10 Best Writing Journals in 2022 (Moleskine, Leuchtturm1917, and More)

Pros:

• Rounded corners prevent damage
• Storage pocket at the back
• Lies flat when open
• Acid-free paper

Cons:

• Not suitable for heavy ink

If you're looking for a classic and sturdy journal to write in, then for many people, Moleskine journals are the best. The acid-free ivory paper gives you a nice surface to write on and the journal will lay flat when opened. You can keep loose pieces of paper in the pocket at the back and the journal will remain fastened due to the elastic closure.

As several reviewers discovered, this journal is not suitable for colored markers or pens with heavy ink such as fountain pens, as the pages will bleed. Reviewers praised this journal for being sturdy, however, and say it will survive rough treatment and several years of use. Although the pages bleed, reviewers say they are of high quality and are perfect for writing or keeping notes.

Pros:

• Two ribbon bookmarks
• Index pages at the front
• Pages are numbered
• Has eight perforated pages
• Storage pocket at the back

Cons:

• Some ghosting with markers and fountain pens

This large 235-page journal has a sewn binding but should be able to lie flat as you work. If you want to keep your work organized this is a great journal to use as every page is numbered and the first couple of pages have an index layout. There is a pocket at the back and the final few pages are perforated, so you can easily rip out a page if you ever need one. 

There are a few complaints from purchasers of the dotted journal that the dots don't fill the entire page. Some other reviewers stated that colored markers and fountain pens can bleed through. However, reviewers confirmed that it does lie flat when opened and that the paper feels nice to write on. They loved the large size of the journal and the quality of the binding.

Pros:

• Set of five journals with different designs
• Each journal has a bookmark and elastic closure
• Storage pocket at the back
• Rounded corners
• 80 pages

Cons:

• Thin paper

This set of journals is the perfect size to take with you. They will fit neatly into a purse or even a larger pocket so you can take notes whenever you need to. Each journal is lined and has a bookmark so you can keep your place. The cover designs are all different but complementary.

Reviewers stated that the paper is thin, so these are best used with pencils or ballpoint pens instead of heavy ink. Reviewers loved the portability of these and that despite their small size, they still have a pocket and an elastic closure. Several reviewers said they were the perfect size to fit in their bags and take with them.

Pros:

• Handmade journal
• Available in two sizes and different colors
• Wraparound cover with leather string fastening
• 240 pages

Cons:

• Journals can have a moldy smell

These are handmade journals covered in water-resistant buffalo leather. The paper is hand-sewn into the journal and is both thick and of high quality. The cover wraps around the paper and can be fastened closed with a long leather strap.

Some reviewers commented that the journal smelled a little moldy when received, and there are also a few negative comments about the quality of the paper. Most reviewers reported that the journals look and feel great in their hands and praise the craftsmanship. They said the journal is durable and nice to write in.

Pros:

• Pack of 10 identical journals
• Rounded corners
• Lies flat when opened
• Storage pocket at the back
• 160 acid-free pages

Cons:

• Elastic closure can come loose

For those who do a lot of writing, such as students, this pack of 10 journals is a good choice. The rounded corners of the journals mean they are less likely to get damaged and loose pieces of paper can be kept safe in the back pocket. The journal also lies flat, making it easy to write in.

A few reviewers reported that the elastic closure on the journal came loose and there were also a few comments that the journals weren't as high-quality as some other brands. Reviewers confirmed that the journals do lie open, however, and they said that most pens do not bleed through the pages. For reviewers that quickly go through journals, at either school or in the office, these were a great buy.

Pros:

• 192-page journal
• Over 96 pages have pretty designs
• Two attached bookmarks
• Lies flat when opened

Cons:

• Linen cover can become dirty or scratched

If you want a journal that can inspire you with every page, then this colorful and artistic journal may be what you're looking for. Over half of the pages in the journal feature pretty watercolor designs in a variety of colors and the cover is bound in plain linen. The cover has a removable sticker and you can keep your place with the two attached bookmarks.

The material of the cover is criticized by some reviewers as it can get easily caught and pilled. A few reviewers also expected more decorated pages than they received. Overall though, reviewers were pleased with their purchase and found the binding to be sturdy and durable. They said that the pages are of good quality and the designs are visible without obscuring their writing. Many found the designs encouraged them to write even more.

Pros:

• Colorful and eye-catching design
• Includes a colorful pen and stickers
• Magnetic closure
• Perforated pages

Cons:

• Pen isn't of high-quality

This journal is designed for kids. The colorful design of the cover is also replicated throughout the journal by pink margins and a 'kind hearted' logo on each page. Each journal comes with stickers and an equally colorful pen, which can be kept inside the journal thanks to a pen loop.

A few reviewers commented that the pen isn't of good quality, but the journal itself is highly praised. Reviewers said the pages are thick and the color doesn't bleed through. The design of the journal was a big hit with kids and there are many reports of kids eagerly writing in this journal.

Pros:

• 365 daily prompts
• Weekly mindfulness themes
• One page per prompt
• Designed to keep you journaling daily

Cons:

• Too heavy and thick to travel with
• Too tightly bound to lie flat

Beginning a journal can be difficult, so if you need an extra hand to get going a guided journal with prompts can be a great way to start. Each prompt has its own page in this journal so you can write as much as you need. There is a different prompt for each day and the prompts are designed to improve your mood and mindfulness.

Some reviewers found this journal difficult to write in because the binding of the book was too tight to easily write in. They also said that it was too large and heavy to fit in a purse. Reviewers said the paper was good to write on, however, and that the prompts were engaging and thought-provoking. They liked that the journal can be completed in order or at random.

Pros:

• Numbered pages
• Index pages at the front
• Storage pocket at the back
• Elastic closure and pen loop
• Large number of color options

Cons:

• Quality control can be lacking

At 160gsm, the pages in this journal are thicker than any other on this list. This journal is designed mainly for bullet journaling due to its dotted pages, numbering, and bleed-proof pages, but it can be used for any purpose. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and designs and there is a pen loop and elastic closure.

Some reviewers stated that they have bought multiple journals from this company with no issue, but that a more recent journal has been damaged or misprinted. Reviewers confirmed that the thickness of the pages prevents bleeding and is easy to write on. They liked the opacity of the dots and said they're dark enough to see, but not dark enough to stick out when colored over.

Pros:

• Durable PU leather cover
• Available in several colors
• Can be tied shut
• Can be refilled with other styles of pages 

Cons:

• Quality of the paper included is low

This journal features blank craft paper that works well for writing and drawing. It's refillable, and its cover is made of PU leather to protect your journal when you're outdoors and on an adventure. It's also aesthetically pleasing with a beautiful pattern and two pendants.

Some reviewers didn't like the quality of the paper and found the journal to be smaller than expected. Nevertheless, many other reviewers said that it was just the right size to carry around everywhere. They stated that the cover is very durable and they loved the option of refilling the journal with lined pages as well as blank if they wanted to.