Before looking at groupsets, look at weight.

You always start with weight. Buy a light frame, be amazed, and then start upgrading other parts later.

Tyres are normally next and for a commuter bike that's MTB style I recommend you're using 27.5 (if you like jumping around and swerving) or 29" (if you like speed and ease), with tyres like Big Bens or many of Continentals ones similar. Low rolling resistance, very durable for punctures, super grippy on seal, dry grass, and dirt.

Already at this point, you will have more speed, ease, and response than getting new gears put onto an Amazon bike.

Then you start looking at decent affordable gearsets like Shimano's Deore. You won't need anything beyond that unless you start getting hardcore.

But better yet, just buy a good setup based around the frame. Like any Giant Talon, Rockhopper, Big Nine, and just upgrade bits and pieces later. Though most bikes like that will come with Deore groupset versions and you're good to go. If Deore is too much, get what's in your budget with good tyres—it'll ride way better than what you have—and slap a better groupset/derailleur on later if the cheaper one gets too clunky.