If you can save your legs, lungs, and back on a hunt, you’ll have an edge when the going gets tough. But long gone are the days where only those with gas dirt bikes and legs built for the Tour de France could extend hunting ranges.
EV dirt bikes and bicycles have made it possible to truly dive further into the backcountry (at least in certain areas). They also make it easy to stealthily access your treestand on the back 80.
So whether it’s an electric bike with pedals or pegs that you’re after, here are the best EV bikes to help you hunt the Rockies or the family farm in Iowa.
- Editor’s Choice: QuietKat Apex Pro
- Best Dirt Bike: Stark Varg EX
- Best Electric Bike for Whitetail: Bakcou Mule Jager with Deer Trailer
- Best AWD Bike: UBCO 2×2 Hunt Edition
- Best Budget Twist-and-Go: Niu XQi3
- Best Budget Pedal-Assisted: Buzz Centris Folding Ebike
- Runner Up Budget Pedal-Assisted: Ozark Trail M.3 Ranger+
- Best Step-Through Fat-Tire E-Bike: Dirwin Pioneer Plus
How We Chose the Best Electric Bikes for Hunting
I’ve been riding motorcycles, dirt bikes, and bicycles pretty much ever since I could walk. And I’ve used all the brands here, along with having had the Stark, Niu, UBCO, and QuietKats in my possession for over a year. (My youngest kid actually cried when the UBCO went home).
My picks are based on real-world, hands-on-testing in the mountains of Utah, where I live. I’ve test rode most of these, bikes with only a few exceptions. The Bakcou, which I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on, was vouched for by a bunch of my hunting friends who swear by Bakcou, having put them to use, and gotten them bloody many, many times. And that deer trailer accessory that Bakcou offers would’ve been absolutely choice to help me with packing out my late-archery mule deer buck last season where the Stark wasn’t allowed.
I also leaned on the other editors and writers here at Outdoor Life, who used a few of the other makes and models in their own adventures. I applied my institutional knowledge of e-bikes, dirt bikes, and all things two-wheels to choose my picks. You won’t be let down with any of these bikes when you’re using them hard.
Best Electric Bikes for Hunting: Reviews & Recommendations
Editor’s Choice: QuietKat Apex Pro
Pros
- Fast and smooth
- Easy to assemble
- Quality components
- Quiet
Cons
- Expensive
Key Features
-
Weight: 70 pounds -
Load Capacity: 325 lbs -
Sizes: Small, medium, and large -
Motor: 1000W Mid-Drive -
Battery: 17.25AH/48V; 828Wh; Weighs 10 pounds -
Range: 25 to 52 Miles -
Modes: Three Levels of Power Assist, Throttle, Walk Assist Mode -
Gears: SRAM 9-Speed -
Brakes: TEKTRO 4-Piston Hydraulic Disc -
Suspension: KKE 140mm Inverted Suspension Fork -
Tires: 26 x 4.5- inch all-terrain -
Price: $5,099
I currently have a QuietKat Ranger in my shed, which I used two seasons ago on a mule deer hunt, along with late-season elk. It helped me move through the areas I’d scouted with supreme ease, and I concur with gear editor Scott Einsmann’s take on the Apex Pro, too.
Here’s what he has to say.
“The Apex Pro is incredibly smooth for a powerful and fast e-bike. In first gear on unlimited mode, I did 13 mph up a steep hill and hit 25 mph on flat ground. When I hit those 20+mph speeds, I felt no wobbling and remained in control. The brakes were quiet and responsive throughout six months of use. The seat is comfortable for long rides, and overall the ride is luxurious.
The battery lasted an average of 20 miles for me, which is under the stated range. That could be because I was often pulling a trailer up hills. Regardless, I’d suggest an extra battery if you plan to cover more ground than 20 miles, just to be safe.
If you’re looking at an e-bike a QuietKat should be at the top of your list for one reason: Variable Output Technology. Their VPO allows you to adjust the bike’s power output to be in compliance with class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike laws. You can also put the bike on unlimited power for private land use.
In my opinion, the Apex Pro is the best electric bike for hunting available, and it’s priced like a premium bike. If you’re looking for something that has a lot of the power and features of the Apex Pro, but is about $2,000 cheaper, check out the Ranger XR. It has a 750-watt hub-drive motor with VPO technology and offers a lot of value for the dollar.” —Scott Einsmann, gear editor
Best Dirt Bike: Stark Varg EX
Pros
- Can get through anything with its grippy dirt bike tires
- Lots of range
- Customizable power and torque levels
- Street legal
Cons
- No pedals if you run out of range
- Limited load capacity
- Expensive
Key Features
-
Weight: 264 pounds -
Load Capacity: Suspension is designed for riders up to 220lbs -
Sizes: 1 size, but multiple suspension setups for different weight riders -
Motor: Electric PMAC -
Battery: 7.2kWh -
Range: 7 hours or around 70 Miles on low power -
Modes: Customizable power, torque, and throttle maps -
Brakes: Brembo with regen -
Suspension: Kayaba, adjustable -
Tires: Metzler -
Price: $12,990
I know what you’re going to say but, yes, the Stark Varg EX is a full-on electric dirt bike, and the most powerful dirt bike on the planet with 80 horsepower. But after a year behind its bars, I think it may well be perfect for many hunters.
Stark’s Varg EX is the enduro model, meaning that it comes with a headlight and taillights, which not only allows you to register it as a street-legal vehicle, but those earlier morning and late night entries and exits out of the woods become easier. The EV dirt bike is centered around a 7.2-kWh battery, doling out the aforementioned 80 horsepower (in the Alpha variant 60 horsepower is standard) and an infinitely programmable set of power modes to tune horsepower and torque delivery, regenerative energy recovery, or battery life. There’s also fully adjusted suspension, and the ability to get hand controls for the rear brake just like a regular bicycle.
But the ability to switch horsepower and torque on the fly, as well as power through all manner of mud, muck, snow, rain, and dirt trump everything else on this list. And I fully tested that hypothesis throughout my hunting seasons, where I took it both on a blacktail rifle hunt in southern Oregon, and during my archery mule deer season in Utah.
In total, I put over 100 miles on the Stark during just my Oregon trip, speeding through the forests, climbing gnarly singletrack, and searching desperately for those elusive deer. I saw a ton of country, and got close to deer thanks to the Varg EX being so quiet.
One of the great benefits of the Varg Ex is that you don’t have to ride with a lock or chain. Built into its system is an in-motor locking mechanism that’ll keep it from moving a single inch when activated via the dirt bike’s dashboard. That means you won’t have to worry about some unscrupulous hunters stealing it. That made leaving the trail in Oregon and Utah much easier to swallow.
I never had an issue with this bike’s range, as setting it in its lowest power and torque mode, and killing regen (apart from big, long downhill sections), I had plenty of battery each day. And charging to 100% takes under three hours, even with a standard 120V socket. It was the perfect companion in the mountains. It’ll get through literally everything you can throw at it.
The Varg EX is a dirt bike after all, and it’s priced like a 450cc, so you’re going to be shelling out for one. But given how much we all already spend on our hunting passions, what’s the price of saving your legs and literally being able to go anywhere silently?
Best Electric Bike for Whitetail Hunting: Bakcou Mule Jager with Deer Trailer
Pros
- Powerful battery
- Can go places dirt bikes sometimes are barred from entry
- Works with a trailer to load and unload gear or game
- Large tires for better slushy trails
Cons
- Accessories make it more ideal
- Suspension could be better
Key Features
-
Weight: 76-80 pounds depending on battery -
Load Capacity: 350+ lbs -
Sizes: 1 -
Motor: Bafang Ultra mid-drive motor -
Battery: 48 Volt Lithium-Ion with three sizes -
Range: Up to 80 Miles -
Modes: Bakcou’s On-Demand Program (ODP): Toggle through Class 1, 2, 3, or unlimited modes. -
Gears: 14 -
Brakes: Tektro HD E750 Quad Piston Hydraulic -
Suspension: BCEB -
Tires: Maxxis -
Price: $6,399
The whitetail is America’s most popular game animal. And the majority of whitetail hunting happens on private property, in the Midwest and South. That makes it far more likely that there’ll be a trail system nearby that Bakcou’s Mule Jager can roll down, and become an invaluable tool.
This is especially true when you add on the brand’s deer trailer.
Bakcou’s electric Mule Jager is designed to make easy work of any and all whitetail trails, as its heavy-duty frame can withstand whatever the whitetail woods throw at you. Range is about 80 miles, though you will have to pedal to get the full mileage. The bike’s fat tires will push their way through all manner of late season snow and slush. The Mule Jager is the upgraded version of the prior Mule, and the new iteration adds a Rohloff Speed Hub, which the company states “delivers a massive 526% gear range and allows shifting through all 14 gears without pedaling.” Basically, less work on the old calves, thighs, and glutes.
You can also option the Mule Jager with a headlight, a big plus for most hunters. However the biggest add-on you need, and one that works perfectly with the e-bike, is Bakcou’s Deer Trailer. Folks, this would’ve been a gamechanger for my mule deer hunt last year, as I shot my buck in a spot where e-bikes can go, but not dirt bikes.
The Deer Trailer is just that, a little trailer that connects to the rear of the Mule Jager, and offers you a platform to haul out your harvest. It even tilts for easier loading. No more dragging or multiple trips with a heavy backpack, which is what I did (he was a big boy).
Best AWD Bike: UBCO 2×2 Hunt Edition
Pros
- Faster and more powerful than other e-bikes
- Great performance for the price
- Quiet and comfortable ride
Cons
- Heavier than other ebikes
- Not rideable on non-motorized trails
Key Features
-
Two-wheel drive -
Weight: 156 pounds -
Max carrying weight: 330 pounds -
Max range: 75 miles -
Max speed: 40 mph -
Motors: Two 1,000 watt (front and rear) -
Battery: 3.1 kWh -
Accessories: Variety of racks and mounts available -
2,400 lumen headlight -
Price: $6,499
I loved my time with the UBCO 2×2, and was initially sad to see the company go into administration last year. But a handful of folks revived the company and ensured that it would live again to help get folks into the backcountry.
It’s an incredibly useful machine, and while Outdoor Life’s Editor-in-Chief Alex Robinson points out that it “Isn’t really an electric bicycle,” it absolutely goes in line with my other twist-and-go picks from this revised list. Plus, with the amount of useful surfaces, both at the front, back, and in the middle, the Ubco is basically made for hunters who want to carry a bunch of gear into the woods — and then ride their harvest out.
Per Robinson’s initial thoughts, “This mean machine has a max speed of 40 mph, it weighs 156 pounds, and there are no pedals. If you’re hunting private lands or public lands where motorized vehicles are allowed, this just might be the best all-around best electric bike for hunting. With its max range of 75 miles, it will have you covered for almost any hunt imaginable. The 330-pound max carrying capacity is enough to get most hunters and their meat out in one pull.”
I’ll point out right here, that carrying that max payload, however, will reduce range. Likewise, you’ll also have way more weight on it, which can make it unstable. That said, I ran an UBCO through mud and snow, and never fell on those slippery surfaces.
Robinson continues, “It has a variety of rack options and Molle side panels for strapping on gear and guns (though while field testing my bike I left all the racks and attachments off to keep it as streamlined as possible). And at $6,500, it’s not much more expensive than other top-end electric bikes in this review. With its 2-wheel drive (1000 watt hub motors on the rear and front) and 3.1 kWh battery, it’s a much more powerful machine all-around.
I field tested the UBCO bike during the 2023 hunting season and found it to be an absolute joy to ride. It was super intuitive and I felt confident cruising over a variety of terrains. I used the bike to exercise my bird dog down dirt roads around my house and was impressed by the bike’s get-up-and-go and overall speed. I also used the UBCO bike to access stands and set trail cameras on a private deer hunting property in Wisconsin. It was here that I tested the bike on mud, snow, hills, and rock. The 2-wheel drive was essential. The only place the bike struggled a bit was on frozen or slick ground.
However I had no problem riding the bike down trails and through fields at a slow, stealthy pace. Stealth, afterall, is the real benefit of an ebike while hunting. You can slip into setups much more quietly than you can with a four wheeler, or even while walking. Plus, your feet never touch the ground so you leave less of a scent trail. At low speeds I found the bike to be essentially silent. At higher speeds (15 mph or more) there is a high-pitched whine of the electric motor but it is exponentially quieter than any gas-powered vehicle.
There are only two negatives I can see with this bike when compared to pedal-style e-bikes. First, the UBCO is much heavier. All e-bikes are heavy, but this one is too heavy to simply toss onto a bike rack. So, you’ll want to have a plan for transporting the bike. I simply used a ramp to roll it into the bed of my pickup truck. Second, it’s a motorized vehicle, so you can’t legally ride it on non-motorized trails. This might be a deal breaker for some backcountry hunters, but it’s inconsequential for private land hunters or those who don’t need to ride on public non-motorized trails. More and more private land hunters are getting into the electric bike trend for the stealth that the machines offer. And for that crowd, one of the best options is the UBCO hunt.” —Alex Robinson
Best Budget Twist-and-Go: Niu XQi3
Pros
- Relatively inexpensive compared to other dirt-bike-like electric machines
- Easy to operate
- Incredibly light, making unloading and loading a breeze
Cons
- The interface can be glitchy
- Keycard key is slightly annoying
Key Features
-
Weight: 167 pounds -
Sizes: 1 Size, two models -
Motor: 72V -
Battery: Swappable, 11kW 4th Gen Niu Energy Smart Power Tech -
Range: 50 Miles -
Modes: 3 -
Brakes: Niu, 220 mm front/rear disk brake -
Suspension: Adjustable KKE -
Tires: 19-inch front, 20-inch rear off-road -
Price: $4,999
Whereas the Stark Varg EX is a full-on all-electric dirt bike, and designed to be nigh unstoppable, Niu’s XQi3 more closely resembles a pedal-assisted bicycle sans the pedals. And that’s sort of why I love it.
The XQi3 is the perfect blend of the two disciplines, as it is a fully twist-and-go electric bike, but doesn’t have the fully-laden weight of something like the Stark Varg. It’s light—167 pounds—which makes it more easily packed into the back of your truck, while still maintaining most of the features you’d get in full-fat dirt bikes. There’s a headlight and brakelight for dawn and dusk patrol, knobby tires which are perfect for early season rain storms or late season snow, and it’s got plenty of oomph to get you moving with a full pack or deer strapped to the back of it. I had not one, but all three of my kids on the saddle in one instance.
I’m not exactly the lightest man on the planet, either.
Range is a solid 55-60 miles, but with a super easily swapped battery pack for extended range or quick trips back to the truck for a battery exchange. And you have a top speed of over 50. And like the Stark, it has a built-in locking mechanism. However, whereas the Stark worked through the dashboard, you need the Niu’s key card to lock the bike, and I found that you sometimes need to place the card on the locking mechanism twice to get it to fully engage.
The Niu’s price, however, is stellar. It’s a third of what the Stark costs, and is the same price as some of these other pedal-assisted electric bicycles. But unlike them, you don’t need legs of steel to get the XQi3 moving. You just twist the throttle, pop a wheelie, and impress your hunting partners with your motorcycle prowess while they’re stuck huffing and puffing up the hill with their punny pedal bicycles.
Best Budget Pedal-Assisted: Buzz Centris Folding Ebike
Kyle Ramey
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Step-through frame
- Foldable design
- Affordable price tag
Cons
- Uncomfortable seat
Key Features
-
Motor: 500w rear hub -
Battery: 48V / 10.4 AH -
Load Capacity: 330 pounds -
Gearing: 5 power levels -
Weight: 68 pounds (with battery) -
Tire Size: 20 x 4 inches -
Throttle: Right thumb -
Price: $899
This is the only electric bike I don’t have a personal connection to, but OL contributor Alice Jones Webb reviewed it. And having met Alice, reading many of her stories, and seeing the hard work she’s put in every time she goes into the woods, I fully support this take on the Buzz.
“I used the Buzz Centris for public land hunting during spring turkey season. It was the perfect way for me to get beyond deeper into the woods before daylight and still get out in time for work.
Assembling the Centris was incredibly easy. The process was intuitive and the instructions were easy to follow.
Once it’s folded, the Centris doesn’t take up much space in a truck bed. Alice Jones Webb
The Centris is relatively heavy at 68 pounds, which made getting it in and out of a truck bed difficult when I was hunting solo. However, the bike folds up easily and doesn’t take up a ton of real estate once you get it in there. Two of these bikes folded would easily fit in the 5-foot bed of my Chevy Colorado.
I appreciated the Centris’s step-through frame. The lower step-over height (only 16 inches) made it super easy to transition from ground to saddle, even when I was sporting heavy rubber boots. This feature could also help hunters with mobility issues get in and out of the woods with less effort.
While many electric bikes have rear racks for attaching gear, the Centris also has a front gear rack, which is perfect for strapping down a turkey vest, decoys, or a freshly tagged bird.
The Centris’s front gear rack is the perfect size to hold a well-stocked turkey vest.
While the Centris is packed with hunter-friendly features, one of my favorites is the price tag. Most electric bikes for hunting cost several thousand dollars. This one comes in well under $1,000, and I honestly couldn’t tell much difference in performance.
My only real gripe with this bike is the uncomfortable seat. The included saddle is about as comfortable as a rock, and after only a few minutes of bouncing on uneven terrain, my glutes were crying. But upgrading to a comfier bike seat isn’t a big deal, and I’ll definitely be making the transition before bow season rolls around.” — Alice Jones Webb
Runner Up Budget Pedal-Assisted: Ozark Trail M.3 Ranger+
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Great tires
- Standard load shelf
- Five levels of pedal assist
Cons
- Shorter range
- No rear suspension
Key Features
-
Motor: 48V, 500W rear hub motor -
Battery: 48V, 10.4AH integrated battery -
Load Capacity: 275 pounds -
Range: 20 miles -
Gearing: 5 Levels of assist -
Weight: 73 pounds (with battery) -
Tire Size: 26 x 4 inches -
Price: $748
This is an interesting e-bike, and while I’ve never used it myself, I’ve used Walmart’s Ozark Trail gear for years. Now, everyone will say that this gear is cheap, and they’re right. But what most folks won’t cop to is that, even though it’s cheap, it still works. And this M.3 Ranger+ e-bike seems like a steal.
Priced so that most normal human beings can actually afford it, the M.3 Ranger+ (a terrible name) has the specs you’d want from a hunting e-bike. Load capacity is a respectable 275 pounds, range is pegged at 20 miles total, though that’s if you’re just railing on it, and it comes complete with fat Kenda tires perfect for slicing through mushy mud, snow, or rutted-out trails. The M.3 Ranger+ also comes with a standard headlight and loadshelf, so early-morning rips to your tree stand should be easy-peasy.
About my only criticism is that there’s no rear suspension, and that does present a problem when you load up with your backpack or with a pack full of meat. Rear suspension would help alleviate any bumps or jolts you feel, as your pack is gonna be weighing you down, and all that weight will be felt. But this bike costs under $1,000, and will help you go further in the woods, so what more can you really expect or ask for?
Best Step-Through Fat-Tire E-Bike: Dirwin Pioneer Plus
Pros
- Solid range
- Integrated rear deck
- Easy step-through design
Cons
- Small lights
- Not the most stable design for slush or mud
Key Features
-
Motor: 750W Bafang rear hub -
Battery: 48V lithium -
Load Capacity: 350 pounds -
Range: 40-70 miles -
Gearing: 5 Levels of assist, 7-speed -
Weight: 81 pounds (with battery) -
Tire Size: 26 x 4 inches -
Price: $2,299
Recall the last time you attempted to get on a bicycle or dirt bike, or even your other e-bike, with a full pack on. Was it graceful? I’m betting it wasn’t. I’ve played that game of “HEAVE” your leg over the saddle of the bike with a pack full of gear weighing me down.
This all gets a lot easier, however, if you consider a bike like Dirwin’s Pioneer Plus, with its step-through design.
Powered by a 750-watt Bafang rear hub motor, and coupled with a 48V lithium-ion battery, the Dirwin is good for between 40 and 70 miles of pure electric range. You’ll likely go farther if you pedal, too, or switch between the modes. There’s five levels of pedal assist, along with a 7-speed gearbox so you can actually climb some hills. It sports a set of fat tires from Kenda—everyoe’s favorite fat-tire manufacturer—that are designed to soak up whatever you throw at them. The e-bike also comes in three colorways, including two different camo patterns, and one solid black.
There’s also an integrated headlight for early and late romps into the woods, as well as a standard pack shelf, which makes it easier to get stuff into and out of where you’re going. Like the Ozark Trail above, however, the Dirwin doesn’t come with rear suspension, and it’s considerably more than the Walmart brand above. On the upside, you do get a better battery, longer range, and more capability.
Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Bike
Budget
EV bike prices vary wildly, so you’re going to have to whittle down what exactly you’re looking for, as well as what your budget allows. My perfect pick is the price of a regular 450cc dirt bike, while my budget pick is around what you’d spend for a regular e-bike. That spread is a whopping $10,000.
It all depends on what you want to do and what you want to get out of the vehicle. A bike for the whitetail woods will likely be more affordable than what you’ll need to ride deep into the mountains.
Distance and Battery Life
Battery packs vary, too, as well as charging infrastructure and charging methods. Pedal-assisted e-bikes are going to have the longest ranges, as you can always switch over to your human-powered legs. But the trade-off is that they don’t have big batteries. On the flipside, the bigger battery EV dirt bikes don’t have the longest ranges, and if you run out of juice, you’re stranded.
Load Hauling
Some of these EV bikes come with load shelves out back, while others you can hook up trailers to, and some, like the EV dirt bikes, you’ll be strapping your gear or harvest to your back or to the rear deck. That can get sketchy, depending on your riding skills.
But hey, I’ve watched old hunting videos from the 1960s where folks strapped a full mule deer to the back of a Honda off-road scooter, so anything is possible if you believe.
Bike Size
This is going to be a contentious subject, as it requires you to be honest with yourself and the world, but not everyone is built to the same specification. Yes, I’m talking about height, as one of the chief things to worry about when you’re purchasing a bike, whether it’s pedal-assisted or full-on twist-and-go. Height will determine how you fit on the bike and whether or not you can stand while stationary.
You want something that’s built to inspire confidence, as you’ll routinely find trails and tracks are unmaintained and often greasy from either rain, sleet, or snow. Being able to put a foot down is hugely important, especially in slick conditions.
My suggestion is that you look at the bike’s seat height before hitting “Buy It Now,” and then compare it to your inseam. And if you have a chance at sitting on the bike ahead of purchasing, do it. Imagine yourself with a heavy pack, too, as that’ll help you understand the balance point and whether you can stand or not.
FAQs
Q: How fast do electric bikes go?
A: Depends on the bike in question. Pedal EV bikes are slower than those more closely resembling dirt bikes. And the Stark Varg has a top speed of around 90mph.
Q: What is an electric hunting bike?
A: An electric hunting bike can mean either an electric pedal-assisted bicycle where the operator still needs to input work, or an electric dirt bike where you just twist the throttle.
Q: Can you use an electric bike for hunting?
A: In most areas, yes. But there are caveats and local regulations vary, so it’s up to you to understand the laws surrounding vehicles in your chosen locale, as certain places (like wilderness areas) may preclude you from using them. Be aware of road closures, too, as some areas only allow for pedal bicycles, but not motor or battery power, while others you could still use dirt bikes.
Final Thoughts on the Best Electric Bikes for Hunting
Electric bikes aren’t going to be useful for every hunt. Ultimately, your legs and lungs are going to be your most important tools. However, if I can save my energy and use a specialized vehicle to go further than most, I’m going to use it every time. Hunt smarter, not harder, and that’s exactly what any of these EV bikes will help you do.
The post The Best Electric Bikes for Hunting of 2026, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.
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