New to eBikes - where to start?

Hey everyone,

Just joined the forum and I'm super excited about potentially getting into the eBike world! I've been doing some research, but honestly, it's a bit overwhelming with all the options out there. I'm looking for something to commute about 10 miles round trip daily, mostly on paved roads with a few gentle hills, and maybe some weekend leisure rides on light trails.

For those of you who've been through this, what's your best advice for a total newbie on where to even begin looking? Are there specific types of eBikes I should focus on, or maybe brands known for reliability for beginners? Any tips on what to prioritize in terms of features or budget would be awesome!

Thanks in advance for any insights!