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
Buy it if:
✅ 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.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ 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. While that’s fine if you’re happy charging it every day or two, it’s not great if you’re wanting to go out on a particularly long ride.
This is a premium e-bike with a high price tag. It won’t be for everyone, but if money is no object and you don’t need a foldable, the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon would be my absolute top pick.
Read our full Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon review
|
Component |
Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon |
|---|---|
|
Motor: |
Specialized 1.2 SL System |
|
Top speed: |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
|
Power: |
Specialized SL2-520, Fully Integrated, 520Wh |
|
Control: |
LCD Display |
|
E-bike classification: |
Class 3 |
|
Speeds: |
Shimano 12 speed |
|
Brakes: |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
|
Frame material: |
Carbon |
|
Weight: |
17.9kg / 39.7lbs |
|
Range: |
5 hours riding |
2. ENGWE N1 Air
Buy it if:
✅ You need a reliable daily commuter: Slim tires and a powerful motor make this e-bike a perfect fit for daily use.
✅ You want a lightweight frame: The 15.6kg carbon frame is one of the lightest on the market.
✅ You like security features: GPRS tracking and automatic SOS emergency notifications help keep the e-bike safe.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need a foldable e-bike: It’s light, but you couldn’t fold it up and put it in your car.
❌ You want the best: This e-bike is as premium as it comes for ENGWE, but Specialized and Brompton are still superior.
The N1 Air represented a significant departure for popular e-bike brand ENGWE. Not only did they jettison the bulky frame that they are known for, but there’s also not a chunky tire in sight. As a result, we’re left with a beautifully refined design that is perfect for commuters.
The e-bike is equipped with a 36V 10Ah high-capacity Samsung battery, which ENGWE claims delivers up to 100km. In testing, I found that a more accurate real-world range was nearer to 55km. This is almost identical to the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon. Where the battery differs, in a good way, is that it’s 100% removable. That means you can charge it wherever you want, which is a big win for convenience.
In terms of design and materials, the frame is made of carbon, which makes it one of the lightest e-bikes of this size. A comparable e-bike would be the Tenways CG600 Pro. I wasn’t a massive fan of the low-performing disc brakes, but this is only a small area of compromise.
The N1 Air could be considered a budget-friendly alternative to the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon. I used it as my commuter bike for several months and have very fond memories of my time with it.
Read our full ENGWE N1 Air review
3. Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle
Buy it if:
✅ You like a push-bike aesthetic: With a built-in rear-hub motor/battery you wouldn’t immediately know it’s an e-bike.
✅ You want smooth power delivery: The motor could be a little bit more powerful, but the power it does provide is as smooth as it comes.
✅ You like e-bike efficiency: With regenerative braking you’ll be making the very most of your pedaling effort.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re planning super long rides: A range of only 37 miles / 60 km means you’ll not want to be too far away from a power socket.
❌ You like the convenience of a removable battery: The built-in battery means you’ll have to charge the e-bike in the same location that you store it.
One of the highlights of my year was riding the Quella Imperial Electric Courier bike. Not only did it look absolutely fantastic, but it also served up one of the smoothest power deliveries I’ve ever felt on an electric bike.
The design is so clean and minimalist that most people would be forgiven for thinking it was just a traditional push bike. The bullhorn handlebars are also rarely seen on e-bikes, which makes for another stylish touch. The only downsides of the design are the rear hub, which limits the e-bike’s power, and the non-removable battery, which affects charging convenience like the Specialized.
The Quella Imperial Electric Courier contains a number of innovative features that set it apart from the competition. One of my favorite is the regenerative braking feature that charges the battery every time you brake. There’s also a Kinetic Energy Recovery System that recharges the battery as you pedal backward.
In my review I said, “If I were buying an e-bike right now, with no budget constraints, I would go for the Imperial every day of the week.” Now we’ve reached the end of 2025, I stand by that statement.
Read our full Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle review
Specifications compared
|
Component |
Specialized Vado SL 2 Carbon |
ENGWE N1 Air |
Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Motor: |
Specialized 1.2 SL System |
250W In-Rotor Moto |
Zehus Gen 2 all-in-one rear hub motor |
|
Top speed: |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
15.5mph / 25kmh (UK) |
|
Power: |
Specialized SL2-520, Fully Integrated, 520Wh |
360Wh 10Ah high-capacity battery |
155Wh (watt-hour) battery unit |
|
Control: |
LCD Display |
LCD Display |
Phone app |
|
E-bike classification: |
Class 3 |
Class 3 |
Pedelec |
|
Speeds: |
Shimano 12 speed |
Shimano 7 speed |
Single speed |
|
Brakes: |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
Hydraulic Disc Brakes |
Radius dual-pivot caliper brakes |
|
Frame material: |
Carbon |
Carbon |
4130 chromoly steel, with track geometry |
|
Weight: |
17.9kg / 39.7lbs |
15.6kg (34 lbs) |
15.2 kg / 33.5 lbs |
|
Range: |
35 miles / 56km |
62 miles / 100 Km |
37 miles / 60km |
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9GgHpexwqTiKC9KgiB5AwP-2560-80.jpg
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paulo.n.hatton@gmail.com (Paul Hatton)
