To find the best cargo bikes across a wide range of prices, we’re returning to our favorite comparison format: the 5 vs 5. We’ve organized these bikes from cheapest to most expensive, and you can see where your preferences lie in both features and price. We’re pitting 5 cheap & cheerful cargo bikes against 5 high-end performers to answer one question. When do you stop paying for utility & performance, and start paying for branded luxury that gets you nowhere but makes you look spiffy?
Budget & Value Cargo Bikes
We don’t love breaking the bank. Especially when a budget-friendly alternative can do the job just fine. We’ve found 5 cargo electric bikes priced under the $2500 mark, which is where we shift into the realm of luxury e-bikes.
Lectric XPedition
When kicking off our comparison matrix for the best cargo bike, where better place to start than the country’s favorite affordable e-bike that still packs a punch in performance? The $1799 Lectric XPedition 2 features a 750W rear-hub motor paired with two removable batteries that can hold up to 1.3 kWh when combined. The fully aluminum frame features a suspension front fork that travels 50mm and can operate as a class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike.
The bike's main feature, the cargo system, is a rear rack that can hold up to 300 lbs. The bike can hold up to 450 lbs total, and the front basket can store up to 30 lbs. The long-range, dual-battery version can travel up to 120 miles per full charge.
Roo Rev Cargo Electric Bike
Priced at $1999, the Roo Rev Cargo e-bike features a 750W motor that can generate 85Nm of torque, paired with a 700Wh battery that can take you 75 miles on a full charge. The bike can reach a maximum top speed of 20 mph and features a torque- and cadence-sensor set-up for the smoothest possible power delivery.
The bike features 4 levels of pedal assist and can operate as a fully independent, throttle-operated class-3 electric bike. The bike’s rear rack supports up to 119 lbs, and the bike as a whole supports up to 400 lbs. It also has a headlight, taillight, kickstand, dual disc brakes, and a Shimano gear system, making it an ideal companion across all terrains and inclines.
Aventon Abound
The Aventon Abound LR costs $2000. It features a Shengyi 750W hub drive motor that can generate 80 Nm of torque. It also has a 733 Wh battery that can get you 60 miles per full charge. You can choose from 3 riding modes to customize the bike's feel. The entirely aluminum frame features an 8-speed Shimano gear system. It is limited to a class-2 e-bike. The bike can support up to 400 lbs. The biggest draw, despite its near-identical price to the Roo Rev, is the seamless tech integration. This bike can connect to your existing tech ecosystem and becomes fully traceable on Apple’s Find My network.
Blix Packa Genie
The Blix Packa Genie costs $2099 and features a powerful 750W rear-hub motor paired with a 1.3kWh battery that can travel up to 80 miles per full charge. You can choose either a single- or dual-battery architecture. The entirely aluminum frame features a 7-speed Shimano gear system. The bike also features integrated front and brake lights. The bike’s dual cargo storage can hold 50 lbs at the front and 150lbs at the rear. It can operate as a throttle-only class-3 e-bike.
Murf Higgs Cargo
Priced at $2395, the Murf Bikes Higgs Cargo features a 750W motor and a 780Wh battery. The bike features a -speed gear system, a thumb throttle, dual 4-piston disc brakes, integrated front & brake lights, and supports up to 440 lbs. The bike can travel 30 to 50 miles on a full charge. The bike’s rear rack can fit 2 child seats. It also has a high-res display that displays all telemetry. The thumb throttle system lets you operate the bike as a class-3 e-bike, with 1 of 5 pedal-assist levels.
Premium & High-Performance Cargo Bikes
If you’ve got the dollars to spare, then why not? These are luxury-first cargo bike builds that offer the best of everything.
AddMotor E-325 Cargo Trike
Although slightly untraditional, if your goal is to carry as much as possible, look no further than the $3699 Addmotor E-325 Family Electric Cargo Trike. It features a 750W rear-hub motor and a 960Wh battery that can take you up to 60 miles on a full charge. It supports a 550 lb payload, and the front box alone can support 196 lbs; plus, three wheels are better than two. It offers better balance and is easier to stop and go. The bike’s 7-speed Shimano gear system makes it ideal for riding across terrains and inclines.
Swoop ASM
The $4499 Xtracycle Swoop ASM features a 250W nominal mid-drive motor that can operate as a class-3 e-bike. Its modest 630Wh battery can get you up to 60 miles per full charge. The bike has a torque sensor that detects your pedaling pressure and delivers power accordingly. The bike features a Shimano Cues Di2 electronic gear system with auto start and stop, which means worrying about the ideal upshift and downshift is a thing of the past. All you have to focus on is stop-and-go. The bike can carry up to 400 lbs, including the rider.
Surly BigEasy
Priced at $4674, the Surly Big Easy Cargo electric bike features the flagship Bosch Cargo Line motor (250W) and the Bosch PowerPack, a 725Wh battery that can sustain a ride for between 40 and 50 miles per full charge, although the frame is designed to fit two batteries. It is a class-2 bike that can reach speeds of 20 mph or lower. It also features an 11-speed SRAM GX gear system and dual Tektro hydraulic brakes. The bike is engineered to hold up to 400 lbs, with up to 200 lbs on the rear rack alone.
Yuba Spicy Curry AT
The Yuba Spicy Curry All Terrain costs $5499 and features a flagship 250W Bosch Cargo Line Speed motor paired with a 500Wh Bosch PowerPack battery, compatible with either dual batteries or a range extender. As it stands, it can travel 30 to 50 miles on a full charge. The aluminum frame features an 11-speed Shimano gear system. The bike supports a maximum load of 440 lbs, including the rider, and weighs about 70 lbs.
Urban Arrow Family
Finally, at the top of this list, is the $8999 Urban Arrow Family Next Pro. This bike features a 250W Bosch Cargo Line motor and a 545Wh PowerPack battery. The motor can generate about 75 Nm of torque and can go up to 40 miles per full charge. However, the best part of the bike is the Gates Carbon Belty Drive, which lasts a long time and is easy to maintain. It also features a Bosck Kiox 300 display, a Suntour Mobie34 CGO front fork, and the high-power Lezyne E115 headlights.
The Verdict
So, where does that leave you? At what point do you stop paying for utility and start paying for luxury? We reckon that's around the $2500 price point. Unless you want dedicated utility, like the Trike with a gigantic box, or an automatic gearbox, or a carbon belt drive, you don’t get a better motor, a larger battery, or more carrying capacity for your money beyond that.
