Electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are rising in popularity, and for good reasons. They’re eco-friendly as they’re energy-efficient, and they encourage a healthy lifestyle. Most of them can be folded to save space, a useful feature for cyclists who commute to work every day. Not to mention that e-biking is a ridiculously cheap mode of transportation!
Sure, e-bikes are less expensive than cars or ATVs, but the best ones can still be too pricey for the average commuter. That’s why we made a list of the best folding e-bikes that you can buy for less than $500 out there!
SWAGTRON Swagcycle EB-5
This city e-bike is built to be tough and lightweight for a comfortable ride throughout the city streets.
Looking for an e-bike for commuting around the city that’s easy to take with you? The Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 may be just what you need.
It’s more expensive than the older Swagtron EB1 simply because it has better components and longer battery life. The EB-5’s upgrades make it a popular, affordable choice for both beginner and expert riders.
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
Motor and Battery
The 250W rear-mounted motor lets you traverse 30-degree inclines at a top speed of 15mph.
This e-bike uses a 36V 7.8Ah Lithium-ion battery, either external or built-in, depending on your preference. Both have similar performance, but the removable battery is a better choice for commuters who want to get extra mileage without a recharge.
With a maximum range of 15.5 miles on pedal assist, a fully-charged Swagcycle EB-5 can take you wherever you want to go with minimal effort.
The Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 is designed and built for city commutes.
Features:
- Aluminum alloy frame
- 14-inch tires
- Caliper brakes
- Optional cargo rack
The Swagcycle EB-5 weighs only 37 pounds, which is already lighter than most e-bikes in its price range. It can even fold to a third of its size for maximum portability! Being able to unfold this e-bike for a quick ride anywhere is guaranteed to boost your swag level.
Although this e-bike is best suited for city roads, its thick 14-inch tires can also withstand off-road punishment. These tires use quick-disconnect power lines to make them fully detachable for easier maintenance.
Best For: City commutes
This e-bike is already fully assembled right out of the box, so you can start pedaling right away! There is only one speed setting on this e-bike, but it’s light enough that you barely need pedal assistance to cruise around the city.
Overall, the Swagtron Swagcycle EB-5 is a worthy budget e-bike with respectable range and handling. Its components may be simpler than other e-bikes, but it still gets the job done!
Macwheel LNE-16 Folding Electric Bike
The Macwheel LNE-16 e-bike’s adjustable seat and foldable handlebars make it easier to store.
The Machweel LNE-16 folding e-bike has all the features you need in an electric bicycle if you’re strapped for cash. With a small but efficient motor and three riding modes, commuting is not only easy but also enjoyable.
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
Motor and Battery
This e-bike will give you a maximum speed of 15.5mph thanks to its 250W brushless motor. The removable 36V 7.5Ah Lithium-ion battery will let you travel up to 18.6 miles in full electric mode or 30 to 37 miles in pedal assist mode.
With the use of removable battery, the Machwheel e-bike can easily travel much greater distances.
Features
- Aluminum alloy frame
- 16-inch tires
- Dual disc brakes
The Machwheel’s aerodynamic design keeps you from rolling over the handlebars and makes it easy to go uphill. Given its size, riders taller than 5’2” but shorter than six feet will be able to ride this e-bike comfortably. Although the Machwheel LNE-16 only weighs 40 pounds, it can carry up to 264 pounds due to its sturdy aluminum alloy frame!
This e-bike’s 16-inch tires and adjustable seatpost help you to get the balance of comfort and stability while on the road. Dual disc brakes make stopping the e-bike much faster than traditional V-brakes.
Electric-assisted and full electric modes can be selected on the LCD with just a few taps. With five speed options available, you can set the perfect pace for a comfortable commute. If you don’t want to use the pedal assist, keep the e-bike in normal mode so you can move it the old-fashioned way.
You can easily change the speed of the motor using the LCD of the Machwheel e-bike.
Best For: City commutes
The Machweel e-bikes arrive 95% assembled. All you’d have to do is attach the pedals and seat, and you are ready to go! Customer service is impressive, and there is a one-year warranty included with every order.
Now you know that the Machwheel LNE-16 e-bike is cheap, lightweight, and reliable. For just $499, you are getting nothing short of a robust and affordable city e-bike when you buy this one.
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Hiboy P10 Folding Electric Bike
One of the best affordable e-bikes on the market with its elegant design and fast speeds.
There are no better words to describe the Hiboy P10 than “small but mighty.” It’s one of the lightest and smallest e-bikes under $500, but it can match up with other brands in terms of performance and endurance.
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
Motor and Battery
The 350W rear-mounted motor of the Hiboy P10 can give you sufficient throttle to reach a maximum speed of 15.5mph. You can even climb a 15 percent slope grade, which is impressive for such a small e-bike!
The Hiboy P10’s large-capacity 7.5 Ah battery can provide pedal assist for up to 18.6 miles on a single charge. Eco-friendly commuters will get a kick out of this e-bike due to its impressive fuel efficiency!
The Hiboy P10 is equipped with a powerful front LED light for a safe ride at night.
Features:
- 12-inch tires
- Large area lights
- Dual disc brakes
If there’s one thing that sets the Hiboy P10 apart from other budget e-bikes, it’s the powerful front and rear lights!
The front and rear lights of this e-bike illuminate a larger area, which is useful when you’re cruising at night. It’s important to be seen by other drivers when you’re riding a tiny vehicle!
Best For: City commutes, night rides, elevated terrain
The Hiboy P10 makes for an ideal city e-bike because it can weave through traffic and tight spaces with ease. Despite its small frame, you can adjust the seatpost to make yourself more comfortable during the ride.
It doesn’t have a suspension system, so try to avoid off-road travel if you can. Stick to the paved city roads because that’s where this e-bike shines the most, especially at night.
All in all, the Hiboy P10 is a worthy investment for commuters of all ages. As long as you keep this e-bike charged, you can count on it to carry your weight across the city!
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Murtisol Folding Electric Bicycle
Murtisol folding e-bike is equipped with a high-class motor that runs for a long distance.
Age usually doesn’t matter when it comes to riding electric bicycles, but most brands focus on making e-bikes for teens and adults!
If you want an e-bike that your grandparents can ride without hassle, then the Mirasol electric bicycle is worth a try.
MSRP: $499
Motor and Battery:
The Murtisol is a Class 1 e-bike, so its 250W motor has a maximum speed of 15.5mph. That’s fast enough to take you anywhere yet safe enough that any member of your family with functional legs can use it without supervision.
Try to find the Murtisol’s battery and notice that it’s nowhere to be seen. This e-bike’s 36V 6Ah Lithium-ion battery is located inside the frame, effectively making it waterproof!
That means you can ride during heavy rains without worrying about short-circuiting your e-bike! Furthermore, the battery is easily removable, so you can charge it indoors if you prefer.
The Murtisol folding e-bike is among the best folding e-bikes in the market.
Features:
- Aluminum alloy frame
- 14-inch tires
- Dual disc brakes
- Electric horn
This family-friendly e-bike only weighs 40 pounds and can be further folded to save space. The aluminum alloy frame gives it enough strength to carry a 220-pound person without breaking down.
Choose between three speed options to find your most comfortable cruising pace.
The Murtisol e-bike utilizes front and rear dual disc brakes so you can quickly stop whenever you need to. Additionally, this e-bike comes with an electric horn and light for those who love riding at night.
You can cycle between three assist modes: pure electric, power-assisted, and pure riding.
Pure riding mode lets you pedal up to 8.7mph for 37 miles and is recommended for middle-aged and elderly riders.
Activate pure electric mode if you want up to 15.5 miles of assisted cycling. On the other hand, power-assisted mode lets you travel up to 37 miles on a fully charged battery!
The Murtisol Folding e-bike is built for small commutes and city rides.
Best For: City commutes
The Murtisol e-bike is mostly pre-assembled when it arrives on your doorstep. All you’ll have to do is attach the seat and handlebars before you can start riding. Sounds easy, right?
In case your e-bike comes with defective or missing parts, give customer service a quick call. The battery can be replaced within a year of its purchase, free of charge.
According to customer reviews, the Murtisol e-bike gained popularity among middle-aged and elderly cyclists. This can be attributed to its simple assembly, low-maintenance battery, and user-friendly LCD.
For only $499, the Murtisol folding e-bike is definitely a buy.
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METAKOO Electric Bike M1
The METAKOO e-bike is equipped with front and tail lights to light the road when traveling underneath the dark night sky.
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
This Metakoo M1 is a cheap and compact electric bike that works best for shorter cyclists. It stands out from most Class 1 e-bikes in its price range because of its sturdy rear suspension system.
Motor and Battery:
The Metakoo M1 is powered by a 350W brushless motor mounted on the rear wheel. This motor can give you three levels of speed assistance and a top speed of 15mph. A built-in speed sensor prompts it to engage as soon as you begin pedaling for a much-needed speed boost!
A larger battery capacity means more time to use pedal assist. This e-bike has a removable 36V 7.8Ah Lithium-ion battery that can carry it up to 18.6 miles in pure electric mode or 37 miles in electric-assisted mode.
Features:
- Aluminum alloy frame
- 12-inch tires
- Rear suspension
- Dual disc brakes
- Front light and tail light
Even the smallest bumps on the road can give you a rough commuting experience. To counter that, Metakoo equipped their M1 e-bike with a rear suspension, an elastic damping seat, and a dual braking system.
Best For: City commutes, night rides, off-road
The Metakoo M1’s frame is smaller than most Class 1 e-bikes. You can fold it in just one step, making it one of the most convenient budget e-bikes to bring around urban settings!
The recommended rider height is between 4’ to 5’9”. If you’re six feet tall and above, you can adjust the seat and the handlebars for more comfort.
Most e-bikes are built for people with longer legs, so the Metakoo M1 offers a sigh of relief to cyclists who are not that blessed in terms of height. Although, tall people can also ride this e-bike just fine.
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Samebike YINYU14 Folding Electric Bike
The Samebike e-bike is built with aluminum alloy for a sturdy yet lightweight bike.
Do you live in a crowded area where it is too impractical to use a car, but you want to travel places conveniently? The Samebike YINYU14 folding e-bike may be just the solution to your commuting woes!
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
Motor and Battery:
Speed is nice, but reliability is more important for a city e-bike. The 250W brushless motor produces enough torque to climb a 25-degree slope at 15.5mph.
YINYU14’s 36V 7.5Ah Lithium-ion battery can fully charge in just four hours. This battery has enough capacity to generate pedal assist for 18.6 miles on pure electric mode or up to 31 miles on electric-assisted mode.
With the powerful motor, this Samebike YINYU14 folding e-bike is capable of going through elevated terrain.
Features:
- Aluminum alloy frame
- 14-inch tires
- LED front light
- Electric horn
- Dual disc brakes
The YINYU14 is so compact that it can fit in the smallest of spaces like car trunks, storage cabins, and overhead baggage racks! The 14-inch tires deliver an excellent level of traction when you pedal on either smooth or bumpy roads.
If you love cycling at night, you might as well use the YINYU14! Its powerful LED front light can illuminate anything up to two meters in front of you. The electric horn is useful for alerting other commuters or the occasional stray dog of your presence.
The aluminum alloy frame of this e-bike can withstand more than 220 pounds, and its other components are just as sturdy. They are not waterproof, but they are water-resistant enough that you won’t have to worry about breakage under heavy rains.
Best For: City commutes, night rides, elevated terrain
What are you waiting for? The Samebike YINYU14 is one of the cheapest options out there, so grab it while it’s still available!
ANCHEER AN-EB5 Plus Electric Commuter Bike
The ANCHEER AN-EB5 e-bike is built with a carbon steel alloy frame to last for a long time.
Ancheer is famous for producing low-cost but highly efficient electric bicycles, and the AN-EB5 Plus is one of them.
Known for its tough 14-inch tires and robust 500W motor, this e-bike can breeze through city streets and climb small hills without losing a screw.
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
Motor and Battery:
It’s not common to find an e-bike below $500 that uses a 500W high-speed brushless motor. This is where the AN-EB5 Plus gains an edge over other Class 1 e-bikes. You can reach top speed more efficiently using this motor, even if it’s limited to 20mph.
The 48V 7.8Ah Lithium-Ion battery is secured inside the frame for extra protection. Not only are they waterproof, but they’re also safe from overcharge and short-circuiting! A fully charged AN-EB5 Plus can use pedal assist for 18 to 20 miles.
This affordable ANCHEER AN-EB5 Plus e-bike is built durable with its carbon steel alloy frames.
Features:
- Carbon steel alloy frame
- Dual disc brakes
- 14-inch tires
- BMS smart battery management
The AN-EB5 Plus is one of the few Class 1 e-bikes in this price range that uses an IPX5 waterproof design. A large portion of its weight is due to its carbon steel frame, making it more durable and balanced during riding.
Despite being bulky, this e-bike folds in a single step and supports up to 265 pounds of weight without sacrificing speed!
The 14-inch tires have outstanding shock absorbency and traction. You can climb 20-degree slopes like a breeze with or without pedal assist.
Best For: City commutes, off-road
The recommended height for the rider of this e-bike is between 5’1″ to 5’10”. Don’t worry if you’re taller than that because the seat’s height can be adjusted to your preference.
Although this e-bike doesn’t arrive pre-assembled, the set-up instructions are easy to follow, even for new cyclists. Customer service is also exemplary. Ask them anything about this e-bike, and you’ll get the answer you’re looking for.
The Ancheer AN-EB5 Plus is one of the newer Class 1 e-bikes that cost less than $500, so it’s no surprise that it’s equipped with top-notch components.
ANCHEER AN-EB006 Folding E-bike
This stylish-looking ANCHEER AN-EB006 is a foldable e-bike that’s affordable and has decent speed.
The AN-EB006 is another high-performance e-bike from Ancheer that costs less than $500. This e-bike uses almost all of the components that the Ancheer AN-EB5 Plus has.
The two key differences are the 250W motor and the 16-inch tires. Bigger tires mean less bumpy rides, particularly on off-road terrain.
The Ancheer AN-EB006 is the ideal electric bike for cyclists who want to explore mountain trails without investing in Class 2 or 3 e-bikes.
MSRP: See at Amazon.com
Motor and Battery:
Climbing a slope is no small task, but the 250W brushless motor of this e-bike can do the job just fine. With a maximum speed of 15.5mph, the AN-EB006 provides sufficient power for a pleasant cruise across backcountry trails.
Pedal assist is always welcome for long off-road travel, so this e-bike is equipped with a lasting 36V 8Ah Lithium-ion battery. You can travel up to 30 miles on electric-assisted mode or 15 miles on pure electric mode. That’s good mileage for a leisurely ride away from the city!
The ANCHEER AN-EB006 folding bike is an affordable and powerful e-bike.
Features:
- Carbon steel alloy frame
- Collapsible aluminum alloy pedal
- 16-inch tires
- Dual disc brakes
The AN-EB006 doesn’t match up well with the hardcore mountain e-bikes above its class. However, it can still perform adequately off-road thanks to its reliable components.
The carbon steel alloy frame makes up most of this e-bike’s weight, but for a good reason. Traveling off-road requires a tough structure to support the components without sacrificing the comfort of the rider.
Even so, the AN-EB006 only weighs thirty-seven pounds, which is adequate for a folding hybrid e-bike.
Sixteen-inch tires cover the double-layer aluminum alloy wheels. There is enough shock absorption on the e-bike to protect it from bumps and cracks on mountain trails, so you would hardly feel the nuisance!
Choose from three speed options to keep your balance on the AN-EB006 as you pedal across uneven terrain while enjoying the view of nature.
Best For: Off-road, mountain, city commute
The Ancheer AN-EB006 is called a hybrid e-bike for a reason. You can either use it on a smooth city road or a rough mountain trail, and it would always perform magnificently!
If you consider the price, the quality of the components, and the excellent customer service of this e-bike, you will find that this is a good purchase.
