Best electric folding bikes in 2026

The E-Fold 500 is Decathlon's entry model and it is easy to see why it is popular. For a modest outlay you get a 250 W rear hub motor with 35 Nm of torque, assistance that stops at the legal 25 km/h, and a Shimano six-speed gear set. The battery sits on the rear rack and lifts off with a key, so you can charge it indoors rather than carrying the whole bike up the stairs.

The standard 252 Wh pack is small. Decathlon claims up to 50 km in Eco mode, falling to 30 km in Boost, and those figures depend on rider weight, hills and tyre pressure, so treat them as best case. If you need more, a 417 Wh battery is sold separately, with a claimed 45 to 70 km. Lights, mudguards and the pannier rack are all built in, which saves money on accessories.

Expect compromises. The brakes are alloy V-brakes rather than discs, and at 21.4 kg it is not a bike to carry far. It folds from the side to 84 x 73.5 x 46 cm and can be rolled along while folded, but it is bulkier than a Brompton or Tern. For short commutes, shared flats and the occasional boot-of-the-car trip, it is a practical and affordable choice, and Decathlon's high street presence makes servicing simple.

The ADO Air 20 Pro takes a different approach from most folders. A 250 W Bafang motor with a built-in two-speed automatic gearbox does the shifting for you, and a carbon belt replaces the chain, so there is no oil on your trousers and very little maintenance. Torque is 50 Nm, assistance stops at 25 km/h, and the pedal sensor is torque-based so the help feels progressive.

The 370 Wh battery slides out of the seatpost, which makes charging at a desk easy. ADO quotes up to 100 km, but that is a best-case claim and real journeys with hills, wind and a heavier rider will be shorter. Hydraulic disc brakes, an adjustable suspension fork with lockout, a 160 lumen headlight and a rear rack come as standard, and the maker lists a rider range of 150 to 200 cm.

There are gaps. ADO does not publish a folded size, so measure your boot or cupboard against the retailer's figures before ordering. At 21 kg it is manageable rather than light, and the two automatic gears are less flexible than a derailleur on long climbs. If you want a fuss-free, clean-running commuter at a mid price, it is one of the most interesting options here.

Tern's Vektron P7i is the practical, sensible folder in this group. It uses Bosch's Active Line Plus motor, which gives up to 50 Nm and a smooth, quiet feel, with assistance that stops at 25 km/h. You choose between a 400 Wh and a 545 Wh Bosch PowerPack, and Tern's claimed ranges are wide, from 46 to 101 km on the smaller pack to 64 to 140 km on the larger, reflecting the gap between high and low assist modes.

The Shimano Nexus seven-speed hub is sealed from the weather and can be shifted while stopped, which suits stop-start city riding. Hydraulic discs, a 190 lumen front light, a rear light, full mudguards, a 27 kg rated Atlas V rack and a kickstand are all fitted, so it is ready to ride and carry shopping. The adjustable cockpit covers riders from 147 to 195 cm.

The frame folds in around 10 seconds to 41 x 86 x 68 cm and stands upright, then rolls on its wheels. At 22.9 kg it is no lightweight, and Tern lists a 125 kg gross limit with a 105 kg rider limit. Tern's page does not say whether the battery lifts off, so check that if you must charge away from the bike. For a durable everyday folder, it is a safe pick.

Brompton's electric C Line takes the familiar three-step fold and adds a 250 W rear hub motor and a 345 Wh battery that clicks out in one move. The page lists 17.6 kg with the battery and 13.85 kg without, so the bike can be carried on its own in a way the heavier folders here cannot. The folded package is about 585 x 565 x 270 mm, small enough for under a desk or a train luggage rack.

Torque is 24 Nm, so the motor suits flat and gently rolling city streets rather than steep climbs. Brompton claims up to 90 km on a charge, taking about five hours to fill, but as always that depends on assist mode, rider weight and terrain. The four-speed drivetrain has a 163 percent gear range, braking is by dual pivot calipers, and Lezyne lights and mudguards are included.

Brompton's page does not publish the assist speed limit or a maximum rider weight, so confirm both with the retailer. Optional roller features add a rolling mode when folded. The small 16 in wheels give nimble handling but reward a smooth line on rough surfaces. If your journey mixes riding, trains and carrying, this is the most practical electric folding bike here, though it costs far more than its rivals.

Where the P7i is the sensible all-rounder, the Vektron P8i is the one for hills and bigger loads. It carries Bosch's Performance motor with up to 75 Nm of torque, which gives noticeably more help on steep climbs than the 24 to 50 Nm motors on other folders here. Assistance stops at 25 km/h in EU trim, and the Nexus eight-speed hub keeps gears tucked away from the weather.

Tern quotes 55 to 120 km from the 545 Wh PowerPack and 40 to 87 km from the 400 Wh version. As always, the high end of those ranges needs low assist and gentle riding. Hydraulic disc brakes, a 190 lumen front light, a rear light, SplashGuard mudguards and an Atlas V rack rated to 27 kg are included, and the cockpit adjusts for riders between 147 and 195 cm.

It folds in around 10 seconds to 42 x 85 x 69 cm, stands up on its own and rolls. At 23.8 kg it is the heaviest bike in this comparison, so it is better stored at ground level than carried upstairs. Tern lists a 125 kg gross limit and a 105 kg rider limit. If your route has real hills or you carry shopping or a child seat, it is worth the premium.

The Electric P Line is Brompton's lightweight flagship. A titanium rear frame, carbon fork and aluminium crank bring the weight down to 16 kg with the battery and 12.5 kg without, which is remarkable for an e-bike and makes stairs and train steps far less of a chore. The 345 Wh battery clicks out with one move and Brompton claims up to 90 km per charge, with a five-hour full charge.

The UK version we checked comes with the Advance Roller Frame, so four small wheels on the folded base let you roll it like a suitcase. It folds to about 645 x 600 x 320 mm, a touch larger than the C Line because of the roller frame. There are four gears, dual pivot calipers, a Lezyne light and mudguards.

Brompton's page does not list motor power, torque, assist speed or a maximum rider weight, so we mark them not published; the global site mentions a 250 W motor, but we have not confirmed it on the UK page. Ask the retailer before buying. The price is the highest on this page, and the 16 in wheels need a smooth line over potholes. If you carry your folding bike daily and weight matters more than cost, nothing else here comes close.