The 7 Best Folding E-Bikes of 2024 – Your Comprehensive Guide

Full-size electric bikes are great, but their size and weight can make them difficult to haul around when not riding them.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great folding e-bikes that are both compact and lighter-weight, making them better suited for travel and for storage in smaller homes.

And don’t worry – just because these folding bikes are smaller, it doesn’t mean you have to compromise when it comes to performance.

With strong motors and long-lasting batteries, the best folding e-bikes can hang with any full-size bike out there.

The key, of course, is knowing what to look for when comparing these e-bikes to make sure you get your money’s worth.

But don’t worry, I got your back.

In this guide, I’ll go over the most important specs and features you should focus on when comparing these folding e-bikes.

I’ll also offer my top picks for the year based on these specs and features.

After reading, you’ll be ready to hit the road with the right compact bike to meet your needs.

Alright, let’s begin.

Folded DimensionsWeight (with battery)MotorBattery
#1 Vtuvia SX20 Antelope25.2" x 11.5" x 33.5"70 lb750W rear hub
Class III
672Wh
Up to 52 mile range
#2 Aventon Sinch41" x 23" x 31"68 lb500W rear hub
Class II
672Wh
Average 40 mile range
#3 HAOQI Squirrel?62 lb500W rear hub
Class III
499.2Wh
35 - 70 mile range
#4 The RadExpand 541" x 25" x 29"62.5 lb750W rear hub
Class II
672Wh
25 - 45 mile range
#5 Blix Vika+ Flex36" x 21" x 28"55 lb500W rear hub
Class II
614Wh
Up to 45 mile range
#6 Wallke H639" x 27" x 31"90 lb750W rear hub
Class III
1680Wh combined
50 - 170 mile range
#7 HeyBike Mars37" x 31" x 19"66 lb500W rear hub
Class II
600Wh
Up to 48 mile range

The 7 Best Folding E-Bikes of 2024

#1 Vtuvia SX20 Antelope Step-Thru Folding E-Bike

vtuvia sx20 antelope folding e-bike
Image courtesy of Vtuvia

Vtuvia’s SX20 comes with a great name, which I definitely appreciate, but it comes with some remarkable specs and features too.

One of the most impressive features here though is the 750W rear hub motor that allows you to ride in either Class II or Class III mode, depending on your needs and local regulations.

I also want to point out that the Antelope’s motor comes with 80Nm of torque, allowing it to handle more aggressive hills surprisingly well for a folding e-bike.

Vtuvia pairs this strong motor with a 672Wh (48V, 14Ah) battery that can go upwards of 52 miles on a single charge.

Other notable features include a 7-speed shifter, hydraulic disc brakes, an LED headlight, a front suspension fork, 4″ all-terrain tires, and 5 levels of pedal assist (PAS).

Vtuvia also includes several additional accessories at no added cost, including a rear rack, fenders, and a convenient phone mount.

When it comes to transportation and storage, the SX20 also scores pretty well – folded, this bike only takes up a space of 25.2″ x 11.5″ x 33.5″ (L x W x H).

That said, this bike isn’t light, with a weight of 70 lb (with battery), it’s one of the heavier folding bikes out there.

But if you’re comfortable with the weight and looking for a folding e-bike that can handle any terrain you come across, this won’t be a dealbreaker.

Overall, the combination of features and specs the Antelope comes with is impressive for a folding e-bike in this price range.

So if you’re looking for a powerful folding bike loaded with extras, it’s worth checking out.

#2 Aventon Sinch Foldable E-Bike

Image courtesy of Aventon

If you’re looking for a folding bike that can pretty much do it all, Aventon’s Sinch is a good place to start.

For starters, the Sinch comes with a decent amount of muscle under the hood – with a 500W motor, you won’t have any problems with hills, regardless of how steep they are.

And as a Class II e-bike, it can reach a top assisted speed of 20 mph through pedal assist or by using the throttle.

The Sinch also comes with a 672Wh battery that’ll give you an average range of about 40 miles, which is impressive for a folding model.

Speaking of which, folded, the Sinch takes up a space of 41″ x 23″ x 31″, so it’s a little larger than the Antelope mentioned above, but it’ll still fit nicely into compact spaces.

The Sinch weighs a bit more too, but at 68 lb, it’s still movable for most folks.

But that extra mass allows this e-bike to hold folks weighing up to 300 lb, so larger riders can take advantage of what the Sinch has to offer as well.

Other notable features include 5 levels of pedal assist, a 7 speed shifter, an LCD console, and an included rear rack.

And with 20″ x 4″ tires, the Sinch can handle a little bit of any terrain you find yourself riding on.

This bike doesn’t come with any lights included, but you can add them for little additional cost – and with a starting price under $1500, it’s still a great deal.

Oh, you also get to choose between a step-over and step-thru frame, which is nice.

Overall, the Sinch is a lot of folding e-bike for the price.

#3 HAOQI Squirrel Folding Electric Bike

haoqi squirrel folding e-bike
Image courtesy of HAOQI

I tell ya, I’m loving the names of these bikes… definitely makes it more fun to write than boring letter and number combinations.

Cool names aside, the Squirrel is another high performing folding bike that’s well-priced and loaded with cool features.

The Squirrel is a Class III bike, coming with a 500W rear hub motor that can reach a top speed of 28 mph under pedal assist.

The battery size is a little smaller on this bike, but with a 499.2Wh battery, it can still get you somewhere between 35 – 70 miles per charge, depending on how much motor you use of course.

The Squirrel is a sleek little e-bike, coming with an included rear rack for hauling and fenders to help keep ya clean while riding.

And with 20″ x 4″ fat tires, this mighty little bike can handle going off-road as well as it can cruising paved routes.

Additional features include 5 levels of PAS, a 7-speed shifter, a half-twist throttle, an LCD console, and an included headlight.

And at only 62 lb, the Squirrel isn’t quite as heavy as some other powerful bikes either, so it’ll be a little easier to handle as well.

Oh, this bike also comes with an impressive payload capacity of 350 lb as well, allowing it to accommodate larger riders and larger loads too.

Overall, there isn’t anything especially fancy going on here, but if you’re looking for an affordable folding e-bike with some legit specs and features, HAOQI is a great brand to consider.

#4 The RadExpand 5

Image courtesy of Rad Power Bikes

The RadExpand 5 is Rad Power Bikes’ latest take on a folding e-bike and it has a lot to offer for its price range – especially for folks looking for a powerful, dependable motor.

More specifically, the RadExpand 5 comes with a 750W rear hub motor that can reach a top speed of 20 mph by using either the pedal assist or throttle mode, making it a Class II e-bike.

And like Rad Power Bikes’ other models, this one also builds speed gradually, so it’s easy to control.

This e-bike also comes with a respectable 672Wh battery that should give most riders an estimated range of somewhere between 25 – 45 miles.

In terms of portability, the RadExpand 5 weighs in at 62.5 lb with the battery, making it a little lighter than some of the previously mentioned options.

And with the following folded dimensions, it should fit into closets or corners nicely for storage: 41″ x 25″ x 29″.

When it comes to features, this rugged little bike isn’t loaded, but it does come with front/rear lighting, fenders, and an included rear rack.

The biggest downside here, except the fact that it doesn’t come with a console, is that it can only fit folks upwards of 5’10” tall and weighing up to 275 lb.

But if you fit within these size requirements and are looking for a comfortable ride, the RadExpand 5 could be a good fit.

#5 Blix Vika+ Flex

Image courtesy of Blix

When it comes to outright style, it’s going to be hard to find a better looking folding e-bike than Blix’s Vika+ Flex.

With multiple colors to choose from and a minimalist, low step-thru frame, this is one great looking bike – to me it looks like something I’d find in Europe, but I don’t know.

Looks aside though, the Vika+ has a lot to offer.

This e-bike is convenient to fold, breaking down in 3 steps and with folded dimensions of 36″ x 21″ x 28″, it’s one of the most compact bikes on this list.

And it only weighs 55 lb with the battery, so it won’t be too difficult to haul it around when needed either (especially with the carrying case, sold separately).

When it comes to the performance side of things, the Vika+ comes with a 500W rear hub motor that tops out around 20 mph in both pedal assist and throttle mode, making it a Class II bike.

It comes with a 614Wh battery that should offer an expected range upwards of 45 miles per charge depending on how you use it.

The Vika+ Flex is also packing a 7 speed shifter, 5 levels of pedal assist, and 20″ x 2.4″ tires.

Additional features include an LCD console with USB charging, front/rear lights, hydraulic disc brakes, and an integrated bell.

The biggest downside I see here is that its weight limit is only 240 lb, so the Vika+ is certainly designed with smaller riders in mind.

But if you fit within that limit and are looking for a stylish e-bike that’s easy to travel with, Blix has got ya covered.

#6 Wallke H6

Image courtesy of Wallke

Wallke’s H6 isn’t the most portable folding e-bike, but with a powerful motor, a ridiculous top speed, and dual-battery power, this might just be one of the most fun models to ride.

More specifically, the H6 folds down to 39″ x 27″ x 31″, which isn’t bad, but it’s the 90 lb weight that’s gonna make this bike difficult to move around.

This is really heavy for a foldable e-bike – it’s actually really heavy for any e-bike.

A lot of this extra weight comes from the thicker frame and the fact that it comes with 2 batteries – yup, that’s right, double battery action.

The H6 comes with a combined battery capacity of 1680Wh (14Ah + 21Ah battery, each 48V), which according to Wallke, offers a max range of 170 miles.

We all know that max range is on a pedal assist of 1, but it’s still really impressive (and if you only used the throttle, you’d still be likely be looking at a range somewhere in the 50 – 75 mile range, which is still great).

And with a 750W rear hub motor that can reach a top speed of 32 mph, the H6 is built for serious speed and the 20″ x 4″ fat tires and front/dual rear suspension allow this bike to handle any terrain you may come into contact with.

Additional highlights include LED front/rear lighting, an 8 speed shifter, an over-sized seat, 5 levels of pedal assist, and an LCD console with USB charging.

Oh, and this e-bike comes with a 350 lb weight limit and should be able to handle most riders up to 6’4″ as well.

Overall, the H6 certainly isn’t convenient to move around, but if you’re looking for a monster of an e-bike that just happens to fold, Wallke’s H6 is definitely worth considering.

#7 HeyBike Mars

Finishing up my list is a great all-terrain folding e-bike that takes it really easy on the budget – the HeyBike Mars.

The Mars comes with 20″ x 4″ fat tires, a 500W rear hub motor, and a front-suspension system, allowing this folding e-bike to handle as smoothly off-road as it does in the city.

As a Class II model, the Mars comes with a top speed of 20 mph in either pedal assist or throttle mode.

So, even though it’s not the fastest bike out there, it does come with a 600Wh battery and a max range of around 48 miles, which is impressive for an e-bike in this price range.

And compared to the H6 above, this thing will be a piece of cake to get in/out of your car or take on public transit – the Mars weighs in at 66 lb and takes up the following dimensions when folded: 37″ x 31″ x 19″.

Other cool features include 3 levels of pedal assist, front/rear lights, a 7 speed shifter, and a small LCD console.

The Mars also comes with an included rear rack and the removable battery can even be used to power your phone when you’re not biking.

Pretty cool.

The Mars also comes with an impressive weight limit of 330 lb, which is pretty amazing for a folding e-bike of this size.

All things considered, I think HeyBike’s Mars has a lot to offer for an e-bike costing under $1k.

What To Look For When Comparing Folding E-Bikes

Weight

The most obvious advantage of going with a folding e-bike is that it can fold in half after use, making it easier to transport and store.

That said, some folding e-bikes can still be quite heavy, making them more difficult to travel with.

So, if you’ll be having to take your e-bike on public transportation or will have to be carrying it up and down stairs often to access your home, you’ll definitely want to take the bike’s weight into consideration before making a decision.

Folding e-bikes can weigh as little as ~20 lb or as much as 70+ lb, so their portability can vary quite a bit.

Personally, hauling a 70 lb bike up/down a flight of stairs every day doesn’t sound like much fun, but it all really depends on what you’re looking for.

Something to keep in mind though, lighter-weight bikes usually come with lower weight limits, so larger riders might have to go with a slightly heavier model.

Before you purchase anything, think about how you plan on using your bike and how often you think you’ll be carrying it.

Size

The weight of the bike is important, but the bike’s physical size is too – again, if the folded bike is still huge, it’s gonna be hard to travel with.

When comparing e-bikes, I encourage you to check out their folded dimensions because this will tell you exactly how much space it’ll take up.

This is especially important if you like the idea of tossing your bike in the trunk of your car or if you want to be able to store it in a small closet in your home after your rides.

Some folding bikes are more compact than others, so definitely something to think about.

Oh, you might want to consider the bike’s tire size as well because even though the frame can fold down, the tire size isn’t gonna change.

So, if your storage area is really small, going with a bike with smaller tires might be an advantage.

Most folding e-bikes come with tires that are 16″, 20″, or 24″, but there are also folding mountain e-bikes that come with larger, 26″ tires that can handle any terrain.

Just know that smaller wheels tend to make for a bumpier ride.

Motor

It’s a good idea to consider the motor for any e-bike you’re considering because this is what’ll be powering you through your rides.

Folding e-bikes come with motors of varying strengths, so it’s a good idea to think about where and how you plan on using your bike.

Stronger motors offer more acceleration and tend to do a better job climbing steeper hills, but they also drain your battery faster.

So, a stronger motor isn’t always the best play, especially if you’re looking for a bike with a longer range.

Most folding e-bikes come with motors that fall somewhere in the 250W – 750W range and top speeds will vary depending on their e-bike class.

As a reminder,

  • Class I bikes max out at 20 mph with pedal assist only
  • Class II bikes max out at 20 mph with pedal assist or throttle
  • Class III bikes max out at 28 mph with pedal assist and usually 20 mph with throttle (although some Class III e-bikes go faster than this)

When thinking about motors and e-bike class, keep in mind that different areas have different rules and regulations regarding which e-bikes can be used and where.

Some public areas don’t allow Class III e-bikes, so double check with your local area before purchasing one.

Oh, and you’ll see folding bikes that come with both rear hub and mid-drive motors, so you’ll be able to choose which one you prefer here as well.

This differentiation refers to where the motor is located and they each have their advantages and disadvantages.

For example, rear hub motors are more affordable, but mid-drive motors are a little smoother and offer better balance.

Battery

The battery capacity is another big spec worth considering as you compare different options because this is what largely affects how much range your e-bike will have between charges.

There are several different specs you can look at comparing batteries, but the easiest one to think about is probably watt-hours (Wh).

Most brands offer this battery related spec and it gives you a good idea as to how much range the battery can provide on a full charge.

And in case the manufacturer doesn’t include this spec, you can find it by multiplying the battery’s voltage by the amp-hours (Wh = V x Ah).

But if you don’t feel like crunching any numbers, don’t worry – e-bike manufacturers will offer the expected mileage range you can expect too.

Folding e-bikes tend to come with smaller batteries, but that doesn’t have to be the case – as you’ll see below, there are folding bikes out there with some impressive ranges.

But most average out offering folks 20 – 40 miles per charge, depending on how much motor you use.

Fun Features

The performance stuff mentioned above is important to consider, but you’ll also want to check out what kind of features a bike has to offer.

You know, the fun stuff.

For the sake of portability, folding -e-bikes don’t usually come with quite as many fancy bells and whistles, but you can still expect to find the following features on these bikes:

  • LCD consoles
  • Headlights
  • Tail lights
  • Suspensions
  • Rack options
  • Compatibility with additional accessories

You’ll also see folding bikes with multi-gear drivetrains, hydraulic brakes, and additional features you can choose from.

Some e-bike brands offer a lot of customization and others not so much, so definitely something to look for when picking your e-bike.

Final Thoughts

It’s pretty amazing what these folding e-bikes can do.

I mean seriously, top speeds of 32 mph…ranges in the triple-digits…luxury features galore…amazing.

Seriously though, as the popularity of e-bikes continues to explode, we’re only going to see more and more awesome models to choose from.

This is great, but it can also become overwhelming trying to find the best option.

I think all of the bikes on this listed earned their spot, but if none of these options are the right fit for ya, that’s ok – there are plenty of other options out there.

The key is to check out those performance specs and find one that comes with as many of the features you’re looking for (within your budget of course).

And again, before you go out and buy a crazy fast Class III, make sure you know your local rules regarding where e-bikes can be used.

Anyway, that’s about all I got.

I hope you found this guide helpful and if you know of any other great folding e-bikes that deserve recognition, please leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you shortly.

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