Looking for an e-bike for 2026? I'm an electric bike reviewer - here are my top 3 released this year

I review e-bikes for a living, and these are my top 3 electric bikes from 2025 Features (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton) Paul Hatton published 2026 is almost here and it was a bumper year for powered cycling 2025 has been a wild ride for the whole e-bike industry. We've seen new products from Brompton, Specialized, Engwe, Quella, and others, with every new release pushing the boundaries of what was previously available on an e-bike. As a result, we’re seeing more (and better) e-bikes on the roads than ever before. It's not just been about ever-improving performance; e-bikes are now being stuffed with smart connectivity, creating intelligent rides. One of my most-loved features in 2025 was the proliferation and democratization of GPS anti-theft systems that we've previously seen on the likes of the Cowboy 4 , that help protect our precious e-bikes from thieves. All of this e-bike activity has got me thinking about the best e-bikes I reviewed in 2025, so I've shared my top picks below. You might not agree with my list, and that's fine! Use the comments section below to let us know what your favorites have been. And, if you’re looking to make an e-bike investment, check out our comprehensive guide to the best electric bikes . 1. Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon ✅ You want premium quality: Thanks to high-quality engineering, this e-bike is built to last. ✅ You love a quiet ride: Some e-bikes are annoyingly noisy, but not this one. ✅ You want power: With a 320W motor and excellent power delivery, it doesn't get much better than this. ❌ You're on a budget: This e-bike is expensive and therefore won't be for everyone. ❌ You want a detachable battery: Unfortunately, the battery can't be removed, which is far from ideal for charging. The e-bike that I said was potentially "the greatest e-bike of all time" takes pride of place in my 2025 roundup. Having had the privilege of riding it around for the best part of a month, I can safely say that it provided the best performance and comfort of any e-bike I’ve ever used. The heart of the Vado SL2 Carbon is a 320-watt motor that delivers outstanding power that makes riding on all types of flats and inclines an absolute breeze. It’s also breathtakingly smooth and pleasantly quiet, two things that are not guaranteed when it comes to e-bikes. Every part of the frame and associated components is made from premium materials, which makes this an e-bike that is sure to last. That doesn’t mean it’s frustratingly heavy though. Thanks to a seriously lightweight carbon frame, I had no issues lifting it with just one hand. Both of the e-bike’s weaknesses are related to its battery. The first is that it's not removable, which means you’ve got to have a means to charge it near to where you store it. The second is that the battery range tops out at around 56km....

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