Best Electric Bikes Under £1000 in the UK

Under £1000 used to mean cutting corners, but a genuinely good electric bike now costs less than that: a quiet 250W motor, disc brakes, a removable or integrated battery, and on the best models a torque sensor and belt drive that you would once only find above £1,500. The catch is that this price band is crowded with weak imports, so the gap between the best and the worst is huge.

We ranked the bikes below on the things that actually matter day to day: motor smoothness, claimed and realistic range, weight, braking, build quality and how easy each is to buy and service in the UK. Prices move often at this end of the market, so use the “Check price” links for the live figure.

How we chose

We shortlisted bikes sold in the UK under £1000, then scored each on six factors: motor and sensor type, battery capacity and real-world range, weight, brakes and gearing, build and warranty, and value against rivals. We do not take payment from manufacturers, our rankings never change for an affiliate commission, and we flag any spec we could not verify from the maker rather than guess.

1. ADO Air 20 - best overall

#1

ADO

ADO Air 20

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.6 around £899

Best for: Best overall

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V 9.6Ah integrated

Range

Up to 62 miles (claimed)

Weight

19kg

+ What we like

• Carbon belt drive needs almost no maintenance
• Torque sensor is rare at this price
• Light at around 19kg

- Watch-outs

• Single speed will not suit very hilly areas

Our verdict: The most complete e-bike you can buy near £900. A torque sensor and belt drive at this money is genuinely unusual.

Check price

The ADO Air 20 is the bike to beat under £1000. Its torque sensor reads how hard you pedal and feeds in assistance smoothly, so it rides far more like a normal bike than the on-off cadence systems most rivals use. The carbon belt drive replaces a greasy chain, which means almost no maintenance and no oil on your trousers, and at roughly 19kg it is light enough to carry up steps. The single-speed setup is the only real limitation, suiting towns and gentle hills but struggling on steep climbs.

2. Eskute Polluno - best value step-through

#2

Eskute

Eskute Polluno

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.4 around £899

Best for: Best value step-through

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V 10Ah removable (Samsung cells)

Range

Up to 65 miles (claimed)

Weight

27kg

+ What we like

• Removable battery charges indoors
• Comfortable upright step-through frame
• 7-speed Shimano gearing

- Watch-outs

• Heavy at 27kg
• Cadence sensor feels less natural than a torque sensor

Our verdict: A comfortable, practical everyday e-bike with a removable battery and proper gears for the money.

Check price

The Eskute Polluno is the value pick for a relaxed sit-up riding position and a battery you can carry indoors to charge. The step-through frame is easy to mount, the 7-speed Shimano gearing copes with hills, and the Samsung-cell battery gives a believable 35 to 45 miles in real use. It is heavy at 27kg, and the cadence sensor is less refined than the ADO’s, but it is still a lot of usable bike for the price.

Compare live prices on e-bikes under £1000

3. Carrera Impel im-1 - best for buying in store

#3

Carrera (Halfords)

Carrera Impel im-1

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.2 around £999

Best for: Best for in-store buying and servicing

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V integrated

Range

Up to 40 miles (claimed)

Weight

22kg

+ What we like

• Bought, built and serviced at Halfords nationwide
• Clean integrated battery
• Hydraulic disc brakes

- Watch-outs

• Shorter claimed range than rivals

Our verdict: The safe, convenient choice if you would rather buy in person and have a shop to fall back on.

Check price

The Carrera Impel im-1 is the pick for riders who want a high-street safety net. You can see it, buy it, have it built and get it serviced at Halfords stores across the country, which matters a lot if you are new to e-bikes. The integrated battery looks tidy, and the hydraulic disc brakes are a step up from the cable brakes some rivals fit. The claimed 40-mile range is shorter than the ADO and Eskute, so it suits shorter commutes best.

4. Mycle Compact - best folder for commuters

#4

Mycle

Mycle Compact

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.1 around £999

Best for: Best folding for mixed commutes

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V 7.5Ah removable

Range

Up to 40 miles (claimed)

Weight

23kg

+ What we like

• Folds for train and flat storage
• Removable battery and throttle
• Wide colour range

- Watch-outs

• 20-inch wheels feel busy at higher speeds

Our verdict: A practical, customisable folder for anyone mixing cycling with trains or tight storage.

Check price

The Mycle Compact folds down small and still rides well for train journeys or tight storage, with a removable battery and twist throttle adding flexibility and a wide colour range as a nice touch. As with all 20-inch folders the ride feels a little nervous at speed, but it is still hard to fault for last-mile commuting at the price.

What to expect from an e-bike under £1000

At this price, prioritise battery capacity and motor type over flashy extras. A removable battery is worth paying for if you cannot charge where you store the bike, and a torque sensor gives a far nicer ride than a cadence sensor, though the ADO’s is rare at this money. Hydraulic disc brakes are better than mechanical ones, a gap that grows in the wet. Everything sold here should be EAPC-legal at 250W and limited to 15.5mph, so you will not need a licence, tax or insurance to ride one.

If none of these quite fit, our guide to the best electric bikes under £500 covers a tighter budget, while our overall best electric bikes roundup covers every price band. Our battery and range guide explains how to make any charge go further.