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Electric bikes have brought cycling within reach of many people who otherwise might not be encouraged to ride.
But isn’t the price prohibitive? Not necessarily.
Our article will help you find the best folding electric bike under 1000 USD. We’ll show you a range of options with our reviews, including the Speedrid Folding 20” Fat Tire 500W E-Bike. This bike has a herculean motor that will haul big riders up hills!
Folding electric bikes offer the same conveniences as regular folding bikes. They’re great for bike commutes and vacations. Why not see what $1000 can buy you?
Top Picks:
- Speedrid Folding 20” Fat Tire 500W E-Bike (Best Overall)
- Ancheer 20” Folding Commuter 250W E-Bike (Runner-Up)
- Swagtron EB5 Pro Plus 14” Folding City & Campus 250W E-Bike (Best Value)
- VIVI 26LGB 26” 350W E-Bike (Best For Long Commutes)
- Fiido D3 Pro 14” Mini Folding E-Bike (Best Budget)
Top 11 Best Folding E-Bikes Under $1000
Below you’ll discover a range of e-bikes, all priced under $1000.
1. Speedrid Folding 20” Fat Tire 500W E-Bike (best overall)
- Wheel Size: 20”
- Groupset(s): Shimano Tourney (6 speed)
- Weight: 59 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
The Speedrid Folding 20” Fat Tire 500W E-Bike wins our “best budget overall” prize because it’s a tremendously fun bike that’s comfortable to ride! It can accommodate big riders, too, regardless of the terrain.
Thanks to its powerful 500W brushless motor, this electric bike makes short work of most hills, so that’s a big point in its favor. It has a range of 22 to 40 miles, so you can easily use it for a typical city commute or local days out.
The Speedrid folding bike offers a range of convenient modes. There are 5 pedal assist levels, a “normal bike” mode, a walk mode, and a full-throttle e-bike mode.
Your comfort is assured on this e-bike, owing to its wide 4” tires and front fork suspension. Other handy features include a rack, fenders, kickstand, lights and a horn. The only real downside is the weight that comes with all this enjoyable paraphernalia.
What We Like
- Motor – strong 500W motor for varied terrain.
- Modes – lots of modes and 5 pedal-assist levels.
- Extras – many useful features.
What We Don’t Like
- Weight – a heavy bike.
Read more: The best folding bikes list
2. Ancheer 20” Folding Commuter 250W E-Bike (runner-up)
- Wheel Size: 20”
- Groupset(s): Shimano (7 speed)
- Weight: 46 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
For its relative compactness and eminent suitability for commuting, the Ancheer 20” Folding Commuter 250W E-Bike gets our runner-up place. This is a sturdy bike with a big weight capacity that will comfortably carry a large rider + luggage to work.
Aside from its manual regular bike mode, you can also ride the Ancheer in e-bike (full-throttle) mode or three levels of pedal assist (PAS) mode. In PAS mode it will assist your pedaling up to a speed of 15 mph.
The Ancheer electric bike has 7-speed Shimano gears and a Shimano shifter, giving you plenty of options over varied terrain. A front suspension fork helps to soak up any vibration from the road.
If there’s any downside to this bike, perhaps it lies in its moderately high weight. It’s not the first bike you’d choose to carry onto a train.
What We Like
- Strong – big weight capacity.
- Equipped – most essential accessories supplied.
- Suspension – front suspension fork for smooth ride quality.
What We Don’t Like
- Weight – on the heavy side for a commuter bike.
3. Swagtron EB5 Pro Plus 14” Folding City & Campus 250W E-Bike (best value)
- Wheel Size: 14”
- Groupset(s): Single speed
- Weight: 37 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
For its compact folded size and unusually low weight, we vote for the Swagtron EB5 Pro Plus 14” Folding City & Campus 250W E-Bike in our best-value category. This is a stylish, minimalistic bike that’s ideal for urban riding
Since it only has one gear, this Swagtron bike is best for use on flat terrain. But the efficient 250W motor will get you over hills. The single gear and other weight-saving specs like V-brakes (instead of disc) help this bike to shed weight.
The lack of fenders or a rack on the Swagtron EB5 also helps keep the poundage down, even if these omissions might sometimes be missed.
You won’t find many lighter folding e-bikes, so this is a good choice for carrying onto trains during intermodal commutes. College students can ride it on campus. The bike has a full-throttle mode up to 15.5 mph as well as pedal-assist (PAS).
Read more: Full review of the Swagtron EB5 Pro Plus
What We Like
- Lightweight – trimmed spec keeps the bike light.
- Compact – small folded size (26 x 23.6 x 15.6”)
- Modes – full throttle or PAS electric modes.
What We Don’t Like
- Minimalistic – no fenders or rack, which could be a downside.
4. VIVI 26LGB 26” 350W E-Bike (best for long commutes)
- Wheel Size: 26”
- Groupset(s): Shimano Tourney (3 x 7 speed)
- Weight: 64 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
If you’re taking on a longer commute, bigger wheels, more gears and longer range are all helpful. That’s why we’ve picked the VIVI 26LGB 26” 350W E-Bike for this category. This E-MTB is a folding mountain bike with front and rear suspension.
Although this bike is heavy, it does have 21 gears and a 350W brushless geared motor by way of compensation. Powered by a 36V/8Ah lithium battery, it has a range of up to 50 miles maximum on the lowest pedal assist mode.
The VIVI 26LGB has 3 pedal-assist levels, 3 e-bike levels (throttle) and a normal bike mode where you do all the work. Other handy features include a front light, rear reflector, disc brakes, and a kickstand. This bike comes with 26” x 1.95” tires.
What We Like
- Gears – wide range of 21 Shimano gears.
- Range – 50-mile max range (dependent on various factors)
- Smooth – bigger wheels & dual suspension for a smooth ride.
What We Don’t Like
- Weight – a heavyweight.
5. Fiido D3 Pro 14” Mini Folding E-Bike (best budget)
- Wheel Size: 14”
- Groupset(s): single speed
- Weight: 38.5 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 265 lbs.
The Fiido D3 Pro 14” Mini Folding E-Bike is a stylish budget foldable bike with impressive construction quality, a 250W brushless, gearless motor and an easy-to-fold design. It has only one gear, but that and its aluminum frame make it more lightweight.
There are some nice inclusions at this price point, including front and rear mechanical disc brakes, fenders, a front light, kickstand and 14 x 2.125” Cheng Shin tires.
You can squeeze up to 37 miles of range from the Fiido D3 Pro in the lowest of its 3 pedal assist levels. There are also electric (throttle) and manual pedaling modes. The bike delivers pedal assistance up to a speed of 15.5 mph.
This is a great choice of bike for commutes, though you should be extra careful to avoid potholes or obstacles with the small 14” wheels. These can make obstacles seem harsh.
What We Like
- Lightweight – only 38.5 lbs.
- Construction – good build quality.
- Folding – folds up easily.
What We Don’t Like
- Wheels – small 14” wheels accentuate the feel of obstacles.
6. Ancheer AM4143 26” Folding E-MTB
- Wheel Size: 26”
- Groupset(s): Shimano (3 x 7 speed)
- Weight: 60 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
A full-suspension electric mountain bike at an appealing price is the Ancheer AM4143 26” Folding E-MTB. This bike has a 250W brushless geared motor and 21 Shimano gears. Stopping power comes from front and rear mechanical disc brakes.
This bike has an e-bike (throttle) mode and 3 levels of pedal assist mode up to a maximum 15.5 mph assisted speed. Its maximum assisted range is 31 miles, which is more than enough for the average return commute.
The battery on this bike is housed in a bag at the front, which is a downside in terms of looks, but it’s not uncommon at the budget end of the e-bike market. The battery powers the front LED light below. The bike’s also equipped with a horn.
What We Like
- Sturdy – robust frame carries riders up to 330 lbs.
- Extras – accessories include front lamp and fenders.
- Comfort – dual suspension dampens bumps on the trail.
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy – weighs 60 lbs.
7. Ecotric Starfish UL-Certified 20” Folding E-Bike
- Wheel Size: 20”
- Groupset(s): Shimano (7 speed)
- Weight: 50.7 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 200 lbs.
If you’re worried about the safety aspect of using a budget foldable e-bike, the Ecotric Starfish UL-Certified 20” Folding E-Bike should allay your fears. This well-made and stylish bike comes with stringently rated UL Certification for electrical safety.
The bike is fitted with a brushless 350W geared motor, which helps keep the weight down versus a direct-drive motor. This type of motor also preserves battery life.
There are two electric modes in this Class 2 electric bike: pure electric (throttle) and pedal assist. The Ecotric Starfish offers up to 36 miles of range in pedal-assist mode and 20 miles in pure electric mode. Maximum speed is 15-18 mph.
One downside of the bike is its relatively low 200 lbs capacity, but this might be a sign of the manufacturer’s integrity.
The bike has powerful V-brakes for stopping. Other features include front and rear reflectors, fenders, a rear rack and a kickstand.
What We Like
- UL-Certified – top certification for electrical safety.
- Brakes – strong V-brakes.
- Extras – fenders and a rack included.
What We Don’t Like
- Capacity – relatively low load capacity.
8. Kkbike K16 16” 350W Folding E-Bike
- Wheel Size: 16”
- Groupset(s): Shimano (7 speed)
- Weight: 37.5 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 280 lbs.
A bike that is exceptionally lightweight given its 7-speed gears and disc brakes is the Kkbike K16 16” 350W Folding E-Bike. Helped by an aluminum alloy frame, it weighs only 37.5 lbs, which makes it a useful bike for intermodal commuting.
The main downside of this bike is its “smallness”. It’s recommended for people between 4.7-5.8” ft in height. You can probably be an inch or two taller than this with its 35” max saddle height, but this bike will suit more women than men.
With its powerful 350W motor and 36V 8Ah removable battery, the K16 gives you up to 30 miles of range in electric mode (throttle) and 45 miles in the lowest of 5 pedal-assist modes. It has a maximum speed of 19 mph.
The Kkbike is well kitted out with fenders, a rack, a front lamp, a horn and a kickstand.
What We Like
- Lightweight – very lightweight for its spec.
- Range – good range of up to 45 miles.
- Modes – 5 pedal-assist levels + throttle.
What We Don’t Like
- Height – unsuitable for tall persons.
9. Ecotric UL-Certified 20” Fat Tire 500W Folding E-Bike
- Wheel Size: 20”
- Groupset(s): Shimano (7 speed)
- Weight: 56 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 200 lbs.
One exceptional thing about the Ecotric UL-Certified 20” Fat Tire 500W Folding E-Bike is its 500W brushless geared motor. This is both powerful and efficient and helps make the bike quieter, lighter and smoother than a bike with a direct-drive gearless motor.
Again, this Ecotric bike comes with UL certification for its electrical safety. E-bikes aren’t typically dangerous in their electrics, but this certification is a sign of the manufacturer’s rigor. A relatively low 200 lbs weight capacity suggests honesty, too.
This bike is great fun to ride with its 20” x 4” wide fat tires and its potent motor. It irons out irregularities in different riding surfaces and boasts a 21-23 mph maximum speed. You can take it off-road without any problem.
The Ecotric fat bike has a range of up to 36 miles in pedal-assist mode and 20 miles in the pedal-free pure electric mode (throttle).
What We Like
- Motor – 500W geared motor for efficiency.
- Speed –max speed of 21-23 mph.
- Fat – fat tires let you ride on snow, sand and gravel.
What We Don’t Like
- Capacity – modest 200 lbs weight capacity.
10. Stark City 26” Customizable 250W Folding Hardtail E-MTB
- Wheel Size: 26”
- Groupset(s): Shimano Altus (3 x 7 speed)
- Weight: 46.2 lbs with battery.
- Weight Capacity: 330 lbs.
The Stark City 26” Customizable 250W Folding E-MTB is unusual among e-bikes in that it comes with a raft of upgrade options at the point of purchase. None of these are essential, and upgrading the motor pushes the price above $1000.
There are 21 Shimano Altus gears, courtesy of three front chainrings and seven sprockets at the rear. This makes the bike versatile over any terrain.
The Stark City E-MTB is a hardtail with a front suspension fork, though you can add rear shocks as one of the upgrade options. There are three levels of pedal assist included as standard and an optional throttle mode.
Other standard features include front and rear disc brakes, a horn, an LED headlight, quick-release 26” wheels and integrated USB charging. There aren’t many downsides, except a bike with big wheels doesn’t magically become small when folded.
What We Like
- Customize – many upgrade options available.
- Value – good value even in its bare form.
- Off-road – hardtail spec useful for light off-road riding.
What We Don’t Like
- Size – Foldable MTBs are never small.
11. Jasion EB7 20” Folding Fat Tire 500W E-Bike
- Wheel Size: 20”
- Groupset(s): Shimano (7 speed)
- Weight: 59.5 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 300 lbs.
A comfortable dual-suspension bike with 3” fat tires and a powerful 500W motor is a recipe for fun. That’s what the Jasion EB7 20” Folding Fat Tire 500W E-Bike gives you. It also has a 48V battery, which enables its 26 mph maximum speed.
The EB7 has 5 pedal assist levels, a no-assist mode (manual), and a half-twist throttle for pedal-free riding. There’s also a booster mode to make the somewhat heavy bike easy to push in case you need that (e.g., in pedestrian areas).
The ability to ride smoothly and efficiently on a variety of surfaces is a big plus point with this bike. It also has Shimano 7-speed derailleur gears to help you pedal comfortably on different terrains.
A color LCD is another standout feature, and this has a USB charging port so you can recharge your phone on the go. Other handy features include disc brakes for reliable all-weather stopping, and integrated front and rear lights.
What We Like
- Fun – powerful, fast, versatile.
- LCD – color display with USB charging.
- Lights – front & rear lights.
What We Don’t Like
- Weight – heavy.
A notable mention is the Jetson Bolt Pro, which can be partially folded (the handlebars can, the frame cannot).
Features That Folding E-bikes Under $1000 Should Have
There are certain features you can expect from e-bikes costing under $1000.
Wheel Sizes
Wheel size dictates how compact the bike is when folded, so it’s quite important in any folding bike. You don’t forfeit anything much at the sub $1000 price point, as there are models available with 26”, 24”, 20”, 16” and even 14” wheels.
By far the most common wheel size across all folding bikes is the 20” wheel. This is seen as a well-balanced compromise. Brompton bikes, which don’t often dip below $1000, famously stick to a 16” wheel.
Smaller wheels make the bike’s handling more squirrely and take some getting used to. Because of their steeper “angle of attack”, smaller wheels also give you a sharper jolt than bigger ones when you hit obstacles. Potholes are to be avoided.
Brakes
Brakes on sub $1000 e-bikes are usually mechanical disc brakes or V-brakes, which are a form of rim brake with a lot of stopping power (often found on MTBs). Both types are adequate.
Disc brakes are frequently marketed for their wet-weather reliability.
Gears
Gears on cheaper folding bikes are almost always Shimano derailleur gears with a 6-speed or 7-speed freewheel or cassette. Normally, there will only be one front chainring, but a triple chainring is also possible for a choice of 21 gears.
More expensive folding bikes sometimes have internal hub gears, which are less prone to wear and tear and are lower maintenance. You’re unlikely to find these at the budget end of the market, not least because the motor is usually mounted on the rear hub.
Motors (Size & Type)
At under $1000, most motors on folding e-bikes will be 250W or 350W geared motors. These are quite efficient for hill climbing (esp. 350W) and are lighter than less common gearless motors. Lightness is important in a folding bike.
The greater efficiency of a geared motor helps it to extract more battery life from your e-bike. It’ll also be quieter. A downside of geared motors is less durability than direct-drive or “gearless” motors, which have fewer moving parts.
Video: Geared vs Gearless (or Direct Drive) Motors
If you can find a 500W geared motor on a sub $1000 folding e-bike, you’ll have done well. There are one or two among our reviews. Of course, you must weigh up other specifications too.
E-bike motors are almost always “brushless” motors, which means less wear and tear, low maintenance and a long lifespan. Mechanical friction and electrical erosion cause brushes in brushed DC motors to deteriorate.
E-Bike Batteries
Not all e-bike batteries are created equal. For a start, their voltage varies and can be 24V, 36V, 48V or 52V. The higher the voltage, the more efficient and powerful the battery is.
E-bike batteries with a higher voltage will be faster and better at climbing. If you’re a heavy rider or you’re riding a heavy bike (or both), a higher voltage is better over hilly terrain. It’ll be a few mph faster on flat routes, local speed limits permitting.
The voltage and the amp hours (Ah) dictate the range of an e-bike because voltage multiplied by amp hours gives you the watt-hours (Wh). The latter tells you roughly what the range will be.
For example, 360Wh of battery capacity (36V x 10Ah) will nominally drive a 350W motor for around one hour on full throttle. Many variables make this an inexact science, so it’s only useful as a guideline.
Watt-hours are likely to be lower on cheaper bikes, so this is a specification you can look at or calculate on sub $1000 bikes for comparison. A 36V 10Ah battery is typical.
Weight
Weight is an important consideration on a folding e-bike, especially if you’re using it for intermodal commuting and need to lift it on and off trains or carry it up steps.
For comparison, a high-end Brompton e-bike weighs 32 lbs. You’re unlikely to find this under $1000, but you can get below 40 lbs. To achieve this, you might need to forego having multiple derailleur gears or disc brakes, both of which make a bike heavier.
Frame material also contributes to bike weight, with aluminum alloy being lighter than the high-tensile steel often used in cheaper bikes.
Many lightweight folding bikes also forfeit features like fenders and a rack. Thus, if you need a lightweight folding e-bike, you should also think about what you don’t need. Wheel size is another key factor.
Other Features
Other features you can expect to find on folding e-bikes below $1000 include fenders, a rear rack, a kickstand and a front light. Rear lights are far less common than front, though rear reflectors are a typical cheap alternative.
You’ll always have an LCD of some type on the handlebar. Less common is the USB charger that might be integrated. That’s a nice bonus!
Folding Electric Bike FAQs
What are some of the more frequently asked questions about sub $1000 folding e-bikes? We’ll answer a few now.
What Can You Expect From An Under $1000 Folding Electric Bike?
You can expect quite a lot at this price point, even if the brands are not household names. There are many 250W or 350W models to choose from that are fun to ride and have a similar range to more expensive e-bikes
Are Folding E-Bikes Good For Long Rides?
You can ride folding e-bikes for several hours if you keep the settings on minimum pedal assist levels. You can even ride them as normal bikes, though that becomes a bad idea over hilly terrain. Distance is much more limited in throttle mode.
Read more: Best foldable bikes for touring
Can I Ride A Folding E-bike In The Rain?
Yes, you can ride an e-bike in the rain. The bike will have an IP rating that denotes how well the electrics are sealed against ingress of water. This figure (the second in an IP rating) is always high enough to signify rain resistance.
Wrapping Up
We’ll now briefly revisit our best folding e-bike reviews, starting with the Speedrid Folding 20” Fat Tire 500W E-Bike. This is a fun bike to ride that can tackle hilly or difficult terrain with its powerful 500W motor and wide tires.
A great bike for commuting with luggage, even for big riders, is the Ancheer 20” Folding Commuter 250W E-Bike. This one has a 330 lbs load capacity and notably has a front suspension fork for a smooth ride.
The lightest bike on our list at 37 lbs is the Swagtron EB5 Pro Plus 14” Folding City & Campus 250W E-Bike. This bike keeps its weight down with a minimalistic spec, but the result is an eminently portable bike that’s great for commutes or campuses.
Whether you find your ideal folding e-bike from our reviews or source it on your own, we trust you’ll enjoy the new freedoms it will bring. More than anything, have fun and enjoy every ride!
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