The Best Folding Electric Bikes of 2024

Folding e-bikes have been a mainstay for city-inhabiting commuters for a while now. For those living in minimal square footage, folding bikes make keeping a bike at home easier. They also simplify the bike commute, fitting more easily on public transportation or in an office. And when you’re heading out on the road, they can be stowed inside an RV or car’s trunk.

With the proliferation of folding electric bikes on the market, finding the right one is more of a challenge than it used to be. With that in mind, we gathered five of the best models on the market to test and compare side by side. Whether you’re looking for a premium ride like the Tern Vektron S10, a budget-friendly model like the Ride1Up Portola, or a versatile all-rounder like the Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus, we’ve got you covered.

The Best Folding Electric Bikes of 2025

• Best Overall Folding Electric Bike: Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus
• Best Budget Folding Electric Bike: Ride1Up Portola
• Best Premium Folding Electric Bike: Tern Vektron S10
• Best Fat Tire Folding Electric Bike: HeyBike Mars 2.0
• Great Value and Carry Capacity: Lectric XP 3.0

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Folding Electric Bikes Comparison Chart

Model	MSRP	E-Bike Class	Motor	Battery	Wheel x Tire Size	Suspension	Weight
Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus	$1,899	2	750 W rear hub	720 Wh	20″ x 4.0″	50 mm fork	72.5 lbs.
Ride1Up Portola	$995-1,195 (depending on battery size)	1, 2, or 3	750 W rear hub	500 or 643 Wh	20″ x 3″	80 mm fork	59 lbs.
Tern Vektron S10	$3,299	1	Bosch Performance mid-drive	400 Wh	20″ x 2.15″	None	49 lbs.
HeyBike Mars 2.0	$999-1,099 (depending on motor power)	1, 2, or 3	750 W rear hub (1000 W also available)	600 Wh	20″ x 4″	65 mm fork	75 lbs.
Lectric XP 3.0	$999-1,199 (depending on battery size)	1, 2, or 3	500 W rear hub	500 or 672 Wh	20″ x 3″	50 mm fork	64 lbs

How We Tested Folding Electric Bikes

This is GearJunkie, and we love gear. Big surprise, right? Our love of gear extends to bicycles of all kinds, and we’ve been testing and reviewing electric bikes for over a decade now. From electric cargo bikes to commuters, hunting e-bikes and eMTBs, we’ve tested just about every type of electric bike on the market.

We recognize that not everyone has the luxury of testing numerous bikes before they buy, so we’re here to help with a comparative review of five of the best folding electric bikes on the market.

Our Expert Tester

Our lead tester, Will Porter, has been riding bikes for 3 decades, tackling all kinds of disciplines, from road to gravel to mountain, with a healthy dose of commuting sprinkled in over the years. He has spent time in NYC, where he learned the true meaning of square footage (or lack thereof), so he knows what a folding bike needs to make sense in small spaces. 

Will is a frequent GearJunkie contributor. He has been testing and reviewing products of all kinds for many years, and his review experience has given him a great ability to scrutinize and compare the products he tests. In addition to folding electric bikes, Will has contributed expertise to buyer’s guides on topics ranging from the best sunglasses for running to GPS watches, along with in-depth reviews and event coverage.

Our Testing Process

To start, we gathered up this selection of five of the best folding electric bikes on the market. Each model was shipped directly to Will, who received and assembled each model just as any other consumer would.

After assembling each bike, looking through the user manuals, familiarizing himself with each model’s controls, and making comfort adjustments, he set off for the true test of any bike — real-world riding.

Will rode this fleet of folding e-bikes for many miles across four months, taking them on the streets, back alleys, dirt roads, and dusty trails of Boise, Idaho, and Los Angeles. He made frequent trips to the grocery store, rode on a busy river walk, and ran various errands on these bikes. They navigated brewery parking lots and sketchy bike lanes and got their fair share of riding just for fun.

Will rode these bikes in the rain, left them out in the sun, and stowed them away (folded, of course). While riding, he paid close attention to each bike’s power output, speed, e-bike controls, handling characteristics, comfort, components, and the performance of the complete package.

Since these are folding bikes, he made sure to fold and unfold them numerous times, pick them up, carry them, and load them into the backs of vehicles to get a feel for their weight and portability as a folding bike. We also considered the price in relation to performance to try and determine which bikes provide the best bang for your buck.

Buyer’s Guide: How To Choose a Folding Electric Bike

Like any other type of bike, choosing the right folding electric bike can be a challenge. There are lots of factors to consider when finding the best model to suit your needs and meet your budget. Below, we’ll cover important product considerations that may help inform your purchase decision.

Not sure if a folding electric bike is right for you? If you’re looking for something different, we’ve got you covered with comprehensive guides to the best electric cargo bikes, efficient commuter bikes, and even electric bikes for hunting. Don’t forget to protect your head with a quality bike helmet, secure your bike with a tough bike lock, and keep those tires inflated with a handy bike pump.

E-Bike Class

Before you use an e-bike, it’s important to understand the e-bike classification system and ensure the bike you buy meets the regulations for legally riding on the roads, bike paths, and trails of your local area. While electric bikes are allowed in most places these days, certain states and areas have restrictions on top speed and motor power.

In some places, speed limits are becoming more and more common on bike paths due to the huge uptick of e-bikes in use. We highly recommend doing a little research into the local regulations regarding electric bikes where you live and ride to ensure you are in compliance.

• Class 1: These bikes have a motor that provides pedal assistance only with a top speed of up to 20 mph.
• Class 2: These bikes have the same pedal-assisted top speed of 20 mph, but they are also equipped with a throttle. The throttle speed is also limited to a maximum of 20 mph. The throttle can propel you with pure electric power (no pedaling) and may be helpful for some riders when starting from a stop with a loaded bike.
• Class 3: Class 3 bikes can exceed 20 mph up to a max of 28 mph using pedal assist. Class 3 bikes may or may not have a throttle. If throttle-equipped, that maxes out at 20 mph.

Four of the models in this guide are Class 2 and 3 bikes with a throttle, and they are super fun and easy to ride, but the addition of a throttle can make some bikes feel more like riding a moped than an actual bike.

If you want something that feels more like a regular bike, go for a class 1 bike, like the Tren Vektron S10, that eschews a throttle and only has pedal assist. This will result in a more natural-feeling ride.

E-Bike Motors

Electric bikes typically come with either a rear hub (hub-drive) or a mid-drive motor. The vast majority of folding electric bikes have rear hub motors, but both systems work well and have their advantages and disadvantages.

Rear hub motors are aptly named due to the fact that they are contained within the hub of the rear wheel. These provide power directly into the rear wheel with assistance based on either cadence sensors or torque sensors. Most hub-drive bikes also come equipped with a throttle to propel you forward under full electric power.

Generally speaking, hub-drive motors are less expensive and have traditionally been considered lower performance than mid-drive systems. Fortunately, advancements in torque sensors for hub drives are narrowing the performance gap.

Mid-drive motors are located in the middle of the bike around the cranks. These motors use torque sensors and deliver the power into the drivetrain, so the feel has typically been considered to be more natural.

While some hub-drive motors can feel jumpy, mid-drives are usually quite smooth, with the power ramping up in response to the rider’s pedaling input. However, most mid-drive motor systems don’t allow for the use of a throttle. Mid-drive motors tend to be more expensive and, therefore, are typically found on more expensive bikes.

Battery and Range

Range is the distance you can travel on a battery charge. When deciding what type of e-bike you want, range is one of the most important factors. How far will you be riding?

If you want to take your e-bike out for 30-mile adventures on the weekends, you’ll want to make sure you have a bike with a considerable range — especially if you like to utilize the throttle or a high level of pedal assist. If you’re just taking quick trips to the store or to your kid’s school, you can probably get away with a shorter range or charge your bike less frequently.

A battery’s size is an important part of the equation. This is often listed in watt-hours (Wh), with higher numbers indicating a larger storage capacity. The size of the battery isn’t the only factor at play. Power consumption is directly related.

Higher pedal assist levels and more throttle usage burn through power more quickly. Likewise, riding up hills, rider weight, pedaling input, and even temperature can all play a role in how far your bike can go on a single charge.

Most brands provide a range estimate, which is typically the maximum possible distance that can be traveled under specific test conditions. These are usually fairly unrealistic, but some are more accurate than others.

A bike’s display also provides information on remaining battery life while riding, which is quite useful in determining how far you’ll be able to ride. Just remember, an e-bike is much more cumbersome than a regular bike, so you don’t want to get caught riding it home with no battery. 

Controls and Display

Electric bikes typically have a control unit that allows the user to shift between pedal assist levels, turn lights on/off, and make changes to the bike’s settings. These units are normally located on the handlebar next to the left grip, where they can be reached with the thumb.

While they are usually quite similar, they vary slightly in button layout and ergonomics, but generally speaking, they are all fairly intuitive and easy to use.

In addition to controls, the display is a critical feature that shows relevant information like pedal assist level, remaining battery life, speed, distance, etc. Often, these screens are located in the middle of the handlebar where they are easy to see while riding. In some cases, the controls and display are combined into a single unit, like the Bosch Purion control/display on the Tern Vektron S10.

Portability and Weight

With the added weight of a large battery, a motor, controls, and beefed-up frames and components, electric bikes tend to be pretty heavy. This runs somewhat counter to one of the primary selling points of folding electric bikes, which is portability and storability. For folding electric bikes, in particular, it’s challenging to balance the added weight of e-bike components and specialized folding frame designs with the need for them to be easily portable.

For most people considering a folding electric bike, the ability to fold it into a smaller size for storage or transport is high on their list of priorities. In that regard, all of the bikes on our list do well. Not only do they fold in half at the frame, but the handlebar also folds down to reduce their size to less than half. Stuff it in a closet, the corner of your garage, the trunk of your car, under a desk, or onto a commuter train. They take up way less space than full-size, non-folding bikes.

The reduced size is obviously very important, but most folding e-bikes are still pretty heavy. In fact, the Tern Vektron S10 is the lightest bike we tested by a significant margin, and it still weighs 49 pounds. It’s much easier to handle than the Rad Power or HeyBike, which weigh 72.5 and 75 pounds, respectively.

Removing an electric bike’s battery reduces the overall weight by around 10 pounds or so, which can certainly make lifting them a bit easier. Still, due to the shape of a bike in its folded position, lifting these things can be pretty awkward. When possible, we recommend enlisting the assistance of another person.

Fit

All of the folding e-bikes we tested have a one-size-fits-most design. They are intended to accommodate a wider range of rider heights by allowing for significant adjustability in seat height and often in handlebar height, too.

For the most part, riders between 4’10” and 6’0″ should be able to find a comfortable fit on most of these bikes. If you are on either the shorter or taller end of the height spectrum, it’s worth looking into the model you’re considering to be sure that it will work for you.

Of the models we tested, the Tern Vektron S10 has the widest fit range, which they claim is between 4’10” and 6’5″. In contrast, the Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus has the narrowest fit range, between 4’10” and 5’10”.

Components

High-quality components, like brakes and gears, make sure that your bike is reliable, performs when you need it, and is easy to maintain. Durable components are particularly important for riders using the bike more frequently or in challenging conditions.

We prefer bikes with name-brand components, like Shimano or SRAM (all of the bikes we tested had Shimano groupsets). Good components can’t compensate for a weak battery or low carrying capacity, but they can greatly improve your ride quality and lengthen the time between trips to the bike shop. 

All of the bikes we tested have functional components, but the Tern Vektron S10 stands out for its particularly nice build. This bike does have a premium price tag, but the Shimano Deore drivetrain and Magura hydraulic disc brakes are a significant step up compared to the other models we tested.

Carrying Capacity

This is a pretty self-explanatory feature, but it’s important to double-check before you make any purchases. Consider what you intend to carry with your bike. If you plan on really packing your bike with gear, groceries, or possibly carrying a passenger, you’ll want to make sure it has a high weight capacity.

Most manufacturers list the total weight capacity of their bikes and some will specify separate rider weight and cargo weight limits. All of the folding electric bikes we tested come with a rear cargo rack, but the weight limits of those racks vary between 59 and 150 pounds.

Most of these racks are designed to pair with add-on baskets, bags, passenger seats, and more, and typically, brands sell these accessories to fit their respective bikes. This makes it easy to outfit your bike with the add-ons you want to suit your cargo-carrying needs. Some bikes even come with accessories included, like the Lectric XP 3.0, but this varies based on certain promotional sales.

For most people, the 59-pound rear rack weight limit of the Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus or the Tern Vektron S10 will be adequate for errand runs or even loading a small child into a Thule Yepp seat on the back. If you’re planning to haul some heavier cargo, however, the HeyBike Mars 2.0 and Ride1Up Portola’s rear racks can handle a claimed 120 and 130 pounds, respectively. The Lectric XP 3.0 takes the cake with a 150-pound weight limit.

Additional Features

All of the folding electric bikes we tested come with several useful features included, which we appreciate. Front and rear fenders protect us from tire spray from puddles or if the roads are wet from a passing rain shower.

The above-mentioned rear racks can support weight and additional cargo. Front and rear lights help us be seen by motorists and may also be useful to help us see our way if riding out in the dark. Some bikes, like the Ra Power RadExpand 5 Plus, even have turn signals on the rear light to let people know your next move.

It is worth mentioning that while these bikes do have lights, they typically aren’t the brightest. If you’re riding at night, we’ve found that it’s still best to use an additional, brighter bike light to illuminate the road, path, or trail if it’s actually dark outside.

Price & Value

The price of the folding electric models we tested ranges from $945 to $3,299, and all of them are worthy contenders in their own right. When determining how much to spend, consider your personal budget, how much you intend to use it, and what you’ll be using it for.

Budget

Budget folding e-bikes cost around $1,000, ranging from roughly $900-1,300. You can find bikes that are less expensive than this, but we haven’t seen many bikes that cost much less that we’d recommend.

Fortunately, e-bike motor and battery technology are improving rapidly and trickling down. And, with lots of e-bike brands competing at the lower end of the market, there are great budget options to choose from and the prices are staying quite reasonable.

This price range is dominated by a few major players who continue to improve their bikes while maintaining low prices that bring impressive value to consumers. Most bikes in the lower price tier provide a decent range, ample power, and decent carrying capacity.

One area they lack is in refinement, with power delivery feeling a bit more abrupt or the display being a bit more basic. Another area you’re sacrificing is in components. The cheaper the bike, the cheaper the parts, meaning it’ll have wheels, derailleurs, and brakes that aren’t as durable or reliable. You’ll save money upfront, but you can expect less precise shifting and generally a little clunkier overall performance.

Still, bikes like the Ride1Up Portola ($995-1,195), the Lectric XP 3.0 ($999-1,199), and the HeyBike Mars 2.0 ($999-1,099) are all truly impressive machines for the price. While they may not have the best torque sensors, most ergonomic shifters, or fanciest display screens, they are perfectly functional and will meet the demands of most users just fine. Of the budget options, we really appreciate the Ride1Up Portola’s sleek design and more polished appearance.

Mid-Tier

Mid-range folding e-bikes will fall in the $1,300-2,000 range. This is a great sweet spot for someone who doesn’t want to shell out the big bucks for a premium ride but will still be using their bike frequently. Bikes in this range usually have one or two standout performance attributes or features that help them stand out from the budget models but drive the price up.

A perfect example is the Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus ($1,899). This bike has confident and responsive handling and a comfortable ride with front suspension and 4-inch wide tires that are capable both on and off-road. What sets it apart from the budget field is the upgraded torque sensor, which provides a smoother and more natural feeling of pedal assistance.

Additionally, the Safe Shield battery tech is a nice safety addition, and the controls and display are a step up, too. We chose the RadExpand as the best overall folding electric bike for its very well-rounded performance, and we think it’s the best fit for most people.

Premium

A premium folding e-bike will run you over $2,000. There aren’t many folding electric bikes in this price range, but the ones you do find at this price point are equipped with higher quality components, are made by companies that really know what they’re doing, and are designed to satisfy even the most picky of cycling enthusiasts.

The Tern Vektron S10 ($3,299), for example, is by far the most expensive model we tested, but for good reason. It’s not only the lightest weight — 10 to 25 pounds lighter than the other models — and easiest to lift, carry, and transport, but it’s the only model that has a mid-drive motor.

Mid-drive motors are not only more expensive, but they provide the most refined pedal assistance for the most natural ride feel. Add to that a component spec that includes a reliable Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain, great Magura hydraulic disc brakes, and a comfortable performance saddle, and it’s easy to see why it costs more. Yes, this bike is relatively expensive, but it has a design, parts, and performance to justify the expense.

Frequently Asked Questions