8 Best Folding Electric Bikes in 2024, According to a Gear Editor

If you're looking for a lightweight option, then look no further than the Qualisports Volador folding e-bike. It weighs 36 lbs and packs 350 watts of power that helps the bike travel up to 30 miles on a single charge.

Thanks to a clever design, the Volador is very capable over a wide variety of terrain, including pavement, hard-pack trails, gravel, grass, and more. So you can use it as a bike to run errands or take it with you on camping trips.

Our team found that this electric bike's biggest selling point is its weight (or lack of). That makes it surprisingly easy to transport, especially once folded. Our only real gripe is the lack of any cargo racks or other special features. It is, however, available in three colors (rather than the standard "black-only" of most e-bikes).

Weight is such a huge selling point for a folding e-bike that we launched the Volador as our best overall pick. It's going to store nicely in tight apartment spaces, and the 36 pound weight means you can carry it down flights of stairs and onto a train/subway with ease.

The Mars 2.0 might not be the most commuter friendly bike, but it's definitely the most fun. For starters, it's outfitted with a 750W motor and a battery that can push it up to a peak 1200W, which makes sense why it can reach such an impressive 45 mile range and a 28 mph top speed. Pair the motor with thick, 20 by 4 inch tires and you've got a bike that's down to go over all types of terrain: sand, dirt, mud, snow—you name it.

One cool note is the attention to detail in the bike's mechanics. The Mars 2.0 has a 7-speed Shimano gear shift system to maximize every pedal. The connected Heybike app also allows you to program the gear shifts and view battery life.

The biggest downside is the Mars 2.0 is a bit heavy, so it's more suited for those who have a garage to store it and a car to transport. The price is a bit high, but this is an investment that's going to deliver a whole lot of enjoyment. Heybike also occasionally runs sales on its bikes, so there's a solid chance you can catch the 2.0 on a deal.

There's no shortage of super compact e-bikes like this Gotrax model above. However, the reason why we like this specific brand and model is because it contains added features for better functionality: a front light and reflector, a tail light, a cargo rack, 16-inch tires, and dual disc brakes.

The Gotrax powers up to 15.5 mph in electric mode, and up to 25 mph in pedal assist mode, according to the brand. These top speeds are going to be pretty smooth too, as the cushioning adjustable seat, the thick tires, and the shock absorbing fork that holds the front wheel will all help product limited vibrations and shaking.

One downside with this bike is its weight. At about 69 pounds, it's not the lightest, but it's also not the heaviest. The 350 watt motor and a 280 watt battery on the bike is the biggest culprit in that extra weight, but since you do get boosted comfort and durability with this bike, the 57 pounds is not a deal breaker for us. This grab-and-go bike is a lot more enjoyable than it's lighter, more stripped down counterparts. Did we mention the Gotrax is under $500?

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.

We've long been fans of Rad Power, and our gear testing team found this e-bike further proves why we love them so much. The combination of a 750-watt geared-hub motor and chunky fat tires help the RadExpand 5 tackle mountain trails and steep hills with aplomb. We also love that, given its size and capabilities, it folds down surprisingly small.

There's no getting around the fact that this e-bike is a little more expensive than others on this list. But if you want a trusted foldable model that's going to hold up in all conditions, you'll find the RadExpand 5 a worthy investment.

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Lectric's line of electric bikes has been a long-time customer favorite, and the XP Lite, in particular, 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 weighs under 50 pounds, all while being priced under $800. Now, those are stats we can get behind.

Our outdoor gear team has been a fan of Lectric for years, namely for the incredible value of its e-bikes. The XP Lite is one of the most affordable in its line-up, yet it delivers a surprising number of premium features. Namely: A 300-watt motor with 720 watts of peak power. Our test unit also arrived fully assembled, so all you'll need to do is unbox yours upon delivery, and you're ready to ride!

A solid motor, chunky, go-anywhere tires, and an easy-to-read LCD display panel round out some of our favorite features of this best-in-class folding e-bike. Did we mention it's under $800 delivered?

This foldable e-bike from Vivi looks and feels a lot like your "ordinary" mountain bike. But a clever design leads it to pack 500 watts and premium hidden details like dual suspension and a Shimano 21-speed transmission. As far as range and speed go, the battery is good for up to 50 miles per charge, and it'll run up to 20 mph.

Our panel of gear testers was pleasantly surprised at just how fun this bike is to ride. It's a blast on the trails, where it easily tackles hard-packed dirt and other light terrain without issue. We found it to be a little heavy at almost 60 pounds, but that's still reasonable for a moderately equipped mountain bike.

What sets this folding e-bike apart is value. At less than $400 (plus delivery) for a solidly built off-road electric two-wheeler, it's hard to complain. Take this bad boy out on some easy trails and feel just how fun it is to ride.

A quality motor, strong frame, and thick tires are the heart and soul of this top-rated foldable e-bike from Rattan. But what really makes this bike shine is its ability to convert to a two-seater, hence the small seat on the back. Plus, its Class 3 designation means this bike can top out at an impressive 28 mph. As mentioned earlier, it's rare to find a good folding e-bike with such a 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).

We're big fans of Class 3 electric bikes and their ability to go seriously fast. We love that this model is a unique blend of Class 3 and tandem-passenger capability. For solo cyclists who occasionally like to ride with an extra passenger in tow, this folding electric bike makes it easy.

This folding two-wheeler strikes a good balance of power, speed, range, and utility, especially with its unique second seat. Our only real gripes are that we wish the rear backrest was bigger, and the $200 delivery fee pushes the all-in price of this model over $1,000.

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 2 Step-Through is wonderfully simple, allowing the rider to get on the foldable e-bike with ease and pedal through all types of terrain thanks to its thick tires.

What immediately sets this electric folder apart from us is the great looks. The clean design of the frame feels sleek and modern, while the tan sidewalls of the tires add a dash of retro to the mix. It's a combination that helps this folding e-bike stand out among a sea of all-black look-a-like bikes.

The only downsides: It's a bit heavy at almost 70 pounds, and it doesn't fold down as small and compact as others on this list. It's also among the priciest models we tested this year at $1,500. But in terms of taking this on vacation, to the beach, or on a camping trip, it stores perfectly. Still, we see the Sinch 2 as a great travel cruiser e-bike.

If you're into e-bikes but haven't yet heard of Oraimo, you will. Its line of folding electric bikes, in particular, is solid, and this midrange model is well worth a look. It boasts a powerful 750-watt motor with up to 1,000 watts of peak power delivery and a 45-mile range. Add to that a seven-speed Shimano gearbox and 20-inch fat tires, and this has all the capabilities of a go-anywhere e-bike.

Our gear testers loved this new-for-2023 model. Thanks to impressive specs and a premium feature set, this folding electric bike is more than capable of tackling trails and paved roads equally. What truly set this model apart for us, however, was the fast-charging battery. Where many electric bikes require overnight charging, this model charges from zero to full in around 3.5 hours. It's perfect for riding to work in the morning and then fully charging before you head home for the day.

This midrange electric folder from Oraimo seriously delivers. Its roughly $800 price tag puts this on the high-end of budget e-bikes we tested, but the value makes it more than worth it.