Journaling

Best Notebooks for Journaling: A Comprehensive Comparison

By YPen Published

Best Notebooks for Journaling: A Comprehensive Comparison

The right notebook transforms journaling from a task into a pleasure. The wrong one creates friction — bleeding ink, flimsy paper, awkward sizing — that slowly erodes your motivation. After years of testing, here are the best notebooks for every type of journaler.

What Makes a Good Journaling Notebook

Paper Quality

This is the single most important factor. Good paper does not bleed or ghost (show through to the other side), handles various pen types without feathering, and feels pleasant under the pen. Paper weight, measured in grams per square meter (gsm), is a useful guide: 80gsm is standard, 100gsm+ is premium.

Binding

The notebook should lay flat when open. A journal that fights to close while you are writing is a daily annoyance. Sewn bindings and lay-flat spines are worth seeking out.

Size

A5 (approximately 5.5 x 8.5 inches) is the most popular journaling size — large enough for substantial entries, small enough to carry. A6 (pocket size) works for travel and brief entries. B5 is ideal for those who want more space.

Ruling

  • Dotted — the most versatile. Guides your writing without dominating the page. Preferred by bullet journalers.
  • Lined — traditional and comfortable for pure writing.
  • Blank — maximum freedom for sketching, mind mapping, and freeform entries.
  • Grid — useful for layouts, charts, and structured planning.

The Top Notebooks

Leuchtturm1917 (A5, Hardcover)

Price: $20-25 Paper: 80gsm, acid-free Pages: 251 numbered pages Features: Table of contents, numbered pages, page marker ribbons, back pocket, adhesive labels

The Leuchtturm1917 has become the default recommendation for journaling, and for good reason. The numbered pages and built-in table of contents make it ideal for bullet journaling. The paper handles most pens well, though heavy fountain pen ink can ghost slightly.

Best for: Bullet journalers, organized writers who use indexing, anyone who wants a professional-feeling notebook.

Drawback: Paper can struggle with very wet fountain pen inks. At 80gsm, it is thinner than premium alternatives.

Moleskine Classic (Large)

Price: $18-23 Paper: 70gsm, ivory-colored Pages: 240 pages Features: Elastic closure, back pocket, ribbon bookmark, rounded corners

Moleskine is the most recognized notebook brand in the world, and the Classic has a devoted following. The ivory paper has a warm, vintage feel. The elastic closure and rounded corners are signature touches.

Best for: Writers who value brand heritage and aesthetic. Good for pencil and fine-point pens.

Drawback: The 70gsm paper is the thinnest among premium notebooks. Fountain pens and markers will bleed through. Ghosting is significant with many pen types.

Rhodia Webnotebook (A5)

Price: $20-25 Paper: 90gsm Clairefontaine Velin Pages: 192 pages Features: Lay-flat binding, elastic closure, ribbon bookmark, back pocket

Rhodia notebooks use Clairefontaine paper, which is among the best writing paper available. It is silky smooth, handles fountain pen ink beautifully, and resists ghosting and bleed-through. If paper quality is your priority, Rhodia wins.

Best for: Fountain pen users, anyone who prioritizes paper quality above all. Pairs perfectly with a fountain pen.

Drawback: Fewer pages than competitors. No numbered pages or table of contents. The smooth paper can feel slippery under ballpoints.

Archer & Olive (A5)

Price: $30-40 Paper: 160gsm ultra-thick Pages: 160 pages Features: Lay-flat binding, numbered pages, various cover designs

The thickest paper in mainstream journaling notebooks. At 160gsm, it handles everything — markers, watercolors, brush pens, heavy fountain pen inks — without any bleed or ghost. Each page feels like cardstock.

Best for: Artistic journalers who use markers, brush pens, and mixed media. Anyone who wants zero ghosting.

Drawback: Expensive. Fewer pages due to paper thickness. The thick paper gives a different writing feel that some find too stiff.

Midori MD (A5)

Price: $12-18 Paper: Custom MD paper Pages: 176 pages Features: Simple design, paraffin cover, lay-flat binding

A minimalist Japanese notebook with exceptional paper. MD paper has a subtle texture that provides gentle resistance under the pen — neither slippery nor rough. The simple design is intentionally understated, letting the writing be the focus.

Best for: Minimalists, writers who appreciate Japanese stationery, those who want excellent paper at a moderate price.

Drawback: No index, no numbered pages, no elastic closure. The simplicity that is its strength is also its limitation for organized journaling.

Budget Options

You do not need a premium notebook to journal effectively:

  • Muji recycled notebooks ($3-5) — simple, good paper, no frills.
  • Exceed (Walmart brand) ($5) — surprisingly good paper quality for the price.
  • Composition notebooks ($1-3) — the classic school notebook works perfectly for daily journaling.

A cheap notebook used daily is better than an expensive notebook that stays pristine in a drawer.

Matching Notebook to Practice

  • Bullet journaling: Leuchtturm1917 (numbered pages, dotted grid)
  • Morning pages: Budget notebook or Midori MD (you will fill them quickly)
  • Travel journaling: Pocket Moleskine or Field Notes (portability)
  • Gratitude journaling: Any small notebook with lined pages
  • Fountain pen journaling: Rhodia Webnotebook or Midori MD (superior ink handling)

The Final Word

The best notebook is the one that makes you want to write. Visit a stationery store if possible and feel the paper, test the binding, assess the size in your hand. The physical relationship between you and your notebook matters more than any review can convey. Choose the notebook that feels right, and then fill it.