The best folding electric bikes make your ride easier, take up less space and help you cover longer distances with less effort.
Their compact folded dimensions mean that they're easier to store if you're space-constrained at home or work and are easier to take on weekend adventures, offering another (and frankly much more enjoyable) dimension to city breaks. Just shove it in the boot of your car, or stick it on the train, and you’re good to go.
Building on the foundation of the best folding bikes, technology in the best folding electric bikes has rapidly improved over the past few years, and we’re now seeing features to rival the best road bikes or best commuter bikes, making them a super convenient option for adopting into your everyday life.
Carbon fibre components are inching their way into models, making them lighter, while improvements in batteries and efficiencies in motors have led to longer battery ranges with higher speeds and quicker charging times. Additionally, folding mechanisms and quick releases have drastically improved folding speeds, making them even more appealing to the train/bike commuter in their morning or evening train-catching flurry.
At Cyclingnews, we're bike riders above all else, and we've ridden and reviewed a whole range of bikes, including folding electric bikes, so we know what to look for in a folder with some extra e-assistance.
Below are our picks of the best folding electric bikes and at the bottom of the page, our buyer's guide to what to look for in a folding electric bike.
We regularly review our buyer's guides to check that all products are still available, add any new options and update the buyer's guide as necessary. This guide was last updated in May 2025.
Best for folding
Brompton's folding action is still the best in the business. The motor doesn't get in the way, and the Brompton's battery can be carried as a backpack, so it doesn't interfere with the Brompton Electric's portability.
Best for low weight
At a feather-light weight of 10.3kg and with carbon fibre components, the Prodrive is super easy to carry and transport. Powered by a 250W rear hub motor and a 158Wh battery, it’s ideal for commuting, though its gearing might be challenging on steep gradients. Stylish and practical for urban use.
Best for battery life
Though one of the heavier bikes on the list, the Lectric XP 3.0 offers more versatility in offering a range extender, giving you a whopping 65 miles. It's a heavy-duty bike with 20-inch wheels and a potent 850W peak power motor. It is a perfect folding fat bike for a range of cool riding.
Best folding electric bikes: our picks
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Best for a compact fold
✅You want to use public transport: A folder is much easier to carry and less likely to be banned at peak hours
✅ You want a compact fold: Brompton's fold is as small as they get and fast too
❌ You want easier carrying: The separate battery backpack may prove awkward
❌ You want lower weight: The C Line is quite hefty, but the Brompton Electric P Line is lighter
To many, Brompton is the market-leading folding bike brand. Its tried and tested folding bike platform has remained largely unchanged since its inception and still remains, in our opinion, one of the best available today.
Converting the Brompton folding bike package to electric assistance is a 250-watt front hub motor, powered by a detachable battery pouch that lives in a handlebar bag. This system is supplied by Swytch - makers of one of the best electric bike conversion kits that we've reviewed.
There are plenty of things that put the Brompton Electric among the best folding electric bikes, such as its excellent array of luggage options, powerful brakes, crisp shifting and impressive Brompton ride quality, but we felt that it's still not perfect.
The mode controls are positioned on the battery, which we found to be an awkward reach when riding, and the brake levers need to be positioned slightly awkwardly so they aren't in the way when folded, and they don't cut the motor when pulled so we were sometimes caught out in traffic, as explained in more detail in our Brompton Electric review. We also reviewed the Brompton T-Line fitted with a Cytronex e-conversion kit recently.
Alongside the original Brompton Electric C Line, there's now an Electric P Line bike, which has fewer gears and uses lighter materials to cut the bike's claimed weight from 17.4kg to 15.6kg and the Electric G Line which rolls on 20 inch wheels in place of 16 inch and has disc brakes rather than rim brakes.
Best for low weight
✅You want a low weight folder: The Prodrive is as light as it gets for a folding electric bike
✅ You want an e-bike for flatter rides: The single speed is fine on the flat but may make hillier cities hard
❌ You want longer range: The low weight means a smaller battery and hence shorter range
❌ You want a smaller fold: The Brompton Electric folds to a more compact size for storage and public transport
Prodrive - a British motorsport and engineering group - bought out Hummingbird in 2020, though have only recently begun to rebrand the bikes on offer. They’ve taken the opportunity to give the bikes a bit of a facelift, though very generally the specs remain pretty much the same. You therefore might remember this bike as the Hummingbird Electric 2.0; it's now the Prodrive Electric Folding Bike.
We reckon that if you want a lightweight folding e-bike, this is a great option at a feather-light 10.3kgs. The Prodrive features carbon fibre components, which might seem superfluous on an e-bike, but it does help reduce overall mass.
Why is a lightweight folding electric bike important? When you need to carry it upstairs or lift it into stowage compartments on a train, like us you'll come to appreciate the weight reduction.
The trussed rear end looks like a stylish application of industrial design and helps keep overall mass down.
Drawing energy from a 158Wh battery, the Prodrive folding e-bike uses a 250W rear hub motor, which is paired with a large 48T front chainring. It only spins a single 12T cog at the rear, so we think that you might be slightly over-geared if your commute includes steeper or prolonged gradients.
Best for style
✅You want futuristic looks: Gocycle's design looks sharp
✅ You want suspension: The rear axle linkage offers some isolation from road imperfections
❌ You want a smaller fold: The fold is quick, but not as compact as a Brompton
❌ You want lower price: Gocycles aren't the most affordable of folding e-bikes
A thoroughly futuristic design, the Gocycle G4 looks unlike any other folding electric bike. Named for its position as the fourth generation of Gocycle's design, the G4's designer is a former McLaren employee, and that shows in the choice of materials and shapes. There's a carbon fork and magnesium alloy rear frame, and, instead of Chromoly, it has an injected-moulded composite centre - if you upgrade to the G4i, you'll see carbon fibre in this portion of the frame instead.
Rolling on larger-than-most 20-inch wheels, the Gocycle rides better and smooths out the jarring influence of road surface imperfections, but it does mean the overall folded size is larger.
Its front hub drive unit was upgraded in 2021, with a more potent 500W motor option for specific markets. We reckon that this should give you all the power needed to conquer any sequence of steep streets in an urban environment, even with the drivetrain only having three speeds, courtesy of Shimano's Nexus hub and Microshift grip shifting. The drivetrain is neatly housed within GoCycle's CleanDrive, effectively keeping it hermetically sealed from dirt and water ingress.
Disc brakes ensure secure stopping, even if your commute is in the rain. We should also mention the Gocycle G4’s LED status display, which is integrated into the handlebar.
If there is one model that shows where folding e-bikes could be in 2030, we think that this is it, and Gocycle has added a stylish folding electric cargo bike to its range too, for even more versatility.
Best for reliable power
✅You want plenty of range: The range offered is better than many folders that often prioritise lower weight
✅ You want Bosch reliability: Bosch has a reputation as one of the top drive system brands
❌ You want more portability: The 22kg weight makes carrying longer distances hard
❌ You want cheaper: The Vektron S10 is expensive relative to some other options here
The Vektron S10 might not be a superlight folding e-bike, but it does have a broad reach of appeal. Tern has attempted to combine many ‘big bike’ features into the folding frame concept with this Vektron S10. The result is a heavy package, at 22.1kg, but you get a large capacity battery pack, boosting range, and the S10 is now fitted with a motor from Bosch, one of the best-regarded brands.
The Vektron S10's ten-speed drivetrain ensures that you can work with its battery assistance most efficiently. Commuters can see a theoretical range of up to 106km, and with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, we think that you should feel entirely safe using the Vektron S10’s pedal assistance in wet conditions.
Frequency of use can make life tough for a folding e-bike, so to combat this, a corrosion coating has been applied to the Vektron S10’s chain to help delay its wear rate. By configuring the Vektron S10 with a mid-drive motor, Tern’s designers have optimised weight distribution, which we think should give this folding e-bike fantastically balanced agility.
Best for 28mph support in the US
✅You want a budget folder: The XP4 is an affordable option
✅ You want a fast e-bike: The bike is rated to 28mph for US riders
❌ You want more foldability: The fold still results in a bulky package to carry
❌ You want more durability: The cheaper components used may wear quickly
Although most folding electric bikes are targeted at a distinctly urban audience rolling on quality commuting infrastructure, what about a mixed terrain option?
If you are going to cross some gravel, or have to negotiate crumbling roads and unpredictable shortcuts in your active commute, tiny wheels and skinny tyres aren’t ideal. The solution is something with a much larger tyre casing and grippier tread pattern.
This is where the Lectric XP4 comes into its own. It might be a very heavy folding e-bike, at 28kg, but you get a potent 850W peak power motor and wide 20x3in tyres.
With those big tyres, we'd never have an issue taking the ‘alternative’ route anywhere. Road surface imperfections are of no consequence to the Lectric XP4’s ride quality, particularly with the suspension fork.
If you are a keen camper or want a folding e-bike to use at that vacation venue, where the clubhouse and other amenities are just too far for a convenient walk, the Lectric XP4’s robustness will appeal. With a standard battery, Lectric says that you can expect up to 50 miles range, but there's a long-range battery option that increases that to a claimed 85 miles. It's a US class 1, 2 and 3 design, so you can ride throttle-only if you want or keep pedalling with assistance up to 28mph.
Best for versatility
✅You want a versatile folder: The step-through frame, mudguards and rack plus lights and a kickstand make for good usability
✅ You want an affordable e-bike: The Stow-E-Way is well-priced for its features
❌ You want more range: At 30 miles, the Raleigh's is quite short
❌ You want a more integrated battery: The large battery behind the seat tube is a little dated looking
The Raleigh folding e-bike blends classic commuter styling with the stability of 20-inch wheels and an appropriate battery specification.
Bigger wheels bring more directional stability to the folding e-bike platform, although they do slightly reduce the bike’s overall compactness when folded. With its 20-inch wheels, we think that the Raleigh should do a fair job of calming some road surface buzz.
The frame is alloy, but there is a steel fork up front, and despite the now-old-fashioned vertically mounted battery pack, Raleigh has done well with the bike’s overall design, as well as including an integrated rear cargo rack, which will be of use to active commuters.
Not outrageously heavy for a 20-inch wheeled folding electric bike, at 20kg, this is a very neatly integrated bike that should offer up to 50km of assistance. Its seven-speed drivetrain offers a good spread of ratios to conserve battery life and power you up steep urban inclines without bother.
Best on a budget
✅You want a sub-£1,000 folder: The Crosscity is very affordable for a folding e-bike
✅ You want an integrated battery: The in-frame battery is an upgrade to many lower priced e-bikes
❌ You want longer range: At 30 miles, it's another e-bike with a fairly limited range between charges
❌ You want faster charging: When it does come time to recharge, the six hours to full charge is long
If you’re looking for a budget folding e-bike, the Carrera Crosscity folding bike offers considerable value at a low price point. With 30 miles of range and a top speed of 25 km/h, you can still zip along the roads at a lick without enough range to get you to and from work easily. Its only downside is that it takes about 6 hours to recharge, longer than most, although it does come with a 2-year warranty on the battery life.
If you have limited space for storing bikes in your office or need to take your bike on a train at any point, then this bike is an ideal choice for you. When you consider that this has a motor and a host of great features, the value is incredible.
The rear hub motor has a range of up to 30 miles and can push you up to speeds of 25km/h, which should make light work of any commute. The discreetly hidden battery has a recharge time of six hours, which will take longer than most here, but you can still fully charge it at the office before heading home again. Plus, it even has a USB port that can be used to power lights or charge your phone. The motor is controlled by a mini LED display on the handlebars, which allows you to choose from three assistance levels.
Best for adjustability
✅You want a folder for a wide range of rider heights: Mirider quotes adjustability from 5 feet all the way up to 6ft 4
✅ You want modern looks: The magnesium alloy frame looks cool and should be corrosion-resistant
❌ You want to ride up hills: The single-speed drivetrain isn't the best when you hit a hill
❌ You want more extras: There's no luggage rack or rear light, although you do get mudguards and a front light
One of the best things about the Mirider One is that it is a bit more versatile and customisable than other brands, offering a longer telescopic seat post for riders ranging in height from 5ft all the way up to 6 ft 4. Particularly for women, who often struggle to find the right size bike in folding bikes with limited frame size options, this is a serious win. Combined with a lightish-weight frame (unusually made from an aircraft magnesium alloy) at only 17.5kg and with a quick folding solution, the Mirider one is one of the most practical on our list. It’s pretty affordable too, coming in at just over £1,500.
As a single speed, you’ll have to rely a bit on the power boost to get up the hills, and the huge front chainring means that you’re unlikely to be breaking any records in acceleration. However, both of these are acknowledged by Mirider, who point to the powerful 250Wh battery and solid 45 miles of range on a Samsung motor, making up for the lack of oomph on the flat. The battery is lockable and removable, which makes charging a bit more straightforward.
The other thing about the Mirider is that it just looks cool. Designed and manufactured in Bolton (in the northwest of the UK), the frame has been die-cast and so is streamlined and supposedly more resistant to corrosion, and the colourway options are lurid but bright and very modern. Though the battery isn’t totally integrated, it is well concealed, meaning it doesn’t look overtly like it is an electric bike. Mirider has also lumped in mudguards and an LED front light as a standard, a nice touch.
Best for off-road capability
✅You want a more rugged folder: There are robust tyres and quality hydraulic disc brakes for off-road capability
✅ You want a battery that's integrated but removable: Mounted in the seatpost, the Eovolt's battery is unobtrusive but can still be removed
❌ You want a lower price: The price is towards the higher end for folding e-bikes
❌ You want lower weight: The 21kg weight is quite chunky if you need to carry the bike
The Eovolt Afternoon is one of the newer 20-inch wheel electric folding bikes on the market, designed, so Eovolt says, to meet customers’ demand for a slightly more rugged off-road capable bike for weekend adventures. And the Eovolt Afternoon does make a great little adventure machine.
It’s a slightly heavier aluminium frame, contributing to the 20.9kg weight. But with a rear wheel motor offering a solid 40 Nm of torque and 5 levels of power assist, you’re unlikely to notice it. For the latest iteration, Eovolt has upgraded the brakes to Shimano MT-100 Hydraulic disc brakes for powerful and sensitive stopping. The addition of Schwalbe Pick Up Tyres with 6-ply puncture protection means that it’s going to cope reasonably well with a variety of terrains, and combined with the 80km battery range, you’re going to be able to enjoy longer days in the saddle. Speaking of the battery, it’s a seat post-mounted battery, which is somewhat unusual, but it is removable, which makes it easier to charge and slightly less likely to be stolen.
With various ports for panniers and bikepacking bags, E-volt has designed a capable and practical bike for weekend trips.
How to choose the best folding electric bike for you
What should I think about when looking for a folding electric bike?
The factors that are important to us in purchasing a folding electric bike are going to vary from person to person - we all live very different lives and have varying experiences, capabilities and needs!
As a rough guide, though, think carefully about the following:
- Weight: Are you going to be carrying it up loads of steps? Will you be manoeuvring it around a busy street? Will you need to stow it in racking above your head? Will you need to lift the bike while folded? How comfortable are you with weight?
- Battery: How much range do you think you’ll need on a daily basis, and will you have access to a charging port at either end? How visible would you like your battery to be, and is it more important that you remove the battery for easy charging and theft prevention? Are you planning on using it for commuting, weekend adventures or both? A longer range might not always be a better trade-off if the battery becomes unwieldy and heavy.
- Wheels: Think about the journeys you are likely to be doing, or that you want to do. Will you need something a bit more rugged and hardwearing, something a bit more comfortable or do you want something a bit more rapid? Smaller wheels tend to be quicker but less comfortable.
- Motor: Will you need to climb many hills? Do you want something a bit zippier to get you home faster? Typically measured in watts, the motor power affects acceleration and hill-climbing ability. While a 250W motor is standard in folding electric bikes, higher wattage may be needed for steep climbs or heavier riders.
- Folding mechanisms: Not all folding bikes are built equally, and depending on how many times a day you’ll be folding and unfolding your bike, you’ll want to consider how compact it folds, the durability of the mechanism and the ease of use of the bike.
- Additional features: What are you likely to be transporting? Will you make use of pannier racks? What about mudguards and LED lighting?
- Warranty: With so many electric bikes on the market, you’ll want to purchase from a reputable manufacturer who can provide good customer service and preferably a decent warranty.
- Price: Finally, you'll want an e-bike that will fit within your budget, although a more expensive model may be more durable.
Don’t forget that a folding electric bike is likely to be covered under a cycle-to-work scheme, so make sure you’re getting what you really want!
Best folding e-bike: Frequently asked questions
Any bike is invariably a big purchase and worthy of much deliberation. Given that folding electric bikes are a slightly niche genre that can be expensive, you've probably got some questions. In our eternal bid to help you buy the right product, we've attempted to answer as many of those questions as possible below.
Are folding electric bikes light?
As with any broad question, the answer is, to some degree, 'it varies'. They will, however, be noticeably heavier than those without a battery and motor.
Weight won't make a great deal of difference while you're riding and is compensated for by the motor, but for getting a bike on and off public transport and up flights of stairs, a weighty bike can soon become tiring.
If you get to your desk with a dead arm and are unable to even lift a coffee to your lips from lugging your new e-bike upstairs, you're going to quickly look for an alternative.
How do I charge my electric folding bike?
Charging an electric bike means that you're going to need to get your battery close enough to a power outlet to plug in your charger. Often, but not always, the battery is removable from an electric bike, so that you can carry it somewhere where you can plug it in easily.
A folding electric bike has a distinct advantage here, as you can potentially fold up your bike and charge it up somewhere convenient rather than needing to lock it and lug the battery around. Most chargers are quite heavy, so ideally, you don't want to have to carry one around with you when riding.
What is the range of a folding electric bike on a single charge?
The range on a single charge really varies from bike to bike, but can fluctuate even in the same model, as battery range is determined by a myriad of factors. The terrain, the motor efficiency, the weight of the rider and load of the bike, the assist mode used, riding styles and speed, and even the temperature can affect how much bang you’ll get for your buck in terms of a charge.
Very generally, the bigger the battery (measured in watt-hours and denoted by Wh), the bigger the range, but even that isn’t always a given. It’s probably best to err on the side of caution and consider carefully the number of miles you’ll need or want to do regularly. For instance, if you’ve got a big commute and limited charging facilities at work, you’ll probably be looking for at least 400 - 500Wh, which should comfortably give you between 25-50 miles to play with.
However, while it might be tempting to go all out and get the biggest battery you can afford just in case, battery size does add additional weight, and so if you’re lugging the bike up and down flights of steps frequently, you might want to think about whether you definitely need the bigger range. Most brands now offer quite fast charging, which shouldn’t be disregarded when considering the best bike for you!
How fast can I go on a folding electric bike?
That depends on where you live.
In most countries, support is limited to 25kph or below, with the motor cutting out above that speed. You can still pedal to go faster. In the US, it's more complicated, so it's worth reading our piece on how fast is an electric bike to understand the options better.
In general, a folding electric bike will be slower to ride than the best electric bikes that don't fold, but even then, it can be faster than even the best road bikes that are pedal-powered if there's an incline.
What are watts?
Watts measures the power output of an e-bike's motor. In most of the world, it's limited to 250 watts for a bike that's designed to be ridden in public spaces, although the US has different rules.
The motor will be powered by a battery, which has a capacity that's usually measured in watt-hours, or Wh. Again, the US sometimes does things differently, and you may see figures quoted in amp-hours. Multiply the amp-hour figures by the motor voltage to get the watt-hour capacity.
Many folding electric bikes have comparatively small batteries to keep the weight down. Although the range is highly dependent on factors like hills, headwinds and, not least, on how hard you pedal, it is usually at least 30km on a charge, which should be enough to get you around.
What size wheels does a folding electric bike have?
There are four different wheel sizes available on folding electric bikes currently - 16-inch, 20-inch, 24-inch and 26-inch.
By far the most common sizes you’ll come across will be 16 and 20 inches, as their small size drastically reduces the overall length of the bike when unfolded, and allows it to fold up into a much more compact size than would be possible with full-size wheels.
One downside to smaller wheels, however, is that they don't roll over bumps so easily, so they may be a little more jarring over rougher roads. If comfort is a concern, then pay attention to the maximum tyre width.
But an added benefit of such small wheels is increased manoeuvrability, which comes in handy when dodging potholes or someone stepping onto the road while browsing Instagram on their phone. It does take a little bit of getting used to, and some riders can feel a little unsteady, to begin with, but with a bit of practice, you'll soon adapt to the new handling.
The common nature of the wheel sizes also means tyres are readily available, so don't let that concern you, with e-bike-specific options available too, to cope with the higher speeds.
24-inch and 26-inch are rare in electric folding bikes, but there are some manufacturers that offer them, attempting to bridge the gap between utility bikes and more relaxed adventure rigs.
How easy is it to fold a folding electric bike?
Like the best folding bikes without a motor, the best folding electric bikes have been engineered to make folding and unfolding quick and simple. The motor and battery are usually integral to the design and don't get in the way.
In some cases, like the Brompton Electric, the battery pack may be clipped onto the bike and can be carried separately, which reduces the weight and size of the bike that needs to be carried around, but means that there's another step needed to disconnect it when folding and reconnect it before riding.
It's often possible to half-fold an electric folding bike and push or pull it around, usually using the extended seatpost, which avoids having to carry it. The wheels are usually designed so that they line up to make it easy to manoeuvre.
How many gears do folding e-bikes have?
None of the bikes in this list are designed to crest alpine peaks; urban mobility usually calls for a reduction in gear range to add durability. Some will have a hub gear, others a more traditional setup or even a single speed. The Brompton Electric is best in this respect, as you can purchase variants with up to 12 speeds. In any case, your ability to get up inclines will be drastically improved by the addition of a motor (providing you remember to charge it).
Unless you live somewhere hugely hilly, the gear range will likely be ample on any of these options, but for those getting to work in somewhere like San Francisco, then it might be a factor to give a little more attention to, to avoid overworking the motor and components.
Do I need disc brakes?
Electric bikes tend to operate at a higher speed, and as such, stopping power is important. The lighter or more basic models are served by rim brakes, but heavier models usually feature discs.
We would, in general, recommend trying to purchase an electric bike with hydraulic disc brakes for more dependable and powerful braking performance.
Are folding electric bikes worth it?
This really depends on how much you're going to use it. Be honest about how many car or train journeys it'll replace, and add some slippage for maintenance and factor in the cost of charging to give you a reasonable idea of how much money you'll save on an annual basis.
Multiply this by how long you're likely to use the bike for in years, and you'll have something approaching a total cost offset. This is a very broad overview, though, and doesn't take into account non-financial considerations like the joy you may get from riding, the value you place on not being crowded into urban public transport or gridlocked in your car, or the fact that you just really want one.
Are folding electric bikes good to ride?
This really comes down to your interpretation of what ‘good’ means in riding and it will be different for everyone! Folding electric bikes can be comfortable, easy to use, and practical, but are a niche product and only really come into their own for commuting or leisurely rides on the tarmac. If you’re looking for something you can also take to the trails at the weekend, you’ll probably want to look at a full-size electric bike, but if you’re just concerned about how comfortable a folding electric bike will be on your commute, you’ll likely be surprised.
More recently manufacturers have prioritised battery improvements and ergonomic design through handlebar and seatpost adjustability to make folding electric bikes more comfortable over longer distances and now there are more frame size and style options on the market, it’s much easier to find something that will suit you. Equally, with the improvements made in motors, we’re seeing much smoother power delivery and precise torque sensors for a more responsive ride.
The folding electric bike though is a bit of a utility vehicle. It’s never going to be the most comfortable, the fastest or the funnest in the world, so it’s crucial you have a good think about what you need from the bike before purchasing.
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