The best folding e-bikes 2022

The best folding e-bikes 2022: compact cycles

The best folding e-bikes make e-commuting a more portable affair. Because they are design to be folded to be more compact, you have that added benefit of being able to stow them in smaller spaces than regular bikes would require as well as easily loading them on public transport and taking them inside the office. You simply fold yours down and tuck it neatly out of the way.

Electric bikes are a great choice for city riding, taking the sweat out of commuting errands, and e-bikes that fold are even better. And, while folding e-bikes are typically heavier than their non-folding counterparts due to the need for robust frames with tough joints, but even that's becoming less of an issue with models like the Gocycle G4 and MiRider One, which weigh just over 17kg each.

Don't be put off by the price, either – folding e-bikes are also cheaper than you might expect. They're still a considerable investment, but prices are only a little higher than similarly specced non-folding models.

We've put a wide range of folding e-bikes to the test. And, we put all these bikes through their paces in real world conditions – mastering their folding mechanisms, testing their battery life, assessing their comfort, and gauging their overall suitability for taking on the streets. We've also tested bikes from across the entire price bracket, and some of the least expensive came up on top.

Take a look at our top picks of the best folding electric bikes around, whether you're looking for a premium one or a budget option. Be sure to keep your folding bike in great shape with our guide to e-bike maintenance.

The best folding e-bikes 2022

(Image credit: Rob Clymo)

Gocycle is one of the biggest names in folding e-bikes, and the G4 is its finest machine to date. The star of the show is a brand new motor that delivers smooth power assistance when you need it most, and is powered by a large capacity battery that'll keep you riding for up to 40 miles on a single charge. It charges particularly quickly too, so you won't need to leave it plugged in overnight.

The frame is a masterclass in design, folding down swiftly but feeling reassuringly sturdy when fully assembled. It's not feather-light, but Gocycle has pared 1kg off the weight through cunning use of different materials throughout the frame. This also results in a bike that's well balanced and easy to carry unfolded.

Like all folding e-bikes, it features small wheels that can be somewhat unforgiving on uneven surfaces, but a little shock absorber underneath the saddle soaks up the worst of the bumps.

It carries a premium price tag, and if you're on a budget then that excellent MiRider One below will suit you better, but if you're looking for a folding e-bike to be your new daily rider then we think the cost is justifiable.

Read our full Gocycle G4 review

(Image credit: Rob Clymo)

If you're on a budget, the E-Trends Fly is an excellent option. It was launched at £899 (about $1,200 / AU$1,600) but has dropped as low as £699 (about $3,400 / AU$1,300) since then, making it excellent value for any electric bike – let alone a folding one, which is a trickier feat of engineering.

The ride is comfortable, and its controls are easily accessible with a touch of your thumb. There's also a pushing mode, which gives you a little help from the battery when you need to hop off and wheel it along the sidewalk for a stretch.

The design is somewhat odd, and our reviewer commented that it looked less smart and cohesive than other electric bikes, but for such a modest price that's a relatively minor complaint. It's worth noting that it uses V-brakes, which proved effective in our tests, but don't provide the same stopping power as the disc brakes used by the other folding e-bikes in this roundup. It's also undeniably heavy, which could be an issue if you need a folding e-bike you can carry easily.

Read our full E-Trends Fly review

(Image credit: Future)

The MiRider One is a very impressive folding e-bike – it packs down in under a minute, it's one of the lightest models around, and it's remarkably affordable. It's extremely comfortable to ride as well, and when we tested it, we were surprised at just how solid its magnesium alloy frame felt. There are no compromises; it doesn't feel like a folding bike at all.

The MiRider One's power controls are simple to use, and all within easy reach of your thumb. When it's time to pack the bike away, the frame folds neatly in half, the seat post retracts, and the handlebar stem folds down. The pedals also fold in, and the whole neat package can be tucked inside a weatherproof case. It doesn't have the range for a long touring holiday, but if you're looking for a folding e-bike for everyday riding, the MiRider One is the best around.

Read our full MiRider One review

(Image credit: Sarah Finley)

The Mycle Compact Folding Electric Bike is a fun, lively little number that's well worth investigating if you're looking for a machine for short trips. There's a choice of two battery sizes, which will provide a range of either 20km or 30km. That's pretty short for an e-bike, but most journeys made by bike are well under that distance, so it needn't necessarily put you off.

If range isn't a worry, this is a lightweight and convenient e-bike that's easy to fold up and stash away at home, on public transport, or at the office. Power delivery isn't exceptionally smooth, but it effectively irons out your route and  will allow you to reach your desk without breaking a sweat (provided the absence of suspension isn;t an issue).

The Mycle Compact is also one of the most affordable folding e-bikes around, starting at a mere £899 (about $1,200 / AU$1,700). That's cheaper than most fixed-frame electric bikes, let alone ones with the added engineering complexities of a folding mechanism.

Read our full Mycle Compact Folding Electric Bike review

(Image credit: Sarah Finley)

The Mate City is a real conversation, as our reviewer discovered, with its stylish frame (available in a range of subtle and not-so subtle paint colors) attracting a lot of admirers. It's solidly built too, with a robust frame that packs down fast, and is easily adjusted to suit your height and preferred riding position.

A small LCD display on the handlebars displays the battery status, your speed, and the time and distance of your current trip. It's a handy addition that avoids the need to mount your phone on the bike, which is always a little risky if you're prone to forgetfulness and accidentally leave your handset behind.

The downside is that the Mate City is seriously weighty, tipping the scale at 22.5kg with the battery attached. You won't be breezing up and down stairs with it, but if your main reason for choosing a folding e-bike is ease of storage at either end of your journey, it's definitely worth your consideration.

Read our full Mate City review

How we test folding electric bikes

It's always a good idea to test-ride any folding electric bike yourself before committing to a purchase, but our aim is to give you the most complete picture of the experience possible first.

We test every folding e-bike model we recommend so we can give you a full rundown of how they actually ride on the road. We always test each in real-world conditions so you know how each one will perform in day-to-day life, and put them through their paces on a range of terrains and gradients. 

We test each folding e-bike's full range of power settings, plus custom settings, and if the bike has a navigation system then we'll also use it to plot and ride several routes. We'll also compare the GPS tracking from the ride computer with the readings from a top-end sports watch. 

If the bike has a mobile app, we test that too so we can let you know just how easy it is to install and use – plus any hidden surprises you should be aware of, like the need to pay a subscription fee to download maps.