We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Travel & Lifestyle Products The 14 Best Journals of 2024 From prompted daily notebooks to DIY bullet journals. By L. Daniela Alvarez Updated on June 28, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Alli Waataja Whether you’re new to journaling or dedicated to daily writing, the right vessel can motivate you to express yourself and remember important details. While your run-of-the-mill composition notebook might get the job done, the best journals are the perfect size for your goals, have plenty of not-too-thin paper with a good binding, and feature a nice layout. We considered hundreds of options to narrow it down and spoke with Neil Chase, creative writer and filmmaker, and Ally Fallon, author of The Power of Writing It Down, for expert insight on what to look for when shopping for the right journal. Our Top Picks Best Overall: SALE Moleskine Classic Expanded Notebook at Amazon $28 $19 Jump to Review Best Budget: Paperage Lined Hardcover Journal at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Splurge: Leatherology A5 Standard Journal at Amazon $85 Jump to Review Best Softcover: Beechmore Books Ruled Notebook at Amazon $27 Jump to Review Best Hardcover: Baronfig Confidant Notebook at Baronfig.com Jump to Review Best Spiral Bound: Erin Condren Notebook at Amazon $21 Jump to Review Best Discbound: Levenger Circa Leather Foldover Notebook at Amazon $110 Jump to Review Best Pocket Size: Leuchtturm1917 Pocket Notebook at Amazon $19 Jump to Review Best Large: AHGXG B5 College Ruled Notebook at Amazon $21 Jump to Review Best With Prompts: SALE Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal at Amazon $29 $22 Jump to Review Best Overall Moleskine Classic Expanded Notebook PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $28 $19 at Amazon View on Moleskine.com $38 at Barnesandnoble.com What Stands Out The pages are buttery smooth. What Could Be Improved The pages aren’t perforated, making it challenging to tear them out. Moleskine is one of the most beloved journal brands for its vast collection of minimal notebooks with high-quality paper and covers. The Moleskine Classic Expanded Notebook is our top choice and comes highly recommended by Fallon. This journal has 400 pages (almost double the regular edition), with a buttery smooth texture that makes it easy to draw, write, or scribble. We especially like its lightweight feel, elastic closure, ribbon bookmark, and interior back pocket—plus, it has options for plain, dotted, squared, and ruled pages. You can also choose between a soft, bendable cover or a hard cover. If you like to tear out the pages of your journal, it may be a challenge to do so with this one since they aren’t perforated. However, this is hardly a dealbreaker considering all its other great qualities. If you’re in the market for a high-quality journal with plenty of pages at a reasonable price, this Moleskine is for you. Size: 5 by 8.25 inches | Pages: 400 pages | Lined: Optional Best Budget Paperage Lined Hardcover Journal PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon View on Paperage.co What Stands Out It comes in 20 colors. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t lay as flat as other journals. If you want an affordable journal without compromising quality, we recommend the Paperage Lined Hardcover Journal. This journal has a water-resistant cover, an inner expandable pocket, a ribbon bookmark, an elastic closure band, and a sheet of sticker labels. Best of all, you can choose between 160 or 252 ruled pages and 20 solid colors. Keep in mind that this journal doesn’t lay as flat as other journals when you leave it open. However, it stays flat while you write, and all its quality features make it an excellent value. Size: 5.7 by 8 inches | Pages: 160, 252 pages | Lined: Yes Best Splurge Leatherology A5 Standard Journal PHOTO: Leatherology $85 at Amazon View on Leatherology.com What Stands Out The cover is full-grain leather with recycled polyester lining. What Could Be Improved It only comes in muted colors. If, on the other hand, you want to splurge on finding the perfect journal, the Leatherology A5 Standard Journal might be your favorite pick. With a full-grain leather cover and a recycled polyester lining, this journal is elegant and has a removable design for easy refills. The FSC-Certified paper supports responsible forest management, and we like that it has interior card slots for sticky notes or business cards. The paper refill is also available as A5 spiral, B5 bound, and B5 bound. Although this journal cover is only available in muted colors, we think they’re incredibly chic (especially the Bordeaux hue). You can also personalize it with up to five debossed characters, making it a standout gift idea for the writer in your life. Size: 6.63 by 8.75 inches | Pages: 216 pages | Lined: Yes Best Softcover Beechmore Books Ruled Notebook PHOTO: Amazon $27 at Amazon View on Beechmorebooks.com What Stands Out There is a beige cork softcover option. What Could Be Improved It’s slightly more expensive than similar options. Softcover journals are lightweight, transportable, and compact, perfect for on-the-go use. The Beechmore Books Ruled Notebook has a flexible vegan leather cover that feels luxurious and durable (even withstanding travels and banging around in a book bag). This journal also has silky smooth 120 GSM ivory cream-lined paper, a secure elastic closure, a ribbon bookmark, a lay-flat binding, and a back pocket for storing loose notes. We especially like the unique beige cork cover option that stands out amongst other journals. While this journal is a bit pricier than comparable journals, we think the high-quality paper and rare cover are worth the cost. It also comes in a gift box with tissue paper, making it a thoughtful gift for a student, teacher, or artist. Size: 5.8 by 8.3 inches | Pages: 160 pages | Lined: Yes Best Hardcover Baronfig Confidant Notebook PHOTO: Baronfig View on Baronfig.com What Stands Out It has a sturdy cover and 12 perforated pages in the back. What Could Be Improved The cloth bookmark only comes in yellow. If you need a journal with a sturdy, durable cover, we recommend the Baronfig Confidant Notebook. Available in three sizes and six colors, this journal has a clothbound hardcover that opens flat to reveal its quality fine-grain 90 GSM paper. You can choose from blank, ruled, or dot grid, and while the cloth bookmark only comes in yellow, we appreciate how much it stands out, making it easy to pick back up where you left off. We also like that it has a dozen perforated pages in the back, so you can easily tear out pages when needed. Size: 3.5 by 5 inches, 5.4 by 7.7 inches, 7 by 10 inches | Pages: 160, 192, 208 pages | Lined: Optional Best Spiral Bound Erin Condren Notebook PHOTO: Erin Condren $21 at Amazon View on Erincondren.com What Stands Out Each page is perforated for easy tearing. What Could Be Improved We wish we could customize the page colors more. We love how customizable the Erin Condren Notebook is, from the five layout options (including graphs and productivity) to the range of customizable colorways to the size of the journal itself. We also love that you can choose the cover colors, coil (platinum, gold, or rose gold), and personalize the cover with your name. Best of all, it comes with stickers to keep you organized. One of our favorite features is that each page is perforated, so you can easily tear out pages. While we love the options for the many layout pages, it’s important to note that they are only available in one color. Size: 7 by 9 inches, 8.5 by 11 inches | Pages: 160 pages | Lined: Optional Best Discbound Levenger Circa Leather Foldover Notebook PHOTO: Levenger $110 at Amazon View on Levenger.com What Stands Out This journal has high-quality materials that will stand the test of time. What Could Be Improved It could have more pages. Unlike a spiral-bound journal, disc-bound journals are connected by removable plastic or metal discs. The Levenger Circa Leather Foldover Notebook is a sophisticated option that's available in six colors and three sizes. Plus, you can pair it with a set of Circa Discs in various sizes and colors to make this journal pop. The full-grain leather cover has a pen loop and three pockets for loose notes, business cards, and paper memorabilia. You can also personalize the cover with a monogram or full name, making this journal a customized keepsake for daily journaling, notes, or sketching. While this journal is a splurge and doesn’t have as many pages compared to other journals on our list, we think the elegant leather cover, versatility, and extra features make up for this drawback. Size: 4.8 by 7 inches, 7 by 8.6 inches, 9.7 by 11.3 inches | Pages: 60 pages | Lined: Yes Best Pocket Size Leuchtturm1917 Pocket Notebook PHOTO: Leuchtturm1917 $19 at Amazon View on Leuchtturm1917.us View on Dickblick.com What Stands Out The pages are numbered and it has a ribbon to find where you left off. What Could Be Improved The paper is thinner than other options. Pocket journals are ideal for travelers, artists, and writers on the go. The Leuchtturm1917 Pocket Notebook is our favorite pocket-sized option for its color variety, gusseted pocket, and page layout options. We especially love that the pages are numbered, a feature not often found in most journals. This journal also has two ribbon bookmarks, one in a solid color and the other striped, helping you keep track of important pages and comes with stickers, eight perforated pages, and a blank table of contents so you can organize the contents as you see fit. Although the paper does not bleed, it’s thinner than other options, so we recommend another journal if you tend to apply a lot of pressure or use markers when you write or draw. However, if you want a pocket-sized journal to travel with you, this is an excellent option. Size: 3.5 by 6 inches | Pages: 121 pages | Lined: Optional Best Large AHGXG B5 College Ruled Notebook PHOTO: Amazon $21 at Amazon What Stands Out It comes with divider sticky notes. What Could Be Improved You can’t choose the color combinations. Large notebooks are optimal for students, teachers, and writers who need extra real estate for all their jots and scribbles. The AHGXG B5 College Ruled Notebook is oversized and comes in a pack of two, giving you plenty of space to scrawl every thought and plan. These PU leather softcover journals have 204 numbered pages made of 100 GSM paper, a large back pocket, lay-flat binding, and options for dotted or ruled pages. While we love the existing color combinations, unfortunately, you can’t choose your own. Nevertheless, this set is an excellent oversized option. Size: 7.6 by 10 inches | Pages: 204 pages | Lined: Optional Best With Prompts Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal PHOTO: Amazon Orig. $29 $22 at Amazon What Stands Out This prompted journal is perfect for a quick daily routine. What Could Be Improved The pages may fall out without proper care. If you’ve experienced writer’s block, having journal prompts is a helpful way to get the creative juices flowing. We particularly love the Five Minute Journal, which has inspirational quotes, affirmations, highlights, and questions to help you reflect. The natural linen cover comes in six colors, and four feature pretty gold letter foiling. With just five minutes daily, this journal can help increase your motivation, gratitude, and mindfulness. We also appreciate its easy-to-follow guide, so you don’t feel lost if you’re new to journaling. Due to its linen cover and thread binding, this journal tends to be fragile—the pages may fall out if not handled with care or opened too harshly. However, with a delicate touch and an intentional mindset, this journal can be a helpful tool for having a successful year. Size: 8.3 by 5.3 inches | Pages: 6 months' worth | Lined: Yes Best Design Rifle Paper Co. Embroidered Journal PHOTO: Rifle Paper Co. $40 at Amazon View on Riflepaperco.com What Stands Out It has a charming embroidered design with lay-flat binding. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t have extra features like a back pocket. There's no better way to implement a new daily practice than with a beautiful, well-designed journal that you look forward to cracking open. The whimsical Rifle Paper Co Embroidered Journal features three designs, all with intricately embroidered florals, which look elegant even when left out on your desk or dresser. In addition to its eye-catching design, this journal has a lay-flat binding, a grosgrain ribbon bookmark, and 400 pages to capture every thought, idea, and reminder. Even though this journal doesn’t have additional features, such as a back pocket or pen loop, its cover more than makes up for it. Size: 8 by 5.75 inches | Pages: 400 pages | Lined: Yes Best Subscription Silk and Sonder Guided Self-Care Journals PHOTO: Silk and Sonder View on Silkandsonder.com What Stands Out There is a new theme or aesthetic every month. What Could Be Improved A subscription may feel overwhelming if you’re new to journaling. Journal subscriptions provide monthly notebooks, helping you maintain consistency and interest in your daily writing. The Silk and Sonder Guided Self-Care Journals are refreshed monthly, with a focus on wellness and self-care. Each journal has high-quality matte paper and spiral-bound sections for monthly reflections, intention setting, habit and mood trackers, and more. We like that there is a new theme or aesthetic each month, and each subscription includes access to a members-only community, app, virtual classes, and a 21-day journaling program to help you create the habit. While this may feel overwhelming for beginners, the additional resources are a great support system for creating a new habit or keeping consistent with an existing one. Size: 7 by 8.5 inches | Pages: 56 pages | Lined: Yes Best Bullet Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 PHOTO: Amazon $30 at Amazon View on Leuchtturm1917.us $30 at Barnesandnoble.com What Stands Out The grid pattern allows you to create your layouts. What Could Be Improved It doesn’t have a pen loop. For those who prefer bullet journaling, we recommend the Leuchtturm1917 The Official Bullet Journal Edition 2. Whether you want to make your calendar, goal tracker, or to-do list, this journal is the perfect canvas for productivity. The 120 GSM paper is soft yet thick, so it doesn’t bleed or ghost, while the dotted grid design allows you to create personalized layouts. The pocket guidebook is also helpful for bullet journaling inspiration, whether you’re trying it out for the first time or a total pro. We also like that it has three ribbon markers, large margins, a built-in bullet key, an index, and a future log. Best of all, it comes with a sticker sheet for all 12 months and 52 weekdays, so you can stay on track throughout the year. While it doesn’t have a pen loop, it’s an otherwise efficient, handy journal. Size: 8.2 by 5.7 inches | Pages: 204 | Lined: No Best Customizable Papier Colorblock Hardcover Notebook PHOTO: Papier $28 at Papier.com What Stands Out You can customize it with a name and choose the colors, cover type, and page layout. What Could Be Improved The soft cover has a spiral binding, which may not be suitable for everyone. While no two journals look the same inside, many share the same cover and design. If you want to create your personalized cover, opt for the Papier Colorblock Hardcover Notebook. Choose from a dozen color block combinations and lined, plain, or dotted paper. Plus, you can customize the cover with three lines of text with several fonts, colors, and sizes available. It also has a ribbon bookmark and premium 60-pound paper. If color block isn’t your thing, you can choose another journal from dozens of Papier’s elegant designs. Whether you’re replacing your old journal or gifting it to a friend, this journal shows thoughtfulness and personal style. It’s important to note that the softcover option is spiral-bound, which is more typical for hardcovers. If you don’t mind it, this is an excellent option you can make completely your own. Size: 6 by 8.5 inches | Pages: 192 pages | Lined: Optional Final Verdict If you want a minimal, efficient, and reasonably priced journal, we recommend the Moleskine Classic Expanded Notebook. For those who want something budget-friendly, opt for the Paperage Lined Hardcover Journal. How to Shop for Journals Like a Pro Size There are plenty of journal sizes, but the most common is A5, which is 5.7 x 8.26 inches. Pocket-sized journals are usually A6, while oversized journals are A4. Chase recommends asking yourself how you want to use the journal before choosing the size. If you want something compact and portable, a pocket-sized journal will do the trick, but if it's for at-home home use, a standard or oversized journal might work best. Fallon also says there are things to consider with each size. “Small pages can make writing more challenging, while oversized ones can take up space in your bag,” she says. Number of Pages The number of pages in your journal directly correlates to how heavy it is and how long it will last. To decide on the right number of pages for you, Chase recommends considering how often and how much you write and whether you prefer keeping one for an extended period or enjoying the feeling of cracking open a new book semi-frequently. Lined vs Unlined Some journals have lined paper, while others have options for plain, dotted/bullet, graph, and other layouts. First, define how you want to use the journal and how much work you want to put into it. For example, bullet journaling requires patience, time, and creativity, while blank or plain pages are a great canvas for drawing and doodling. “Lined paper is best for those who only want to focus on writing,” says Chase. For Fallon, the lined paper provides some much-needed structure. “Both lined and unlined paper can be great for a confirmation number, a to-do list, or an idea for a new poem,” she says. “If you prefer your writing to be more structured—as in, a specific entry with the date at the top of the page—lined paper is probably for you." Binding Type The most common journal binding types include spiral-bound, disc-bound, stitched binding, Japanese binding, glue binding, and more. While Chase and Fallon prefer stitched binding for its strength and durability, they suggest choosing a journal that can lay flat without the binding getting in the way of writing. Questions You Might Ask Which journal is best for beginners? For beginners, Fallon recommends journals with prompts so you get into the habit of writing regularly. However, if you prefer a more free-flowing approach to writing, she says a blank or lined journal might be best for you. “When you sit down to journal, rather than using a prompt, you can simply write what happened today that stood out to you,” she says. “Sometimes, for me, even that is too much structure. Feel free to doodle in your journal, write a single word, or use part of the page for your grocery list and part of it to brainstorm ideas for your next creative project. This is your brain on paper.” How do I choose a journal? Fallon says choosing a journal is a personal decision dependent on your needs, preferences, and style. “What works for one person won’t work for another,” she says. “So find something that suits your specific needs.” Consider your journal's weight (if you’re a student, you may not want something heavy to carry around), design cover, paper type, and binding. Fallon recommends asking yourself: "Is this journal too cumbersome? Too small? Too hard to write in due to size or a stiff binding? Are the prompts distracting? Did I stare at the blank pages and realize I needed more structure?" Once you’ve answered these questions, you can better decide which journal is right for you. What is the highest-quality journal? While there are plenty of high-quality journals available, Fallon says you can never go wrong with Moleskine. “Moleskine is my favorite journal because of its simple yet beautiful design that comes in so many different sizes and shapes, with options for lined or blank pages,” she says. “I also like that they lay completely flat. There are few things more frustrating to me than trying to write in a journal and getting tripped up by a stiff binding. I also love that it carts around nicely with me in my diaper bag, purse, or back pocket.” Other high-quality journal brands include Leatherology, Papier, and Leuchtturm1917, which is Chase’s favorite. Which paper is best in a journal? Chase and Fallon say the best journal paper for you mainly depends on preference and how you plan to use the journal. If you like to draw or doodle, Fallon says a plain journal might be best, while grid paper is best for bullet journaling. As for the paper type, Chase says to first look out for the weight and thickness, which is measured in GSM, or grams per square meter. “A higher GSM indicates thicker paper,” he says. “For writing, 70 to 100 GSM is standard. As for texture, I like smooth paper, but others might like the feel of a textured paper against the pen.” Take Our Word for It This article was written by L. Daniela Alvarez, a contributing writer for Real Simple with nearly three years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews. To compile this list, she spent hours reading customer reviews and researching journals. She also consulted Neil Chase, creative writer and filmmaker, and Ally Fallon, speaker, coach, and author of The Power of Writing It Down