Brompton is a brand that has dominated the folding bike market for years and in the past few years have brought out a series of electric bikes to match, and while their design may have become iconic, the price is a little less so…(Brompton electrics starting at £3,000!)
So I have compiled a list of folding electric bikes that, dare I say, rival the Brompton electric! This list consists of folding e-bikes that match (and in some cases best) the qualities of a Brompton electric, so keep reading to find out our alternative picks…
- Lemmo zero, £2,151.40 - The smallest
- Engwe zip, £999.00 - The cheapest
- ADO Air 20 Ultra 2026, £1,799.00 - The one with 20” wheels
- Ryd bike aero 16, £1,642.25 - Best overall
- Volt Lite, £2,899.00 - The best folder we’ve ridden
Engwe Zip, £999.00
Weight: 16.9kg | Range: Up to 75miles | Wheel size: 16inches
The Engwe Zip is compact, powerful, and under £1,000! It is the most affordable Brompton alternative that we recommend yet it doesn't feel like Engwe have made too many compromises to get there.
It weighs just 16.9kg, which is pretty light for an e-bike, and it has a triple-fold design that ENGWE says can fold in about three seconds.Folded down it’s about suitcase sized, so it’s designed to fit in places where normal bikes just don’t work - under desks, in apartments, on public transport, or even in a car boot.
The battery bag on the front is removable, meaning that you can take it with you should you need to lock your bike up in public, acting as a deterrent to thieves. The battery pack also doubles as a power bank and you can use it to charge your phone or any other electronics you may have out with you!
I have found that the power on the Zip instantly kicks in as soon as you press down on the pedals so you can zoom off pretty quick from the lights! (Quicker than the Brompton G-line electric in my experience...)
(Use the code 'ELECTROHEADS' for money off at checkout!)
Ryd bike Aero16, £1,642.25
Weight: 14kg | Range: 37miles | Wheel size: 16inches
The Ryd Bike Aero 16 is one of the lightest bikes on this list and on the market! The carbon fiber frame means that it is only 14kg! It makes it easy to carry upstairs and it folds down nice and small so it can fit under a desk or a table at the pub.
Ryd Bike has made this electric folder really low maintenance. With no welded joints it should be less susceptible to welding degradation and the addition of the carbon belt drive means that it is clean and should last a lot longer. The carbon belt drive might not be to everyone’s riding taste but it certainly keeps the overall weight down and, in my opinion, is fine for city riding which is exactly what a Brompton was built for.
The Ryd Bike’s seatpost battery not only looks super sleek but it also means that it is not going to attract lots of unwanted attention. The battery is also removable so you can recharge the battery and make the bike less attractive to thieves. You can also lock the battery in the bike and unlock it with a key, making sure that your bike and battery are super secure.
I found this bike super easy to fold and handle and also super lovely to ride. The lightweight frame makes the 250W motor feel more powerful as it is having to do less work just to get the bike moving.
(Use the code 'ELECTROHEADS' for money off at checkout!)
Volt Lite, £2,899.00
Weight: 18kg | Range: Up to 50 miles | Wheel Size: 20inches
The Volt Lite is our pick as the best folder that we have ever ridden at Electroheads!
The central crank/mid-drive Bafang M820 motor delivers smooth power through the carbon belt drive, and an impressive power delivery of 75Nm of torque, higher than you'd normally find on a bike of this size.
What does that mean in reality? Well, if you're a heavier rider, or you have a few hills on your commute, then this could be a good option.
The battery is integrated into the seat post, making it easy to remove and take with you for security reasons, or to charge the battery inside without having to take the whole bike with you.
Also! This is one of the comfiest saddles I've ever experienced on an ebike. So many bike companies don't consider female riders when it comes to saddles, but this one is great for men and women and means that you can comfortably be out all day.
What holds it back from being my pick as best overall alternative to a Brompton Electric is the price point. It is a great folding electric bike but that is reflected by the price which is fairly close to the entry price point for a Brompton electric.
ADO Air 20 Ultra 2026, £1,799.00
Weight: 19kg | Range: Up to 60miles | Wheel Size: 20inches
It is not the lightest folding bike at 19kg but ADO hasn't compromised on any of the heavier components (suspension, long-range battery, rear rack) that make this an exceptional ride. This isn’t just a folding city commuter bike, this can be your companion on longer days out and adventures. The 20inch wheels make a folding bike just that much easier to handle while riding - more stable around tight corners and over dips and dips in the road.
This e-bike comes with a carbon belt drive, the three-speed system shifts seamlessly to meet your needs and match the terrain you are tackling, be it flat or hilly. The torque sensor kicks in as soon as you press down on the pedal and gives a very natural riding experience.
“It’s smooth, it's efficient, and it's perfect for a trip like this…”
We took the Air 20 Ultra with us on a day out to Winchester and it made exploring the historic city a dream! Watch our video to see our full adventure:
(Use the code 'ADOELECTROHEADS' for money off at checkout!)
Lemmo Zero, £2,151.40
Weight: 13.1kg | Range: Up to 18.6miles | Wheel Size: 16inches
The Lemmo Zero is perhaps the most interesting and innovative e-bike on this list. Its folding design is like nothing I’ve ever seen before and it folds down smaller than a Brompton as the back wheel can actually slot through the frame when it is folded under due to a little door design which means that it can pop through and reduce the size of the overall fold. IIt folds so small that it can fit in a suitcase and is even safe to fly!
Although this bike is super compact and lightweight Lemmo haven’t compromised on riding features as this bike has 5 gearing systems, making it pretty easy to ride on a mix of flat and hilly terrain. This being said, this bike doesn’t power you up hills, it assists you. The bike puts out 30Nm of torque which, yes, is on the lower side, but because of how lightweight the bike is you don't really notice a difference!
There is no handlebar console so the assist has to be adjusted either by the button on the front stem or by the app which isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but this might not be to everyone’s taste. The bike does come with its own phone holder though so if you are using the app to control your bike then it can act like a display.
This bike really gives Brompton a run for their money in terms of design and what this bike can do, but that does also mean that it comes at a higher price than a lot of the other bikes I’ve recommended. It is still, however, a fair bit cheaper than a Brompton electric and can definitely do a lot more!
