Most "best e-bike" lists rank bikes. This one does not. E-bike Shortlist compiles what the makers publish and lines it up so the differences are visible, organized by what each bike is designed to do well; we have not ridden any of these bikes and we do not score them. Every number below is the manufacturer's own claim, read from its US product page. Prices are the current selling price on the date we checked and change often.
Six brands are covered: Kingbull, Velotric, DYU, Lectric, Aventon and Rad Power Bikes — 53 models in all.
Start with four specifications that make comparison easier
These four lines are a useful first screen. After them, compare fit, brakes, frame, tires, accessories, warranty and service options that matter for your use.
1. Watt-hours (Wh), not amp-hours. Wh = volts × amp-hours, and it is especially useful when comparing batteries that use different voltages. A 48 V 15 Ah pack is 720 Wh; a 36 V 10 Ah pack is 360 Wh — half the stored energy, whatever the Ah number suggests. In this data set Wh runs from 345.6 (Aventon Soltera 2.5) to 960 (Kingbull Trekker, Verve, Jumper Go, EX Titan). Wh describes stored energy; real-world range also depends on assist level, motor efficiency, terrain, tire size and pressure, weather, rider weight and cargo.
2. Class and assisted speed. Under the common three-class model, Class 1 provides pedal assist to 20 mph, Class 2 allows throttle propulsion to 20 mph, and Class 3 provides pedal assist to 28 mph. Velotric ships 12 of its 14 bikes as switchable Class 1/2/3; Lectric and Kingbull publish 2/3 configurations across most of their lineups; Rad's older models are Class 2 only. State and local rules vary — see the class and UL guide.
3. Published weight and size. The range here is 37 lb (Aventon Soltera 3 ADV) to 88 lb (Kingbull Ranger, DYU M20). Weight matters most when you expect to lift, rack or store the bike frequently; heavier bikes in this set are generally the ones carrying the largest batteries and 4.0-inch tires. For folding bikes, folded dimensions can be just as important when the manufacturer publishes them.
4. Sensor type. A torque sensor responds to how hard you pedal; a cadence sensor responds primarily to whether the cranks are turning. The resulting ride feel also depends on the manufacturer's tuning. A torque sensor is stated on most Velotric, Aventon and Lectric models and on 8 of 11 Kingbulls.
The shortlist by price band
Under $1,000 — 18 models
| Bike | Price | Motor | Battery | Claimed range | Class | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DYU C3 Mini | $259 | 500 W peak | 36 V 7.8 Ah | 25 mi | see maker page | 46 lb |
| DYU X1 mini / D3F MINI / C4 MINI | $299 | 250–350 W | 36 V 7.8 Ah | 26–45 mi | see maker page | 42–51 lb |
| DYU C5 Lite / C7 Lite | $379 | 250–500 W | 48 V 10.4 Ah | 60 mi | see maker page | ~62 lb |
| DYU M26 | $569 | 350 W | 36 V 10 Ah | 50 mi | see maker page | 52 lb |
| Kingbull Ranger | $799 | 750 W (1300 peak) | 864 Wh | 80 mi | 3, adjustable to 2 | 88 lb |
| Lectric XP Lite2 | $799 | 300 W (819 peak) | 375 Wh | 45 mi | 2 | 41 lb without battery (+7 lb) |
| Kingbull Hunter 2.0S | $849 | 750 W (1300 peak) | 864 Wh | 80 mi | 3, adjustable to 2 | 77 lb |
| DYU C9 / UX BMX | $899 | 750 W / 750 W peak | 48 V | 40–52 mi | see maker page | 57–66 lb |
| Kingbull Discover ST 2.0 | $949 | 750 W (1300 peak) | 720 Wh | 60 mi | 2/3 | 77 lb |
| Kingbull Literider 2.0 | $979 | 750 W | 720 Wh | 55 mi | 2, adjustable to 3 | 71 lb |
| Velotric Fold 1 | $999 | 750 W | 608 Wh | 55 mi | 1/2/3 | 63 lb |
| Lectric XP4 (500W) | $999 | 500 W (1092 peak) | 500 Wh | 50 mi | 1/2/3 | 62 lb without battery (+7 lb) |
| Aventon Soltera 2.5 | $999 | 350 W (540 peak) | 345.6 Wh | 46 mi | 2 | 46 lb |
| DYU M20 All-Terrain | $999 | 750 W (1500 peak) | 48 V 18.2 Ah | 100 mi | see maker page | 88 lb |
Weight basis: Lectric publishes weights without the battery and lists the battery separately; other makers publish a complete-bike figure. Treat cross-brand weight differences as approximate.
The $999 line is where several brands meet: Velotric, Lectric and Aventon each place a bike there, and Kingbull places two just under it with the largest batteries in the band. Rad Power Bikes' current entry price begins at $1,499, so its lineup appears in the next band. The lowest-priced bikes on the list are a different kind of vehicle from the rest: the DYU minis have 14-inch wheels and 36 V packs, built for short urban trips rather than as smaller versions of a 26-inch 48 V bike.
$1,000–$1,500 — 17 models
This band is where the specs converge: 750 W, 48 V, 672–960 Wh, hydraulic brakes and a torque sensor become normal. Kingbull offers the widest choice of formats here (Trekker $1,099, Voyager 2.0 and Discover 2.0 $1,119, Rover 2.0 $1,199, Verve $1,349, Jumper Go and EX Titan $1,499 — step-through, cargo, full-suspension and folding, all with 720–960 Wh); Lectric adds the XP4 750 ($1,299), XPress2 and XPeak2 ($1,399) and XP Trike2 ($1,499); Velotric adds the T1 ST Plus ($1,199), Fold 1 Plus ($1,449), Discover 2 and Tempo ($1,499). Rad's RadRunner enters at $1,499.
$1,500 and up — 18 models
Above $1,500 the money buys either a bigger battery (Velotric Summit 2 and Discover M at 801.6 Wh, 95 claimed miles), a mid-drive motor (Discover M), cargo capacity (Aventon Abound SR, Rad RadWagon 5, Velotric GoMad) or three wheels (Velotric Triker $2,499, and Lectric's XP Trike2 at $1,499 from below).
What the categories are for
- Commuter and city — 700c or 27.5-inch wheels, narrow tires, lights and racks. Velotric Discover/Tempo/T1, Lectric XPress2, Aventon Soltera/Pace/Level, Rad Radster Road.
- Folding — 14 to 20-inch wheels, hinged frame. Lectric XP4, Velotric Fold 1, Kingbull Literider 2.0/Verve, Rad RadExpand 5 Plus, all four DYU minis.
- Step-through — no top tube. Kingbull Discover ST 2.0/Trekker/Voyager 2.0, Velotric Breeze 1/Nomad 2/Discover 3, Aventon Pace 5 REC and Abound SR, Rad RadRunner.
- Fat tire and all-terrain — 3 to 4-inch tires. Kingbull Hunter 2.0S/Ranger/Rover 2.0/EX Titan/Jumper Go, Velotric Nomad 2/2X, Aventon Aventure 3, Lectric XPeak2.
- Cargo and utility — longtail or heavy rack. Velotric GoMad, Aventon Abound SR, Rad RadWagon/RadWagon 5, Kingbull Voyager 2.0.
- Three-wheel — Lectric XP Trike2, Velotric Triker.
The safety line worth reading before price
UL 2849 is the safety standard for the whole electrical system of an e-bike; UL 2271 covers the battery. New York City requires UL-certified e-bikes and batteries to be sold there, and many apartment buildings and offices now ask for it before allowing a bike or battery inside. Velotric states UL 2849 and UL 2271 on all 14 of its models, Lectric and Rad state UL 2849 across their lineups, Kingbull states UL 2849 certification for its 2.0 and Forge series in its February 2026 update (the Hunter 2.0S and Ranger carry a battery-system testing statement instead), and Aventon states it on most models. We record what the maker prints; we do not verify certifications ourselves, and an absent statement on a product page is not evidence about the bike. Confirm the current model documentation with the manufacturer or retailer when it matters to your purchase.
How to read the rest of this site
Three pages go deeper: folding e-bikes, what you get under $1,000 and under $1,500, and Class 1 vs 2 vs 3 and how to read UL 2849.
Specs and prices: manufacturer US product pages. Ranges and top speeds are manufacturer claims measured under their own conditions. Confirm the current price and specification on the retailer's page before buying. Some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Data checked, sources, and what we did not test
Data checked: 2026-09-14. Specifications and prices were read from each manufacturer's US product page on that date and can change without notice.
Sources: Kingbull, Velotric, Lectric, DYU, Rad Power, Aventon. No review sites, forums or retailer ratings were used.
What we did not test: ride quality, brake feel, real-world range, durability and customer service. We have not ridden these bikes and publish no ratings or rankings.
