Best Electric Bikes For Hunting of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

More people than ever are taking advantage of electric bikes for hunting. These bikes are a fast, silent, and nearly scent-free way to get to your hunting spot quickly and unnoticed. Bikes are also significantly cheaper than an ATV or UTV. And unlike those machines, they’re significantly easier to maintain for a hunter on a budget.

But not just any electric bike can be used for hunting. It needs a robust motor and suspension system to handle traveling rugged terrain to your next hunting spot. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to test several such bikes in a variety of environments to find the best electric bikes for hunting.

Best Overall: QuietKat Apex Pro

Best For Load Hauling: Bakcou Storm

Best For Long Distance: Rambo Rebel

Best Folding: Engwe X24

Best Budget: Aventon Aventure.2

Most Fun to Ride: Lectric X-Peak

How We Picked The Best Electric Bikes For Hunting

I’ve been riding electric bikes for a few years now. Many of the bikes on this list I tested personally. During my testing, I rode each bike a minimum of 50 miles over a variety of terrain. This included on- and off-road riding through dirt, sand, grass, and more. I purposely tried to hit some incredibly bumpy areas to test the suspension systems. I had to put most of these bikes together so I considered the ease of assembly, along with the fit and finish of the parts in the overall construction of each bike.

Because I did some extensive riding with most of these bikes, I was also able to evaluate the battery life of each model. Additionally, I considered the following factors when selecting bikes for this list:

Comfort: How is the stock seat? How comfortable is pedaling over rugged terrain?

Accessories: Does the manufacturer offer any hunt-specific accessories for the bike?

Power: What is the bike’s top speed? Does it have a lot of torque for hauling?

Value: Is the price point fair for the bike and features offered?

Best Electric Bikes For Hunting: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: QuietKat Apex Pro

Specs

Motor: 1,000-watt mid drive

Tires: 26” fat tire

Brakes: Tektro 4-piston hydraulic

Battery: 48v, 17.25-amp hour

Weight: 70 pounds

Pros

Impressive torque and power

Excellent suspension

Rugged construction

Cons

Price

Shorter range

QuietKat continues to impress me with their quality craftsmanship and ruggedness. I had the chance to test one on a very hilly course filled with berms and steep corners. QuietKats can be ridden quite aggressively if you push them. This model has a mid-drive motor that provides excellent torque and power. It’s great not just for climbing hills, but also for hauling gear in and out of the woods.

These bikes have a solid frame that can handle the abuse on the roughest of terrain. One of my old editors accidentally submerged one of these bikes completely in a puddle during an Illinois turkey hunt. When he pulled it out, the bike kept running as if nothing had happened.

Unfortunately, the weight and battery size mean these bikes have a slightly shorter range. The more expensive components like the 1000-watt mid-drive, the rugged frame, and other components drive up the price tag. This is one of the most expensive bikes specifically made for hunting today. But it’s also one of the most well-made and versatile options out there for serious hunters who want the best of the best.

Best For Load Hauling: Bakcou Storm

Specs

Motor: Bafang M620 Ultra

Tires: Maxxis Minion 26”

Brakes: Tektro HD 3730 quad piston hydraulic

Battery: 48v 17.5, 19.2, 21, or 25-amp hour

Weight: 70 pounds

Pros

Incredible torque and gearing

Adjustable class levels

Excellent range

Cons

Extremely expensive

Hunters who need to haul game animals or gear around the woods will be hard pressed to find a bike better than the Bakcou Storm. This bike has a Bafang M620 Ultra mid drive motor with full metal gearing and torque sensor. The motor is exceptionally strong and delivers around 160 Newton meters of torque that’s perfect for pulling a small trailer. This torque also helps this bike hill climb like a mountain goat.

You can manually adjust the power up or down. That may not seem important, but it helps shift the bike into different legal classifications. That way you’re covered if you get to an area and find they have limits on the type of bike you can use.

Bakcou is one of the few companies out there offering this type of feature. Additionally, we also love that Bakcou gives four different options for battery capacities. This allows you to pick one that exactly matches your needs and budget. Speaking of budget, the biggest downside to these bikes is that all those premium features come with an ultra-high price tag. That’s before figuring in the costs of a trailer and other accessories. But for hunters who demand a bike that can handle the toughest conditions, the Storm is up to the task.

Best For Long Distance: Rambo Rebel

Specs

Motor: Bafang BBSHD

Tires: Maxxis Minion 26”

Brakes: Tektro 4-piston hydraulic

Battery: 48v, 21-amp hour

Weight: 75 pounds

Pros

Rugged construction

Extremely fast

Long range

Cons

Expensive

Rambo bikes have an excellent reputation for strength, speed, and range. This bike has a Bafang mid-drive that has a peak rating of 1,500 watts with 160 Newton meters of torque. It’s an excellent climber and hauler. But this is another premium quality option that comes with an appropriately high price tag to match. It’s not surprising given the quality of the components used here. The tires are large enough to traverse rocky terrain yet the profile of the bike is small enough to handle trails too washed out for horses or ATVs.

While Rambo has started to branch out a bit making bikes for a wider audience, they’re designed mainly for hunting. This bike is built for long distance rides in the most difficult terrain types. For long-distance backcountry hunts in mountainous terrain, this is a hard option to beat.

Best Folding: Engwe X24

Specs

Motor: 1,200-watt peak high-speed brushless

Tires: 24” fat tire

Brakes: Hydraulic disc

Battery: Dual System 48v, 19.2-amp hour and 48v, 10-amp hour lithium-ion

Weight: 96 pounds

Pros

Extremely fast

Exceptional suspension system

Dual batteries provide great range

Cons

Heavy

Hunters who need a combination of strength, speed, and range will find a lot to like in the Engwe line. And it’s easy to stow due to the middle fold on the frame. I tested the X24 and found the dual battery system to be extremely efficient on battery life. I got about 45-50 miles off a full charge, which will be more than enough for most hunting scenarios. That was in the fall here in Michigan when colder temperatures were affecting battery life. The nice thing about the batteries is that you can keep turn off one independently. That allows you as the rider to keep one in reserve in case you push it too far and use up one.

Note the extra suspension above the pedals of the Engwe. Travis Smola

The Engwe is an extremely fast bike—I got it up to 29 miles per hour on a paved straightaway. It has a cadence sensor, but it feels a lot like a torque sensor in operation. This bike rode smooth when I felt like a cruise, and was aggressive when I wanted it. This full-suspension bike even has an extra bit of suspension in the middle under the seat. It helps make for an exceptionally smooth ride.

My only real complaint is that this bike is extremely heavy at 96 pounds. It folds, but it’s not easy to wrestle into a smaller vehicle or up and down from a high tailgate. However, there’s a ton of room on the back to add in some luggage racks for all your hunting gear.

Best Budget: Aventon Aventure.2

Specs

Motor: 750-watt brushless

Tires: 26” fat tire

Brakes: Hydraulic disc

Battery: 48v, 15-amp hour

Weight: 77 pounds

Pros

Excellent price point

Super smooth assist

Great weight capacity

Cons

Stock seat is very hard

I picked the Aventure.2 as our best overall budget electric bike and my opinion remains unchanged. The fact that Aventon kept the price of this bike under $2,000 is impressive considering the quality of construction and its beefy, rugged frame. I’ve assembled several electric bikes, but none that went together easier than this one. The fit and finish of the parts is unmatched. Nothing feels cheap, and I never felt I had to force anything into place.

Whether using the throttle or pedal assist, this bike has a smooth, gradual take up on speed that makes it incredibly safe to ride. It’s the perfect setup for quietly getting to and from your stand in flatter, Midwestern states.

The Aventure.2’s tires are big, beefy, and ready for rugged terrain. Travis Smola

The Aventure.2 has an excellent payload capacity of 400 pounds. While it might need a few modifications to haul hunting gear, it’s more than up for the task. My only real complaint with this bike is that the stock seat is hard and uncomfortable for longer rides. But this is an issue that you can easily solve by switching it out for a cushier seat.

I generally get about 45 miles to the charge with this one, which is excellent for any electric bike. The throttle, grips, and steering all feel great. There’s enough room on the handlebars to mount additional accessories like a mount for a hunting GPS unit. Considering this bike only costs $1,800, the value here is off the charts.

Most Fun to Ride: Lectric X-Peak

Specs

Motor: 750-watt rear hub

Tires: 26” fat tire

Brakes: Hydraulic mineral oil brakes

Battery: 48v, 14-amp-hour

Weight: 67 pounds

Pros

Smooth off-road

Quick detach pedals and thru-axle

Great grips

Cons

Puzzling battery choice

Reduced range

This bike represents Lectric’s entry into the affordable off-road bike space and the design choices here are simultaneously fascinating and puzzling. In the interest of fairness, note that the bike I tested was a non-finalized pre-production model. But the big thing you’ll be hearing about this bike is the battery. Lectric went with a 48v, 14-amp-hour single battery, and the range I got while running on higher assist levels was not great. It’s a little bit concerning for a hunting bike, especially since most of my testing occurred in lower 40 to 50-degree temperatures as would be typical during hunting season. It’s not a bike you’d likely take into the backcountry for a week because of that range. It would probably be best for Midwestern deer hunters who just need to get to the stand and back on properties that are a few hundred acres or less.

I tested a pre-production model with a color scheme not currently offered by Lectric. Travis Smola

Although I’m not thrilled with the range, this bike is very fun to ride. Lectric developed a new PAS cadence sensor that feels a lot like a torque sensor. The assist and throttle are smooth and don’t jolt the rider with a sudden take up like other bikes in this price range. I really like the grips and suspension system. I found the tires hug challenging terrain exceptionally well. The pedals feel great on this bike. I love how they quickly detach for transport. Lectric also gave this bike a tool-free front thru-axle attachment, which made for an amazingly fast assembly. At $1,300, the price point is incredible.  

What To Consider When Choosing An Electric Bike For Hunting

Everyone’s needs in a hunting ebike are going to be different. Some hunters will have more of a reliance on a throttle system than others who prefer to pedal. Some of the bikes we featured here today are not specifically made for hunting but can readily be adapted for that purpose. Just about any off-road bike will work for hunting, although you may need to make some minor modifications to make the bike functional for hunting-specific activities.  

Motors and Sensors

Electric bikes aren’t cheap, and much of the cost often comes from the motors and the pedal sensors. The two main types of motor options are either a hub motor or a mid-drive. The hub style is more common on budget style electric bikes and can provide plenty of speed and range. However, a mid-drive provides a lot more torque, making it a better choice for steep hills and other rugged terrain. Bikes that have a mid-drive are also going to be much better at hauling gear, especially if you get a trailer for the bike. Some bikes have a combination of a mid-drive and hub motors to get the best of both worlds.

Many prospective bike owners don’t consider the type of pedal sensor, but in my experience, it makes a huge difference in the quality of the ride. Cadence sensors kick in almost instantly to a pre-determined speed depending on the assist level of the bike. This take-up of the motor can be a little jolting until you get used to it.

On the flip side, a torque sensor takes up gradually on the assist depending on how hard the rider is pedaling. The result is a much smoother ride that’s closer to riding a regular bicycle. However, torque sensors are usually more expensive. They are also more of a physical workout to use than a cadence sensor.

Seats and Accessories

Not every manufacturer offers useful accessories for hunting. Gun and bow racks may need to be modified slightly to get it to work with certain brands. Either way, you’ll want it to securely lock down your firearm or compound bow to prevent knocking sights out of alignment.

When it comes to accessories, bike seats are a major one. I’ve only found a few bikes like the Engwe that have decent seats standard. Many others sell better seats as part of a “comfort” package. This can easily add another $200 to the price of the bike, so be sure to budget that cost in if comfort is important.

Trailers for hauling game, tree stands, and other equipment are often at least another $300 to $400 depending on the model and the size. You will want to consider the power and torque of your bike if that kind of hauling capability is important. Some bikes may not have the power for heavier loads.

FAQs

Best Electric Bikes For Hunting: Final Thoughts

Best Overall: QuietKat Apex Pro

Best For Load Hauling: Bakcou Storm

Best For Long Distance: Rambo Rebel

Best Folding: Engwe X24

Best Budget: Aventon Aventure.2

Most Fun to Ride: Lectric X-Peak

I’ve ridden a lot of excellent electric bikes that would be suitable for hunting. All the bikes here today would be an excellent option. However, I keep coming back to the rugged build and smooth ride of the QuietKat Apex Pro as one of my favorites. Few of even the best electric bikes for hunting match this level of quality and reliability for serious hunters.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

The post Best Electric Bikes For Hunting of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Field & Stream.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.