Best foldable electric bikes for UK commuters

The Electric C Line takes Brompton's familiar 16-inch folder and adds a front hub motor with a battery bag that clips onto the front block. The result is the most usable folded package here: it goes on train luggage racks, under desks and into tight hallways with less fuss than a 20-inch folder. The upright ride is well suited to city traffic, though small wheels transmit rough tarmac and the loaded front bag makes the steering feel heavier. It is a premium buy, but the UK manufacturing, dealer network and huge spares back-up are part of what you are paying for.

The G4 is for riders who want a folder that feels like a small city bike rather than a shopping bike. Its magnesium frame and 20-inch wheels give it a composed, sporty ride, and the side-mounted wheels detach and stow for a genuinely quick fold once you have practised the sequence. It is less compact than a Brompton when folded, and the proprietary design means servicing is best done through a Gocycle dealer. If your priority is the ride rather than the smallest possible package, this is the pick.

The MiRider One is a British-designed 16-inch folder aimed at short urban trips, station runs and motorhome or caravan use. It has a compact, upright ride and a fold that tucks away more easily than most 20-inch bikes. Build quality is simple and sturdy rather than luxurious, and the ride is firmer than a Gocycle's, so it suits riders who value a small footprint and UK-based support over long-distance comfort. It is a sensible choice for flat-ish commutes and anyone with limited storage.

The Stow-E-Way is the practical high-street option: a 20-inch folding frame with a hub motor, a more stable ride and the kind of fittings that make it easy to live with. It is heavier and bulkier than the 16-inch picks, so it is better for car boots, sheds and short train hops than daily carry up stairs. In return you get a familiar bike-shop service route, a less twitchy ride and a folder that feels more like a small hybrid. It is the pick for riders who want backup more than a party trick.

The Hummingbird Electric is the answer to a specific problem: getting a powered bike up stairs, onto a train and into a flat without needing a second person. It is one of the lightest folders here, with 16-inch wheels and a clean, simple design. The assist is there to soften starts and gentle climbs rather than to deliver moped-style speed, and the ride is more about agility than comfort. It is a premium, niche choice; if you do not need to carry your bike often, a cheaper 20-inch folder will be more comfortable.