The Best Electric Pokemon, Ranked

With 18 different types having accumulated over the years, the Pokemon franchise gives trainers plenty of different options when it comes to catching and training potential Pokemon. Gym leaders and Elite Four members tend to stick to a particular type when constructing their party, but most trainers take a much more diverse approach to teambuilding.

Often overshadowed by more popular types, Electric-type Pokemon have plenty to offer any given party. Pikachu might be the series’ most well-known Electric-type, but it’s far from the best you can get throughout your journey. With so many unique Electric-type Pokemon out there, narrowing down the best of the bunch can be tough. Luckily, these amazing Pokemon stand out as the best among their peers.

Updated February 15, 2024, by Ben Painter: Pokemon Scarlet & Violet brought fans some amazing new Electric-types, a brand-new Pikachu-clone, futuristic-looking Paradox forms, and some Legendary Pokemon. Electric types are great to use in battle as they only have one weakness, the Ground-type, and they are strong against Flying and Water types, two of the most common types in the games. This update adds some old favorites to the roster of best Electric-types, as well as a Pokemon added into the latest expansion, the DLC The Hidden Treasures of Area Zero.

23 Heliolisk

Varied Moveset with High Special Attack

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Fighting (2x)

Electric and Normal-type Pokemon both have the smallest number of weaknesses in the games. Being an Electric/Normal-type, Heliolisk reaps the benefits and drawbacks of both. Its typing makes it weak to both Ground and Fighting-type moves, which gives it more weaknesses than what a pure Electric-type would have. On the plus side, it does get an immunity to Ghost-type moves.

Heliolisk’s high Speed and Special Attack make it a great glass cannon. Trainers probably shouldn’t expect it to last very long in most battles. But if used effectively in the right matchups, Heliolisk can really shine on most teams.

Heliolisk’s Base Stats:

22 Zebstrika

A Fast Physical Attacker

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

Unlike most pure Electric-types, Zebstrika has much higher Attack than it does Special Attack. With a variety of solid Physical moves in its learnset, this Electric Pokemon can be a useful addition to any party.

Zebstrika’s biggest fault lies in its Defense. Both its base Defense and Special Defense come in at an abysmal 63. This means that it will likely fall to any opponent it fails to finish off with its first attack. It’s another glass cannon that gives trainers the option of going for a Physical attacker instead.

Zebstrika’s Base Stats:

21 Hisuian Electrode

Speed is the Game

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Poison (2x), Bug (2x), Ice (2x), Fire (2x)

Pokemon Legends: Arceus brought fans some interesting variations of Pokemon, and one of those is a variant on the Electric-type Electrode. The lore of Pokemon explains that Pokeballs were originally wooden and made from ‘Apricorns,’ so to make the Pokeball-inspired Pokemon Electrode a Grass-type is perfect.

Electrode on its own is a bit of a gimmick, it is quick and tends to use Explosion. However, its Hisuian counterpart is a bit more three-dimensional, capable of learning some STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus) Grass moves such as Chloroblast, Energy Ball and Seed Bomb. But it also has decent type coverage in Gyro Ball and Rollout, along with the standard Electric moves. At 150 Speed, both forms of Electrode are incredibly quick. Not many other Pokemon will outspeed this ‘mon in battle.

Electrode’s Base Stats:

20 Luxray

An Intimidating Physical Attacker

• Best Nature: Jolly
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

Luxray is another standout Electric-type that breaks the mold and boasts a higher Attack than Special Attack. Its Defense and Special Defense are average at best, as is its HP.

Trainers will need to get the most out of Luxray in battle, as it isn’t tanky enough to sustain consistent damage. With 79 base Speed, it’s likely that Luxray won’t be attacking first against most opponents. But it’s still one of the best Electric-type Pokemon, thanks to its diverse learnset and high Attack stat.

Luxray’s Base Stats:

19 Jolteon

Eeveelutions Are Always Great

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

It might not be the most popular Eeveelution in the franchise, but Jolteon is certainly one of the better pure Electric-type Pokemon you can train. With high speed and great special attack, Jolteon is best suited as a glass cannon and has tons of moves in its learnset that trainers can put to good use.

Like all pure Electric-types, Jolteon is only weak to Ground-type moves, adding in a resistance to Flying, Steel and of course Electric-types. With moves like Thunder, Discharge and Thunder Shock in its learnset alongside Thunderbolt and Electro Ball in its arsenal of TM/TR moves, trainers will have no problem getting the most out of Jolteon.

Jolteon’s Base Stats:

18 Toxtricity

Its Ability Boosts Its Signature Moves

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (4x), Psychic (2x)

Along with its pre-evolved form,Toxel, Toxtricity is the only Electric/Poison-type Pokemon, which certainly gives it the edge over its colleagues. The Punk Pokemon comes in two different forms, Low Key and Amped, which are dependant on its nature. The two forms have the same stats. The only difference other than appearance is the Low Key form learns Magnetic Flux at level 52, while the Amped learns Shift Gear at the same level.

Its standout stat is its 114 Sp. Atk, it can hit opponents from range with Overdrive and Boomburst, both of which are boosted by its Punk Rock ability by 30%. This alone makes it one of the best Electric-type Pokemon in the games. However, gamers must be cautious when facing Ground types, as it has a 4x weakness as opposed to 2x of pure Electric ‘mons.

Toxtricity’s Base Stats:

17 Ampharos

The Fan-Favorite Generation 2 Electric-type

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Ice (2x), Dragon (2x), Fairy (2x)

Up to the end of Gen VII, Ampharos would have ranked much higher when compared to its fellow Electric-types. That has a lot to do with its Mega Evolution. Mega Ampharos is a great Pokemon that makes the most of Ampharos’ strengths and stands out as one of the better of the bunch.

The current games don’t allow players to make use of this mechanic, and so Ampharos must be judged on how it measures up in the current meta. A minimal stat boost following Gen VI rounded Ampharos’ base stats, though its speed remained subpar. Aside from that, Ampharos is a decently well-rounded Pokemon. It possesses great special stats, with its special attack something that trainers need to take advantage of in battle.

Ampharos’ Base Stats (Normal/Mega):

16 Magnezone

Steel Typing Helps with Defense

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Fighting (2x), Ground (4x), Fire (2x)

Magnezone continues the trend of high special attacking Electric-types, coming in with a base special attack of 130 to go alongside 90 special defense and 115 defense. The final form in the Magnemite tree might scare some off with middling speed and HP stats, but its other stats more than make up for them.

Being Electric/Steel-type, Magnezone comes with more weaknesses than your typical Electric-type Pokemon. Fire and Fighting weaknesses come alongside a quadruple weakness to Ground. That might seem devastating, but Magnezone’s immunity to Poison and 11 type resistances more than make up for its shortcomings.

Magnezone’s Base Stats:

15 Electivire

A Much-Needed Evolution for Electabuzz

• Best Nature: Naive
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

When looking at Electivire’s base stats, the one thing that jumps out is its incredibly low defense. The rest of its stats are either decent or well above average. So any trainer looking to take this Gen IV Pokemon on as part of their team will need to keep its 67 base defense in mind.

Thunder Punch and Wild Charge are two Electric moves that will allow trainers to take advantage of Electrive’s 123 base attack. If that’s not enough, plenty of useful TRs can be found around the Galar region.

Electrivire’s Base Stats:

14 Pawmot

A Genuinely Useful Pikachu Clone

• Best Nature: Adamant
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Psychic (2x), Fairy (2x)

Introduced in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, Pawmot is a new Electric/Fighting-type with a 490 Base Stat total. It’s speedy and can pack a bit of a Physical punch thanks to its 115 Attack. Its unique typing, paired with a myriad of moves, can be pretty useful for those looking for a unique partner with interesting type coverage.

It may be the “Pikachu Clone” of the 9th Generation, but it’s far more useful for most players than the iconic mouse.

Pawmot’s Base Stats:

13 Eelektross

No Weaknesses

• Best Nature: Rash
• Weak To: N/A

There’s more to Eelektross than meets the eye. This Electric-type Pokemon has the Levitate ability, meaning that it isn’t affected by Ground-type moves. This gives Elektross a huge advantage over other Electric Pokemon.

Speed is Elektross’ only real weakness. With 50 base Speed, this Electric Pokemon will likely attack last in most battles. It has high enough Defense stats and boasts high Attack and Special Attack stats. Elektross is one of the more intriguing Electric Pokemon in the game, and one trainers shouldn’t overlook.

Eelektross’ Base Stats:

12 Xurkitree

Staggering Special Attack

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

Ultra Beasts might not have legendary status in the games, but these extraterrestrial Pokemon are some of the strongest and rarest. Xurkitree stands as the only Electric-type of the bunch and backs its claim as one of the strongest of its type.

Boasting an impressive 570 base stat total, Xurkitree’s only glaring weakness is its mediocre defense. What really sets this Pokemon apart from the rest is its massive special attack stat. With 173 base special attack, Xurkitree can do some real damage with many of the moves in its learnset.

Xurkitree’s Base Stats:

11 Raging Bolt

Massive HP and Special Attack

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Ice (2x), Dragon (2x), Fairy (2x)

Raging Bolt is a past Paradox form of Raikou exclusive to Pokemon Scarlet players while exploring the Hidden Treasures of Area Zero DLC. Although its design may be questionable, trainers may need to put this aside if they want to use a powerful Electric/Dragon ‘mon in Paldea.

Its best stat is its 137 Special Attack. Moves like Zap Cannon, Dragon Pulse and Thunder will be beneficial to decimate opponents that stand in its way. Raging Bolt is a bit tricky to acquire. Players will need The Indigo Disk DLC, and must enter 200 Pokemon in the Blueberry Academy Pokedex to add the Paradox Pokemon to their roster.

Raging Bolt’s Base Stats:

10 Pikachu

The Franchise Mascot

• Best Nature: Hasty
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

On the face of it, Pikachu is not a great Electric-type Pokemon. But since Pikachu is the franchise mascot, it would be a sin to exclude him from the list of best Electric-type Pokemon. Ash’s Pikachu in the anime is one of the greatest Pokemon of all time. He was in fact the final Pokemon in the Masters Eight tournament.

But in the games, he isn’t much to write home about. If gamers are playing Let’s Go Pikachu, however, this is a different story. The Partner Pikachu used in this game cannot evolve and offers a boost to its stats. It can also learn the move Zippy Zap, a 50 base power move which always hits first and always results in a critical hit. Players can pretty much walk through this game with their Pikachu.

Pikachu’s Base Stats (Normal/Partner):

9 Rotom (All Forms)

Incredible Variation

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Varies

Rotom deserves its place as one of the best Electric-type Pokemon due to its versatility in the game. The Plasma Pokemon can become five new forms in the game as it possesses a different electrical device. These include a fan (Electric/Flying), a refrigerator (Electric/Ice), an oven (Electric/Fire), a lawnmower (Electric/Grass) and a washing machine (Electric/Water).

Gamers can use this to their benefit, using Rotom as a different tool to prepare for different major battles. All forms of the Pokemon have Levitate, so Electric’s biggest weakness (Ground-type attachs) is neutralized. Heat Form Rotom is unique in being the only Pokemon with the Electric/Fire type combination, another plus for this ‘mon.

Rotom’s Base Stats (Normal/All Other Forms):

8 Tapu Koko

Fairy-type is Useful Here

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Poison (2x)

As the guardian deity of Melemele Island, Tapu Koko is one of the stronger Electric-type Pokemon in the games. This Gen VII legendary boasts a dual Electric/Fairy-typing, making it one of the more discernible Electric-types on this list.

Tapu Koko has great stats across the board. Its special defense and HP aren’t particularly impressive, but it makes up for this with great speed, attack, and special attack stats. Tapu Koko has a solid selection of Electric and Fairy-type moves in its arsenal. With so much variety, trainers should have no shortage of options when choosing how to play it.

Tapu Koko’s Base Stats:

7 Thundurus

A Fast Special Attacker

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Rock (2x), Ice (2x)

Just like the other members of the Forces of Nature trio, Thundurus is a Flying-type Pokemon, having a secondary Electric typing. Both its Incarnate and Therian forms have a base stat total of 580. Its Incarnate forme has higher attack and speed stats while its Therian forme sacrifices a fraction of both for better special attack.

Thundurus is a great all-around Pokemon regardless of its forme, and comes with a massive move pool to play around with. One thing to keep in mind is that its Electric/Flying typing makes it immune to Ground-type attacks at the cost of a weakness to Rock and Ice.

Thundurus’ Base Stats (Incarnate/Therian):

6 Zapdos

Fantastic All-Around Stats

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Rock (2x), Ice (2x)

Another Electric-Flying-type, Zapdos was one of the strongest available Electric-types following its introduction in Gen I. Plenty of other Electric-types have been added to the series over the years but Zapdos is still in a league of its own.

Trainers would be wise to make the most of Zapdos’ high speed and special attack stats. With well above average HP, attack, defense and special defense, trainers don’t have to worry about Zapdos’ longevity in battle. A weakness to Rock and Ice types serve as Zapdos’ biggest red flag. Regardless, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses.

Zapdos’ Base Stats:

5 Raikou

Solid Pokemon with Varied Stats

• Best Nature: Timid
• Weak To: Ground (2x)

Gen I might have had Zapdos, but Gen II introduced another Electric-type legendary: Raikou. A pure Electric-type, Raikou is one of Johto’s Legendary Beasts and can be tough for trainers to catch in the wild.

Getting Raikou is well worth the effort put into finding it, as it’s one of the strongest pure Electric-type Pokemon in the franchise. High special and speed stats make Raikou one of the better-balanced Pokemon on this list. Its Hp and attack aren’t nearly as high but still well above average, and while middling, its defense is solid.

Raikou’s Base Stats:

4 Miraidon

The Noble Steed of Pokemon Violet

• Best Nature: Modest
• Weak To: Ground (2x), Fairy (2x), Dragon (2x), Ice (2x)

Pokemon Scarlet & Violet introduced players to two unique rideable Legendary Pokemon, and one of them has become one of the best Electric-type creatures to ever grace the franchise. Players have been using Miraidon, and its signature move, to blaze through higher-level Tera Raids. The dual-type Electric/Dragon Pokemon has access to Electro Drift, a powerful move with 100 base attack and 100% accuracy that sees a 30% power boost if it’s super effective against an opponent.

Pair this with Miraidon’s great Special Attack (135) and its high speed (135) and it’s easy to see why it’s so useful.

Miraidon’s Base Stats: