7 Best Electric Bikes Under $1500 – Expert Picks (for 2024)

Electric bikes are great for exploring outdoor and commuting. However, they tend to be expensive compared to ordinary bikes, making them out of reach. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t find a robust, durable, and stylish electric bike without breaking the bank.

In this article, we have handpicked the best electric bikes in the market for under $1500, which will help you get around town when the traffic is high or just want to have a good time on the mountain and hiking trails.

If your budget is a little over 1,500 bucks, check out our eBikes Under $2000 post for more powerful and feature-packed bikes

Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Bike

Motor Power

The power of an electric bike is mostly dependent on the motor it houses. The higher the wattage, the powerful the bike is. Also, high-power motors come at a hefty price tag. For a price of about $1500, a motor power of 500W is decent. If you get 750W, its a deal!

We have an informational post on how much power an electric bike needs, check it out.

Range

Range refers to the distance an electric bike can go on a single battery charge. This is arguably an essential feature you should pay attention to when buying an electric bike. If you only plan on using your e-bike for short rides, you won’t need as much range as someone who wants to use their e-bike for commuting or touring. The average ebike has a range of 20-40 miles, but some models can go much further.

The range also depends on riding mode. Pedal assist yields you more range than throttle mode.

Speed

Another critical thing to consider when buying an electric bike is how fast it can go in electric mode. The rate of the electric bike depends on motor capacity. Most bikes can reach up to 20mph or 32km/h, which is within the legal speed limit in most countries.

Suspension

A good bike should have a good suspension. Suspension helps you navigate rough and rocky terrain without damaging your bike and injuring your body. An excellent electric bike should be fitted with quality suspension from reputable brands that absorb the shock efficiently.

Features

Regarding features, you’ll want to consider what’s important to you. Some e-bikes come with built-in lights and racks, while others don’t. You may also want to look for an e-bike that has a display panel so you can see your speed and remaining battery life.

Our top picks of eBikes costing under $1500

No matter your budget or riding style, there’s an e-bike out there that’s perfect for you. Use this guide to help you choose the best e-bike for your needs. If you have personally used any of these bikes and want to give your review, please do so in the comment section below.

1. Ride1Up 700 Series Customizable e-Bike

The 700 series from Ride1Up is the best eBike under $1500 for those who are looking for a feature-packed, lightweight biker with an aesthetic design. It is made of an alloy frame that has internally-protected and locked electronics.

The bike is well-built to ensure your safety and comfort. It is fitted with a Mozo hydraulic fork lockout and 100mm suspension.

The comfort of your hands can go a long way in determining the extent to which you can ride your bike and how much you will enjoy it. Ride1Up bike comes with Velo faux-leather grips that let your hands have a comfortable, yet firm grip on your handles.

Ride1Up comes with a powerful geared motor of 800W at peak and 500W when sustained. This motor has a 56nm torque which gives you the extra power to ride uphill like a pro cyclist. This bike is fitted with a high-quality removable integrated battery, with two keys opening system.

With the quality motor and battery, the Ride1Up 700 Series e-bike can attain a speed of 28mph with pedal assist and 20mph on the throttle. It can go for a range of 30-50 miles depending on rider weight, terrain, incline, and level of assist.

The bike has an LCD TFT display with a 2.2″ screen that allows you to view advanced metrics and data. Unlike other bikes that come with a feeble kickstand that can’t support the bike, this particular type is equipped with a heavy-duty kickstand to support the bike’s extra weight.

And while this bike has a clean, no-frills design, you can get an even cleaner design with the closest contender to this bike: the Core-5 from the same company.

Core 5 is more of an entry-level e-bike that offers you just what you need to get up and going without all the bells and whistles. 750W to the motor, a 48V/12.8Ah battery, and a display that will tell you the basics.

Features

• Motor power: 750W (geared hub motor)
• Range: 30-50 mi.
• Speed: 28 mph on pedal assist, 20 mph throttle only (class 3 e-bike)
• Weight: Roughly 62 lbs
• Payload: 300 lbs
• Rider’s height: 5’5″ – 6’4″

2. RadRunner 2 Electric Utility Bike

The RadRunner 2 is a great all-around utility bike. It has a powerful motor (750W) that will get you up to speed quickly, and it has a range of 45 miles on a single charge.

And don’t even worry about riding or standing over the frame comfortably. With a step-thru design, it’s easy to get on and off the bike. But if the step-thru frame is not your thing, they also have a RadCity 4 Electric Commuter Bike with a more traditional diamond frame.

Rad Power Bikes doesn’t leave it at that, though. They offer hundreds of accessories created for the RadRunner 2 to make it even more versatile.

Remember the powerful motor we mentioned earlier? That will haul a payload of 300lbs with no issue. So if you need to carry some extra gear with you, this bike can handle it.

This affordable electric bike also comes standard with a rear cargo rack, an integrated brake light, and a front LED headlight.

And when it comes time to stop, the RadRunner 2 is equipped with front and rear disc brakes – you know how reliable these are. That means that you have all-weather stopping power at your fingertips, whenever you need it. No matter what you need an e-bike for, the RadRunner 2 will get the job done.

Notable features of the RadRunner 2

• Motor power: 750W
• Max speed: 20 mph
• Range: Up to 45 mi. per charge
• Pedal assist: Yes, four assist levels with a cadence sensor
• Bike weight: 65 lbs.
• Payload: 300 lbs.
• Read rack max load: 120 lbs.
• Ideal rider height: 4’11”- 6’2″

3. Velowave Ranger 750W Power Electric Bike

Love to ride in the sand or snow? Well, now you can take your ranger fat tire bike with you to the beach or the slopes. For its features, Ranger is, without a doubt, one of the best electric bikes under $1,500 that you can find on the market. Personally, I love this bike.

This electric beach cruiser comes with a powerful 750W Bafang motor that will help you get up those steep inclines with ease. And that’s not all. With such power, this bike will easily reach peak speeds of up to 28mph.

But if speed is not something that you fancy, you can go for the equally attractive and slightly cheaper option: the Ghost 500 Electric Mountain Bike. While this one is not a fat tire bike,  it still comes with a high-performance suspension fork to help you tackle a wide variety of terrain.

Back to the Velowave ranger, you definitely need enough stopping power when you’re flying down a hill at 28mph. And since the Velowave team anticipated that, they equipped the Ranger with powerful hydraulic disc brakes.

Saying the least, for an e-bike under 1,500 dollars, the Velowave Ranger is quite a find.

Useful features of the Velowave Ranger

• Motor power: 750W
• Range: 25-40 mi. on a single charge
• Top speed: 28 mph (pedal assist), 20 mph (throttle only)
• Battery: 48v/15Ah Li
• Bike weight: 75 lbs.
• Payload: 300 lbs.
• Recommended rider height: 5’6″-6’2″

4. Freedom X.2 by Wing

Are looks your thing?  Well, the Wing Freedom X is probably the best-looking electric bike on this list. It has a sleek and modern design that’s bound to turn heads. Maybe this is one of the reasons behind the no-joke alarm system that comes standard with the bike.

But the Wing Freedom X2 is not just a pretty face. It’s a powerful and fast electric bike that’s perfect for commuting or weekend rides.

With a motor power of 550W, this bike will get you up to speed quickly so that you don’t have to kill yourself with the pedaling.

Plus with a range of up to 60 miles per charge,  you can definitely take this bike on long rides without having to worry about running out of juice. At a price range of $1,200-1,300, this is definitely a great electric bike for budget buyers.

We also realized that Wing offers quite an expansive selection of other budget friendly ebikes if this one doesn’t quite fit your needs. And with the majority of these bikes well past below the 1,500-dollar mark,  you’re definitely in for a treat.

Features of Freedom X2

• Motor power: 550W
• Max speed: Up to 25 mph
• Range: Up to 60 mi.
• Bike weight: Approx 39 lbs.
• Payload:
• Ideal rider height: 5’6″ – 6’4″

5. eAhora AM100 Electric Mountain Bicycle

Another great manufacturer of electric bikes, eAhora, offers a wide range of models to choose from. But if you’re on a budget and are looking for the best mountain bike costing under $1500, the AM100 is definitely the way to go.

This electric mountain bike comes with a 500W motor that will help you make light work of any terrain. It also has a great range, allowing you to go up to 55 miles on a single charge.

But that’s not all. The eAhora AM100 also comes with a lot of other great features, including an LCD display that shows battery life, speed, and distance. And if comfort is a thing to you, you’ll be glad to know that this e-bike comes with a dual-suspension system as standard.

So, if you’re looking for an affordable electric bike that won’t break the bank, the AM100 should definitely be on your radar.

Features

• Motor power: 500W
• Max speed: Up to 28 mph
• Range: Up to 55 mi.
• Battery: 48v/14Ah
• Bike weight: Approx 52.47
• Payload: 330lb
• Recommended rider height: 5’7″- 6’8″

6. Aventon Pace 350 Next-Gen Step-Through ebike

If a stylish and affordable step-thru bike is what you’re looking for, the Pace 350 should be at the top of your list. This e-bike comes in two different colors as well as two size options. The baseline, however, is that it has a modern and sleek design that’s sure to turn heads.

But the Aventon Pace 350 is not all looks. It’s also quite a powerful electric bike that comes with a 350W brushless motor. This may not be as powerful as some of the other bikes on this list. But it’s still more than enough to get you up to speed quickly and easily.

This e-bike also has a great range, allowing you to go up to 40 miles on a single charge. And with a top speed of 20 mph, this bike is perfect for most kinds of commuting.

Aventon has many other, more powerful bikes around $1500 price mark. Check their catalog here.

Features of PACE 350

• Motor power: 350W
• Battery: 36V/11.6Ah
• Max speed: Up to 20 mph. (pedal assist)
• Pedal assist levels: 5 levels
• Range: 24-40 mi.
• Bike weight: 49 lbs.
• Payload: 300 lbs.
• Ideal rider height: 5’1″-6’4″ (depends on the bike size)

7. Velotric Discover 1 Affordable Commuter eBike

This e-bike from Velotric Bikes is a true definition of a premium-yet-affordable electric bike. It comes with all the features you could possibly want in an e-bike, and then some.

The Velotric Discover 1 comes with a 500W motor that can astonishingly peak out to 900W. With such power, you can zip through any terrain with ease. It also has a large battery capacity, allowing you to go up to 60 miles on a single charge.

is that all? Absolutely not. You get to choose between the throttle assist and pedal assist modes. You also get a 7-speed Shimano gear system as standard. And if that wasn’t enough, this e-bike also comes with hydraulic disc brakes for the ultimate stopping power.

You can choose from 4 color options. So, if you’re looking for a colorful, feature-packed commuter bike under $1,500, then the Discover 1 is definitely a  great option to consider.

Notable features of Discover 1

• Motor power: 500W (peak 900W)
• Max speed: Up to 28 mph
• Range: Up to 60 mi.
• Battery: 48v/14.4Ah
• Bike weight: 64 lbs
• Payload: 440 lbs.
• Rider height range: 5’1″-6’9″

8. BONUS! Nakto Fat Tire Electric Bicycle

This bike is well under $1000 let alone $1500. Super budget-friendly, isn’t it? This bike since it comes with fat tires that make it easy to ride on any kind of terrain, be it sand, snow, or even mud.

The Nakto Fat Tire Bicycle also comes with a rear-hub 300W motor that can take you up to 25 mph. This motor is high-speed and waterproof, which sets it apart from other bike motors in the market. Besides, the NAKTO motor is a 6-speed-gear, giving you flexibility and freedom to tackle any kind of terrain.

But that’s not all –  this e-bike also has a large battery capacity, allowing you to go up to 30 miles when using pedal assist. Another feature we like about this bike is the double-disc brake system, making it easy to stop the bike fast and smoothly.

Notable features

• Motor power: 300W
• Battery: 36V/10Ah
• Max speed: Up to 25 mph (throttle), up to 45 mph (pedal assist)
• Range: Up to 30 miles (pedal assist)
• Payload: 243 lbs.
• Ideal rider height: 5’1″- 6’2″

There you go

These are our fav picks of the best electric bikes under $1,500. My personal favorites would be Velowave and Ride1Up. They are so feature-packed for their price. Either way, if you’re in the market for a not-so-expensive electric bike, be sure to check out these bikes. Just determine your budget and preferences, and you’re sure to find the perfect e-bike for you. Happy shopping!

You may also like our cheap-and-best electric bikes picks, check the post below

I hope this article helped you make your decision. If you have any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comment section below. I will read every single comment.