Between $2,500 and $3,000 hits the sweet spot for entry- to mid-tier electric mountain bikes. That price range opens up the range of e-MTBs from top brands like Trek, Giant, Specialized, and others with innovative designs and quality parts. Models that fall into that price range are typically hardtail mountain e-bikes or pre-owned full-suspension models.
Spending less than $2,000 means the e-bike will likely come with a rear hub motor, less premium mid-drive unit, or an external battery. Riders can browse the best mountain bikes for under $2,000 designed for recreational riding and lighter mountain biking.
Best Electric Mountain Bike Brands in 2025
Written by: Rémy Rossi | August 14, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
From legendary MTB icons to game-changing innovators, these e-MTB brands are redefining how we ride trails in 2025.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
What brands should you be browsing when searching for your next electric mountain bike? There are tons of bike manufacturers out there, but dedicated trail riders will be familiar with the trusted names featured on this list. Not everyone made the cut, though— below are my favorite electric mountain bike brands, unearthing new gains and carving their own path in 2025.
My Favorite E-MTB Brands in 2025
I’m not much of a brand-name guy myself— label loyalty can be highly overrated (and overly expensive) in my opinion, but the bike industry keeps things honest. Competition is fierce, and the big players and best-known brands actually do produce most of the finest models out there. Perhaps it's because they already have the R&D resources to create elite e-Bikes and the larger scale to keep prices competitive. Unless you want something super-specific or are willing to shell out for a custom build, these big brands hit the sweet spot, with plenty of options to choose from, top-notch quality, and excellent value.
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Orbea
By many accounts, Orbea is the oldest bicycle manufacturer in the world, originally founded as an arms producer in the Basque Country in 1840, later pivoting to bicycles in 1930. Maybe it’s my time in Spain that contributes to my bias, but I’m a big fan of Orbea and its modern bikes and electric bikes that always seem to have something unique about them. With a long history of sponsoring Tour de France teams and pro riders, Orbea’s mountain biking pedigree is also up there with the best, and it makes two e-MTBs: the Wild and Rise models.
- Orbea Wild: Full-suspension electric mountain bike with a Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive motor, tall and knobby MAXXIS tires, and rugged features for assisted enduro riding.
- Orbea Rise: Electric trail bike with full suspension system and Shimano EP8 RS mid-drive motor, 360 Wh battery, and 29” MAXXIS Dissector tires. Carbon frame, lightweight specs, and nimble handling.
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Santa Cruz
Founded in 1993 in Santa Cruz, CA, the brand began with full-suspension bikes and has grown into a leader in high-performance MTB design with its rich, West Coast history. Known for innovation, authenticity, and a loyal following—bolstered by its Syndicate mountain bike race team and top-tier models—Santa Cruz entered the e-MTB market in 2020, now offering electric options like the Heckler, Bullit, and Vala to suit a range of riding styles.
- Santa Cruz Vala: Mid-travel e-MTB with a Bosch motor, mixed wheels, and 160mm/150mm suspension for tackling varied terrain.
- Santa Cruz Heckler: Lightweight e-MTB with the FAZUA RIDE 60 system for efficient power and speed, plus 160mm/150mm VPP™ rear suspension.
- Santa Cruz Bullit: Mixed-wheel downhill e-MTB with 170mm travel, slack geometry, and a Shimano EP8 motor for conquering the steepest, roughest lines without a chairlift.
Pivot
Pivot Cycles is a high-end manufacturer focused on mountain bikes, along with fat tire, gravel, and dirt jump options. Pivot’s premium electric bikes often beat out the rest of Upway’s catalog for the most expensive models, delivering truly pro-level performance with that big price tag. Pivot’s dedicated e-MTB is the Shuttle, available in LT (long-travel), AM (all-mountain), SL AM (super-light), and ST (short-travel) versions. They are tricked out with featherweight carbon frames, Bosch motors, advanced suspension, and killer components. The Pivot Shuttle AM model won Bicycling Magazine’s 2024 Bike Awards. If you’ve got the cash, I say go big.
Specialized
Founded in 1974, Specialized helped ignite the mountain bike boom with the iconic Stumpjumper, the first mass-produced MTB, followed by a lineup of groundbreaking off-road machines. Renowned for precision handling and well-balanced geometry, the brand’s high-performance S-Works series has become a go-to for elite racers, while its broad range ensures options for riders of all levels. Specialized backs professional teams in nearly every cycling discipline, blending top-tier racing pedigree with accessible models for everyday adventures.
- Specialized Turbo Tero: Hardtail e-MTB with 110mm front travel. Adventure-ready, lightweight, and versatile thanks to its lack of rear suspension. One of Upway’s best-sellers, also available in the Tero X version with full suspension.
- Specialized Turbo Levo: Hugely popular e-MTB with enduro-level 160mm front / 150mm rear travel. Comes in multiple builds, from aluminum to carbon, with a range of specs and groupsets.
- Specialized Turbo Kenevo: Big-hit enduro e-MTB edging into downhill territory, with 170mm travel front and rear. Built for riders who want maximum suspension and self-shuttling capability.
Trek
Trek was founded way back in the mid-1970s in Wisconsin and has since evolved from a traditional bike manufacturer into one of the world’s leading e-Bike brands, offering more than 30 models across city, commuter, road, and mountain categories. Riders are big fans of Trek e-Bikes for their quality construction, extensive dealer support network, lifetime frame warranties, and reliable pedal-assist systems using premium motors from the likes of Bosch and the latest TQ lightweight drive unit.
- Trek Rail: The brand’s long-travel electric enduro mountain bike with a Bosch mid-drive motor, full suspension, and muscly components designed for rugged riding.
- Trek Fuel EXe: This new model was at the forefront of the lightweight e-MTB category, featuring a lightweight TQ harmonic pin-ring mid-drive motor, RockShox suspension, and 360 Wh battery.
Cannondale
Cannondale’s story began in 1971—not with bikes, but with the world’s first bicycle-towed trailer, the Bugger. Founded by Joe Montgomery and Murdock MacGregor, the company initially specialized in accessories and apparel before moving into full bike production. Cannondale quickly made its mark as the first to mass-produce aluminum frames, pushing the limits of frame design with bold shapes and engineering innovations. Over the years, it has sponsored Tour de France teams, built bikes for every discipline, and earned a reputation for forward-thinking technology—complete with distinctive touches like its one-sided Lefty suspension fork.
- Cannondale Moterra: An Upway favorite, the Moterra Neo is the brand’s most popular e-MTB and is available in various versions, including long-travel, coil shock, and super-light.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should you spend on an electric mountain bike?
Where can I find trails that allow electric mountain bikes?
Apps such as Trailforks have an e-MTB filter to find routes that allow electric mountain bikes. E-Bike owners can filter the Trailforks map on the website or app to show trails where e-MTBs are permitted.
Key Takeaways
- Industry heavyweights like Specialized, Trek, and Santa Cruz lead the e-MTB pack with proven performance and wide model ranges.
- Premium innovators like Pivot and Orbea offer unique designs, high-end components, and standout ride experiences.
- Modern e-MTBs blend advanced motors, refined geometry, and suspension tech to handle everything from mellow trails to downhill runs.
