What is the best bullet journal?

If you mean the best bullet journal notebook, the top choice for most people is:

🏆 Best overall: LEUCHTTURM1917 Official Bullet Journal Edition 2

Why it stands out:

• Designed specifically for the bullet journal method (with creator Ryder Carroll involved)
• 120 gsm paper (handles most pens, mildliners, and some fountain pens well)
• Numbered dot-grid pages
• Built-in index, future log, and BuJo setup pages
• Hardcover, A5 size, and lay-flat binding

It is the one I’d recommend if you’re starting your first bullet journal and want a smooth experience without having to design the structure yourself.

Other excellent picks

• Best for artists / heavy markers: Archer & Olive

• Very thick paper (often around 160 gsm)

• Great for paint, markers, and decorative spreads

• Bulkier and more expensive

• Best value: PAPERAGE Dotted Journal

• Affordable

• Good paper for everyday pens

• A good first BuJo if you’re unsure you’ll stick with the habit

• Best classic choice: LEUCHTTURM1917 A5 Dotted Hardcover Notebook

• The traditional favorite among many bullet journal users

• Lots of pages and a built-in index

• Better if you want a completely custom setup

Quick recommendation by personality

• 📅 Productivity-focused: LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
• 🎨 Creative/artistic: Archer & Olive
• 💰 Budget beginner: PAPERAGE
• ✒️ Fountain pen user: Look for 120–160 gsm paper (such as LEUCHTTURM1917 120G or Archer & Olive)

For most people, I’d pick the LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 in A5 dotted. It balances structure, quality, and flexibility better than almost any other option.

Because the "best" bullet journal depends heavily on your personal style, how much you write, and what kind of pens you use, there isn't just one universal winner. However, the bullet journaling community consistently ranks a few standout notebooks at the very top.

The top-rated bullet journals categorized by user preference include:

1. Best Overall / Official Choice: Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
   • The Vibe: The gold standard designed in collaboration with Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal method.
   • Specs: 120 gsm paper (upgraded from their classic 80 gsm to reduce ghosting), 206 numbered pages, index, future log, and 3 ribbon bookmarks.
   • Why it's great: It comes with pre-printed grid guides on the inside cover, page dividers, and a handy starter pocket guide. It’s a true workhorse.[1][2]
2. Best for Heavy Creators & Artists: Archer & Olive Dot Grid Notebooks
   • The Vibe: Luxurious, thick, and artistic.
   • Specs: Ultra-thick 160 gsm paper, zero bleed-through.
   • Why it's great: If you love using acrylic paint, heavy markers, or watercolor in your journal without ruining the next page, the heavy-duty paper in an Archer & Olive book handles it all with ease.
3. Best Eco-Friendly & Smooth Writer: Dingbats Wildlife A5 Dot Grid Notebook*
   • The Vibe: Earth-conscious and buttery smooth.
   • Specs: 100 gsm cream-colored fountain-pen friendly paper, vegan leather cover, micro-perforated pages.
   • Why it's great: It is fully vegan and eco-friendly. The paper texture is exceptionally smooth, handling everyday pens and fountain pens without fuss.
4. Best Minimalist / Japanese Craftsmanship: Midori MD Notebook (Dot Grid)
   • The Vibe: Pure, unadorned Japanese minimalism.
   • Specs: Signature MD paper that opens completely flat with no cover label.
   • Why it's great: For purists who don't want index pages, ribbons, or faux-leather closures—just high-quality paper to make their own layout from scratch.

To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:

• What pens or markers do you plan to use (e.g., standard ballpoint, heavy brush markers, fountain pens)?
• Do you prefer a minimalist rapid-log or heavy artistic layouts (drawings, stickers, paints)?

If you mean the best notebook for bullet journaling, my top pick right now is:

• Bullet Journal Edition 2 - $31.95 (Bullet Journal)

🏆 Best overall: Bullet Journal Edition 2

The official Bullet Journal Edition 2 is probably the easiest choice if you want a true bullet journal rather than just a dotted notebook. It has 120 GSM paper, numbered pages, and built-in structure designed around the Bullet Journal method.

Other great choices

• Best all-around traditional notebook:

• Leuchtturm1917 A5 Dotted Notebook - $25.95 (The Goulet Pen Company)

— 249 numbered pages, index, two bookmarks, and a classic A5 hardcover. It's the long-standing default choice for bullet journaling.

• Best for markers/art:

• Leuchtturm1917 120G Edition - $36.44 (The Journal Shop)

— the heavier 120 GSM paper is much better if you use brush pens, highlighters, or fountain pens.

• Best for exceptionally smooth paper:

• Rhodia Goal Book - $33.75 (Walmart - Zentra, LLC)

— 90 GSM Clairefontaine paper and a very smooth writing experience.

My recommendation: If you're starting your first bullet journal, get the Bullet Journal Edition 2. If you want maximum freedom and don't need the pre-designed Bullet Journal features, get the Leuchtturm1917 120G.

If you tell me your budget and whether you use markers, pens, or fountain pens, I can narrow it down to the perfect one.

The "best" bullet journal depends entirely on your style—whether you prefer minimalist functional planning, heavy artistic watercolor spreads, or a classic portable notebook.

The top-rated bullet journals are categorized below by what they do best:

1. Best Overall for Art & Heavy Media: Archer & Olive
   • Paper Weight: Ultra-thick 160 GSM
   • Why it’s great: If you use acrylic paint, heavy markers, or watercolors in your journal, Archer & Olive is the gold standard. The ultra-thick paper has virtually zero bleed-through, the covers feature gorgeous signature linen embroidery, and the pages are ultra-bright white or blackout.
   • Downside: Premium price tag, and the thick paper makes the notebook quite heavy.
2. Best for Built-in Structure & Organization: Scribbles That Matter
   • Paper Weight: Available in 120 GSM or 160 GSM
   • Why it’s great: Designed specifically by bullet journalers for bullet journalers. It includes pre-printed index pages, a key code page, pen-test pages, and subtle midpoint page markers (making grid-counting effortless). It also comes with a pen loop, elastic closure, and an expandable inner pocket.
   • Downside: The cover designs can sometimes lean a bit cutesy or casual for professional settings.
3. Best Classic/Minimalist Choice: Leuchtturm1917 (120g Edition 2)
   • Paper Weight: 120 GSM (upgraded from their classic 80 GSM)
   • Why it’s great: The quintessential bullet journal brand. The newer 120g Edition 2 fixes old ghosting complaints while maintaining a lightweight, sophisticated feel. It features numbered pages, a pre-printed table of contents, and a massive color range.
   • Downside: Standard fountain pens or mild markers still experience slight "ghosting" (seeing the ink faintly on the other side) compared to 160 GSM options.
4. Best Eco-Friendly & Fountain Pen Friendly: Dingbats* (Earth Collection)
   • Paper Weight: 100 GSM cream-coated paper
   • Why it’s great: Vegan leather covers, FSC-certified paper, and completely eco-friendly production. The cream paper handles fountain pen ink and gel pens exceptionally well without feathering.
   • Downside: 100 GSM paper is too thin for heavy wet media like acrylics or watercolors.
5. Best Luxury/Aesthetic Option: Notebook Therapy
   • Paper Weight: 160 GSM
   • Why it’s great: Famous for dreamy, nature-inspired cloth covers and unique aesthetic features like gilded page edges and blind debossing. Functionally similar to Archer & Olive, but with a softer, more ethereal design language.
   • Downside: Limited stock drops and slower shipping times depending on your location.

To help narrow it down, tell me:

• What kind of pens or markers do you plan to use (e.g., ballpoint, fountain pen, brush markers, paints)?
• Do you prefer a minimalist layout or an artistic/creative journal style?

The “best” bullet journal depends on how you use it, but for most people the top choice is:

🏆 Best overall: LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2

Why it stands out:

• Designed specifically for the Bullet Journal method in collaboration with Ryder Carroll.
• Includes helpful setup pages (key, index, future log, etc.), so beginners can start quickly.
• 120 gsm paper handles most pens, fineliners, and mild markers well.
• A5 size is portable but still roomy enough for weekly spreads.

Other excellent picks

• Best for artists / lots of markers: Archer & Olive

• Very thick paper (often around 160 gsm), good for brush pens, paint, and heavy decoration.

• Tradeoff: fewer pages and a bulkier feel.

• Best value: Scribbles That Matter

• Popular for thicker paper, numbered pages, and features aimed at bullet journal users.

• Good choice if you want a more “crafty” journal without paying premium prices.

• Best simple classic notebook: LEUCHTTURM1917

• Great if you prefer building your own system from scratch. It has numbered pages, an index, bookmarks, and a durable hardcover.

Quick recommendation by personality

• New to bullet journaling: LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
• Minimalist planner: LEUCHTTURM1917 A5 dotted
• Creative/artistic spreads: Archer & Olive
• Heavy marker user: Archer & Olive or another 160 gsm notebook
• Want the easiest “open and start” experience: Official Bullet Journal Edition 2

If you’re unsure, I’d pick the LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 in A5 dotted—it gives you the best balance of structure, quality, and flexibility.

There is no single "best" bullet journal because the system relies on flexibility, but the community consensus points to a few standout notebooks depending on what you value most (paper thickness, portability, or structure).

Here are the top-rated bullet journals categorized by user preference:

• Leuchtturm1917 (The Gold Standard): Widely considered the classic choice (and partnered with the official Bullet Journal brand for the official Leuchtturm1917 Edition ). It features numbered pages, an index, expandable pockets, and a wide array of colors. The paper is typically 80g/m² (though heavy-weight 120g/m² editions are available), making it lightweight, though very wet fountain pens or markers may experience minor ghosting.
• Archer & Olive (Best for Heavy Art & No Bleed): Famous for ultra-thick 160g/m² paper. If you love painting, using acrylic markers, or heavy fountain pens with zero ghosting or bleed-through, this is the community favorite. They feature gorgeous celestial and floral cover designs.
• Moleskine (Best Classic Feel): Known for its iconic buttery-smooth cream paper, lightweight build, and classic elastic closure. It doesn't come pre-dented with all the bullet journal organization features of a Leuchtturm, but it’s a minimalist favorite.
• Midori MD (Best Minimalist/Japanese Paper): A cult favorite for people who appreciate minimalist design and fountain-pen-friendly paper. It has a stark, clean look with exceptional Japanese paper quality that resists feathering.
• Ottergami (Best Budget Option): Frequently topping Amazon best-seller lists, it offers a great entry point with thicker paper (around 150g/m²), pre-printed index pages, and a sturdy cover without breaking the bank.

To help narrow down the best choice for you, tell me:

• Do you plan on doing heavy painting/markers or just simple pen-and-pencil planning?
• What size do you prefer (A5 standard, pocket-sized, or B5 large)?

If you mean the best bullet-journal notebook, my top pick is the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2. It’s specifically designed with the Bullet Journal method in mind and uses 120 gsm paper, with numbered pages and built-in BuJo features.

• Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 - $31.95 (Bullet Journal)

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 — best balance of structure, paper quality, portability, and price.

• 🎨 Best for art/markers: Archer & Olive A5 — 160 gsm paper is substantially thicker and is excellent if you use brush pens, markers, or watercolor.

• 💰 Best value: Tsuki A5 160GSM — thick paper, lots of designs, and currently around $32 for the Fuji-San edition.

• Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 - $31.95 (Bullet Journal)

• Archer & Olive Field Mouse Dot Grid Notebook - $37.00 (Archer and Olive)

• Tsuki Fuji-San Limited Edition Bullet Journal - $31.98 (NotebookTherapy)

If you're a beginner, I'd buy the Leuchtturm. If you're going to do lots of colorful spreads and artwork, I'd spend extra on Archer & Olive.

If you tell me your budget and whether you want minimalist, aesthetic, or artistic, I can narrow it down to one.

The "best" bullet journal depends heavily on your personal style—whether you love heavy painting and markers, or prefer minimalist writing with a standard ballpoint or fountain pen.

The top-rated bullet journals on the market, categorized by what they do best, include:

• Leuchtturm1917 Official Bullet Journal (Edition 2): The ultimate gold standard . Designed in collaboration with Ryder Carroll (the creator of the Bullet Journal system), the Edition 2 features 120 gsm ink-proof paper , numbered pages, a grid guide, and an index. It's ideal if you want a purpose-built, traditional layout.[1]
• Archer & Olive Dot Grid Notebooks: Famous in the community for ultra-thick 160 gsm paper . If you love using gouache, watercolor, acrylic markers (like Tombow or Posca), or fountain pens with zero bleeding or ghosting, this is the crowd favorite. They also feature gorgeous decorative linen covers.
• Scribbles That Matter: Another heavy-paper favorite (160 gsm) that hits a slightly lower price point than Archer & Olive. It comes with built-in index pages, numbered pages, a pen test page, a pen loop, and back pockets, making it extremely user-friendly for beginners.
• Dingbats Wildlife Notebooks:* The top eco-friendly choice. It uses 100 gsm cream-colored, fountain-pen-friendly paper, vegan leather covers, and biodegradable materials. It’s slightly smoother and great for everyday carry.
• Leuchtturm1917 Classic Hardcover (100 or 80 gsm): If you prefer a lighter notebook with a massive color range and traditional ribbon bookmarks, the classic Leuchtturm remains a beloved staple, though heavier wet markers may shadow (ghost) through the thinner pages.

To help narrow down the ideal pick, tell me:

• What kind of pens or markers do you plan to use (gel pens, brush markers, paints, or standard ballpoints)?
• Do you prefer a hardcover or softcover notebook?

The “best” bullet journal depends on how you use it, but for most people I’d pick:

🏆 Best overall: LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2

Why it stands out:

• Designed specifically for the Bullet Journal method (created with Ryder Carroll).
• 120 gsm paper handles most pens, markers, and highlighters better than the older classic versions.
• Built-in Bullet Journal tools like an index, key, and future log make it easier to start.
• A5 size is portable but still roomy enough for weekly spreads.

Other excellent choices

• Best premium paper: LEUCHTTURM1917 120G Edition — great if you use fountain pens, brush pens, or lots of ink.
• Best for artists/decorative journaling: Scribbles That Matter Pro or other 160 gsm notebooks — thicker pages reduce bleed-through when using heavier media.
• Best budget option: PAPERAGE Dotted Journal — a good starter notebook with a hardcover and dot grid without a premium price.
• Best minimalist option: a plain A5 dotted notebook from a quality brand — the Bullet Journal method works in almost any dot-grid notebook.

My quick recommendation:

• First bullet journal: LEUCHTTURM1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
• Student/work planning: LEUCHTTURM1917 120G or classic A5 dotted
• Artistic spreads: 160 gsm notebook (Scribbles That Matter, Archer & Olive style)
• Trying it out cheaply: PAPERAGE dotted journal

A good bullet journal is usually less about the notebook and more about a setup you’ll actually keep using—don’t feel pressured to create elaborate Instagram-style spreads. A simple daily log can work extremely well.

Because the bullet journal system is entirely DIY, the "best" notebook depends heavily on what kind of pens, paints, or minimalist style you plan to use. The community generally divides the top spots based on paper weight, features, and aesthetic.

The top-rated bullet journals on the market categorized by their strengths include:

• Leuchtturm1917 Medium (A5) Hardcover : The undisputed classic and The New York Times Wirecutter favorite. It features numbered pages, an index, a couple of bookmarks, and a back pocket.
  • Paper weight: 80 gsm (thinner, meaning you get more pages—around 251—without the book feeling heavy, but you will experience some "ghosting" or shadowing with heavier markers).
• Archer & Olive : The gold standard for heavy artistic spreads, gouache, and watercolor.
  • Paper weight: Ultra-thick 160 gsm paper. There is virtually zero bleed-through or ghosting, though the book contains fewer pages (around 160) to keep it from getting too bulky, and it comes at a higher price point.
• Scribbles That Matter : A massive fan-favorite alternative to Archer & Olive that balances high-end paper with a slightly friendlier price tag.
  • Paper weight: 160 gsm, meaning it handles acrylics, fountain pens, and brush pens with ease while offering numbered pages and an index.
• Stalogy Editor's Series 365 : The top pick for minimalists who write a lot and dislike bulky books.
  • Paper weight: Very thin, incredibly smooth Japanese paper. It packs 368 pages into a remarkably thin, sleek profile with a faint dot grid that doesn't distract from your work.
• Dingbats Wildlife Medium (A5) *: The best eco-friendly, vegan option. It features cream-colored, fountain-pen-friendly perforated pages, a pen holder, and a sturdy synthetic leather cover.

To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:

• Do you plan on doing heavy painting/markers or simple minimalist writing with a normal pen?
• Do you prefer thin, lightweight books or thick, luxurious pages?