The 5 best electric bikes under £1,000

Finding the right electric bike for you is difficult when facing so many different options. You don’t want to overlook any must-have features, but you also don’t want to overspend.

To make things easy, we’ve covered five of the best electric bikes under £1,000 in the UK, including mountain bikes and hybrids.

We’ve also included some guidance on what features to look out for when buying an e-bike, so you can find the model that best suits your needs.

The 5 best electric bikes under £1,000

1. Basis Hunter Integrated Electric Mountain Bike, £699.99 

Key features:

• 700x40 low-pressure CST tyres
• Shimano 6-speed gears
• 25-mile range

Thanks to its discreet appearance, the Basis Hunter model is one of the best budget electric bikes on the market in terms of blending in as a regular MTB.

It comes with a 7.8Ah 36V LG battery that provides a 25-mile range and a 250W 36V rear hub brushless motor with plenty of torque for steep inclines—not a bad set of features considering its low price tag.

The LED display with three separate power assist modes is another nice touch, alongside the low charge time of four to six hours, especially since some e-bikes must be charged overnight.

If you’re after a robust electric MTB with a sleek design, the Basis Hunter model won’t disappoint.

2. Pure Flux One Electric Hybrid Bike, £924.99

Key features:

• Maxxis Overdrive Excel tyres
• Lightweight design (17.5kg)
• 25-mile range

The Pure Flux One hybrid bike suits commuters and city dwellers who need a light but high-quality bike to get around.

The bike is incredibly lightweight compared to other models, making it a breeze to ride. It also comes with a KNUS saddle and an ergonomic handlebar for added comfort.

It has a five-hour charge time and can reach 80% in just three hours, making it ideal for commuters who need to charge it in the evening before bed. The battery is easily removable and can be charged anywhere.

Worried about commuting in the rain? The premium grippy Maxxis Overdrive Excel tyres with low rolling resistance will help keep your bike stable and conserve battery power.

3. HYPER Electric Mountain Bike, £599.99

Key features:

• SNAFU embroidered and embossed saddle
• Shimano 6-speed gears
• 20-mile range

HYPER has created a high-performance electric bike designed for mountain cyclists with the HYPER Electric Mountain Bike.

It has a powerful 250-watt rear motor to help propel you uphill during trail rides, and the three levels of pedal assist are easily available on the power display.

Those who don’t like to miss a day will be pleased to know this electric bike under £1,000 is fully rechargeable in around four hours. The battery is also removable for easy charging and lasts up to 20 miles.

The design is impressive, given the low price, with a striking two-tone black and electric blue finish and discreet battery placement. The SNAFU embroidered and embossed saddle adds a nice touch of comfort and elegance to an already sleek bike.

4. Flare 700c Hybrid Electric Bike, £499.97

Key features:

• Shimano Altus 8-speed gears
• LCD control system with 5 power modes
• Up to 100km range

The Flare 700c Hybrid Electric Bike is one of the best value electric bikes on the market, thanks to its impressive range of features.

It boasts a Shimano Altus 8-speed gear system for increased control on off-road rides, and the LCD control system provides five different power modes to assist you on uphill climbs or difficult terrain.

The Li-ion 6.8Ah/36V battery can reach a whopping 100km range and has a winter sleep mode to protect it when not in use.

Its design instantly shouts ‘high-quality’, thanks to the sleek finish on the alloy frame and the stylish tyre rims.

5. Raleigh Array Electric Hybrid Bike in Blue, £999

Key features:

• Suntour Canbus OLED display
• Shimano 7-speed gears
• 60-mile range

Raleigh has created one of the best e-bikes under £1,000 with great features for those looking for a quality hybrid.  

The integrated e-motion system and rear motor provide a smooth riding experience, with the even delivery of power allowing the bike to pull away with ease.

A 60-mile range is impressive for an electric bike, especially one priced just under £1,000. If you’re looking to cover a wide area during your commute or weekend rides, the Raleigh Array model is a great contender.

The Suntour CANBUS OLED display is unobtrusive yet incredibly handy during your ride, and with five different riding modes to switch through, you’ll always be in control.

How to choose the best electric bike for you

There are a few factors to remember when searching for the best electric bike under £1,000 in the UK.

While price is certainly one of them, we wouldn’t recommend just going for the cheapest option on the market without checking it against the important specifications below. It’s surprising how much they can differ between models despite having a similar price.

1. Motor

The motor powers an e-bike, so it’s important to consider whether the motor on your preferred model suits the setting you’re likely riding in the most.

For example, electric mountain bikes will require the motor to produce more torque than those designed for urban and city use, which is optimal for hill climbing. You’ll want to look at torque if you’ll be hitting the trails with your bike.

You should also check the power output of the motor when browsing e-bikes. This is capped at 250 watts in the UK, so if you want a powerful e-bike, you’ll want one as close to this as possible.

2. Battery 

E-bike battery capacity is another important figure to look out for when buying an electric bike under £1,000 in the UK. This determines the range you can reach on your e-bike without recharging it.

Most battery sizes will allow you to reach at least 20 miles, but many on the market can reach much further than this.

Typically, if you’re shopping for an e-bike for urban and city use, you can compromise on battery size. However, if you want to be out riding all day without recharging it, you’ll want to opt for a model with a larger range. 

3. Brakes

Brakes are easy to overlook when getting caught up in the more technical features of e-bikes, but they’re important for obvious reasons.

To give an overview, many cyclists prefer disk brakes over rim brakes as they’re usually more effective and easier to clean and maintain.

Hydraulic brakes are also superior to their cable-operated counterparts, as they reduce friction by not requiring a mechanical cable, which is also more susceptible to wear and tear. 

4. Gear options

This feature all boils down to where and how you intend to use your e-bike.

Single-speed gears are adequate for urban and city use, as they can handle moderate hills. However, a multi-geared option is best if you hit the trails, as this is where single-speeds struggle.

It would be ideal if you could find a budget electric bike with a belt drive instead of a traditional chain, as they are much more robust and require less maintenance.

The best e-bike under £1,000: FAQs

Are cheap e-bikes worth it?

If you’re looking for an e-bike you can use for short commutes, then you may be able to get by with a cheap e-bike. Of course, low-cost electric bikes will likely compromise on features, battery life, and comfort, but they can also be a good entry-level bike if you don’t have a huge budget.

How much should I spend on an electric bike in the UK?

Most e-bikes tend to be between £500 and £3,000 in the UK. How much you should spend depends on what you want to get out of your new e-bike and which features are most important to you. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, you can usually get a decent e-bike for around £1,000.

Can I ride a 1000W e-bike in the UK?

No, in the UK, the maximum legal power output of an e-bike motor is 250W with a maximum speed of 15.5mph.

Specialist electric bike insurance through Cycleplan

Whether you go for an electric bike under £1,000 or a more expensive model, you may want to protect it through specialist electric bike insurance.

Specialist electric bike insurance through Cycleplan can help provide financial protection against theft, loss, and accidental damage to your electric bike. Learn more about specialist e-bike insurance or get an online quote today