Starting a bullet journal can feel quite challenging.
At least, that’s how I felt when I first started.
Besides learning everything you need to know about bullet journaling – and there’s quite a lot – you want to pick the best bullet journal.
But there are just so many dotted journals to choose from.
So how do you choose the best bullet journal for your productivity goals, journaling needs, and other preferences?
That’s what I want to help you with today!
For this article, I’ve combined personal experience with thorough research of the top dotted journals on the market. You’ll learn how to pick YOUR best bullet journal. And we’ll cover my 5 favorite dotted journals on the market.
So, let’s dive in!
Why should you buy a bullet journal?
Bullet journals offer the greatest flexibility and customization options in comparison to any other option.
That’s what makes them the most powerful option for personalization.
From organization and productivity to habit tracking and personal growth, you can tailor your ideal layout and customize any tracker.
Your options are endless.
Combine that with the opportunity for creative self-expression, and you can understand why bullet journals are so popular today.
Dotted journals are the perfect choice for anyone seeking a highly customizable and personalized organizational system.
But…
What to look for in a good bullet journal?
Selecting a good bullet journal comes down to personal preferences, needs, and lifestyle choices – just like any of the best self-help journals.
That said, especially consider these bullet journal features to pick the one that’s right for you:
- Paper quality is expressed in gsm or Grams per Square Meter. While standard notebooks use 70-80 gsm paper, quality journals usually use 100+ gsm to avoid wetter ink from bleeding through the pages.
- Choose your size. While a pocket-size A6 option maximizes portability, the A5 format is the most popular choice to balance size and detailed layouts. Prefer a bigger format? Then choose the traditional but more bulky A4 print paper format for more space.
- Compare a hard vs soft cover journal. While a hard cover provides durability, a soft cover offers flexibility and lighter weight.
- Consider other physical features like page color, binding, bookmark indicators, numbered pages, pen holders, and pockets.
- Think about contextual features like integrated habit trackers or dedicated journaling sections. While any bullet journal allows you to create your own, some already contain your desired features.
- Consider the price when choosing the best dotted journal. There are many affordable yet high-quality paper journals, including the ones in this list.
Now you know what to consider to pick the best bullet journal that suits your situation and lifestyle, let’s take a look at the best options.
Top 5 bullet journals
Throughout my research, I’ve found that there are so many different and good bullet journals on the market.
But there were a few bullet journals that kept resurfacing.
Below, you’ll find a list of my favorite bullet journals based on my research and personal experience.
Let’s dig in!
Best value for money: Clever Fox Dotted Grid Notebook
The Clever Fox Dotted Grid Notebook offers a simple yet effective design.
While it has no specific features, it offers the best value for money.
The brand Clever Fox is known for high-quality and affordable products to help you achieve your goals and boost productivity.
And their bullet journal is no different.
Key features include:
- Pages: 127 Numbered pages
- Paper quality: 120 gsm, thick and bleed-resistant
- Sizes available: A5 format
- Colors available: Various stylish and vibrant color options, including deep purple, lavender, sky blue, turquoise, or the more traditional black.
- Cover type: Vegan leather hardcover
Clever Fox Dotted Journal is perfect if you seek a quality dotted journal without breaking the bank.
View the Clever Fox Dotted JournalBest for self-improvement: The Clear Habit Journal
The Clear Habit Journal is based on the “Atomic Habits” methodology. While still offering the same freedom as any other bullet journal, it also includes a systematic approach to habit formation and self-improvement.
It’s the best option if you’re looking for a structured way to track your habits and implement a reflective journaling practice.
James Clear is known for his best-selling book, Atomic Habits. In this book, he outlines a simple yet effective method for building habits.
Together with Baron Fig, they designed this bullet journal.
Key features include:
- Pages: 168 dotted journal pages, plus an additional:
- 12 One-line-per-day journal pages
- 12 Monthly habit tracking pages
- 16 Pages of toolkits and examples
- Paper quality: 90 gsm for minimal bleed-through. While less qualitative than others, it works great when using black markers. However, perhaps it’s not the best option if you want to use wetter colors or ink pencils.
- Sizes available: A5 (Flagship) or an A4-A5 in-betweener (Plus).
- Colors available: Black
- Cover type: Hardcover
The Clear Habit Journal is the best bullet journal if you seek an extensive habit-tracking system and brief journaling extension. I’ve personally used this bullet journal for that reason and really enjoyed it.
View James’s Clear Habit JournalComplete bullet journaling set: Feela Dotted Journal Kit
The Feela Dotted Journal Kit is the most complete bullet journaling set. It includes everything you need to start your bullet journal journey, including fineliners, pens, stencils, and stickers.
It’s perfect for stimulating creative self-expression.
The brand Feela is known for offering quality yet affordable bullet journaling supplies. All of their products receive great reviews in their online store.
Key features include:
- Pages: 224 pages
- Paper quality: 120 gsm, thick and bleed-resistant
- Sizes available: A5 (5.7 x 8.2 inches)
- Colors available: Various vibrant and classic colors
- Cover type: Softcover, durable and flexible
The Feela Dotted Journal Kit is the best affordable starter set for bullet journaling. So if you seek a little creative inspiration, you’ll love this option.
View the Feela Dotted Journal KitFavorite amongst bullet journalist enthusiasts: Leuchtturm
Distinctive features like table of contents and numbered pages make Leuchtturm1917 a favorite among bullet journal enthusiasts.
Easily organizing and referencing notes is their key strength.
Leuchtturm1917 is one of the pioneering brands in the bullet journaling world, offering many formats, sizes, colors, and covers. Their most popular bullet journal is the Notebook Hardcover Medium A5.
Key features include:
- Pages: Typically around 250 numbered pages.
- Paper quality: 80 to 120 gsm of their signature quality paper.
- Sizes available: A4 to A6. Their original format was Master A4+.
- Colors available: Many, and I mean many, vibrant and classic colors.
- Cover options: Both hardcover and softcover journals.
Ideal for those who want to follow the recommendation of the bullet journalist enthusiast and appreciate a wide range of choices. Either browse their entire Leuchtturm1997 store or get their most popular option.
View Leuchtturm1997’s most popular bullet journalFavorite for durability and design: Moleskine dotted journals
Moleskine offers classic yet premium-quality notebooks. These timeless and professional dotted journals make it another popular option amongst bullet journalists.
So look no further if you look for a classic-feel bullet journal.
Moleskine has a reputation for producing quality notebooks with a minimalist design. They’re a trusted choice by professionals and creatives. Top favorites include the Hardcover A5 model and Classic Softcover A5 option.
Key features include:
- Pages: Typically 192 pages.
- Paper quality: Typically 80 gsm of high-quality ivory paper.
- Sizes available: A4 to A6, with A5 being their classic option.
- Colors available: Various classic colors like black, blue, and red.
- Cover options: Softcover and hardcover bullet journals.
You’ll love the Moleskine bullet journals if you appreciate a classic and minimalist design, focused on clean and structured layouts.
View Molskine’s store for all journalsWhat’s next?
Getting yourself one of the best bullet journals can be a game-changer for how you organize yourself and structure your day.
Remember to experiment with bullet journaling.
Learning how to bullet journal and find your ideal setup takes time.
Start today by investing in one of the best bullet journals. Because once you flow, bullet journaling can become your most effective tool for productivity and continuous self-improvement. And also check out my article for more info about how to start a journaling practice.
Explore more journaling options and resources:
- Journaling course for introspection and self-awareness
- Best guided journals for a structured journaling experience
- Review of Goals on Track; a dedicated online goal-setting tool to help you stay productive and achieve more success.
Challenge: Get your favorite bullet journal in this list and create a weekly journaling spread to experiment. At the end of your week, reflect on what you liked, what elements you should remove, and add something new you want to try. Use your improved version in week 2. Repeat this process for 4 weeks.
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