This post with videos showcases the best cheap e-bikes under $1200 you can buy on Amazon. A really great ebike can cost a lot of money – between $2000 and $12000. But the good news is that if you want to try electric bikes for the first time, you can buy a cheap e-bike for a lot less money. In this post, we compare a selection of 7 of the best cheap e-bikes we could find for under $1200. Pick out your very own cheap e-bike, try it out, and experience the joy of electric biking!
Chart Comparing Our Picks for Best Cheap Ebike
Why are These Ebikes Cheaper?
These e-bikes are cheaper for several reasons. First, they are all hub-drive. That is, they have their motors in the hub of the rear wheel. This is a simpler and cheaper configuration than a crank-drive, in which the motor is housed in the bottom bracket, between the pedals. Interestingly, it is also the most powerful placement. If you want more details about the pros and cons of hub drive versus a crank-drive, please check out the post below.
Related Post: Hub Motor vs Crank Drive Motor – Which is Better for an Electric Bike?
Also, these bikes have cheaper parts mixed in, as is the case with all cheaper bikes. For example, the manufacturers of most of these e-bikes proudly state that they have Shimano gears, but that is somewhat like saying they have round wheels. Shimano makes a huge range of gears, and these ebikes will obviously have gears from the lower end of the Shimano range.
That said, if you find you really love your new e-bike, there is nothing to stop you upgrading the components over time. Plus, you will have money to spend, because the cost of running an e-bike is pennies a day (for electricity).
Also, fear not – these manufacturers have not sacrificed safety considerations. For example, most of these e-bikes sport mechanical disk brakes, giving you the stopping power you need for a fast e-bike. And a surprising number of these e-bikes even have integrated accessories, such as lights, horn, rack, fenders, and baskets.
All of These Cheap E-bikes Have Smart Chargers
All of these e-bikes come with smart chargers, meaning you can just plug the battery in to charge, and forget about it. It will stop charging when it is fully charged. Note that if you don’t ride your ebike for 3 weeks or more, you should charge the battery up occasionally – just to keep it in good shape. Like us, lithium batteries need exercise! I bought a power bar with a 7-day timer that I connect up when the weather is very bad. I charge my battery (and my wife’s ) for 30 minutes a week, and that keeps them healthy. It is also handy for keeping our Verizon hotspot charged, but not over-charged, as it does not have a smart charger.
Best For: People who want quality components in an e-bike that looks like a regular bike; heavier cyclists
Overview of this Cheap E-bike
This is an updated version of an already popular cheap e-bike. The Ancheer mountain e-bike comes with a one-year warranty for the electric motor, battery and other parts (except the frame). Assembly is fairly easy, as it ships 85% assembled. However, you can elect to have it professionally assembled, for an additional charge. In that case, you have it shipped to a store.
This is a sturdy and responsive bike, constructed from Aviation Grade Aluminum Alloy. The bike also has dual disk brakes for powerful stopping power, and a steel fork to soak up the bumps.
Power and Battery
The Ancheer is equipped a 350 W high speed brushless motor. And it’s important to note that the 36V 7.8Ah lithium-ion battery is a Samsung. It is unusual for an ebike at this price point to have a respected name-brand battery, so that is a big plus for this ebike.
Claimed Range
The battery specs make it likely that the manufacturer’s claim of a 30-mile range is not too wild. They do specify that the range is 18 miles with throttle mode and 30 miles in pedal-assist mode. But obviously, it will depend on how much you pedal. And also that you are not cycling in the Alps!
Operational Modes
This very affordable ebike offers the choice of using it as a regular bike, an assisted bike (when you pedal, the power kicks in), and as a purely electric bike (you don’t have to pedal at all). The last-mentioned option is especially useful when pulling off from a stop, particularly if you are on a hill. When you are using power assistance, you can choose between three levels of assistance.
Reviews of this Cheap E-Bike
Reviewers of this bike note that it has a sturdy construction, and is fast and powerful on hills. Plus, as with most ebikes, it is fun to ride!
For full Manufacturer’s Description, Bike Specs, and User Reviews, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this cheap electric bike!
Best For: People who Want to Do Some Stylish City Cycling
Overview of the Nakto Camel Budget Ebike
This is a good looking 6-speed cruiser. It has an integrated bike light, horn, and basket, so you are ready to ride! It is depicted with a helmet and lock, because these are included in the budget price! However, that lock is not strong enough to protect an ebike. Check out our post on 5 of the best bike locks for some better ideas, and tips on keeping your bike safe.
This ebike ships almost fully assembled; all you have to do is add the handlebar and front wheel. Note that for some unknown reason, the helmet and lock are sometimes shipped separately.
Here’s a video review of the Nakto E-Bike
Power and Battery
This ebike has a 250 Watts High-Speed Brushless Motor with a 36V/10AH lithium battery. This combo will get you up the hills, and give you plenty of range too.
Claimed Range
Nakto claims 22 to 28 miles (30 to 45 km) for this ebike. As with all claims of range, you need to remember that it depends on many factors, such as terrain, weather, how hard you pedal, and your own weight.
Operational Modes
The Nakto Camel can be ridden as a pedal assist e-bike, that is, you pedal to keep it moving, and you can choose how much assistance you engage for your pedal power. You can also use it with throttle only (no pedaling) and with no power at all (plenty of pedaling!)
Rated for:
This very affordable ebike is rated for riders up to 220 pounds.
User Reviews of the Nakto E-Bike
The reviews are in on this ebike, and they are pretty glowing. A common theme is “” Also, “customer service was outstanding” and “can’t believe the price.”
For full Manufacturer’s Description, Bike Specs, and more reviews, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this cheap ebike!
Best For: People Who Want a Practical but Good Looking Bike for Transport and Shopping
A super-practical ebike at a bargain price!
Overview of this Cheap E-Bike for City Transport
This is a stylish carbon steel ebike with integrated front light, bike basket, and a rack to hang your panniers from. The comfort seat and integrated chain guard are nice touches. When I look at this bike, I imagine myself cycling to an event wearing a suit, perhaps with flowers for my wife in the basket! It’s a heavy, solid bike that should stand up to many years of city cycling. Note that it is 26″, so it will not suit shorter cyclists.
Power and Battery
This ebike is powered by a 250 Watts brushless motor and a 36V/10AH lithium battery.
Claimed Range of the Nakto City Cheap E-Bike
Nakto claims a range of up to 28 miles in pedal-assist mode. This claim seems a little extreme. Perhaps if you use it with the minimal assist mode, and pedal continuously and very hard. And of course, you only weigh about a hundred pounds or less, and the terrain is either flat or downhill. All the same, with a 36V/10AH lithium battery, it is highly unlikely that you will run out of range with this ebike. Not many people cycle more than 10 miles in one session, let alone 28 miles!
Operational Modes
This Nakto ebike works as a pedal assist ebike, that is, as soon as you start pedaling, the motor assistance kicks in. You can choose how much assistance you engage (there are two levels). You can also use it with throttle only (no pedaling) and with no power at all (lots of pedaling!)
Rated For:
This bike is rated to carry cyclists up to 250 pounds.
User Reviews of the Nakto City E-Bike
This ebike gets mainly very positive reviews, with the consensus being that it is great value for money. Users do note that it is heavy, though. In our opinion, it would not suit a small or frail adult.
For full Manufacturer’s Description, Bike Specs, and Reviews, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this Budget electric bike!
Best for: Taller People Shopping for an Affordable E-Bike
The Ecotric is a great looking fat tire mountain ebike. And it can be yours for a bargain price.
Overview of this Budget Ebike
This is a great looking electric fat tire mountain bike, suitable for use on the road, the trails, the beach, and the snow.
The 26 inch fat tires ensure a comfy ride off-road, even on snow and on the beach. And on trails, it’s a very comfy ride. The mechanical disk brakes ensure solid stopping power.
Like most ebikes, it comes with a smart charger, for easy charging. Just plug it into the wall and forget about it.
Video Review of the Ecotric Fat Tire E-Bike
Power and Battery
This remarkably cheap ebike comes with a much bigger motor than the first bike, packing a 500 Watts motor, coupled with a 36V/12AH removable lithium battery. This combo gives you both power and range.
Claimed Range of the Ecotric Mountain Ebike
36 V x 12 AH gives you 432 amp hours, which is a lot of range. Of course, it depends on factors such as terrain, your weight, how hard you pedal, weather conditions, etc. However, the manufacturer’s claim of over 19 miles seems reasonable.
Operational Modes
It works as a pedal assist ebike, that is, you have to pedal to keep it moving, and you can choose how much assistance you engage. You can also use it with throttle only (no pedaling) and with no power at all (lots of pedaling!)
Rated For:
This bike is rated for riders up to 260 pounds.
User Reviews of this Affordably Priced Ebike
This surprisingly cheap ebike gets overwhelmingly good reviews, with reviewers focusing on the following positives:
- unbelievably good value for money, and
- easy to assemble (rear tire assembly is already complete, and that is usually the only tricky part with ebikes).
Some people complain that they can’t reach the seller by phone; however, this is standard on Amazon. Instead, you contact them via Amazon online. I have done this often and it always works well. Buyers note that the sellers of this bike are fair and helpful. The manual does not give step-by-step assembly instructions, so if you are not handy, you might want to choose the professional assembly option.
Related: FuroSystems New Carbon Frame E-Bikes – Carbon Folding E-Bike and Mountain E-Bike
Note that the Ecotric Mountain bike is more suitable for taller people. As in, over 5 foot 9. Ecotric makes a foldable fat-tire bike with smaller tires and the same motor and battery specs. So if you are on the shorter side, you might want to check that one out. It will suit cyclists as short as 5 foot 2. See Ebike #7 in this post, below.
For full Manufacturer’s Description, Bike Specs, and Reviews, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this cheap electric bike!
TotGuard Electric Bike: Top Rated Powerful Electric Bike with A Powerful Motor and Long Range
Best For: Cyclists who Want a Best Selling Ebike
Overview of the TotGuard Electric Bike
This ebike offers an amazing range of features in a cheap ebike. For example, lock-out front suspension (this means you can disengage the suspension when you don’t want it). Throw in 21 gears, dual disc brakes, and a powerful motor that takes just 5 hours to charge. Strongly built, it can carry riders up to 300 pounds.
This electric bike arrives 85% assembled. You can also access the video on the Amazon sales page to see how to assemble the final 15%.
Power and Battery
350 Watt motor with 36V/10.4Ah Li-ion lithium battery.
Claimed Range
The manufacturers claim a range of up to 28-30 miles in full electric mode and 50-60 miles in pedal assist mode. That is extremely impressive.
Operational Modes
You can of course ride it as a regular bike. You can also choose from 3 levels of pedal assistance, which means the motor kicks in to help when you are pedaling. Finally, you can ride it in pure electric mode (no pedaling), also known as throttle mode.
Rated For:
Riders up to 300 pounds.
For full Manufacturer’s Description, Bike Specs, and Reviews, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this cheap electric bike!
Best for: Shorter Cyclists who want a Folding Ebike
Overview of this Very Cheap, Budget E-bike
An affordable but very powerful folding e-bike, with a very generously specced battery for long, long rides! Disk brakes on both wheels ensure solid stopping ability. With the addition of lights and a bike bell, this e-bike offers great transport options.
Why would you want a folding e-bike? Well, think about the options. You could ride halfway to work, then fold it up and hop on a train or bus. Or drive halfway, then park, pull the folding e-bike out of your trunk, and ride the rest of the way. Once at work, you could take your e-bike up to your office, charge it as you work, and then ride back to your car that evening. Plus, you could easily take your foldable e-bike along on a vacation, and have almost-free transport once you get there! Once purchased, an e-bike costs just pennies per day to operate. You plug it into any available wall socket, and it charges up.
Video Review of the Ecotric Folding Fat Tire Ebike
Power and Battery of the Ecotric Folding Fat Tire Ebike
The 500 watt motor and 36V/12Ah battery give you an amazing amount of power, plus a whole lot of range.
Claimed Range
The manufacturers claim a range of up to 23 miles on electric power only; this seems like a very reasonable claim given that the battery is a 36V/12 Ah lithium battery.
Operational Modes of the Ecotric Folding Fat Tire Ebike
This budget ebike offers the choice of using it as a regular bike, an assisted bike (when you pedal, the power kicks in to help you), and as a purely electric bike (you use a throttle, and you don’t have to pedal at all). When using pedaling assistance, you can choose between three levels of assistance.
Rated for:
This ebike is rated to carry riders up to 240 pounds.
For full Manufacturer’s Description, Bike Specs, and User Reviews, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this budget electric bike!
Best for: Heavier Cyclists who want a Strong but Cheap E-bike
Overview of the Yiilove Mountain E-bike
This highly rated e-bike with an aluminum alloy frame, and a strong carbon steel front fork to soak up the bumps, is our choice in a value-for-money, sturdy, budget e-bike.
Like most e-bikes in the USA and Canada, this bike has a maximum speed of 32 km/h (20 mph). That’s a legal requirement. Of course, you can go faster, it’s just that the motor will stop helping you once you exceed 20 mph.
This ebike is fitted with 21 Shimano gears and decent quality disk brakes for reliable shifting and powerful braking. Plus, it has an integrated horn, bike light, and fenders, so it is ready for every kind of action from the minute you get it.
Power and Battery
Don’t be put off by the 250 Watts motor – in my experience, 250 Watts is plenty for heavier riders. My current bike is a 250 W, and it gets me up the biggest of hills (with some help from me pedaling). And it’s a high speed brushless gear motor, which is the best way to go. Throw in a removable 36V 8Ah lithium battery and you have a great mountain ebike that will take you many, many miles – at a bargain basement price.
Claimed Range of the Yiilove Budget E-bike
The manufacturers don’t make any Wild West claims for the range – they claim a modest 14 to 17 miles per charge – which should be more than enough for the average cyclist.
Operational Modes
The best thing about this bike is that you have multiple modes to choose from. Of course, you can keep the motor switched off, and ride it like a regular bike when you choose. Such as, if you are cycling on totally flat terrain. You can also go to the other extreme – switch it on and use the thumb throttle to ride without any pedaling at all. When you do that, you do of course shorten the range dramatically. Finally, the best mode of all is pedal assist, in which you pedal, and the motor helps out, making you feel like an Olympian! This bike has three levels of assist, so you can choose which one works best for the terrain and your mood.
Rated For:
Testament to the ruggedness of this ebike is that it is rated for cyclists up to 300 pounds. Many expensive bikes on the road are only rated for up to 250 pounds. Contributing to this sturdiness are double layer aluminum alloy wheels. When it comes to heavier cyclists, rugged wheels are essential. The last thing you want is to bust a wheel while cycling at 20 miles per hour!
User Reviews of the Yiilove Budget E-Bike
User reviews are very positive. Many comment on how easy the bike is to assemble and to mount and ride. A couple in their sixties chose this ebike for its best feature – the fact that you can use it as a regular bike, or use it with varying levels of assistance.
Also, users find them rugged, sturdy, and durable. They report getting speeds as high as 20 miles per hour, long battery life, and a comfortable ride.
Riders find it easily gets a rider of 230 pounds up hills. That was certainly my experience – 250 Watts is plenty of power for most riders.
A common theme with reviewers is that this does not look like a cheap e-bike, and it is excellent value for money. And also, that customer service from the company was excellent.
For full Manufacturer’s Description and Bike Specs, please click here to go to Amazon. You won’t be committing to buy, but you can read more about this budget ebike!
Can You Get Fit on an Ebike?
In case you are wondering – YES, you CAN get fit on an e-bike! Check out our post about getting fit with an ebike here.
Related Post: Three Ways to Get Fit with an E-Bike
The first time you ride an e-bike, you will most likely feel like I did – like a super hero. It’s a wonderful feeling. E-bikes take the fear of hills out of cycling, ensure that you ride more often and further, and still give you a great workout. As you will see with the budget e-bikes we have selected for this post, you can usually choose how little or how much power assistance you use. So if you mainly choose No Assist on flats, you can still get a great workout – and also be able to cruise up big hills without too much effort!
Related Post: Research Shows Electric Bikes Make People Cycle Longer and More Often – Especially Women
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