DJI vs. Bosch e-bike motor duel: Is the Avinox really a game changer? The practical test
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 15.03.2026
The industry is therefore increasingly discussing a possible change in leadership. With this in mind, we have directly compared the two top engines and carried out comprehensive tests under laboratory conditions and in practice.
Every e-mountain biker can probably remember this one moment: the left thumb clicks the support level to full throttle for the very first time - and off you go! The power with which the modern units push the bike and biker up the mountain is impressive. Everyone who gets on a bike with an Avinox motor for the first time will probably experience a similar aha effect. Even if they have been used to the thrust of Bosch, Shimano or Brose for years: DJI takes the feeling of power to a whole new level.
Bosch has now launched the Power update for the Performance CX has followed suit and wants to close the gap to the Avinox M1 from DJI, at least to some extent. But how big is the difference really? How good are the two motors in direct comparison? And is power even the decisive criterion? We have analysed both systems intensively in the laboratory and in practice.
DJI far superior
The power question is quickly answered. If you ride the CX and Avinox in direct comparison, the difference in performance is still striking, even after Bosch's software update. This becomes clear both in the practical test and in our comparison on the roller dynamometer in the laboratory.
The Avinox delivers a real 990 watts, the Bosch CX 690 watts. This corresponds to an increase of a good 43 per cent. The Avinox only delivers its maximum torque in the short-term boost at the push of a button. Here too, the increase is very clear at 107 to 88 Newton metres. A strong feature of the Bosch CX: even at extremely high pedalling frequencies, the power unit delivers full power.
Our standardised test rides show how the figures play out in reality. An Avinox bike conquers our climb of 412 metres in altitude in under ten minutes with a 90-kilo rider pedalling comfortably, while a Bosch bike takes around 14 minutes.
These figures illustrate just how big the difference is. But they also show how enormous even the performance of the Bosch CX is. A moderately trained cyclist easily needs three times as long to climb 412 metres in altitude. With the Bosch boost, even untrained people can easily reach this altitude in under 20 minutes. Do you really need more?
Fact check: Bosch CX vs. DJI Avinox
Bosch Performance CX
- Top performance: 689 watts (BIKE measured value)
- Max. Torque: 88 Newton metres (BIKE measured value)
- Weight: 2850 grams (BIKE measured value)
- Batteries: 400 Wh (2075 g), 600 Wh (3050 g), 800 Wh (3950 g) (weights determined in the BIKE lab)
- Range Extender: 250 Wh, 1450 g, without accessories (weights determined in the BIKE lab)
- Charger4 A (manufacturer's specification), 700 g (BIKE measured value)
DJI Avinox M1
- Top performance: 987 watts (BIKE measured value)
- Max. Torque: 107 Newton metres (BIKE measured value)
- Weight: 2575 grams (BIKE measured value)
- Batteries: 600 Wh (2887 g), 800 Wh (3784 g) (weights determined in the BIKE lab)
- Range Extender: -
- Charger12 A (manufacturer's specification), 1100 g (BIKE measured value)
Bosch scores: brute force or finely dosed?
On extreme climbs with steep steps and obstacles, the extra power of the DJI makes life easier. With more momentum and reserves, you need less riding technique to master key sections.
There have been similarly powerful engines before, but the Avinox is the first engine in its power class to deliver thrust to the ground in a reasonably controlled manner. That is also impressive. But this is precisely where there is a clear difference to the Bosch CX. Especially in the new E-MTB+ mode, the classic is extremely well tuned.
A direct comparison reveals the following picture: The Avinox pushes forward with a lot of traction, but brute and sometimes a little impetuous, even if you reduce the power output. Although the Bosch CX is not exactly gentle either, it releases its power in a more measured and controllable manner.
The power is available exactly when you need it. With the situational overrun, the CX becomes a super tool for extreme uphill challenges under an experienced biker. Which motor is better suited to difficult climbs depends not only on the terrain but also on your personal riding style and technique.
Opinions: What the BIKE test crew says
Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor
"A lot of power is impressive in the car park test, but you have to get it on the ground first. Bosch's E-MTB+ blew me away on demanding uphills. This mode is the benchmark for me. Modulation meets power and dynamics. The DJI can't keep up with tricky uphill tricks - despite a massive power surplus."
Adrian Kaether, engine testing expert
"Whether CX or Avinox - I would be happy with either motor. The decisive factor is the bike in which the system is installed. The selection of Avinox bikes is still small at the moment, but that will change in the coming months. A rattling motor is a no-go for me. Bosch is definitely quiet, some Avinox motors rattled a lot in the test - DJI needs to get that under control."
Laurin Lehner, soul biker and trail fan
"The DJI Avinox has completely won me over. The overall package is just right - and I like the sleek look! The sheer power is more of a nice-to-have than a real game changer. To be honest, even the Bosch CX has more than enough power. Off-road, I found the difference to be manageable. My tip: Don't base your purchase decision on the number of watts or Newton metres."
The range of Bosch & DJI e-bike motors
One thing is clear: if you push the Avinox up the mountain in turbo mode, you shouldn't expect miracles. In our standardised range test, the boost from the 800 battery ends after just 38 minutes. 1600 metres in altitude are then on the clock. The 800 Powertube of the Bosch CX delivers one hour of turbo boost, which is enough for over 2000 metres of altitude. Important to know: The Avinox bike is much faster.
For a direct efficiency comparison, we reduced the power of the Avinox to the values of the CX and pushed both motors up the hill at the same pace. The DJI motor stalks much closer to the CX. For a long time, the battery levels dwindle analogue, but in the end Bosch has the upper hand. The Performance CX remains the benchmark in terms of range, but the Avinox doesn't slip up in this discipline either.
Battery & charging
600 or 800 watt hours - this is standard for the majority of CX and Avinox bikes. The DJI batteries are a good 150 grams lighter. However, they are almost always permanently installed in the down tube. The Bosch bikes usually come with quickly removable batteries and there is a wide range of concepts.
An absolute trump card of the Avinox system is the quick charger, which in some situations can make up for the disadvantage of a permanently installed battery. In one hour, the 800 battery is topped up to 48 per cent. In contrast, the slow Bosch charger (25 per cent in one hour) seems like something from another era. Bosch advantage: Most bikes can be upgraded with the 250 range extender.
Bosch CX charging times 800 Wh battery
- from 0 to 100 %: 6:08 hours
- 1 hour charging: 25 %
DJI Avinox charging times 800 Wh battery
- from 0 to 100 %: 2:33 hours
- 1 hour charging: 48 %
The pushing aid from Bosch and DJI
For a long time, the push assist on E-MTBs was a horror: Extremely helpful in theory, it often proved bitchy and uncomfortable in practice. The latest expansion stage from Bosch puts an end to this drama: reliable function, quick activation and the practical hill hold function keeps the bike in place when the button is released and prevents it from rolling backwards.
This provides a great deal of safety and comfort, especially in tricky situations on steep terrain. However, the challenger Avinox has done its homework: equipped with the same functions, the DJI push assist is absolutely on a par.
Loud or quiet?
How an engine sounds always depends on the frame in which it is installed. In addition, the perception of volume is very individual. Our experience: The drive noises from Bosch and DJI are at a similar level. The Avinox purrs quietly at low motor thrust and becomes louder and more intrusive than the Bosch unit at full thrust. The CX is clearly audible even at low power.
Downhill, Bosch has managed to completely eliminate the rattling from the gearbox with a patented freewheel. Some Avinox motors were a nuisance on our test rides with a distinct rattling noise, while others remained largely quiet. Unfortunately, in our experience, the Avinox is not completely rattle-free.
Pedalling resistance
One of the few weak points of the DJI Avinox is its internal resistance. In the laboratory, this is around 50 per cent higher than that of the Bosch CX. It comes into play when the motor is switched off or when pedalling above the switch-off limit of 25 km/h.
Both are rather rare scenarios on a powerful e-bike. In practice, other factors are even more relevant, especially the rolling resistance of the tyres. Nevertheless, the Bosch Performance CX is clearly ahead here.
The BIKE conclusion
We say: The power arms race is a nice marketing tool - but for e-mountain bikers, other values count. Because both motors have more than enough power. However, the Avinox is not only more powerful, but also lighter and more compact than the Bosch CX. The quick charger and many smart details also score points. The Bosch motor's trump card is the dynamic E-MTB+ mode. All in all, the systems are neck-and-neck, with the DJI Avinox winning on points. - Florentin Vesenbeckh, Deputy Editor-in-Chief BIKE Magazine
Differences in detail
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
