I Test E-Bikes, and These Are My Top Picks for Every Kind of Rider

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Credit: Stephen Johnson

While everyone is waiting for electric cars to take over the highways, the real e-action is happening on your local bike path: 18% of pedal-only bikes sold in 2023 were electric, while electric cars made up only 7.6% of car sales in the same year. Meanwhile, the electric scooter market in the U.S. is worth more than $25 billion.

This is all a sign that it's time for you to hop on e-bike, e-scooter, or e-unicycle, and hit the road yourself. I've been testing e-bikes for years, and these are some of my top picks..

What to look for in an e-bike

E-bikes are the best-selling personal electric vehicles by far for good reason. It's as easy to do as riding a bike, and gets just about anyone, of any fitness level, out on the road. But the growth of the e-bike market over the last few years makes it easy to get get overwhelmed with choices, so let me break it down for you.

Prices of e-bikes vary wildly. Amazon has one on sale for less than $300. On the other end of the spectrum, you could spend 10 grand on a nice electric road bike. But realistically, most decent starter e-bikes are priced in the $1,500 to $2,500 range.

For most products, I'm on the side of "just get a cheap one and see how it goes," but I make an exception for e-bikes. The cost-cutting that allows for a $300 bike has to come from somewhere, and it's likely cheap components that break easily and can't be repaired (most bike repair shops won't even look at a no-name Amazon e-bike). So they're possibly a safety hazard and probably not a bargain in the long run—there are exceptions, but most name-brand e-bikes are sold direct to consumer.

The kind of bike that will suit you best depends on the kind of rider you are and where you're going. Here's how it breaks down in terms of the main categories for newer riders:

Cruiser e-Bikes

It's summer so lets start with quintessentially summer variety bike: the cruiser. These are designed for relaxed, leisurely rides and are generally built for comfort not speed. Here are a couple excellent cruisers to consider if that's your vibe.

Aventon Pace 500.3: In terms of price vs. performance and versatility, the Aventon Pace 500.3 is one of the best bikes I've ridden, especially if you're new to e-bikes. ($1,599) (Full review here.)

MOD Easy 3: Rolling up to the beach on one of these makes a statement. The Mod Easy is a lot of bike, and you can get one with a sidecar! ($3,889) (Full review here.)

Commuter e-bikes

Commuter bikes are built for utilitarian city rides. They're made to be comfortable and are able to carry light cargo. This is the right bike if you're looking for one to take a short trip to and from work or to the store.

Tenways CGO600 Pro: This single-speed, lightweight, Euro-styled city bike features a belt-drive instead of a chain, so maintenance is unlikely to be an issue. ($1,499.00) (Full review here.)

Specialized Turbo Vado 2: If you want something really high end, Specialized's line of high performance commuter e-bikes are absolute units in ever way. ($5,999.99) (Full review here.)

Folding e-bikes

These bikes are designed for easy storage and portability. They're the choice for commuters who have no space.

Ride 1up Portola: This budget-friendly whip packs a powerful motor and fits in a closet. ($995) (Full review here)

Cargo e-Bikes

Cargo bikes are heavy-duty. They're designed to carry heavier loads and usually feature fat tires to take on more rugged terrain.

Radrunner 3: This beefy bike boy eats up dirt tracks, streets, and bike paths alike. It's like a little SUV. ($2,099) (Full review here)

Electric Mountain Bikes (E-MTBs) and fat-tire bikes

These are built for off-road adventures on natural terrain. If you're into mountain biking, a motor really improves the experience.

Consider one of these choices.

Canyon Spectral CF 7: I'm absolutely in love with this lightweight, high performance e-mountain bike. ($5,099) (Full review here.)

Aventon Aventure 3: While not for "serious" downhill mountain biking, if you want a rugged ride with fat, squishy tires that will take you over all kinds of terrain, I fully endorse the Aventon Aventure 3. (Full review here.)

Electric scooters, skateboards, and unicycles

I've messed around with them a little bit, but I don't have as much experience riding non-bike personal electric vehicles as I'd like. They seem like a younger person's game, to be honest. But if that seems like your vibe, here are my picks for positively reviewed scooters, skateboards, and unicycles.

Electric scooters

Electric scooters are easier to ride than electric skateboards, and lighter than electric bikes. They're closer to toys than transportation, which makes them perfect for summer.

Segway Ninebot: Remember when Segways were going to revolutionize transportation? They still might do it. The company name is now slapped on electric scooters that are inexpensive and positively reviewed by professionals and Amazon customers alike. (Unlike its somewhat iffy collection of electric bikes, you can buy some pretty solid electric scooters on Amazon.)

Electric skateboards

I wouldn't get on one of these unless you have a background in analog skating, but if that's you, you will have a ridiculously good time on an electric skateboard.

Wowgo 3E: An electric longboard with a belt-driven motor that retails for under $500 and gets high consumer ratings? Sign me up, please. ($483.90)

Tynee Mini 3 Pro Electric Skateboard: On the other side of the spectrum from the above longboard is this teeny skateboard. It's 30" long but can travel 31 mph. ($749.00)

Electric unicycles and one-wheels

I'm going to be honest: I find electric unicycles and one-wheels scary as hell. I know the self-balancing features make them easy to ride, but I imagine the physics of a one-wheel engine going out while going 20 mph, and I wince. But if I could get over my fear, I bet I'd have a much more enjoyable life.

One Wheel Pint X: One Wheel has been around for over decade, so I trust they make a good product. (I'm not going to ride one, though.) ($1,100)

INMOTION Adventure Electric Unicycle: This all-terrain electric unicycle is wild. Suspension and knobby tires let you take it off-road, it can conquer a 50-degree incline, and is powered by a 4,000W high-torque motor. God help me, I want one. ($2,999)

Electric hydrofoils

They have little transportational use, but the first time I saw someone cruising above the ocean on an electric hydro-foil, it became clear that I must ride one. My personal goal for this summer is to at least try either a jet board or an electric hydrofoil. They're both supposedly easy to learn, too, so wish me luck.

Waydoo Flyer ONE Plus eFoil:These move at over 25 mph, and the battery can last as long as two hours. I don't know if I could handle that much fun.