Best difficutly for not having bullet sponges ?

[Buurt]

I mean I love when a game isn't to easy or anything but the problems with bethesda games and big times the fallout games or "shooter" rpgs is often that higher diffuculty = bullet sponges.
I play on normal right now, it overall feels good but even than enemys feel very bullet sponge sometimes.

What would you say is the sweetspot between annoying bullet sponge and good difficulty + good enemy health ?