Electric types have had their time in the sun thanks to the popularity of a certain yellow mouse. They’ve ended up being the face of the entire franchise; when most people think Pokemon, they think of an Electric-type first. But there are a lot of other strong Electric types out there.
So, listen, Pikachu isn’t going to be on this list, but Ash’s Pikachu is an outlier, especially considering it can often outright ignore the rules of the games. We’re looking at the strongest Electric Pokemon in the series, primarily ones that aren’t legendary.
Updated October 1, 2024, by Andrew Scariati: The best Electric-type Pokemon are always changing, especially when new generations like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet add so many excellent new options. Paradox Pokemon boast incredible new powers and abilities that give creatures like Raging Bolt an advantage over the other best Electric Pokemon.
25 Luxray
Unlike most Electric-type Pokemon, Luxray is more of a physical attacker than a special one. Its Attack stat sits at 120, but also has a respectable 95 Sp. Atk. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have very good Speed or Defense, and doesn’t see a lot of use in competitive battling.
However, Luxray can be a useful member of a team while playing through the games. Players usually encounter its pre-evolution, Shinx, very early on and then have access to a heavy-hitting Electric Pokemon that boasts strong dark-type moves on their journey to take down the gym leaders.
24 Vikavolt
Vikavolt is a Bug/Electric-type Pokemon hailing from the Alola Region. It has quite a few resistances to threats, has a useful ability, Levitate, and can use moves like Roost to stay healthy throughout any match.
Unfortunately, Vikavolt is a pretty mediocre Pokemon stat-wise. It’s slow and frail.
However, with a monstrous base 145 special attack stat, it can deal some hefty damage. Vikavolt is pretty situational, sure, but it has a lot of advantages that can be used to take down opponents. It’s up to the trainer to decide if they want to stick with Vikavolt.
23 Galvantula
Galvantula is a speedy bugger. It’s a good addition to a team when the opposing player might plan on using Grass-type Pokemon to endure Electric-type moves. Galvantula’s Bug-type gives it STAB (SameType Attack Bonus) to the move Bug Buzz, which is not only super-effective against Grass, but also has a chance to lower the target’s Special Defense.
Still, it isn’t the beefiest Pokemon out there. Its real utility is the move Sticky Web.
This slows down opposing Pokemon as long as they’re not Flying-type. That makes Galvantula a great partner for for a slower heavy hitter, since Sticky Web would give it a chance to strike first.
22 Lanturn
This little anglerfish is a useful team member primarily due to its versatility. It can fill a few different niches in varied team compositions. Its greatest advantage is its high base HP of 125. Combined with the ability Volt Absorb, which makes Lanturn regain 1/4 of its health when hit by an Electric-type attack, this fish is a pretty sturdy customer. Plus it only has two weaknesses, Grass and Ground.
Lanturn also has a respectable move pool. It can be used as a support member because of its access to moves like Heal Bell. It can also deal some damage; it has a pretty good Special Attack stat and can use moves like Scald and Volt Switch to control the flow of battle.
21 Electivire
Electivire has a very specific niche that make it extremely useful in certain situations. While it tends to be outclassed by other high-Attack Electric-types, it has a lot of moves at its disposal.
It can pick up good coverage attacks like Earthquake and Flamethrower to break down enemies that might otherwise resist its attacks. It also has decent Speed, which gives it an edge over slower tanks. There are some better options, but there’s no denying Electivire’s a powerful ally.
20 Manectric
The first Pokemon on the list with a mega-evolution, Manectric has incredible Speed and Special Attack. Mega Manectric takes what was already good about Manectric and makes it even better. It’s one of the fastest Pokemon in the entire game. It also has the ability Intimidate, which lowers the opposing Pokemon’s Attack, allowing it to survive the few attacks that can out-speed it.
Manectric isn’t very bulky and can be easily taken out by certain teams, but it makes up for that with its offensive capabilities. Not only can it use its own Electric-type moves, but it also has access to some good Fire- and Ice-type coverage that can help it pick up the slack for Pokemon that resist Electric. It’s unfortunate that without Mega Evolution, Manetric just gets outclassed by other, better Pokemon.
19 Rotom-H
While not as powerful as its wash counterpart, Mr. Rotom But Make It Oven is a useful Pokemon, holding down the fort in UU. Rotom-H has a fire/electric typing that allows it many resistances. Rotom can usually slot into a support role that sees is spreading Toxic and removing hazards.
Along with that, it can Volt Switch in and out. There are quite a few other strategies that can be used as well. While its mediocre speed isn’t particularly great to see, its a useful Pokemon overall that can employ a variety of different strategies.
18 Ampharos
Poor Ampharos is a very slow Pokemon, and that means it tends not to get a lot of attention competitively, where getting a hit off first can mean everything. Most will also want to mega-evolve it before doing anything else, to take advantage of its insane 165 Sp. Atk. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice a turn to get Mega Ampharos on your side, you’re going to end up with a beast.
Like we said, it’s Sp. Atk. stat is incredible, and it also has great Def. and Sp. Def. as well as good HP. This is a Pokemon than can take it and dish it out. Its Mega also has the unique advantage of gaining the Dragon type and the ability Mold Breaker (which nullifies opposing Pokemon’s abilities), meaning it can cover an even wider number of foes than without. However, like Manetric, Ampharos has lost its Mega Evolution and any semblance of viability as a result.
17 Toxtricity
Depending on its nature, Toxel can evolve into one of two different types of Toxtricity, Low Key and Amped. These two forms mainly differ in their movesets.
Either way, Toxtricity’s poison typing gives it immunity to being poisoned, and its wide moveset allows it to work as a nice special attacker. Its meta-position will be determined, but for now, it’s a good member to have on the team.
16 Eelektross
What sets Eelektross apart from its competition is the combination of its type (pure Electric) and its ability (Levitate). These two together mean that Eelektross has essentially no type weaknesses. Levitate makes it entirely immune to Ground-type attacks.
Not to mention it’s a good offensive pick as well, with a wide movepool that gives it access to moves like Giga Drain and Flamethrower. It competes directly with Lanturn, which has more versatility, but Eelektross’ resistance and offensive capabilities give it a step up.
15 Arctozolt
Another new addition to the Galar Region, Arctozolt is a strange Pokemon that has a lot of potential, but just as many drawbacks. It has a new move called Bolt Beak, which has 85 base power, but can deal double the damage if the move is used before the target moves. Arctozolt is pretty slow, so setting up a Trick Room might help make Arctozolt a fantastic Pokemon to put on the team.
Overall, its stats are pretty mediocre. It’s also got the hidden ability Slush Rush, which could double this dual ice-type’s speed in a hailstorm upon release. There’s certainly some potential for Arctozolt to make a splash in the competitive scene.
14 Dracozolt
Dracozolt is a counterpart to Arctozolt, and has a dual electric/dragon-typing instead of electric/ice. It has more potential than Arctozolt, which could see the two ending up in different tiers. Nevertheless, Bolt Beak is still a great asset for this Pokemon to use.
Sand Rush is an incredible hidden ability, like Arctozolt’s Slush Rush. While Arctozolt is an interesting Pokemon, Dracozolt doesn’t have the ice-type problem, and has a better stat spread that makes it more usable in a competitive sense.
13 Magnezone
Magnezone’s most useful feature is probably its almost exclusive access to the ability Magnet Pull, which prevents opponents from switching out Steel-type Pokemon. Steel-types tend to be strong opponents with many resistances, so the ability to trap them and wear them down is invaluable.
Magnezone also has very high Sp. Atk, which is excellent for its two most powerful moves, Thunderbolt and Flash Cannon.
It doesn’t have the HP to make it a real tank, but as a Steel-type itself, it has a lot of resistances that can keep it in the game.
12 Jolteon
A classic choice, Jolteon’s the definition of a glass cannon. It’s extremely fast and it hits hard with its high Sp. Atk. It doesn’t have the most robust movepool, but all you really need with a Jolteon on your side is a well-placed Thunderbolt.
Unfortunately, Jolteon can’t take many hits, but that’s what the 130 Speed stat is for.
It has some options for keeping itself out of danger. Volt Switch can pull it out of the battle while damaging an opponent at the same time. It also can have the ability Volt Absorb, which can regenerate some of its HP when hit by an Electric attack. Essentially, if you treat Jolteon right and keep it safe, it’ll bring the thunder.
11 Xurkitree
The Ultra Beasts are certainly an interesting collection of Pokemon. Unlike other legendaries, which tend to have high, but balanced base stat totals, the Ultra Beasts focus more on extremely niche stats and movesets. This makes them more balanced than the average legendary, but still powerful with the right setup.
With an incredible 173-base Special Attack, Xurkitree can become a terrifying wallbreaker, especially with Tail Glow. It can even break down some of the premiere walls of the highest tiers. However, it has an underwhelming speed stat combined with even more underwhelming defensive stats. Most teams can easily adapt to fighting Xurkitree. Still, it boasts incredibly powerful attacks and should be taken seriously.
10 Raging Bolt
Raging Bolt may look like a certain familiar Legendary Beast, and it’s no surprise that this Paradox version finds itself among the best Electric-type Pokemon ever.
Raging Bolt’s Dragon Cheer move sets it apart from some of the other Paradox additions in the generation, giving it something impressive to flaunt aside from the incredibly long length of its neck.
9 Raikou
Arguably the least recognized of the Legendary Beasts of Johto, Raikou is at least not the worst of the three in battles. With high speed, special attack, and special defense, Raikou is able to make the most of either Calm Mind boosts or an Assault Vest to deal some serious damage.
Another thing Raikou has over other electric-types is an incredible movepool. It often has too many options to really do everything it wants to do, especially in sets that rely on Calm Mind. It’s a night-and-day difference between Raikou’s moveset and Pokemon like Raichu. There are tons of options for Raikou, and that unpredictability is power.
8 Rotom-Mow
Not all Rotom are created equal. Rotom-Fan, for example, is a flying-type that has Levitate for reasons unknown to human understanding. Sending out a floating fridge is funny, but unfortunately just ruins the solid defensive typing with ice’s many weaknesses. Rotom-Mow, on the other hand, is just good enough to still be considered a strong Electric-type.
Aside from being one of the goofier-looking Rotom models, Rotom-Mow has serious power. Rotom-Mow has the specialty attack of Leaf Storm, which is an incredibly powerful move despite its drawbacks. It also gets solid type coverage with the grass-type attack, giving it an edge over other Rotom. It doesn’t quite cut it compared to Rotom-Heat and especially Rotom-W, but as an alternative option, it’s worth giving it a shot.
7 Rotom-W
Rotom-W is the form Rotom takes when possessing a washing machine. This gives the excellent Electric/Water typing which is further improved by its ability Levitate. The only weakness it has in this form is Grass-type moves.
It doesn’t have a lot of HP and very few ways to recover any hit points, but it does compensate somewhat with its high Defense and Special Defense It’s able to go up against powerful Ground-type Pokemon with its STAB Hydro Pump and its Electric-typing makes it a dangerous enemy for hard-hitting Flying types as well.
6 Zeraora
Zeraora is a mighty mythical Pokemon, boasting incredible speed and a powerful signature move. Its ability is great as well, even though Volt Absorb is still situationally useful. It lacks serious bulk, and its offense is worse than others like it, but it can still tear opponents apart in lower tiers of play.
Zeraora is designed to go all-out from the word go, not bothering with setting up for success. It has a wide pool of moves to choose from, but that means it becomes tied to its need to have these coverage moves. It especially is well equipped to handle Pokemon that would typically wall out other electric-types. For those who got the free Zeraora earlier in 2020, it’s worth trying it out.
