Electric bikes are getting better, safer, and more affordable every year. Even so, in the US, e-bikes are still relatively expensive despite being such an incredibly price-sensitive market. Whenever someone asks me to recommend an e-bike for them, one of their first requirements is invariably that it doesn’t cost a fortune. Though the tradeoffs for dropping the price can sometimes rear their ugly head with their own hidden costs.

And let’s be real: the sub-$1,000 category has always been a bit of a minefield. For every great deal, there are a dozen cheap frames with underpowered motors, sketchy brakes, or batteries that make me nervous just looking at them. But with a lot of digging (and a lot of riding), I’ve managed to find a few standout electric bikes that prove you can get a surprisingly good ride without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re looking for a lightweight city commuter, a folding e-bike for multi-modal travel, or just something simple and fun to cruise around the neighborhood, there’s now a solid mix of options under the thousand-dollar mark. These bikes aren’t perfect – they cut costs in places – but many of them offer far more value than you’d expect at this price point.

I’ve personally tested every one of these e-bikes, putting them through real-world use to see what works, what doesn’t, and who each model is best suited for. Some are stripped-down budget beasts that prioritize performance. Others go for comfort and practicality. And a few genuinely surprised me with features I’d expect to see on bikes twice the price.

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Here are the best electric bikes I’ve tested for under $1,000.

Lectric XP4

There is one e-bike that deserves to be at the top of this list, and it’s the Lectric XP4. Everyone else is literally fighting for second place.

The Lectric XP 4.0 is the reigning king of budget folding e-bikes, and for good reason. At $999, it’s an almost absurd amount of bike for the money. It has no business costing this little, especially with such nice design and surprisingly good hardware.

This fourth-generation model builds on Lectric’s already massively popular XP lineup with refinements that make it more comfortable, more capable, and more versatile – all without raising the price! The step-thru frame makes it accessible for a wide range of riders, and the foldable design means it’s still compact enough to fit in a car trunk or tight storage space.

Under the hood, you get a powerful 1,092W peak (500W nominal) rear hub motor paired with a 48V 10.4Ah battery for up to 45 miles of range. The 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain and five pedal assist levels give you flexibility whether you’re cruising or climbing (plus the torque sensor makes pedaling feel quite natural), and the updated front suspension fork and 20” x 3” all-terrain tires add a noticeable boost in comfort and handling. Hydraulic disc brakes are a new and very welcome addition at this price point, offering better stopping power and less maintenance than mechanical setups. And to be frank, those hydraulic brakes are just too nice to be on a bike at this price – I don’t know how Lectric does it.

What really sets the XP 4.0 apart, though, is the level of polish and practicality packed into this budget-friendly frame. Integrated lights, fenders, and a rear rack all come standard, and the frame is rated for 330 pounds of total payload – enough to carry you and your groceries (or a friend with the passenger package installed on the rear!). It’s fast, fun, and wildly capable for the price. Whether you’re a first-time e-bike buyer or just want a second ride that doesn’t feel like a downgrade, the Lectric XP 4.0 is hard to beat. This is THE e-bike I recommend to most new riders.

Buzz Centris Folding E-Bike

The Buzz Centris is one of those rare sub-$1,000 folding e-bikes that doesn’t feel like a total compromise. At its current sale price of $899, it undercuts the XP4 by $100 and it manages to pack in a solid feature set that makes it a strong contender for commuters, apartment dwellers, and anyone tight on space. The folding frame, handlebars, and pedals let it collapse into a compact package, which is great for tossing in a trunk or storing in a corner. Despite its budget price, the Centris still includes some nice touches, like cast magnesium wheels that never need truing and a built-in rear rack that adds real utility for carrying bags or gear.

Power is modest and comes from a 500W rear hub motor paired with a 48V 10.4Ah battery (500Wh), offering up to 40 miles (64 km) of range under pedal assist, though you should definitely expect less if you’re heavy on the throttle and constantly ride at its top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).

It’s not a powerhouse, but it’s plenty for city riding, light hills, or short commutes. The 7-speed Shimano drivetrain adds flexibility, and the mechanical disc brakes are basic but effective. Fat 4-inch tires on 20-inch wheels provide good comfort and traction, even on rough pavement or gravel paths.

The Buzz Centris is best suited for riders who need a compact, portable e-bike without sacrificing too much on quality like you would with all of those fly-by-night companies. It won’t win any races, and it’s not built for heavy-duty hauling or off-road adventures. But for casual riders, urban commuters, or RV travelers looking for an affordable folding e-bike with respectable performance and comfort, the Centris would be a nice compromise.

I’d still say that the extra $100 for the XP4 gets you a lot of upgrades, but if $899 is your limit, the Buzz Centris won’t do you wrong.

Lectric XP Lite 2.0

If $899 for the Buzz above is still too much, the Lectric XP Lite 2.0’s $799 price tag might fit your budget. Once you reach $800 or below, it’s hard to find a quality e-bike, and this is one of the few bikes I’d recommend in this price range. But I definitely recommend it all the time because of what a great deal it is and how well it’s made for the price! When someone asks me to maximize bang for buck, this is the e-bike I send them to.

You can think of the XP Lite 2.0 as the XP4’s lean, nimble little brother – built for simplicity, portability, and with a surprising punch. At just 41 pounds (18.6 kg), it’s one of the lightest e-bikes in its class, making it a top pick for riders who need something easy to lift, carry, or store. But don’t let the smaller size fool you, the XP Lite 2.0 still delivers an impressive ride, especially considering its $799 price tag.

Sure, the spec sheet lists a 300W nominal motor, but it really puts out over 800W of peak power. With the 48V 7.8Ah battery (375Wh), with an optional extended-range battery available for those who want to push well past the base model’s 40 miles (64 km) of range. It ships as a Class 2 e-bike, meaning you can easily hit 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle, or you can use the pedal assist for more of a workout.

Like other Lectric models, it comes with integrated lights, a bright display, and compatibility with a wide range of accessories including racks, baskets, and passenger pegs. The XP Lite 2.0 is best suited for students, urban riders, or anyone looking for a lightweight, low-cost way to electrify their commute. It’s quick, affordable, and fun – basically the e-bike version of a no-frills city scooter, but with pedals and a whole lot more versatility.

Ride1up Portola

The Ride1Up Portola is a great example of a premium-feeling folding e-bike that sneaks in just under the $1,000 mark. To be fair, its MSRP is $1,095, but it’s currently on sale at $995, so we’re going to count it.

The Portola is one of the most refined and thoughtfully spec’d electric folders I’ve tested in this price range, at least until the XP4 came out, and it genuinely rides like a more expensive bike. Ride1Up is known for squeezing maximum value out of their builds, and the Portola is no exception. It folds down quickly and compactly, but what really makes it stand out is how good it feels when you’re actually on it.

You get a 750W rear hub motor paired with a 48V system. The bike ships with a 10.4Ah battery (500Wh), but you can also upgrade to a higher-capacity version if you want more range, and both come UL-certified. Other thoughtful specs include an 8-speed drivetrain, hydraulic disc brakes, and a front suspension fork.

At 59 pounds (26.8 kg), the Portola isn’t a featherweight, but it’s not bad for a full-featured e-folder with fat-ish 20” x 3” tires and a full rack and fender setup. It’s ideal for riders who need a compact e-bike for commuting, RV use, or apartment storage but don’t want to sacrifice ride quality. If you want a folding e-bike that feels like a “real bike” and not a compromise, the Portola is shockingly good for the money.

Velotric Fold 1 Lite

To be fair, I’ve tested the Velotric Fold 1 Plus and not the Lite, which is its pared down sibling, but much of the bike is quite similar.

The Velotric Fold 1 Lite is one of the newest budget-friendly e-bikes from a brand that’s been steadily gaining traction for making polished, reliable electric bikes at very reasonable prices. Priced at $999, the Fold 1 Lite delivers a surprisingly slick experience in a compact, folding format – and it manages to look good doing it. With clean lines, a slick paint finish, and tidy internal cable routing, this bike feels nicer than its price suggests.

Under the hood, the Fold 1 Lite features a 500W rear hub motor (55 Nm of torque) and a 48V 486Wh battery offering a range of up to 48 miles (77 km) with pedal assist in ideal conditions, though real-world range will usually fall somewhere around 25–35 miles (40-60 km) depending on terrain and throttle usage. The bike ships as a Class 2 with both pedal assist and throttle (up to 20 mph), and it can be unlocked to Class 3 for speeds up to 28 mph (45 km/h). You also get hydraulic disc brakes, 20” x 3” all-terrain tires, and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain to round out a solid spec sheet.

What makes this bike stand out is how well-rounded it is. The ride feels stable and comfortable, and the folding mechanism is sturdy and intuitive. It includes fenders and integrated lighting, and while it doesn’t come with a rear rack by default, one is available as an accessory. It doesn’t have quite the same bang-for-your-buck as others on this list, but it’s a nicely made, attractive bike that still deserves a spot on the list. I just wish they gave it the fun color options found on the Fold 1 Plus and other models from Velotric.

Huffy eThunder Road Kids E-Bike

This one is definitely more teen-oriented, but smaller adults will fit just fine on it. Plus, I love how cool it looks. If you’re looking for an e-bike for your teen and you don’t want to spend a fortune, this one might do it for you.

At just $729, this mini-moto-style e-bike offers a fun and confidence-building ride for kids aged 13 and up, combining the look of a mini motorcycle with the simplicity of a pedal-free throttle setup. It’s also got pedal-assist, which is a great way to introduce younger riders to an e-bike (and you can just remove the throttle if you want to force your teen to only use pedal assist).

Keep in mind that at this price, you’re going to get modest but not incredible performance. The eThunder Road is powered by a 250W rear hub motor paired with a 24V 6Ah battery. That’s enough to hit speeds up to 15 mph (25 km/h), which probably feels fast to a kid. Sure, it’s clearly designed for short, supervised fun, not all-day excursions, but that’s exactly what it promises and delivers. The large 20-inch tires offer good ground clearance and cushion for light off-road riding, while the twist throttle makes acceleration easy and intuitive. And if you’re giving your kid an e-bike, I’d say the performance is enough to offer a fun ride without having to worry about them riding a powerful little motorcycle around.

Yes, this definitely isn’t a rugged off-roader, but it’s a solid little neighborhood cruiser. With a max rider weight of 120 pounds, it’s sized well for teens and preteens. It’s also surprisingly well built for the price, with a durable steel frame and fun styling that definitely turns heads. It’s not exactly the most elegantly designed or constructed e-bike, but you get what you pay for and this is definitely more affordable than the fancier models.

If you’re looking for an electric ride-on that bridges the gap between toys and real e-bikes, the Huffy eThunder Road is a great starter option.