Best Mid-Drive Electric Bikes 2025 | Our Experts’ 11 Picks
When discussing the two types of e-bike motors, the best mid-drive e-bikes and hub-drive e-bikes give riders a surprisingly different riding experience. With one, you only need to work as much as you want. With the other, you’re involved.
It’s a little more complicated than this, but I think it’s automatic vs. stick shift.
Most mid-drive motors use a torque sensor to judge when to turn the motor on and off. They also add an additional layer to the experience. By detecting how much pressure is on the pedals, they allow the motor to change how much it helps you pedal.
From the moment a rider pushes down on a pedal, the motor springs to life. Power addition and subtraction come in proportion to the rider’s effort. Furthermore, the proportion of power applied is determined by which PAS level the rider has selected.
While the experience of riding a mid-drive e-bike is natural and seamless, it also means that the rider is going to have to work harder to go faster. A Class 3 mid-drive e-bike, for example, won’t go 28 mph without the rider making some real effort.
We’ve tested a myriad of e-bikes with mid-drive motors and have selected a handful of options that we consider to be the best. Whether you want a relaxed city cruiser or a tough and active trekking bike, look no further for the best mid-drive electric bikes!
The Best Mid-Drive Electric Bikes for 2025
- Ride1UP Prodigy V2
- Aventon Ramblas
- Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2
- Trek Allant+ 8s
- Tenways AGO X
- Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 IGH
- Vvolt Centauri II
- Borealis Keystone
- Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon
- Tern Quick Haul Long D9
- Trek Marlin+ 8
*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.
Ride1UP Prodigy V2
The Ride1UP Prodigy V2 LX provides a stellar feel to its ride and comes with more features than you’d expect, given its relatively low price tag of around $2,500.
That might seem steep for an e-bike from Ride1UP, but it’s justified. The Prodigy V2 includes premium features that you’d pay a significantly higher price for if any other brand made it.
The bike’s Brose TF Sprinter motor is the star of the show, with a range of smooth-feeling pedal assistance from subtle to substantial. It gives you 250W of power with 90Nm of torque to help speed up the ride in a natural way (it still feels like a bike!) and give your legs welcome relief on the steepest hills.
On the Prodigy V2, you can choose between two different drivetrains, but we loved the feel of the Enviolo CVT and the Gates belt drive on our test bike. Since there are no gears, shifting with this internal system provides a seamless experience while on the move. It also offers a broad range of flexibility for easy uphill pedaling.
The Prodigy V2 includes everything needed for daily commuting, but with Maxxis Rekon Race tires, its mid-drive, and a 100mm suspension fork, it’s suitable for trekking and light off-roading. This is a bike that is built to perform – without breaking the bank!
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- A 250W Brose motor produces 90Nm of torque, giving it the power to match the demands of your ride and meet you at your desired speed.
- The 504Wh battery gave our tester 70 mi. in range on PAS 2 – with the potential to go even longer in PAS 1.
- Enviolo CVT for gearless shifting is awesome tech with infinite flexibility for varied terrain.
- Comes in three versions to suit the needs of different riders.
- Offers great handling regardless of the riding surface – it can stick to the pavement or tear through dirt with ease!
- With just a single frame size, smaller riders may need to consider the LS model.
Aventon Ramblas
The Ramblas marks Aventon’s first foray into two particular segments of the e-bike market: first, it’s the brand’s first eMTB, and second, it hosts their first mid-drive motor.
Incidentally, the Ramblas is also the company’s most expensive e-bike to date, but we found that it provided remarkable value for its price tag of around $2,700.
It would have been easy for Aventon to spec budget components from lesser-known brands, but the Ramblas comes decked out in solidly performing, long-lasting parts from established manufacturers.
Case in point: the bike’s SRAM groupset includes 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and a 12-speed NX Eagle drivetrain with an 11-50T cassette. It sports a RockShox 35 Silver suspension fork with a respectable 130mm of travel. To top that off, it rolls on chunky Maxxis Rekon tires on either 27.5” or 29” wheels (depending on frame size).
The Ramblas is driven by a custom 250W mid-drive made in partnership with Gobao. This motor was made to compete with high-end mid-drives from Bosch, Brose, and Shimano – and it was largely successful, thanks in large part to its punchy 100 Nm of torque and peak of 750W.
In our experience, this motor made typically challenging climbs breezy by comparison and kept the ride feeling spirited and fun with quick acceleration.
Additionally, the bike knocked our socks off with its Range Test results. The Ramblas includes a 708 Wh battery, which Aventon claims can keep the bike powered for up to 80 miles on technical trails. As with all of our Range Tests, we tested the Ramblas on paved bike paths, but we measured over 100 miles in the bike’s lowest-assist setting.
All in all, the Ramblas proved to be more than a competent entry into new territory for Aventon. We think the bike is a great buy with excellent bang for the buck!
- Offers impressive climbing power thanks to the 250W motor’s torque output of 100Nm and the 500% gearing range of the 12-speed SRAM Eagle drivetrain
- Available in 4 frame sizes – more than you’ll find on most similarly priced eMTBs
- It comes fully stocked with name-brand parts from SRAM, Maxxis, and RockShox.
- Capable of extended rides due to the 708Wh battery.
- Includes a dropper seatpost allowing riders to adjust the saddle when descending
- We experienced great traction and performance from the Maxxis Rekon tires.
- The RockShox fork felt great, but with no preload adjustment, heavier riders may lose some travel.
Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2
For those seeking a premium commuter with agility, an active and fun ride, and a myriad of high-tech features, the Specialized Turbo Vado SL 2 may be the perfect fit. This extremely lightweight carbon-fiber e-bike can do a bit of everything, including getting you to the office, carrying groceries, giving you some exercise, and even allowing for some light off-roading.
The 41-lb e-bike has a surprisingly airy and nimble feel due to its carbon fiber frame and fork. Thanks to its light construction and 250W Specialized 1.2 SL mid-drive, it can get up to speed quickly and navigate through traffic with ease. The Turbo Vado SL 2 is a Class 3 e-bike with pedal assist up to 28 mph, making it an ideal choice for a daily-use commuter.
With integrated Bluetooth technology, the Vado SL 2 syncs with the Specialized app, allowing users to tune the bike’s motor output, track ride/fitness data, receive maintenance reminders and over-the-air updates, and set up security features. In addition to a passcode lock and an alarm, it pairs directly with Apple’s Find My™ app for location tracking in the event of theft.
We tested the EQ 6.0 model, which is equipped with fenders and an MIK-HD cargo rack compatible with a massive range of standardized accessories that can lock into place. These include baskets, storage bags, pet carriers, and even a child seat, allowing the Turbo Vado SL 2 to fulfill its design intent as a car replacement.
Specialized also outfitted the bike with all-terrain tires and a stem-integrated suspension with 20mm of travel—the Future Shock 3.2—allowing it to hit smooth dirt or gravel paths that other commuters might feel out of place on.
In short, the Turbo Vado SL 2 is a sleek, stylish, feature-packed e-bike that we found extremely impressive!
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- The bike is highly maneuverable, quick, and easy to lift thanks to its carbon fiber frame and fork. It weighs just 41 lbs!
- As we’d expect from Specialized, the Vado SL 2’s custom 250W motor felt extremely natural with responsive power delivery.
- The bike has tons of high-tech features accessible through the Specialized app, but it can also be extremely simple and easy to use without the app.
- With a 520 Wh battery, the bike exceeded Specialized’s 5-hour range estimate in our testing, giving us one of the best results from a commuter.
- The Future Shock 3.2 stem-integrated suspension smooths the ride subtly while being nearly invisible.
- Technicians can remove the battery for service when needed, but it cannot be removed for charging.
Trek Allant+ 8s
The Allant+ 8s is simply one of the best commuters we’ve tested.
In addition to a bevy of high-quality components, a defining feature of the Allant+ 8s is its Bosch drive system. Made up of a 250W mid-drive motor and a 625 Wh battery, the system is efficient and powerful, but it still feels thoroughly responsive and natural.
The Allant+ also pairs with the Bosch COBI.BIKE app, which serves as a central hub for your most used – and useful – apps. It provides seamless access to navigation, health data, music, and more, making the bike more of a robust, full-function EV.
We found that the bike had a unique blend of solidity and nimbleness; its 27.5”x2.4” Bontrager road tires made it highly maneuverable, while its quality construction and overall weight of 57 lbs helped it to feel firmly planted.
This combination made the bike feel fun but also remarkably dependable and stable.
We found the Allant+ 8s to be surprisingly powerful and capable on hills for its specs. As a Class 3 e-bike, it packs enough muscle to reach 28 mph! It’s also well-specced, with a wide gearing range for efficient climbing.
- It feels and responds like an analog bike – just with more oomph – thanks to the 250W Bosch motor.
- Impressive functionality through the COBI.BIKE app that makes contacts, music, navigation, etc., easily accessible.
- We thought it felt solid but still highly maneuverable – a combination of its tires and 57 lbs weight.
- The bike offers a truly refined ride feel that simply comes with bikes from legacy brands.
- It ships as a Class 3 with pedal assist up to 28 mph!
- We loved the COBI.BIKE app, but the bike’s universal phone mount was fragile.
Tenways AGO X
The Tenways AGO X is a commuter e-bike with enough freedom and versatility to go beyond pavement.
Marketed as an “e-bike SUV,” it features the design of a commuter, but its frame is outfitted with many components suitable for an entry-level mountain bike. These include its 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, a Suntour XCM 32 suspension fork, and Tektro HD-275 hydraulic disc brakes.
The AGO X also features a Bafang M410 mid-drive motor with 250W of nominal output and a max of 80 Nm of torque. This motor felt more powerful than we expected, though it was reserved enough to preserve the natural feel of an analog bike. With its torque sensor, the motor was able to respond quickly to the amount of force we applied to the pedals.
While we recommend swapping out the equipped street tires for something with knobbier tread if you want to spend more time off the road than on, we appreciated the bike’s great handling, steering precision, and stability. These features were primarily a result of the bike’s 29”x2.25” tires and super-wide 770mm handlebars.
To top it off, the AGO X benefits from Tenways’ trademark design, with a smooth, weld-free frame, integrated headlight, and unique paint jobs!
- Excellent steering, handling, and ride stability from the 29” x 2.25” tires and 770mm handlebars.
- A responsive, natural, and fun feel from the 250W mid-drive motor.
- A solid foundation for off-road rides with the bike’s wide handlebars, 10-speed drivetrain, suspension fork, and more.
- It has an awesome contemporary design and paint job! The integrated headlight is a defining element.
- It’s outfitted with tons of quality parts from brands like Tektro, Shimano, Bafang, Selle Royal, and SR Suntour for lasting performance.
- We’d like to have the option to select off-road tires at purchase, though this is relatively easy to do at home.
Specialized Turbo Como 3.0 IGH
An e-bike need not be elaborate or powered like a Dodge Challenger to suit someone’s needs. The Specialized Turbo Como is a terrific example of where a manufacturer kept their e-bike simple and straightforward.
This is a Class 1 e-bike (20 mph max, no throttle) that seems like the modern-day answer to those old 3-speeds that made reliable commuters. Its simplicity made it a must-have for our roundup of the best mid-drive e-bikes.
For urban commuters who want a bit of exercise as they ride, the Turbo Como 3.0 IGH is ideal. The mid-drive motor provides smooth and instant acceleration, making the motor operate seamlessly with the rider’s pedaling.
The rider who wants a simple and straightforward commuter will appreciate the choice of an internally geared Enviolo CVT rear hub and Gates Belt. It’s zero muss or fuss; chain lube need not apply. It comes equipped with a rear rack, lights, and fenders; all it lacks is a saddle bag, but that’s an easy fix.
The Turbo Como comes in three different frame designs—traditional, low-step, and step-thru (shown above) and each of those comes in three sizes, making it one of the friendliest-fitting e-bikes in this collection.
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- The 250W Specialized 2.0 motor produces 50Nm of torque, which is enough to provide good acceleration and a commute speed near 20 mph
- A 530Wh battery would seem small in many e-bikes, but thanks to its efficient mid-drive motor, it gave our test rider a range of 63 mi.
- Because it comes in three different sizes, this is an especially attractive option for people shorter than 5 feet 6 or taller than 6 feet 0
- The Como comes with a commute-ready complement of accessories, including a rear rack, fenders, and lights.
- Specialized’s smartphone app, Mission Control, offers a sophisticated array of features, including security features like GPS tracking and the ability to disable the motor.
- Some riders may dislike the absence of a throttle or the ability to go Class 3 speeds.
Vvolt Centauri II
With a lightweight and sleek design, the Centauri II from Vvolt is a premium urban commuter with style and a selection of uncommon, high-tech features.
The bike features a smooth and easy pedal experience thanks to its pairing of a 350W Ananda mid-drive motor with a Gates Carbon belt and a 3-speed internal gear hub (IGH). The bike’s drivetrain shifts automatically, meaning that once the rider selects their preferred level of pedal assist, no shifting is required—just hop on and ride!
The Centauri also has extremely low maintenance requirements due to this combination. The sealed IGH protects the bike’s gearing from damage (and the need for replacement), while the Gates belt is rated to last at least twice as long as a chain. It’s also clean and quiet and does not require lubrication—this means less mess that could transfer to your pants when riding.
Vvolt designed a unique coil suspension system for the Centauri II; this “monoshock” provides 30mm of travel to smooth bumps and rough pavement without adding complex components needing regular maintenance.
We enjoyed the Centauri II’s agile feel and fun, worry-free riding experience. The bike pedaled naturally and smoothly thanks to its powerful mid-drive. It was also surprisingly pleasant and capable on steep hills with a peak of 650W and a whopping 120 Nm of torque!
The Centauri II is a great-looking and quick-handling e-bike that allows the rider to focus on having a great time instead of constantly having to manage the bike’s operation. We’ll take more of that, please!
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- The Centauri II is both nimble and powerful, a rare combination for an urban-centric e-bike.
- We found the automatic 3-speed transmission to be easy to use and effective for the bike’s Class 3 speeds.
- The combination of a mid-drive, Gates belt, and IGH makes for an extremely low-maintenance and worry-free user experience.
- Charging the bike is a breeze thanks to its removable battery, which is tested to UL 2271 standards.
- We liked the appearance and function of the bike’s single Monoshock with 30mm of travel.
- Approaching hills required some practice to ensure the bike was in the correct gear.
Borealis Keystone
If blustery winter weather cramps your style, or your current bike just can’t handle the demands of overlanding, the Borealis Keystone just might be the bike for you.
We were surprised by the bike’s nimble, spritely handling resulting from its lightweight alloy frame. Our bike weighed 60 lbs but felt and responded like it was 10 lbs lighter!
The Keystone can be equipped with your choice of tire at purchase; Borealis offers a dozen options at the time of writing. The 26×5” Terene Johnny 5 tires on our test bike were massive, grippy, and remarkably stable. These tires allow riders in northern climes to extend their riding season, and they can tackle rough and slippery ground alike for all-terrain riding capability.
In addition to its tire options, we loved the Keystone’s standard spec package, which is filled to the brim with an impressive roster of name brands. From the Shimano EP8 mid-drive and 630 Wh battery to the Mastodon Pro EXT suspension fork and wireless SRAM Eagle GX transmission, the Keystone is built to perform anywhere and any time of year.
The bike is available in four frame sizes to fit riders from 5’2” to 6’5”. Its geometry is slightly more upright than we’ve seen on some similar bikepacking/overlanding bikes, offering a comfortable and relaxed feel for long trail rides or other adventures.
- Offers smooth and responsive pedal assist from the Shimano EP8 mid-drive.
- We found the 520% gearing range to be more than enough for tough climbs and fast descents.
- Riders can customize their bike with options for rims, hubs, and tires to fit their needs.
- It handles crisply and sharply thanks to its lightweight frame and stout Mastodon suspension fork from Manitou.
- Shifting with the electronic SRAM Eagle GX transmission is quick, buttery, and precise.
- The alloy frame looks great and adds to the bike’s responsive handling, but we wouldn’t mind seeing an even lighter carbon option.
Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon
There’s a reason we see riders on a Turbo Levo almost every time we hit the trails or the bike paths.
This bike is a workhorse.
eMTBs often fall into one of two categories: bikes that give you a slight boost to take the edge off tough climbs or bikes that do a hefty chunk of the heavy lifting for you. We tested the lightweight (around 50 lbs) Comp Carbon version with the Specialized 2.2 mid-drive and found it to be somewhere in the middle.
It was powerful yet natural and responsive—and a whole lot of fun.
The bike’s seamless carbon frame and mullet design (a 29” front wheel and 27.5” rear) gave it a playful, lively feel with sharp handling. Its Fox Float X Performance shock and Fox 36 Rhythm fork took some serious punishment on the chunky trails of southern Utah but kept the ride comfortable and smooth.
The Turbo Levo also has impressive range capabilities thanks to its 700 Wh battery. In our testing, it delivered enough juice to complete a 45-mile race course with room to spare in nearly 4 hours of ride time.
We appreciated the bike’s modern geometry and wide range of 6 sizes. The stock setup on our test bike felt dialed in, but the bike’s geometry can also be customized and tuned to its riders’ preferences.
Full Review Coming Soon | Video Review Coming Soon
- The bike handles great thanks to its mullet setup that includes a 29” front wheel and 27.5” rear wheel.
- The Specialized 2.2 motor balanced power and an analog pedal experience well.
- Its geometry felt great, as you’d expect from a Specialized e-bike.
- The Comp Carbon version felt relatively lightweight and manageable thanks to its weight of 50-ish lbs.
- It offers a practical range (over 45 miles) on a single charge of the 700Wh battery.
- Anticipate having to replace the cover for the charging port.
Tern Quick Haul Long D9
With its 250W Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive motor and extremely natural, precise feel, the Tern Quick Haul Long D9 earned a well-deserved spot on this list. It’s a uniquely lightweight cargo hauler that handles more like a city bike than the typically heavy and overpowered bikes commonly found in its category.
The Quick Haul Long is also relatively nimble for a cargo e-bike thanks to its 20” wheels and relatively low weight of roughly 60 lbs. For perspective, most cargo bikes we’ve tested weighed closer to 90 lbs, making the D9 extremely manageable and portable compared to its peers.
Yet, the bike felt plenty stiff and capable when loaded up with weight; Tern designed the Quick Haul Long to haul up to 354 lbs (including its rider) effectively. The bike’s rear rack has a capacity of 198 lbs!
It also has a unique feature that makes it easier to store than most cargo e-bikes; the D9’s extended frame has projecting “feet” that allow it to stand vertically. This makes it practical for city dwellers living in small apartments or those with limited garage space. The frame also includes an integrated tow bar, allowing it to pull a trailer (in case its rack isn’t large enough).
The bike’s Bosch mid-drive packs plenty of power for hauling heavy loads, but with its remarkably responsive and natural feel, the Quick Haul is appropriate for more than just cargo. We felt its range of power levels was appropriate for exercise or leisure rides just as much as carrying kids, packages, or groceries.
- The Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive motor is relatively subtle, giving the bike a remarkably natural feel—but it still packs enough punch to move extra weight.
- We liked the bike’s relatively nimble handling that resulted from its 20” wheels and 60-lb total weight.
- The Quick Haul Long D9 performed extremely well in our range test, with one of the longest results we’ve seen from this category.
- Unlike most cargo bikes or most e-bikes in general, the D9 can stand vertically for storage.
- It’s certified to DIN 79010 cargo standards for load bearing and passenger safety. It’s also UL 2271 and UL 2849 certified.
- The D9 is compatible with a huge range of accessories, but they’ll need to be purchased separately.
Trek Marlin+ 8
Some eMTBs get a bad rap for being “easy mode.” The thought behind this statement is that they take all the effort out of the sport, thereby diminishing the payoff. The Trek Marlin+ 8 is NOT such an e-bike.
With its 250W Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive that produces a conservative 50 Nm of torque, Trek designed the Marlin to feel just like an analog bike but with a dash of motor power to alleviate strain. It’s the kind of e-bike that will still get you breathing hard but one that will give you the energy to stay out on the trails for an extra hour or two.
The Marlin+ 8 has two features that don’t often appear elsewhere. When riding in “Auto Mode,” the bike’s assist levels change automatically and fluidly to deliver the right power for the current riding environment. Using the Bosch Flow app, Users can tweak the motor output and torque of the bike’s assist settings to their liking.
Even in its standard settings, we appreciated the bike’s natural feel and incredibly responsive, near-seamless motor engagement.
We were also floored by its efficiency; in our range test, the bike traveled over 70 miles on a single charge of its 400Wh battery.
The bike has a solid spec package for its price, too. It’s outfitted with a 12-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain, a RockShox Recon Silver RL suspension fork, Shimano 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 203mm rotors, and Bontrager Gunnison Pro XR tires.
With all that it offers, we see the Marlin+ 8 as a solid mid-level option for those who want a good workout without reaching the point of exhaustion – and without breaking the bank.
- The Bosch mid-drive motor felt responsive and natural, with conservative power for an active pedaling experience
- The Marlin’s motor/battery pairing resulted in one of the longest distances we’ve seen in our Range Test from an eMTB
- It has a huge price-to-value ratio with tons of great components.
- The Auto Mode allows riders to hop on and pedal without the need to adjust assist levels
- We love the customization options once paired with the Bosch Flow app
- The included pedals made it easy to get riding right out of the box, but serious off-road riders will likely want to upgrade.
How we picked these bikes
Let’s get on to what we looked for in the best mid-drive electric bikes:
- Value: We asked, how far does your dollar go? We can justify spending $3000 or $4000 on a mid-drive e-bike, but before we chose it, we asked if the full package was worthwhile. We looked hard because it’s now possible to purchase a mid-drive e-bike for less than $2500.
- Power: There are e-bikes on the market that bring more power to the party than is necessary—or wise—as well as some that are underpowered in a dissatisfying way. We asked whether the motor was appropriate for the e-bike’s use.
- Spec: We sometimes see e-bikes that have some selections in parts that don’t make a lot of sense or won’t serve the rider very well. Each of these is well-specced for their purpose.
Bottom Line: Mid-Drive E-Bikes Have Much to Love
This is perhaps the best advice we can offer:
Buy an e-bike with a hub motor if you want activity. Buy an e-bike with a mid-drive motor if you want to exercise.
Riding an e-bike with a mid-drive motor will ask more from you, but the immediacy of the feedback and the superhero-like experience of having your effort multiplied in proportion to your effort is intoxicating.
Have a bike that you think would be a good contender for our best page? Let us know in the comment section below. At the very least, we always want to know what our readers are riding.
Rick King says
I’ve owned my Lectric XPremium for three months and have accumulated 820 miles. At 77 years old I ride two to three times each week 29 to 45 miles in length. I see e-bikes on bike paths but haven’t seen any on rural roads where I normally ride. I recenty installed an old Brooks Touring Saddle I had and added a horn tonight. A very nice bike for the price.
Dirt McGirt says
So, we did a best mid drive bikes list and it’s nothing but Bafang and Brose?
Those are the least nice mid drive units out there.
No Shimano?
No Bosch?
No Yamaha/Giant?
What happened?
John S. Bozick says
Perhaps our title is confusing; this isn’t necessarily a list of the best mid-drive motors, but instead the best e-bikes with mid-drive motors. All of the brands you mentioned make fantastic motors!