Is an E-Bike a Good Christmas Gift? What to Check First

An e-bike makes a memorable Christmas gift. Your partner gets a new way to commute, your parent gets back on a bike after years away, your teenager gets to school without a ride. An e-bike also costs more than most gifts and has to fit one specific person. Get the fit wrong and it sits in the garage.

Check these seven things before you buy, and you'll pick a bike that gets ridden.

1. Rider height

Height matters more than any spec. A bike that's too big feels unstable at stops, and one that's too small cramps the knees. Each bike on our site lists a recommended rider height range. Find out how tall the rider is (an inseam measurement helps too) and compare.

If the rider has trouble lifting a leg over a high bar, look at step-through frames. Our comparison of the Cycrown Dremax and Dremax Step-Through shows how the two frame styles differ on the same bike.

2. How they'll ride

Picture a normal week for the person you're buying for:

• Short city trips and commuting: a lighter bike with fenders and lights. If they live in an apartment, a folding model saves space. See our guide to the best folding e-bikes for apartment living.
• Trails, sand or snow: fat tires and suspension. Our off-road e-bike comparison by budget covers three price levels.
• Groceries or kids on board: a cargo bike or an electric trike. Compare the MAX-CARGO and G30-CARGO, or the NEW-TRIKE and ONE-TRIKE for riders who want three wheels.

Still deciding between a bike and a scooter? Read e-bike vs e-scooter for city commuting.

3. Budget

E-bike prices start around $500 and go past $3,000. A higher price buys a bigger battery, stronger motor, hydraulic brakes and better suspension. For a first e-bike, the mid-range covers most needs. Our best budget fat-tire e-bike under $900 guide compares three brands in that range.

Set aside $50 to $100 for a helmet and a lock. A new rider needs both on day one, and they make good gifts to wrap alongside the bike.

4. E-bike class and local rules

Most US states sort e-bikes into three classes:

• Class 1: pedal assist only, up to 20 mph.
• Class 2: pedal assist plus a throttle, up to 20 mph.
• Class 3: pedal assist only, up to 28 mph.

States and cities set different rules for where each class can ride, and some set age limits for Class 3. Look up the rules where the rider lives before you pick a fast model. Bike paths and parks often allow Class 1 and 2 only.

5. Storage and charging

E-bikes weigh more than regular bikes, often 50 to 80 lbs. Ask yourself where the rider will keep it. Carrying a heavy bike up stairs every day gets old fast, so a ground-floor garage, a shed or a folding bike that fits in a closet works better.

The rider also needs a place to charge the battery. On most models they can remove the battery and charge it indoors. In cold climates, indoor charging and storage help the battery last. Our winter battery care tips explain why.

6. Assembly

Most e-bikes ship in a large box and need some assembly, usually the handlebars, front wheel, pedals and sometimes the fenders. Plan an hour with basic tools. If you'd rather hand over a ready bike, build it before Christmas Eve. Or book a local bike shop to assemble and check it.

A trick for keeping the surprise: wrap the helmet with a printed photo of the bike, and bring out the bike itself once the box is open.

7. Delivery time

E-bikes ship from brand warehouses and take longer to arrive than small items. Check the delivery estimate on the product page and order early in December at the latest. Carriers slow down in the last two weeks before Christmas, and you don't want the bike to arrive after the tree comes down.

Buying for a kid or teen?

Kids' e-bikes have lower top speeds and smaller frames. The EUNORAU EKIDS-16 ($799) suits the smallest riders and tops out at 12.5 mph. The EKIDS-20 and EKIDS-24 both cost $899 and reach 15.5 mph. The EKIDS-24 fits riders up to 5'5" and adds a suspension fork. Our EKIDS comparison walks through sizing by height. Add the Genesis JR. kids helmet ($49.99) to complete the gift.

When an e-bike isn't the right gift

Skip the e-bike if you don't know the rider's height, if they have nowhere to store it, or if they haven't shown interest in riding. In those cases, give accessories now and let them choose the bike later. Our e-bike and scooter accessories gift guide and gifts for cyclists under $50 have ideas for both cases.

Need help picking a model? Send us the rider's height and how they plan to ride through the chat on our site, and we'll suggest two or three bikes that fit. New to e-bikes yourself? Start with our 10 things to know before you buy an e-bike.