The 17 best electric bikes and scooters for adults in 2024 (2024)

Rather than dust off your indoor exercise bike, electric bikes and scooters are a great way to get around — especially while the weather is warm.

Electric bikes, like from Viribus and Rad Power Bikes, put less pressure on you to pedal, allowing you to carry heavier reusable grocery bags, take farther trips and arrive at your destination in less sweaty conditions.

Similar to electric bikes, electric scooters make zipping through town a breeze. The only thing you need is a bit of balance, as there’s no pushing or pedaling required.

Our top picks, at a glance:

• Best overall: Viribus Breeze Step-Thru Electric Bike
• Best for Long Distances: Rad Power Bikes RadCity Step-Thru 3 Commuter Bike
• Best affordable: Ancheer 14-inch Folding Electric Bike
• Best compact: Murf The Higg Step-Thru
• Best for beginners: Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Thru
• Best Customizable: Sixthreezero Simple Step-Thru 500W
• Best Electric Trike: Lectric Bikes XP Electric Trike
• Best Cruiser: Bluejay Bike
• Best Fat Tire: RadRunner 2 Electric Utility Bike
• Best Hybrid: Schwinn Marshall Adult Electric Hybrid Bike

Since there are so many models to sift through, we spoke with Ben Foster an e-bike expert at the family owned and operated electric bike store Strictly Ebikes. He gave us the low-down on the different options out there and how to choose the right one for you.

Be it bike or scooter, make sure they have a full charge, grab a helmet and then hit the road.

See below for a wide range of options for both, including electric scooters and bikes for adults, fat tire electric bikes, electric folding bikes, folding electric scooters and more.

Click below to shop a specific category:

• Best electric bikes for adults
• Best electric scooters for adults

Click below to jump to our FAQ with the e-bike expert:

• Frequently asked questions

Electric bikes for adults

Best Overall: Viribus Breeze Step-Thru Electric Bike

We love everything about this electric bike: its basket, the 500 watt motor, the multiple levels of pedal assist — everything! Great for casual weekend rides or a zippy commute to work, the step-thru design makes for an easy mount, while the ergonomic handles are gentle on hands. Although the tires are not fat, they are puncture resistant, which will help going over unpaved roads. Available in three colors, it’s currently on sale and ready to be shipped free to your door!

Electric Bike Details:

• Ideal for those 5’5 to 6;3
• 
  624Wh battery
• Up to 25 miles with pedal assist, up to 45 miles with battery

Best for Long Distances: Rad Power Bikes RadCity Step-Thru 3 Commuter Bike

Welcome to Rad City, population: you.

This slick electric bike is from Rad Power Bikes and it sure is rad. The white version is decked out with a low-step frame and a rear rack on the back, perfect for city riding and errands when you don’t want to take the car. Capable of going up to 50 miles per hour per charge, it’s a great option for those who like long rides or live outside of town. Although it doesn’t have fat tires, they are puncture proof, making this also a nice choice if you’d like to go off roading or live somewhere with janky streets. It also doesn’t hurt that the 750 watt motor has plenty of kick to bring you up hills with ease.

Electric Bike Details:

• 275 pound weight capacity
• Designed with reflective striping and LED headlights and taillights
• All-weather, puncture resistant tires

Best Affordable: Ancheer 14-inch Folding Electric Bike

Save yourself the parking fee by cycling to the train or bus. This foldable electric bike from Ancheer is light and compact, so it’s not difficult to carry on your commute. Capable of going up to 20 miles per hour, its hearty 350 watt motor zips through streets and paths without issue, plus it can climb 20 degrees, which is nice if you have ramps to ascend. While not everyone will love the bike’s slim build, it’s an ideal option for those who don’t want the fuss of bike storage or carrying something heavy into work. There are three different modes to switch between, and you’ll be able to keep track of your charge and mileage on the front LCD screen.

Electric Bike Details:

• 48V 7.84AH/ 374Wh battery
• Up to 6 hour charge time
• Dual shock absorbers
• Ideal for those 4’6 to 5’6

Best Compact: Murf The Higg Step-Thru

Zip to work or through the dusty track with this easy to ride step-thru from Murf. Armed with a 500 watt motor, it can go up to 25 miles per hour, which is fast enough to take you from point A to B. Capable of going up to 50 miles on a single charge, it also has a rear rack to store a bag or packages, as well as BMX style handlebars for a more natural grip.

Electric Bike Details:

• Up to 50 mile range, per charge
• 25 miles per hour
• 52V battery

Best for Beginners: Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Thru

Electric bikes can take awhile to get used to, especially if you’re new to them. For an easier learning curve, we suggest the Pace 500.3 Step-Thru from Aventon. It’s easy to mount, and has a cushioned saddle, so you can enjoy long and leisure rides. Or, fast and furious ones as you peddle to work. Completely up to you. Featuring an intuitive torque sensor, there are four different assist levels to switch between, and the LED display lights up for when you’re cycling home in the dark.

Electric Bike Details:

• 300 pound weight capacity
• Goes 28 miles per hour
• Integrated lights

Best Customizable: Sixthreezero Simple Step-Thru 500W

Ride to work in style! No, we’re not talking about ordering a luxury Lyft but treating to yourself to a customizable electric bike. Choose your helmet, panniers and handlebars — whatever you like, including a phone holder. Snazzy features aside, the bike has a powerful motor, can hold up to 300 pounds, and has rear and front hand breaks for quick stops. Best of all, its step-thru style is designed to make mounting and dismounting easier on joints, which also makes this a best bike for seniors or those with limited mobility. Ideal for riding through the suburbs and paved roads, the bike has a convenient back rack, perfect for carrying packages, and is simply gorgeous.

Electric Bike Details:

• Up to 25 miles with throttle assist
• Up to 50 miles with pedal-assist
• 26 inch wheels with 1.95 slick tires

Best Electric Trike: Lectric Bikes XP Electric Trike

Trikes — they’re not just for kids, especially if they have a powerful motor attached. Armed with a two-wheel drive, hydraulic brakes, and five levels of pedal assist, this e-bike from Lectric Bikes is a great option for those who want something to grab groceries with or who never learned to ride a two-wheel — yes, those people exist. We also like this pick for seniors and those with mobility issues, as balancing is not something you’ll have to worry about. The back has a basket (again, great for groceries), while the front has a large integrated light for visibility, and the seat is adjustable for a more customized ride.

Electric Bike Details:

• Up to 6 hour charge time
• 48V, 14Ah battery
• Up to 60 miles per charge

Best Cruiser: Bluejay Bike

This Class 1 e-bike can take you where you want to go in a flash. Featuring eight internal gears and made of lightweight but durable aluminum, we love tektro hydraulic disc brakes and adjustable seat and handlebars. A vintage style front light shows the way when riding home at dusk, while the rear rack is an ideal place to store any packages.

Electric Bike Details:

• 20 miles per hour
• 350 watt motor
• 48V battery
• USB charging station

Best Fat Tire: RadRunner 2 Electric Utility Bike

No one wants to cycle anywhere with a heavy bag on their back, which is one of the reasons we love this fat tire bike from Rad Power Bikes. Its rear has plenty of room for packages, including a friend who needs a lift home. The step-thru design is easy to get on and off of, while rain, glass and rocks are no match for the thick, puncture resistant tires. For late night rides, the break has an integrated taillight, while the single speed, push button control is user friendly. Happy trails!

Electric Bike Details:

• 750 watt motor
• 300 pound weight capacity
• up to 45 miles per charge

Best Hybrid: Schwinn Marshall Adult Electric Hybrid Bike

Whether you like your e-bike as a form of exercise or as a way to save yourself gas, this slim pick from Schwinn may be the perfect pick for you. It has a variety of gears to shift between, so whether you’re cruising, coasting downhill or peddling through a bumpy dirty road, you can make transitions smoothly and safely. Throttle up to 20 miles per hour and feel the wind in your hair, while watching the speed on the LCD display. Who knows? You may end up preferring it to your four-wheeler, if you know what we mean.

Electric Bike Details:

• 5 levels of pedal assist
• Up to 20 miles per hour
• 35 miles per charge

Best Mountain: Wing Freedom Fatty 2

Simply pedal to kick start the electric benefits of this fat tire bike. The Wing e-bike features a speed of up to 25 mph, built-in headlights and taillights, a battery range up to 60 miles and anti-theft tamper detection and alarm. Featuring a Shimano RapidFire, the electric bike has seven different gears to shift between, while the ergonomic handlebars make for comfortable gripping. While this works fine for commuting, we really like this for mountain trails, thanks to its fight tires which can handle bumpy terrain.

Electric Bike Details:

• Up to 25 miles per hour
• Good for riders 5’6 to 6’4
• Customizable battery and mileage range

Electric scooters for adults

Best Foldable Scooter: Yadea KS5 Electric Scooter

Let your electric scooter take you everywhere, and you can take it everywhere in return.

The new Yadea KS5 electric scooter is super easy to use and even easier to fold and store away when not in use, that it may just become your go-to mode of transportation this summer. Charge up quickly with 5H Fast Charging and then ride up to 25 miles, going about 18mph at max speed. The scooter also has Bluetooth capabilities, paring to any enabled device, as well as its own LED screen to show battery life, headlight status, a speedometer and more.

Electric Scooter Details:

• 242 pound weight capacity
• 10 inch tires
• Foldable
• Up to 25 miles per charge

Best Commuter: Hiboy S2 Pro Electric Scooter

Oh boy!

Hiboy is a great brand for electric scooters, and we found one on Amazon for a pretty good price. It can reach speeds up to 19 mph and can travel up to 25 miles when charged up, one of the longer ranges on the market.

Electric Scooter Details:

• 220 pound weight capacity
• 36V/11.6AH battery
• 500 watt motor

Best with USB Port: TurboAnt M10 Commuting Electric Scooter

Save some extra cash and consider trading in your car or metro card for one of these. This electric scooter from TurboAnt is designed with the commuter in mind, with a lightweight design for easy storage once in the office and an 18-mile range on a single charge. Plus, the under $500 price tag is hard to beat.

Electric Scooter Details:

• Up to 5 hour charge time
• Dual breaks
• Foldable

Best Budget: Hover-1 Rally Electric Folding Scooter

Scoot into summer, and with savings no less.

The Hover-1 electric scooter is now on Amazon, sold for just under $400. The scooter is both electric and foldable, making it easy to ride and even easier to store in your garage or home when done. It can go as fast at 12mph and about seven miles on a single charge.

Electric Scooter Details:

• 300 watt motor
• 220 pound weight capacity
• 6.5 inch tires

Best Designed: Segway Ninebot KickScooter Air T15

If you thought Segway was only for tours and mall cops, think again.

This Segway brand electric scooter is a game-changer, winning multiple awards for innovation. The Ninebot KickScooter Air can go as fast at 12.4 mph and about nine miles on a single charge. The whole scooter weighs only 23 pounds and folds up to be 8.7 inches, making it a portable and easy option for both riding and storing when done for the day.

Electric Scooter Details:

• 22 miles per hour
• Up to 43 miles, 25 miles at max speed
• Double suspension

Best Durable: Gotrax GXL V2 Commuting Electric Scooter

Featuring an improved console, longer battery life and folding mechanism, this Gotrax electric scooter is a popular choice. It also features a hand brake, shock absorbent air-filled tires and holds up to 220 lbs.

Electric Scooter Details:

• Up to 15.5 miles per hour
• 187.2W battery
• Foldable

FAQ with the e-bike expert

The different types of electric bike models

Among electronic bikes, Foster says there are two main types you can choose from: step-over and step-through.

“Step-over is the diamond-shaped frame you probably remember from childhood,” he told The Post. “Step-through is missing that top bar, making it a more relaxed style — one that’s also better for shorter people.”

You’ll also want to consider what you plan on mainly using it for as Foster explained models with “fat or knobby tires are better for riding on trails or gravel” whereas “smoother and narrower tires provide a better ride on the street and give you more battery range.”

There’s also the power output to consider, which, according to Foster, will tell you how quick “but not necessarily faster” the bike is. These power levels can range anywhere from 350W to 750W, but it’s also important to remember “a higher power draw means you run down the battery more quickly.”

You’ll also want to determine the speed and whether you’d like a pedal-assist or throttle-assist. This is categorized by “class” as Foster describes with class one e-bikes being “pedal-assist only” with no throttle and “a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph,” a class two e-bike is throttle-assisted with a max assisted speed of 20 mph and a class three e-bike comes with pedal-assist only, no throttle and a max assisted speed of 28 mph.

Other characteristics to consider

For adventure seekers, Foster usually points people to a knobby-tire model with more power to handle both hills and off-road environments. Commuters should lean more towards “an easy-to-live-with model with a solid range,” while “if they’re an urban dweller, they may want a foldable model that can fit into an apartment,” he said.

What he thinks is the most important characteristic though, is “buying from a reputable brand or shop that will support you after the sale.” Make sure you look into the warranty policies of the electric bike you’re looking as as a new e-bike should have one for at least one year.

After narrowing down your selection, Foster suggests reading professional reviews and opinions from real people using sources like eBikes Forum or Electric Bike Review to “get an authentic sense of how different models perform.”

If you still find yourself with unanswered questions, he encourages visiting a shop to ask them.

“Ebikes are new to most people, so it’s totally okay to have questions!” he said.

Beginner e-bikes v. models for more experienced riders

For beginners, Foster says to look for “an e-bike with a lighterchassis, which means a smaller battery, and a less powerful motor.” Step-through frames are usually more popular among new riders, he points out theframe “really comes down to personal preference.”

Cost is also a consideration to take into account as newer riders may prefer to “get their feet wet with a lower-cost model that has fewer bells and whistles.”

Most experienced e-bike users Foster has assisted tend to have a “need for speed” so they are typically interested in models with a higher output level. These are also “often people who are avid bikers and like traveling long distances” that means a bigger battery may be a priority, which will also increase the weight of the bike.

What to avoid in an electronic bike or scooter

Custom or home-built e-bikes and e-scooters should be avoided as some repair shops won’t even service them. Foster says this is due to the fact that “they tend to be jerry-rigged together, and can even be unsafe.”

The emphasis should be on comfort over needs, too. Make sure your try out different models to find the most comfortable design to ensure you’ll ride it.

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