New to eBikes - where to start?

Hey everyone!

I've been lurking for a bit and finally decided to jump in. I'm completely new to the eBike world and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options out there. I'm looking to get one primarily for commuting about 10 miles each way on paved roads, maybe with some light gravel paths on weekends.

What are the absolute must-knows for a beginner looking to buy their first eBike? Any specific types or brands I should be looking at, or even avoiding, for my use case?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share!