Brand comparison
Aventon vs Tern
Aventon scores 6.6 across 12 products; Tern scores 6.2 across 12. They overlap in electric bikes. That is 100% of what Aventon sells and 100% of what Tern sells. Aventon leads on battery, Tern on weight.
All 12 Aventon products
Aventon
12 of 12 products scored · $1,199 – $5,999
Buy Now- Battery — 5.0 against 2.0
All 12 Tern products
Tern
12 of 12 products scored · $2,999 – $7,999
Buy Now- Weight — 6.0 against 5.5
Across everything we scored, Aventon sits 0.45 ahead — led by battery.
Brand verdict
ahead · +0.45 (6.6 vs 6.2)
Pick Aventon when
Battery matters most5.0vs2.0
Pick Tern when
Weight matters most6.0vs5.5
Scored 21 October 2026 from published specs and owner reviews. We don't buy or test units. How we score
Most common complaints
Aventon Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
Overall score 6.8- weight
- charge port location
- headlight cannot be upgraded
Tern Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
Overall score 6.7- deep mud
- weight
From owner reviews of each brand's top-scored product in Electric Bikes.
Usability Aventon and Tern, median scores 0 to 10
Median scores on a 0–10 scale.
BatteryAventon: 5 (higher)Tern: 2
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- 733 Wh (36 V, 20 Ah) on the commuter ladder
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- 800 Wh Bosch pack on the cargo ladder (Wh printed, V and Ah not)
- Option: dual-battery ready, 1,600 Wh with a second pack sold separately
- Range: 58-100 mi claimed on one pack
FeaturesAventon: 8 (higher)Tern: 5.5
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- removable battery, lights, colour display, GPS, throttle, rack and fenders, IPX5
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- removable battery, lights, colour display, GPS and alarm, rack and fenders
VerificationAventon: 6 (higher)Tern: 4
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- UL 2849 certificate UL-US-2557601-3 names Level 4 REC (UL file QGNS.E541149)
- Searched: UL Certipedia Intertek TÜV SÜD SGS CPSC Health Canada
- Record: UL Product iQ, ANSI/CAN/UL 2849:2022A (QGNS), LEVEL, Level, Level 4 REC, Pace 5 REC, RIDE AVENTON INC
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- Bosch ETL UL 2849 drive-system listing only; no record names the Orox R14 (27.5")
- Searched: Intertek Certipedia UL SGS TÜV SÜD CPSC Health Canada
- Record: Intertek ETL, ANSI/CAN/UL-2849 (Electrical Systems for eBikes), none: drive-system listing, does not name any Tern bike, ROBERT BOSCH LLC - Foothill Ranch, CA
Ride HardwareAventon: 7.5 (higher)Tern: 6
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- hydraulic discs, 180 mm rotors, 80 mm coil fork, switchable torque sensor
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- 4-piston hydraulic discs, 203 mm rotors, rigid fork, torque sensor
WeightAventon: 5.5Tern: 6 (higher)
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- 68.5 lb, maker figure
- Measured: 70.3 lb by OutdoorGearLab
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- 83.1 lb in size medium as listed by Tern
- Load: 463 lb gross on pavement, 397 lb off-road
Same score
MotorAventon: 5Tern: 5
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- 80 Nm rear hub, 750 W nominal
- Peak: 1,188 W, 1,440 W in Boost claimed, not scored
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- 85 Nm Bosch Performance Line CX mid-drive
Warranty & SupportAventon: 5Tern: 5
Aventon top-scored: Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike
- two years on battery and motor, not prorated
- Battery: two years or 300 charge cycles, whichever comes first
- Frame: two years, lifetime if registered within 90 days, not scored
Tern top-scored: Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike
- two years from Bosch on battery and drive unit (Tern excludes Bosch parts)
- Frame: Tern frame, fork and handlepost five years, ten with Tern Care; other Tern parts one year
Social score about Aventon and Tern
Independent sources pooled per brand. N of M = how many scored products carry the brand-level reading shown, out of all scored.
RedditAventon: 5.5Tern: 7 (higher)
Aventon
Read the full summary
- R/Aventon and r/ebikes owners praise the value, features and security tech of current models (2025-2026)|r/Aventon threads report slow support on warranty claims and delivery defects (Aug 2026)
Brand rollup across scored products. 6 of 12 scored products carry this reading.
Same score
GoogleAventon: 8Tern: 8
Aventon
Read the full summary
- OutdoorGearLab (bought units) tested nine current Aventon e-bikes with scores from 73 to 91 out of 100 and four Editors’ Choice awards (Jan 2025 to Jul 2026)
Brand rollup across scored products. 1 of 12 scored products carry this reading.
Scored for one brand only
YouTubeAventon: not scoredTern: 7
Tern
Read the full summary
- ElectricBikeReview.com, which takes manufacturer testing fees, has video-reviewed several Tern cargo bikes and called the GSD S10 Gen 3 the best cargo e-bike it had tested (Dec 2025)
Brand rollup across scored products. 10 of 12 scored products carry this reading.
Not enough data for either brand
- AmazonAventon: not scoredTern: not scored
- Owner reviewsAventon: not scoredTern: not scored
The scores above are our reading of the evidence below. This is the evidence.
Safety listings are recorded per product from the certifier's own directory, by model, not from the maker's wording. Most of the listings in this category can be checked in TÜV Rheinland's Certipedia.
Warranty terms
Aventon
12 of 12
Tern
12 of 12
Best Aventon vs best Tern, category by category
The three best-scoring products each brand sells in every category they both compete in, ranked by overall score.
Electric Bikes
See all Electric Bikes products
5th of 188 in E-Bikes
Strengths
- Comfortablesporty ride
- Strong hill-climbing power
- Rack, fenderslights and throttle come fitted
- GPS tracking and an app lock deter theft
Drawbacks
- Heavy for a commuter
- Charge port sits in an awkward spot
- Regen braking cut out when the motor ran hot
12th of 188 in E-Bikes
Strengths
- Rohloff hub and belt need little upkeep
- Large battery with room for a second
- Powerful four-piston brakes
- GPS tracking and alarm built in
Drawbacks
- Very heavy to lift
- Rigid fork passes bumps through
- Struggles on muddy trails
- Long frame is hard to store
9th of 188 in E-Bikes
Strengths
- Short wheelbase handles like a regular bike
- Fully equipped with rackfenders and guards
- GPS tracking and an app lock deter theft
- Comfortable over rough pavement
Drawbacks
- Too heavy for most car racks
- Room for only one passenger
- Tested range trails its longer sibling
17th of 188 in E-Bikes
Strengths
- GPS tracking and alarm built in
- Colour display that locks the bike
- Bright headlight and brake light
- Higher top speed for commuting
Drawbacks
- Older frame with a lower load rating
- Small rear brake rotor
- Heavy to carry up stairs
- No throttle for loaded starts
10th of 188 in E-Bikes
Strengths
- Full trail-grade suspension front and rear
- Powerfulnatural climbing assist
- Long tested trail range
- GPS tracking and alarm on a trail bike
Drawbacks
- Heavier than the carbon version
- No lights fitted
- Stock tire casing may wear quickly
27th of 188 in E-Bikes
Strengths
- Strong motor for hills and loads
- Automatic shifting works well
- Higher top speed for longer commutes
- Light for a cargo bike
Drawbacks
- Front brake felt spongy in one test
- Slow on steep climbs in a timed test
- No GPS tracking on this trim
- Chain drive needs more upkeep than a belt
Aventon vs Tern: the numbers
Aventon vs Tern: common questions
Is Aventon or Tern better?
Aventon 6.6 from 12 scored products; Tern 6.2 from 12.
What is the biggest difference between Aventon and Tern?
Battery: Aventon medians 5.0, Tern medians 2.0 (Aventon by 3.0).
Which is better for features, Aventon or Tern?
Aventon on features — Aventon 8.0, Tern 5.5.
Which is better for verification, Aventon or Tern?
Aventon on verification — Aventon 6.0, Tern 4.0.
Which Aventon and Tern electric bikes should I buy?
Aventon: Aventon Level 4 REC Commuter Electric Bike. Tern: Tern Orox R14 All-Terrain Electric Cargo Bike.
How does Stuff VS Things score Aventon and Tern?
Our own product medians: 12 Aventon and 12 Tern. A criterion is compared only where both brands clear the floor.
Other comparisons
Scores calculated 21 October 2026 · Products excluded where fewer than two independent sources cover them · · How we score