12 3 Wheeler Electric Bikes You Must Try in 2023

If the last time you tried a trike was when you were a kid, you’re going to be excited to know that the popularity of 3 wheeler electric bikes (or “e-trikes” or “electric tricycles”) is at an all-time high. And it’s not just older adults with mobility or balance issues that are driving the trend, although they are a significant part of the e-trike’s rise in popularity. More people across the world, and across varying demographic segments, want a non-automobile way of getting from here to there on a regular basis, and they want to be able to carry more stuff.

Another driving factor for people adopting electric trikes is that they go so much easier on the environment than the cars they now drive. The problem with 2-wheeled bikes, however, is that, while back baskets and saddle bags can increase carrying capacity to some extent, they can't compete with the trunk of a car for grocery carrying power. This is an area where electric trikes excel, however, with their much larger back baskets and additional carrying capacity, both front and back. It makes going to the store to pick up a week's worth of groceries a lot easier, and more stable to boot.

Furthermore, people are getting on bikes and trikes more because they want to get more exercise and enjoy the outdoors, even in inclement weather. Some of the latest three wheelers are actually built for riding in rain, snow and sand. Read: beach trips! What's more, more bike and trike riders are looking for ways to bring friends along with them on their 3-wheeler electric bikes. So some of the latest models actually have passenger seat capabilities!

Of course, one of the biggest reasons people buy electric trikes is simply that they have a much more stable center of gravity than 2-wheeler bikes. The third wheel is not “extra”, but essential for people who have balance or mobility issues and can help people who have had knee or hip surgery, who struggle with joint pain, or who are recovering from a stroke or other condition to get back into some fun outdoor exercise.

With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best, most fun, most powerful, and most useful electric tricycles on the market in 2023. Impress your friends, family, and neighbors by trying an e-trike this year.

Of course, as the SUVs of the biking world, e-trikes come in a lot of shapes, sizes, ease-of-use levels, and quality ranges. We decided to look at specific criteria to help you choose between the ones we liked best so that you could get the 3-wheeler that will fit your lifestyle the best. When looking through this list, ask yourself some questions about each of these criteria and you should be able to find the right electric trike for you:

1. A Light, Yet Durable Frame

Of course, the frame is what holds the whole e-trike together, so it’s going to have to be durable. At the same time, you don’t want it to be so heavy that it’s difficult to move. It’s also a good idea if the frame is rust-resistant. Typically, a steel frame, while durable, is going to be heavier. Aluminum frames can also be very durable, but they are usually lighter and easier to transport. Naturally, a 3 wheeler electric bike is going to be heavier than a regular bike, so that’s definitely something you’ll want to think about.

2. Adjustable, Ergonomic Design

In addition to being light, yet durable, it’s important to pick out a bike that can be easily adjusted to fit your height. This makes a lot of difference in how easy it is to stay comfortable while cycling. Add to that the ergonomic angle. How comfortable is the seat? Is it nicely cushioned, or hard on your tush? Do you have to lean into the handlebars, or do they come back for you so that you can sit in a comfortable, neutral spine position? Are the pedals easy to push if you want to go on your own power? What other comfort considerations are available?

3. Disc Brakes or Coaster Brakes?

If it’s been a while since your last trike ride, it’s important to be aware that today’s 3 wheeler electric bikes have more options. Many people who haven’t cycled in a while remember the old “coaster” brakes that work by stopping the bike when you pedal backward. This engages the braking mechanisms. If you are used to this style of braking, it’s a fine way to go, although it’s not as quickly responsive as modern disc brakes that are controlled via a switch on the handlebars.

4. More Gears, More Options

Of course, the more gears you have on your e-trike, the most speed and traction options you have for going up and down hills, dealing with traffic, going faster or slower, etc. A good electric tricycle should shoot for 7 gears that can help you out, even if you’re choosing to go fully on your own pedal power instead of using the motor. Speaking of the motor…

5. Battery Charging Time

One of the most attractive aspects of electric bikes is that they give you the option of letting the bike do all the work with its electric, battery-powered motor. But, just like an electric car, you have to consider how far your travel range can go on one charge, and how often (and for how long) you’ll need to recharge the battery between uses. Opting for a more powerful motor is a good idea if you plan to make longer trips on your three-wheeler.

With those considerations in mind, take a look at this list of 12 really great 3 wheeler electric bikes (e-trikes) and let us know what looks good to you!

The CozyTrike has a 1,000 watt motor, so it’s built for power and cargo carrying capacity. The big basket on the back can easily carry nearly a week’s worth of groceries or even camping gear. It also includes a front basket for things you need access to on the road. You can go on full-pedal power, or you can use pedal assist or full motor use. On full-motor mode, you can go about 25 miles between charges, and reach speeds of about 20 miles per hour. Instead of a traditional bike saddle, it’s got a seat that provides more tushy-cushion, as well as a back rest. The step-through frame makes it easy to get up and go, and the handlebar access breaks are incredibly responsive in case you have to stop on a dime.

While this isn’t the fastest of the e-trikes, it is a good one for beginners and people who don’t want to go too fast. It reaches top speeds of about 15 miles per hour, and it comes with very minimal assembly required, which is not the case for many of the other bikes, which can take awhile to assemble, wonderful as they are once they are assembled. So it’s a good option for beginners and people who just need a basic, get-around 3 wheeler electric bike. Another thing that makes it great for beginners is the anti-skid tires, the electric horn so you can warn pedestrians and other cyclists of your presence, and a built-in front electric light if you want to go out in lower-light conditions. It’s a great option for seniors who just need a practical, all-around e-trike that gets the job done with an eye to safety and stability.

Now, if you’re looking for a touring bike that has four different levels of pedal assist, this is one worth looking into. The 350-watt motor will go about 20 miles per hour, depending on which level of pedal assist (or not) you’re using. The bike can also go on full pedal-power or full battery power as well. The frame is another low-slung one that is easy to get on, and it has plenty of cargo carrying capacity. The battery can go about 40-miles between charges and only takes about 2-6 hours to fully recharge, which is totally reasonable for most riders. The index shifting feature, controlled at the handlebars, is very smooth so that you can sift from one gear to the other easily, depending on the terrain you’re covering. Fill those baskets with groceries, camping gear, books, or your awesome yardsale finds, and you’re ready to go.

If you have a larger body frame and are mostly planning on riding on pavement, the VIRIBUS is a great option. It’s got a large, cushioned seat and plenty of safety features to protect you as you cruise around town. It’s a great cruiser, step through e-trike with a horn, a lockable battery (so nobody tries to nab it when you stop at the grocery store). It’s got a strong 250-watt battery-powered motor that goes about 16 miles an hour, tops, which is just enough to feel like you’re going somewhere without feeling out-of-control. It can go about 22 miles on full-motor power before you need to recharge it, which makes it great as an every-day 3 wheeler bike to take you to work, to the store and through the park on the way home. A horn for getting a pedestrian’s attention and a built-in light to brighten those evening rides completes the safety ensemble.

If you are into recumbent bikes (where the entire frame is lower to the ground you settle on into the seat by leaning back and relaxing into it, the E.V.O. is a definite possibility. So, it’s not really a bike for beginners or people who aren’t willing to try that new riding configuration. It can take some getting used to, but those who have gotten used to it, love it. It’s a sporty, ready-for-the-road bike with a powerful 400-watt battery-powered motor built by Bosch. The motor makes very little noise, and it’s capable of really getting some speed in. There’s also 4 levels of pedal assist with this e-trike, so you can go all the way from self-propelled power to full-battery power without any difficulties. The battery pack is situated so that the trike is beautifully balanced, has a very low center of gravity and provides a very sleek, smooth ride. It also includes a display that shows you all of your important riding information, such as how far you’ve gone and how far you can keep going until the next battery charging session.

The great thing about this e-trike is the super fat tires. And even though the tires are very wide, they are very maneuverable and versatile. Because of the fat, puncture-resistant tires, you have more terrain options. While many of these trikes really shine on pavement or hard-packed trails, this e-trike can take you on backwoods roads, up hills, through sand (beach cruising) and even through the snow. So if you live in an area where you’ll need to travel through those conditions on a regular basis, this is a good option to consider. It has a robust 750-watt battery for its motor, and it can go up to 55 miles between charges as well, which is pretty amazing. The large back rack (that carries up to 100 pounds of cargo) comes with a waterproof bag that stores gear you might need during inclement weather too. The u-shaped handlebars make for easy, ergonomic riding and the wide seat is comfortable enough to go for long distances without that achey feeling you might otherwise get after awhile on a bike.

We say it’s good for those who want to pedal, and that’s true. But it still comes with a fantastically powered Bosch motor that sports a 400-watt battery. It’s built for journeys where you might want to pedal in the beginning, go have fun at your destination, and then let the bike do it’s pedal-assist magic (it has 4 different levels of pedal assist to choose from) on the way home. It’s also got an onboard computer that shows you how long you have between charges (about 25 miles). The battery only takes about 4 hours to charge, so if you’re planning to use this as a commuter trike, you can easily use it during the day and have it re-charged enough after dinner to go on a night ride. It accommodates riders up to about 265 pounds and provides a very stable center of gravity that can help riders with mobility or stability issues to get out and enjoy a good ride.

With a cute name like “Emoji” it has to be great for a lot of different seasons, and it is. With a 330-pound load bearing capacity, it can get the job done for you in any weather. It has fat tires built especially for getting good traction, even if it’s snowing. The hydraulic disc brakes are also very responsive. Imagine riding through a rainy fall day with slippery leaves all over the path or the road. Yes, this electric trike is built just for those kinds of situations. It can go up to 20 miles per hour with its 500-watt motor. It’s also got a comfortable seat - with a backrest even - so that you can settle in and let the bike do its work when you’ve had a long day. It can go about 35 miles between charges, and takes about 4 to 6 hours to regain its fully-charged status. The step-throuh frame is also comfortable and easy to get on and off, so it’s a real work horse of an electric tricycle.

Not only is this 3 wheeler electric bike a treat to mount with its low-slung frame, but the seat is so comfortable. It’s oversized with a 400-pound carrying capacity. The seat is cushy, and it's got a recumbent back so you can just sit back and let the bike do the work for you if you don’t want to pedal. This one has a great center of gravity for those who want an ultra safe, stable ride. Again, it’s not the fastest e-trike on the market, but it goes a respectable and reasonable 15 miles per hour on the road, so it makes commuting to work, to the store, to the post office or wherever the heck you have to go very easy, very safe and very comfortable. It’s a great casual bike for those who want to cut down on their car usage, but who aren’t looking to train for the Tour de France anytime soon. It’s got a good 500-watt battery powering its motor, which can go about 20 miles between charges. One thing is that it takes about 8 hours to charge up, but that is reasonable if you use it during the day and then park it to charge overnight. It will be ready to go the next morning, no problem. It’s got large carrying baskets, a horn and lights already attached too.

Now, it’s impossible to tell, just from a blog post, which electric trike is going to fit your needs the best, but this list should help you narrow it down some. If you can find models in your area to try out on the road, or at least a parking lot, that should give you a better idea of what feels best for you. Your electric 3-wheeler really needs to fit you personally. That means finding a bike that goes as far and as long as you want it to, remains sturdy, takes you through the elements and is fun and comfortable. Here at Sixthreezero, we are committed to making sure our bikes fit you and what you want to do. Whether you want a casual, fun-time e-trike or a daily commute tricycle, or one that’s a little sportier, our electric trikes are especially built for ergonomics, safety and impeccable, beach cruiser style.

One way to ensure you get a bike that fits you personally is to go over to the FIT panel on the right of this page and enter your details. This will help narrow down the suggestions so that you can save time and get the electric bike or electric trike that has your name written all over it. You can also contact us any time with questions, and one of our friendly biking experts will be glad to help you find what you need. Send us an email at theteam@sixthreezero today if you have any questions at all, and we will be happy to help!