$1500 seems to be the sweet spot for electric bikes that are still affordable, by ebike standards, and actually quite good. Bikes found at this price point are also some of the most popular ebikes because they suit many people’s needs at a reasonable price. Some popular brand names in this category are Rad Power Bikes, Ride1Up, Aventon, Eunorau, and a few others.

What makes these bikes good are quality bike components (brakes, derailleur, shifters, tires) and good ebike components, such as a capable motor and a battery that supplies ample power and range.  I’ve also selected bikes from reputable companies with good customer support. 

We’ll just dive right in and explore some of these bikes.

As a disclaimer some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission, at no added cost to you, if you make a purchase. I aim to be transparent and unbiased. Thanks for your support!

Ride1Up 500 Series

This bike is actually well below $1500, but is still rocking good components and from a reputable company. This is a Class 3 ebike with speeds of up to 28 mph using pedal assist, and 20 mph using throttle alone. Its’ 750 watt motor with 60 Nm of torque is plenty for most people.

The 500 Series is available as a high-step and step-thru frame, and with these two options the 500 Series is ideal for a wide range of rider heights. This is one of the best value ebikes on the market today, and a good choice if you’re new to ebikes, but don’t want to spend a ton to get a quality bike.

Designed as a city bike, it is available with or without fenders and a rear rack. I’d suggest going ahead and purchasing the option for the fenders and rack because they may be difficult to purchase later due to high demand. Plus, if you’re riding in the city you’ll likely want fenders to keep you clean and dry, and a rack to carry items with you.

Ride1Up is known for good customer service, and a growing lineup of different models of ebikes. This is a company that is very much engaged with its customer base. In fact, you can find one of the owner’s of the company often answering customer and prospective customer questions, and yes even complaints, directly on the Ride1Up Onwer’s group on Facebook, for all to see. Ride1Up is a very transparent company that informs people of future price increases and new products, well in advance.

I own the 700 Series from Ride1Up, and it quickly became a favorite of mine. The 500 Series is also highly recommended by long term customers. That in itself says a lot. You can check it out at Ride1Up here.

Ride1Up 500 Series Quick Specs

KBO Breeze and Breeze Step-Thru

KBO is a fairly new company that sells electric bikes directly to the consumer, and they have been making a good name for themselves. Their KBO Breeze is becoming a strong competitor against other popular brands because of price and one of the longer warranties in this price range.

The Breeze is a high step ebike offered in two different colors, a vibrant eye-catching orange and a more conservative black. KBO recently added a step-thru version of the Breeze, aptly named the Breeze Step-Thru and first shipments should begin this spring.

The Breeze and Breeze step-thru have one of the largest batteries you’ll find in this category. It’s a massive 48 V 16 Ah for some serious range. Also, not normally seen at this price is a 3 AMP charger for faster charging time.

I expect to receive the Breeze Step-Thru any day now, and I’ll be writing up a full review as soon as I can.

Differences between the Breeze and the Ride1Up 500 Series are that the Breeze has a larger battery, but the 500 Series has slightly better components, and a longer track record of good customer service.

Quick Specs of the KBO Breeze and Breeze Step-Thru 

Eunorau UHVO Full Suspension Electric Mountain Bike

It’s hard to find an electric bike with full suspension for less than $1500, but Eunorau has managed to pull it off. Unlike the previous bikes in this article, the UHVO features a 36-volt system. You can expect less power from the motor, but sometimes that’s not such a bad thing.

If you’re the type who likes to do most of the work when pedaling, but want help on those killer hills or just take some pressure off of your knees, a 36-volt system is worth a look. They cost less than 48-volt systems, but still provide welcome assistance to help you ride farther.

Having said that, a 36 Volt, 350 Watt system isn’t enough for serious mountain climbing. This bike is really best suited for the city and light trail usage. It’s the dual suspension that is most attractive on this bike. If you want more comfort, this bike should help even out the ride.

It also features hydraulic disc brakes, which aren’t typically on bikes at its price point of $1299.

Also, a 36 volt/350 watt motor is going to be quiet which is great for scenic areas where you want to hear the birds and not your bike’s motor. If you want serious power for serious mountain riding, check out this 48 volt, 1000 Watt dual battery capable beast of an ebike from Eunorau. It goes for $2799, but it should haul almost anyone up almost any hill!

Quick Specs of the Eunorau UHVO

Rad Power Bikes RadMini and RadMini Step-Thru

No budget ebike list would be complete without mentioning Rad Power Bikes and that’s because they’re known for selling good quality electric bikes at reasonable prices. A personal favorite of mine, and many others, is the RadMini Step-Thru because it’s so approachable for just about any rider.

Both the regular RadMini and the step-thru version are fat tire, folding ebikes, but don’t let the word “mini” fool you because they’re really not that small. They’re popular with RV’ers because of their portability, but a lot of people never use the folding feature. They just like the size and style of the bike. The RadMini Step-Thru can accommodate riders from 4’10”- 5’10”, so it’s great for shorter riders as well as those who are of average height.

With a 750 watt (peak) motor and a 48 volt battery, the RadMini has plenty of range and power to go up hills. It can go up to 45 miles in a single charge and up to 20 mph for its max speed.

While it is portable, its 69 lbs weight is quite heavy for a folding ebike. The bike is very strong, but not the easiest to lift. If you’re needing something more lightweight and portable there are other folding ebike options such as the Jupiter Bike Discovery X5 and the Swagtron EB7 Plus.

The only real downside to Rad Power Bikes is that their bikes and/or accessories are often out of stock because they’re so popular. I’d expect this to improve in the coming years since Rad has secured major investments for business expansion.

Quick Specs

Himiway Cruiser

The Himiway Cruiser is a fat tire full size bike that can handle just about any kind of terrain. It’s also ideal for heavier riders with its 350 lbs payload capacity. This is the bike that my husband chose due to his weight. Highlights of this bike are its large 48 v 17.5 Ah battery which is larger than most bikes for its $1499 price, huge 26″ x 4″ tires, and a strong frame for heavy loads.

The display is also quite nice with a large digital readout for easy visibility. It also features a wooden rear platform for its rear rack.

Even though my husband weighs in the 300lbs range, the bike maintains good speed when using pedal assist. He’s often riding in front of me and I have a hard time keeping up. The throttle isn’t able to pull him as well. At his weight he can’t reach the max 20 mph speed when using throttle only, but when I ride the bike it easily can.

The bike is too large for me since I’m only 5’1″ so it’s not for shorter riders or those who have difficulty lifting a leg over the bike, but it’s a good value for those looking for a bike that can carry a heavier rider and handle just about any kind of surface. Sand, gravel, dirt paths shouldn’t be a problem with this bike.

Quick Specs

Lectric XP

The Lectric XP is actually priced well below $1500. In fact, you can almost buy two Lectrix XP bikes for that price. This is one of the most popular entry-level ebikes on the market. It’s very popular and for good reason. You get quite a bit for the money. It’s also a fast bike. The Lectrix XP now also comes in a step-thru version which is great for shorter riders and those with knee or hip sensitivity.

Since it’s a folding ebike, it’s also popular with RV’ers, but it’s not a lightweight bike at 63 lbs. It may be difficult for some to lift into the back of a vehicle by themselves.

Pros of the Lectric XP are its price and versatility. It’s hard to find any other ebike at this price that comes so highly recommended by both reviewers and its large customer base. Probably the largest con of the bike is that it lacks front suspension which can make for a jarring ride on certain trails. You wouldn’t want to ride it off-road much. The mechanical disc brakes are okay, but for a bike that can go close to 30 mph, 180 mm hydraulic disc brakes would be preferred.

But considering this is an entry-level ebike it’s definitely worth a look, especially if you need to buy two ebikes for you and your spouse.

Quick Specs

Revi Runabout

The Revi Runabout is a compact electric cargo bike.  Its’ name is right on target because I see this bike as a great urban bike to commute with and carry cargo such as groceries and whatnot.  

Its stepover height at only14.5″ makes the Runabout very approachable and one that you can easily standover and balance when at a stop.  This would be a good choice for those with knee or hip sensitivity.  

The 500 watt motor may seem less than many others on this list, but when you consider it has a peak watt rating of 800 watts and 90 Nm of torque, it’s quite capable of hauling a rider and their cargo up hills. 

It has a 280 lbs payload capacity which is good for a compact bike and a top speed of 25 mph.  At 59 lbs it’s one of the lighter bikes on this list.  With a minimum seat height of 32″ it will accomodate even petite riders.  I’m 5’1″ and usually place my seat height between 32-34″, depending upon what height provides the best leg extension for pedaling.  

The bike includes a front basket and other accessories are available including a large rear basket and bag.  It doesn’t have front suspension, but much of the rider’s weight is directed towards the rear of the bike.  Also, not much of a rider’s weight will be directed on their wrists since it has an upright riding postion.  Still, this is a bike best for pavement.