Everyone will have a different definition of the term "affordable" when it comes to electric bikes. We get it; personal budgets and living costs vary greatly depending on where you live, what your priorities are, and so on. For the purposes of this category, we consider any electric bike that costs less than $2,000 to be "affordable". While there are still better products out there, for many people "a bike is a bike", and any e-bike that lets you get out and ride is a great e-bike to own. E-bikes in this category tend to offer good value without breaking the bank, and they're recommended if you're new to the wonderful world of electric bikes.
These electric bikes all cost less than $2,000 USD
Vintage Vibes Done Right! Weighing in at less than 45 pounds, the aptly-named Ultralight is an electric bike you can carry or load on a standard bike rack with ease, making it a great fit for campers and RVers. With stealthily integrated electronics this classic ride will easily pass for a regular bicycle, meaning you can worry less when locking it up in public places. This is a Class 1 e-bike which means no throttle, but who needs a throttle when you have such a fun-to-ride torque sensor?
Featuring an extra-thick step-through frame style that is very hot these days, the HovAlpha Step-Thru is a beefy and capable fat tire electric bike. Standard accessories include fenders and an integrated headlight, and hydraulic disc brakes which are a nice touch at this price point. Hovsco has a decently large dealer network which helps with access to test rides and maintenance, and they're known for using high quality Samsung battery cells to boot!
Sturdy construction and cast alloy wheels allow this heavy-duty folder to carry up to 400 pounds of rider and cargo weight, but that means the Ranger S is quite a bit heavier than most e-bikes. It has lights, signals, fenders, and a rear rack, so it's fully equipped for a wide variety of use cases - even some light off-road adventuring thanks to the suspension fork!
The AQ177 Pro Max has the biggest battery I've ever seen on an e-bike... was this monster made in Texas?! The downside of all that juice is a Texas-sized curb weight of 116 pounds... no sir, this electrified bicycle is not for the faint of heart. With a full loadout of commuting accessories, hydraulic brakes, and a suspiciously low price tag of just $1,799, this e-bike is tempting indeed... but how will the quality hold up over time? Dive into the full review to get my take.
Denago is all about packing in value at a low price point and they've certainly done that with their Fat Tire model, loading it up with a powerful 750-watt motor, premium LG battery cells, fenders, and an integrated headlight. The cabling is internally routed in the frame for a surprisingly sleek look too! The step-through frame is easy to mount and dismount but also thick enough to provide plenty of strength, which is important since this is capable of class 3 speeds of 28mph. While there isn't a rear rack included by default, there are mount points for adding one yourself.
With an ultra-low step-through frame the Model 1 is very easy to mount and dismount, and quite comfortable to boot thanks to the upright seating position and tool-free adjustable stem. The electronics and drivetrain are fairly basic and it doesn't include any rack or fenders, but at $1,299 it's still a pretty darn good deal, and it does have hydraulic brakes!
EBC is known for their electric cruisers, because for years that's all they've made... but not anymore! With a larger-than-average minibike-style frame, raised BMX-ey handlebars, and 24-inch street tires, the Model J is guaranteed to turn heads anywhere you ride. With dual or even triple battery options you can ride farther than your butt would ever want to, and as with all EBC models you can customize the paint job to your heart's content.
If you're in the market for an electric minibike and on a budget, the M20X from Macfox could be the e-bike for you! It's not as sleek looking as many competing products, with a less powerful electrical system, but it's sturdily built and the fat tires plus suspension fork will let you ride on any terrain. Like all minibikes this one is not comfortable to pedal - especially if you're tall - so be prepared to rely on the electrical system, and don't get caught out on an empty battery!
The Runabout.2 may be a step-through, but it's single downtube is thick enough to feel just as stable as most high-step electric bikes. This provides a great combination of stability and approachability, and it's also loaded out with commuting and utility accessories, making it a great all-purpose electric bike. It's not quite a fat tire ride but these three inch tires are still beefier than most, providing cushion and stability - plus there's a suspension fork! A big win here is that the battery is 52 volts and uses high quality Samsung cells, meaning it will outperform similar capacity batteries from less reputable manufacturers.
It may be a minibike, but as the name suggests, this baby is tanky! With aggressive fat tires and dual suspension, the Tank G60 is ready to handle any terrain. The cast alloy wheels look awesome and are strong as hell, but they do add weight, helping this short-n-stout machine to tip the scales at 75 pounds. Perhaps the only thing not hefty about this e-bike is the price, it offers a lot of value for only $1,299.