We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
Looking for a bike to cruise on pavement or hit the trails? For over a decade, our team here at GearLab has been researching and testing the best bikes on the market. Biking technology has changed a lot in recent years, with the growing popularity, availability, and affordability of electric bikes. It has been cool to witness a whole new category of bikes emerge. Our biking enthusiasts researched the top bikes in each category and chose the top products to put through rigorous side-by-side testing. We cruised for miles on pavement, hit some jumps, and railed some turns in order to see how the different bikes performed. Choosing the best bike to fit your needs can be challenging with so many new and intriguing products out there. Whether you're looking for the best mountain bikes, top-rated gravel bikes, or our favorite electric bikes, we've got you covered.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on August 19, 2024, to incorporate our latest picks for Best Class 3 Electric Bikes.
Electric Bikes
Electric bikes that were designed around human-generated power began coming onto the scene in the late 1980s and 1990s, but in the last decade, their popularity has really exploded. Now, you can find hundreds of different e-bikes, from commuter bikes to cargo bikes and even electric mountain bikes. Electric bikes help you get from place to place with less effort and often faster than a standard bike. Many of the bikes we tested can go up to 28 mph, with one even clocking at an impressive 48 mph! E-bikes are generally separated into three different classes depending on how much their electric motor can deliver power. We've researched, purchased, and tested over 80 different types of e-bikes so you can find the perfect fit for your budget and lifestyle.
E-bikes fall into three different classes. Class 2 bikes, like the one pictured here, have a throttle and pedal-assist with a top speed of 20 mph.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electric Commuter Bikes
A commuter bike is a great way to get around quickly and is more eco-friendly than driving a car to run errands. Not all bikes are created equal, and finding a commuter bike that meets all your needs is important. We researched and purchased 17 different models to put through rigorous side-by-side testing. Specifically, we examined their range, power output, ride quality, user interface, and ease of assembly. Here are our favorite electric commuter bikes below.
The Ride1Up 700 Series is a great choice for commuters wanting all the features without all of the price.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electric Folding Bikes
A folding bike is a great option if you have limited space but still need an electric bike to get around. The portability factor of these bikes is appealing and opens up a world of possibilities as to where you can go. Don't have a bike rack on your car? No problem. These bikes are compact and can fit in the trunk of most cars. We bought the best seven folding bikes on the market and tested them in a side-by-side comparison based on a series of different metrics. Here are our favorite electric folding bikes below.
As the name suggests, folding electric bikes can be folded to a more compact size for storage or transport.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Budget Electric Bikes
Let's face it — electric bikes are expensive and not affordable for everyone. Thankfully, there are some quality budget electric bikes on the market that still deliver great performance at a reasonable price. While you might have to sacrifice some power or steadiness of ride compared to the expensive, top-of-the-line bikes, many of the budget bikes we tested performed great, were comfortable and were easy to assemble. Here are the best budget electric bikes below.
If you're within the recommended user height range and on a tight budget, then the MICLON Cybertrack 100 is worthy of consideration.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Electric Cargo Bikes
Sometimes, you have to cart around a big load of items while biking around. This is where cargo bikes come in. Whether you're commuting for work or going on a bike trip, electric cargo bikes are a convenient, eco-friendly way to travel. Often these bikes are extra long to accommodate baggage and have dual kickstands to help support the additional weight of the bike during loading and unloading. The large batteries on these allow for you to haul a lot of weight, and some of the electric cargo bikes we tested can carry up to 440 pounds! We researched, purchased, and tested the top six models on the market and rated them on a series of metrics. Here are our favorite electric cargo bikes below.
Fat tire e-bikes have knobby tires that expand their surface versatility and put fewer limitations on where you can ride.
Credit: Laura Casner
Electric Mountain Bikes
Electric mountain bikes expand the range that you can travel by trail. These bikes multiply your power, offer excellent performance, and can help you explore far beyond your natural range. They come at a high cost but are well worth the price for a certain rider. We researched the top seven models on the market and put them through rigorous side-by-side testing to find the bikes that stand out from the rest. Below, we list the top electric mountain bikes from our testing.
The Turbo Levo is easily the best electric mountain bike we've tested.
Credit: Laura Casner
Class 3 Bikes
If you are looking for an electric bike that goes beyond pedal assist, then a class 2/3 bike might be what you are looking for. Many of the bikes we tested are great car alternatives that can drastically shorten your commute time. Class 2 bikes utilize a throttle, and Class 3 bikes will get you and your gear to 28 mph. With many different class three bikes on the market, knowing which might be best for you can be hard. We researched, purchased, and tested the top 13 models on the market. Below are the top-ranked class 3 electric bikes.
Gravel bikes have exploded in popularity in recent years and are kind of a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike. From the trail to riding pavement, their versatility allows them to perform better in a variety of different situations. Gravel bikes feature drop bars, similar to that of a road bike but with higher volume tires and lower gears designed to tackle the trails. With so many products on the market, choosing the best gravel bike out there can be a tall order. We researched, purchased, and tested the top eight gravel bikes out there so you can find the perfect one that meets all your wants and desires. Below, our favorite gravel bikes below.
The Stigmata is definitely lightweight and fast enough to serve you well as a gravel race bike.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Mountain Bikes
If you're looking for a new mountain bike, you've come to the right place. For over a decade, our team of experts has researched, purchased, and tested hundreds of mountain bikes, from enduro bikes to hardtails, cross country to fat bikes, and at every price range. There are many different types of bikes out there, many specializing in certain types of terrain. It can be challenging to decipher which bike is the right fit for you and the riding you want to do; many have similar features at similar prices. Whether you're looking for a top-rated fat bike to ride on snow or a full-suspension bike to hit the trails, we've tested them all. Below are the best of the best.
Jeremy Benson, one of our lead testers, hard at work in his version of “the office.”
Credit: Laura Casner
Trail Bikes
Trail bikes are designed to handle rugged terrain efficiently, whether you're headed up or down the mountain. These bikes tend to be versatile and can descend much faster than their predecessors. We constantly research, purchase, and test the best trail bikes available. Our biking enthusiasts then put each one through rigorous testing to separate the best from the rest. Have a peek below at our favorite trail mountain bikes.
Carving up fun trails is what the new Fuel does best.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Hardtail Bikes
Hardtail bikes offer less isolation from the trail than full-suspension mountain bikes and are inherently efficient. This doesn't mean they'll necessarily climb better than a full-suspension bike, but they are more affordable and much easier to maintain. We tested the top seven for a side-by-side comparison. Here are the best hardtail bikes below.
Hardtails aren't for everyone, but they can be loads of fun to ride on the right terrain.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Budget Mountain Bikes
Let's face it — mountain bikes are expensive and not affordable for many people. High-end mountain bikes routinely cost over ten-thousand dollars. Fortunately, there are increasingly more budget options available and great bikes at almost every price range. Our team of mountain-biking experts constantly researches and tests bikes with an eye on value. Here are the top five budget mountain bikes on the market. We pushed these bikes to the limits to expose the pros and cons and ensure you can find the best bike for you and your wallet. The best budget mountain bikes below.
The Fuse easily ran away from the competition and is the best budget hardtail we've ridden.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman
Fat Bikes
As mentioned above, fat bikes can float over snow and sand, giving you a stable ride in otherwise difficult conditions. In the winter, they are a blast, and some areas have designated fat bike winter trails! Take a gander at our favorite fat bikes.
The Kings Peak's geometry, well-rounded performance, and versatility made it a tester favorite.
Credit: Jeremy Benson
Bike Trailers
If you are looking to buy a bike trailer, you will likely be hauling some precious cargo. We researched, purchased, and tested the best bike trailers on the market so you could keep your family safe and comfortable on your ride. These trailers easily hitch to your bike, are fairly lightweight, and should offer a sturdy and secure ride. We tested the best nine on the market and put them through some extreme testing to expose their weaknesses and highlight their strengths. See below for our favorite bike trailers.
When your kids have moved on to their own bikes, you can still haul your fur babies around in the versatile D'Lite X.
Credit: Chris Binder
Bike Cargo Trailer
Over the past decade, we've been hauling loads to and fro, testing the best bike cargo trailers. Using a bike cargo trailer for errands or work is a great eco-friendly alternative to driving. Cargo trailers can be easily hitched to your bike and stored when not in use. Whether you are riding on a bumpy dirt road or smooth pavement, we tested the best eight bike cargo trailers over varying terrain to see how they performed, handled, and affected the ride. Here are the best bike cargo trailers.
The Coho XC offers an easy solution to camping by bike allowing you to pack enough cargo to be comfortable for days.
Credit: Brian Martin
Why Trust GearLab
Over the last ten years, our expert team of testers has researched and tested over 212 different types of bikes. We have covered over ten different categories, including electric and human-powered options. We've taken each bike to the trail and streets in all conditions, putting in over 10,000 hours. Not only did we subject each to lap testing in the field, but we also broke out our tool kit to measure and compare different components of each steed. Our testing is in-depth and rigorous. To get a sampling of what we do, take a look at our testing plan for electric cargo bikes. Once we've collected our data, we compare each product within the category to determine our top recommendations and award winners.
To further show our dedication to providing the best reviews in the world, we have chosen a world-class testing team with over 50 years of collective experience. Our team of experts includes eight members who are passionate about biking. Leading the charge is Joshua Hutchens, our senior mountain bike review editor. Joshua brings over a decade's worth of experience in guiding, racing, and selling bikes alongside a lifetime of riding and fixing them. Jeremy Benson has been riding bikes for decades and races competitively in professional-class mountain bike and endurance gravel events. He is also the author of Mountain Bike Tahoe. Pat Donahue has fostered an obsession with mountain biking for two decades and counting. He is an industry veteran who has worn many hats, including a stint as our very own GearLab Mountain Bike Editor and co-owning a local bike shop in South Lake Tahoe. In addition to these three, the remaining members of our testing team each have many years of experience testing bike-based gear and have been consistent contributors to other categories in addition to biking.
The 2020 Jeffsy Base is the best bike we've ever tested in this price range. This thing is a blast to ride.
Credit: Laura Casner
Conclusion
This gear list is designed to get you dialed into the best bikes on the market. For the last decade, we've tested every variety of bike out there to help you find the perfect one that fits all your needs. From e-bikes to hardtail bikes and everything in between, we've got you covered. And don't forget to put a lid on it — see our picks for the top bike helmets on the market to find the right one for your riding style.
