Year after year, we are seeing the realm of e-MTBs continually shift, driven by the rapid pace of motor and battery development. 2024 saw some fairly notable releases, including the all-new DJI Avinox M1 motor, along with the new Bosch Performance Line CX Gen5 motor.
We are seeing full-powered e-MTBs with weight figures not far off mid-powered ‘SL’ bikes of years past and current generation ‘SL’ bikes sitting only a few kilos heavier than their non-motorised counterparts.
Pricing also seems to be becoming more competitive, and there are a whole host of high-performing bikes under the $10,000 AUD mark. And in some cases such as the Trek Slash+, the motorised offering has matched the pricing of the pedal-powered Slash, making the Slash+ a compelling choice.
With quite a few e-MTB tests under our belt and folks always asking us what they should consider purchasing, we’ve put together our pick of the best e-MTBs.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive, and some esteemed e-MTBs, like the Transition Repeater or the Commencal Meta Power SX 400, are yet to grace these pages. The reason for that is that we haven’t tested one, and therefore, we can’t comment on its performance and how it compares to others in this category. Sure, we could make some assumptions based on what other folks have said, but that’s not how we run this show.
So, without further ado, here are 18 of the best e-MTBs we’ve ridden and reviewed.
Related:
- Top 11 Best Enduro Bikes | The best enduro mountain bikes ridden & reviewed
- Top 13 Best Trail Bikes | The best trail bikes ridden & reviewed
- Top 14 Best XC Bikes | The best cross country mountain bikes ridden & reviewed
- 14 Tips for buying an electric mountain bike | The Flow e-MTB Buyer’s Guide
Amflow PL Carbon
- Highs: Incredibly powerful motor, excellent climbing performance and surprisingly well-priced
- Lows: No size small, minor motor rattle on descents and limited seatpost insertion
The Amflow PL Carbon is easily one of, if not the most talked about electric mountain bikes of 2024. That’s impressive given it only broke cover at Eurobike in July that year, and it’s no surprise given its jaw-droppingly powerful DJI Avinox motor.
This compact drive unit weighs just 2.58kg (confirmed) despite pumping out 105Nm of torque and 850W of peak power. That gives it a considerably higher power-to-weight ratio compared to the latest Shimano EP801 and Bosch Performance Line CX motors.
There are four main assist modes to choose from; Eco, Trail, Turbo and Auto. The latter is an adaptive mode that uses a variety of sensors to vary the power output depending on what the rider and terrain are doing. In practice, it’s much like Bosch’s eMTB mode, and it ended up being our preferred setting for technical off-road riding. Furthermore, there’s the eyebrow-raising ‘Boost’ mode. This kicks the motor’s torque output up to 120Nm and gives you 1,000W of peak power for a 30 second burst, which can be useful for cresting a particularly steep section of trail. After 30 seconds, the motor returns to the mode you were previously riding in.
The Amflow PL Carbon presents an alluring set of numbers on the spec sheet thanks to its benchmark-blasting DJI Avinox motor, and we’re happy to report that it totally delivers on the trail. For those who value maximum power and range, there is no doubt that this is one of the best e-MTB systems on the market. Perhaps the biggest surprise was just how well the Amflow PL Carbon rides on the trail.
It’s not exactly breaking any new ground in terms of its frame and suspension design, but it doesn’t really have to. The neutral geometry, smooth suspension and low overall weight make it a fun and sporty bike to ride. There are certainly burlier options out there for full-blown gravity riding, but for those after an all-rounder that can climb unlike anything else out there, it would be very hard not to consider the Amflow PL Carbon.
Read the full review of the Amflow PL Carbon here, or watch the video review of the Amflow PL Carbon here.
Trek Slash+
- Highs: Stupendously plush suspension and incredible composure at speed
- Lows: Noisy chain slap, heavy for a ‘lightweight’ e-MTB
The Trek Slash+ made its debut in 2024 as the longest-travel electric mountain bike ever created by the US brand. Building on the success of the lightweight Fuel EXe from 2022, the Slash+ retains the same compact TQ HPR50 motor but steps things up with a larger 580Wh battery. It also carries over the signature high-pivot suspension design from the standard Slash. The outcome is a fascinating e-MTB that blends long-travel capabilities with a compact motor.
It’s the suspension performance of the Trek Slash+ that stands out as one of its best attributes. The rear end gobbles up everything in its path, devouring the chunkiest of rocks and the girthiest of roots.
It might not have the highest pivot out there, but there’s enough rearward movement to allow the wheel to get out of the way quickly and to help maintain momentum when you’re skipping across sharper edges. Along with the carefully managed chain and neutral anti-squat levels, the Slash+ affords a smooth and somewhat relaxed ride quality when the speeds are high and the trail gets rowdy.
The Trek Slash+ occupies a bit of an unusual niche. While it’s on the heavier side for a lightweight e-MTB, the TQ motor appears small when compared to the larger Fazua Ride 60 and Bosch SX drive units. However, the TQ motor is more than just its specs. Its smooth, near-silent operation is a standout feature, and the compact size is what enables the high-pivot suspension design in the first place. With the Slash+ sharing the same kinematics and geometry as the regular Slash, it delivers exceptional performance on rugged, technical singletrack.
Read the full review of the Trek Slash+ here. , or watch the video review of the Trek Slash+ here.
Norco Fluid VLT
- Highs: Excellent geometry and handling, punchy motor performance, solid build for the money
- Lows: Could benefit from extra travel, stock tyres struggle in loose or wet conditions, motor clacking noise
Following two years of development, the Norco Fluid VLT has arrived as the first lightweight electric mountain bike from the Canadian brand. Adding to the excitement, it was also one of the first e-MTBs to be announced with the new Bosch Performance Line SX motor.
The Fluid VLT is built to exclusively roll on a mixed wheel setup with a 29in front wheel and a 27.5in wheel at the rear. Norco says it did consider a full 29er, but the desire to make the chainstays sufficiently short, especially on smaller frame sizes, meant that the mullet setup won out.
Most Fluid VLT models are equipped with a 150mm travel fork and 140mm of rear travel. The exception is the top-of-the-range C1 130 model, which shrinks travel down to the same 140/130mm configuration as the non-motorised Fluid.
The SX motor produces less peak torque at 55Nm, but if you spin the pedals fast enough, it’ll reach the same 600W peak power output as the CX drive unit. It manages to do this while being considerably smaller in profile and almost a kilo lighter. Norco pairs this with a 400Wh internal battery, which drops a further 1.5kg of weight. The end result is a range of complete bikes that weigh 18-20kg. That’s around 5-7kg lighter than the Sight and Range VLT.
Despite not being the lightest e-MTB out there, we were impressed with the agile character of the Norco Fluid VLT. The weight is well-placed on this bike, with less mass up at the head tube, thanks to the shorter 400Wh battery. Combined with the mullet setup and short chainstays, it initiates turns and rips corners with absolute ease.
Overall, the Fluid VLT offers a lively, playful ride that highlights the handling benefits of a lightweight e-MTB compared to its full-powered counterparts. If you’ve been intrigued by the category but turned off by underpowered motors, the Fluid VLT is definitely worth a closer look.
For more details, check out the full review of the Fluid VLT here, or watch the video review of the Norco Fluid VLT here.
Santa Cruz Bullit
- Highs: Absolutely thrives on long, steep, rowdy descents, and doesn’t mind getting airborne too
- Lows: No size small frame, 150mm dropper on size M frame is too short
The Santa Cruz Bullit is the brand’s long-travel full-powered e-MTB, a modern reincarnation of the brand’s old freeride behemoth. While the latest Bullit is quite a bit more complex, the intended purpose is the same. It’s meant to go down the toughest, rowdiest trails and send big jumps, but with the added benefit of a helping hand to get you back to the top.
It features a full carbon chassis with no alloy options available, and it’s equipped with a whopping 170mm of travel front and rear. Santa Cruz elected to build the Bullit around a trendy mullet wheelsize setup, with a 29in front wheel and a 27.5in rear wheel. This allows the chainstay length to be kept to a modest 449mm, despite the motor and huge amount of travel.
Powered by Shimano’s EP801 drive unit, the Bullit sees 85Nm of torque and 600W of peak power. The impressive motor is powered by a large 630Wh battery, giving riders hours of full powered shred time.
The Bullit’s ability to handle whatever we could throw at it consistently impressed, the bike’s added heft kept it glued to the ground through rough rock gardens and over loose sketchy tracks. Yet, despite its weight, it still loves to get airborne over jumps and drops and didn’t feel too cumbersome when taking consecutive tight corners.
If you love tackling wild descents without shuttle access, the Bullit is an attractive choice. It charges downhill like there’s no stopping it and makes getting back to the top feel like a breeze. This is a lot of bike to handle, and if your local trails aren’t steep, and rough, it might be hard to fully appreciate all that suspension.
To read our full thoughts on the Santa Cruz Bullit, head over to the full review.
Focus SAM²
- Highs: Excellent suspension platform, well-rounded handling and great value for money
- Lows: Headset cable routing, no mullet compatibility, battery cover needs refinement
The Focus SAM² is the biggest and brawniest e-MTB in the brand’s lineup. Built around a tough-looking 7005 hydroformed alloy frame, it features 29in wheels and 170mm of rear travel. Up front is a 170 or 180mm travel fork, depending on the model.
Powered by the Gen4 Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the SAM² tears up climbs with 85Nm of torque and a peak power output of 600W. Battery sizes vary depending on the model, with the SAM² 6.7 we tested sporting the smaller 625Wh battery, and higher-end models carrying a 750Wh unit.
Focus has done an excellent job of keeping the weight as low as possible, and with the bike’s well-balanced geometry, it’s surprisingly easy to navigate tight, flowing singletrack, even with the dual 29-inch wheels. The high-volume tyres and smooth RockShox suspension provided plenty of traction, letting you dig into turns with confidence and control.
On the climbs, the centred riding position and powerful Bosch motor make it a great technical performer, while on the descents, the 170mm of well-tuned suspension delivers exceptional stability.
We’d love to see some refinement in the battery cover, and we wouldn’t complain if Focus reconsidered the integrated cabling through the stem and headset. But beyond those small quibbles, the Focus SAM² is a highly capable long-travel e-MTB that excels in many areas, all at a very reasonable price.
Head over to our full review of the SAM² for more details and ride impressions.
Orbea Wild
- Highs: Astonishingly fast & capable on techy terrain, easy to tune suspension along with excellent geometry
- Lows: Headset cable routing, no mullet compatibility, pricey for the spec
For 2023, the Orbea Wild received a full overhaul with a brand-new frame, refreshed geometry, and the Gen 4 Bosch Performance Line CX system. It remains a rugged, long-travel e-MTB built to take on the toughest peaks and most challenging descents.
The Wild is purpose-built around 29in wheels. You won’t find any flip chips, and that means there are no provisions to set it up as a mullet. Out of the box, the Wild sports 160mm of travel front and rear. It can also be spec’d with a 170mm travel fork for those who are after a little more oomph.
We were thoroughly impressed by the Wild’s incredible traction and control on rough, technical terrain. The Fox suspension offers great sensitivity, while the 2.6-inch wide tyres provide plenty of grips to keep you locked in. The bottom bracket is slightly higher than the previous model, and combined with the short crank arms, powerful Bosch motor, and steep seat angle, it remains as one of the best climbing e-MTB we’ve ever ridden.
It’s a beast on the descents too, with its slack head angle and long wheelbase keeping it stable and balanced in any terrain. The solid fork and powerful brakes let you charge with confidence, and the suspension only gets better the faster and harder you push it.
Since then, Orbea has updated the Wild for 2025 with a host of geometry and kinematic updates, along with including the latest Gen5 Bosch Performance Line CX motor. A full review of the 2025 Wild is in the pipeline, and we are itching in our boots to test out the updates and see how they shake out on the trail.
Check out the full review for all the details of the 2023 Orbea Wild, or watch the video review of the 2023 Orbea Wild here.
Scott Lumen
- Highs: Stealthy frame design, sporty handling, impressive climbing abilities, fits two bottle cages
- Lows: Busy cockpit making maintenance more difficult, flimsy tyre casing, pricey, difficult shock servicing
The 2023 Scott Lumen eRIDE represents a brilliant fusion of innovation and design, sharing its roots with the renowned Scott Spark. With a carbon frame, a compact TQ motor and a slender 360Wh battery, the top-tier version is claimed to weigh an astonishing 15.5kg – a feat that sets it apart in the realm of lightweight e-MTBs. The entry-level spec we tested, which is half the price at $12,799 AUD, still posted an impressive 17.78kg on the scale.
Sporting 29-inch wheels and 130mm of front and rear travel, the Lumen hides the shock inside the frame. Controlled by the TwinLoc system, the suspension offers three modes: Descend, Traction Control — which limits the rear travel to 90mm — and Lockout.
The TQ-HPR50 motor seamlessly lends up to 50Nm of peak torque, delivering a natural feeling boost. It requires a decent amount of input from the rider to unlock its power, and even then, the small motor never seeks to dominate the experience.
The Lumen’s on-trail performance pleasantly surprised us, delivering a vibrant and energetic character. This is a seriously rapid trail bike that encourages you to ride hard and fast across undulating terrain.
Lightweight tyres contribute to quick acceleration, while the TQ motor’s silent operation and smooth power delivery accentuate the bike’s organic ride quality. While the Lumen shines on descents, we thought the stock tyres could benefit from improved grip on technical terrain.
We also don’t love the ergonomics of the TwinLock plus dropper remote, there is a lot going on, limited adjustability and the paddles feel thin and edgy.
Read the full review of the Scott Lumen here, or watch the video review of the Scott Lumen here.
Superior eXF
- Highs: Comfortable & capable handling, easy-to-tune suspension, decent value for money
- Lows: Tight water bottle clearance, low stack height on larger frames, dropper too short
Superior bikes were a rare sight in Australia, but that’s set to change with the Czech brand being launched into Australia in 2024 through BikesOnline, where they became available direct-to-consumer alongside brands like Marin and Polygon. The Superior eXF is the Czech brand’s big-hitting, full suspension e-MTB that rolls on 29in wheels and sports 160mm of travel front and rear.
The eXF features a hydroformed frame with a four-bar suspension system. It’s driven by the Gen 4 Bosch Performance Line CX motor, delivering up to 85Nm of torque and 600W of peak power. A 750Wh PowerTube battery is housed inside the downtube and can be easily removed using a key.
The geometry seems well-suited for its intended use, with a 64° head angle and a 77° seat angle. The 446mm rear centre stands out as it’s relatively short for a long-travel e-MTB with dual 29in wheels and a Bosch motor. While most of the dimensions are spot on, the 625mm stack height across all three sizes is a bit unusual. This stack height is typically seen on a Medium frame, which could mean taller riders on the X-Large might find the front end too low.
In for testing was the Superior eXF 9039, the only model of the eXF being imported into Australia for now. We found it to be a fantastic all-round performer with a solid build package at a reasonable price. There’s nothing particularly fancy about its frame design or the components that are strapped to it, but that’s kind of the appeal.
The RockShox suspension is smooth and active, the Shimano groupset offers dependable performance, and the tough DT Swiss wheels have been trouble-free. While we think there’s room for improvement when it comes to the cockpit and dropper post, and we’d like to see the ability to set it up as a mullet, for under 10k AUD you’re treated to a comfortable and confidence-inspiring ride both up and down the mountain. Combined with the brilliant Bosch motor and big 750Wh battery, this is a thoroughly capable e-MTB for the price.
Pack your bags and head over the the full review of the Superior eXF for all the details and our impressions, or watch the video review of the Superior eXF here.
Scott Voltage
- Highs: Incredible carbon frame design, stupendously plush & supportive suspension
- Lows: Integrated design won’t be for everyone, tight rear tyre clearance, expensive relative to the competition
2024 saw the launch of the Scott Voltage, a lightweight e-MTB that’s designed for aggressive trail riding and enduro shenanigans. It’s built around 29in wheels and it features a 160mm travel fork with 155mm rear travel.
The Voltage is only produced in carbon fibre and sports the whisper-quiet TQ HPR50 motor. This sees the Voltage being propelled uphill with 50Nm of torque and 300W of peak power, which is fuelled by a slim 360Wh battery.
Similar to the brand’s analogue enduro bike, the Genius, the Voltage sees the shock and linkage arrangement housed neatly within the belly of the downtube. There’s a small tool-free removable hatch for getting to the air valve and adjusters, though you can also unbolt the whole skid plate should you need to remove the shock entirely.
The level of integration is equally as impressive as it is frustrating, which may put some buyers off. However, there’s no denying the benefits the unique frame design brings to the trail, especially with its ability to carry a full-size bottle and the option for a range extender battery.
For many riders, the Scott Voltage could very well be the lightweight e-MTB they’ve been waiting for. The new Voltage aims to fulfil the demands of riders looking to tackle descents, and subtle assistance to get back to the top again. Its raked-out geometry makes it an incredibly capable all-rounder that will appeal to a broad section of the market.
To read our full thoughts on the spaceship Scott Voltage, head over to our full review, or watch the video review of the Scott Voltage here.
Giant Trance X E+ Elite
- Highs: Vibrant & intuitive handling, mullet setup is such an improvement, supple and easily tuned suspension, powerful motor offers genre-bending performance, solid package for the money
- Lows: Heavy for a lightweight e-MTB, Adaptive Smart Assist mode is not great, heavier riders will need range extender, room for improvement with app & user interface
The Giant Trance X E+ Elite is a new electric mountain bike for 2023, representing the Taiwanese brand’s first attempt at the SL category. Despite only the word Elite differentiating it from its predecessor on paper, this is a wholly different bike.
Its top-end trim features a unique frame, a smaller 400Wh battery, and weight as low as 19kg.
But this isn’t your typical SL e-MTB, and it’s built around the same Yamaha-manufactured SyncDrive Pro 2, 85Nm unit found in other full-power Giant e-MTBs. Whether that approach pays off will really boil down to your personal needs and riding style. In our standardised range test, which involves repeating a tarmac climb in boost mode, it fell short of the others in the SL category — keep in mind that boost on this bike is the same as full power e-MTB. In an actual ride situation, we got up to 40km with 1000m climbing on flowy XC trails and 32km with 1300m of elevation gain, both on tour mode. An aftermarket 200Wh range extender battery is available to increase the total capacity to 600Wh.
With a 150mm fork and 140mm of rear travel, the Trance X E+ Elite is designed as an all-round trail bike. Its frame is built around the Maestro dual-link suspension platform and employs a mixed wheel setup, allowing shorter chainstays that dramatically improve the handling of the existing Trance X E+. It’s quick and agile and never demands a whole lot from you piloting it through tight and twisty singletrack.
However, the over-caffeinated SyncDrive Pro 2 drive unit can feel a bit peaky, and the torque sensor is so touchy the bike wants to lurch forward when you’re simply resting a foot on the pedal. We found the Smart Mode to be a little unpredictable. However, the lower-power Tour mode hit a good balance of predictability and range.
You can read more about the Giant Trance X E+ Elite here, or watch the video review of the Giant Trance X E+ Elite here.
Canyon Spectral:ON
- Highs: Superbly balanced suspension, high-speed stability, battery options offer enormous range potential, fun & agile for a full-powered e-MTB
- Lows: Headset cable routing, quite noisy, charge port door could be more robust
The Canyon Spectral:ON features a full carbon frame that comes in two flavours: CF and CFR, with the latter utilising higher-modulus fibres, shedding 300g. Equipped with a Shimano EP8 motor, the bike combines a 29-inch front wheel with a nimble 27.5-inch rear wheel.
Squish has been bumped up to 155mm at the back, the head angle is slacker and the reach longer, which come together to make the latest Spectral:ON more versatile, playful and easier to handle.
In the lineup, you can choose from five different models, with battery capacities ranging from 720Wh to a whopping 900Wh. While the larger battery offers extended range potential, it adds weight high in the downtube, which has an adverse effect on handling and has a more intimidating price tag. Prices for the models start at $8,899 AUD for the CF 7 model and go up to $17,699 AUD for the CFR LTD model.
We found the fourth-gen Spectral:ON lively and fun with the new updates, making it even better on descents and more stable at speed, improving its overall performance. Also, with its low anti-squat value, we found the suspension provides excellent small-bump sensitivity and a plush yet supportive ride quality.
While the Spectral was a ball of fun on the trail, the clack, clack of the Shimano EP8 motor on the descents was jarring. The flimsy charge port door and headset cable routing also gave us pause.
Riders looking for a capable, playful, and fun electric mountain bike should consider the Canyon Spectral:ON a strong option.
You can read our full review of the Spectral:ON here, or watch the video review of the Canyon Spectral:ON here.
Specialized Levo
- Highs: Fantastic all-round handling, clean cockpit, smooth and intuitive power delivery, geometry adjustability
- Lows: Will burn a hole in your pocket
Specialized didn’t hold back with the third-gen Levo. We’re talking about a trendy mullet setup, short chainstays, and the nifty 6-way adjustable geometry initially seen on the Stumpjumper EVO. Among the many updates to this bike, Specialized has also integrated MasterMind TCU display into the top tube, clear info about battery life, assist mode and ride metrics like speed, power and distance.
The Levo shines out on the trail. The handling is sharp, thanks to the mullet setup and responsive suspension. Plusher and more progressive suspension performance has bolstered the Levo’s big-hit capability, and along with the Fox 38 and aggressive tyre spec, it’s a bike that absolutely loves ripping high-speed turns and bashing through rocky off-piste singletrack.
The Brose motor is like poetry in motion; smooth and quiet with plenty of predictable power on tap. We even had some inexperienced riders jump on the Levo and quickly feel comfortable and confident finding the balance between pedalling input and motor output.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Durability issues emerged, especially in the suspension department. Leaky air pressure and a clicking fork brought a fair share of headaches — though that’s not necessarily a knock on Specialized. But the charge port door failing due to a minor workshop mishap is, fortunately, the brand has rectified this issue for the current 2023 model.
Despite the ups and downs, the Specialized Levo Pro remains a top-tier e-MTB, but it has a price tag that will make your wallet cry.
Read our in-depth review of the Specialized Levo here, or watch the video review of the Specialized Levo here.