Our pick of the best electric hybrid bikes for 2023, as reviewed by the BikeRadar test team
This competition is now closed Automotive Shock Absorbers
The best electric hybrid bikes will get you around in style and give you a bit of a push when you need it.
Many of the first electric bikes to hit the market were hybrids. With flat handlebars and a comfortable, upright riding position, they’re a good option for general recreational riding, beginner cyclists, shopping and trips around town.
Electric hybrid bikes also work well for commuters who aren’t pressed for storage space and want a little assistance when cycling to work. If space is tight, take a look at our guide to the best electric folding bikes.
For more information on what to consider when buying an electric hybrid bike and other electric bike options, we’ve got a full buyer’s guide at the bottom of this article, but first read on for our pick of the best electric hybrid bikes.
Although it’s a hardtail mountain bike rather than a hybrid, the Canyon Grand Canyon:ON is potentially a good choice for city riding if you want to go somewhere more adventurous at the weekend. It has the performance for steep and rough riding, but still feels comfortable around town.
It’s powered by the compact, powerful Shimano EP8 motor, with a 630Wh battery on all but the smallest frame size, delivering over 100km of range. The 12 speeds give plenty of options to tune your own pedalling power.
The Canyon Pathlite:ON 5 is all you want in a commuter bike. It soothes rough roads and presents great value, while Bosch’s Gen 4 motor is powerful and the drivetrain is superb. Our testing was consistent with Canyon’s claimed 100km range.
The battery slots into the down tube and comes out at the click of a key. Its charger is easy to carry in a rucksack, which is a bonus for commuting. Mudguards and integrated lights add to its ride-to-work credentials.
Where the Pathlite:ON 5 stands out from the field is off-road. Its handling, gearing, suspension fork and tyres make it at home on mountain bike trails, but it has an upright riding position for urban riding and bike paths.
The Bosch motor is discrete when you’re pedalling unassisted. A welcome boost comes on steep inclines. You switch between off, Eco, Tour, eMTB and Turbo modes using the Bosch’s Purion display.
Since it weighs 23kg, one place you won’t want to take the Pathlite:ON 5 is up a flight of stairs.
The Specialized Turbo Tero X 4.0 sits between bike categories. It’s neither a svelte commuter nor a fully fledged electric mountain bike, but don’t let this be a deterrent: our tester found it to be one of the best all-around ebikes they’ve ever tested.
The RockShox suspension fork and rear shock help the bike’s off-road performance, offering a composed ride on technical singletracks and more demanding terrain.
If you’re sticking to tarmac, the suspension also helps soften speed bumps and potholes.
Despite weighing 26.54kg (size large), it’s still lighter than many other commuter ebikes and rides like a lighter bike, too. It has excellent handling and a composed feel across varying terrain.
The Specialized Turbo Tero X 4.0 doesn’t come cheap, but it’s hard to think of any other ebike that can do so much, so well.
The Specialized Turbo Vado comes in the SL version and this full-fat iteration, with a more powerful motor boasting 70Nm torque and larger battery capacity. Specialized calls it “4x You” as opposed to “2x You” for the Turbo Vado SL.
We got over 70 miles/113km on a charge. There’s an impressive four-colour controller display, which you can configure using the Specialized Mission Control app. You can also set an alarm and deactivate the motor if the ebike is stolen.
It’s a relaxed, comfortable ride, thanks to 80mm of suspension in the fork, a suspension seatpost and comfortable saddle, although at 26kg – 11kg more than the Turbo Vado SL – you’re not going to want to lug the ebike up a lot of stairs.
Weighing under 15kg and with a 130km range, the Turbo Vado SL is intended to take ebike use for recreation and city riding mainstream. Its motor weighs under 2kg and the concealed battery makes for clean looks, although the 35Nm torque output is lower than most ebike motors.
Support feels very natural, without any bursts of acceleration but still helping out well on inclines, although it seems a bit underpowered on the steepest climbs, even in its top Turbo mode.
All models come with lights, and higher specs add a rack and mudguards.
Electric cargo bikes enable you to lug groceries, equipment, kids and dogs around, ditching the car, without breaking too much of a sweat.
The Tern Quick Haul can carry up to 70kg of additional load and is a much more affordable and compact option than Tern’s older models. It comes with a large rack, which can also be used to stand the bike vertically and free up space when it’s stored.
Tern sells loads of accessories and luggage, so you can kit the bike out for whatever you want to use it for.
With 65Nm of torque from the Bosch motor and a range that we found to average 46 miles, the Quick Haul has plenty of oomph to get you around. Handling and ride quality are great, although with a rack and luggage, it’s not so easy to negotiate tight gaps.
Coming with a rear rack for proper panniers and an upright riding position, the Bianchi E-Spillo Luxury is made for cruising stylishly to the shops or work. The Shimano Steps E5000 motor is partially concealed in the position of the bottom bracket. It has three modes – Normal, Eco and Turbo.
The 418Wh battery slides under the rear rack, bringing maximum claimed range to 120km. Our tester found the power gauge dipped sharply after 97km, underlining the bike is best for short, urban trips.
The E-Spillo Luxury has Shimano’s 9-speed Altus groupset. The 34t front ring, matched with an 11-36 cassette, suits most town riding. The brakes do a decent job of slowing the bike’s bulk.
Steel mudguards are included and match the brand’s iconic celeste frame. It weighs 21.65kg in size 53cm and also comes in a 47cm version.
The easy-to-read Shimano Steps dE6100 head unit displays speed, predicted range, distance and journey time.
The Canyon Pathlite:ON 9 LTD SUV is a user-friendly, capable ebike suitable for commuting and even touring.
It’s not as exciting to ride as some of the other bikes in this list, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, given its focus on practicality and utility.
The upright ride position helps you sensibly navigate through traffic, while the robust frame and suspension fork help deal with any surface.
The Bosch electric motor provides enough power to tackle hills, ramps and steep dirt tracks. The motor has a generous range and the bike achieved 52.71 miles (84.82km) with 3,227.53ft (983.75m) of climbing in testing.
With a dropper post and an anti-lock braking system, the Pathlite:ON 9 LTD SUV arguably has more features than it necessarily needs for its intended purpose, but that doesn’t stop it from being an impressive ebike.
The Precede:ON’s futuristic design includes comprehensive integration for a slick, fast-looking commute. Power comes from a top-spec Bosch Performance Line CX motor, with a high-capacity integrated battery that gives plenty of range and is easy to remove for charging.
There’s a belt drive with a constantly variable transmission system that means you don’t need to change gears.
There’s a slick-looking cockpit, too, and the Precede:ON feels stable without being sluggish or lacking agility. At 23kg, it’s heavy though.
Halfords’ Carrera brand offers the competitively priced Crossfuse, with a 50Nm Bosch motor and lockable battery. The ride position is upright, and the saddle and handlebar grips comfortable, while wide tyres with a deep tread work well on a variety of surfaces and the short-travel fork helps smooth the way.
Range is good – we got close to 100km – and you can remove the battery for charging.
The single-chainring drivetrain offers a wide spread of gears and the hydraulic disc brakes come from Shimano, making for effective stopping power. Coupled with a very comfortable ride, we rated the Crossfuse a great commuter option.
The Carrera Impel IM-2 is a capable commuter with all-road potential and a nippy ride. Carrera says the 367Wh battery will see you through 50km, but our tester found this was slightly optimistic. Its assistance is supplied by a 45Nm/250W rear-hub motor, which has three modes.
The battery can be taken off the bike and recharged in five and a half hours.
The Impel’s agile handling, 650b wheels and 47mm tyres make it no slouch off tarmac.
The 1x drivetrain is unfussy and effective. It comprises a Shimano nine-speed Alvio rear derailleur and the brand’s Altus shifter. The 11-36 ratio is perfect for most commuting.
The absence of mudguards and powerful brakes are among few downsides to this keenly-priced bike.
Cooper makes ebikes that are designed for clean lines and simplicity, with a rear hub that includes both the motor and its 173Wh battery, so there’s no wiring, sensors or other stuff to clutter it up.
It also allows regenerative braking, upping the range to a claimed 25 to 37 miles, which we exceeded. It’s controlled via a phone app rather than a separate controller, which also reduces clutter, although we found it a little hard to read in bright sunlight.
It’s a really nice bike to ride, with the characteristic feel of a steel frame. The motor helps, rather than taking over, although its 40Nm of torque is enough to get you up hills at a good pace. The gearing is basic but works, while Cooper has specced quality grips and saddle.
The Genesis Smithfield is a sleek urban ebike that rides nicely with a sizeable 150km claimed range and all you need for commuting, such as metal mudguards, a nurse’s lock and bosses for bottle cages or racks.
Although the price tag calls for a better drivetrain than the nine-speed Shimano Acera, the Smithfield does boast a capable Shimano STEPS motor, long-lasting battery and disc brakes.
The Smithfield might not be the snappiest given it weighs 23kg, but it has the range and compliance for you to incorporate off-road sorties into your route home.
Heavy Duty Absorber Our tester managed an undulating 81.5km using the variety of modes and found the battery recharged to 80 per cent in two hours and full charge in four.