Space has become a luxury. Bicycles are a fun and easy way to travel around, but their bulky frame takes up a lot of space. That’s why folding electric bikes are slowly gaining popularity among cyclists, daily commuters, and people who want to take a more environmentally-friendly approach to life.
So, why not hop onto the trend and invest in a folding electric bike that serves you, the environment, and your space? Below are some of the top folding ebikes on the market as well as a buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
Top 7 Folding Electric Bikes
Maybe you’ve been looking for the best e-bike or want to know what people think about their folding electric bikes. Well, we found some reviews that should help! These are our top 7 picks in this category:
RadPower Rad Mini 4
What we liked
- Sturdy even under heavier load
- Integrated lights that run off of the main battery
- Comes with fenders
What we didn’t like
- Despite its compact size, it’s fairly heavy
Whether you’re going on late night adventures or off-road treks, the RadPower Rad Mini 4 is sure to keep you safe. The Rad Mini 4 serves as a practical introduction to the folding e-bike community. It has a compact folding frame, making it easier to store. Moreover, the overall design is geared toward safety and practicality.
It features a puncture-resistant liner on the tires to minimize your risk of a flat tire on your adventures. It also has an 80-lumen beam that helps guide and protect you when cycling at night. The integrated brake light will also help ensure that anyone driving behind you will be able to see you.
However, just as there are upsides to this fun bike, there are also downsides. A particular downside is the Rad Mini 4’s weight. This e-bike weighs 67lbs, which is quite heavy. This makes pedaling without the motor quite difficult. Moreover, the battery, although quite strong, is tricky to change.
Ancheer Folding E-Bike
What we liked
- The seat post and handlebar extends plenty
- Good geometry and sturdy frame
What we didn’t like
- No fenders
- It is quite heavy
If you are looking for great value for money, look no further. The Ancheer Folding E-bike is affordable and effective, which is why it is on our list of foldable bikes. This e-bike folds easily into a convenient size and uses its energy effectively on long-distant adventures.
Moreover, it includes an easily removable battery. The battery slides on and off with relative ease and, once put in place, it is quite secure. It also provides a smoother and more stable ride than most folding bikes. This may come as a shock as the actual size of the e-bike is quite small. The wheels of the Ancheer Folding E-bike are only 20-inches and the height adjustment does not quite cater to taller people.
However, the cost of the Ancheer Folding E-Bike is relatively lower than that of the other folding e-bikes. Made to be lightweight, you can easily transport this folding e-bike and use it wherever you go. It also has 3 working modes: Normal, E-bike, and Assisted Bicycles. These modes let you choose the electric power depending on your needs
Qualisports Volador
What we liked
- Stands out from other inexpensive bikes for its design and build quality
- Good geometry and sturdy frame
What we didn’t like
- Because of the high seating position and no suspension you will feel every little bump on the road
If traveling and cycling form part of your hobbies, the Qualisports Volador may just be the bike for you. This super-lightweight and compact bike folds up so that you can easily carry and store it. Moreover, its electrical system is hidden in the sleek frame and seat post of this e-bike.
It also offers a variety of cycling methods such as cruise control, pedal-only, and pedal-assist mode. This is further aided by its Shimano 7-speed system, which lets you find the speed that works for you.
Unlike other bike models, the Qualisports operates in near silence thanks to its 350W motor. However, with a Lockshock 25mm suspension, you may find that you feel every little bump in the road on the Qualiports Volador.
Gotrax EBE1 Folding Bike
What we liked
- Great budget option
- Removable battery
What we didn’t like
- Not the best build quality
- Noisy
The Gotrax EBE1 Foldable e-bike functions at the level of most of your higher-end e-bikes. However, there is one difference, it is much cheaper! What really makes this e-bike one of the best folding electric bikes on our list is its battery and controls.
You can easily monitor battery levels through the nifty indicator on the handlebar. The battery is also removable so that you can easily charge it when necessary. This, combined with its easy to use controls, make it an over-all user-friendly bike perfect for commuters or people wanting to live a more environmentally-friendly life.
One of its innovative features is the throttle. You are able to turn the throttle of the e-bike only once you have pushed the pedal. This is an initiative to make it more eco-friendly. However, it does make it more difficult to start when going uphill.
ECOTRIC Fat Tire Folding Bike
What we liked
- Affordable
- Grippy fat tires
- Removable battery
- Great for off-road
What we didn’t like
- No lights
- Not suitable for taller riders
Next on our list of the folding bikes is the ECOTRIC Fat Tire Folding Bike. This e-bike not only works as a well functioning machine, but it looks stylish as well. This folding e-bike is a heavy-duty electric mountain bike. Its fat tires make it ideal for strenuous mountain paths, so you can get the best out of your adventures.
The Shimano 7 speed gear also gives it that extra bit of style to get through the roughest of paths. This is accompanied by some strong front and rear disc brakes. It goes up to 20mph with its 500W motor, meaning you can really push the e-bike. Its energy-saving motor enables you to travel between 30 and 45 miles in distance.
The only downsides are the 6-8 hours charging time on the batteries and the fact that there are no rear-lights. Otherwise, if you enjoy traveling along flat or paved mountain roads, this is the best folding electric bike for you.
FIIDO D3S
What we liked
- Stands out from other inexpensive bikes for its design and build quality
- Good geometry and sturdy frame
What we didn’t like
- Because of the high seating position and no suspension you will feel every little bump on the road
The FIIDO D3S is designed to be beautiful, functional, and easy to transport. Made with lightweight aluminum, it weighs only 39lbs. This, along with its collapsible frame, makes it easy to transport and store without taking up too much space in your home, vehicle, or office.
The FIIDO D3S electric bike has three settings to meet your every need: electric, riding, or assisting. Moreover, it can take you up to 31 miles before needing to be recharged. This makes it the ideal e-bike to travel to and from work.
FIIDO has also put a lot of thought into the safety of this bike. Its dual disc brakes ensure more stability and the double layer aluminum wheels for premium shock absorption. It also has a headlight and horn to keep you safe while riding at night.
Folding E-Bike Key Considerations
When looking at the best folding electric bikes, you might wonder what you need to consider. Here are the main things you should look at when choosing an e-bike.
Size and geometry
You want to make sure your e-bike is as compact as possible and folds so as to make it easy for you to travel with. Additionally, you don’t want to compromise the actual riding quality of the bike for compact-ness.
Weight
Many of electric bikes make use of an aluminum alloy frame. This is due to the fact that aluminum is lightweight and durable. Although you want the weight of your bike to be as light as possible, it is important to remember that the bike has to carry the motor, battery, and you. So, ensure it is durable just as much as it is lightweight.
Folding mechanism and compactness
When investigating the folding mechanism and compactness of the bike, it all depends on how many places it folds. Some bikes simply fold in two limiting their compactness where the top-range bikes are able to fold in 3 places.
Wheels
This is very important when considering your e-bike options. Make sure that the bike tires are a good brand. Also, check to see if they are puncture-proof and made with aluminum for durability.
Ease of transport
When it comes to folding e-bikes, you want to make sure that you can easily transport them to where you need to go. For example, if you’re using one for your daily commute, it may need to be lightweight so that you can carry it to your office. If you take it with you on your adventures, it should easily be able to fit in your car. This is what makes folding bikes so convenient as they are more compact.
Suspension
Most e-bikes make use of suspension on the front forks of the bike. However, some may shy away from it. If you are cycling in rough terrain check that your bike has a good suspension system so that you don’t feel every little bump in the road.
Price
These bikes are often installed with quite sophisticated technology, meaning that they are quite pricey. Your average e-bike can be anywhere from $600 to over $5000.
Folding Electric Bikes FAQ
Can you take your folding bike on a bus or a train?
Depending on the rules of the bus or the train, you are able to take your bike onto public transportation. These e-bikes are specifically developed to make them easy to transport. This means that once you’ve folded it, you can simply pick it up and stand in the allocated area for bikes or luggage.
How to transport your kids on an electric bike?
You are able to buy a child seat that can comfortably fit on the e-bike. You can find one at just about any bicycle store. If there are certain specifications for your e-bike model, the cashier or clerk should be able to help you. Some e-bikes, like the Tern Vektron, have racks specifically designed to work with child seats.
Which is the lightest electric folding bike?
The lightest folding e-bike on the market currently is Hummingbird’s folding electric bike at only 23lbs. A strong contender is United City Bikes’ ONE at 27lbs.
Which is the cheapest folding e-bike?
Stark Drive’s folding electric bike claims to be the cheapest electric folding bike on the market at only $399.
Final Thoughts
Although the transition from traditional bikes to the more modern folding e-bike may seem intimidating at first, it doesn’t have to be. These bikes are made to make your life easier, whether that means getting to work faster or simply enjoying more adventures. To make your commute easier and help you to live a healthier, more active life, getting yourself one of these bikes is a decision you won’t regret!