I was in the market for my first display tablet about a year ago. My price range was similar to yours, and by the end of my search, the top two contenders were the XP Pen Innovator 16 and the Huion Kamvas 16. After reading numerous reviews, comparing specs, and watching demos, I came to the conclusion that they were both equally capable devices. If there were any objective differences in performance, they would likely be too slight for me notice. I went with the XP Pen, because I *slightly* preferred it's appearance and button layout. I think it is a keeper. It looks nice. It feels good to draw on. That said, I believe the version of me in the timeline in which I bought the Huion is probably pretty happy, too. My advice is to look through some reviews comparing the specific products you are considering (Brad Colbow's videos and website are a good places to start). If the reviews do not reveal a clear winner, then you should consult your subjective feelings about the products: their aesthetics, ergonomic appeal, or even whether or not you feel excited by a particular brand identity. I have seen many YouTube art celebrities review XP Pen positively; however, I am not sure how many, if any, use it for their day-to-day work (Most probably own a Cintiq). I did see in a recent video that Jazza uses a Huion. Anyway, good luck in your search! It's an exciting purchase to make, for sure. And let us know which one you eventually chose. I will be curious to know!

I have a xp pen and I think it's pretty great!