Best Electric Bikes for Women

There is no such thing as a women-only motor or battery, so do not let marketing convince you otherwise. What most women actually want from an e-bike is a frame that is easy to get on and off, a comfortable upright position, and the practical extras that make daily riding painless: mudguards, lights, a rack or basket mount, and a battery you can lift out to charge. That almost always points to a step-through frame, which is why every top pick here uses one.

We ranked the bikes below on the things that matter for everyday riding: how low and easy the frame is to mount, comfort and riding position, claimed and realistic range, weight, brakes, and how easy each is to buy and service in the UK. Prices shift often, so use the “Check price” links for the live figure. Our assessments are research-led, drawn from manufacturer specifications, value and owner reputation rather than a lab test.

How we chose

We shortlisted step-through and lightweight e-bikes widely sold in the UK, then scored each on five factors: frame access and standover height, comfort and riding position, battery capacity and realistic range, weight and ease of handling, and value against rivals. We do not take payment from manufacturers and our rankings never change for a commission. Where a spec could not be verified from the maker, we have said so rather than guessed.

1. Pendleton Somerby E - best overall

#1

Pendleton (Halfords)

Pendleton Somerby E

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.4 around £1,099

Best for: Best overall

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

317Wh integrated

Range

Up to 50 miles (claimed)

Weight

22kg

+ What we like

• Very low step-through is easy in a dress or coat
• Mudguards, chainguard and rack fitted as standard
• Bought and serviced at Halfords nationwide

- Watch-outs

• 317Wh battery is smaller than some rivals
• Speed sensor is less natural than a torque sensor

Our verdict: The most complete everyday women's e-bike on the high street: low, practical and easy to live with.

Check price

The Pendleton Somerby E is the bike to beat. Its swept, low step-through frame is genuinely easy to mount in everyday clothes, and the package comes ready to ride with full mudguards, a chainguard to protect your trousers, integrated lights and a rear rack. The 317Wh battery and Bafang rear hub motor give a believable 30 to 45 miles in mixed riding, and the 8-speed Shimano gearing copes with most British hills. The biggest reason it tops the list is buying confidence: you can see it, try it and have it serviced at Halfords stores nationwide, which matters if this is your first e-bike. For a deeper look, see our Pendleton Somerby review.

2. Eskute Polluno (step-through) - best value

#2

Eskute

Eskute Polluno (step-through)

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.3 around £899

Best for: Best value

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V removable (Samsung cells)

Range

Up to 65 miles (claimed)

Weight

27kg

+ What we like

• Removable battery charges indoors
• Comfortable upright step-through frame
• 7-speed Shimano gearing copes with hills

- Watch-outs

• Heavy at 27kg to lift or carry
• Cadence sensor less refined than a torque sensor

Our verdict: A practical, comfortable step-through with a removable battery for noticeably less money.

Check price

If value is your priority, the step-through Eskute Polluno is hard to beat near £899. The relaxed, upright frame is easy to mount, the Samsung-cell battery slides out so you can charge it indoors, and the 7-speed Shimano gearing gives you real climbing ability. Owner feedback consistently rates it as a lot of usable bike for the money, with a realistic 35 to 45 miles per charge. The trade-offs are its 27kg weight, which makes it a handful on steps, and a cadence sensor that feels less natural than a torque sensor. It also pairs neatly with a frame-mounted basket for shopping runs.

Compare live prices on women's step-through e-bikes

3. Raleigh Array Open Frame - best for comfort and style

#3

Raleigh

Raleigh Array Open Frame

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.3 around £1,199

Best for: Best for comfort and style

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

Integrated

Range

20 to 40 miles (real-world)

Weight

23kg

+ What we like

• Genuine open step-through, very easy to mount
• Mudguards, lights and rack included
• Established UK brand with dealer network

- Watch-outs

• Real-world range is modest
• Pricier than direct-to-consumer rivals

Our verdict: A refined, comfortable city e-bike from a trusted UK name, with an easy open frame and proper fittings.

Check price

The Raleigh Array Open Frame is the choice for riders who want a polished, comfortable city bike from a name they recognise. The open step-through frame is one of the easiest here to mount, and it comes fully equipped with mudguards, lights and a rack. Raleigh quotes a wide real-world range of roughly 20 to 40 miles depending on assist level and terrain, so treat it as a town and shorter-commute bike rather than a long-distance tourer. It costs more than direct-to-consumer rivals, but the dealer network and finish help justify the premium. The Array also comes in low-step and crossbar versions if the open frame is not your preferred shape.

4. ADO Air 20 - best lightweight

#4

ADO

ADO Air 20

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5 around £899

Best for: Best lightweight

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V 9.6Ah integrated

Range

Up to 62 miles (claimed)

Weight

19kg

+ What we like

• Light at around 19kg, easy to lift
• Torque sensor gives a natural ride
• Carbon belt drive needs almost no maintenance

- Watch-outs

• Single speed struggles on steep hills
• Lower stance than a full step-through

Our verdict: The pick if weight is your priority: light, low-maintenance and a lovely natural ride.

Check price

If lifting the bike up steps or onto a car rack is part of your routine, the ADO Air 20 stands out at roughly 19kg. Its torque sensor reads how hard you pedal and feeds in power smoothly, so it rides far more like a normal bike than the on-off cadence systems on most rivals, and the carbon belt drive means almost no maintenance and no oil on your clothes. The frame has a relatively low standover, though it is not a full open step-through, and the single-speed setup is the main limitation on steep hills. For more options at this price, see the best electric bikes under £1000.

5. Pendleton Somerby - best budget step-through

#5

Pendleton (Halfords)

Pendleton Somerby

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.1 around £769

Best for: Best budget step-through

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

Integrated

Range

Up to 40 miles (claimed)

Weight

22kg

+ What we like

• Classic step-through styling at a lower price
• Practical mudguards and chainguard
• Easy to test ride in Halfords stores

- Watch-outs

• Often sold as previous-year stock
• Shorter range than the larger-battery rivals

Our verdict: The same easy, practical step-through formula on a tighter budget, often as last-season stock.

Check price

If your budget is closer to £800, the standard Pendleton Somerby is frequently discounted to under that, especially as previous-year colours clear. You keep the same low step-through frame, mudguards and chainguard that make the Somerby line so easy to live with, just with a smaller battery and shorter claimed range. It is the sensible entry point for someone who wants a proper step-through e-bike, can test ride it in store, and does not need a long commuting range.

Step-through vs low-step: what the names mean

The terms get used loosely, so it helps to know the difference before you shop. A true open step-through has no top tube at all, or a very low one that sweeps down near the bottom bracket, so you can walk straight into the frame and sit down. A low-step frame still has a sloping top tube, just set lower than a traditional diamond frame, so you lift your leg a little but far less than on a crossbar bike. For most riders who want the easiest possible mounting, especially in a skirt, dress or work clothes, the open step-through wins. The trade-off is that a frame with no top tube can feel slightly less stiff under hard pedalling, though for relaxed town riding you are unlikely to notice. If you carry the bike up steps or want the lightest option, a low-step frame such as the ADO Air 20 can be the better compromise because the extra structure usually means less weight.

How range and battery really work

Manufacturer range figures are best treated as a ceiling rather than a promise. They are measured in the lowest assist mode, on flat ground, with a light rider and no headwind, so your real mileage will usually land well below the claimed number. As a rough rule, expect roughly 60 to 75 per cent of the quoted range in normal mixed riding, less if you live somewhere hilly or ride mostly on full power. That is why we have flagged realistic figures alongside the claims above. Battery capacity is measured in watt-hours, so a 317Wh pack will go less far than a 450Wh one all else being equal, but a smaller battery also keeps the bike lighter and cheaper. For town trips and the school run, a 300 to 400Wh battery is usually plenty. A removable battery is the single most useful feature if you store the bike in a shed or hallway with no socket, because you can carry the pack indoors to charge it overnight. Our guide to electric bike batteries covers capacity, charging and lifespan in more detail.

What to look for in a women’s electric bike

Frame access comes first. A true step-through with a low standover lets you mount in any clothing, while a low-step frame is a halfway house. Weight matters more than buyers expect: a 27kg bike is fine to ride but awkward to lift, so if you have steps or a car rack, lean towards lighter models. A removable battery is worth paying for if you cannot charge where you store the bike. Look for fitted mudguards, lights and a rack or basket mount so you are not buying extras later. Finally, everything sold here is EAPC-legal at 250W and limited to 15.5mph, so no licence, tax or insurance is required, as our UK e-bike law guide explains in full.

Still comparing budgets and styles? Our roundup of the overall best electric bikes covers every category, and the Pendleton brand guide details the full Somerby range.