New to eBikes - where to start?

Hey everyone!

Just joined the forum – super excited to dive into the eBike world. I'm completely new to this and feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the options out there, especially when it comes to different brands. I'm hoping to get an eMTB for weekend trail rides, maybe 15-20 miles at a time, but also something I could commute with occasionally. For those who've been through this, what brands did you consider, and what made you choose the one you did? Any specific brands you'd recommend looking into (or avoiding!) for a beginner looking for a versatile eMTB?