Put Some Pep in Your Pedal With These Electric Bikes for Less Than $500

To choose the best electric bikes under $500 on the market, I employed The Drive’s comprehensive research methodology and evaluated dozens of electric bikes before choosing the top contenders. Although I haven’t personally tested these products, my selection is informed by consumer testimonials, expert reviews, discussions on relevant online forums, and my institutional knowledge of the automotive industry. I visited the ebikes subreddit to get a more informed opinion of what e-bike enthusiasts felt about the products on the market.

Some brands are already well-established in this niche, and priority was given to their products. However, other lesser-known brands were also evaluated. The main features taken into consideration were motor size, battery size, range, groupsets, size, brake system, battery durability, battery lifespan, charge time, and control systems. Bikes were immediately disqualified from consideration if their batteries degraded too quickly.

I’ve chosen the Vivi Electric 26-Inch Mountain Bike as the best overall electric bike for less than $500. This model offers the best combination of power and range in this category and is versatile enough to tackle light off-road trails or be used as a daily commuter. If you’re on a tight budget, then check out the value pick, the Hyper Bicycles E-Ride Electric Pedal Assist Mountain Bike. You really can’t get into the world of electric bikes at a lower price point.

Buying an electric bike for less than $500 is tricky because it’s an extremely tight budget for this niche. I’ve listed a few features to look out for before choosing the bike for you. 

Two figures are important when discussing an electric bike’s power: wattage and torque. Think of wattage as horsepower in a car. A bicycle with a high-wattage motor will be better at climbing steep hills, and it’ll also produce less heat when tackling minor inclines compared to a lower-wattage motor. 

If you like to get off the line quickly, then you’ll need an electric bike with plenty of torque. Having more torque will also benefit people who hit off-road trails, as it makes it easier to accelerate quickly over rough terrain. If you use a bike with a lot of torque and a rear-wheel-drive motor, it could result in an unwanted wheelie from time to time.

There are three types of motors you’ll encounter on electric bikes: rear-hub drive, mid drive, and front-hub drive. For less than $500, you’ll probably only encounter rear-hub-drive motors. Front-hub-drive motors are reliable and easy to perform maintenance on, but they’re limited in terms of power because they lose traction easily. Front-wheel drive hubs also produce an unnatural pulling sensation and have a strange gyroscopic feel at high speeds. 

Rear-drive hubs can handle more power without losing traction since more weight sits over the back tire. These hubs also produce a natural pushing sensation and offer more feel to the rider. Some of the downsides to rear-drive motors: It’s more difficult to perform maintenance on them, and it’s harder to fit them if they’re not already pre-assembled. 

There are two drive types on an electric bike: throttle/electric-only mode and pedal-assist mode. Many electric bikes will give you the option to use either mode, but the electric-only mode is usually restricted to 20 mph. Some models only feature pedal-assist mode, so if you want a bike with an electric-only mode, carefully check the features listed by the manufacturer before making your decision.

An electric bike's battery is one of its most crucial components, and there are a few things to look out for when purchasing one. You’ll want to know how big you need the battery to be as this, combined with the motor size, will largely determine the bike’s range. Most manufacturers will state a model’s range, so check this out before making your decision. Batteries will have an estimated number of cycle charges before they degrade. Some will have 500, while others will have up to 900. So, if you want a battery that’s going to last for a few years, consider its charge-cycle capacity. 

Some batteries are removable, and this is a feature worth having if you ever need to ride your bike while the battery is charging. Anyone who rides through wet weather should look for a battery that’s waterproof.

When we talk about groupsets, we're speaking about the gears on an electric bike. Some of the electric bikes at this price point will use Shimano groupsets, which is great because it’s one of the biggest brands around and regarded as reliable and well priced. The more gears a groupset has, the more versatile it makes the bike, especially in pedal-assist mode. If you’re riding up a hill and you have 21 gears to choose from instead of six, you’ll be able to find a more suitable gear for the effort that you want to exert.

At this price point, you’ll only have a choice between two brake systems: mechanical disc brakes and V-brakes. V-brakes are less expensive, easier to maintain, and don’t place any strain on the hubs or spokes. But in terms of performance, they won’t work as well as discs in wet or muddy conditions. Although disc brakes offer more consistent performance, they’re heavier and more expensive than v-brakes.

Anyone who commutes on a bus or train along with cycling might be interested in a folding model. Folding electric bikes are also good options for people who don’t have a lot of space to spare at home. Most electric bikes will have some kind of battery-indicator unit, but some units will display a lot more information than others, such as speed, distance traveled, and range remaining. Finally, if you often ride during dusk or nighttime hours, it could be worth looking for a bike with built-in front and rear lights.

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.

A: How you charge and use an electric bike’s battery will have a significant impact on its lifespan. In general, a battery on a new electric bike can last anywhere from 2-5 years. 

A: Some electric bikes can recharge the battery while you pedal, but this is uncommon. You’ll also find some bikes that feature regenerative braking, but most electric bikes don’t have them.

A: Yes, an electric bike will work without the battery, but it’ll be more difficult to ride due to the added weight of the motor.

A: Electric bikes that meet your state’s specific technical requirements normally don’t need to be registered or insured. You can see the legal requirements in each state here.