10 Best Notebooks in 2022 (Stationery Blogger-Reviewed)
Everyone needs a good notebook, whether it's for your to-do lists, college classes, or taking notes during meetings. Some people want a notebook for bullet journaling, or practicing calligraphy with a fountain pen. And others have a specialized need, like taking field notes or recording their travel adventures.
Whatever your need, you'll find a lot of notebooks to choose from. We consulted Pam Tremble, the Stationery Nerd, for her top pick, and she helped us choose Dingbats' Wildlife Hardcover Notebook. It's our favorite because it has thick paper, a strong binding, and offers a choice of paper patterns. Check out the other great products on our list, and don't skip the buying guide, so you have the information you need to choose the right one for you.
Quick List - Top Notebooks
Dingbats*
Best Sewn Notebook With Pages You Can Tear Out
When she was a little girl and it was back-to-school time, Pam was always most excited about the prospect of new pens, new notebooks, and new crayons. That love for stationery never died out. Rather, by now, she's amassed more supplies than we could ever hope to count. She runs the Stationery Nerd blog, where she posts musings and reviews (including one on 30 different journals). You can also connect with her on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and YouTube.
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How to Choose Notebooks
There are many, many ways to stick together a few leaves of paper. We could barely keep track of them all ourselves, so we invited the Stationery Nerd to walk us through everything with her insight.
Pick Between Page Designs Depending on Use
Notebook paper can be lined, dot grid, graph, or blank. Notebooks with no lines at all are great for doodlers and artists.
In America, the most common forms of line-spaced notebooks are narrow- or college-ruled. Narrow-ruled, with lines spaced at 6.4 millimeters, is for people with tiny handwriting, or who need to fit a lot on a page.
Medium, or college-ruled (7.1 millimeters), is your run-of-the-mill, all-purpose paper. For kids, there’s wide, or legal, ruled (8.7 millimeters).
Then, there are books with dotted grids. Recently, bullet journaling, where you write in short, quick notes and symbols, has become popular. Dotted grid notebooks, because you can connect the dots and use the page however you want, lend themselves beautifully to these. You can also draw pictures, diagrams, and graphs.
Bullet journaling is a huge trend right now, and I see most people wanting to use dot grid. However, I’m also seeing a trend toward the square grids; it’s more closed in and easier to draw straight lines that way.
Select a Binding for Your Notebook
There are two main ways notebook paper is bound: on spiral rings or sewn and glued together. Each comes with advantages and disadvantages that may seem small at first, but magnify over time.
Spiral-Bound Notebooks Are Great for Jotting Down Notes Outside the Home
Ring- or spiral-bound notebooks work well in small spaces. If you’re using a small desk, sitting on the bus, or standing by the curb, just fold over the page and flip the book over to write more. But if you stack enough spiral-bound notebooks together, the rings get caught on one another.
There’s a line running down the center of most steno pads because it takes time to move your hand from the left-hand side of the page all the way to the right and back again. If you stop at the center line, you halve the distance your hand has to travel. These could be a good choice if you need to quickly take notes for work.
I think that there’s a pretty big market for spiral-bound, especially because a lot of day planners and calendars are in this format. Most often, you find spiral-bound notebooks with lines, so they’re really good for journaling or taking notes during class.
As for steno pads, I don’t see them very often in school settings; I almost always see them in association with a corporate setting or office setting.
Sewn Notebooks Are Sleek, Ideal for Lining Up Along a Shelf, and Durable
Pages can also be stapled, glued, or sewn and then glued. Staple-bound notebooks are thin, light, and cheap. However, sewn notebooks are the most durable.
Spiral-bound notebooks have perforations for the wire to loop through, and the little strips of paper around the ring wear out over time. You don’t have that problem with threads running down the spine.
Also, staple-bound and sewn notebooks have sleek spines. If you need to carry multiple notebooks around, or you want to line your notebooks along a shelf, you’ll find that these can rub shoulders and they won't tangle the way spiral-bound books do.
Most journals are actually sewn and then glued together. It helps with making sure that they lie flat on your desk when you have them open—and they'll actually last longer.
If you have just a glue binding, it’s easier for the pages to fall out as you open and close the notebook more often. And the notebooks don’t lie flat when you open them on the desk—and you don’t expect them to last long.
Find a Cover Color and Material That Suits Your Situation
The materials the cover is made of are important, too. A hardcover will allow you to take notes while standing or not at a desk. Soft covers can get more beat up if you throw your notebook in a backpack a lot, but they weigh less. Some soft covers are plastic, which is waterproof and more durable than the common cardstock.
Fabric covers are tactile and look nice when new, but are more susceptible to picking up smudges and dirt over time. If you like fabric, a dark color would be better if your notebook will be exposed to rough treatment. Leather looks beautiful, feels nice, and any scuffs and scratches simply make it look well-loved!
Check the Paper for Weight and Quality
Unfortunately, when you shop online, you can’t feel the paper or rub it between your fingers even though that’s the best way to check for quality. So, the next best way is to learn some paper terminology.
Get Thick Paper With High GSM So It's Not See-Through
Paper density is measured in pounds or GSM, which stands for grams per square meter. The higher the number, the denser the paper is. The pound scale is based on 500 sheets of said type of paper in its uncut size, which makes it difficult to convert to GSM directly. GSM is more standardized; it measures one sheet that's one meter square.
We’d say 100 GSM is the threshold for good notebook paper. You get less ghosting, which is when you can see through the paper. 70 GSM works fine for less inky pens like ballpoints. In the U.S. Basis Weight scale, 20 pounds is standard for notebook paper.
GSM is a pretty good indicator of the thickness of paper but is not the actual weight of it. Notebooks that contain high GSM paper are not heavy because you're sacrificing pages. You give up pages to get the same size notebook that weighs about the same. To me, it’s worth the sacrifice to get better paper.
Buy Coated Paper So That Inky Pens Don’t Bleed or Feather
What is coating? It’s a kind of material, often clay, that’s put on the paper to add shine, smooth over a fibrous surface, or keep ink from soaking through paper. The more heavily coated a paper is, the less ink it will absorb.
Your writing will also take longer to dry. That’s why you want heavily coated paper only if you use fountain pens; if you have a regular ink pen, get lightly coated or half-coated paper, as it’s a lot easier to work with. Graphite doesn’t take well to coating, so you don’t want coated paper if you use pencil.
Coated paper may be best for journaling, where you can spend time on your writing and you care about how it looks. It's probably not necessary for simple note-taking during college classes or meetings.
Feathering is when the ink absorbs into the paper, and the fibers grab the ink and spread it out into a spiderweb-type thing. So you’re not going to have feathering on something that’s coated. Paper can be like 52 GSM, but it’s got a coating—so nothing bleeds through, and nothing will feather on that paper.
But 52 GSM is very thin, so you basically only get to use one side of the paper. You can’t really write on the back side because you can see everything through it.
Choose a Paper Size Based on Portability
Think about how and where you’ll be using your notebook. Do you want a huge one to sketch on at home, or a small one to fit in your purse? Most writing won’t need anything bigger than letter-sized paper (8.5 by 11 inches) or its ISO (International Organization for Standardization) equivalent, A4 (8.3 by 11.7 inches).
But those notebooks aren’t super portable. The next size down, A5 (5.8 by 8.3 inches), can just fit into a tote bag or a purse. Go for A6 if you want the notebook to be easily carried.
If you need to carry your notes around, you can get pocket notebooks. “Pocket” is not a standardized size, but most notebooks have the dimensions of a large wallet. B-sizes, which fit in between the A-sizes, are also an option. They’re just a bit bigger; B4 is 9.8 by 13.9 inches.
In the journaling community, people have adapted to international sizing. So A4, A5, A6 are among the most common. And the B sizes are also gaining popularity—namely, B5 and B6. The most common size is A5.
However, I have seen a trend in the last six months or so going to A6. I think that going a little bit smaller is the trend, but I’m not sure how long that is going to last.
Consider Perforated Pages for Easy Sharing
If you plan to tear out pages a lot, then micro-perforations are something to look for. Most often, these are found in spiral-bound notebooks.
They make it easier to remove shopping lists, share your notes with a classmate, or get rid of pages you've made mistakes on. Unlike tearing pages directly from the metal spiral, which leaves you with a ton of tiny paper scraps, perforated pages come out cleanly.
You should be extra careful if removing pages from sewn or glued notebooks without perforations. You can do it using an X-acto knife or tear them, but depending on how the pages are bound, you might end up causing the whole thing to fall apart!
10 Best Notebooks Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dingbats* Dingbats Wildlife Medium A5+ Hardcover Notebook | | Best Sewn Notebook With Pages You Can Tear Out | |
2 | TOPS Tekukor A5 Notebook Hardcover Dot Grid | | Best for Taking Notes in Meetings and Lectures | |
3 | Mead Five Star Spiral Notebooks (6 pack) | | Best Set of Notebooks for Students | |
4 | Moleskine Moleskine Large Ruled Hard Cover Notebook | | Best for Travel or Bullet Journaling | |
5 | Portage Minimalism Art Notebook | | Best for Speedy Note-Taking Anywhere, Anytime | |
6 | Leuchtturm1917 Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size Hardcover A5 Notebook | | Best Notebook That's Well-Organized | |
7 | Traveler's Company (formerly Midori) Midori Traveler’s Notebook Journal Passport Size | | Best Fully Customizable Notebook | |
8 | Rhodia Rhodia Wirebound Notebook Black Grid, Satin | | Best Spiral Notebook if You Tear Out Pages a Lot | |
9 | Rocketbook Rite in the Rain All-Weather Top-Spiral Notebook (3 Pack) | | Best High-Tech Notebook With Reusable Smart Pages | |
10 | Barbakam Muji Notebook A5 6mm Rule (5 pack) | | Best for Science Classes or Those Who Need 2 Copies of Each Page |
Dingbats*Dingbats Wildlife Medium A5+ Hardcover Notebook
Best Sewn Notebook With Pages You Can Tear Out
- Micro-perforated pages for easy tearing
- Lightly coated to resist ink feathering
- Inner pocket, pen loop, elastic closure, and bookmark
- Rounded corners for less damage
Cons:
- Some reviewers had problems with durability
Dingbats* was tagged by the Stationery Nerd as one of the few sewn notebooks where you can tear any page out without compromising the binding. It has coated pages and an inner pocket. It's great for bullet journaling, taking notes or keeping track of expenses, or even sketching since it comes in four page styles.
Negative reviews aren't really consistent but mention various quality-control issues. None of these are major flaws, and the number of positive reviews is far higher, with people saying they love the tough hardcover and thick paper that has minimal ghosting or bleed-through.
TOPSTekukor A5 Notebook Hardcover Dot Grid
Best for Taking Notes in Meetings and Lectures
Pros:
- Uses the Cornell note-taking system
- Perforated pages
- Top spiral binding for right- or left-handed use
- Available in many other bindings and sizes
Cons:
- Some reviewers say the pages can stick together at the top and tear
The FocusNote notebooks and pads are available in a variety of formats, but all use the three-step Cornell note-taking system. There's a big lined space to take your notes. Then, in the sidebar, you have space for cues or questions. Finally, you summarize the page in the space at the bottom.
Reviewers like this size for taking notes, but some mention the pages can get stuck, making them difficult to flip. If this concerns you, they also come in glue-bound pads. Reviewers who are left-handed love the top spiral. Many users find the note-taking system is great for class or meeting notes, projects, estimates, and more.
Best Set of Notebooks for Students
- Color-coded so you can use them for different subjects easily
- Two-pocket divider in each one
- Perforated sheets for clean tear-out
- Water-resistant front cover and sturdy cardboard back
- Fits in three-hole binders
Cons:
- A thin-tipped gel pen is the inkiest you can get without bleeding through
Five Star notebooks are a student's best friend. The cover measures 11 by 9.75 inches, and the sheets inside are letter-sized. The pages are perforated, which is crucial for people who need to turn in their written assignments or share notes. They each have a pocketed divider to store papers and are three-hole-punched.
Most reviewers say the paper feels nice to write on, although a few thought it was rough. Overall, people like the durable plastic covers, the included folders, and how they can be secured in a three-ring binder.
Best for Travel or Bullet Journaling
- Elastic closure, bookmark, and inner pocket
- Ivory white pages in four styles
- Hard or soft covers available
Cons:
- The pages are thin, and some reviewers mention bleed-through
The cover of a Moleskine feels amazingly like a mix of leather and silk. The paper is smooth and off-white. With a variety of covers and page formats, this is a favorite for journaling, and the thin profile makes it great for travel.
Some reviewers weren't impressed, saying they felt this notebook didn't live up to Moleskine's reputation or price. But the vast majority of loyal users disagree! They say it's built to last, nice to write in, and they love the color options.
Best for Speedy Note-Taking Anywhere, Anytime
Pros:
- Two portable sizes fit in your purse or back pocket
- Comes in either Pitman or Gregg ruling for speedy stenography
- Stiff back for a firm writing surface when standing
- Cover has space for your name and contact info in case you lose it
Cons:
- The paper is not super high quality
If you need to take notes quickly, especially while standing, a reporter's notebook will make your job easier. These have a stiff back cover and are a narrow size, which makes note-taking faster and makes them easy to hold while writing.
Reviewers mention the paper is not the best, but archival quality isn't what these are for. Most use them for work notes, grocery lists, scratch pads, one-the-go note-taking, and as you might have guessed, journalism. In short, users find them indispensable!
Leuchtturm1917Leuchtturm1917 Medium Size Hardcover A5 Notebook
Best Notebook That's Well-Organized
- Table of contents and numbered pages
- Eight perforated sheets
- Labels included
- Two bookmarks, elastic closure, inner pocket
Cons:
- Some reviewers found the paper so thin that ghosting was a problem
The Leuchtturm1917's pages are heavily coated, so they’re smooth, and there’s beautiful glide. You can use a fountain pen with no bleeding and no feathering. The pages are numbered and there are eight perforated pages in the back.
It has 249 numbered pages, front and back. This means that the sheets are thin enough that buyers noticed some ghosting depending on what pen they used. However, it's a popular choice for bullet journaling, and reviewers like how it keeps them organized, with the included labels, page numbers, and its table of contents.
Traveler's Company (formerly Midori)Midori Traveler’s Notebook Journal Passport Size
Best Fully Customizable Notebook
- Leather cover that you fill with paper of your choice
- Comes with 64-page blank notebook to start with
- Spare elastic band and cotton bag for protection
Cons:
- Buying inserts for it can be addictive
Traveler’s Company notebooks are leather covers, and you fill them with inserts. An insert can be blank or lined paper; it can be a planner or folder; it can be a zippered pocket or cardholders. The company, which used to be called Midori, has a vocal fanbase, and you can look online for ideas on different ways to use one.
Reviewers mention the knot in the middle of the back cover, which you can feel as you work your way through the pages of an insert. But most are enamored with these notebooks. They speak of them as more of a life partner than mere stationery!
RhodiaRhodia Wirebound Notebook Black Grid, Satin
Best Spiral Notebook if You Tear Out Pages a Lot
- Satin finish vellum pages
- Double-wire spiral binding to eliminate snags
- Micro-perforated sheets tear off easily
- Coated, waterproof cover
Cons:
- Covers are too flimsy to take notes while standing
- Perforations can tear even if you don't want them too
Rhodia offers a spiral notebook with creamy, silky, vellum paper. Fountain pen ink doesn’t bleed into it, and it doesn’t feather, either, but will still dry in a reasonable amount of time. Graphite will also take to the page quite well.
Reviewers caution the pages can tear off easily; sometimes too easily. They also dislike the lightweight cover that can get bent and ripped. But they love the paper and say it doesn't bleed or ghost, feels nice to write on, and makes a great pad if you need to tear pages out often.
RocketbookRite in the Rain All-Weather Top-Spiral Notebook (3 Pack)
Best High-Tech Notebook With Reusable Smart Pages
Pros:
- 42 pages you can wipe clean and reuse
- Scan and send your notes to cloud services or email
- Seven page styles: lined, dot grid, task list, weekly planner, monthly calendar, idea list, OKR goal template
- Comes with pen and cloth
Cons:
- You have to wait for the ink to dry to avoid smudges
- The OCR works well, but only if you have legible handwriting
If you need to digitize your notebook contents, Rocketbooks are the way to go! Write your notes, scan them using the app, then wipe the pages clean so you can reuse them. The Fusion ones come with a variety of page types, making them even more useful. They work with any Frixion pen or highlighter.
The system isn't for everyone, and we recommend doing more research to see if uploading your notes will actually help you. But most reviewers love the variety of page formats and the fact that they're reusable. Most also say the Optical Character Recognition converts their handwriting with few errors.
BarbakamMuji Notebook A5 6mm Rule (5 pack)
Best for Science Classes or Those Who Need 2 Copies of Each Page
Pros:
- Each page has a perforated carbonless copy sheet after it
- Includes chemistry-specific reference material, like the periodic table, common formulas, and conversions
- Three lined pages at front for table of contents; the rest is graph paper
- Back cover folds over and acts as protection to prevent copying more than one page
Cons:
- Only the copy pages are perforated, so make sure your professor will accept those
Designed for chemistry students, these books make it possible to turn in your notes to the teacher while keeping your originals. Each page is followed by a carbonless copy sheet that's perforated for easy removal. These are also useful for anyone who needs to share their notes frequently but is worried about getting their copy back!
Most reviewers say that it worked out well for them, even the ones who were required to buy it for class and had no choice. They say it doesn't take much pressure to get a legible copy. Several mention it had more than enough pages for one or even two semesters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have some burning questions about notebooks? We've tried to help you out with some of the most commonly asked questions about notebooks.
Are there notebooks that you can add paper to?
Sure! The main thing you need to think about, in addition to what we've covered in our guide, is what kind of binding you prefer. A traveler's notebook is basically a cover with an elastic band that you can slide booklets in and out of.
Ring binders, like the common three-ring, can be filled with any paper that has the same number of holes punched in it as rings in your binder. Disc binding systems are somewhere between a three-ring binder and a spiral notebook; you can add and remove pages cleanly without opening any rings.
How many notebooks do I need for college?
It's tough to generalize. Think about your major and how many notes you expect to take. Will you mostly be using it during lectures, labs, or in the library? A good rule of thumb is one per course, but you can also consider a big notebook with a divider.
If you know your class schedule, you might want to organize your notes by day. Say you have the same two classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; you could get a notebook with one divider to bring on those days, and a different one for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Need More Stationery?
Besides notebooks, there are other tools that can help you keep organized or take notes. Check out these useful stationery items!
In Collaboration With Stationery Blogger Pam Tremble
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 Notebooks
No. 1: Dingbats*｜Dingbats Wildlife Medium A5+ Hardcover Notebook
No. 2: TOPS｜Tekukor A5 Notebook Hardcover Dot Grid
No. 3: Mead｜Five Star Spiral Notebooks (6 pack)
No. 4: Moleskine｜Moleskine Large Ruled Hard Cover Notebook
No. 5: Portage｜Minimalism Art Notebook
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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