“Bullet journals are a great way to track progress and habits, and they are a great space for you to be creative too,” says Holly Chapman, head of global PR for Papier. We researched the best options, considering attributes like bleed-resistant pages, durable covers, and handy features (like a hidden inner pocket or a ribbon bookmark). Our top choice was the Leuchtturm1917 Medium A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook, due to its professional aesthetic, convenient portability, and durable construction. Both new and experienced bullet journalers will fall for this notebook from Leuchtturm. It comes in 24 different colors, so you can go bold with a port red or stay business professional with black. The book measures 5.75 x 8.25 inches, so it is just the right size to throw in your purse when you are on the go. Each book comes with 251 numbered (writing) pages, eight perforated pages, a blank table of contents, and a folder in the back so you can stay hyper-organized. The pages have a dot grid which makes bullet journaling even easier. Price at time of publish: $23 Choose from nine different colors, from a more professional brown or black to more fun and poppy pink or blue. And, if you prefer another format beyond dots, you can get the same great notebook with blank pages, ruled pages, or even squared pages. Price at time of publish: $9 Also nice: The vegan leather cover is water-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about ruining it even if you’re journaling over a cup of tea. The cover is also sturdy enough to use without a tabletop for use on the go or in bed. Choose from 11 different colors, including white, black, turquoise, burgundy, and more. And if you’d prefer, you can get any of these hues with lined or blank pages, too. Price at time of publish: $10 It also comes in various colors and features an ethically-sourced, vegan leather cover. It even has a pen test page to test out different pens to make sure they won’t bleed through. Many customers comment that there is minimal to no ghosting (even with Sharpies), smooth writing, thick paper, and enough pages for over a year’s worth of journaling. Price at time of publish: $20 Despite the value, there’s no sacrificing quality. The dotted journal is thread-bound with numbered pages, attractive round arc corners, and dots that are aligned and easy to see. The entire book lays flat for convenience while journaling, plus you’ll get extras like an inner pocket, two ribbon bookmarks, a pen holder, and an elastic closure. Price at time of publish: $17 This best-selling option includes 12 months’ worth of content not limited to a key/legend page, a table of contents page, a year-at-a-glance page, an important dates page, a goals page, a blank monthly page, a five-week calendar spread, a monthly habit tracker page, and more. If you’d like some element of personalization, that’s possible, too. Choose cover color (10 options), white or cream pages, your starting month, and a 3-, 6-, or 12-month length. Price at time of publish: $25+ It’s got an extremely durable faux leather cover, so you don’t have to worry too much about beating it up on the go. Maybe the most unique feature of all, though, is the paper. The premium cream-white pages are made with natural material, which helps prevent eye strain. In addition to black, it also comes in blue, white, yellow, and a cactus pattern. It also has lay-flat pages, making journaling easier. Did we mention it features round corners and a ribbon bookmark to help you find your place? Price at time of publish: $7 It comes in a choice of two different sizes (A5 or B5), depending on whether you need one small enough to carry around or not. According to online reviewers, this one has a slight advantage over hard or softcovers, thanks to the fact that you can open the notebook all the way and fold back the cover. The best part is this comes in a pack, so you’ll get two journals for the price of one. Price at time of publish: $13 This one also features archival-quality paper, meaning it’s 20-50 percent thicker than regular paper. It’ll resist feathering, ghosting, and bleeding, but it won’t add any extra bulk to the journal. The cover is made out of faux leather to give it an expensive look, while the edges feature gorgeous Japanese-inspired designs. Once you break it in a bit, it’ll lie completely flat, so don’t worry if it doesn’t the day you start writing in it.
Binding
There’s no right or wrong binding style for your bullet journal; it’s all personal preference. Saddle-stitched notebooks allow the booklet to lay flat, while coil or wire binding makes for extra easy page-turning.
Page Format
While the original bullet journal recommends dot grid pages, choose the page style that works best for you: blank, lined, or dot grid. Blank pages are ideal for sketches, diagrams, and decorative pages. For type-A personalities, opt for lined. Dot grid pages, meanwhile, are best for habit trackers and calendars.
Paper Quality
Since users generally rely on colored markers for bullet journaling, it’s important to consider paper quality. Look for thick paper, so the ink from your pen doesn’t leak through, says Chapman.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written and researched by Sierra Livermore, a product reviewer for The Spruce, who covers travel, home decor, fashion, beauty, and toys. Additional research was done by Megan McCarty, a writer for The Spruce and MyDomaine with over 13 years of experience in both print and digital media. She regularly contributes to design-focused outlets such as Architectural Digest, Domino, House & Home, and Hunker. Updates were later made using additional research completed by Brigitt Earley. She’s a writer with more than 12 years of experience writing buying guides and testing productions for digital publications like The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. Not sure how you want to set yours up? Search Instagram for endless bullet journaling ideas, with templates to copy and organize ideas. Some “bullet journal junkies” go all out design-wise, color coding and illustrating their journals, but you can make yours as simple or elaborate as you’d like.
