Best Folding Electric Bikes in the UK

After long years of research, the folks behind eelo have come up with the innovative e-bike that can help people arrive to work quicker and in style. The eelo 1885 is a next-generation foldable bike that is extremely compact yet it packs a big punch. The main selling point is that it's designed with a unique, high-capacity LG lithium-Ion battery sitting in the central top tube of the frame.

The company has been long developing an advanced battery pack along with LG engineers. As a result, the bike can ride up to 65 km when you stick to the throttle-only mode and even more if you're doing some pedalling. While batteries of most electric bikes give out before even hitting 30 km, this one is different. Sure, the battery here takes around 6 hours to recharge but that really makes sense when you're going to cover long distances. To add more, the battery adopts all protection mechanisms that prevent overcharge, overcurrent, and more.

Unlike most e-bikes that don't feel confident when leaving city roads, this one will help you ride on most terrains with comfort. It's fitted with a brushless 250-watt motor and the eelo intelligent controller that altogether give very responsive and energy-efficient ride experience. That's why the bike can take you up any hill and ride even against strong winds in powered-only mode. However, when you need more control, you can use the thumb throttle to start off and decide how much assistance you want from the battery. With just a push of the button, you'll be able to change the gears up or down. No chains jumping off the sprockets.

If you need a solid folding e-bike under £500, we offer you to consider the FIIDO D3. It's a well-balanced model that surely has some trade-offs but basically offers very good performance and can give more expensive models a run for their money.

The bike comes already pre-assembled, meaning you won't waste much time putting different parts and complicated mechanisms together. So, in less than half an hour, you'll be able to give the bike a test run. While the bicycle has one speed only, the gearing ratio here is quite low; therefore, you'll be able to climb moderate hills in a throttle-only mode without breaking a sweat. But when the slope exceeds 30 degrees, you'll better switch to the power-assisted mode and help the motor with some pedalling. Do note that the assisted riding speed may be affected by your weight and road conditions but, in general, the maximum speed this bike can reach makes 25 km/h, more than enough to satisfy most commuters.

When it comes to battery life, the bike offers a quite modest electric range of 10-20 km with up to 35 km in assisted mode, which is not that bad all things considered. To recharge the battery, you won't need to remove it - just plug the cable into the port under the aluminium alloy body.

If you're looking for an environmental-friendly commuting solution that won't break the bank, you may like the Windgoo Electric Bike. It's a great little bicycle for short distances and zero-incline roads that is completely emission-free, saving both your money and the environment.

Even though foldable bikes are supposed to be compact by nature, the Windgoo e-bike is really tiny compared to the majority of models we've reviewed before. The main thing that differs it from others is the set of 12-inch wheels that makes the footprint of the bike less than anything. That being said, the wheels can tackle most surfaces without making riders feel every bump. They come armed with durable air-filled tires made of high-quality rubber, ensuring excellent traction on any terrain. So, you can expect this small bike to hit muddy grounds without slipping and sliding across the trails. What makes it even more attractive for off-road riding is the fact that the bicycle has an IP54 waterproof rating. And if you think that the bike may not feel that secure when drizzling, you can have peace of mind knowing that twin disc brakes can bring the bike to an abrupt stop instantly. The brake levers are quite sensitive, so you won't need to press too hard to activate them.

Whereas models with 14-inch or even 12-inch tires are the most compact ones as they produce a smaller folded package, many users find them less stable than their larger counterparts. Also, they usually provide a bit bumpier ride on rough surfaces, thus, they are used mainly for commuting only. However, if you're looking for a more versatile model or live in a fairly hilly region, you may need something more powerful. The Lixada HIMO C20 fits that bill perfectly.

What separates this model from others is the 20-inch wheels that boast excellent gradeability and let riders tackle steeper hills without pedalling. Also, they offer a more stable ride and are generally better than the smaller wheels when it comes to some obstacles and bumps.

All that being said, the bike is still quite compact when not in use, so we can admit it offers a good balance between folded size and performance. What's more, the Lixada HIMO C20 excels at its ability to ride up to 50 km in pure electric mode after a full charge. In moped mode, it offers a generous 80 km range to meet the needs of leisure riders and those who often cover fairly long distances. That great performance is largely achieved owing to the high-capacious 10AH Lithium battery.

If you agree that '"positive workplace leads to positive work" and believe that the quality of your commute affects your attitude to work each day, it's time to purchase an agile commuting bike that will be light on your wallet and fun to ride. The C4 E-bike is exactly like that. It's ideal for those individuals who want to travel easier, while also helping the environment. So, if you have to go to a heavily populated and congested area each day, it can easily take away the pains of commuting.

Right after unpacking, you'll see that the folks behind Whirlwind have done their best to simplify your life at the very first step. The bike comes neatly packaged with the tires already pre-pumped, meaning it's ready to go out-of-the-box. Overall, the bike is well-designed and stoutly-built. Actually, it's hand-assembled in the UK by a team of professionals, using top-quality materials. Since the Whirlwind brand specialises solely in creating a limited range of electric consumer vehicles, all of the products boasting premium quality and being very durable.

What we also liked about this e-bike is that it has 3 speed options, and the level of assistance depends on the power band chosen. Still, you can always keep the gears turned off for more challenge. If you select zero gear, you'll be able to get a good boost by cycling normally. But when you need to go up hills, use the third gear and go like a rocket (up to 25 km/h).