Best Folding Electric Bikes

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 4, 2023
Folding electric bikes give you the same conveniences that standard electric are offering but with the added folding benefit, meaning that you can collapse these bikes and carry them like they're heavy groceries. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Frame
Power
Battery
Wheels
Suspension
Brakes
Gear
Extras
Warranty
 
PROS
The bike handles 25-degree inclines with ease. The tires are puncture-resistant, so you can hit any trails without fretting about cutting them. The LCD screen is protected against the rain and features anti-glare coating and backlighting to make the stats and settings visible under direct sunlight and during nighttime. 
CONS

The battery clamp is pretty loose. 

OUR VERDICT

The SOHOO S126B-3 will allow you to reach 25 mph and, provided you're willing to do some pedaling, the bike's massive 48V battery can last 50 miles. Even with the throttle-only mode though, the battery will let you cover above 35 miles. The multi-tooth fat tires will glide through snow and sand like they're even pavement.

detailed parameters
Frame

Aluminum alloy frame

Power

500 W (reach speeds of up to 25 MPH)

Battery

48V/12AH (35+ miles)

Wheels

20" alloy wide rims, 4" fat tires

Suspension

Suspension fork

Brakes

Front and rear disc brakes

Gear

Shimano gearing and shifter, 7 speeds

Extras

LCD screen, adjustable saddle height, adjustable handlebar, non-slip grips, kickstand, mudguards, rear rack

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The rear shock-absorbing mechanism will be able to smooth out those bumps that the bike's small wheels cannot smooth themselves. You'll be hitting sidewalk cracks and even sizable potholes without even noticing them. The bright LED headlamp will enable comfortable riding at night. 

CONS

The saddle is quite stiff.

OUR VERDICT

The Swagtron EB7 Plus Folding Electric Bike will let you ride with style and efficiency. The bike's pretty quick and nimble, so you'll be able to hit most city roads, slicing and dicing with confidence and finesse. You can fold the bike and carry the folded vehicle with you on subway trains.

detailed parameters
Frame

Aluminum alloy frame

Power

350 W (reaches speeds of up to 18.6 MPH)

Battery

36V/~12AH (19+ miles)

Wheels

16" alloy rims, road tires

Suspension

Rear shock-absorber

Brakes

Front and rear disc brakes

Gear

Shimano gearing and shifter, 7 speeds

Extras

LCD screen, adjustable saddle height, adjustable handlebar, non-slip grips, kickstand, transport handle

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The frame's strong enough to accommodate even people around 260 pounds. The Autoguard tech will make sure to automatically disengage the bike upon breaking, so even when throttling full-speed, the moment you hit its brakes, the bicycle comes to an immediate halt. 

CONS

The V-brakes are not as reliable as disc brakes. 

OUR VERDICT

The Swagtron EB-5 Pro will allow you to scoot around city streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes with the same level of comfort and control that bikes with much larger wheels give you. Plus, thanks to the miniature size, you can wheel this bike into elevators.

detailed parameters
Frame

Aluminum alloy frame

Power

250 W (reaches speeds of up to 15 MPH)

Battery

36V/~8AH (15.5+ miles)

Wheels

14" alloy rims, road tires

Suspension

No shock absorbers

Brakes

Front and rear V-brakes

Gear

Single speed

Extras

Adjustable saddle height, adjustable handlebar, non-slip grips, kickstand

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The anti-slip tires enable great traction with most roads. On flat ground, throttle alone makes the bike reach 20 mph within less than 20 seconds. The horn is really loud, making the riding experience pretty safe, even with many vehicles and pedestrians around. 

CONS

The battery does not last. 

OUR VERDICT

The Ancheer 250W Folding Electric Bike is not as fragile as most folding e-bikes. With its tough aluminum frame and double-walled rims, the bike is able to support riders above 300 pounds. With 7 speeds, you can switch between different terrains and maintain a fun yet consistent riding experience.

detailed parameters
Frame

Aluminum alloy frame

Power

250 W (reaches speeds of up to 15 MPH)

Battery

36V/8AH (15+ miles)

Wheels

20" alloy rims, road tires

Suspension

Suspension fork

Brakes

Front and rear disc brakes

Gear

Shimano gearing and shifter, 7 speeds

Extras

Adjustable saddle height, adjustable handlebar, non-slip grips, kickstand, mudguards, rear rack 

Warranty

Lifetime for frame, 1 year for all electronic parts

PROS
The brake levers are sensitive, so you'll be able to initiate them without applying too much pressure. The folded bike measures 30 x 17 x 26 inches, which is impressive considering its two-seat construction. The quick-latch, three-fold mechanism lets you collapse the bike with ease.
CONS

Some find the pedals somewhat shoddy. 

OUR VERDICT

The FIIDO L2 Folding Electric Bike is something that we can recommend most commuters who are less into aesthetics and more into comfortable and efficient transportation. Plus, with the sizable and plush second seat, the bike can be used to transport two people at the same time, without inconveniencing both.

detailed parameters
Frame

Aluminum alloy frame

Power

350 W (reach speeds of up to 15.5 MPH)

Battery

48V/20 AH (40+ miles)

Wheels

16" alloy rims, road tires

Suspension

Suspension fork, Double rear shock absorber

Brakes

Front and rear disc brakes

Gear

Single speed

Extras

Adjustable saddle height, adjustable handlebar, non-slip grips, kickstand, mudguards, additional seat

Warranty

1 year

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SOHOO S126B-3

25 Miles per Hour

Even the biggest, leanest, meanest electric bikes are not that fast? Well, you can make an argument like that but that argument will not hold up against the SOHOO S126B-3 Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike. Unlike most e-bikes, this model's able to reach 25 mph with ease, which's huge since most electric bikes cap at around 20. The bike's brushless 500-watt motor is not that impressive on paper but, with its 915 peak wattage, the motor can output serious torque.

What's even more impressive is that the model's adopting fat tires, so the bike is lugging them too and they're not as lightweight as road tires. Sure, that attributes toward the weight but, measuring ~65 pounds, the bike's not as heavy as you'd expect considering the hardware and the wheels.

The multi-tooth, thick, wide tires will be improving the bike's mountain climbing ability and ensuring increased terrain adaptability, from hills with 25-degree inclines to trails and gravel roads. Most e-bikes do not feel comfortable leaving city roads but, with this one, you can tackle most terrains with poise and confidence. Thanks to the Shimano's 7-speed drivetrain, you'll be able to enjoy smooth and accurate shifting, so even the most dynamic grounds and altering terrains will not present any noticeable challenges. Also, because the tires are fitted with double-layer nylon puncture protection, you can ride without worrying about cutting them.

Now, somewhat going back, the aforementioned 65-pound weight, the high-strength aluminum alloy frame, and the fat wheels also contribute towards increasing the bike's load capacity, allowing this not-so-modest vehicle to accommodate individuals that hit above 320 pounds on weight scales.

Review of SOHOO S126B-3 Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike

50 Miles Without Recharging

The bike's ability to reach 25 mph is pretty tremendous but, without the right battery, is also pretty pointless. To that end, the model comes equipped with this massive 48-volt battery that, even when you go throttle-only, will give you at least 35 miles and, when you're willing to spin the pedals, the bike will easily last above 50 miles.

The features that the bike is packing are not that different from what we're used to, from five speed levels to everything between them, all accessible via the massive 5-inch LCD screen that's also waterproof. The screen will show you everything from the battery status to the current speed and distance. Also, the screen is backlit, so you'll see the values even at night.

Long story short, the SOHOO S126B-3 is more fun that most e-bikes because the model's able to reach 25 mph and will allow you to cover fairly long distances without recharging the battery.

SOHOO S126B-3 Folding Fat Tire Electric Bike in the use
Last updated price $1,029.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07XBNJTDY

 

Swagtron EB7 Plus

Smooth and Capable Enough

The Swagtron EB7 Plus has swag for days but even settings its swag factor aside, the product has enough going for it. The model's 16-inch wheels make the bike portable, folding into this compact little package that's easy to carry. Sure, its 16-inch wheels cannot create the smoothest ride, that's where you need ~20-inch wheels. But the bike does come fitted with rear shock absorbers, smoothing out bumps that the small wheels alone cannot smooth. We're not talking about anything close to high-end MTBs' suspension systems. On the contrary, what we're dealing with here is quite primitive yet enough to let you hit sidewalk cracks and potholes without feeling every little bump. You can even hop off curbs, which is something that e-bikes like this one are not designed to do and the suspension should still be able to absorb most of the shock.

Power-wise, the 350-watt motor is not the biggest, baddest driving force we've seen yet, but the model's small wheels also translate into more torque, and the torque is quite noticeable. More often than not, the bike reaches its ~18.5 mph maximum speed on throttle alone and is even able to climb small hills without dropping that much speed. Sure, you won't be flying up the largest, steepest hills without pedaling, but small-time obstacles can be managed with throttle alone.

Review of Swagtron EB7 Plus Folding Electric Bike

Slice and Dice Around the City

Now that we've broached the pedaling subject, the gearing here is basically what you would expect from small-wheel bikes. Even when you switch to the highest, 7th speed (courtesy of the Shimano drivetrain), adding meaningful pedal input above ~12-13 mph will not be easy because your feet will be spinning too fast. Then again, with small e-bikes, you cannot gear them enough to pedal at ~20 mph without dual-stage reduction. That being said, when you don't mind switching between pedaling and throttling, this is not the biggest issue.

Plus, on the upside, the model's fitted with this hidden battery compartment that's actually removable, which means that you can easily swap the batteries when you want to tackle long rides. Even when you forget to recharge the bike and wake up in the morning late for work, all you have to do is swap the batteries and you're good to go.

Bottom line, while not without its flaws, the Swagtron EB7 Plus Folding Electric Bike is nimble and torquey enough to slice and dice around the city. The bike can also be folded small enough to be carried onto subway trains and stashed under desks with ease.

Swagtron EB7 Plus Folding Electric Bike in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $995.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07TD6GKG9

 

Swagtron EB-5 Pro

The Smallest Footprint

Foldable bikes are supposed to be compact but the Swagtron EB-5 Pro is tiny even compared to the most compact foldable e-bikes we've encountered before. With 14-inch wheels, the bike's footprint is less than anything most people have ridden before. Yet, the bike does not feel that small. The frame's design with comparable seating geometry to most mid-sized bikes (we're talking about seat height and distance from that seat to the handlebars) will allow you to ride the bike without noticing that much difference since it is only the wheels that are small here.

Besides, the bike's more than adjustable, with the seat going from "pretty low" to "way too high for almost anyone". Sure, people quite above 6 feet will look funny riding this mini e-bike with the elongated seat but you'll fit nonetheless and that's what matters. Plus, the battery's hidden inside the main frame, so most people won't even be able to tell that you're riding an electric bike.

From the specs standpoint, the model's motor measures 250 watts, the battery 36 volts, and the weight around 36 pounds. Despite the somewhat pedestrian motor, the bike can easily reach 15 mph, which is not bad all things considered. Sure, this e-bike won't be knocking anyone's socks off, but the acceleration is strong enough to enable comfortable and efficient city riding.

Review of Swagtron EB-5 Pro Aluminum Folding Electric Bike

Climbing up that Hill

Again, the bike's basically tiny but the 14-inch wheels come armed with air-filled rubber tires and quick-disconnect power lines, ensuring excellent traction and enabling smooth tire maintenance. Besides that, the frame and the tires are strong enough to accommodate riders above 260 pounds, so even bulky people can ride this bike without worrying about safety and longevity.

The model comes pre-assembled, which means you'll be wasting no time putting together foreign bike parts and complicated mechanisms. While the bike only has one speed, the gearing ratio's quite low, so you'll be climbing moderate hills without any problems, especially when you switch to the power-assisted mode and assist the motor with some pedaling.

Generally speaking, the V-brakes that the model's equipped with are not as dependable as disc brakes but, thanks to the Autoguard tech, the motor will be automatically disengaging upon braking. Even when you’re holding the throttle, as soon as you hit the brakes, the bike will come to an abrupt, immediate halt.

To sum up, despite the miniature footprint, the Swagtron EB-5 Pro is not as modest as one would expect. The bike thrives on pavements but can also handle sporadic off-road excursions.

Swagtron EB-5 Pro Aluminum Folding Electric Bike in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $398.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07BNV2Q8H

 

Ancheer 250W Folding

Affordable E-Bikes Can Roll Too

Solid e-bikes under $600 - do they exist? Well, with the Ancheer 250W Folding Electric Bike, there's at least one that we know of. Sure, we're not saying that the bike's been designed without trade-offs since the price demands them. First, the bike cannot go above 15 mph, which's not terrible but more expensive e-bikes can easily reach 18-20 mph, so we're not talking about lightspeeds here. Second, the 36-volt battery will only give you 15 miles before drying out, which is, again, not that bad since high-end models do not even go above 20 miles but those extra 3-5 miles make all the difference sometimes.

Are we done complaining? Yes, we are. The bike's not without its shortcomings but there are more strong points here than those shortcomings, much more. To start with, the front suspension fork contributes big time, softening the ride on the arms and making the entire riding experience that much more comfortable. Holding the front wheel on the ground, the fork provides improved handling, especially when you're cornering so that you're able to ride almost straight lines that you normally cannot on bikes without suspension forks. To add more, you'll be tackling most hills and bumps with ease thanks to the drivetrain that features 7 speeds, enabling consistent cadence despite the terrains' type and gradience.

Review of Ancheer 250W Folding Electric Bike

Admirable Pedal Assistance

When it comes to propulsion, the 250-watt motor provides admirable pedal assistance. That said, when the hills get steep, you'll have to start pedaling too. On flat ground, the bike's throttle alone will allow you to reach ~20mph within 20 seconds top, not what you'd describe as whiplash but more than fine to satisfy most commuters. The console's pretty standard, except that the throttle-only option does not have an LED indicator, so you'll have to switch to Low mode and then hit the left arrow again, watching the bike stuck on seemingly no mode at all.

What separates this bike from the two before it is the 20-inch wheels that let you tackle more terrain variety, especially with the model's anti-slip wear-resistant tires designed to accommodate different terrains. Besides that, you also have the bike's pretty bright LED headlamp and the relatively loud horn that will enable safe and comfortable night riding.

To conclude this thing, the Ancheer 250W Folding Electric Bike is fun to ride, easy to handle, and nondemanding maintenance-wise. It will not only get you from point A to point B but also make the experience more enjoyable than most vehicles.

Ancheer 250W Folding Electric Bike in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B083FL7CVK

 

FIIDO L2

The Longest Journey

The FIIDO L2 Folding Electric Bike looks boring. Having said that, with specs like these, who needs friends clout points? We'd argue that what's more important is that the bike is safe, efficient, and pretty relentless. More often than not, e-bikes' batteries give out before even hitting 20 miles. The model's 48-volt battery is not about that life. This thing can easily last 40 miles when you stick to the throttle-only mode and above 60 miles with you doing some pedaling. Sure, the same battery takes ~6 hours to recharge but that makes sense when you've been covering above 50 miles. To add more, the battery is adopting every protection feature in the book, including overcharge, overcurrent, high temperature, power failure, short-circuit protection mechanisms, and more.

Now, this is not the best exercise bike because, as you can probably tell from the pictures, the form is not that streamlined and the pedals are somewhat shoddy, so we'd recommend sticking primarily with the throttle mode.

At first glance, the 14-inch tires are not all that. But, with hub and rear shock absorbers, these tires can tackle most terrains without making you feel every bump. They're lightweight and make the bike quite speedy, which's not something you'd expect looking at the bicycle. Also, with anti-slip texture, the tires provide great traction, so you can even hit muddy grounds without worrying about slipping and sliding across the trails. Besides, with mechanical disc brakes both at the front and in the back, you can bring the bike to an abrupt halt in an instant. With sensitive brake levers, you won't need to press the brakes too hard, the most gentle squeeze will be enough to initiate them.

Review of FIIDO L2 Folding Electric Bike

Folding Nice and Small

Made from high-strength aluminum alloy, the frame's tough yet light and also rust-resistant, simplifying maintenance and making the bike not as susceptible to the elements as its cheap counterparts. But, before that, there's the "folding" part and, even compared to most folding e-bikes, this one is easy to fold, with the quick-latch, three-fold design allowing you to collapse the bicycle within seconds. With the folded size measuring 30 x 17 x 26 inches, you can stow and stash the bike inside most compact spaces and even bring with you on the subway train.

Without breaking down and addressing the smallest details that we've seen many times before, including the LED headlight, an adjustable saddle and handlebars, non-slip grips, and pretty comfortable and effective kickstand and mudguards, this e-bike's is everything that commuters need and, despite its somewhat uninspired appearance, even something that more extreme biking enthusiasts might appreciate.

FIIDO L2 Folding Electric Bike in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07Z7P8J1V

 

What Is a Folding Electric Bike?

You can make an excellent argument that folding electric bikes are the most convenient transportation means accessible to both children and adults around the city. To start with, electric bikes are convenient themselves since they're more nimble than cars yet can climb hills with ease, unlike standard bikes.

Add the "folding" part that makes them portable and you can take the bike, ride to the subway station, fold the bike, carry on the train, and then hop on the bike again to get from the last station to work and vice versa. You can normally fold these bikes to such an extent that they fit elevators and even under desks. Needless to say, you'll have no issues folding an e-bike like that to fit most trunks so that you can bring the bicycle with you on a road trip (whereas with standard bikes, you need bike racks).

Though they're usually pretty small, most collapsible electric bikes allow you to adjust the saddle height and the handlebars, so even people above six feet can ride them with enough comfort.

E-bikes can reach above 20 mph, so we'd also recommend looking into sports sunglasses to make sure you're able to ride these bikes without tearing up.

What Features to Compare

Power

Folding electric bikes are electric first and maybe even foremost, so you ought to pay attention to the model's motor, how much power it is drawing and outputting, what its peak wattage is, and so on. With the right motor, e-bikes can go above 20 mph and even reach 25 mph. Needless to say, these motors also consume more energy, so when you're not about that acceleration life, you can stick with less powerful motors that cap at ~15 mph.

Battery

The battery is where the motor is drawing the energy from. Most e-bikes come armed with ~36-volt batteries, enough to last somewhere between 15 and 20 miles, depending on the mode and the model's battery. There are also batteries that are hiding around 50 volts, which means they're able to give you at least 35 miles before draining out. More often than not, the battery's capacity directly correlates to the time it takes to recharge, so ~36-volt batteries will usually go from 0 to 100% within 3-4 hours, while ~48-volt batteries can take somewhere around 6.

Frame

Foldable electric bicycles are still bicycles, the most shocking twist, we know. That means that the frame matters as much as the next part. The right (usually made from high-strength, heavy-duty aluminum alloy) frame will be able to haul as much as 400 pounds, so even the biggest riders can use the bicycle without worrying about the weight leading to any accidents and decreasing the bike's lifespan.

Wheels

The biggest difference between bicycles these days comes from the wheels/tires. With wheels ranging from 14 to 20 inches, you can figure out the bike's restrictions pertaining to different terrains. The same sentiment can be extended towards the tires. With fat tires that are becoming more and more prevalent these days, you can ride on snow, sand, and the muddiest roads, but you're usually compromising the bike's maneuverability. With road tires, the e-bike will be more nimble but less suited towards tackling off-roads that most mountain bikes handle without breaking two sweats.

Suspension, Brakes, and Gearing

Not unlike standard bicycles, folding e-bikes are as dependable on the suspension system (when it is present), brakes, and gearing to make the riding experience as smooth, comfortable, enjoyable, and safe as possible. They're no different from standard bikes though, so we will not elaborate and you can find many articles that explain the differences between these parts and what separates good suspension systems, brakes, and gearing from middling alternatives.

Are E-Bikes Worth It?

Short version - yes, they are. Long version - here are the reasons why electric bikes are the best investment you can make today.

They Make Pedaling Easy

People who ride standard bikes know that biking is only fun when the ground is flat and the road is even. When you're forced to move uphill, biking is worse than walking. Well, with e-bikes, that's not the case. All you have to do is apply the slightest pressure towards the pedals and the motor will engage and give you the boost you need to zip up the steepest hills and cruise through the toughest terrains without gassing yourself.

They're Pretty Fast

Ordinary bikes can reach respectable speeds only when you're going downhill. With most e-bikes, you can easily hit somewhere between 15 and 25 mph even when the ground is not flat and, provided you're willing to hit the pedals, the bike can go even faster than that. Sure, they are no motorcycles but the difference between electric bikes and conventional bikes speed-wise is pretty considerable, especially when you take into account that you're not forced to spin the pedals the entire time.

E-Bikes Do Not Discriminate

You have electric bikes that are able to reach different speeds, from 15 to even 30 mph sometimes. You have e-bikes that can accommodate weights anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds. There are electric bicycles with fat tires that let you ride on snow, ice, and sand. There are mountain e-bikes that allow you to hit the toughest, roughest, bumpiest trails. There are different cyclists with different needs and preferences and, though electric bikes are not yet as common and prevalent as standard bicycles, there's an e-bike out there that will match these needs and preferences.

They Promote Exercising Too

What many people love about bikes is that they're only not transporting you from point A to point B but also enable you to exercise along the way, so you're killing two birds with one pedaling stone. But, you know what, e-bikes are not that different from ordinary bikes in that regard. You can pedal as much as you want with these bikes too. The only difference here is that you can get some rest when you want, the hills are not as exhausting, and you can choose how hard you ought to pedal to maintain certain speeds. With ordinary bikes, however, you're either pedaling and moving or not pedaling and not moving, there's nothing in-between.

The Batteries Are Not As Bad As They Used To Be

The first e-bikes were shipped with terrible batteries that would not allow you to hit even 10 miles before dying out. Nowadays, there are electric bikes with batteries that last above 50 miles and even some that can reach 100 miles before you'll be forced to recharge them. Sure, the range will depend on the mode you're using (with throttle-only mode usually burning through batteries pretty quick) but, again, things are getting better.

They're Not Cheap But You're Saving Money Long-Term

Even the least expensive e-bikes that are somewhat decent cost around $1,000, nothing to sneeze at. But, when you take maintenance and gas money into account, these bikes earn their keep sooner rather than later.

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Publish Date: 2020-04-16 13:16:52