Folding ebikes are a great choice for city dwellers and space-conscious adventurers, alike. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

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As city living grows more complex and parking spots become a hot commodity, folding electric bikes have emerged as a versatile solution for reliable, emission-free transportation that you can stash in a closet or the trunk of your car. Whether you need a bike for your daily commute or a fun weekend adventure, folding ebikes offer the perfect balance between portability and performance.

We have been testing as many folding electric bikes as we can over the past two years, resulting in the list you see here. Here are our top picks based on key criteria like speed, battery range, ease of folding, and off-road capability. After extensive testing, we named the Ride1UP Portola as our Best Overall Folding Electric Bike, with the Lectric XP 3.0 as a neck-and-neck runner-up, and a slightly better choice for larger riders over 6′ tall. 

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Related: Best Fat Tire Electric Bikes | Best Cargo Electric Bikes

The Best Folding Electric Bikes of 2024

Best Overall Folding Ebike: Ride1Up Portola

Best Value Folding Ebike/Runner-Up Best Overall: Lectric XP

Best Budget Folding Ebike: Engwe L20 2.0

Best Premium Folding Ebike/Best Features: Tern Vektron

Best Offroad Performance: Engwe Engine Pro 2.0

Best Overall Folding Electric Bike

Ride1UP Portola ($995)

Payload: TBD
Range: 20-40 miles (10Ah battery)
Top Speed: 28 mph
Weight: 59 lbs

Pros: Excellent value, great US-based customer support
Cons: Display is fairly basic, a little small for larger riders

Ride1UP’s Portola offers an insane value for a foldable electric bike, proving itself to be far more capable than the price tag, or the size of the bike suggests. Capable of class 3 speeds up to 28 mph, and with a 750 Watt motor, the bike is as fast and powerful as many top-pick non-folding ebikes. And with an integrated rear rack rated to 130 lbs, you can even take a second passenger. That’s highly impressive for an ebike that weighs only 59 lbs. And let’s not forget the looks, as this is one of the better-looking folding ebikes that we’ve tested, with sleek styling and fun colors.

The tires have a good mix of ruggedness for offroading, yet are narrow enough to handle well around the city. It’s a perfect hybrid bike that will feel comfortable on asphalt or dirt. To get to the price point, Ride1Up had to sacrifice somewhere, and that’s in the simple display that only shows the battery level as bars without a percentage, so be sure to keep it well charged and have an idea of its range before taking it on any long-distance treks. For an extra $200, you can upgrade to a 13.4 Amp Hour battery instead of the 10.4 AH version for an increase in range.

Our final con is that the bike frame will feel a bit small for riders over 6′ tall. If that’s you, or if you prioritize range over power, or like the idea of a bike that requires a key to turn on, it might be worth taking a closer look at our runner-up best overall folding ebike, the Lectric XP, below. Overall, the value of this bike is what elevates it to the best overall folding ebike in our review, with better stats, features, and styling than some ebikes that cost nearly twice the amount. If money isn’t an issue for you in searching for the absolute best folding ebike, and you prioritize functional features over speed (and having a throttle) you should also check out the Tern Vektron, below. 

Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Runner-Up Best Overall/Best Value Folding Ebike

Lectric XP 3.0 ($999)

Payload: TBD
Range: 45 miles
Top Speed: 28 mph
Weight: 64 lbs

Pros: Great value, impressive range for price, compact fold
Cons: Basic display, less powerful motor

The Lectric XP 3.0 is one of the frontrunners in the wallet-friendly foldable electric bike category. At under $1,000, it offers excellent value with a 500W motor (1000W peak power), 28 mph top speed, and a range of up to 45 miles per charge (60 with the larger battery for an extra $200). The bike folds up easily, making it a good choice for city riders who want an affordable, no-frills electric bike, but still want the ability to take it off-road. While it lacks some premium features like rear suspension and a more advanced display that shows the battery percentage, it gets you around quite well for a 500W motor. We could tackle hills and get up mountain roads, with fat tires suited for decent traction in sub-par conditions. It’s also more than capable of taking a second rider, with an integrated rear rack rated to 150 lbs. 

The cadence sensor is a step above other budget-minded bikes, allowing for a more steady acceleration without being as jumpy as the Heybike Mars 2.0 or Engwe L20 2.0. This is due to Lectric’s Pedal Assist Wattage Regulation (PWR), which uses energy input, rather than speed, to determine the limits of the different pedal assist levels. The only catch is you have to be a bit more mindful of what gear you’re in for the pedal assist to be the most efficient. Another differentiating factor is Lectric’s massive array of add-ons to customize the bike to your liking, such as cargo packages, handlebar warmers for winter riding, passenger packages, and more. 

We named the Ride1Up Portola the Best Overall Folding Electric Bike, but to be honest, it’s a real toss-up between these two. The Portola has a bit more consistent power with the motor being rated to 750W rather than 500W and sleeker styling, while the XP 3.0 has better range. Two other differentiating factors are that the Portola can feel a bit small for riders over 6′ tall (if that’s you, we’d probably push you towards the XP over the Portola), and the Lectric requires a key to turn on, a pro or a con depending on how and where you plan on using the bike. Worth mentioning, if you’re intrigued by Lectric, but are looking for a bike that’s either cheaper or lighter weight, check out the Lectric XP Lite. Read our full review of the Lectric XP 3.0 here.

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Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Best Budget Folding Electric Bike

Engwe L20 2.0 ($799)

Payload: 264 lbs
Range: 60 miles
Top Speed: 28 mph
Weight: 68 lbs

Pros: Compact design, good range, affordable
Cons: Basic suspension, non-U.S.-based support

If you’re on a tighter budget but still want performance and range, the Engwe L20 2.0 checks a lot of boxes for what you’d want in a folding electric bike. Add in the fact that it has a price tag of $800, and you have one of the best bang-for-your-buck deals anywhere. With a top speed of 28 mph and a range of up to 60 miles, this bike has stats as good as any other we’ve listed and on top of that, looks pretty decent as well. Riding it is smooth and easy, and it has plenty of juice to get up steep hills. We tested it on mountain roads and found that it’s not as powerful as our top performance pick, the Engine Pro, but it’s certainly no slouch in the power department. 

It sports a sleek frame, large display, and folds up easily. It also comes with front and rear racks for extra storage. While the suspension isn’t as advanced as higher-end models, and you won’t get the build quality of higher-priced bikes like the RadExpand or the Tern Vektron, the L20 2.0 makes up for it with affordability and functionality. Let’s be clear – this is not a “janky” ebike, but to an extent, you do get what you pay for when it comes to electric bikes, with bikes such as those from Tern and Rad offering higher-quality components, as well as U.S.-based support in the unlikely event that something does go wrong. The bike has a list price of $999, but we have yet to see it offered for any more than $799. Read our full review of the Engwe L20 2.0 here.

Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Best Premium Folding Electric Bike/Best Features

Tern Vektron ($3,299)

Payload: 275 lbs (rear rack rated to 60 lbs) 
Range: 34-68 mi
Top Speed: 20 mph
Weight: 48.7 lbs

Pros: Bosch mid-drive motor, incredible features, rolls when folded
Cons: No throttle, rear rack can take a kid, but not a full-sized adult passenger

The Tern Vektron clocks in with a price tag much higher than your average folding ebike. That’s because the Vektron is not your average folding ebike. Tern has a reputation for building some of the highest quality ebikes on the market, and the Vektron is no exception, with a whisper-quiet Bosch mid-drive, torque-sensing motor for an intuitive pedaling experience, a sturdy frame, integrated rear rack, and more. If you came here for speed, this is not the bike for you, as it is a class 1 electric bike capable of speeds up to 20mph, and with no throttle. However, it makes up for this fact with a low weight, easy portability, and great range. The lack of a throttle is a notable downside for city riding, and you’ll need to treat this ebike much more like a regular bike, downshifting as you come to a stop so you’re not struggling to get the pedals turning again, instead of being able to rely on a throttle for off-the-line juice. However, we recognize that may be a welcome difference for those who prefer an ebike that truly feels like a bike, over one that feels like a moped.

Our favorite feature of this ebike, however, is not how it performs, but how it folds. Folding ebikes are often an awkward package when folded, prone to opening up when you’d least want them to, and overall, picking up a 50-75lb package of awkward metal angles and movable parts (pedals, wheels, handlebars, etc) isn’t the easiest task. Well, with the Vektron, instead of picking up the folded bike to get it from point A to point B, you can roll it. With the bike folded (and it stays that way due to a powerful magnet on the rear hub that holds the frame together), simply tilt the bike backward onto the rear wheel, and walk it where it needs to go. Going up a hill? turn the bike on and activate “walk mode” for a gentle assist as you push the bike forward. And with a weight of just 50 lbs (relatively low as far as ebikes go), loading the bike in and out of cars, storage spaces, etc, isn’t exactly a breeze, but after loading and unloading so many 65-75lb bikes over the course of our testing, the difference is quite noticeable.

Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Best Offroad Performance

Engwe Engine Pro 2.0 ($1,299)

Payload: 330 lbs
Range: Up to 68 miles
Top Speed: 28 mph
Weight: 70 lbs

Pros: Impressive power and off-road capability for a folding ebike
Cons: Heavy, folding mechanism could be smoother

The Engwe Engine Pro 2.0 offers impressive power and versatility as a folding electric bike made with offroad activities in mind. This beast of an ebike is equipped with a 750W motor, rated to 1200w peak, with 75 Nm of torque. That’s a ton of power, and far more than you’ll find on most folding electric bikes. That said, thanks to the torque-sensing motor (an upgrade from the first Engine Pro), acceleration feels smooth and easy no matter how hard or soft you’re pedaling. It wasn’t as responsive as the RadExpand’s higher-quality torque sensor, but as far as an intuitive and natural pedaling experience goes, it’s a huge step up over the classic cadence sensor. Adding to the smooth ride is the dual suspension and 4-inch fat tires that make it one of the best off-road folding ebikes we tested. We also found the battery to provide a great range, going close to 40 miles in our real-world tests before needing to be recharged. 

The downside? At nearly 75 pounds, it’s heavier than other foldable options and isn’t the easiest to carry around once folded. And while the bike’s performance statistics are impressive, the bike’s components aren’t as high-quality as those included on bikes like the RadExpand 5 or Tern Vektron. Additionally, it’s always worth mentioning with overseas manufacturers that you won’t get the same super-responsive, locally-based support that you do with ebike companies like Tern, Rad Power Bikes, or Lectric. Nonetheless, the Engine Pro 2.0 is a great folding ebike option for those who like to get off the pavement more often than not.

Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Best of the Rest

Rad Power Bikes RadExpand 5 Plus ($1,899)

Payload: 315 lbs
Range: 60 miles
Top Speed: 20 mph
Weight: 72.5 lbs

Pros: Sturdy build, excellent for hauling cargo
Cons: Slower top speed compared to others

The RadExpand 5 Plus brings Rad’s top-tier ebike construction to the game of folding ebikes, perfect for those who need extra utility beyond being able to fold. With a payload capacity suitable for carrying plenty of cargo (though the rear rack is not rated for a passenger), it’s designed for both daily commuting and heavy-duty use. But what sets it apart from the others is how compact it folds up. The tradeoff here is that it definitely feels smaller than your standard bike frame, and takes some getting used to. But if you’re limited on space, few other folding ebikes fold up as easily to stow away or transport in the trunk of a car. The only bike we’ve tested that folds smaller is the Tern Vektron, which costs nearly twice as much, and does not come with a throttle. 

 It might not be the fastest on the list with a top speed of 20 mph, but its reliability and sturdy frame make it a workhorse for city riders or those who need to transport heavy loads. We also found the components to be a step above many other folding ebikes out there, and Rad’s reputation for long-lasting quality precedes it. Even the little things stood out, like the included velcro strap to keep everything neatly together when the bike is folded. The bike also boasts some extra features like turn signals, front suspension, a UL-certified battery, and a torque-sensing motor for a ride that’s as smooth as it comes. The display even has a USB-C port to charge your phone or other accessories.

Overall, the RadExpand5 Plus is compact, fun to ride, and easy to fold up into a small package. If you can afford the higher price tag, it’ll pay off in the long run with its reliability and durability. If you want Rad’s reputation for quality but are intimidated by the price tag, check out the RadExpand 5, which sacrifices some premium features like front suspension and hydraulic brakes for a lower price tag of $1,599.

Aventon Sinch.2 ($1,699)

Payload: 300 lbs
Range: Up to 55 miles
Top Speed: 20 mph
Weight: 68 lbs

Pros: Sleek design, good value, easy to fold
Cons: Lower top speed (20mph), pricey

The Aventon Sinch.2 has quality written all over it with style points, quality components, and Aventon’s reputation for top-tier customer service. The sleek step-through frame also adds an element of accessibility, making it one of the easiest bikes on this list to mount and ride. Adding to the user-friendliness is the torque-sensing motor which provides a smooth and intuitive pedaling experience, integrated rear turning signals, and Aventon’s smartphone app. When it comes to offroad riding, the larger 4-inch tires (most bikes on this list top out at 3 inches) provide great all-terrain potential and a smooth ride with the front suspension fork. The bike folds up fairly small, making this a great choice for van lifers who need a capable ebike to run errands and explore with. 

The 500W motor (750W peak) isn’t the most powerful out there, and as a class 2 bike, it maxes out at 20 mph, so if you’re looking for speed and zip, there are better bikes on this list for you. However, the smooth ride of the torque-sensing motor and four-inch tires combined with the ease of use of the step-through frame, app, and Aventon’s great customer service has us seeing the Sinch.2 as a top-tier option for those who prioritize user-friendliness over top speed and are willing to pay a little extra for a smooth ride. 

Heybike Mars 2.0 ($1,499)

Payload: 330 lbs
Range: TBD
Top Speed: 28 mph
Weight:

Pros: Rugged tires, great for mixed terrain, powerful motor
Cons: Jumpy acceleration, lower-quality components

Heybike, similar to Engwe, is another overseas electric bike company that has proven itself here in the U.S., being carried by Best Buy, Walmart, and others. The Heybike Mars is one of their folding options, alongside the internally identical step-through Ranger S (999$), and the recently released Horizon ($1,499) which offers 24-inch tires and full suspension. The Mars comes in two motor strengths, 750W and 1000W – we tested the 1000W version. In this build, there is tons of power and off-the-line acceleration, which some might say is too much, and a bit jumpy at the higher pedal assist settings. You can also opt for the 750W version, which will offer less powerful acceleration if you don’t need/want the extra boost. Some notable positives include a charging port in the battery (USB-A) and an app that allows some customization and fine-tuning of the bike’s performance characteristics. With a list price of $1,499 (for the 750W version), the bike is usually on sale for $999, sometimes even lower. 

While the bike provides a great value at the sale price for a basic ebike with powerful internals, it didn’t end up being a top pick due to a few points. As mentioned previously, we found the pedal assist to be quite jumpy, and contributing to that feeling is the bike gearing, which felt a bit low given the bike’s power, with lots of “ghost pedaling” at higher speeds. It also doesn’t have quite the same premium look and feel as some other bikes we tested, with some lower-quality components. That said, the bike certainly lives up to the powerful specs that it advertises, proving itself to be a powerful and speedy bike with good value. 

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The Engwe X24 sure looks odd, but it’s a highly capable performer. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Honorable Mentions

There are a lot of folding ebikes out there on the market, and we could only include so many without boring you, or worse, overwhelming you with options. Here are a few more top-tier folding electric bikes, that came oh-so-close to making the cut.

First off, we’d love to recognize the Blix Vika ebikes. Due to low stock at the time of reviewing, we were unable to get our hands on one of these to test (Blix makes both the Vika Flex which presents a lighter-weight build, and the Vika Plus which adds some comfort features), but we plan on doing so at the first opportunity.

Another folding ebike worth mentioning is the Engwe x24, a strange-looking machine with larger (24-inch) tires and an integrated rear seat. The bike has been in and out of stock on the Engwe website, and wasn’t our favorite looks-wise, so we left it out of this review for the time being.

We also plan on doing some future testing of super-compact folding ebikes aimed at urban micro-mobility. More scooter than bike, with very small tires that often sit around 14 inches in diameter, we’re holding off on adding any of these to the review until we are able to get our hands on a wide enough selection to speak to.

The Heybike Mars and Ride1UP Portola feature powerful motors belied by the folding frame. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Folding Electric Bikes Comparison Table

The Ride1UP Portola is a great choice for heavier loads (like a passenger) with a surprisingly powerful motor for a folding ebike. Photo: Sam Schultz//The Inertia

How We Tested The Best Folding Ebikes

As surfers and outdoors enthusiasts, The Inertia’s gear team has been aware of the incredible utility of electric bikes for years, using them to transport surfboards, and ourselves, to local breaks with difficult, limited, or nonexistent parking, or far-flung waves. Folding electric bikes add another element of utility to our endeavors, letting us drive to the trailhead with a bike and boards in the back of the car, or road trip with the perfect wave-scouting machine tucked into a corner of the van.

Our lead testers for this review are Will Sileo and Steve Andrews. Based in San Francisco, California, and the wilds of British Columbia, respectively, between them they have a diverse and challenging landscape to test these bikes. San Francisco’s notorious hills provide challenging urban riding, and mountain towns in BC offer a great mix of conditions from trail to pavement to put these ebikes to the test. We put this review together to highlight some of the industry’s best folding electric bikes and provide our real-world testing experience with them, to help you make an informed purchasing decision. When testing folding electric bikes, we wanted to provide an in-depth look at each model’s real-world performance. Here’s how we evaluated each bike:

Testing the Ride1UP Portola in San Francisco. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Range Testing: To assess battery life, we conducted multiple rides across different terrain, including city streets, trails, and hills. We measured how far each bike could go on a full charge and how the battery held up under varying speeds and conditions.

Folding Mechanism: Each bike’s folding mechanism was tested multiple times to see how quick and easy it was to collapse and reassemble. We also looked at how compact the bikes became when folded and how easily they could be carried or stowed away.

Speed and Motor Power: We tested the speed limits on flat roads, hills, and mixed terrain. Bikes with higher wattage motors were taken off-road and subjected to hill climbs to gauge their power and torque.

The Ride1Up Portola comes with an integrated rear rack that’s capable of carrying a passenger. Shown with the passenger kit attached (not included). Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Comfort and Handling: Riding comfort was assessed over long and short trips. We paid attention to saddle comfort, shock absorption, and handlebar ergonomics. Suspension systems were also evaluated on rough surfaces to see how much they enhanced ride comfort.

Weight and Portability: Each bike’s weight was measured against its portability. We carried the bikes up stairs, stowed them in car trunks, and transported them on public transport to get a sense of how easily they fit into daily life.

By combining real-world use with structured testing, we were able to get a clear picture of how these bikes perform under different conditions and who they’re best suited for.

The fat tires and powerful motor of the Engwe Engine Pro 2.0 make for easy beach cruising on compacted sand by the waterline. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Folding Electric Bikes Buyer’s Guide

When shopping for a folding electric bike, there are several key factors to consider. Whether you’re planning to use the bike for daily commuting, weekend adventures, or both, it’s essential to find one that suits your specific needs. Below, we break down the most important things to look for when selecting the best folding ebike for you.

Motor Power and Speed

The motor power of an electric bike is one of the main factors determining how fast and how easily it can handle different terrains. Folding electric bikes typically range from 250W to 750W motors. If you’re planning to ride mostly on flat, paved roads, a 250W motor will suffice (note: the bikes we tested all have a minimum 500W motor). However, if you’re looking for more speed, plan to tackle hills or off-road trails, or take a passenger with you, a more powerful motor (like 500W or 750W) is a better option. The Heybike Mars even has a 1000W version if you really need to tackle the hills. Some of the models on this list reach class 3 top speeds of 28 mph (such as the Portola and Engine Pro 2.0), while others like the RadExpand 5 and Sinch.2 are limited to 20 mph to comply with Class 2 ebike regulations. 

The Lectric XP 3.0 is available with two different battery sizes, choose the larger battery for $200 extra if range is a concern for you. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Battery Life and Range

The range of an electric bike refers to how far you can travel on a single charge. Folding ebikes generally offer between 20 and 60 miles of range, depending on the battery size and motor power. The key is finding the right balance for your needs — if you plan to use your ebike for short trips around town, a smaller battery like the 10.4 AH one in the base-model Portola will do the job, and it’ll also keep the bike lighter. However, if you’re planning longer rides or weekend getaways, a bike with a longer-range battery (Like the Engwe Engine 2.0) will help ensure you don’t run out of juice halfway through your ride. 

 Keep in mind that the more you weigh, the more hills you ride on, the faster the battery will drain, regardless of the brand. It’s just physics. You will also drain the battery faster on a higher pedal assist setting, so if conservation is key, the more energy you supply from your legs, and the slower you accelerate the longer the battery will last. 

The Engwe L20 2.0 folds up nicely to easily fit in the back of a 4Runner with room to spare. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Weight and Portability

One of the main reasons to opt for a folding electric bike is the convenience of portability. And when it comes to how portable a folding ebike is, the true determinant is the weight. All of the bikes here fold up into relatively similar-sized packages, but not all of them weigh the same. And what’s the point of having a foldable ebike if it’s too heavy to move around?

Most folding ebikes weigh between 45 and 75 pounds. While heavier bikes may offer better stability and performance, they can be cumbersome to carry. Consider how often you’ll need to lift the bike — whether it’s up the stairs to your apartment or onto public transport — and weigh that against the performance characteristics such as speed and range that you might be sacrificing to go with a lighter bike.

For example, the lightest bike we tested was the Tern Vektron, which weighed 48 lbs. That sounds like a lot, but knowing ebikes can reach up to 100 lbs, staying under 50 while maintaining solid speed and range is no easy feat. However, with the Tern you do sacrifice some features like a throttle and higher class 3 top speeds to make the smaller battery last long enough, a common trade-off with lighter-weight ebikes. One top-tier feature of the Vektron that adds to its portability, is the fat that it can be rolled while folded up. 

Rad Power Bikes RadExpand Plus folds down into a nice compact package, complete with a strap to keep everything together when folded. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Ease of Folding

Not all folding mechanisms are created equal. Some bikes fold in half with a simple latch, while others require multiple steps and adjustments. If you’ll be folding and unfolding your bike frequently, you’ll want a model that’s quick and easy to manage. Bikes that fold down to a compact size can also save space, especially if you plan to store them in a small apartment, car trunk, or office. We found the RadExpand and Portola to be the most compact when folded, with the hardware on the RadExpand having the most durability. When looking at ease of folding, pay attention to how secure the latches are and whether the bike stays securely folded during transport. The RadExpand Plus and Portola feature an integrated strap to keep the bike from opening up when folded. 

The Engwe Engine Pro 2.0 features rear suspension, a rarity on folding ebikes. Photo: Steve Andrews//The Inertia

Comfort and Suspension

Comfort is often overlooked but plays a big role in your riding experience. Folding ebikes come with a range of comfort features, including padded seats, ergonomic handlebars, and adjustable heights. For those riding on rougher roads or light trails, suspension systems can make a big difference. Dual suspension (front and rear) provides better shock absorption on bumpy roads as found on the Engine Pro 2.0, while a rigid frame is more suitable for smooth, urban riding, like the one found on the Tern Vektron. Keep in mind that while suspension adds to comfort, it can also add weight and complexity to the bike.

The Heybike Mars’ larger tires (left) provide better offroad performance than the Portola (right), and a bit less efficiency on paved roads. Photo: Will Sileo//The Inertia

Tires and Terrain Capability

The type of tires on a folding electric bike influences its versatility. Wide, fat tires are ideal for off-road or mixed-terrain adventures, as they offer better grip and stability. If you’re mostly sticking to paved roads or bike lanes, thinner tires may offer better speed and maneuverability. Make sure the bike you choose is well-suited to the types of surfaces you’ll be riding on regularly. The Portola’s rugged 3-inch tires hit a sweet spot for both off-road capability and urban maneuverability, while the Engine Pro 2.0 had burly 4-inch tires for better off-road capability.

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Editor’s Note: For more top ebike picks, check out our guides to the Best Fat Tire EBikes and the Best Cargo Ebikes. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.