The Best eBikes Under $5,000 [2024 Edition]

Why We Picked It:

We'll come right out and say it, the Tern HSD P5i is not an eBike for the general rider. What it is, however, is an eBike for those that need to carry a lot of stuff, such as delivery riders, couriers, and the like.

Power comes from a Bosch Performance mid-drive motor at 250W nominal, 600W peak output, with 75 Nm of torque on tap. The battery is a Bosch PowerPack 545 (48V 545 Wh), with the range estimate coming in at over 60 miles and up to 75 miles. Gearing is done via a Shimano Nexus INTER-5E continuously variable transmission, also sometimes called an internally geared hub, and the Tern uses a motorcycle-grade drive belt instead of a chain.

This is important, because all said and done, the HSD P5i can haul an absolutely biblical 180 lbs on its rear rack, or pull a trailer behind it. That's not including the rider, either. The Bosch system uses a variable torque sensor, and can increase your pedaling torque by up to 340%. It is, quite simply, a pack horse. Not a mule, mind you, a full on Clydesdale in two wheeled form, ready to haul whatever you need, wherever you need, and not make a single complaint about it.

Fenders, cargo rack, lights, every bell and whistle comes included as standard, making this a superb value in the heavy-duty eBike field.

Why We Picked It:

The Specialized Turbo Como SL 5.0 is one of those bikes you read about and go "Huh, that's interesting how they did that." In this case, the interesting bit is that the bike sounds to be way underpowered and has a tiny battery, but it can reach up to 80 miles per charge.

That is thanks to the Specialized SL1.1 mid-drive motor, which gives the bike the SL in its name, a very advance, ultra-lightweight unit that weighs barely more than 2 lbs. Power is from a similarly lightweight Specializes SL1-320 battery (48V 320 Wh). Gearing is taken care of by a Shimano Alfine 8-speed internal gear hub, and the power from pedals to hub is done through a motorcycle-grade belt, not a chain.

What probably helps with the range is the the Turbo Como SL 5.0 is damned light at 45 lbs. It also has slimmer tires than most eBikes at 2.3 inches instead of the fairly standard 2.5, and while that's only 0.2 of an inch, any reduction in air resistance means more range. It can carry some cargo, as it has a front cargo rack with a basket, but only about 40 lbs worth.

We recommend this bike for those that need to have a longer distance eBike for commuting or errands. If you need to go even further, there are several range extender batteries you can purchase to potentially get over 100 miles of range.

Why We Picked It:

Himiway has become a very stalwart and reliable name in the eBike market, and the Corbra Pro is one of their more premium offerings. Despite this, it is still considered an entry-level eMTB, so if off-roading, hillclimbs, and downhilling are your jam, then this is a bike worthy of your attention.

You get a Bafang M620 mid-drive at 1,000W and an absolutely huge 160 Nm of torque. You also get a 48V 960 Wh battery, giving you up to 80 miles of range. As expected in the MTB space, the motor is torque sensing. Gearing is handled by a Shimano Deore 10-speed derailleur, moving 26x4.8 super-fat tires. You also get full front and rear suspension, with the rear being a true quad-bar link.

While many options in the MTB eBike space are well into the high thousands, Himiway have purposefully positioned the Cobra Pro as an entry-level option. Yes, it does sound silly to call $4,000 entry level, but with the amount of tech and exotic materials in use, its par for the course. The Cobra Pro is made out of 6061 aluminum, so it is the heaviest bike we are recommending today at 90 lbs, but if you want to have an eBike that can easily cruise trails and have some fun when the trail ends and a hill to descend is there, the Cobra Pro is your entry-level bike into that world of enjoyment.

Why We Picked It:

When the company that makes the bike calls it their ultimate "Git 'er dun" off-trail, off-road pathfinding and hunting bike, you know that it's meant to do some serious bush riding. From the very get go, it is designed with accessories in mind, such as a front and rear basket to an eBike cargo trailer attachment point built in to the rear axle. It has a attachment points on the frame, even, to sling frame bags between your knees if needed.

It has a top-tier Bafang M620 Ultra mid-drive motor, but has a selectable power output mode as well: 750W for flat terrain, 1,000W for when you need to pathfind up an incline or hill. Both modes give you 160 Nm of torque, more than enough to move its total payload capacity of 300 lbs.

The front fork has BCEB GT MRK 100mm air suspension, while the seat itself has its own shock absorber. Basically, over the roughest of bumps, you're not going to need to see a chiropractor the next day. Gearing is handled by a Shimano Alivio 9-speed derailleur, and powerful Tektro Heavy Duty hydraulic brakes, 203mm at the front, 180mm at the rear slow you down in a hurry. Maxxis Minion 26x4 inch fat tires give excellent grip, and there is a thumb throttle if needed, although the 5 PAS levels should get you everywhere you want to go.

It should be noted that the Mule doesn't come with a front mud guard or headlight, although both are available as options.

Why We Picked It:

The Boar Hunter is a smart eBike that is specifically aimed at hunters and pathfinders, those who go off-trail more than on it. It features a Bafang 500W hub drive, a 48V 672 Wh battery, chucks out 80 Nm of torque, and will get you pretty deep into the woods with 60 miles of range.

What makes the Boar Hunter prime for, well, hunters is that the motor is absolutely silent. Some mid-drive motors have a very slight whine to them, which could spook off prey, but the Bafang motors are so well made that they literally make no noise. That means even more when you consider that it has one of the best calibrated torque sensors at any price point.

To carry all the stuff you need for hunting of pathfinding, the Boar Hunter comes equipped with both front and rear racks, can carry a payload of 395 lbs, and has extra-fat Kenda Juggernaut tires at 4.5 inches wide. It also features brand name components like Tektro hydraulic brakes and SRAM for the gearing.

Put as simply as possible, the Boar Hunter is an affordable upgrade over many "lesser" fat tire eBikes and is one of the best at its price point.

Why We Picked It:

For those not in the know, Serial 1 is a spin off of Livewire, which itself was a spinoff of... Harley-Davidson. It seems that they have their fingers on the pulse of the eBike community, because the Mosh/Cty is one powerful little urban ripper.

Powered by a Brose S Mag mid-drive motor pumping out a hefty 560W and a ridiculous 90 Nm of torque, the Mosh/Cty is not what you would call weak. Power comes from a 48V 529 Wh battery, giving up to 105 miles of range, which is more than some bikes designed for range can't even reach.

It probably helps that the Mosh/Cty barely weighs anything at 48 lbs, and it also probably helps that there is no derailleur, no internal gear hub, no shifting at all. It's a direct drive system that will provide assistance up to 20 MPH, and the bike is designed to take the lumps and bumps of urban riding without anything breaking. You can even ride at night as it has integrated head and tail lights!

This is a bike we'd recommend to people that want to absolutely haul ass around the city, as 90 Nm of torque will get you up and going rapidly. You could use it for commuting or errands, but without fenders, without a cargo rack, and the whole intention to be as close to an old school BMX bike... that's kind of against the whole point.

Why We Picked It:

Being honest, we weren't surprised to find a Yamaha eBike as one of the top reviewed and most beloved trail and gravel bikes of 2023. The motorcycle division only makes some of the best all around trail and dual-sport motorcycles money can buy.

The Wabash RT is the evolution model of the original Wabash, one of Yamaha's first eBikes. It features a Yamaha PWSeries 250W mid-drive motor that can be switched to 500W for serious hill climbs if needed, and chucks out a hefty 70 Nm. The battery is a Yamaha 36V 500 Wh unit that gives the bike a very pleasant 60+ miles in range.

What sets the Yamaha apart, however, and deserves attention is that it has five (5) individual torque sensors. Four are in a set in the motor itself, and the last one is at the rear hub. A Shimano GRX 11-speed derailleur lives there to handle the gearing, and by checking the torque variances between the motor and the hub, the Wabash RT has reportedly the single smoothest and most natural pedaling feel of any eBike on the market today.

Other features include wide gravel handlebars, a robust and weather resistant LCD display unit, and an integrated head and tail light system. There is no cargo rack, but there are pre-drilled water bottle holder holes in the seat pillar and lower front bar, and the seat is a dropper post style.