VARUN M26-3 Folding Electric Bike: Is This 50-Mile Portable Ebike Worth It?

A budget-friendly foldable e-bike perfect for commuters and apartment dwellers who want portability and decent range without spending a fortune, though it sacrifices top speed and some practical accessories.

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Best For

How this e-bike scores for different riding styles

Compact & Portable
85/100

Foldable design with high-carbon steel construction offers excellent portability for apartment storage and multi-modal transit. The combination of compact storage and removable battery makes it ideal for space-constrained situations.

Daily Commuting
78/100

The 50-mile range in assist mode and foldable design make it excellent for daily commutes, with integrated lights and LCD display adding practicality. However, the lack of fenders and rear rack slightly limits utility for all-weather commuting.

Recreational Leisure
75/100

Multiple riding modes including cruise control, comfortable dual suspension, and moderate 20 MPH speed suit leisurely rides well. The pedal-assist and sport modes offer flexibility for different recreational scenarios.

Off-Road Adventure
72/100

The 500W motor (750W peak), dual hydraulic suspension, 21-speed gears, and 26-inch mountain bike design provide solid off-road capability. However, it lacks fat tires and the foldable frame may not be as robust as dedicated mountain e-bikes for extreme trails.

High Performance
58/100

The 500W motor with 750W peak and 20 MPH top speed are entry-level for performance enthusiasts. While the 21-speed gears add versatility, the power and speed fall short of high-performance expectations that typically demand 1000W+ motors and 28+ MPH speeds.

Cargo & Utility
45/100

Missing rear rack and fenders significantly limit cargo capacity, and no specified max rider weight suggests it's not designed for heavy hauling. The foldable frame design prioritizes portability over load-bearing capability.

Our Verdict

The VARUN M26-3 electric bike delivers impressive value at $240, packing features typically found in bikes costing twice as much. The foldable design with high-carbon steel frame makes it super practical for anyone who needs to save space or take their bike on other transportation. You get a 500W motor that can boost up to 750W when you need extra power for hills, plus dual hydraulic suspension that soaks up bumps really well. The bike comes with bright LED lights for riding at night and a clear LCD screen that shows your speed and battery life. The removable battery is convenient because you can take it inside to charge instead of dragging your whole bike to an outlet.

This bike works best for people who commute to work or school and need something affordable and portable. If you live in an apartment or take the train part of your trip, the folding feature is super handy. The 50-mile range with pedal assist means you can ride all week without charging every day. The 21-speed gears and four riding modes let you pick pure electric when you're tired, pedal assist for exercise, sport mode for fun, or cruise control for relaxing rides. It's also good for weekend adventures on bike paths or easy trails thanks to the mountain bike design and suspension system.

The bike does have some weak spots to think about. It only goes 20 mph which is fine for bike paths but slower than faster e-bikes. The battery is on the small side at 374 Wh, so if you want to ride without pedaling at all, you won't get nearly 50 miles. It's missing fenders to keep you dry and a rack to carry groceries or bags. There's no UL safety certification either, which matters to some buyers. If you want to do serious mountain biking on really rough trails or need to go faster than 20 mph, you should look at more expensive bikes. But for the price, this bike gives you a lot of useful features and works great for everyday riding around town.

What We Like

  • Super affordable at just $240 making it one of the cheapest e-bikes with premium features like hydraulic suspension
  • Folds up small so you can store it in your apartment, take it on the bus, or fit it in your car trunk easily
  • Goes up to 50 miles on one charge when you use pedal assist mode which is great for long rides
  • Has 21 different gears plus cruise control so you can ride on flat roads or climb steep hills without getting tired
  • Charges fully in just 4-5 hours and the battery comes out so you can charge it inside your house

What Could Be Better

  • Only goes 20 mph which is slower than many other e-bikes that can reach 28 mph or more
  • Battery is small at 374 Wh meaning pure electric mode won't last as long as bigger battery bikes
  • Doesn't have UL safety certification which some buyers want for peace of mind about electrical safety
  • Missing fenders and a rear rack so you can't carry bags easily and you'll get wet in rain
  • The foldable frame might not be as strong as regular frames for really rough mountain bike trails

Standout Features

Foldable frame with dual hydraulic suspension
Rare combination at this price point - most budget bikes under $300 lack both folding capability and hydraulic suspension
50-mile maximum range with pedal assist
Above average for the price class, competing with bikes costing $500-800 in range capability
21-speed gear system with 4 riding modes
More versatile than typical budget e-bikes which usually offer 7-speed gears and 3 riding modes

Features

Included Features

Cruise Control
Foldable
Integrated Lights
LCD Display
Pedal Assist
Removable Battery
Suspension

Not Included

App Connectivity
Fat Tires
Fenders
Rear Rack
Throttle
UL Certified
USB Charging
Walk Mode

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about VARUN Electric Bike - 7-Speed Gears & 21-Speed Gears Folding Electric Bike - Ebike for Adults,Up to 20+MPH & 50 Mile Range, Dual Disc Brakes & Dual Hydraulic Suspension

How far can I ride on a single charge?

You can go up to 50 miles if you use pedal assist mode where you pedal along with the motor. If you use pure electric mode without pedaling, the range will be much shorter, probably around 15-25 miles since the battery is 374 Wh.

How long does it take to charge the battery?

The battery charges fully in 4 to 5 hours. You can remove the battery from the bike and charge it inside your home, which is really convenient if you don't have outdoor power outlets.

Can I ride this bike in the rain?

The battery has IPX4 waterproof protection which means it can handle light rain and splashes, but it's not fully waterproof. The bike doesn't come with fenders though, so you might get water splashed on you from the tires when riding on wet roads.

Is this bike easy to fold and store?

Yes, the bike is designed to fold up for easy storage in small spaces like apartments or car trunks. It's made from high-carbon steel which keeps it sturdy while still being portable when folded.

What's the fastest this bike can go?

The bike can reach speeds up to 20 mph with the 500W motor (which peaks at 750W). This speed is good for bike paths and city streets, and it meets the legal limit for Class 1 e-bikes in most places.

Scores

Overall Score 65/100
Value Score 92/100
Popularity 72/100

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Tags

budget friendly foldable design commuter ready apartment friendly entry level mountain long range assist hydraulic suspension removable battery multi speed gears best value under 300

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