E-bikes: the downsides, first

Tom's Guide's best overall and best budget ebike: a light (about 39-44 lb), sharp-handling commuter with a smooth torque sensor and assist up to 28 mph for $1,295. Its small 360 Wh battery drains fast at high assist, and it isn't built for cargo.

Real-world range: Ride1Up claims 20-40 miles. Electric Bike Review got 49.9 miles in the lowest assist level (about 13 mph average). Tom's Guide's battery was down to 80% after five miles at the highest assist level.

Weight: 39 lb (Tom's Guide); 44.1 lb (Electric Bike Review); 40 lb in the gravel setup (Ride1Up)

Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for Ride1Up (checked 2026-10-11).

E-bike class: Can be set as Class 1, 2 or 3, with pedal assist up to 28 mph (Tom's Guide, Ride1Up)

Battery safety certification: Ride1Up's product page says the bike is certified to UL 2849 and the battery to UL 2271.

WIRED's best commuter ebike: at 37 lb with a Gates carbon belt, it rides much like a regular bike and is easy to handle. It has a single speed, so even WIRED's strong tester struggled on steep hills, and there's no throttle.

Real-world range: Aventon claims up to 70 miles. WIRED got closer to 50 miles per charge on hilly roads in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Weight: 37 lb (WIRED)

Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for the Soltera (checked 2026-10-11). Aventon recalled its Sinch.2 folding e-bike on 2024-01-04.

E-bike class: Class 1 (pedal assist to 20 mph, no throttle) (WIRED)

Battery safety certification: Aventon's product page says 'UL Safety Certified' without naming the standard.

WIRED calls the XP line the most popular ebike and the best affordable one: $999 buys a folding bike with hydraulic brakes and UL 2849 certification, and the $1,299 XP4 750 adds range. It's heavy for a folder (62-70 lb), the kickstand is flimsy, and steep climbs slow it to a crawl.

Real-world range: Lectric claims up to 50 miles for the $999 XP4 and up to 85 miles for the $1,299 XP4 750. Electric Bike Review got 44 miles on the XP4 (175 lb rider, mostly assist level 3 of 5, some throttle). WIRED's 255 lb tester got well over 50 miles from the first charge of an XP4 750 on hilly roads.

Weight: About 62 lb, or 53 lb without its 9 lb battery (WIRED, XP4 750); Electric Bike Review weighed its step-through XP4 at 70.1 lb with battery (Lectric lists 61 lb without)

Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for the XP4 (checked 2026-10-11). On 2023-09-07, Lectric recalled mechanical disc brake calipers on XP 3.0 models (about 45,000 units); the XP4 uses hydraulic brakes.

E-bike class: Ships as Class 2; can be switched to Class 3 or California Class 3 (Electric Bike Review)

Battery safety certification: Lectric's product page says the XP4 is certified to UL 2849 and its battery to UL 2271.

WIRED's best ebike for a first-time buyer: an entry-level commuter from a big brand with a dealer network, a throttle, turn-signal buttons and a magnetic charging port. Real range falls well short of the 50-mile claim for WIRED, and in January 2026 CPSC recalled the rear wheel bolts on 2026 models.

Real-world range: Trek advertises 50 miles, but WIRED says it is getting much less. Electric Bike Review (FX+ 1S, 520 Wh) got 52 miles on minimum assist and 33 miles on maximum.

Weight: 48.3 lb (Electric Bike Review, FX+ 1S)

Recalls (CPSC): CPSC recall (2026-01-29): rear wheel bolts on Model Year 2026 FX+ 1 and FX+ 1S (and Electra Townie Go!) bikes sold before 2025-10-28, about 19,890 units; the bolts can break when torqued and the wheel can separate. 7 reports, no injuries. Remedy: stop riding and have a Trek dealer fit new silver bolts for free.

E-bike class: FX+ 1 is Class 2 (throttle plus pedal assist, WIRED); the FX+ 1S is Class 3 to 28 mph (Electric Bike Review)

Wirecutter's top commuter pick and WIRED's best all-purpose ebike: a powerful 700 W hub-drive Class 3 bike with a big battery, rack, fenders and very bright lights. It weighs at least 75 lb, its Class 3 rating can bar it from some paths, and CPSC recalled its seat post in June 2025.

Real-world range: Specialized claims 60 miles (WIRED). WIRED rode 40 miles carrying kids around Portland and still had more than half of the 772 Wh battery left. Wirecutter could cruise at 20 mph with about 200 lb of rider and cargo up all but the steepest hills on its 8-mile desert test loop.

Weight: At least 75 lb depending on accessories (Wirecutter)

Recalls (CPSC): CPSC recall (2025-06-05): about 11,100 Globe Haul ST and LT e-bikes, because the original 13-inch telescopic seat post can break when its lower part is fully extended; 13 reports, two minor injuries. Remedy: stop riding and get a free repair (a new post) at a Specialized retailer.

E-bike class: Class 3 (pedal assist to 28 mph); an optional $50 plug-in throttle works only to 20 mph (Wirecutter)

Battery safety certification: Wirecutter only picks ebikes certified to UL 2849 (the whole electrical system) with UL 2271 batteries, and the Globe Haul ST is its top pick.

Tom's Guide's best commuter ebike: Apple Find My, handlebar turn signals, electronic (and automatic) shifting, front suspension, fenders and a rack for $1,999. At 72 lb it's very heavy, and power fades as the battery runs low.

Real-world range: Segway rates it for up to 80 miles (722 Wh). Tom's Guide didn't reach that in a hilly area but went weeks between charges on short commutes; at about 20% battery it climbed a test hill at about 10 mph instead of 15.

Weight: 72 lb (Tom's Guide)

Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for Segway e-bikes (checked 2026-10-11).

E-bike class: Set in the app as Class 2 (throttle to 20 mph), Class 3 (pedal assist to 28 mph) or a hybrid of both (hybrid not offered in California). Segway won't ship it to New York State (Tom's Guide).

Tom's Guide's best cargo ebike: a 750 W longtail that easily hauls a child up hills, with suspension, rear turn signals, an alarm and GPS tracking for $1,999. It weighs 88 lb, the motor whines, and tracking costs $20/year after the first year.

Subscription: Optional: 4G/GPS tracking and geofencing are free for the first year, then $20/year; the alarm and locking kickstand work without it (Tom's Guide, Electric Bike Review)

Real-world range: Aventon claims about 60 miles. Tom's Guide used 30% of the battery on a hilly 12-mile Sport-mode ride (about 40 miles extrapolated). Electric Bike Review got about 75 miles in Eco and 36-38 miles at max assist on mostly flat ground.

Weight: 88 lb (Tom's Guide); 88.4 lb (Electric Bike Review); 440 lb payload

Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for the Abound (checked 2026-10-11). Aventon recalled its Sinch.2 folding e-bike on 2024-01-04.

E-bike class: Class 2 (pedal assist and throttle to 20 mph) (Tom's Guide)

Battery safety certification: Aventon's product page says 'UL Safety Certified' without naming the standard; Electric Bike Review says the battery is UL 2271 certified.

Tom's Guide's pick for range: two batteries, a Gates belt drive, a very low step-through frame, lights, fenders and a rack. It weighs 70.5 lb, has one gear that makes hill starts hard, and WIRED lists it among bikes it dislikes for its riding position and brakes.

Real-world range: NIU claims up to 90 miles with both batteries (60 miles for more typical use). On Tom's Guide's first 9-mile ride both batteries dropped only from 100% to 90%, so it thinks the 90-mile claim is close in some conditions.

Weight: 70.5 lb; each battery about 12 lb (Tom's Guide)

Recalls (CPSC): No CPSC recall found for NIU e-bikes (checked 2026-10-11).

E-bike class: 20 mph maximum assisted speed, with a throttle (Tom's Guide)