After an incredible summer of dry weather, the winter rain is now flooding the woods and giving pause for thought among the dedicated foul-weather cycle commuters. With only a few short weeks until the dawn of a new year, it’s time to once again hand-pick the best electric bikes we have reviewed and would recommend buying in 2026.
2025 saw us surpass our 2024 electric bike reviews tally by the end of Q3, something which has bolstered our work creating an in-depth buyer’s guide across every category of e-bike riding. So, if you’ve landed here knowing exactly which style of electric bike you hope to buy, then checking in with any of the following guides may be a shortcut to finding your next bike:
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Cycling Electric’s best electric bikes heading into 2026
Best commuter bike – Canyon Citylite | £2,799
Brand website: Canyon.com
Read our Canyon Citylite :ON review
Pros: Very competitive pricing, great all rounder build, glides on tarmac, easy to accessorise and carry things
Cons: Front light placing a bit awkward, slow charging
Whether it was the joy of cycling in Amsterdam, or just that this bike is the perfect match for that kind of cycle-friendly environment, Canyon’s Citylite :ON is a bike that we’d be happy to recommend to to anyone taking a serious look at commuting by electric bike more in 2026. It’s well priced, has a great component selection, has utility versatility and the ability to expand upon the ability to carry things. Best of all, it rides very comfortably, with an upright geometry, comfy saddle supported by a suspension seatpost and large volume tyres. Both a low step and a traditional frame are sold, so just pick the right style for you.
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Best gravel bike – Estarli G700 | £3,195
Brand website: Estarli.co.uk
Read our Estarli G700 gravel bike review
Pros: Incredible pricing for a full carbon e-gravel bike, good tyre clearance, mounting options
Cons: Only two sizes available
A debut in the performance cycling side of cycling for Estarli wasn’t on our bingo card, but we expect that the new G700 will be one of the best-selling electric gravel bikes in 2026, simply on account of how much value is packed into the £3,195 price tag. For starters, this is a full carbon frame and fork, plus there’s a handful of carbon parts, like the aerodynamic one-piece handlebar and stem.
Estarli has built this bike to be versatile, providing mounting options, good tyre clearance and while the battery is only 252Wh in capacity, the low weight of the bike delivers a snappy ride that covers ground brilliantly and doesn’t lean too heavily on motor support. In short, this rides like a brilliant gravel bike, and you have the assistance there to call on if you find yourself out of puff on large climbs.
Tern GSD S10 Gen 3 – Best longtail cargo bike | Now £4,299
Brand website: ternbicycles.com
Read our Tern GSD S10 review
Pros: Unmatched pedigree, Impressive safety features, Big accessory catalogue
Cons: Footrests can rattle if left down and unoccupied
We tested a record number of cargo bikes this year and, all along, we had in the back of our minds that the Tern GSD was facing mounting challenges, with excellent options on the market from Moustache, Gazelle and many more. Yet after completing the group test, we still feel like Tern’s experience in this segment shines through. In our view, while the gap is narrowing, Tern has the edge on execution, build quality, the deep catalogue of bespoke accessories and performance. Certainly, there are now longtail cargo bikes that will turn your head if you have a tighter budget, but the original, for now, remains the best.
UTO (Eovolt) Afternoon Pro – Best electric folding bike | £2,999
Brand website: Utobikes.com
Read our (Eovolt) UTO Afternoon Pro review
Pros: Two years running our top electric folder, simple to operate, efficient mover
Cons: A little heavier than some competition
Much like the Tern GSD, we just couldn’t find a competitor that surpassed the UTO (formerly Eovolt) Afternoon Pro and the folding category was perhaps our most heavily covered segment of 2025. For those learning about this e-bike for the first time, a key highlight of ours is just how easy this bike is to fold and unfold, as well as wheel about while folded. The hinges are industry-leading in the way they snap together without the need to get fingers too involved, plus the axle locking mechanism is brilliant at keeping the folded bike together as you wheel it around on station platforms. There is also a Bafang two-speed automatic gearhub in the rear wheel, which aids acceleration from a standing start, making it great in city traffic.
Giant Explore E+ 0 – Best hardtail mountain bike | £4,999
Dennis Stratmann
Brand website: Giant-bicycles.com
Read our Giant Explore E+ 0 review
Pros: A best-seller for a reason, very well built and specced, smart tech features
Cons: No ring lock included
There has long been a trend among bike buyers in the UK to buy a jack of all trades bike that can handle leisure pursuits, commutes and even carry some shopping. That has often meant hardtail mountain bikes have become the go-to for those on a budget for one bike, rather than multiple bikes for each purpose. This isn’t necessarily the reason why Giant has invested so heavily into the all-rounder bike experience, but the Explore E+ 0 exemplifies this do-it-all bike, going above and beyond to create an experience that lends itself to a full day of using your bike, versus any other vehicle.
We were particularly impressed by some of the technology advances pushed by Giant on selected models, such as a rear view radar that syncs with the display to let you know about approaching traffic, all on the same screen as where you track your battery and motor support.
Best full-suspension mountain bike
Geoff Waugh
Brand website: Megamo.com
Read our Megamo Reason CRB 05 review
Pros: Astonishing climbing ability, precise handling, adjustable geometry, lightweight
Cons: An investment piece price, eco mode can feel non-powered
Bursting on to the scene as one of the first brands to host an Avinox mid-motor following the surprise debut of the DJI-backed system last year, Megamo is new to the UK, but comes backed up by a large Spanish operation. With the Avinox motor between the cranks you will already know that this bike can replace an uplift and has ferocious climbing power, but what’s lesser seen is how quick fine-tuning progress has come on the digital side and in the space of only a year this system has added a ton of new features, plus the ability to pair Avinox accessories like performance lighting.
As for the bike, the Megamo Reason rides brilliantly and comes loaded with tons of adjustability thanks to a flip chip and highly tuneable Fox 36 suspension. We found the Reason to be highly predictable at speed, agile, and fast out of the corners.
Both carbon fibre and aluminium frames are available in this range, which spans £5,999 into the early five figures for the top-spec model.
Orbea Muga – Best Trekking/SUV style e-bike | £5,299
Brand website: Orbea.com
Read our Orbea Muga 20 review
Pros: High utility capability, punchy motor, efficient on all terrain
Cons: Some fiddly setup, SP Connect mount not compatible with some phone designs
A theme throughout our picks of the best electric bikes headed into 2026 has been high capability and Orbea’s Muga, which debuted this year, is another expertly capable and versatile build. With a 30kg capable rack on the back and a full suspension frame that is heavily adapted to integrate smart features, we found the Muga to be a bike that, for many of us, could be the first and last e-bike we need buy.
Driving the experience is a punchy Bosch Performance line CX motor, which offers a high torque support and access to the smart system digital ecosystem, thus unlocking all sorts of features from ride navigation to bike security.
We felt the Muga to be extremely fairly priced for the engineering and aesthetic brilliance the Spanish manufacturer has achieved. This bike makes light work of countryside exploration and is good for as much as 150km of assisted riding from its 750Wh integrated battery.
Ado Air 30 Ultra – Best value electric bike | £1,499
Brand website: Adoebike.co.uk
Read our Ado Air 30 Ultra review
Pros: Extremely well-equipped for a low price, good software, automatic lighting, comfortable, three-speed automatic gear and motor hub
Cons: Direct sale meant some assembly, battery level indicator could jump up and down
Though the price has fluctuated a little this year, the current retail price on Ado’s Air 30 Ultra almost certainly makes it the best value electric bike we have tested this year. At only around £1,500, it’s hard to ignore the generous range of accessories, including a pannier rack to carry your bags, as well as a suspension seatpost to enhance your comfort and deliver a bit of gravel path versatility.
We found this to be a particularly comfortable bike to ride, with a relaxed geometry and a tyre set that glides on tarmac. Plus you have the silence and low maintenance perk of a belt drive, which will save you money in the long run and, also, an oily trouser leg.
We particularly liked the fact that this great value bike nonetheless achieved innovation, becoming the first to host a three-speed gear and motor combination in the rear hub, changing through the trio automatically to match your momentum.
I:sy P12 ZR – Best newcomer | €5,999
Brand website: isy.de
Read our I:sy P12 ZR compact review
Pros: Highly capable, short wheelbase makes for easy storage, comfortable riding position, motor and gearbox unit is brilliant
Cons: Premium price tag
I:sy is by no means a new label, but it’s return to the UK is most welcome, because this is a brand that has a long heritage in clever bike design and now e-bike design too. In 2026 we will be looking much more closely at a range of compact electric bikes, noting a trend for smaller wheelbase bikes becoming popular as living conditions in cities become tighter.
We think the I:SY P12 ZR is a wise investment if this scenario affects you, because while this bike has a tiny footprint, it nonetheless manages to pack in a rear rack and the option to fit a front rack too, making it small, but mightily capable.
This ability is only furthered by the Pinion gearbox and motor unit between the cranks, which internalises the gearing inside a sealed case and syncs it to the motor output, meaning the ride experience is seamless and you will never lose momentum.
Editor’s choice electric bike of 2025 – Riese & Müller Delite5 GT | £7,889
Brand website: r-m.de/
Read our Riese and Muller Delite 5 review
Pros: Surprisingly agile and capable off road, Pinion MGU is incredible, Large battery
Cons: Kickstand is a bit weak, separate apps for different things
The most fun our Editor has had on a bike all year: It’s the Riese & Müller Delite5. When we took delivery of this all-terrain ‘SUV’ style e-MTB we knew it’d be a capable machine, but didn’t quite realise how capable it would be off-road and indeed how fun it would be to ride. Progress came easy on long rides, with mileage flying by, regardless of how the terrain changed. The suspension felt set perfectly and despite the bike’s heavy weight, the suspension pairing was unfazed by rocky terrain and even singletrack trails.
Of course, this is an investment tier bike, but we can say in high confidence that it is a bike for life, one that could circle the globe and come home needed only the bare minimum maintenance. So, if you intend to escape it all and disappear on a large tour, this is a machine that is as happy climbing mountains as it is carrying your luggage to the campsite.
Between the cranks is a 12-speed motor and gearbox unit that shifts so confidently and in tandem with the motor’s output, making for a ride that carries its momentum and acceleration without any hiccup.
If you want to try a whole load of electric bikes in one space in 2026 you can come along to Cycling Electric’s Demo Day series. Next year’s series dates are as follows:
London, Lee Valley Velopark
April 19th
Leeds, Brownlee Centre
June 7th
Bath, Odd Down Circuit
June 14th
London, Herne Hill Velodrome
July 5th
To book tickets to try a wide range of electric bikes at any of our 2026 events, head to our Cycling Electric Demo Days tickets portal.
