I used 8x6” Wacom Intuos 3 for like, the majority of my life (that thing lasts forever), and switched up to a 16" Wacom Cintiq a couple years ago. I've defaulted to the cintiq but I still use the Intuos as a back up.

As for recommendations, I don't know if I'm best to ask? I've only ever used Wacom. Their prices are absurdly inflated but I can't complain the tech holds up. I absolutely adore the Intuos 3, and since it's an outdated model (they don't even update the driver for it anymore on the official website, but it is absolutely functional regardless) you absolutely can find it at an affordable price on ebay. Like I said, it's the first tablet I got and up until I switched up to the cintiq it has been sturdy and reliable for 20+ years.

That said from what I hear there have been really competitive more affordable alternatives over the years, Huion and XXPen come to mind.

If you're a first time buyer I guess my suggestion is what your priority would be, functionality or pen sensitivity or just how it physically feels, etc. Before buying the cintiq, I bought an absurdly cheap monitor tablet (like $150) knowing I'll be returning it for a refund within a week or two just to test out how drawing directly on a screen felt, and found that I liked it enough that after I reversed the purchase I invested in a cintiq properly. You can try that method if you don't have a friend or something that can let you play on theirs for a bit.