Best Tongsheng Motor: Our 2026 Ranking

Our ranking applies the same public grid to the four Tongsheng motors we track. It produces a result worth stating plainly: the highest claimed torque isn't always the best-rated motor.

The verdict, in one line

The TSDZ16 claims the highest torque (160 N·m), but it's the TSDZ8 that tops our ranking (8.5/10): up to 140 N·m, and above all a spec sheet fully published by Tongsheng, where the TSDZ16 has none at all.

1. Tongsheng TSDZ8 — the best-documented and the most powerful confirmed

Rating: 8.5/10 · 336 €

The TSDZ8 owes its top spot to a rare combination on this market: high torque (90 to 140 N·m, per Tongsheng itself) and a spec sheet the manufacturer publishes in full, dimensions and gear ratio included. It's the one point in this ranking where raw performance and manufacturer traceability point the same way instead of pulling apart.

Who it's for: most conversions — urban riding, touring, moderate-to-demanding hilly terrain. It's the default choice if you have no weight constraint or specific firmware project.

Skip it if: you're buying based on a bare "140 Nm" claim without checking the exact configuration — the official range runs from 90 to 140 N·m, and the low end of that range changes things for demanding use.

2. Tongsheng TSDZ2B — the lightest and most versatile

Rating: 8.4/10 · 306 €

80 N·m official, 3.6 kg — the lightest of the four — and unmatched voltage compatibility (24, 36 and 48 V, versus at most two voltages for the other models). The TSDZ2B is the second motor in the range with a spec sheet fully published by Tongsheng, with no missing values.

Who it's for: urban or moderate touring use, where the kit's light weight and straightforward installation matter more than peak torque. It's also the logical choice if you're rebuilding an older 24 V bike, the one voltage the TSDZ8 doesn't support.

Skip it if: you're hauling heavy loads or riding steep, sustained gradients — 80 N·m remains the lowest ceiling of the four models, well below the TSDZ8's 140 N·m.

3. Tongsheng TSDZ16 — the most powerful on paper

Rating: 7.9/10 · 366 €

160 N·m claimed by two independent, consistent resellers (Varstrom, Velocite) — reasonably credible, but not confirmed by any Tongsheng spec sheet. Weight (6 kg) and dimensions rest on a single source only: we display them with that caveat rather than as certainties.

Who it's for: riders who want the maximum power available under the Tongsheng name — cargo bikes, steep terrain — and accept the lack of manufacturer documentation in exchange. We recommend confirming the exact configuration with the reseller before any purchase for professional or intensive use.

Skip it if: official traceability is a decisive factor for you. The TSDZ8, only marginally less powerful on paper, offers a documentary guarantee the TSDZ16 doesn't.

4. Tongsheng TSDZ2 — the open-source firmware reference

Rating: 7.0/10 · 306 €

The brand's historical model, documented as early as December 2018 by the specialist e-bike press, since superseded by the TSDZ2B in Tongsheng's official catalog. Its value today no longer lies in its spec sheet — claimed torque ranges from 50 to 80 N·m depending on the reseller, with no source settling the question — but in its open-source firmware, developed and maintained for years by the TSDZ2-Smart-EBike community project.

Who it's for: conversion projects built around open-source firmware, or owners of an already-installed TSDZ2 looking for compatible spare parts. It's no longer a distinct new kit: searching "Tongsheng TSDZ2" today leads to the same configurable kit as the other three models.

Skip it if: you're buying a new kit with no specific firmware project — the TSDZ2B offers a fully documented spec sheet at the same entry price.

The ranking in one table

If you're still unsure

The right Tongsheng motor depends on your bike and your use case, not just the ranking. A cargo bike doesn't have the same needs as a light urban conversion.

→ Which Tongsheng motor to choose for your use case → The full range comparison → Prices and configuration: what moves the price