Electric bikes are the fastest-growing bicycle category. There is a good reason for this: e-bikes are super practical and a blast to ride. More riders than ever are choosing electric bikes as either their primary bicycle or supplementing their existing non-pedal assist bike.
There is not a single type of electric bike—almost every cycling sub-category has electric bike options. From commuter and cargo bikes, to road and gravel, to trail, our test team rides and evaluates all sorts of e-bikes. From high-end carbon models to entry-priced bikes, we put these bikes through their paces in our daily commutes, grocery runs, group rides, and trail-riding adventures to determine which bikes and features best meet your needs.
More tech for your buck is the big e-bike trend for 2025. In only a few short years, electric bikes have advanced in range, slimmed down in weight, and added electronic features that help you on your ride or improve their usability.
The test editors rode and evaluated hundreds of bicycles to establish the year’s Bike Award winners. We divided 2025's Awards into four main categories: Road, Gravel, Mountain, and E-Bike. Below are our editors’ seven Best E-Bikes of 2025 and reviews for each award winner. —Tara Seplavy, Deputy Editor
Aventon Level 3
BEST COMMUTER
A commuter bicycle has a relatively simple job—transporting a rider from point A to B. Additionally, good commuter bikes include a way to carry some stuff and keep the rider dry from occasional puddles or road spray. The best commuter bikes do these things efficiently and without fuss.
The Aventon Level 3 meets these requirements and earns some extra credit points for going above and beyond many competitors in the category. The Level is based on an aluminum frame (available in step-through or step-over styles) with a 708Wh lithium-ion battery housed in the downtube. The bike features a torque sensor at the crank to ensure smooth power delivery from the Level’s 500-watt rear hub motor. The motor also has a bar-mounted throttle to get the 67.5-pound bike up to speed.
The Level rolls on 27.5-inch wheels wrapped in e-bike-rated 2.2-inch-wide Kenda tires with puncture-resistant tread. It stops with Magura MT A2 hydraulic disc brakes, and an 8-speed Shimano Altus drivetrain gives riders a wide gear range. These are proven parts and easy to service at most bike shops. A suspension fork and seatpost provide added comfort for Level 3 riders. It also features an easy-to-use, full-color display, it is one of the best stock head units on any electric bike. Additionally, commuters will appreciate the rack, lights, and metal fenders included with the Level.
Aventon’s updates to the Level for 2025 focus largely on comfort, aesthetics, and usability. Some changes (like the gravity-cast front triangle) are quite visible while others (like the electronic wheel lock) are almost entirely hidden.
The third-gen Level received two notable rider-comfort updates compared to the Level 2. One is a suspension seatpost to smooth the ride and add some cush’ for the tush. The other is an adjustable-rise stem with up to 90 degrees of angle adjustment. This allows users of different heights, or varying amounts of flexibility or discomfort, to find a riding position that suits their needs.
The Level’s cable routing switches to a semi-integrated style. While fully integrated routing (as commonly seen on road bikes) can be a maintenance headache, it greatly improves the looks of the bike’s front end, and it reduces the risk that a power cable will get accidentally disconnected (for example, when the bike is locked on a bike rack). Rather than the cables snaking through the bar and stem, Aventon covers them in spiral cable wrap and then routes them into a removable cover under the stem.
Aventon’s most significant update is one that many riders may gloss over when shopping for an e-bike, but we think that some users will find it quite useful. The Level 3’s new ACU (Aventon Control Unit) adds several features to the already well-equipped platform. While the ACU does not directly influence the Level’s ride quality, its features enhance the bike’s usability. We like the wheel lock and motion sensor alarm—passive theft deterrents for when you stop for a mid-ride coffee or run into the post office.
A 4G chip in the ACU provides GPS tracking from Aventon’s mobile app so you can find your bike if you forget where you locked it. 4G connectivity also allows you to set geofence restrictions on your Level 3 for teens or housemates. ACU features are free for the first year. After the complimentary period, the service costs $20 annually (or $2 per month).
I used the Level as my daily commuter and around town for almost a month. My verdict: The Aventon Level 3 is a damned good bike. It is the benchmark commuter e-bike and one of the best overall bicycles I’ve ridden in the past several months. Even without its nifty ACU features, the Level 3 is a great bike for its $1,899 price. The tracking, custom power settings, lock, geofencing, and alarm enhance the bike’s usability in daily life without much added cost.
Many consumers expect connectivity and electronic conveniences from many other products, so why wouldn’t they expect it from a bicycle? If you want that, the Level 3 is an excellent choice. And if you don’t use the features, you will still thoroughly enjoy this bike. —T.S.
Co-op DRT e1.1
BEST BUDGET E-MTB
Riders looking to purchase an electric mountain bike have an overwhelming number of choices. Often, the options fall into two polar opposite camps: expensive, high-end mountain bikes capable of riding rough mountain bike trails, or inexpensive bikes that, while mountain bike-shaped, are unsuitable for actual off-road use. However, a few mid-priced models don’t drain the bank but allow riders to tackle some singletrack trails.
Last year, I tested Aventon’s Ramblas hardtail eMTB and loved it. Riding that bike opened my eyes to the potential for the category of mid-priced electric mountain bikes—trail-capable bikes that are versatile enough for daily use as a commuter. Co-op Cycle’s DRT 1.1 is a great example.
Co-op Cycles is REI’s in-house bicycle brand. Exclusively sold at the outdoor retailer’s website and 170-plus store locations, the DRT 1.1 is equipped with a dependable Bosch Performance Line mid-drive motor (with pedal assistance up to 20mph) and an internally-mounted 500Wh battery.
The 53.7-pound DRT rolls on tubeless-compatible 27.5-inch wheels with 2.6-inch wide Maxxis Rekon tires for off-road capability. The bike’s 100mm-travel SR Suntour fork with thru axle isn’t glamorous, but it works; Shimano hydraulic brakes and a 9-speed MicroShift drivetrain round out the key parts. The only notable component missing is a dropper seatpost; it would enhance the DRT’s capability on the trail and help riders feel more confident on challenging terrain.
While the DRT 1.1’s $3,199 price is higher than some consumer-direct competitors, REI’s assembly and service are a big plus for many riders (plus, REI often runs sales on bikes and gear). If you’re looking for a bike to explore trails and potentially use around town, this is a solid and dependably-equipped pick. —T.S.
Ride1Up CF Racer1
BEST BUDGET E-ROAD
Calling the CF Racer 1 an entry-level e-road bike doesn’t feel right. It features a carbon frame, a sleek one-piece carbon cockpit, and weighs under 31 pounds. These are all features you would rightfully expect to find on electric road bikes costing closer to $10,000. Instead, the CF Racer 1 comes in at only $2,300.
The Bafang rear-hub motor delivers up to 250 watts of power, which is doled out in five levels of assistance. Conveniently, riders can control how much boost they get from the motor with well-positioned buttons near the SRAM Rival shifters. It’s another neat feature missing from many e-road bikes, even those that cost a lot more.
The low weight of the CF Racer 1 gives it a pleasurable and very “normal” ride quality. The hub motor delivers power smoothly—it feels natural and not overbearing at all. The bike is also remarkably quiet, which helps it disappear into the background of a ride if you want it to.
The CF Racer‘s low price does come with some trade-offs; mainly fewer sizes (there are only two), and limited adjustability of the one-piece cockpit. For riders on a budget seeking a lightweight e-road bike with pedal assist up to 28 mph, the CF Racer 1 offers a compelling alternative to much pricer options from mainstream brands. —Dan Chananov
Tern Quick Haul Long
BEST CARGO BIKE
Tern consistently produces some of the best electric cargo bikes. The brand practically invented the compact cargo bike category with its GSD, a bike that made it far more practical for urban and suburban riders to replace a car with an e-cargo bike. However, top-tier performance and versatility come at a price—the cheapest GSD starts at $4,500, while the most expensive model will set you back $5,900.
Tern's Quick Haul Long is so enticing because it delivers the core functionality of the GSD at a more accessible $3,800 price, or only $2,500 for the shorter Quick Haul D8. Tern offers a wide range of accessories so riders can customize this bike to their needs. The version I’m testing is outfitted with the Clubhouse rear rack, so my wife and I can ride our kids to school. And thanks to the one-size-fits-most frame, even my five-foot-tall sister-in-law can hop on and ride the Quick Haul when she visits.
While the Quick Haul Long’s frame isn’t as sleek as the GSD and lacks a suspension fork, the bike still packs everything needed to be a true car replacement. Features include hydraulic disc brakes, a robust double kickstand, a built-in frame lock, trailer attachment points, and an impressive maximum weight limit of 419 pounds. Even when loaded with two kids and a trailer full of groceries, the Bosch Cargo Line motor—with 85 Nm of torque and up to 400 percemt pedal-assist support—promises to make a fully laden trip up the long climb back to our house possible without turning into a sweaty mess in the process.
That said, $3,800 is still a significant investment. While framing the cost as a car replacement makes it feel like a bargain, it’s still a big financial commitment. But what excites me most is what this bike represents—high-quality cargo bikes are becoming more common and affordable. In the world of transit, personal mobility is freedom. When bikes like the Tern Quick Haul Long exist, it opens that freedom to even more riders. —Bobby Lea
Gazelle Medeo City T9
BEST AROUND TOWN
We’re constantly evaluating commuter bikes as part of our Best Electric Bikes testing—everything from expensive carbon models to zippy-small wheelers to budget-priced consumer-direct e-bikes. However, the one that stands out more than the others is Gazelle’s Medeo T9 City. Where many other e-bikes are packed with integrated features or power, the Medeo’s defining feature is practicality.
The Medeo checks all the right boxes for a mid-priced electric commuter. Gazelle equipped the T9 City with Bosch’s Active Line motor, Shimano disc brakes and 9-speed Alivio drivetrain, and Continental tires; all are robust and dependable parts. It also has metal fenders, lights, and a rear rack. The Medeo even has a built-in cafe lock (a standard feature for European commuter bikes) to help secure your bike during quick stops.
In a hyper-competitive e-bike market where many brands feel inclined to throw “more” or “bigger” at their electric bikes, Gazelle stripped the Medeo down to exactly what is needed for a great user experience. The T9 City’s mid-drive motor isn’t as powerful or torquey as some competitors’ hub motors but the Gazelle’s Bosch unit offers smoothness, reliability, and support from dealers across the globe. Plus, the bike’s battery isn’t housed inside a gigantic downtube, and the Medeo uses a discrete display rather than a big touchscreen.
At $2,299, the Netherlands-made Medeo T9 City costs slightly more than economical e-bikes from consumer-direct brands but has a more refined ride feel and better quality components throughout. This is the commuter e-bike to buy if you don’t have lots of money to drop but want something well-built and dependable that should last for many years. —T.S.
Specialized Vado SL2
BEST SUPER COMMUTER
Leaving the car at home, skipping the Uber, and passing on waiting for the bus or train is the main pitch Specialized makes for the Vado SL 2. And it’s not a meritless concept by any means. The Vado SL 2 is as fun to ride as it is useful, and Specialized made quite a few improvements over the original Vado SL.
The Vado SL 2 remains unchanged from its roots: a flat-bar, hybrid-style bike with big tire clearance. It also features a Future Shock 3.2 under the stem and all the mounting points utility riders might need for daily activities. The most significant changes from the previous generation Vado are the new carbon frame, a much larger battery, and a new Specialized SL 1.2 electric motor.
The new motor unit delivers up to 320 watts of power and 50Nm of peak torque. Compared to the Specialized SL 1.1 motor used in the previous gen-Vado SL, that’s about a 33 percent increase from 240 watts and 35Nm of peak torque. The new battery has a 520Wh capacity, a 200Wh improvement over the previous Vado SL. For riders who need even more range, Specialized offers an optional 160 Wh range-extender battery that can be mounted to the frame using the seat tube bottle cage mount.
Getting around on the Vado SL is about as pleasant as it gets. The massive tires are comfortable and capable. The bike feels lively and quick, with pleasantly responsive but not twitchy steering.
While the motor assists up to the 28 mph cutoff, I found that even on the Turbo setting, I had to put in serious effort to reach that speed on a flat road. Still, I appreciate e-bikes that allow for this upper limit compared to ones that cut off at 20 mph. The sweet spot for speed is around 22 mph for my city riding in Philadelphia. And if I need to get away from a particularly aggressive driver, I can go faster.
The Vado SL presents an appealing option for riders with the money and an easy storage solution (such as a garage, first-floor apartment, or other secure covered space). It rides and feels like a highly polished transportation option for people not doing big grocery runs or daycare drop-offs by bike. Instead, it shines as a fast, nimble flat-bar bike that's equally practical and fun. —D.C.
BMC Roadmachine 01 AMP ONE
BEST ELECTRIC ROAD
Sometimes, a little boost is all you need. The BMC Roadmachine 01 AMP blends the sleek styling of a high-end road bike with an unobtrusive class three motor. My 51cm test bike weighed 27.8 pounds, roughly eight to ten pounds heavier than a similarly equipped non-electric bike.
The TQ motor offers up to 300 watts of added power via three assistance levels. When left in the default settings—each mode is easily tunable to the rider's preference through TQ’s app—the motor offers smooth power delivery in all modes for a natural ride feel. A quick click of the mode button delivers the power you need for a kick to get over the top of a climb or a few extra watts to hold the wheel on a fast group ride.
On the road, the Roadmachine 01 AMP feels much like other endurance-focused road bikes. With clearance for larger tires (38mm wide on 1x drivetrain models) and more upright geometry, the AMP is comfortable for long days in the saddle over all sorts of mixed terrain.
Equipped with 180mm brake rotors, I never felt out of sorts when descending, even while carrying the extra weight that comes with an e-bike system and camera gear for photoshoots. The model I tested came equipped with 40mm deep carbon wheels—they keep the weight down and aid in slicing through the wind. Plus, the wheels help the BMC to blend in and look like non-assisted bikes.
At $8,999, it’s not cheap, but the price is comparable to non-electric bikes with similar builds.
So, for any rider looking to jump to an e-bike but unwilling to give up the feel and look of riding a high-end road bike, the Roadmachine 01 AMP is worthy of your consideration. —Trevor Raab
As Deputy Editor, Tara Seplavy leads Bicycling’s product test team; after having previously led product development and sourcing for multiple bike brands, run World Championship winning mountain bike teams, wrenched at renowned bicycle shops in Brooklyn, raced everything from criteriums to downhill, and ridden bikes on six different continents (landing herself in hospital emergency rooms in four countries and counting). Based in Easton, Pennsylvania, Tara spends tons of time on the road and trail testing products. A familiar face at cyclocross races, crits, and bike parks in the Mid Atlantic and New England, on weekends she can often be found racing for the New York City-based CRCA/KruisCX team. When not riding a bike, or talking about them, Tara listens to a lot of ska, punk, and emo music, and consumes too much social media.
Test Editor Dan Chabanov got his start in cycling as a New York City bike messenger but quickly found his way into road and cyclocross racing, competing in professional cyclocross races from 2009 to 2019 and winning a Master’s National Championship title in 2018. Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer.
