Three calculators and a readiness check
Enter your own battery size, terrain, mileage and local electricity price. Every result shows the assumptions behind it and what it doesn't account for.
Real range estimator
What you'll actually get per charge once terrain, assist level, temperature and your own weight are factored in — not the box number.
Assumptions this uses
- Efficiency is modelled from typical hub and mid-drive motor performance at each assist level, not a specific model's exact spec sheet.
- Usable battery capacity is assumed at 85% of rated Wh, which is typical of how manufacturers manage cell longevity.
- Terrain, assist, temperature, weight and stop frequency are treated as multiplying factors on baseline energy use per mile.
Limitations: it does not model your specific bike's exact motor efficiency, tire pressure, wind conditions, or a battery that has already lost capacity with age — treat the result as a realistic planning range, not a guarantee of the exact miles you'll get.
Runs entirely in your browser.
Compare on watt-hours and torque, not price alone
Two e-bikes at the same price can differ enormously in battery size and motor torque, which is where real range and hill performance actually come from. Note the watt-hour rating and the motor's torque figure for every model you're weighing, then compare those numbers side by side before the price tag decides anything.
Commute cost comparison
What the e-bike costs you per year for this specific trip, compared honestly against what you're paying for it today by car, transit or rideshare.
Assumptions this uses
- Purchase price is spread evenly across the years you plan to keep the bike, ignoring any resale value at the end.
- Charging cost is based on the number of full-charge-equivalents your weekly mileage requires against your realistic range.
- 'What this trip costs today' should reflect your actual per-trip cost — gas and a share of parking and insurance, a transit fare, or a rideshare fare.
Limitations: it does not account for days you don't ride due to weather, illness or schedule, insurance, secure storage costs, or a battery that needs early replacement — all of which move the real number.
Runs entirely in your browser.
The E-Bike Buying & Range Readiness Checklist
The class and local-rules framework, the range factors worksheet, and the questions to ask a retailer before you order.
Get the free guide →Annual charging cost
What it actually costs to keep the battery charged for a year, including the wear cost of eventual battery replacement — not just the electricity.
Assumptions this uses
- Battery wear cost spreads the full replacement price evenly across the manufacturer's rated cycle count.
- Electricity price should reflect your actual residential rate, which varies by location and time of use.
Limitations: it does not account for charging losses (the small amount of energy lost as heat during charging), a battery that degrades faster than its rated cycle count, or a rate that changes seasonally.
Runs entirely in your browser.
Partner link — we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. How we make money.
See current models from a real retailer
We publish no live prices or inventory, because no independent guide can keep either current honestly. A retailer's own listings show what's actually in stock and at what price today.
Browse e-bike retailers →Buying readiness check
Six things worth confirming before you buy — work through them before you order, not after the bike arrives.
Assumptions this uses
- Every item is something you can verify from a listing or by asking the retailer directly before purchase.
- Nothing here is scored against a specific model — it is your own preparation.
Limitations: a checklist prepares your questions and your paperwork. It does not verify any specific model's battery certification, motor performance or a retailer's actual return practice.
Runs entirely in your browser.
Compare on watt-hours and torque, not price alone
Two e-bikes at the same price can differ enormously in battery size and motor torque, which is where real range and hill performance actually come from. Note the watt-hour rating and the motor's torque figure for every model you're weighing, then compare those numbers side by side before the price tag decides anything.
When you need a real number
An estimate is arithmetic on your own figures. These are the routes to a live quote.
How we make money: some links here are partner or affiliate links and we may be paid a fee at no cost to you. It never changes what we write or how options are ordered — see our disclosure and methodology.
Safety and accessories
Certified helmets, rated locks, lights and cargo accessories referenced throughout these guides — the short list that's actually worth buying.
Browse safety and accessories →