Over recent years, the best hybrid bikes, and the best electric hybrid bikes in particular have moved away from the image of clunky, ‘can’t decide what it is’ bikes and towards a sleeker, more adaptable concept that’s just at home on the canal towpath as it is on smooth asphalt. Flat bars are of course a defining feature here, but the best electric hybrids will likely also have space for luggage, wide comfy tyres for stability, and a decent motor to keep you going.
If a mix of canal towpaths, fire roads, and asphalt suits your riding then a hybrid is likely a good place to start. Even if you only ride in and out of the city, you could probably benefit from a hybrid just for the wider tyre clearances and comfort-oriented geometries. However, if you want to see what else is out there, give our overall guide to the best electric bikes a read.
If you’re on a budget, you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need to spend thousands upon thousands to get the best value. If you want an all-singing all-dancing e-hybrid with a mid-motor and lots of range and premium gearing, then yes you can certainly spend a lot. But for the vast majority of people, something in the £1,000 to 3,000 area will more than likely suffice. We’ve tried to include a mix of prices in our guide to suit as many budgets as possible.
Best electric hybrid bikes 2023
- Ribble Hybrid AL e - best overall electric hybrid | Buy for £2,299 from Ribble Cycles
- Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 - best for more serious off-road | Buy for £1,999 from Evans Cycles
- Gazelle Grenoble C7+ HMB - best city-style hybrid | Buy for £2,032 from Winstanleys Bikes
- Volt Infinity - best Shimano STEPS powered hybrid | Buy for £2,999 from Volt
- BMC 257 AMP AL TWO - best luxury hybrid | Buy for £3,789 from Bike House
- Dallingridge Malvern - best value hybrid | Buy for £1,349 from Decathlon
- Neomouv Adonis 2 - best own-brand motor powered hybrid | Buy for £2,349 from Generation Electric
- Tenways CGO800S - best single-speed hybrid | Buy for £1,899 from Tenways
- Riverside 540e - best value sub-£2,500 hybrid | Buy for £2,399 from Decathlon
- Canyon Pathlite:ON 9 LTD SUV - best for big budgets | Buy for £5,249 from Canyon
- Marin Sausalito E2 - best commuter hybrid | Buy for £1,946 from Freeborn
1. Ribble Hybrid AL e – £2,299 (best overall electric hybrid)
If you want something that looks good, rides well and is simple to operate, then the Ribble Hybrid AL e is certainly worth considering. It uses the popular MAHLE Smartbike Systems X35+ hub drive system to power it, and even though it’s a hub motor, it provides more than enough oomph for most everyday riding.
For your money you’ll also get a rear rack and mudguards as part of the ‘Fully Loaded Edition’, and you can even customise your frame colour (for a fee) if that takes your fancy. The assist levels are controlled via a subtle button in the top tube, adding to the overall sleek looks of this classy e-bike.
For more detail, read our review of the Ribble Hybrid AL e.
2. Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 - £2,500 (best for more serious off-road)
If you’re after a bike that’s able to tackle some more serious trails than the canal towpath while still performing well on the road, then we present to you the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500. With 100mm of front fork travel, and a mid-drive Bosch motor (with 65Nm of torque), it’s a capable and fun bike to ride.
The newer 2023 version has a slightly lower slung top tube, which makes it easier to get on and ride. Hydraulic disc brakes make it a great choice if you’re planning on riding in the wet, and the price is good too for a mid-drive option.
For more detail, read our review of the Cube Reaction Hybrid Performance 500 (2021).
3. Gazelle Grenoble C7+ HMB - £2,549 (best city-style hybrid)
Although we first reviewed this bike in 2019, the elegant style and good value remains. At first glance, it may appear to be only suited to paved environments, but the comfortable position, slightly beefier tyres and mid-drive motor suggest it could work just as well on a towpath or similar.
In the latest iteration of this bike, the battery is now enclosed in the downtube rather than externally underneath the rear rack. This has improved the look of the bike even more, and you can also choose either a 400Wh veresion or a 500Wh one for extra range.
For more detail, read our review of the Gazelle Grenoble C7+ HMB.
4. Volt Infinity - £2,999 (best Shimano STEPS powered hybrid)
It’s not often you get mid-drive motors for under £3k, particularly on British designed e-bikes, but Volt has smashed it out of the park with their newer e-hybrid, the Infinity. Whilst the frame design may look ‘urbanised’, with the inclusion of a suspension fork and seatpost, it’s far more capable than you may think.
Our reviewer Stu summed up his thoughts on the Infinity thus: “For the level of spec and the finished build quality, the Volt Infinity STEPS is a solid performer for the money. The hub gear system and automatic shifting is a real bonus to use if you want an easy ride experience, and you have the option to go manual should you wish.”
For more detail, read our review of the Volt Infinity.
5. BMC 257 AMP AL TWO - £5,100 (best luxury hybrid)
At just over £5k the BMC 257 AMP AL TWO is quite the investment - but perhaps worth it for those with deep enough pockets who want something luxurious and suave. It features Bosch’s Performance Line CX mid-drive motor, which offers outstanding climbing ability, and a large 625Wh battery for plenty of range.
It doesn’t feature Bosch’s new Smart System, but unless you’re really into your e-bike tech you may not feel like you’re missing out. Our tester was impressed with the bike’s range, suggesting it would have lasted for 100 miles on the flat or 60 miles on a very hilly route around the Pennines. While it’s largely billed as a city commuter, the wide tyres and ability to carry 20kg on the rear rack means it’s far more adaptable than you might suspect.
For more detail, read our review of the BMC 257 AMP AL TWO.
6. Dallingridge Malvern - £1,349 (best value hybrid)
The Dallingridge Malvern punches well above its price tag, with the only noticeable omission being integrated lights. That being said, it’s got a rear rack, mudguards and a kickstand. Our tester Richard estimated a range of about 30 miles over hilly terrain and with a moderate carrying load, so on flatter terrain you can expect more.
Overall, we found the Malvern to be a great value hybrid e-bike with a decent sized battery and a reasonably well performing rear-hub motor. Richard even tested it on 25% inclines and it survived. There are other bikes at this price in the Dallingridge range, but this is the sportier, hybrid option.
For more detail, read our review of the Dallingridge Malvern.
7. Neomouv Adonis 2 - £2,349 (best own-brand motor powered hybrid)
Using Neomouv’s own powerful Neoassist mid-drive motor, the Adonis 2 is Neomouv’s take on a trekking e-bike, but it's perfectly suitable for everyday use. The torque rating is 80Nm, which is only just shy of Bosch’s top of the range equivalent, which means for under £2,500 this is already pretty good value.
The Adonis 2 performed strongly in reviewer Richard’s hill climbing test, and he was impressed with the way it glid up steep inclines, including a 25% slope. He also found a range of about 40 miles on hilly terrain, so anywhere flatter and you can expect far more.
For more detail, read our review of the Neomouv Adonis 2.
8. Tenways CGO800S – £1,899 (best single-speed hybrid)
At just under the £2k mark you get a lot for your money with the Tenways CGO800S (although not a catchy name). It does come with one of the smaller motors we’ve tested, but that didn’t stop tester Richard finding it impressive. He also found that despite the single-speed drivetrain, it’ll still tackle 10% hills, although it's obviously best suited to flatter terrain.
The front suspension tackles cobbles and towpaths with ease, and it comes ready to ride with all the accessories you’d want from a hybrid: a rear rack, kickstand and mudguards. The belt drive also means no more oil on your legs, and less maintenance – which is always a win in our book.
For more detail, read our review of the Tenways CGO800S.
9. Riverside 540e – £2,399 (best value sub £2,500 hybrid)
It’s gone up a fair whack in price since we reviewed it, (from £1,999 to £2,399) but the Riverside 540e still represents good value for a mid-drive hybrid. It uses the Shimano STEPS E6100 motor which provides 60Nm of torque - something our reviewer, Dave, highlighted.
“Paired with the excellent 10-speed Shimano Deore transmission on this bike, it made mincemeat of my benchmark climb (1.5km at 5% average with a 12% section) and I breezed up to the top somewhere near the middle of the 11-36 tooth cassette.”
The 540e can handle steeper inclines than that, but it’s more than a hill-climber; it’s comfortable too, and can be made more utility focused with the option to mount a rack and mudguards.
For more detail, read our review of the Riverside 540e.
10. Canyon Pathlite:ON 9 LTD SUV – £5,249 (best for big budgets)
A high-end e-bike not just in price, but in functionality, the Canyon Pathlite:ON 9 LTD SUV is a unique proposition from the German brand. If you want one e-bike to do everything, this is quite likely as close as you’ll get. It’s got towing capacity for trailers, plus a rear rack, suspension forks and wide tyres, while ABS braking tops off Bosch’s latest Smart System.
It’s pricey, yes, but better value than a second-hand car, which it could conceivably replace - and who doesn’t love the feel of electronic gears? It also comes with mudguards, built-in lights and a kickstand. Throw in some off-road capabilities and it’s a very decent all-rounder.
For more detail, read our review of the Canyon Pathlite:ON 9 LTD SUV.
11. Marin Sausalito E2 – £2,595 (best commuter hybrid)
Another Shimano STEPS E6100 powered mid-drive hybrid, the Marin Sausalito is a great choice for those who want to cover different terrain on their commute. Paired with a 418Wh battery, it may well last most shorter-distance commuters a few days of riding before needing a charge. While the 47mm WTB Horizon tyres are technically ‘road’ tyres, they’re still wide enough to provide comfort and confidence on towpaths or well-maintained off-road sections.
Our reviewer managed 51 miles out of one charge, which is quite impressive considering the routes taken were not pan flat. For a mid-drive hybrid, it’s good value, and with a full complement of Shimano equipment (STEPS motor and 11-speed Deore groupset), it’s bound to be reliable too.
For more detail, read our review of the Marin Sausalito E2.
How to choose the best electric hybrid bike
What is the difference between an electric hybrid bike and an electric bike?
A battery, a motor and a few hundred quid. The first two explain the last one.
An electric hybrid bike is most likely designed for road and some light off-road use. It’ll be a flat bar bike with wider than average tyres to take some of the strain on towpaths and well-maintained bridleways. You shouldn’t expect such a bike to be capable on more serious bike trails, and they won’t be the fastest on the roads, but people look at hybrids as a sort of do-it-all bike that can be used year-round. If you’re not entirely sure what kind of electric bike will suit your needs best, take a look at our beginner's guide to electric bikes.
You’ll likely see a mixture of mid-drive and hub-drive motors on offer, with the latter generally being slightly cheaper. Internal hub gears or a more conventional derailleur setup is also a choice you’ll have to make on purchasing. The former is better for someone who doesn’t want to do as much maintenance. The same goes for belt drives versus chains.
What are the best uses for electric hybrid bikes?
Electric hybrid bikes make for excellent commuter bikes. Why? Quite simply, they’re hardy bikes that can be ridden all-year-round with ease. The wider tyres and utility accessories you’ll normally find on these type of bikes (think, lights, mudguards, rack) make them attractive for people who want to get from A to B without much fuss.
That’s not to say they don’t make great leisure bikes too though. They often come with large capacity batteries, offering plenty of range, while those with mid-drive motors in particular can really can help you tackle some of the steeper hills you may otherwise have been avoiding. These things may boost your confidence to ride further than you normally would. If you want to look at a broader range of electric bikes, read our guide to the best electric bikes.
Explore the complete archive of reviews of electric hybrid bikes on Ebiketips.
