The 6 Best Electric Bike Under $1500 in 2020

The debate around the number of cars congesting the roads and their impact on commuters as well as the environment has been quite hot lately.  All things considered, there’s nothing more frustrating than being stuck in the traffic for hours and wasting your precious time doing nothing. Not to mention the harmful emissions that come out of the engine as a result of the combustion of fuel. Well, as cars continue to block roads and extend the morning rush hours, commuters turning towards electric bikes to escape the congestion. Today, we’ll review the best electric bikes under $1500 in 2020 and learn about some essential key points you should keep in mind when buying a model for yourself or your loved one. So without wasting any more time, let’s dive straight into it.

#1 DJ Mountain Bike

DJ Bikes is a Canadian brand that offers an excellent range of mountain and electric bikes for biking freaks. The 750W Electric Mountain Bike by this brand is one of the most amazing electric bicycles you can get under $1500. Apart from being super affordable, this stunning ​electric mountain bike comes with a sleek design and matte black finish that will capture everyone's attention no matter where you ride. A powerful 750W motor is also incorporated in the ​electric mountain bike, which gives peak power of up to 1000W, allowing you to ascend on steep slopes with confidence with a top speed of up to 20mph.

Moreover, the inclusion of 12-magnet cadence sensors allows for quick motor start and stop. Top Gun spring suspensions are featured to soak the impact on bumpy, rocky terrains and make your ride as comfortable as possible. The ​electric mountain bike, as well as the headlight and LCD panel, are powered by a 624W removable lithium-ion battery. The battery bank also comes with a Type A USB charging port, allowing you to charge your cell phone when on the go. For all these reasons, we simply love The DJ Bikes Mountain Bike, and we're sure that you'll love it too. 

Pros

• Well-designed geometry and bike structure
• Adjustable angle stem to cater to different heights and riding styles
• Quick motor start and stop
• Comfortable saddle with extra cushioning

Cons

• Suspensions don't have a lockout and rebound adjustment.
• The plastic chain guard can easily break

The DJ City Bike is another great electric bike that is made from mainstream-yet quality components that promise an excellent biking experience. This bike model by DJ Bikes has a durable aluminum alloy frame along with a progressive geometry for a comfortable ride. The pearly finish of the frame goes well with the red splashes here and there to make the bike aesthetically pleasing. DJ City Bike offers an incredible performance both within the city as well as the mountainside, thanks to the 750W brushless hub motor by Bafang. The bike is powered by 46W, 624Wh lithium-ion battery pack by LG that can easily be removed for charging no matter where you are. However, like every battery type,  it will need to be replaced once it approaches its lifetime. Talking about the braking system, you get 160mm mechanical disk brakes in the front and back wheels to ensure that your off-road experiences are safe. Moreover, the highly cushioned saddle can be adjusted according to your height and biking style, ensuring that your biking experience is as comfortable as ever. Overall, the DJ City Bike is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a quality electric bike under $1500.

Pros

• Durable yet lightweight aluminum frame
• Powerful 750W hub motor to maneuver the bike
• The ride is comfortable because of the 60mm suspensions and extra cushioning in the saddle

Cons

• Brake setup is confusing as it doesn’t follow the conventional pattern
• One frame size might not fit all

#3 ECOTRIC

The ECOTRIC Fat Tire Bike yet another incredible electric bike that has earned a spot on our list of top electric bikes under $1500 because of its amazing features. Perhaps, the combination of small wheels with fat tires ensure a smooth ride over an array of terrains including mud and snow.

Moreover, the durable alloy frame can bear up to 300lbs of weight and has an easy-to-ride geometry, making the bike suitable for every rider. Furthermore, you can maneuver the bike in pedal assist or throttle mode at a maximum top speed of 20mph. Ecotric Fat Tire Bike is equipped with a 500W rear hub motor that provides the right amount of driving force on every terrain. A 36V, 12Ah battery powers the bike and takes approximately 5-10 hours to charge to the full capacity. Also, the battery generally powers the bike for at least 30 to 60 miles in a single charging cycle, so you don't have to worry about the battery running out in the middle of your biking sessions. All in all, the Ecotric Fat Tire Bike offers impressive performance without burning a hole through your pockets.

Pros

• Suitable for riding on several terrains
• Includes pedal assist so that you don’t get tired
• 7-shift gearing system allows for smooth gear shifting

Cons

• The battery takes relatively long to get fully charged.

#4 W WALLKE

If you're looking for a high-quality electric bike within a budget, W Wallke Folding Electric Bike is worth being considered. The frame is made of 6061 aluminum alloy, which gives it the right degree of durability while the stylish black finish is set to make you fall in love with this model. The best think about W Wallke electric bike is that it can easily be folded for compact storage. It features a removable Samsung lithium-ion battery that takes about 4 to 5 hours to charge fully and can power the ​folding electric bike for up to 35 miles on electric mode. Another great thing about this ​folding electric bike is that the battery starts charging itself when you ride downhill. The 750W motor works perfectly well with the 7-speed Shimano gear system to propel the ​folding electric bike at speeds as high as 30mph in throttle mode. The fat tires are supplemented with quality suspensions so that riding on different terrains is made more comfortable. Overall, the W Wallke Folding Electric Bike is an excellent choice if you want to have the ultimate electric bike experience within a budget.

Pros

• Modern urban design draws attentions
• Can be folded for storage
• Good mileage per charging cycle

Cons

• Heavy in weight
• The user manual does not give any precise assembly details

#5 NAKTO Cruiser

The Nakto City Electric bike is perhaps one of the best electric bikes for all your city commutes and off-roading adventures. The aluminum frame of the bike, which can bear weights up to 300lbs, comes with dual suspension fork incorporated in the frame design for maximum shock absorption. It has a high-power brushless Bafang motor coupled with 6-speed gears by Shimano to make it easier to ride on steep slopes at speeds up to 28 miles per hour.

Moreover, the Nakto City bike is powered by a 12Ah, 48V lithium-ion battery that can last up to 45-55 miles on a single charge. The battery can be removed for recharging, which takes approximately 4 to 6 hours. Depending on your biking style and need, you have the option of choosing between 3 different modes while riding – electric mode, pedal assist, and auto cruise mode. Perhaps, the best thing about Nakto electric bike is the fact that it comes with a one-year warranty, so the bike quality is guaranteed.

Pros

• Powerful motor and efficient gearing system
• Has a wide and easy-to-read LCD display to track your biking stats
• Fat tires allow for a smooth ride
• Has a 1-year warranty

Cons

• The bike is somewhat bulky

#6 Emojo WILDCAT

The final model on our list of the best electric bikes under $1500 is the Emojo Wildcat bike, a fast and robust electric bike all your biking adventures. The frame is made from a rust-proof and sturdy aluminum alloy so that the bike doesn't succumb to the effects of passing time and harsh weather.

Moreover, the frame is welded in all the right places to fortify its strength, allowing the bike to bear weights up to 330lbs. Emojo Wildcat Electric Bike has a 500W powerful hub motor, which, along with the Shimano 7-speed gearing system, allows you to maneuver the bike at a top speed of 20mph on a series of terrains. Moreover, you get three different power modes – Eco, normal, and high power to cater to different terrains and riding styles. Your riding experience is made safe and comfortable, thanks to the Tektro disc brakes. Also, the bike features a 48V, 10.8Ah lithium-ion battery, giving a mileage of 20 miles on a single charge cycle. All in all, Emojo Wildcat Electric Bike is an excellent option if you're looking for an electric bike on a budget.

Pros

• Built to last
• Large tires allow for a smooth ride
• Has quality components

Cons

• The bike is a bit bulky.

Given the popularity of electric bikes, bike manufacturers are designing high-tech electric bikes to meet the needs of every individual. As a result, there’s a wide range of electric bikes available in the market you can choose from but here are some of the hottest electric bikes under $1500 you just can’t overlook.

Buying Guide

More and more people are turning towards electric bikes as a reliable, convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation. Moreover, they're easy to maintain and are more affordable than cars which makes them a go-to choice of adults and teenagers alike.

However, when it comes to buying an electric ​bike for yourself, you might be surprised to know that it’s certainly not an easy task. This is particularly because the electric ​bike market is quite diverse and there’s a bewildering array of options you can choose from. But this buying guide will make your life a lot easier by walking through everything that you should know when picking out a ​electric bike for yourself. So let’s not waste any more time and let’s get started.

Budget

The first and foremost thing you need to do even before you step into the market is determining a budget for your new purchase. This is the hardest part of the entire buying process and once you’re through with it, making a good decision will be much easier. High-end electric bikes are an option if you’re all for spending a fortune on your ride but its entirely possible to buy a quality electric bike under a budget of $1500. In fact, you can get yourself an incredible model between $900 to $1500 alone.

Intended Use

The electric bike market is so diverse that you'll be amazed to find the different types, makes, designs and specifications of the bikes available out there. So, to make the perfect choice for yourself and get a good value for your money, you should first figure out your biking style and determine why you want to get an electric bike in the first place that is, whether you want to use it for commuting purposes or recreational activities. This will narrow down the range of choices you have and make the decision-making process a lot easier.

Motor

The motor is the main component that drives your bike and different manufacturers take different approaches as far as motor placement is concerned. For most bikes under the price tag of $1500, the motor is built into the frame which enables it to drive the chain directly. Having the motor built in the frame increases pedaling efficacy as the pedaling power of the rider can be detected and the power provided by the motor can be directly adjusted. Some electric bikes also have their motors built into the wheel placement which gives a more natural riding experience especially if you’re used to non-electric bikes – there is not a lot of assisted pressure so it feels much like riding a regular bike with some additional push.

Battery And Charging

You don't really want your bike to run out of charge while you're still out and about, which makes the battery immensely important. Not only do you want an electric bike that gets recharged fast but also has a lower power consumption rate so that you don’t need to recharge it too often.

These days, lithium-ion batteries are featured in most electric bikes as they have higher energy densities, reducing the overall weight and size of the battery for the same amount of stored energy. Lithium-ion batteries also have a better performance as compared to the lead-acid ones, with approximately 800 full charge/discharge cycles and 4 to 6 hours charge period to reach full charge. However, all types of batteries degrade with time so you may have to charge them more often and for longer periods after a year of use.

Pro-tip: Keep spare batteries with you at all times so that they can come to your rescue in case your bike runs out of charge while you're still on the roads.

Range of The Bike

Calibrated in miles per charge, the range of an electric bike is the maximum distance it can go on a single charge. We recommend that you choose an electric bike that has high miles per charge rating. This is particularly important if you intend to use your bike for longer distances as a higher range conserves battery capacity and hence enhances the overall convenience. 

Speed

When buying a new electric bike, you should consider the maximum speed it has to offer. You definitely won't be driving at this maximum speed all the time, particularly around the town but if you're into racing or looking for an outdoor adventure, you would want an electric bike with high maximum speed. Anything above 10 miles per hour is good within the city limits while you should look for an electric bike with speeds greater than 20 miles per hour if you’re up for adventures. Keep in mind that 15 mph is an ideal average speed when you’re commuting in the town or going up the hills.

Weight

The maximum weight limit for every bike varies with the model so it’s important to check that it can take your weight before you make the final decision. Also, you should not overlook the weight of the bike itself and see that you’re comfortable maneuvering it. For starters, the weight of the bike varies with respect to the materials used and the bike size but a bike weighing between 10-20 kg is ideal.

Conclusion

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular amongst masses, thanks to the convenience and reliability they have to offer. Moreover, they’re much eco-friendlier as they don’t produce any harmful emissions.

Buying an electric bike under $1500 is certainly daunting but by following these guidelines, we ensure you that making the right decision will be an easy task. Also make sure to check out our list of the best electric bikes under $1500, who knows you might find your next buy right here.