip be? What happens if you can’t charge at your destination or along your route? Make sure to consider how easy it will be to charge at your workplace?

Wheel Sizes

Most folding e-bikes use a 20-inch wheel. Just consider that the larger the wheel on practically any bicycle, the smoother the ride will be. Conversely, the larger the wheel, the less compact the electric bike will be when folded. It’s certainly a trade-off, but if you mostly expect to ride in the city without too many bumps and potholes along the way, a 20-inch wheel should be fine for most people.

This bike from Canadian brand D.J. Bikes comes in at the higher range of cost when it comes to electric folding bicycles, but if you buy this e-bike, it might be the only one you ever own. It’s fast, powerful, and with a Canadian pedigree, ha been designed for all-weather situations. As with most electric folding bikes with fatter tires, this one can perform easily throughout city streets or on light off-road trails and through rain and snow. The D.J. Folding bike’s powerful 500W power motor and 48V L.G. battery, this bike will have no trouble powering you through long and steep hills. It’s an all-purpose beast designed for even the most serious of commuters, casual riders, or seniors.

So what makes the D.J. Folding Electric bike a premium product? Put simply; it’s built to last. Every component, from the frame to the motor, to the tires to the gears, is made out of well-known and trusted components. Additionally, the D.J. bike features all the bells and whistles you’d want, including a removable battery with battery lock to prevent theft, disc brakes, front and back cargo racks, front and rear LED lights, and even built-in suspension. The only down-side of this electric bike that I can see is that it is a bit on the heavy side at 57 lbs.

There’s a good reason why this folding electric bike is frequently sold out. It’s incredibly popular. Seen on many streets around the world, the Jetson Metro is designed almost entirely for city use and dubs itself as a weekday warrior. With a price point well below $1,000, this Jetson bike offers three levels of pedal assist power, 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. One of the nicest features of this bike is that it’s a bit more collapsible than the average folding bike. 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.

GoCycle has been around for over ten years, and in electric bike terms, that makes them one of the industry’s veterans. Started by Richard Thorpe, a former McLaren Cars design engineer, this company is dedicated to creating the world’s best urban electric bikes. Thorpe’s experience in creating lightweight supercars comes through in the design and aesthetics of the GoCycle GS. In my opinion, this is one of the most stylish electric bikes made. It’s designed to be the ultimate commuting e-bike that is lightweight, agile, and stowable. This bike uses a proprietary quick-detach Pitstopwheel system that makes folding down the GoCycle super quick. And all the usual external components on less elegant foldable electric bikes are neatly hidden, including the battery contained within the bike’s frame.

Available in three different colour combinations, including a white/red combo, white/black combo, and stealthy grey-black combo, the GoCycle GS is an incredibly capable pedal torque-sensing electric bike. This bike is a commuter’s dream that can be used equally for joyriding with a massive range of up to 65km and plenty of available accessories.

Brompton bikes are probably most well known in the U.K. After all, that is the land they hail from. The distinct look of a Brompton can be spotted from a mile away, and in London, you’ll find that every third person that rides a commuter bike is likely sporting a Brompton between their legs. And certainly, the look of a Brompton is not for everyone, but what it may fudge a bit in design aesthetics is more than made up for in functionality. Given its success and ubiquity, it’s no wonder that this 40 plus year British company decided to augment their original Brompton bike design with all the necessary additions to make a great electric folding bike.

This electric bike features an easily detachable lithium-ion battery; the Brompton Electric lets you pick between various assistance levels. Like with other Pedelec bikes, the Brompton Electric senses the torque level you exert upon the pedals and will automatically assist. This, of course, makes flying up hills or embarking on longer journeys a breeze. The 300Wh lithium-ion battery offers up an impressive range of between 20-45 miles and is neatly integrated into a front-luggage saddlebag. It even comes with a USB charging port!

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.

While they have a U.S. office in California, most likely for distribution purposes, I’m fairly certain that eAhora is a Chinese firm that has been producing electric mobility products since around 2006. The eAhora X7 Pro is a heavy-duty fat-tire folding electric bike that will likely serve you well in every road and weather condition. 500 Watt high-speed brushless motor, this electric bike can get you up to 30 MPH. Just don’t tell that to local constabulary as this bike likely falls into the Class 3 category of electric bikes. This means that, depending on your jurisdiction, you may be required to wear a helmet and be of minimum age. Every city and state have their own set of laws around electric bikes. Here’s a good example of what California has to say on the matter of e-bikes.

The Nemo electric folding bike is lightweight, small and perfect for men with a shorter frame and for women. It’s a perfectly capable folding electric bike and features sixteen-inch wheels. It has a single-speed drivetrain (no gears), but unlike many sixteen-inch wheel bikes, it also features relatively wide tires at 2.125 inches, which adds to overall stability. The 250W motor saves plenty of weight while still providing plenty of power. The Nemo bike is downright cute. It’s smaller frame ensures that this is one of the more portable folding electric bikes you’ll find anywhere on the market.

The battery is neatly hidden inside the seat-post. And coming in at well under $1,000, the Nemo is packed with high-end features. Strong enough to hold a 220lbs rider and folded in 3 easy steps, the Nemo is also outfitted with a disc-brake and an advanced braking system that immediately cuts power to the throttle and pedal-assist system for safety. About the only minor quibble is that there is no suspension on this bike. But that’s no surprise given that this is more of a commuter bike.

Tern is an interesting company with an interesting name. Founded in 2010, the company has a distributed workforce and has managed to create a line of incredibly well-made bicycles, both electric and traditional. And while the entire line-up of Tern electric bikes is on the more expensive side, you’ll notice the difference in quality almost immediately when riding a Tern. These are high-end electric folding bikes designed to last and for commuters that want speed, reliability, and a huge range. The Vektron collection of bikes comes in various sizes and features, but I’ve chosen to highlight the Vektron D8.

With a massive 400 Wh battery, the Vektron D8 bike offers quick lighting acceleration and a range of up to 90 kilometers, which should be plenty for all but the longest of commutes. With a variety of adjustable points, this folding electric bike was designed to accommodate riders of varying heights and sizes. It also offers Shimano hydraulic disc brakes that deliver great stopping power. The Bafang M400 drive system is engineered to provide smooth torque, faster acceleration, and five power assistance levels. This is two more than most standard Pedelec systems on even more expensive electric bikes.

This might not seem like a big deal, but it’s a huge feature advance for experienced electric bike riders. With many pedelec bikes, the three levels of power-assist are usually suitable, but often don’t have a “just right” setting. With the Vektron D8, you’re far more likely to find a level you find perfect for everyday riding and commuting. One last feature I’ll point out. This electric bike is outfitted with a high-end brand of tires called Schwalbe big Apple Tires. They’re a bit wider and offer plenty of comfort along with smooth-rolling tread-pattern features. But the best part is that these tires have built-in puncture protection and include a reflective stripe around their perimeter, so you are immediately visible to cars approaching you from the side.

Hailing from my homeland of Canada, Rad Power Bikes has become a big name in the electric bike game. That’s in part due to the wide variety of bikes they offer as well as their now renowned quality. Since starting in 2015, the company has experienced hyper-growth as the demand for their ebikes has grown exponentially. The RadMini4 is an affordably priced folding ebike with a powerful motor and an abundance of bells and whistles.

This bike is capable of mastering your daily commute or tackling some light offroad trails. It features a multi-terrain and puncture-resistant tire and a 7-speed gearing system. It also features a front suspension fork, disc brakes, and a twist throttle with 500 Watts of power on demand. There’s no question that if you want a capable bike with tons of power, range, and built to a superior quality level, this RadMini 4 from Rad Power Bikes is an outstanding choice.

Not all folding electric bikes have to be of the mini-variety. The standard bike you probably grew up with had twenty-six-inch wheels. That’s what we’re all used to, and while the preponderance of folding electric bikes go with the twenty-inch size, this Ancheer is a mountain bike designed to tackle trails. When manufacturing this bike, the goal was to create a super-lightweight bike with a powerful enough battery and motor to let mountain bikers explore even the most challenging of trails. Featuring three power modes (Ebike, assisted bicycle, and normal bike), a 250w motor, a lightweight aluminum frame, and ultra-lightweight magnesium alloy wheels, which happen to look pretty badass. Being a mountain bike, it also features front and rear suspension systems along with a front LED headlight.

It’s truly remarkable how far electric bikes have come along in recent years. The advances across nearly every aspect of electric bikes have been nothing short of astounding. Perhaps the single largest advancement in electric bike technology has been the relentless and astonishing increase in lithium-ion battery density over the past decade. Since 2010, battery density has nearly tripled, while the price per kWh has gone down 87%. These technological improvements are what make a folding electric bike like the JupiterBike Discovery X5 possible. With possibly one of the most beautiful designs I’ve seen on an electric folding bike, the Discovery X5 features a molded Magnesium Alloy frame, which results in no unsightly weld lines. Powered by a robust 350w hub motor, this electric bike is fantastically affordable.

This Swagtron bike might very well be the perfect answer to the question of – what is the best folding electric bike for commuting? With a durable and foldable aluminum frame including a 350-watt motor and a removable 36v lithium-ion battery, this bike comes with all the features you’ll need. This electric folding bike folds up to an incredibly small size and is ideal for those looking for a multi-mode transportation specialist.

You’ll have no trouble using the quick-latch three-fold design. Transport it in a small trunk, carry it next to you on a subway seat and simply store it under your desk. And best of all, the 350W motor is powerful enough to tackle even the most ridiculous of hills like you’d encounter in a city like San Francisco. This bike looks good, rides smoothly, and falls under the $1,000 mark. What else do you want?

The Voyager is an updated and modern version of perhaps one of the best folding electric bikes available. This monster of a bike features an incredibly powerful 750W hub motor in the rear wheel and includes a 7-speed drivetrain. The 20″ x 4″ fat tires allow it to navigate nearly any terrain smoothly, and mechanical disc brakes at the front and rear provide plenty of stopping power. This folding electric bike is also for those in the 300+ lbs range as it can accommodate riders of up to 325 lbs in weight.

This electric folding bike was conceived entirely for shorter commutes. It’s small, very compact and will allow you to leave behind the nightmare of traffic jams and crowded buses or subways forever! With the ability to tackle hills of up to 15 degrees this 3-level assist folding electric bike features front and rear disc brakes and will give you up to 30 miles of range. Like most electric bikes, the Ancheer’s battery can be recharged on or off bike. It’s 250W rear hub motor will top you out at around 17 miles per hour.

The Volador is QualiSports mid-range electric folding bike. It’s an all-arounder and designed to tackle even the most challenging rides in any urban or suburban environment. This impeccably rated electric bike features a frame and fork made of Aluminum Grade 6061 and is strong enough to hold a cyclist up to 220lbs. It’s also a bit of a minimalist, as QualiSports have managed to fit the entire battery within the seat post.

With a powerful brushless motor (meaning its smoother and more efficient and has no magnetic drag), the 350w powerhouse will help you zip up inclines of up to 18 degrees with ease. The included Samsung battery also has quick-charge technology embedded in it, meaning its one of the fastest charging folding electric bikes on the market. A full charge will only take three hours.

Sondors is a latecomer to the electric bike field. It all began with the launch of the Sondors Original, which came to fruition from a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign in February 2015. In the intervening years, Sondors has mostly met its goal of providing the world affordable electric transportation with bikes that exceed the quality of competitive electric bikes by a wide margin. In that vein, the Sondors Fold X.S. is a highly capable electric folding bike designed for the ultimate electric bike enthusiast.

Available in the orange colour you see above or a slick graphite finish, this bike features a crazy-powerful 750w motor. It is powered by a lithium-ion 48V battery that can propel the bike up to a whopping sixty miles. It also features premium and adjustable air shocks, which let you set the stiffness of your ride.

The Furo X bike is an intriguing, interesting mix of materials and design flourishes. Almost no electric folding bike I’ve encountered has a carbon fibre frame, and yet that’s what Furo Systems chose to build the Furo X around. The result is one of the lightest electric bikes in the world. It also uses the same Panasonic lithium-ion battery cells that are used in the Tesla Model S car. There are a few other standout features here that should be noted.

First is the 9-speed Shimano gearing system, which is two more gears than even the most advanced folding electric bikes. This will allow riders to climb even steeper hills and achieve even faster top speeds. Next is the integrated wireless turn indicator that lets you indicate your turn by pressing the right or left arrow on the control panel. And as with all great folding electric bikes, it can be folded in three easy steps in a manner of seconds.

I could barely tell you anything about this bike, and just by looking at it, you’d probably think this is one of the best folding electric bikes you can buy. You’d be right. This no-nonsense bike from GoCycle is engineered around the principle of no compromises. Available in a gunmetal grey and white version, the GXi features GoCycle’s PitstopWheel system that allows the bike to fold faster than practically any bike in the world. It’s also great for fixing a flat tire without removing the wheel. Hidden within the hydroformed frame is the lithium-ion battery that powers this electric bike to a range of up to 50 miles. The GXi also features an incredibly unique display system that eschews the standard LCD. Built directly into the handlebars is a central LED that presents information about the battery level, driving mode, speed and gear position.

Another not-often-seen feature is the daytime running lights, which come in the form of a high-intensity LED light bar. With a powerful 500w front hub motor gear drive and an integrated GoCycle connect app, you’ll be going out on bike rides far more often than you think.

I’ll finish this list off by talking about this Quantum bike, which is assembled in Montreal, Canada, a mere 2 hours away from where I reside. This new 2020 model focuses on comfort and bang for your buck. This highly adjustable folding electric bike has an adjustable stem and seat and handlebars whose angle can be adjusted, all without a single tool.

A feature that I’m starting to see more of on high-end electric bikes is the Walk Assistance feature. This feature, also available on this Quantum Broadway bike, allows you to walk alongside your bike with powered assistance at speeds of up to 8 km/hour. Available in two colours, Azure Blue and Seal Grey, the Quantum Broadway folding ebike is an incredibly compelling and affordable package for anyone serious about commuting or long trail triding.

I usually don’t save the best for the last, but as it happens, this bike from MaxFoot is the most powerful on this list. This affordable but premium folding electric bike comes with a massive 1000W motor. So what does that mean in practice? First, a huge amount of power, speed, and acceleration. It can also easily carry a load of up to 300lbs, perhaps even a little more. But the features don’t stop there. This is a full-suspension bike that will quickly become your ultimate companion on commuting or joy riding journeys.