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Journaling has always been recommended as a great way to relieve stress, a place to make and keep your to-do lists in check, and the perfect way to end or start your day.
Finding your perfect journal can be a journey itself as there are so many incredible ones. To help narrow your options, we have rounded up some great journals below that can help get you started on your inspiration-filled journey. These journals are all made of high-quality materials and can work for both business and personal purposes.
These journals are all made of the highest quality materials, and thick paper that won’t bleed, smudge or smear. We have even included a unique, hybrid self-help book and guided journal that can help you let go and create a happy life for yourself.
Top Journal of 2024
Moonster Journal — Best Overall
Made from authentic hand-cut leather, this premium notebook contains 240 pages of recycled cotton paper that is tree and acid-free. The paper is also creamy, thick, and unlined and works with any pen or writing instrument with no bleed through. Use this notebook for drawing, writing, or sketching. It is ideal to help with creativity flow and to keep up with endless to-do lists.
Pros
- This notebook has a hand-stitched leather binding to keep the pages firmly in place
- The pages are made from recycled materials
Cons
- The paper is unlined
C.R. Gibson Journal — Runner Up
This perfectly sized journal easily travels where you do, is crafted with genuine leather, and comes with a coordinating elastic band closure to help keep it safe and secure when not in use. This journal consists of 240 ivory-colored, lined pages, has a specially sewn binding that helps it lay flat when writing, and has an inside sewn-in pocket for storage.
Pros
- An attached satin ribbon marker helps you keep track of where you left off
- The lined paper makes it easy to write straight
Cons
- It may be slightly difficult to lay the pages flat
Beechmore Journal — Honorable Mention
With 160 pages, each of these uniquely sourced vegan leather notebooks contains crisp, ruled ivory cream pages that are thick and resistant to bleeding. Each book has a secure, elastic closure, subtle bookmark ribbon, and lay-flat binding that allows for easy one-handed note-taking. Additionally, a deep back pocket provides space to store important business cards and receipts.
Pros
- This journal has a rigorous book-binding process to ensure it lasts a lifetime
- The lay-flat binding makes it easy to write in
Cons
- This book is not refillable
Monica Sweeney Journal — Best Guided Journal
This fun book is a combination cathartic journey and journaling book filled with positive activities and inspirations. This book will provide you with ways to finally let go of the “bullsh*t” in your life and lift your spirit(s) higher so that you can ultimately create a happier life for yourself.
Pros
- This book is filled with great prompts, witty passages, and thoughtful quotes
- This journal can help you process emotions and frustrations
Cons
- This book contains some profanity
BooQoolc Journal — Best Value for Money
This classic, faux leather ruled notebook and journal is an elegant and easy way to jot down your thoughts, feelings, and any last-minute to-do lists you need to get off your chest. It is made with premium thick paper and has 128 lined pages that are designed to avoid feathering with its acid-free paper. An elastic ribbon helps to keep the notebook closed and the expandable back cover comes with a convenient pocket for storage.
Pros
- The paper is suitable for most pen types
- The smooth faux-leather is comfortable to hold
Cons
- This is not made from real leather
Poluma Notebook — Prettiest Cover
With this sleek journal, you can focus on easy and efficient planning while keeping yourself organized. This is a 128-page, dotted grid journal that allows you to make a note anytime, make a pseudo-spreadsheet, or even a drawing of any kind. Specialty acid-free archival-quality pages make the journal feel special and also help it last a long time.
Pros
- There is a bonus inner pocket on the back for additional storage
- It's the perfect size to take on the go
Cons
- There are no page numbers
Minimalism Journal — Also Consider
This is another dotted journal option with a small size journal that makes carrying on the go a breeze. It comes with 120 sleek ivory pages, a blank Table of Contents for easy reference, a durable elastic strap for fast closure, and a matching ribbon bookmark to easily mark your pages when done writing.
Pros
- This journal is available in various colors and size options
- The Table of Contents page makes it easy to organize
Cons
- This is made from synthetic leather
Buying Guide: Journals
The highest-rated journals in 2024 can be used for multiple purposes. You can use it like a diary, or use it to write specifically travel experiences, recipes, or poems. You can mix things up and doodle or add photographs. The beauty of a journal is that it is so customizable.
Journals come in different sizes and designs. Choosing the best one depends on your personal needs and preferences. With so many products to choose from, you may want to narrow down your choices. Below, we will discuss the facts and features you should consider to ensure you purchase your perfect journal.
Continue reading to see what we suggest.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Journal
Size
The size of your journal should be enough to be able to write in a comfortable size without taking up a lot of pages daily. It should be small and light enough to fit in your purse or your laptop bag along with a laptop.
Strong binding
Look for a journal with strong binding. Weak binding will allow the pages from your journal to fall out when being knocked around in a purse. The binding itself will look new for longer if it is strong and durable.
You may want to look for a leather binder or a faux leather binder. These are both very strong materials.
Lay-flat binding
Lay-flat binding will lay down flat while you write. Binding that doesn’t lay flat may take up some space that will prevent your hand from writing to the edge of the page. Choose a binding that lays flat to utilize every part of the page.
Underlined or plain paper
Some people prefer lined paper, to keep their journal looking well ordered. However, if you enjoy sticking pictures and memos to your journal, you may prefer to use plain paper.
Bleedproof paper
Bleedproof paper will prevent the feathering effect you see in a paper sometimes when it has absorbed too much ink at once. It also prevents any ink from seeping through to the other side of the page.
Acid-free paper
Acid-free paper will last longer than paper containing acid. It will fade slower, and your writing will remain clear over the years. Many journals are made using acid-free paper nowadays.
Recycled paper
If you want to live an environmentally friendly life, consider purchasing a journal made from recycled paper. Alternatively, you could look for a journal made from paper sourced from forests that plant more trees than they cut down.
Attached ribbon marker
An attached ribbon marker can be used as a bookmark. Unlike a bookmark, you will never misplace it, and it won’t fall out because it is attached to your journal.
Quotes and affirmations
Some journals contain quotes and affirmations as well as space for your own inputs. You may want to look for journals containing quotes from a particular person, or about a particular theme.
Affirmations are a great way to remain motivated when you have a project to complete. They will also motivate you to work out or make time for relaxation and self-care.
Elastic ribbon
An elastic ribbon will hold your journal closed when not in use. This will prevent your pages from bending or falling out.
Pocket for storage
Some journals have a pocket at the back so you can store notes and other relative items that are not attached to your journal. This is also a useful place to keep a pen.
Page numbers
You may want to look for a journal with numbered pages. This will help you refer back to the things you have written in the past.
Blank table of contents
Similarly, a blank table of contents will allow you to find particular things you have already written. You could list this by date or events. Having a blank table of contents means your journal is completely customizable.
Color
You will use your journal regularly, so be sure to choose a cover that looks aesthetically pleasing to you. Journals are available in a variety of colors and with various patterns on the cover. You can also get journals with faded pattern pages, or gold along the edge of the pages.
Customer reviews
Customer reviews will give you a good idea about a product's durability and quality. Read the customer reviews of any journal you are interested in before you make a purchase.
Journals Price Range
A journal can cost from about $7 to $30. Journals with faux leather binders are less expensive than a journal with a real leather binder.
