It felt almost wrong to separate Faber Castell 9000s and Staedtler Lumographs apart from Hi Unis and Mono 100s in the price category, since I always felt like they performed similarly, being the highest ranges from their respective countries (Germany/Japan) but and then I checked, and it's true lol. You can literally pick up a dozen of HB Lumographs on Amazon for merely $10, shipping included
I guess the lacquer game is too strong for the Hi-Unis and Mono 100s and it pushes up the price
I find Staedtler quite smooth and fairly dark print as well.