The 13 Best Bullet Journal Notebooks
When you start your Bullet Journal, or even when you are just thinking of moving to a new notebook, it’s important to find the right journal for yourself since this is probably the most important item out of all possible Bullet Journal supplies.
Of course, always remember that for bullet journaling, you can use any notebook you have lying around in your house. Yet, it’s always nice to have the best materials and tools for our hobbies and passions.
So, I did my research to figure out what brands are on the market, which ones are popular, and why people love them. So before you get your journal, take a look at these 13 dot grid journals to try out for your next Bullet Journal.
When you talk about Bullet Journaling for beginners, getting the right notebook is one of the first things to do!
Before we dive in and take a look at some fantastic Bullet Journal notebooks, I want to be clear about something – there is no such thing as the best notebook!
Everyone needs something different from their notebooks, so it’s up to you to decide what is the best notebook for you.
I also have a few favorites, depending on what it is I use them for. Lately, I’ve been super in love with my Archer and Olive notebooks, and I use different sizes for different purposes.
But you might find that a different type of notebook is best for you, and that’s totally fine. Let’s look into some characteristics you might consider.
Also, be sure to scroll until the end to get your free Ultimate Guide To Bullet Journal Supplies and some more recommendations.
How To Choose The Best Notebook For You
Choosing the right notebook might be a bit difficult. There are so many amazing players on the market, and especially when you’re just starting, it’s hard to understand what exactly you need from your notebooks.
I’m here to help, though; here are a few characteristics you might think about when choosing your perfect notebook.
- Paper color. Do you want ivory? Cream? Pure white? Think about it because the color of your paper will influence how the color of your markers and brush pens will look.
- Numbered pages. If you want to follow the original Bullet Journal structure, you’ll need numbered pages. Not all journals offer that, though. So think if you have to have your pages numbered or if it’s ok for you to do it yourself as you go.
- Extra pages. Some journals come with already pre-made pages, such as key and index. This really helps to speed up the process. So think if you need those or if you prefer to create all the pages yourself.
- Paper thickness. Last but not least is the paper quality. You definitely don’t want any bleeding or ghosting on your pages, so always make sure you check how thick the paper is. I’d say anything around 100-120 GSM is pretty solid, but of course, the higher the GSM, the better.
- Cover. Do you want the softcover or the hardcover? Do you want it to have a ribbon closure? What about a pen loop? These are the little details that can really help you enjoy planning more, so think about this as well.
I know I threw a lot of questions at you, so maybe it would help if I gave you my answers so you have an idea of how you might go about choosing a perfect journal for yourself.
Paper color – I always go for pure white. It’s the cleanest color, so you get to see the true colors of all your markers. I heard that pure white paper might be difficult to read in the bright light, but I’ve never had this issue myself.
Numbered pages – I don’t actually use the index, so even when I had a journal with numbered pages, I’ve never used it. But if you’re planning to use index it might be easier if you got the one with numbered pages.
Extra pages – I never use those. I like to create my pages from scratch, and I also don’t necessarily use all the standard pages that come pre-made, so for me, this is a waste of pages. But if you’re a beginner and still learning your basics, it might be beneficial to actually have some pages ready to use.
Paper thickness – I don’t really use anything other than 160 these days. It’s just the best combination, with the paper being thick enough to withstand anything but not too thick to use. My only exception to this rule would be Nuuna journals, which are 120 GSM, but I still love that special feel they have.
Cover – I would definitely go for a hardcover, preferably with a ribbon to keep it together. That way, it’s easier to make sure your journal is fine, even if you don’t have a separate cover. However, if you decide to invest in a cover, it won’t really matter. As for the pen loop – I usually have a pencil pouch for my planning supplies, so I find that the pen loop is more of an annoyance.
I hope by now you have an idea of what you might be looking for in your Bullet Journal notebook, so let’s get on with the list!
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The Best Bullet Journal Notebooks To Try This Year
I tried quite a few notebooks already, and I researched tons of others. Here is a list of some of the best available notebooks for Bullet Journaling that you might consider using.
Each of them is different and has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to you to pick which one would fit your needs better.
At the end of the post, I’ll give you my opinions on the best notebooks in different categories, as well as some more recommendations and journal reviews, so be sure to keep on scrolling.
Archer and Olive journals are on the expensive side, but you’ll be getting something really special for this price! I bought and was gifted several Archer and Olive notebooks, and I can absolutely vouch for them.
Archer and Olive’s notebooks have 160 GSM paint-friendly paper, the thickest of any other Bullet Journal notebook on the market. It’s also pure white, which is pretty rare on the market.
This notebook is for you if you’re looking for a journal to withstand it all and explore your creativity with many materials.
And you can get it 10% off with my code MASHA10.
Nuuna journals are among the most pricey ones on the market and my notebooks of choice for daily planning. I absolutely adore these notebooks – their line has a size somewhere between A5 and B4, so it provides a lot of space for creativity.
The paper is pure white, and the dot grid is actually smaller than in any other notebook. White paper allows for much cleaner and brighter colors, and a smaller dot grid, well, is just my preference.
Among the disadvantages are: the journal has a soft cover and no elastic band, the paper quality decreased with the latest issue, and it doesn’t hold some materials well (Ecoline watercolor brush pens, for example).
This is the official notebook for Bullet Journaling, designed by Ryder Carroll, the Bullet Journal inventor himself. So you really can’t go wrong with this journal.
This journal includes a preprinted index and key and is designed to help you get accustomed to a traditional bullet journal setup.
The notebook has a very classy look, and it has everything you might expect from a BuJo notebook, like ribbon, elastic band, numbered pages, and such. This is a great basic notebook. Unlike its counterparts, it’s actually more suited for Bullet Journaling and has three ribbons that make navigating in it much faster and more convenient.
There are, however, some issues I see people mentioning. The paper isn’t pure white, so all the colors will be a bit less bright, and it’s just 80 GSM, so sometimes people mentioned they had slight ghosting or bleeding.
This notebook is for you if you’re starting and want to have an easier way to learn how to use your Bullet Journal.
If you want to try out Leuchtturm 1917 notebooks but want more color options and a bit lower price – just try their usual dot grid journals. These have numbered pages and an index for your Bullet Journal and, of course, the same paper quality as the official Bullet Journal notebook. But the best thing is all the colors you can choose from!
Leuchtturm 1917 journals are very popular in the Bullet Journal community and were the first notebook for many Bullet Journalists. It’s a very good basic notebook to start with.
Just like with the official Bullet Journal Notebook, the paper quality is 80 GSM, and here opinions divide between it being good or experiencing some bleeding.
This notebook is for you if you want high-quality and cover color variety.
Having a traveler’s notebook as a Bullet Journal can be very beneficial. You can create collections in separate inserts, so you never have to redo them. Plus, it’s one journal for the whole time; you just need to add inserts.
This notebook is worth your time if you want to invest in a quality journal to carry around on your adventures.
This brand is famous for being eco-friendly and featuring different animals on its covers. I’ve had these on my wishlist for a while and was so happy when they offered to send me one.
Dingbats notebooks have adorable cover designs and pretty dense paper. I personally enjoy using mine and how smooth the paper is. Another special treat of these notebooks – the pages are perforated, so if needed, it’s pretty simple to take a page out.
Moreover, the notebooks come in a slightly larger size than A5, which is always welcome – who doesn’t want to have just a little bit more space for their Bullet Journal setups?!
This notebook is for you if you want something cute and a bit bigger than the standard A5.
Scribbles That Matter journal has been on my wishlist for a long while already. It’s famous for its bright cover designs and cute doodles. Apart from general dotted pages, these journals offer pre-made key and index and special pen test pages. Moreover, all pages are numbered.
Scribbles That Matter is a wonderful company that keeps listening to its fan base and always tries to improve its product, and this new journal with 160 GSM paper is just another example of it.
All you need is a Bullet Journal notebook and a pretty affordable price – I think this notebook might be for anyone in the BuJo world.
This notebook has 192 smooth, ivory-colored 90-gsm pages. The pages are friendlier for fountain pens and felt-tipped pens. The dot grid on the pages is darker than most other bullet journals, which makes them easier to see. It also means that the dots will be well seen in your designs as well.
The journal comes with one black ribbon bookmark and an elastic closure.
This journal is a solid choice if you’re looking to start fresh.
In case you’re looking for something you need to reorganize with time, I recommend you to give it a look at Filofax notebooks. They don’t come with dot grid paper, you’d need to buy it separately, but the paper quality is fantastic.
This journal is for you if you’re looking for flexibility in organizing your Bullet Journal pages.
These are good-quality notebooks with an elegant design. Lemome journals have a high-quality paper in ivory color. Even though you won’t find here any special features like a pre-made key and index or numbered pages, it’s still a great notebook to use for your Bullet Journal.
This journal is definitely for you if you’re just starting your BuJo journey, for any other kind of journaling, and if you use lots of wet pens, like fountain pens.
The great basic notebook without any extras to distract you. The paper is 160 GSM, meaning that ghosting or bleeding won’t be a problem here.
Plus, the paper is much closer to pure white than in many other notebooks. It also comes in different colors and with different designs, so you'll be able to find soemthing that fits your style.
This notebook is a great option for your first Bullet Journal.
This notebook is not only high quality, but it also comes with a unique history inspired by the journals used by famous creatives like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Hemingway. Its ivory-colored paper is perfect for writing, sketching, or Bullet Journaling.
With 192 pages, this notebook will provide ample space for even the most prolific of creators. Plus, the soft black cover lends a sleek and professional look.
It does, however, have 70 GSM paper, so if you want to get more artistic with your Bullet Journal pages, this might not be a perfect choice.
This notebook is definitely for you if you want to go minimalist.
This is one of the cheapest options you can get to start with your bujo, but it doesn’t mean it’s not a good notebook. It’s among Amazon’s picks in the Bullet Journal notebooks category and has a solid quality paper.
The only drawback could probably be the fact that they have only 1 ribbon and the pages aren’t numbered, which might be an issue for you if you’re planning to follow the original Bullet Journal system. But then again, you might not need those – just check my Index post to check which option is best for you.
This notebook is definitely for you if you’re new to Bullet Journaling and want to experiment and try out the system before committing.
My Recommendations
That’s a lot of notebooks to choose from, so to help you out, here are my top picks in different categories.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Lemome Notebook
Best Overall: Scribbles That Matter 160 GSM
Best For Artists: Archer and Olive
Best On A Budget: Bullet Journal By Poluma
Best For Beginners: Scribble & Dot Bullet Planner/Dotted Journal
Best For Minimalists: Moleskine Classic Notebook
Final Tips
The important thing is really not to overthink it. If you want to start and are excited about your first Bullet Journal, just go for it! Find the notebook that seems ok for you at the moment and get it.
In time and with more experience, you’ll learn what exactly you need and what kind of notebook is a perfect fit for you. Meanwhile, just jump in and start exploring!
Free Stationery Guide
There are so many journals out there, and there are many other supplies you’ll want to use in your Bullet Journal. It’s easy to get overwhelmed i nthe sea of supplies and information out there.
That’s why I created this guide, it condenses all the supplies to just a few pages, and it’s full of recommendations for any types of supplies and any artistic level.
Sign up in the form below, and once you confirm your subscription, the Ultimate Guide To Bullet Journal Supplies will be on the way to your inbox.
Did I miss your favorite notebook? What brands would you include in this list? Let me know in the comments section below, and I hope this post was helpful for you!
More Resources
There are a lot more journals and a lot more things I could say about each of these notebooks.
So here are a few more posts that I think you’ll like:
- How to Pick The Best Bullet Journal Notebook For You
- The Best 160 GSM Bullet Journal Notebooks: The Ultimate Comparison
If you want some detailed reviews of some of these journals, check out these:
- Nuuna Journal Review: A Notebook Like No Other
- Bullet Journal Review: Archer and Olive Dot Grid Notebook
- Dingbats Notebook Review: Wildlife Elephant Journal
- My Complete Leuchtturm1917 Review by Little Coffee Fox
I hope this post was interesting. If you find it so, please share! If you enjoy my content and want to show your appreciation, please consider supporting me with a cup of coffee.
And always remember! Keep Bullet Journaling, and don’t be a Blob!
I have never written a journal. I have wanted to, but just never knew what to put in it. But I now see it’s a whatever you want book.
I can’t wait to get a book and get started.
Thank you for all the great ideas.
There are so many amazing ideas you can use for your journal! Happy you found some on this blog that finally inspired you to get started =)
I would love to see what you’ve done with your B5! My daughter likes the larger size and I am going to gift her one for Christmas, but I wanted to have it already set up for her with months, weeklies and special sections, so looking at what you have done would be awesome!
And I loved this article!
I’m using my B5 for just random collection pages actually, for planning this is way too much space for me
There is a brand I really like, that I found at my local Wal-Mart store. They sell them on Amazon also, they’re the Exceed brand.
At $10 each, they’re a really stellar deal. And the pages are nice! I love them so much I’ve used one for my personal journal for 2 years now!
That’s great, thanks for sharing! And a really good price too =)
Hi! This was helpful. Have you considered doing one about B5 journals. I do not like the small 8×5 notebooks and want to see what you recommend for a 10×7 journal.
Thanks,
Marisa
Great idea, I’ll see if I can write one about B5 journals. So far I’m using B5 by Archer and Olive and LOVING it, and I think Scribbles That Matter have a B5 in their collection as well =)
This was so helpful! Thank you for making this! I am about halfways with my third nuuna, and i am curious about trying annorher brand next time 😊
I’m so glad you found this useful! I’m totally stuck with my Nuuna, but I try other notebooks for all the not main BuJo stuff. Just got Dingbats one and loving it!