Best Folding Electric Bikes under £1000 – 8 Options for 2023

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Whether you’re a commuter or a leisure cyclist, there’s no doubt that the best folding electric bikes have a lot to offer. If your commute involves a train or bus journey, but your workplace is a couple of miles from the nearest train station or bus stop, then having a foldable e-bike can be an invaluable way to save you time and money. Our article features some of the best options currently available in 2023. Some of the folding e-bikes featured below are available only in the UK, but we have also chosen models available in the EU and USA as well.

Folding e-bikes are also great to use for park and ride facilities – you park your car on the outskirts of a town or city and ride the last few miles to work, avoiding the inevitable traffic congestion. If you don’t like crowded public transport, a foldable electric bike can provide an easy and convenient way to get to work.

Folding Electric Bike Buying Guide

Folding e-bikes are just like traditional folding bicycles with the added bonus of electric assist. They can usually be folded up in under a minute, and be easily taken on public transport, or placed in the back of your car to enable you to travel the last few miles to work with ease! Below I have listed some of the technical terms and what they mean.

Pedal assist

There are two types of pedal assist used on folding e-bikes. The first, and most common, is cadence assist. This measures pedal crank rotation and provides electric assist as soon as the cranks start turning. This type of assist has a very on/off feel to it, and is not particularly refined. The second is a torque-sensor. This is more sophisticated and measures pedalling force. It provides a much smoother, more reactive assist, and improves motor efficiency.

Power output

The power output in watts relates to the amount of work an electric motor can perform. To clarify things a little, 750 watts is equivalent one-horsepower. In all European countries and Australia , the current maximum continuous power output allowed is 250w – most of the e-bikes featured below will provide higher peak power in full-power mode for a limited time, this is allowed by law and it is the continuous rating (250w) that’s important.

Battery

Most batteries used on folding electric bikes are either 36 volt or 48 volt. The higher the ‘Ah’ rating the greater the energy capacity and therefore the greater the range. For example a 36v 10ah battery would have a total energy capacity of 360 watt hours (36v x 10ah = 360Wh). If you were consuming 10Wh per mile the  your battery should in theory last 36 miles. This mileage would vary depending on the power used, weight of the rider and the terrain ridden on.

What Makes a Good Folding Electric Bike?

Folding e-bikes should be fairly lightweight, easy to fold and have enough battery range for at least 10 – 20 miles of assisted riding. It’s also helpful if they can still be easily pedalled if the battery runs out.

Easy to Transport

Since the whole point of buying a folding electric bike is ease of transport, then it is worth considering not only how quickly and easily it folds up, but also the weight. Electric bikes are considerably heavier than their conventional counterparts, mainly due to the added weight of the battery, motor and other ancillary components. Most of the bikes featured below weigh at least 18kg with some weighing over 20kg – this is roughly the same weight as a builders bag of sand.

Power output

Since most folding electric bikes are used for town or city riding. Power output isn’t as crucial as on regular e-bikes. 250w – 350w is usually more than enough power for short distance city commutes.

Battery range

As above, battery range isn’t as important on a folding electric bike as they are usually used for short distance commutes or getting from public transport to places of work. Most folding e-bikes will have enough battery power for 15 – 20 miles of electric assist. Some models may go even further.

Accessories

It’s important that a folding e-bike has all the accessories needed for urban riding. Lights are especially important, but it’s good to have mudguards and a pannier rack.

The 8 Best Folding Electric Bikes for 2023

This is just a tiny selection of the massive choice available. Our expert has carefully chosen the folding e-bikes below, based on personal experience, value for money and customer reviews. The list below, features folding e-bikes that are to suitable for different uses, from off-road riding, through to covering extra long distances. If you have any questions relating to the bikes featured here, please leave a message in the comments section at the bottom of this article.

Fiido L3

Best Folding E-Bike for Long Battery Range

If battery range is an important factor, then there’s nothing that can come close to the Fiido L3. Featuring a massive 48v 23.2Ah battery, the L3 is capable of a massive range between charges. Although the claimed range is over 100 miles, riders can expect a real-world range of 60-70 miles, which is unheard of in the folding e-bike category. In addition, the 350-watt 48v motor is livelier than you’d expect, providing punchy acceleration, and surprisingly strong hill climbing abilities, despite its single gear. The only downside is weight, and at 23 kg, it’s the heaviest of the bunch. But, you won’t find another folding electric bike with this range. Read the full Fiido L3 article.

Visit Fiido for More info (US, EU and UK)

Decathlon Tilt 500E

The Decathlon Tilt 500e may be getting a bit long in the tooth now, but it still offers excellent value for money. It may only use a 24-volt system, but if you’re just after an e-bike to save on taxi fares for the last few miles of travel to work, it’s hard to beat. Decathlon offer a lifetime warranty on the frame, and the electric components are covered for up to 2-years from purchase. If you’re after a ‘no-frills’ folding e-bike for shorter journeys, you won’t go wrong with the Tilt 500e.

Buy from Decathlon

Raleigh Stowaway

If you’re looking for a stylish and affordable folding e-bike, then the Raleigh Stowaway is a great option. The Raleigh has every you need in a folding e-bike – simple design, decent motor and battery combo, and mudguards, rack and lights. The Stowaway is a popular option and is ideal for shorter commutes or even a spot of weekend leisure riding.

Available from Halfords

Ado A20

Best Value Folding E-Bike with Front Suspension

The Ado A20 is a great option for commuters looking for a comfortable and practical folding e-bike with a decent battery range. Ado have quickly established their brand within the UK and EU market, and put a big emphasis on after-sales service and rigorous safety testing of their e-bikes. The A20 is one of their best-selling models and has a really good spec for the price. The 250-watt motor is powered by a 374Wh battery, and the bike comes with mechanical disc brakes, front suspension, mudguards, rack, lights and kickstand. If you need a versatile folding e-bike, that is well-equipped and can handle varying terrain, the Ado A20 is well worth considering.

Available from Ado (EU and UK Shipping)

Fiido D11

Best Sporty Folding E-Bike

If you’re after something a bit more sporty looking,  there’s not an awful lot of choice in the sub-£1000 folding e-bike market apart from the excellent Fiido D11. Weighing in at just 17.5kg, it’s one of the lightest folding electric bikes on this list. Performance from the 250w motor is lively and the 36v 11.6Ah battery should guarantee a range of up to 40 miles (64km). It’s really fun to ride and the nimble handling is especially suited to urban riding. If you’re into more spirited riding then the Fiido D11 would be a good choice.

Buy direct from the official Fiido website

Carrera Crosscity

The Carrera Crosscity has been a best-seller at Halfords for two years, and continues to be very popular. It’s a simple, yet functional design, and comes with everything you’ll need on a folding commuter e-bike. There’s a smooth 250-watt rear hub motor with 313Wh battery, and a potential range of up to 30 miles between charges. The Crosscity also features an 8-speed drivetrain, giving plenty of gear range for tackling hillier routes. It’s still a great option in 2023, and comes with Halfords 2-year warranty and national network of service centres.

Available from Halfords

Fiido M1

Best Folding Electric Fat Bike under £1000

The Fiido M1 is a great option for riders wishing to tackle more challenging terrain. Featuring 20 x 4″ tyres, a 250-watt motor and 36v 12.5Ah battery, the M1 is ideal for negotiating city streets or rough country lanes. The combination of fat tyres with front and rear suspension, make for a really plush and comfortable ride.

As a commuter bike it’s a good choice – there’s enough battery power for a realistic range of 40 miles, and the 250-watt motor will flatten all but the steepest of hills. The M1 is excellent value for money, and if you need a folding e-bike that can handle rougher terrain, it’s one of the best there is at this price point. Check out the best folding electric fat bikes.

Buy direct from the official Fiido website

Mycle Compact

Mycle are a London-based e-bike company with a great ethos and a good range of affordable electric bikes. The Mycle Compact is not only excellent value for money (currently on offer at £999), but is very stylish and has great build quality. Power is provided by a brushless 250w geared hub motor and a 36v 6.4Ah seat post battery. Assisted range is around 20 miles which is ideal for shorter, urban rides.

The mechanical disc brakes work really well and the Microshift 7-speed Shifter with Shimano derailleur provide consistent gear shifts across the range. All Mycle e-bikes are assembled in the UK and go through final quality control and testing before being sent on to customers. Shipping is from within the UK, so you can be guaranteed to receive your bike quickly. Check out the full Mycle Compact review article.

Visit the Mycle website for more information

Also available from Amazon

Conclusion

There’s no clear winner in the best folding electric bike under £1000 category. All the e-bikes featured in this article have their good points. If long distances is your thing, then the Fiido L3 is unbeatable. For a cheap and cheerful last mile ride, then Decathlon’s Tilt 500e is still a firm favourite. My personal favourite would have to be the Fiido D11, but I’m biased as I currently own the similar Fiido X. It’s a cracking bike with light and nimble handling and good battery range.

Whatever you decide, folding electric bikes are fun to ride, and you get a bit of exercise into the bargain. Plus, they can save money in the long-term and provide a viable alternative for commuting by car or public transport.

Thanks for reading this article and if you need help deciding which folding electric bike is best for your needs, please leave a comment below – I personally try to answer all questions within 24hrs.