Best off-road e-bikes under $1,500

The Mokwheel Basalt ST tops this list with a Genius Score of 90, the strongest overall balance of power, range, and price on this list. Its 940Wh battery backs a claimed 80 miles of range, and 90 Nm of torque paired with 4-inch tires keeps it moving through sand and gravel that trip up narrower setups. Mokwheel hasn't published suspension specs, so you're relying on tire volume alone over rough, root-covered ground, and its 28 mph Class 3 assist puts it out of bounds on some shared trails.

At $799.99, the Mokwheel Mesa Lite is the cheapest bike on this list, and it still delivers real off-road capability rather than a stripped-down toy. A throttle that carries you to 20 mph without pedaling, combined with a 60-pound frame, makes it easy to load onto a rack or steer around obstacles. The 45 Nm of torque and 350W motor are modest, though, so steep or loaded climbs will make the motor work hard, and the mechanical disc brakes need more frequent adjustment than hydraulic ones.

The Cyrusher Scout carries the biggest battery on this list, a dual-battery setup totaling 2,080Wh, so range is a genuine strength rather than something to manage carefully. At $1,299, it's also one of the more affordable ways into real fat-tire capability, with a throttle that powers you through loose climbs without pedaling. That extra battery capacity comes with weight: at 105.8 pounds, it's heavy to muscle around once you're off the bike.

With 95 Nm of torque, the Cyrusher Rover Step-Over Full-Suspension delivers the most pulling power on this list, which translates directly into easier climbs, sand crossings, and dead-stop starts. Full suspension paired with 26x4.0 fat tires absorbs rough ground that a rigid frame would just pass straight to your hands and back. It's a Class 3 bike capable of 28 mph assist, so check local trail rules before you count on that top speed everywhere you ride.

The Mokwheel Basalt carries the highest payload rating on this list at 450 pounds, making it the pick when you're hauling gear, a passenger's worth of cargo, or both. A 940Wh battery backs that capacity with a claimed 80 miles of range, so a loaded bike doesn't mean a short ride. There's no suspension listed, so the fat tires alone cushion rough or rutted trails, and its 28 mph Class 3 assist isn't legal on every shared path.

At 54 pounds, the Mokwheel Slate is the lightest bike on this list, which matters most when you're lifting it onto a rack or maneuvering it by hand rather than riding it. A throttle plus 25 mph pedal assist gives you the option to cruise without pedaling or push the pace when the terrain allows. The 70 Nm of torque and 500W steady output handle rolling terrain fine but will work hard on steep, loose climbs.

The Mokwheel Mesa Lite ST earns its spot by stretching a $999.99 price tag further than most, delivering a capable-enough off-road package without the premium markup. At 58 pounds it's lighter than the typical fat-tire e-bike, so handling it on and off the trail is easier than average, and the throttle gets you rolling on gravel without pedaling. The 350W motor and 45 Nm of torque run short on steep, sustained climbs, so keep it to dirt roads and moderate gravel rather than technical terrain.

The Mokwheel Asphalt ST is the best-scoring step-through frame on this list, so getting on and off doesn't require swinging a leg over the saddle. It pairs hydraulic disc brakes and a throttle with 70 Nm of torque, giving it steady pulling power for loose surfaces and moderate climbs at a price well under what a lot of off-road bikes charge. Its 27.5-inch by 2.4-inch tires handle packed dirt and gravel well but lack the width for deep sand or rocky, technical trails, so it's built for easy trails rather than serious backcountry riding.