A folding e-bike is an electric bike that folds up into a small, compact, portable shape. They are ideal for those with limited storage options – such as in small apartments, student accommodations, or when at the office.
Folding e-bikes can also fit neatly into the trunk of your car if you wish to take them with you on a vacation or a camping trip, and offer a quick and easy alternative travel solution in the event of a breakdown. They are also much easier to carry onto a bus or train than a normal bike.
Folding e-bikes are not usually as powerful as their non-collapsible counterparts and it can be difficult to know how to rate them when comparing models. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy list of six folding e-bikes for those of you looking for this type of transportation.
Best Fat Tire Folding E-Bike
RadExpand 5
45 mi
RANGE
25 mph
TOP SPEED
4 hrs
CHARGE TIME
62.5 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Chunky durable design
- Great cargo capacity – 275lbs
Bottom Line
With four levels of pedal assist and a 7-speed drivetrain, the Rad Power RadExpand 5 has pretty good power for a foldable e-bike. The rugged construction and chunky tires mean it can handle even rough terrain.
Perfect for those RV expeditions into the wilderness, the RadExpand 5 also has improved geometry (including an adjustable riser bar that can be moved forward and back) and a comfortable rider position. It is even 5 pounds lighter than its predecessor.
Accessories for the RadExpand 5
For those looking to add extra comfort or utility to their RadExpand5, Rad Power has you covered with an impressive range of accessories, including:
- Front-mounted baskets in large and small sizes
- Enhanced comfort saddle
- Handlebar-mounted mirror
Things to Consider
At over 60 lbs, this is a heavy machine, which means you’ll need to be pretty broad-shouldered to carry it. The irony is that the RadExpand 5 is only suitable for riders up to 5’ 10” in height, so it’s not the biggest people around.
Best All-Terrain Folding E-Bike
Aventon Sinch
40 mi
RANGE
20 mph
TOP SPEED
4.5 hrs
CHARGE TIME
68 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Great wide tires
- Lots of torque
- Front suspension fork
Bottom Line
Boasting a great retro look and available in both step-through and step-over frames, the Sinch from Aventon is a masterclass in off-road technology in a foldable package. You pay for this power in a slightly heavier and bulkier bike compared to other foldables, but when you get it out on the roads and trails, you’ll appreciate where all that weight comes from.
The throttle can also be unplugged and removed should you find yourself in an area where they are not allowed.
Accessories
To further augment your ride, Aventon has a fantastic catalog of accessories for you to choose from:
- Aventon Suspension Seatpost
- Aventon Fanttik Portable Air Pump
- Aventon Rear Luggage Rack
Things to Consider
Again, this is a really weighty bike. At 68 lbs, the Sinch isn’t ideal for multi-modal commuting where you have to hop on and off buses and trains on your way to work. There are lighter foldables out there if you need to do this, though they may be more expensive.
Best Long-Range Folding E-Bike
Lectric XP 3.0
55 mi
RANGE
20 mph
TOP SPEED
4 hrs
CHARGE TIME
64 lbs
WEIGHT
Rear Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Powerful motor — 1000W Peak
- Large LED screen
- Upgradeable racks and baskets
Bottom Line
The XP 3.0 from Lectric provides a powerful riding experience with all the convenience and portability you’d expect from a foldable e-bike. The 48V lithium-ion battery offers standard and long-range options to power your ride for up to 45 or 65 miles, respectively, and the upgraded 1000W peak rear-hub motor gives you an impressive 55 Nm of torque.
A striking design and robust construction complete the package.
Accessories
In the same striking blue and black scheme as the bike itself, there is a range of accessories designed with the specific needs of the modern rider in mind.
- Lectric Mirrors (safety first!)
- Thule-Yepp Maxi Child Seat
- Lectric Phone Mount
Things to Consider
This is yet another heavy foldable e-bike, so not too friendly for those wanting a bike to haul on and off public transportation. The other potential issue with the Lectric XP 3.0 is that you can’t remove the key when riding the bike. This means that you can’t really keep the key on your keychain, as your keys would be dangling as you ride — and by keeping the key separate, you risk losing it.
Best Lightweight Folding Electric Bike
Brompton Electric P Line Urban
45 mi
RANGE
15.5 mph
TOP SPEED
4 hrs
CHARGE TIME
35 lbs
WEIGHT
Front Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Incredibly light
- Folds in just 20 seconds
- Superlight 4-speed gearing system
Bottom Line
The Brompton Electric P Line is a lightweight and simple-to-operate foldable e-bike for urban commuting. Designed for convenience, its titanium Advance Rear Frame and premium weight-saving components combine for ultimate portability. The P Line is a great choice for students, office workers, or anyone looking to get from A to B with a minimum of fuss.
The innovative dual-locking seat post means you can steer the folded bike by the saddle, and the larger, lighter Advance Roller Wheels simply glide from street to building. The battery is easily removable and can be charged separately from the bike, just like your smartphone.
Accessories
For those of you looking to really invest in your Brompton experience, there are a host of fantastic accessories waiting for you:
- Lezyne LED Femto USB Drive Bike Light Set
- Brompton Quad Lock Phone Mount
- Brompton Toolkit
Things to Consider
At last we have a folding e-bike that’s light enough to reasonably carry on and off buses and trains during your commute, although portability comes at a cost. The Electric P Line will cost you a little more, but if portability is what you need, this is it.
Best Commuting Folding E-Bike
G4i
50 mi
RANGE
20 mph
TOP SPEED
3.5 hrs
CHARGE TIME
37.7 lbs
WEIGHT
Front Hub
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Clean and modern design
- Affordable low price
- Fabulous power to weight ratio
Bottom Line
Now in its fourth generation, the foldable G4i from Gocycle has some decent power tucked away in its lightweight and portable frame. Smooth and quiet, Gocycle’s proprietary new G4drive electric motor delivers impressive torque in class-leading and compact packaging.
An intuitive folding mechanism makes it possible to fold and stow the Gocycle G4 into a compact package in just ten seconds, making it ideal for the morning commute. Once folded, it can easily be rolled on its wheels, making it incredibly versatile and easy to transport and store.
Accessories
If you need to carry laptops, tablets, or textbooks with you on your daily commute, GoCycle has you covered with a terrific range of luggage solutions:
- GoCycle Travel Case
- GoCycle Front Pannier Bag
- GoCycle Pannier Rain Cover
Things to Consider
Slightly heavier than the P Line, but at 39 lbs, the G4 is still light for a folding e-bike. One potential issue is that the display only gives you a scant handful of metrics, so you’ll need to download the app and attach your phone to the handlebars to get reads like speed, pedal-assist level, and battery life.
Best Cargo Folding E-Bike
Tern HSD P9
60 mi
RANGE
20 mph
TOP SPEED
6 hrs
CHARGE TIME
57 lbs
WEIGHT
Mid-drive
MOTOR TYPE
Highlights
- Fantastic motor from Bosch
- 375 lbs load capacity
- Terrific range of color and customization options
Bottom Line
The HSD P9 features a Bosch® Active Line Plus motor with Purion display, which makes this e-bike punch well above its weight in terms of power, though does result in a little inconstancy when it comes to the battery life. A Custom Suntour suspension fork and the 9-speed Shimano Alivio Shadow RD derailleur allow for better handling on more difficult terrain.
For those of you wanting to take little ones on your ride, you’ll be delighted to learn that the HSD P9 fits one Thule® Yepp Maxi, Yepp Nexxt Maxi, or Bobike® GO Maxi child seat with no adapters required.
Accessories
If you do have kids, you’ll understand all too well the need for luggage solutions on your e-bike. Thankfully Tern has you covered with a host of options.
- Footrests, kickstands, and attachable passenger handle bars
- Front and rear bags, side panniers, cargo racks with straps
- Pet carriers and multiple passenger seating configurations
Things to Consider
This bike can get pretty pricey, especially once you factor in the additional accessories, but it’s worth it when you’ve gotten that ride dialed in just right. This bike can feel a bit sluggish at times when carrying a beefy payload. Nonetheless, it is meant for carrying heavy cargo rather than nipping around at high speeds.