The Best e-Bikes With Throttle Assist (2023)

As anyone with a pulse knows, e-bikes have been all the rage lately.

And why shouldn’t they be? They’re environmentally friendly, easy to use, and great for getting around town with less fuss and hassle. But with so many options on the market, it can be tough to know which ones are worth the investment.

That’s why we’ve done the research and compiled a list of the best e-bikes with throttle of 2023. We read through product specs, learned user manuals by heart, and sifted through customer reviews so you can trust that they’re the cream of the crop.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or you’re just getting started, there’s an e-bike on this list that’s perfect for you.

So let’s get rolling!

Best e-Bikes With Throttle

E-bikes with throttle offer an extra level of convenience and flexibility that can’t be found on e-bikes with pedal assistance only.

With a throttle, you have the option to either pedal or simply use the motor to get around. This can be especially useful when you’re feeling tired or just don’t feel like pedaling up a steep hill. And since most e-bikes with throttle also have pedal assistance, you can still get a bit of exercise if you so desire.

Have you taken a look at the Heybike Cityscape Commuter e-Bike yet? If you haven’t, then you should — it’s quite the machine, and it sells for a reasonable price most electric cyclists will be able to afford.

This Class 2 electric bike has got style and substance in equal measure. It has a throttle and pedal assistance, so you can choose how you want to ride it and just how much effort you’d like to put in. The Shimano 7-speed gears are there for when you feel like pedaling, and the 350-Watt motor will get you up to a top speed of 19 miles per hour.

This electric bike’s removable 36V 10 Ah battery takes 5-6 hours to charge and has a maximum range of 40 miles. It can carry a load of up to 264 pounds, and the ride itself is very comfortable thanks to its puncture resistant tires and dual shock absorber.

All in all, the Heybike Cityscape Commuter e-Bike is a practical choice that’s ideal for the modern city commuter. Oh, and it also comes pre-assembled, so you can unpack it and get going.

Next on our list is the VITILAN V3 Folding Class 3 e-Bike. With its high-performance 750-Watt brushless motor, top speed of 32 miles per hour, and Shimano 7-speed shift gear, this electric bike is sure to take you wherever you need to go with ease and vitesse.

The thick, resilient 20″ x 4 fat tires, front suspension fork, and mechanical disc brakes make for a smooth and stable ride, even on rough terrain. The 48V 13.4Ah removable battery charges in a mere 5-6 hours and has a maximum range of 30-45 miles, making it perfect for longer rides.

The integrated bright headlight and taillight add an extra layer of safety and convenience, and the 330 lbs max load means you can bring all your gear along for the ride. And the best part? Assembly is a breeze — open the bike and install the handlebar and seat.

To sum it all up, the VITILAN V3 Folding Class 3 e-Bike is a top-notch folding e-bike for any rider. And if you’re looking for one, it should sit somewhere at the top of your wishlist.

Our mountain electric bike pick is the Vivi Electric Mountain Bike.

With its 500-Watt brushless motor and top speed of 20 miles per hour, it’s clear that this e-bike is built for riding. But it’s not just fast — it’s also practical, with a 48V 10.4Ah removable battery that has a range of 40 to 50 miles. That’s more than enough for a full day of riding, whether you’re tackling tough trails or cruising through the city.

The Vivi Electric Mountain Bike is also built to last. Its front suspension fork is made of high-strength carbon steel for excellent comfort and shock absorption performance, making it perfect for rough terrain. And the lightweight aluminum frame, with its triangular design, ensures both safety and comfort. Add in the front and rear disc brakes and Shimano 21-speed gears, and you’ve got a bike that’s ready for anything.

Plus, the Vivi Electric Mountain Bike has a feature that’s especially useful for nighttime riding: an ultra-bright headlight. No matter where you’re riding or what the conditions are, you’ll be able to see where you’re going with ease.

In a nutshell, the Vivi Electric Mountain Bike is a fantastic choice for any rider looking for speed, comfort, and durability.

What to Look For

Choosing an electric bike with throttle assist can be daunting. There are so many factors to consider — motor power, battery range, frame material, and more. But fear not; by keeping a few key points in mind, you can find the perfect e-bike for your needs without going nuts.

First and foremost, consider the motor power and, in some states, the bike’s classification. How fast do you want to go? How much torque do you need to tackle steep hills? A higher wattage motor will generally be more powerful, but it will also drain the battery faster. A Class 2 bike will be capped at 20 miles per hour, and Class 3 at 28 miles per hour. Find a balance that works for you.

Read more: Everything You Need to Know About e-Bike Classes

Next, take a look at the battery. Greater capacity, measured in Ampere hours (Ah) gives greater range. How far do you plan on riding on a single charge? A bike with a longer range will give you more flexibility, but it will also be heavier and potentially more expensive. Don’t take the range for granted — what you weigh, where you ride, and how much you use the throttle will affect the manufacturer-stated battery range. Consider your needs and choose accordingly.

Other factors to consider include the frame, the brakes, and the gears. A lightweight frame will be easier to handle, but in some cases may not be as sturdy as a heavier one. Similarly, hydraulic disc brakes will provide more stopping power, but they may require more maintenance than mechanical disc brakes. And if you’re planning on tackling a variety of terrain, even with the occasional throttle and pedal assistance, multiple gears can be a huge help.

The size of the electric bike is also an important consideration. If you plan on storing your bike in a small apartment or taking it on public transportation, then a smaller, more compact bike may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you have plenty of storage space and don’t have to worry about transporting your bike, a larger size may be the better choice.

The wheel diameter is also worth considering. Larger wheels can provide a smoother ride, but they may also be more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. Smaller wheels, on the other hand, may be more agile but may not handle rough terrain as well. Take your height and riding preferences into account as you consider this trait.

For you: Why Do Some e-Bikes Have Smaller Wheels?

Finally, think about whether or not the e-bike should be foldable. The upsides of foldable bikes are obvious — they’re easy to transport, maneuver, park, and store. However, keep in mind that foldable bikes may be less sturdy and may not be as comfortable as non-foldable models.

How We Picked

First and foremost, we made sure that all of the electric bikes were Class 2 or Class 3, as these classes offer throttle assistance in addition to pedal assistance. Class 1 e-bikes are limited to pedal assistance only and do not have a throttle at all.

To provide a pick for every rider — regardless of which state you live and why you’re thinking about buying an e-bike — we chose one electric bike for each of three different riding styles: a city commuter, a fat-tire bike, and a mountain bike. This way, we could provide options for a wide range of use cases and terrains.

As we made our picks, we also made sure to balance between price and performance when selecting contenders. All of our picks have received high ratings from customers and had no known systemic problems or recalls at the time of publishing this roundup.

Finally, we based our choices on important performance criteria, such as a reliable motor with good wattage, quality Shimano gears with enough speeds, and lithium-ion batteries with a high enough capacity. By following these guidelines, we were able to select three top-performing electric bikes that we believe will serve our readers well.