Collapsible Electric Bikes stand out as incredibly versatile personal electric vehicles, offering unmatched convenience and user-friendliness.
The beauty of a collapsible electric bike lies in its portability. Forget about cumbersome bike racks or needing a large vehicle for transport. These bikes can be easily tucked away in a closet, a corner of your apartment, or the trunk of a compact car. They often come with a friendly price tag, providing many of the same features found on their non-folding counterparts.
For many, especially those in smaller living spaces or students watching their budgets, a collapsible e-bike might be the perfect, or even only, electric bike needed.
However, the market is filled with options, and not every collapsible ebike delivers on its promise. In this article, we’ll explore the top collapsible electric bikes currently available, highlighting our favorites across various categories – from budget-friendly to comfort-focused, technologically advanced to exceptional value and sheer riding enjoyment.
Our list starts with a model from Lectric, a leading and top-selling ebike brand globally. The XP Lite is one of two bikes from this US-based manufacturer that made our selection.
We’ll also feature collapsible electric bikes from GOTRAX, Heybike, and Ride1Up – all brands known for producing quality electric bikes with reliable components at accessible prices. These are collapsible electric bikes that genuinely impress, so let’s dive in….
Best Collapsible Electric Bikes of 2024: Summary
Lectric XP Lite
Best Budget
GOTRAX F3 2.0
Most Comfortable
Heybike Mars 2.0
Most Fun
Lectric One
Best Technology
Ride1Up Portola
Best Overall
Best Budget Collapsible Ebike | Lectric XP Lite 2.0
Simplicity Defined – A Must-Have Collapsible Electric Bike
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 – $799
Let’s begin our exploration with the top budget-friendly option. Our favorite collapsible electric bike under $800 is the Lectric XP Lite 2.0.
In my initial review of this model, I stated it was the one ebike everyone should consider owning, and I still firmly believe that. It embodies the original purpose of personal electric vehicles: offering a straightforward, high-quality, and low-maintenance solution for quick trips to the local store or short daily commutes. For its price, the sheer convenience of the XP Lite is unmatched, especially given its familiar bicycle form factor, making it incredibly easy for anyone to hop on and ride immediately.
A point to consider with this bike, and many in its category, is the size. Larger riders, typically anyone taller than 6’1″ or over 200 lbs, might find the bike’s dimensions a bit compact.
However, in terms of weight capacity, it supports riders up to 275 lbs. So, if you are a larger individual but comfortable with a smaller bike, it can still be a viable option.
Our Review: The Lectric XP Lite – An Everyday Essential Collapsible Ebike
Most Comfortable Collapsible Ebike | GOTRAX F3 2.0
A Collapsible Electric Bike Designed for Extended Journeys
GOTRAX F3 2.0 – $1299
If weight isn’t your primary concern and ride comfort is paramount, then fat tire e-bikes are definitely worth considering. The GOTRAX F3 stands out as one of the most, if not the most, comfortable fat tire collapsible ebikes available.
The F3 recently received an upgrade, boasting a refined, premium feel and a new color display, all while remaining under the $1,300 price point. It features a substantial 13.6Ah battery, larger than typically found at this price, along with an 8-speed Shimano drivetrain, a 500W rear hub motor, and an unlocked top speed exceeding 25mph.
Its standout premium feature is the torque sensor. This intelligent system detects your pedaling effort and adjusts motor power accordingly, providing assistance based on your input rather than relying solely on pre-set riding modes.
This torque sensor is a feature rarely seen in this price range and greatly enhances the riding experience for those seeking a more natural feel. If you enjoy longer rides, this bike is an excellent choice, offering superior comfort and extended range for its price.
The added benefit of its collapsible design makes it an exceptional companion for travel, RV adventures, and camping trips.
Our Review: Which GOTRAX Collapsible Ebike Should You Buy? Comparing the F1, F2 & F3
Most Fun Collapsible Ebike | Heybike Mars 2.0
Speed and Adaptability in an Amazingly Affordable Package
Heybike Mars 2.0 – $749
The Mars 2.0 also incorporates 4″ wide fat tires and 65mm of front suspension to effectively absorb shocks at higher speeds. These wide, knobby tires make it one of the most capable off-road collapsible bikes in its class.
Other specifications are standard yet high-quality, including a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain, a clear black-and-white center-mounted display, and upgraded hydraulic disc brakes.
This collapsible bike genuinely impressed me with its performance, particularly considering its price point under $1200. It’s truly one of the best deals available for a genuinely fast e-bike. There’s also a slightly more affordable version of the Mars with a 750W motor priced under $1000. Even this model offers more power than typical motors in this price range and would still deliver a very enjoyable riding experience if you’re aiming to stay below the $1K mark.
Overall, this is a robust collapsible bike offering impressive performance, available on Amazon at a surprisingly low cost.
Best Technology in a Collapsible Ebike | Lectric One
The Most Intuitive Electric Bike Experience Available
Lectric One – $2199
Lectric has truly gone above and beyond with the technology in this bike. It features a Pinion automatic shifting gearbox, a Gates carbon belt drive, a powerful 1300W max power output, a 14Ah battery, a color display, and premium hydraulic disc brakes, all ingeniously integrated into a surprisingly lightweight and portable collapsible package.
It’s worth noting that this model does not have a folding mechanism on the main frame itself. Only the handlebars fold down, meaning it’s not as compact as other collapsible bikes on this list. However, the folding handlebars do significantly reduce its height, making it easier to fit into smaller vehicles.
This is undeniably the most intuitive e-bike I have ever ridden. The automatic shifting feature is something I didn’t realize I needed until I experienced it.
The belt drive system eliminates the need for chain maintenance, and the enclosed drivetrain protects components from damage during transport and removes the hassle of derailleur adjustments.
As is typical with Lectric, all these high-end features are incorporated into a sleek, high-quality frame and design.
The price point is also quite remarkable. At around $2200, it would be nearly impossible to purchase all the individual components separately for the same price as this fully assembled bike. This is not just one of my favorite collapsible bikes, but one of my favorite e-bikes overall. If you’re seeking a top-tier riding experience, the Lectric One is the ultimate choice.
Our Review: The Lectric One, “It’s Gonna Spoil You”
Overall Pick for Best Value | Ride1Up Portola
Just Marginally Superior in Every Aspect
Ride1Up Portola – $995
Our top pick for the best value collapsible e-bike is the Ride1Up Portola. The Portola embodies Ride1Up’s core philosophy of delivering more for less, consistently outperforming competitors by offering enhanced features and components at a lower price.
You can acquire the Portola for under $1000, and at this price, you benefit from a more powerful motor than typically available, superior and larger brakes, greater suspension travel, an extra gear compared to standard models, and a higher rack weight capacity.
Overall, the general appearance and build quality significantly surpass the generic, low-quality components often found on Amazon and numerous other online retailers. From its design and welding to its smooth paint finish, it’s simply a higher quality bike.
Small details, such as the operation of the folding handlebars with an added safety lock, the secure locking palm rest grips, and the ergonomic placement of shifter buttons and brakes within easy reach, demonstrate the thoughtful and meticulous design incorporated into every aspect of this bike.
The Portola represents the best value for money in collapsible electric bikes, and Ride1Up consistently provides exceptional value across their entire product line.
Our Review: The Ride1Up Portola – The Best Value Collapsible Ebike
Wrapping Up
These are our top recommendations for collapsible electric bikes this year, and we are continuously testing new models to identify the best options on the market. If you have a particular model you believe we should review, please reach out and let us know!
Explore our comprehensive video reviews for each of these bikes on YouTube. You can find direct links to all the bikes mentioned above, and discover more ebike buying guides just below.
The Best Cheap Fat Tire Ebikes
The Best Moped-Style Ebikes Under $2600
