Best Electric Bikes Under $500
Electric bikes are becoming a very popular means of transportation, saving fuel, time, and money and offering possibilities that are not available using ordinary bikes.
Ebikes under $500 offer reasonable performances at acceptable prices, but with all the options and models, it can be somewhat difficult to find "the best" electric bike. Here is our list of the best electric bikes under $500; just be sure to choose according to your own needs and preferences.
Updated: November 29, 2023.
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Electric Bikes Intro
When looking for a new e-bike, there are many details to look for, but there are a few of the most important ones, including:
Battery: electric bikes are powered via rechargeable lithium batteries, offering great range, fade-free power, acceptable weight, fast recharging, and similar.
When advertising their batteries, many brands focus on the battery voltage, but the more important feature is the total energy stored in the battery (voltage x capacity).
Larger voltages (24V, 36V, 48V, etc.) increase energy efficiency due to the lower currents required for the same output power, but when checking the batteries, be sure to check the volts, capacity, and, in the end, total energy stored.
When replacing the battery, also be sure to check the maximum allowed current of the new battery pack - some battery packs are able to store large(r) amounts of energy, but they are unable to provide the required levels of power required by some stronger e-bike models.
Some batteries also come with 1 or more USB charging ports, allowing the user to recharge the USB device directly from the e-bike's battery.
Battery Charging Time differs among the models, but it is generally between 3 and 5 hours. Some models use swappable batteries (a second battery often must be purchased separately), allowing the user to ride the bike using one battery while another battery is being charged.
Bike's Weight: lighter bikes are easier to carry around (and they must be carried from time to time), so be sure to check the weight of the bike - it is not the same to carry around 35 or 70 (or even more) pounds.
User's Weight: the maximum supported user weight varies and sometimes goes up to 300 pounds (~136 kg). However, it is not the same if the bike is being used on flat terrain or on hilly terrain.
Thus, some manufacturers state the expected range depending on the user weight, maximum slope depending on the user weight, and similar.
Motor: electric bikes under $500 usually come with motors in the 250 and 400 watts range. Such motors are strong enough for most situations on flat terrain, even when being used in Full Electric Mode.
Riding Modes: there are three basic riding modes of e-bikes, including Full Electric Mode, Pedal Assist Mode, and Pedal-only (Normal Bike) Mode.
In most situations, the Pedal Assist Mode is the preferred mode, allowing the user to travel long distances with minimum effort.
Single Battery Charge Range: the range of the e-bikes depends on the bike load, battery capacity, terrain type, bike speed, etc., and in ideal situations, it ranges from 10 to 40 miles in Full Electric Mode.
Maximum Speed is usually given for Full Electric Mode on flat terrain, and for most electric bikes in this class, it is ~15 mph (~24 km/h).
Frame Material: bikes can be made from metal (aluminum, steel) or from composite materials. The type of material dictates the bike's strength, robustness, and durability, but also its price and weight.
Folding Frame: some bikes feature folding frames, greatly helping with storage - such bikes can easily fit into car trunks, can even be carried in a subway or on the bus, and similar. However, having additional joints may somewhat weaken the bike's structure and ability to support heavier users.
Wheels: most electric bikes under $500 come with wheels in the 10 - 16 inches (25.4 - 40.6 cm) range.
Larger wheels ensure a smoother and safer ride, especially over bumpy terrain, but e-bikes with smaller wheels are more compact, especially when combined with a folding frame.
Brakes: disc brakes on both wheels are essential for safety. There are still some models, even good ones (to say the least), with caliper-style brakes, which, when set properly, do their job well.
App Support: some electric bikes feature WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity and support the use of smartphone apps for monitoring the bike's status, locking the bike, and similar. Such a feature is not absolutely required but can come in handy in many situations.
When looking for "the best" electric bike, there are other little details, but these details are often rather individual, for example, the color of the bike and similar.
Best Ebikes Under $500
With so many models on the market, it may be hard to pick the few best models. Here is our list of some of the best electric bikes under $500 with their features and specifications.
Note: their price was under $500 at the moment of writing this article. Other features and specifications may also change without prior notice. So, do your own due diligence and check the actual features, offers, and, of course, the prices.
Sailnovo Y1-14 14" Electric Bike
Sailnovo Y1-14 14" Electric Bike features 14 inches (35.6 cm) wheels combined with a dual brake system.
Unit is made of aluminum, but it is not the lightest electric bike on the market - it weighs 55 pounds (~25 kg) for several reasons.
Sailnovo Y1-14 14" e-bike comes with a relatively strong 350 watts motor, powered by a large 36V 10.5Ah battery, allowing the bike to reach a maximum speed of 18.6 mph (~30 km/h), with a range of 25-28 miles (~40-45 km/h) and being able to climb slopes up to 15° in full-electric ride mode.
Recommended rider height is from 4'10" to 5'10" (~147 - 178 cm), with the maximum supported weight of 265 pounds (120 kg).
Another very interesting feature is a shock absorber that in combination with air-filled tires, smooths out ride very well.
LCD display shows all relevant information to the user, especially the battery condition/remaining charge.
Sailnovo Y1-14 14" Electric Bike supports all three riding modes - full-electric mode, pedal-assist mode, and pedal-only mode.
This unit tends to be a little bit pricier than the other units on this list, but it has a strong motor, large battery, shock absorber, etc...
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Sailnovo 14" Electric Bike Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
ANCHEER AT1 Blue Sunshine Electric Mountain Bike
ANCHEER AT1 Blue Sunshine Electric Mountain Bike is a lightweight, 21-speed, aluminum frame, electric mountain bike with 26-inch (66 cm) wheels suitable for both flat streets and rough terrain.
ANCHEER AT1 Sunshine is offered in several versions differing in color, including Blue Sunshine, Orange Sunshine, and Red Sunshine.
ANCHEER AT1 Sunshine is powered by a 36V 10.4Ah lithium battery and 350W brushless rear hub electric motor, ensuring maximum speed of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) and range in Full Electric Mode up to 22 miles (~38 km) and in Pedal Assist Mode up to 40 miles (~65 km).
Pedal Assist Mode features 4 assist levels, allowing the user to adjust the bike to the user's needs and preferences and not vice versa.
A fully discharged battery requires 5-6 hours to charge completely.
ANCHEER AT1 Sunshine weighs ~44 pounds, which is not much for an ebike that features a 300-pound (~136 kg) load capacity.
Thanks to its large wheels and front suspension, the ride is rather smooth.
ANCHEER AT1 Sunshine supports users from 5'1" to 6'2" (~155 - 188 cm).
Since the frame is made of durable aluminum alloy, combined with the Shimano 21-speed system, ANCHEER AT1 Sunshine is quick and agile ebike, even when used in Pedal-Only mode.
If You are looking for an all-around ebike in this price class, consider ANCHEER AT1 Sunshine.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the ANCHEER AT1 Blue Sunshine Electric Mountain Bike Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark Electric Bike
ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark Electric Bike is a strong and robust electric mountain bike, suitable for both leisure rides and off-road adventures.
ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark is powered by a 350-watt rear hub electric motor with energy stored in a 48V 10.4Ah removable lithium battery.
The battery can be recharged on or off the bike, giving the user great flexibility in use.
ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark is intended for users 5'1" to 6'4" (~155 - 193 cm) tall. The bike itself weighs 53 pounds (24 kg) with a load capacity of 330 pounds (~150 kg).
The bike's frame is made of aluminum alloy, keeping the weight low and providing extra strength.
Wheels are large (27.5 x 1.95) and, in combination with a front suspension, ensure a smooth ride, even over moderately rough terrain.
Maximum speed is 20 mph with a maximum range of up to 29 miles (~48 km) in Full Electric Mode and up to 50 miles (80 km) in Pedal Assist Mode - ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark features 5 levels of pedal-assistance, combined with 24-speed gears system.
ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark features an advanced backlit display, providing all essential information to the user, including Speed Display, Motor Power Ratio Display, Battery Level Display, Error Indication, Total Mileage, Single Mileage, Cruise Control, Single Running Time, etc.
Both wheels feature very efficient disc brakes.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the ANCHEER AT2 Blue Spark Electric Bike Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
VIVI Electric Folding Bike for Adults
VIVI Electric Folding Bike is a very popular and rather affordable electric bike that can double as a city bike and mountain bike.
Unit is powered by 350W electric rear hub motor and removable lithium 36V 8Ah battery, combined with Shimano 21-speed gear system.
The battery can be recharged in 4-6 hours.
The frame is made using a combination of aluminum and steel, ensuring a lightweight but durable folding frame.
VIVI Electric Folding Bike features a front and rear suspension system combined with 26" (66 cm) wheels, ensuring a comfortable ride on both city roads and streets and off-road terrain.
VIVI Electric Folding Bike supports three riding modes including Full Electric Mode (maximum range 22-25 miles), Pedal Assist Mode (maximum range 44-50 miles), and Pedal-Only Mode.
The maximum speed in the Full Electric Mode is ~15.6 mph (25 km/h).
The bike weighs 64 pounds (~29 kg) with a maximum load capacity of 330 pounds (~150 kg).
Both wheels also feature disc brakes, ensuring controlled stopping when needed.
For more reviews and recommendations, feel free to check the VIVI Electric Bike for Adults Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 Pro+ Lightweight & Aluminum Folding Ebike
Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 Pro+ is a fully foldable e-bike with an aluminum frame and a weight of only 37 pounds (16.8 kg).
It is powered by a 250-watt motor and a replaceable lithium battery, which recharges easily in 4-6 hours.
Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 Pro+ comes with 14 inches (35.6 cm) wheels and air-filled tires.
The e-bike supports all three riding modes - full-electric bike, pedal-assist mode, and pedal-only mode.
Maximum speed in full-electric mode is 15.5 mph (25 km/h), with a range of 15-16 miles (24-26 km), depending on the user's weight and terrain.
The maximum supported user weight is 265 pounds (120 kg), which sounds great, but in real life, like all similar e-bike models, the recommended maximum user weight is <200 pounds.
Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 Pro+ is recommended for 4'10" to 5'10" (~147 - 178 cm) tall users.
The unit comes with a pair of caliper brakes, but they do their job well.
Note: Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 Pro+ differs from Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 in a few important details, including an integrated handle (comes with EB-5 Pro+), replaceable battery (EB-5 does NOT have a replaceable battery), and magnetic closure when folded (comes with EB-5 Pro+).
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 Pro+ Lightweight & Aluminum Folding Ebike Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Few Final Words
Whenever riding your bike, electric or not, safety comes first - respect others in traffic and wear the required safety gear, which may differ from state to state and from country to country.
Electric bikes are environment-friendly means of transportation, but just like with everything in life, they have a certain lifetime - when the bike is "dead," recycle it properly, especially the battery.
Again, when picking up "the best" electric bike or scooter, choose according to your own needs and requirements.
