Electric tricycles offer an incredibly stable ride with superior efficiency and power compared to regular bicycles. There are not many electric tricycle brands out there so if you are looking to get an eTrike, going with the right brand and config is important. You may need some help choosing the ideal adult electric tricycle. And that’s what this guide is all about!
Things To Consider When Buying an Electric Trike
Electric trikes, also known as 3-wheel electric bikes, come in a variety of styles and types. They can be quite handy for adults and seniors or riders who’re just after a more comfortable and stable way to get around.
But, before you make your purchase, here are the most important features you should pay attention to:
1. Safety / Build-quality
Electric Trikes are most preferred by adults and seniors. So, obviously, safety should be your primary concern. A trike with good build quality should be your go-to. I would advise going against cheap ones.
2. Brand Reputation
These are expensive products and you should not repent your purchases. Going with a reputable brand helps you in various ways. They are usually well-built and well-tested. You can also avail of service if something goes wrong, mechanically or otherwise.
3. Motor power/torque
How powerful the motor is will determine how much weight it can carry and how fast it can go. If you’ll be using your trike for simple town commutes, a motor that falls within the 200-350W range should be perfect.
For larger loads combined with faster speed need and long distances, a motor that’s rated above 350W should be ideal.
4. Frame style and design
Do you want an adult eTrike that you can easily fit in your vehicle? A foldable one should be an ideal pick in such a case. And if you have a limited range of motion, picking a step-through eTrike over a high-step trike would be wise.
Our Top Picks for Electric Tricycles
We’ve taken the time to comb through various electric tricycle models, and here are our top seven picks:
1. Addmotor M-340
The Addmotor Grandtan M-340 eTrike has good aesthetics! But that’s not all. It’s built for comfort, making it a great electric trike for adults, especially senior adults.
This one comes with fat tires, a 750W front brushless motor that is powered by a 48V, 20Ah Samsung battery, and powerful Tektro mechanical disk brakes.
With such power, you will comfortably cover an estimated 85-mile range on a single charge, with a maximum payload capacity of 450 pounds.
And with an Addmotor 5″ LCD display, you can always track your trike’s vital metrics and avoid surprise battery drains.
Key features summary
- Motor: 750W Bafang brushless motor
- Battery: 48V, 20Ah Samsung battery
- Maximum speed: 20 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 40 Miles (throttle mode)
- Brakes: mechanical Tektro disc brakes
- Front Tires: 24″ x 4″ Kenda GIGAS fat tires
- Rear Tires: 20″ x 4″ Kenda GIGAS fat tires
- Frame: Step-thru 6061 aluminum-alloy frame
- Display: 5″ Addmotor LCD display
- Max payload capacity: 450 lbs
Use coupon code 4WEOUYSS to get a $70 discount on this trike
2. sixthreezero EVRYjourney 250W Tricycle
This next etrike from Sixthreezero is one that allows you to make a fashion statement. With its classic cruiser design, you will look great while still enjoying the comforts of an electric tricycle.
The EVRYjourney is powered by a 250W front hub motor and packs a 250Wh battery that’s capable of covering a maximum of 40 miles when riding using the full-electric mode. Engage the pedal-assist mode and you can crank that up to 60 miles.
And with a top speed of 15 mph for the full electric mode or 28 mph for the pedal-assist mode, you should be able to get where you are going in no time.
But that’s not all. This adult electric tricycle has a 7-speed Shimano external derailleur, allowing you to adjust your speed on different terrain. While the display is not the sleekest on the market, it gives you all the vital metrics you need.
I, however, noted that a lot of riders complained about improper weight distribution that compromised stability.
Key features
- Motor: 250W front hub motor
- Battery: 250Wh battery
- Maximum speed: 15 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 20 miles (throttle mode)
- Front brakes: V brakes
- Rear brakes: drum brakes
- Tires: 26″ x 1.95″ semi-slick tires
- Frame: 17″ aluminum-alloy frame
- Display: Standard LCD display with speedometer, power meter, and battery meter
- Max payload capacity: 300 lbs
3. RadTrike Electric Tricycle
I bet most riders would appreciate the minimalistic yet stylish and functional design of the RadTrike electric tricycle from Rad Power Bikes.
Not only is it eye-catching, but it’s also very much capable.
It comes with a 750W Rad Power Bikes geared hub motor, powered by an impressive 480Wh battery that will give you a range of up to 55 miles or more depending on the riding mode.
The setup that comes with this electric adult tricycle is capable of churning out enough power to reach peak speeds of up to 14 mph when using the full electric mode. And while this is not a geared etrike, the intelligent 5-level pedal assist system should make your rides more manageable.
When it comes to portability, you will appreciate the fact that this electric trike has fold-down handlebars.
Key features summary
- Motor: 750W brushless front geared hub motor
- Battery: 480Wh battery
- Maximum speed: 14 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 20 miles (throttle mode)
- Front brakes: Mechanical disk brake
- Rear brakes: Rear coaster (foot-operated)
- Tires: 18″ x 2.25″ tires with a puncture-resistant K-shield liner
- Frame: Chromoly steel step-thru frame
- Display: Standard display with pedal assist level, battery charge, and headlight information
- Max payload capacity: 415 lbs
4. MEIGI Adult Electric Tricycle
The reason why this etrike made it to our list of the best electric trikes that you can buy is that it offers great value for money. At about $1,399, this three-wheel electric bicycle has all the features that you would expect in a great etrike.
When you see this eTrike for the first time, there are no striking details that would catch your attention. But the minute you start riding it, you will know that this electric adult tricycle isn’t just ordinary.
It comes with a 350W motor that is powered by a 36V, 13Ah lithium battery. That may sound like little power for an adult electric tricycle, but trust me when I say that it can actually be more than enough. When using the throttle mode, you can attain a maximum speed of up to 15mph and cover a range of about 25 miles.
And the good thing is that you can use the throttle mode on its own so that you’re able to get going from a complete stop. When you don’t need an etrike, you can remove the battery and carry it around with ease. Thank goodness, this is a geared trike, so your pedaling should be easier.
If you are looking for higher motor power, go with DWMEIGI 750W model
Key features
- Motor: 350W front brushless hub motor
- Battery: 36V, 13Ah removable lithium battery
- Maximum speed: 15 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 25 miles (throttle mode)
- Brakes: Front and rear disc brakes
- Front & rear tires: 24″ x 2.125″ normal tire
- Frame: Step-thru steel frame
- Display: LED display with basic information
- Maximum payload capacity: 300 lbs
5. Addmotor M-360 Adult Semi-Recumbent eTrike
Something about this etrike makes it one of the best electric trikes on this list. My best bet is that the unique step-thru design coupled with the semi-recumbent position gives it a stylish look and a comfortable ride in one.
Use coupon code 4WEOUYSS to get a $70 discount on this Trike
From the power aspect, this Addmotor semi-recumbent eTrike packs a powerful 750W front brushless hub motor, powered by a 48V, 20Ah Samsung Lithium-ion battery. This power setup will make it possible to reach maximum speeds of up to 20 mph and a minimum range of 40 miles when using the various pedal assist modes.
One thing that I love a lot about these eTrikes from Addmotor is the level of control that you get. I particularly love the digital display that comes with this electric tricycle. A 5-inch Addmotor LCD display with a USB port and lots of information about your ride.
When it comes to braking, it has three disc brakes, one at the front and two in the back. Yeah; with 750W on-demand, there’s no doubt you’re going to need enough stopping power. And since the tires are 20″ x 4″, you can expect to have a smooth ride even on bumpy grounds.
To say the least, this is one of the most comfortable eTrikes that Addmotor has to offer, but if you need even more options, you can check out what they have to offer on their catalog page.
Key features
- Motor: 750W front brushless hub motor
- Battery: 48V, 20Ah Samsung Lithium-ion battery
- Maximum speed: 20 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 40 miles (throttle mode)
- Brakes: Front and rear disc brakes
- Front & rear tires: 20″ x 4.0″ Kenda fat tires
- Frame: Step-thru aluminum alloy frame
- Display: 5.5″ Addmotor LCD display
- Max payload capacity: 450 lbs
6. Viribus 250W Tricycle for Seniors
Best suited for seniors, the Viribus 250W tricycle is one of the most affordable etrikes on this list. At a price tag of just about $900 on Amazon, this is definitely one of the best-value electric tricycles you can buy right now. But that also means that you can’t demand too much in terms of features and power.
For starters, this Viribus electric trike for adults runs on a 250W front hub motor, that gets its power from a 36V, 10Ah lithium battery. That is not exactly the most powerful setup for an adult tricycle, but it’s enough to reach a maximum speed of up to 15.5 mph – I guess that’s just about perfect for a senior adult. The range of this tricycle is not spectacular, though. You can expect to cover a maximum of 21.7 miles on a single charge.
The Viribus tricycle also has a few interesting features. The handles are high enough to help the rider maintain an upright riding position, which should be comfortable for seniors. The battery is also removable for when you need to exercise your legs. And since you can charge it on or off of the trike, you can go out for a ride and come back to a full battery after 6 hours.
You may, however, frown a little bit upon noting that this electric trike is rated to carry a maximum of 220 lbs. In reality, however, you can carry about 265 lbs.
Key features
- Motor: 250W front brushless hub motor
- Battery: 36V, 10Ah lithium battery
- Maximum speed: 15.5 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 21.7 miles (throttle mode)
- Front brakes: V brakes
- Rear brakes: band brakes
- Front & rear tires: 24/26″ normal-sized tires
- Frame: step-thru carbon steel frame
- Display: Simple LCD display
- Maximum payload capacity: 265 lbs
7. 3Score Fat Tire Electric Trike
The 3Score is another fat tire three-wheel bicycle for those who like exploring various terrains. And not only does this trike offer great versatility, but it’s also packed with rich features.
One of the things that you will note straight out of the box is that this is a foldable trike. Other than that, additional-but-crucial features such as the turn signals, parking brakes, side mirrors, and electric horn add to the riders’ safety of this etrike.
The power is also impressive. It comes with a 750W motor that sources its power from a 48V, 672Wh lithium battery. With such a setup, you can only expect optimal performance over long distances.
Talking of long distances, you should be able to max out a range of around 45 miles and reach speeds of up to 30 mph when using the throttle mode.
And since this adult electric tricycle has 5 levels of pedal assist, most if not all your trips will be a breeze. Besides, it’s a geared electric trike with a 1 x 7 gearing system.
Key features
- Motor: 750W geared hub motor
- Battery: 672Wh lithium battery
- Maximum speed: 30 Mph (throttle mode)
- Maximum range: 45 miles (PAS mode)
- Brakes: Front and rear disc brakes
- Front tire: 24″ x 4.0″ fat tire
- Rear tire: 20″ x 4.0″ fat tires
- Frame: Step-thru aluminum frame
- Display: 3.5″ IPS colorful matrix display
- Max payload capacity: 430 lbs
8. BONUS – Lectric XP Trike
Lectric recently announced their electric trike costing just under $1500. It has some great features.
XP has Rear Two-Wheel Drive, a 500W motor (with 1092W peak) and a 14Ah battery. It has about 60 miles range and the top speed is 14 mph. You also have 5 levels of Pedal Assist and Throttle. The trike weighs 69.5 lbs.
Lectric is a reputable brand in the ebike space. Their bikes are well-built, highly rated and loved by users.
Another Notable Mention:
Before I give my final thoughts, I want to mention another notable eTrike brand called BuzzBikes. Their Cena T e-Trike is a decent one. Check it out.
Final word
I’m sure there’s something out there for everyone, whether it be an affordable option or a more feature-packed etrike depending on your budget and needs. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to have lots of fun and a comfortable ride in one of these electric tricycles.
Just remember to always wear a helmet and follow the safety guidelines when using one, and you’ll be good to go! Happy riding!
Special thanks to James Glover for contributing to this content piece
