Best Electric Mountain Bikes in the UK

An electric mountain bike flattens the hills that put most people off off-road riding. A good motor turns a brutal fire-road climb into something you can chat through, then lets you ride twice the loop in the same time. The trade-off is that e-MTBs are heavier and pricier than normal bikes, and the gap between a proper trail machine and a budget hardtail dressed up as one is wide.

We ranked the bikes below on the things that matter on real trails: motor type and torque, battery capacity and honest range, fork quality, braking, weight and how easy each is to buy and service in the UK. Prices shift often, especially at Halfords and Decathlon, so use the price links for the live figure.

How we chose

We shortlisted electric mountain bikes sold in the UK between roughly £1,000 and £2,500, then scored each on motor and torque, battery capacity and realistic range, fork and brakes, weight, build and warranty, and value against rivals. We do not take payment from manufacturers, and rankings never change for an affiliate commission. Where a spec varies by model year, like the Voodoo Bizango-E, we have said so rather than guessed.

We weighted motor type heavily, because it is the single biggest divider in this category. A mid-drive motor mounted at the cranks keeps the bike balanced and feeds power through the gears, so it climbs far better than a rear hub motor of the same wattage. Battery capacity came next, since off-road riding drains a pack quickly and a small battery turns an ambitious loop into a long walk home. After that we looked at the fork, the brakes and the frame geometry, because a cheap bike can hide a weak fork or sluggish handling behind an impressive motor headline.

1. Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 600 - best overall

#1

Cube

Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 600

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.6 around £2,299

Best for: Best overall e-MTB

Motor

Bosch Performance Line mid-drive (75Nm)

Battery

500Wh PowerTube (some specs 625Wh)

Range

Up to 60 miles (claimed)

Weight

Around 24kg

+ What we like

• Proven Bosch mid-drive with strong climbing torque
• Quality trail geometry
• Wide dealer and parts support

- Watch-outs

• At the top of most budgets
• Hardtail only

Our verdict: The most complete trail e-MTB at the money. A Bosch mid-drive and a proper frame make this the safe enthusiast pick.

Check price

The Cube Reaction Hybrid is the e-MTB to beat under £2,500. Its Bosch Performance Line mid-drive sits low and central, so the bike handles like a normal mountain bike rather than something tail-heavy, and the roughly 75Nm of torque pulls you up climbs that would defeat a hub motor. The 500Wh PowerTube battery is integrated cleanly into the frame, and Cube’s geometry is genuinely trail-ready rather than a road frame with knobbly tyres. It is a hardtail, but for most UK riders that is the right call at this price.

2. Voodoo Bizango-E - best trail hardtail from Halfords

#2

Voodoo (Halfords)

Voodoo Bizango-E

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.3 around £2,000

Best for: Best trail hardtail from Halfords

Motor

Mid-drive (varies by model year)

Battery

Integrated downtube

Range

Up to 50 miles (claimed)

Weight

Around 24kg

+ What we like

• Capable longer, slacker trail geometry
• RockShox fork on recent models
• Buy and service through Halfords

- Watch-outs

• Specs change year to year
• Sits at the top of the budget

Our verdict: A properly capable trail hardtail you can buy on the high street. Check the exact model year for motor and fork details.

Check price

Voodoo is Halfords’ trail-focused brand, and the Bizango-E carries the same longer, slacker geometry that earned the non-electric Bizango its reputation as a value hero. Recent versions pair a mid-drive motor with a RockShox fork and a tidy integrated battery, making it a genuine trail bike rather than a path cruiser. The catch is that the spec changes between model years, so confirm the motor, battery and fork before you buy. Being able to test ride and service it at Halfords is a real advantage for first-time e-MTB buyers.

Compare live prices on electric mountain bikes

3. Carrera Vulcan-E - best high-street value

#3

Carrera (Halfords)

Carrera Vulcan-E

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.2 around £1,500

Best for: Best high-street value

Motor

Bafang rear hub (45Nm)

Battery

378Wh integrated

Range

Up to 40 miles (claimed)

Weight

Around 24kg

+ What we like

• Bought, built and serviced at Halfords nationwide
• Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and 120mm lockout fork
• Cycle to Work friendly

- Watch-outs

• Rear hub motor has less climbing torque
• 378Wh battery limits long rides

Our verdict: The most accessible way into e-MTB riding. A hub motor and modest battery, but unbeatable for buying in person.

Check price

If you want an electric mountain bike you can walk into a shop and ride home, the Carrera Vulcan-E is the obvious choice. It uses a Bafang rear hub motor with around 45Nm of torque, which is fine for towpaths, light trails and rolling terrain but works harder than a mid-drive on steep climbs. The 9-speed Shimano CUES gearing, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and 120mm Suntour lockout fork are a sensible spec for the money, and the 378Wh battery suits shorter rides. For a deeper look, see our dedicated Carrera Vulcan review.

4. Decathlon Rockrider E-EXPL 700 - best battery value

#4

Decathlon (Rockrider)

Decathlon Rockrider E-EXPL 700

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.4 around £2,100

Best for: Best battery value

Motor

Mid-drive (around 80Nm)

Battery

630Wh

Range

Up to 65 miles (claimed)

Weight

Around 25kg

+ What we like

• Large 630Wh battery for the money
• Strong mid-drive torque
• Decathlon support and warranty

- Watch-outs

• Heavier than rivals
• Sold through Decathlon

Our verdict: Outstanding battery capacity per pound. The pick if you want long trail days without range anxiety.

Check price

Decathlon’s Rockrider line punches well above its price, and the E-EXPL 700 is a standout for one reason: battery size. The 630Wh pack is among the largest you will find near £2,000, which translates into genuinely long days out before you need to charge. The mid-drive motor offers around 80Nm of torque for climbing, and Decathlon’s in-house support is a reassurance for newcomers. It is on the heavy side and only sold through Decathlon, but for range per pound it is hard to beat.

5. Cube Reaction Hybrid ONE 600 - best for steep climbs

#5

Cube

Cube Reaction Hybrid ONE 600

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5 around £2,299

Best for: Best for steep climbs

Motor

Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive (85Nm)

Battery

600Wh+ PowerTube

Range

Up to 60 miles (claimed)

Weight

Around 24kg

+ What we like

• Bosch CX motor with the most climbing torque here
• Big battery for long trail days
• Excellent build quality

- Watch-outs

• Top of the budget at around £2,299
• Overkill for gentle paths

Our verdict: The climbing specialist. Bosch CX power and a big battery make light work of the steepest trails.

Check price

If your local riding is all about steep, sustained climbs, the Cube Reaction Hybrid ONE 600 steps up to the more powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor, with around 85Nm of torque. That extra grunt, paired with a 600Wh or larger battery, makes it the strongest climber on this list and a confident long-distance tool. The build quality is a notch above the budget crowd, and it shares the same trustworthy Cube geometry as our top pick. It only really makes sense if you actually ride proper hills, otherwise the Performance 600 saves you nothing meaningful but covers the same ground.

6. Eskute Netuno - best budget light off-road

#6

Eskute

Eskute Netuno

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.0 around £1,099

Best for: Best budget light off-road

Motor

250W rear hub

Battery

36V 10Ah removable (Samsung cells)

Range

Up to 65 miles (claimed)

Weight

Around 26kg

+ What we like

• Removable battery charges indoors
• Suspension fork and disc brakes for the price
• Comfortable for trails and commuting

- Watch-outs

• Rear hub motor struggles on technical climbs
• Heavy and entry-level for serious trails

Our verdict: A budget all-rounder for light trails and commuting, not a true technical trail bike.

Check price

The Eskute Netuno is the budget entry point, and it is honest about what it is: a comfortable hardtail for towpaths, gravel and gentle trails rather than technical singletrack. The 250W rear hub motor and removable Samsung-cell battery handle mixed riding and commuting well, and the suspension fork takes the edge off rough ground. It is heavy and the hub motor will labour on steep, loose climbs, but for someone who wants light off-road capability and the option to commute on the same bike, it is strong value near £1,100.

What to look for in an electric mountain bike

Prioritise motor type and battery capacity over flashy extras. A mid-drive motor, like the Bosch units on the Cube bikes, sits low and central and delivers far better climbing than a rear hub motor, which is why the higher-ranked bikes here all use one. Look for a battery of at least 400Wh, and 500Wh or more if you ride long or hilly routes. Hydraulic disc brakes and a quality fork from RockShox or Suntour make a real difference off-road. Everything on this list is EAPC-legal at 250W and limited to 15.5mph, so you will not need a licence, tax or insurance, but always check the UK electric bike law before riding on bridleways.

Weight is the trade-off you cannot escape. Most e-MTBs at this price sit between 22 and 27kg, which is fine while the motor is helping but matters the moment the battery dies or you have to lift the bike onto a car rack or over a stile. A removable battery, like the one on the Eskute Netuno, is worth having if you store the bike in a flat or want to charge it away from where you park it. Finally, think about where you will service it: high-street brands such as Carrera and Voodoo can be booked in at any Halfords, while a Cube or a direct-sold bike may need an independent shop or a mail-back arrangement for warranty work.

A quick word on suspension travel. Most bikes here run a fork with around 100 to 130mm of travel, which suits British bridleways, gravel and moderate singletrack. If you genuinely ride rough, technical descents you will eventually want full suspension and a longer-travel fork, but that pushes the budget well past the bikes ranked above and is overkill for the towpath and trail-centre blue-run riding that most buyers actually do.

If your budget is firmer than your trail plans, our guide to the best electric bikes under £2000 covers cheaper crossovers, while the overall best electric bikes round-up and our Cube electric bikes brand page help you compare beyond the trail category.

Which e-MTB should you buy?

If you want the safe enthusiast choice and have the budget, the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 600 is the all-round pick, with a proper Bosch mid-drive and trail geometry that handles like a real mountain bike. Riders who tackle steep, sustained climbs should stretch to the Cube Reaction Hybrid ONE 600 for its more powerful Bosch CX motor, while anyone chasing long days out will appreciate the big 630Wh battery on the Decathlon Rockrider E-EXPL 700. For buying and servicing on the high street, the Carrera Vulcan-E and Voodoo Bizango-E from Halfords are the most convenient, and the Eskute Netuno is the budget all-rounder if you want light off-road capability plus a bike you can also commute on. Prices move often, so always check the live figure before you buy.