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Nov 28, 2023
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*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.
The best mid-drive e-bikes and hub-drive e-bikes give riders a surprisingly different riding experience. With one, you only need to work as much as you want. With the other, you’re involved. It’s a little more complicated – but think automatic vs. stick shift.
The difference between the two types of motors comes down to how information is fed to the controller. With hub-drive e-bikes, a cadence sensor (usually with 12 magnets) picks up a signal that the pedals are turning and relays that message to the controller. It’s a binary process: either the pedals are turning or they are not. If the pedals are turning, then the motor starts. And when the pedals stop turning, the controller tells the motor to halt after a slight delay, usually about a second later.
Mid-drive motors use a torque sensor to judge when to turn the motor on and off. (There are also an increasing number of e-bikes with hub motors that are speccing torque sensors.) Instead of a yes/no question, torque sensors detect something more complex: how much pressure is on the pedals?
The fundamental difference means that e-bikes with mid-drive motors behave differently. First, the moment a rider pushes down on a pedal, the motor springs to life. Power addition and subtraction come in proportion to the rider’s effort. Furthermore, the proportion of power applied is determined by which PAS level the rider has selected.
The upshot is that a mid-drive e-bike makes the e-bike experience more seamless, more cyborg, as if the machine were telepathic. It also means that the rider is going to have to work harder to go faster; a Class 3 mid-drive e-bike won’t go 28 without the rider making some real effort.
We’ve tested a myriad of e-bikes with mid-drive motors, and have selected a handful of options that we consider to be the best. Whether you want a relaxed city cruiser or a tough and active trekking bike, look no further for the best mid-drive electric bikes!
*Editor’s Note: Content updated 11/28/2023 with new picks for the best mid-drive electric bike based off our testing.
Our Best Mid-Drive Electric Bikes for 2023
The Ride1UP Prodigy V2 LX provides a stellar feel to its ride and comes with more features than you’d expect given its relatively low price tag of around $2,500. That might seem steep for an e-bike from Ride1UP, but the Prodigy V2 includes premium features that you’d pay a significantly higher price for if it were made by any other brand.
The bike’s Brose TF Sprinter motor is the star of the show, with a range of smooth-feeling pedal assistance from subtle to substantial. It gives you 250W of power combined with 90Nm of torque to help speed up the ride in a natural way (it still feels like a bike!) and give your legs welcome relief on the steepest hills.
Speaking of hills, you can choose between two different drivetrains on the Prodigy V2, but we loved the feel of the Enviolo CVT and Gates belt drive on our test bike. Since there are no gears, shifting with this internal system provides a seamless experience while on the move. This system offers a broad range of flexibility for easily uphill pedaling as well.
The Prodigy V2 includes everything needed for daily commuting, but with Maxxis Rekon Race tires, its mid-drive, and a 100mm suspension fork, it’s suitable for trekking and light off-roading. This is a bike that is built to perform – without breaking the bank.
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Pro’s- A 250W Brose motor produces 90Nm of torque, giving it the power to match the demands of your ride and meet you at your desired speed.
- The 504Wh battery gave our tester 70 mi. in range on PAS 2 – with potential to go even longer in PAS 1.
- Enviolo CVT for gearless shifting is awesome tech with infinite flexibility for varied terrain.
- Comes in three version to suit the needs of different riders.
- Great handling regardless of the riding surface – it can stick to pavement or tear through dirt with ease!
Con’s- With just a single frame size, smaller riders may need to consider the LS model.
Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0
The Specialized Turbo Vado 4.0 may look like any other mid-drive commuter, but looks can be deceiving, right? We’ve included this e-bike in our collection of the best mid-drive e-bikes for a couple of reasons, but the biggest is that the Turbo Vado 4.0 is easy to get up to a Class 3 top speed of 28 mph, and to keep it there thanks to a 250W Specialized 2.0 motor and 11-speed SRAM drivetrain.
One unfortunate reality of many of the more budget-minded e-bikes is that their gearing range isn’t low enough to make steep hills easy and isn’t high enough to reach its top assist speed. With some e-bikes, the only way to reach its top assist speed (whether 20 mph or 28 mph) the rider must turn the pedals like a jet engine. With the Turbo Vado 4.0 the 48×11 top gear makes reaching—and staying at—28 mph pretty easy. Sure, a mid-drive motor will require the rider to work harder, but the pedals need not spin like the blades of a blender.
In our testing the 710Wh motor yielded a range of 61 mi. in PAS 1 and the SRAM Level hydraulic disc brakes provided terrific control. The 27.5 x 2.3 Pathfinder tires feature a low-profile tread for speedy rolling and a suspension fork with a coil spring and a suspension seatpost for rider comfort.
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Pro’s- 250W Specialized 2.0 motor produces 70Nm of torque and can assist riders up to 28 mph
- 11-speed SRAM drivetrain has a big enough high gear (48 x 11) to make reaching top speed easy
- 40mm-travel suspension seatpost improves rider comfort without sacrificing performance
- Specialized’s Mission Control smartphone app includes security features like GPS tracking and the ability to disable the motor
- Specialized has one of the best dealer networks in the world, making service easy
Con’s- No throttle
- We would prefer to see an air-spring, rather than coil-spring fork for this kind of money
The Evelo Omega offers comfort, stability, and a number of premium features to simplify the riding experience. At its core is a sturdy step-thru frame with a low standover height and a weight capacity of up to 350 lbs. This makes the bike easier to mount for riders in stiffer business attire or those with limited range of motion.
The Omega features a powerful 750W Dapu mid-drive motor with 1100W of peak output and 115 Nm of torque. This is potent enough to make the Omega’s ride smooth and easy even when pedaling over steep hills. The motor is paired with a gearless continuously variable transmission (CVT) and a Gates Carbon belt instead of a chain. This is an extremely quiet and low-maintenance system requiring no lubrication.
With an Enviolo automatic shifting system – the AutomatIQ – the Omega feels a lot like a car with an automatic transmission. Just pedal and go – the bike’s system takes care of everything else!
Finally, the Omega features an upright riding position with ergonomic, swept-back handlebars and a comfortable saddle. The bike’s 26” x 2.8” tires help to keep it stable on the move while offering great maneuverability.
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Pro’s- An effortless “set it and forget it” experience with the Enviolo AutomatIQ and CVT.
- The 750W mid-drive packs serious power for an easy ride that requires only light pedaling
- The Gates belt drive is quiet, clean, and requires incredibly low maintenance.
- Get more time out of the bike before needing to recharge with a 48V, 720 Wh battery.
- The Enviolo app allows for adjustments to the AutomatIQ system as well as installation of software updates.
Con’s- We liked that the AutomatIQ system could be adjusted on the fly, but we’d prefer to be able to use the display instead of the app.
The Tenways AGO X is a commuter e-bike with enough freedom and versatility to go beyond pavement. Marketed as an “e-bike SUV,” it features the design of a commuter, but its frame is outfitted with a number of components suitable for an entry-level mountain bike. These include its 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, a Suntour XCM 32 suspension fork, and Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc brakes.
The AGO X also features a Bafang M410 mid-drive motor with 250W of nominal output and a max of 80 Nm of torque. This motor felt more powerful than we expected, though it was reserved enough to preserve the natural feel of an analog bike. With its torque sensor, the motor was able to quickly respond to the amount of force we applied to the pedals.
While we recommend swapping out the equipped street tires for something with knobbier tread if you want to spend more time off the road than on, we appreciated the bike’s great handling, steering precision and stability. These features were primarily a result of the bike’s 29”x2.25” tires and super-wide 770mm handlebars.
To top it off, the AGO X benefits from Tenways’ trademark design, with a smooth, weld-free frame, integrated headlight, and unique paint jobs!
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Pro’s- Excellent steering, handling, and ride stability from the 29” x 2.25” tires and 770mm handlebars.
- A responsive, natural, and fun feel from the 250W mid-drive motor.
- A solid foundation for off-road rides with the wide handlebars, 10-speed drivetrain, suspension fork, and more.
- An awesome contemporary design and paint job! The integrated headlight is a defining element.
- Tons of quality parts including Tektro, Shimano, Bafang, Selle Royal, SR Suntour, etc. for lasting performance.
Con’s- We’d like to have the option to select off-road tires at purchase, though this is relatively easily done at home.
Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 IGH
An e-bike need not be elaborate or powered like a Dodge Challenger to suit someone’s needs. The Specialized Turbo Como is a terrific example of where a manufacturer kept their e-bike simple and straightforward. This is a Class 1 e-bike (20 mph max, no throttle) that seems like the modern-day answer to those old 3-speeds that made reliable commuters. Its simplicity made it a must-have for our roundup of the best mid-drive e-bikes.
For urban commuters who want a bit of exercise as they ride, the Turbo Como 3.0 IGH is ideal. The mid-drive motor provides smooth and instant acceleration, making the operation of the motor seamlessly integrated with pedaling.
The commuter who wants a simple and straightforward commuter will appreciate the choice of an internally geared Enviolo CVT rear hub and Gates Belt. It’s zero muss or fuss; chain lube need not apply. It comes equipped with a rear rack, lights and fenders; all it lacks is a saddle bag.
The Turbo Como comes in three different frame designs—traditional, low-step and step-thru (shown above) and each of those comes in three sizes, making it one of the friendliest-fitting e-bikes in this collection.
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Pro’s- 250W Specialized 2.0 motor produces 50Nm of torque which is enough to provide good acceleration and a commute speed near 20 mph
- 530Wh battery would seem small in many e-bikes but thanks to its efficient mid-drive motor, it gave our tester a range of 63 mi.
- Because it comes in three different sizes, this is an especially attractive option for people shorter than 5 feet 6 or taller than 6 feet 0
- Comes with a commute-ready complement of rear rack, fenders and lights
- Specialized’s smartphone app, Mission Control, offers a sophisticated array of features, including security features like GPS tracking and the ability to disable the motor
Con’s- Some people will dislike the lack of a throttle or the ability to go Class 3 speeds
With several commuters that combine a mid-drive motor with a Gates Belt and an Enviolo Continously Variable Transmission, you might wonder how the Evelo Galaxy Lux differs from our other offerings in this roundup of the best mid-drive e-bikes. First, this is an e-bike perfect for those on the smaller or shorter end of the spectrum; it is recommended for riders between 4’-10” and 5’-10”.
Second, with its step-thru frame and retro cruiser-style design, the Galaxy Lux sports classic looks while offering a high degree of maneuverability and ease of transport. At just over 52 lbs, the lightweight bike provides responsive handling, is easier to lift, and can be transported using a standard bike rack.
Its 500W mid-drive motor packs just the right amount of power for a spirited but not overpowered feel. It delivers power responsively and quickly, while still feeling much like an analog bike – just easier and more fun to ride!
Finally, while the Galaxy Lux includes the Enviolo AutomatIQ electronic shifting system in addition to its Gates belt drive and Enviolo CVT, a lower-tier sibling model is available with manual shifting. Both models are fully equipped with quality, name-brand components for lasting performance and offer a comfortable ride.
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Pro’s- Equipped with Enviolo’s internally geared hub with automatic electronic shifting—perfect for riders who don’t like shifting gears
- 500W Dapu mid-drive motor produces 95Nm of torque, making it a beast on hills
- Comes in four sizes, a real benefit to riders who are shorter than 5 feet 6 or taller than 6 feet 0
- Great step-thru design is easy to mount
- With lights, fenders and a rear rack, it’s a ready-to-go commuter
Con’s- This e-bike would feel better balanced if the battery were mounted internally rather than in the rear rack
- Came up a little short in range in our testing—we covered 45 mi., not the 55 they advertise
How we picked these bikes
We looked at what the most popular categories are in e-bikes and then examined the top offerings in each of those styles. We have a broad range of prices represented as well, so there are options no matter what someone’s budget is.
It’s worth noting that we did not include any proper eMTBs. The reason why is that, as a category, they are different enough that they don’t really belong here. True eMTBs all feature mid-drive motors, so whether or not to buy one with a mid-drive motor isn’t a question.
Let’s get on to what we looked for:
- Value: We asked, how far does your dollar go? We can justify spending $3000 or $4000 on a mid-drive e-bike, but before we chose it, we asked if the full package was worthwhile. We looked hard because it’s now possible to purchase a mid-drive e-bike for less than $2500.
- Power: There are e-bikes on the market that bring more power to the party than is necessary—or wise—as well as some that are underpowered in a dissatisfying way. We asked whether the motor was appropriate to the e-bike’s use.
- Spec: We sometimes see e-bikes that have some selections in parts that don’t make a lot of sense or won’t serve the rider very well. Each of these is well-spec’d for their purpose.
Bottom line: There is a lot to love with mid-drive electric bikes
In buying an e-bike, one of the single most important questions a buyer can ask themselves is whether they want to go with an e-bike with a mid-drive motor vs. a hub motor. To us, it’s a foundational question because it fundamentally changes the rider’s experience. Perhaps the easiest we we can differentiate them is like so:
Buy an e-bike with a hub motor if you want activity. Buy an e-bike with a mid-drive motor if you want exercise.
Riding an e-bike with a mid-drive motor will ask more of the rider, but the immediacy of the feedback and the superhero experience of having your effort multiplied in proportion to your effort is intoxicating. But not everyone wants to work, and that’s okay.
Have a bike that you think would be a good contender for our best page? Let us know in the comment section below. At the very least, we always want to know what our readers are riding.
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