So many options, so hard to choose
Another amazing year in the books for innovation, performance, power, range, and safety. With every year eBikes push the limits further and refine what an eBike can be. Whether you’re a coffee shop cruiser, hauling groceries, or taking on epic rides in the woods, there’s an eBike equivalent for every type of riding.
At Electric Bike Journal, we spent the past year riding everything from budget bikes, to high-end tech and feature-filled luxury machines, exploring what separates an eBike with a lot of hype to one that you want to ride every day. These are our top electric bikes of 2025. The ones that stood out to us through real-world riding.
Before diving in, here’s how we judged: build quality, range and battery integration, ride comfort, innovation, and value. No spec-sheet fluff, just our quick thoughts.
Quick Look: Our Top-Picks
Best Overall Momentum Vida E+
Best Cargo Aventon Abound LR
Best Value Trek FX+ 1
Best Commuter Aventon Level.3
Best Trekking Ride 1Up Vorsa
Best Cruiser Electra Townie Go!
What Changed in 2025
As a whole a think it’s safe to say that the major advances we saw in eBikes for 2025 was lighter bikes, smarter systems, and more collective balance amongst brands pushing safety and legal to more common grounds.
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Integration took a leap: batteries and cables disappeared into frames, creating cleaner looking bikes.
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Safety became central: UL-certified batteries and chargers are now the norm among major brands and those that want to be in it for the long haul.
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Mid-drives dominated, but hub-driven bikes narrowed the gap with better torque sensors and smoother assist.
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Cargo and utility bikes exploded in popularity, signaling the eBike’s shift from recreation to transportation.
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Style and Lifestyle: There will always be a large push for biggest battery and the most power, but we saw more and more eBikes that shifted their construction to empower care-free and casual riding that make it more enjoyable for everyone.
Best Overall: Momentum Vida E+
We’ve ridden faster, lighter, and more extreme bikes this year, but few were as easy to live with as the Momentum Vida E+. The smooth assist, long-lasting battery, and relaxed geometry made it the bike that encouraged more riding without overthinking. Quick spins after work, casual weekend loops, cruising with friends — the Vida E+ made all of it feel effortless. In a year full of high-powered tech, it stood out by simply being a joy to ride.
MOMENTUM VIDA E+
Abyss Black, Mountain Air, Caramel CinnamonUp to 55 milesClass 3500w - 60Nm - 690Wh
$2,480 AT MOMENTUM
Best Cargo: Aventon Abound LR $1799 $1999
When we first hopped on the Abound LR, it was clear Aventon wasn’t just updating a model — they were redefining what a sub-$2,500 cargo e-bike can be. The torque-sensor assist feels dialed, the rack is passenger-ready, and the new ACU connected system brings a level of tech trickle-down we usually see on much higher-priced options. For families or utility riders wanting capability without complexity, the Abound LR hits the sweet spot.
Best Value: Trek FX+1
Best Value doesn’t always go to the cheapest bike — it goes to the bike that feels like you got away with something. The FX+ 1 rides lighter, quicker, and cleaner than most bikes in its price range. It’s simple, reliable, and refreshingly fun. Punching way above its class. With the addition of a throttle, it shows that Trek is thinking generously about the future of ebikes for recreational riders and that major brands known for being more expensive are fighting to offer quality and value to all riders.
Best Commuter: Aventon Level.3
No drama, no frills — just a bike that delivers. Aventon addressed many of their bikes this year with dramatic improvements and the Level.3 turned out to be the one we reach for when we want to ride without thinking. Pedal-assist when we’re lazy, throttle when we don’t want to pedal, rack for hauling, suspension for comfort, and range for days. It doesn’t demand attention. It just quietly outperforms nearly every other commuter on the block.
AVENTON LEVEL.3
Matte Aurora, Matte Black, Sandstone, Glacier MintUp to 70 milesClass 2500w - 60Nm - 733Wh
$1,699 AT AVENTON
Best Trekking: Ride1Up Vorsa
The Vorsa isn’t shy about ambition — it’s built for it. Think cargo runs, passenger hauling, trail hunts, long weekend loops: the 440-lb payload capacity and modular rack system mean you can custom-build a bike to match your lifestyle. But it doesn’t sacrifice ride feel: suspension, wide tires, hydraulic brakes, and a full Shimano drivetrain keep things smooth and reliable. For us a trekking bike is a swiss army knife, ready to take on the adventure.
Best Cruiser: Electra Townie Go!
If you like your bikes with a little swagger — and zero stress — the Townie Go! does that better than anything else this year. It blends old-school cruiser vibes (balloon tires, upright posture, chill handling) with modern e-bike polish. Patented Flat Foot Technology ensures the most relaxed and comfortable ride at without compromising handling. Riding it reminds you that eBiking doesn’t always have to be about speed or range — sometimes it’s about style, comfort, and a grin.
Electra Townie Go!
Aloe Vera, Shark Grey, Vapor, OrchidrUp to 60 milesClass 1-3500w - 60Nm - 520Wh
$2,099 at ELECTRAEditor’s Picks & Wild Cards
Most Fun
We understand our definition of fun may be different from yours, but here us out. The DeVinci E-Hatchet Tour has delievered more miles of smiles than any other bike this year. Room for fenders, an abundance of mounts for racks or gear bags, and a highly efficient, ultra quiet Mahle X30 Drive Unit.
Sure, we have a blast on bikes like those Super73’s, but their limitations due to range and class rating don’t always work for us. That being said the E-Hatchet Tour was a bike that truly made our summer more enjoyable. Long days in the saddle exploring country roads, or quick blips into downtown for summer evening activities. Fun was defined by where it took us. Lightweight, quick, comfortable, it was a 50/50 split of fun riding to the activity compared to the activity itself. Never a dull moment.
Mokwheel Onyx
COLORSUp to 80 milesClass 2750w - 210Nm - 960Wh
$3,299 AT MOKWHEELBiggest Surprise
The Mokwheel Onyx wasn’t on our radar as a top performer — and then it completely flipped our expectations. It’s ridiculously powerful, shockingly smooth, and somehow squeezes 80 miles out of a 940Wh battery. Add in the solar-charging compatibility, power inverter, and full off-grid utility, and suddenly you’ve got a backcountry scout bike unlike anything else in its class. It’s not cheap, and it’s not for everyone, but for riders heading deep into the woods with gear in tow, the Onyx is a legitimate surprise standout.
Urban Arrow FamilyNext Pro
Black, GreenClass 1Bosch Cargo Line 85Nm - Enviolo - 545Wh
$8,999 AT URBAN ARROWBest for Families
As the saying goes, “Kids are expensive”, well apparently shuttling them around can be too. However, when we think of the easiest and most functional bike on the market to truly be a vehicle replacement and be highly capable of carrying at least two kids around on the go, we can only think of the the new generation from Urban Arrow. The FamilyNext Pro is every inch of top tier compenent spec. Internal shifting, belt driven, integrated lights, EPP foam bucket and even front suspension.
Best under $1000
While eBike prices have continued to climb, there is still no shortage of sub-$2k options. Under $1500, a pinch less, and under $1000 even more so. When we take a look at the sub $1000 options, we know there will be compromises in many of the bolt on parts. What we hone in on is ride quality, because if it doesn’t ride well is it even worth it? Secondly, we focus on the safety of the electric system. UL-certifications and quality design for these components are the primary way brands are able to help make eBikes more affordable to you.
The Buzz Cerana 2 presented itself to us this year and was able to check the boxes we value the most. Normally prices at $1499, it has been available for sometime at $999.
Final Thoughts
If there’s anything that 2025 has shown us in the eBike space, it is just how diverse and capable eBikes are becoming. Whether you’re chasing weekend cruising, hauling kids to school, or an absolute performance machine, things are only continuing to get better and better.
For us that means more attention to what you want. Safer E-Systems, optimum range, bikes that aren’t as heavy, and are more enjoyable.
Our major takeaway is this: the best electric bike is the one that makes you want to ride more.
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