Not all notebooks are the same. Learn what makes a paper notebook great for you in our 2026 review of top brands like Leuchttherm and Midori.
City: Notebooks can be really different. Finding the best paper notebook depends on what you need. Let’s explore what makes a notebook great for you.
First, consider paper quality. Good paper can make writing smoother. If you use heavy ink pens like fountain pens, thicker paper will help stop ink from bleeding through. If you mainly use a ballpoint pen, almost any paper works just fine.
Next is size and shape. I prefer A5 sized notebooks that are taller. For drawing and painting, I like wider ones. Everyone has their own favorites, so try different sizes until you find what fits you best. Also, think about how heavy the notebook is, especially if you carry it around all day.
Then there’s binding style. This affects how the notebook opens. Some people, especially left-handed writers, like notebooks that lay flat. Others like spiral bindings because they can bend the notebook in half. Binding styles can change how we write in a notebook.
Another thing to think about is page ruling. There are lined, dotted, or grid pages. The choice is up to you! I find dot grids great for planning projects that need measurements, like woodworking, and many like them for bullet journaling.
Lastly, think about reusability. I see notebooks as two parts: the cover and the pages. A tough cover, like the Leuchtturm1917, holds everything together. Soft covers, like Field Notes, can fit into other covers. I like this because I can keep my cover and just switch out the pages.