New to eBikes - where to start?

Hey everyone!

Just joined the forum – super excited to dive into the eBike world! I'm looking to get my first eBike soon, mostly for commuting about 10 miles round trip daily, plus some weekend leisure rides on paved paths and maybe light gravel. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the different brands out there, from the big names like Specialized and Trek to online direct-to-consumer options like Rad Power Bikes or Aventon.

For those of you who've been around the block, what are your thoughts on brand reliability and value for money, especially for a beginner? Are there any brands you'd strongly recommend checking out (or avoiding!) when starting out, considering my use case? Any insights on where to even begin comparing them would be awesome!