Is an e-MTB better than a regular mountain bike?

Neither is better overall. An e-MTB gives you more laps and easier climbing; a regular mountain bike is cheaper, lighter, simpler to maintain and allowed on more trails.

Are e-MTBs much heavier than regular mountain bikes?

Yes. Full-power e-MTBs are often around twice the weight of a light trail bike. Lighter mid-power e-MTBs reduce the difference.

Do e-MTBs need more maintenance?

Yes. More power and weight wear chains, cassettes, brake pads and tires faster, and the motor and battery need dealer servicing.

Can I ride an e-MTB on any mountain bike trail?

No. Many US trails, including many non-motorized trails on federal land, do not allow e-bikes. Check the rules for each trail system.

Should a beginner buy an e-MTB?

It can make the sport easier to start, especially on hilly terrain. But a regular bike costs less and works on every trail, so check local access and try both before buying.

e-MTB vs regular mountain bike: which should you buy?

The short answer

Neither is better. They are good at different things. An e-MTB gives you more laps, more descending and an easier way to ride with people fitter than you, at the cost of price, weight and some trail access. A regular mountain bike is cheaper, lighter, simpler to own and allowed everywhere mountain bikes are. The right one depends on where you ride, who with, and how much time you have.

I ride e-enduro, so I am not neutral. Here is the comparison anyway, including the parts that do not flatter e-bikes.

Side by side

Price. An e-MTB usually costs a lot more than a regular bike with similar suspension and parts, because you are also paying for a motor and battery.
Weight. Full-power e-MTBs are typically somewhere around twice the weight of a light trail bike. Lighter "mid-power" e-MTBs close part of the gap.
Climbing. The e-MTB wins easily. Steep, technical climbs become something you can ride and practise instead of push.
Descending. Closer than people think. The weight makes an e-MTB planted and stable at speed, but harder to flick around, pop off small features and get airborne.
Fitness. Both are real exercise. Studies find e-MTB riders work at a moderate to vigorous intensity, a little less than on a regular bike per minute. More on that in is riding an e-bike good exercise?
Trail access. The regular bike wins. Many US trails, especially non-motorized trails on federal land, do not allow e-bikes. Check your local trails before you buy anything.
Maintenance. E-MTBs wear chains, cassettes, brake pads and tires faster, and the motor and battery add parts that only a dealer can fix. A regular bike is cheaper and simpler to keep running.
Transport. Heavier bikes need a sturdier rack and more effort to lift onto it.

Buy an e-MTB if

You have limited time and want three descents instead of one.
You ride with friends who are much fitter (or much less fit) than you.
You want to ride steep technical climbs, not just survive them.
You are coming back from an injury, or riding more than your body otherwise would allow.
Your local trails allow e-bikes, and you have checked.

Buy a regular mountain bike if

You want access to every trail open to mountain bikes.
You care about a light, playful bike that is easy to jump and throw around.
Budget matters. For the same money, a regular bike gets you much better parts.
You want simple ownership: no battery to charge, no motor service.
Most of your riding is shorter loops where range is not an issue.

What people get wrong

"An e-MTB is a motorbike." A Class 1 e-MTB has no throttle and only assists while you pedal, up to 20 mph in the US. You still pedal every climb.

"It's cheating." Only in a race or on a leaderboard you lie to. I wrote a whole post on whether riding an e-MTB is cheating.

"A regular bike is always more fun." For some riders, yes. For others, more descending and less suffering is exactly the fun. Both opinions are allowed.

How to decide in one afternoon

Check which of your local trails allow e-bikes.
Rent or demo an e-MTB on a trail you know well, the same day or week as you ride your usual bike there.
Count laps, not speed. Ask which ride you would rather repeat next weekend.

That answer is better than any comparison table, including this one.

One more thing

If you go electric, you will hear about it at the trailhead. The Watts tee answers on your behalf: a light polyester tee with a chart on the back that ends in the words "watts are overrated".