Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 337 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
Choosing the best 
Brands AI recommends here
Named in 80% of answers
Named in 49% of answers
A top-tier choice for those needing durability and high-quality paper. Its design balances minimalism with helpful layout features, ideal for those who want a long-lasting, reliable daily journal.
Named in 45% of answers
Best for creative layouts. Its hallmark 160gsm paper is thicker than standard notebooks, specifically designed to prevent ink bleed-through and ghosting when using markers or fountain pens.
Named in 40% of answers
Source | Citation share |
|---|---|
 Best Bullet Journals 2026: Top Picks for Dotted, Hardcover & Lay-Flat | Prettybookshttps://prettybook.com/blog/best-bullet-journals | 5.3% |
The Ultimate Comparison of 160gsm Bullet Journal Notebooks | Stationery Nerdhttps://stationerynerd.com/160gsmcomparison/ | 4.5% |
Journal Notebooks for Your Bullet Journal — Top 5 ⋆ Sheena of the Journalhttps://www.sheenaofthejournal.com/supplies/best-bullet-journal-notebooks/ | 4.1% |
 The Battle of the Bullet Journals: The Best Notebook to Usehttps://kalynbrooke.com/planning/best-bullet-journal-notebook/ | 3.5% |
 Which is the Best Bullet Journal | A Bujo Buyers Guide - Sweet PlanIthttps://www.sweetplanit.com/best-bullet-journal | 3.3% |
The Best Bullet Journal Notebook - Homeschool Onhttps://homeschoolon.com/bullet-journal-notebook/ | 3.0% |
 Want to get your life back on track? I tested 5 of the best bullet journal brands - here are my favourites | Gatheredhttps://www.gathered.how/arts-crafts/best-bullet-journals | 3.0% |
 Review of the 5 Best Bullet Journals for Beginners | Your Refuge Journalshttps://trinityshopellc.com/best-bullet-journals-for-beginners/ | 2.8% |
 6 Premium Bullet Journaling Notebooks for Recording Your Life - YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch | 2.7% |
 What notebook brands do you use? : r/bulletjournal - Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/bulletjournal/comments/16d4ff4/what_notebook_brands_do_you_use/ | 2.4% |
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:
The “best” bullet journal depends on how you use it, but for most people I’d pick:
Why it stands out:
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…
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:
To help narrow down the ideal choice, tell me:
The **Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2** is widely considered the **best overall bullet journal** because it was co-designed with the creator of the bullet journal system, Ryder Carroll, featuring heavy 120 gsm paper, numbered pages, an index, and a built-in grid…
The Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 is widely considered the best overall bullet journal because it was co-designed with the creator of the bullet journal system, Ryder Carroll, featuring heavy 120 gsm paper, numbered pages, an index, and a built-in grid guide.
Top-rated bullet journals vary depending on what features you prioritize most, such as paper thickness or eco-friendly materials.
| Notebook | Price (Approx.) | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 | $32 | Official System & Daily Planning | Co-created with Ryder Carroll; 120 gsm paper |
| Archer & Olive Dot Grid Notebook Go to product viewer dialog for this item. | $30–$40 | Heavy Art & Watercolor | Ultra-thick 160 gsm no-bleed paper |
| Dingbats Earth Pro Notebook Go to product viewer dialog for this item.* | $32 | Eco-Conscious Users | 100% vegan, faux-leather/linen, 100+ gsm paper |
| Notebook Therapy Tsuki Luxury Journal Go to product viewer dialog for this item. | $43 | Aesthetic & Creative Spreads | Unique themed covers, bright white 160 gsm paper |
Top Bullet Journal Recommendations
Add to list The gold standard for structure. It includes three bookmark ribbons, an elastic enclosure, an expandable pocket, and subtle page-division markings to easily split your pages into grids or columns.
Add to list Famous for its ultra-thick 160 gsm bright white pages that completely eliminate ghosting and bleeding, making it ideal if you love using markers, paints, or fountain pens.
Dingbats Notebooks: * A fantastic eco-friendly and vegan choice that features cream-colored, fountain-pen-friendly paper wrapped in a durable, renewable-material cover.
Add to list Best for creatives who enjoy a magical, aesthetic look. It features lovely embroidered hardcovers and thick, bleed-resistant pages suited for heavy mixed-media art.
If you let me know what writing or art tools you plan to use (markers, gel pens, or fountain pens) and your preferred size (A5, B5, or pocket), I can help you choose the ideal paper weight and brand for your style.
If you mean the **best notebook for bullet journaling**, my pick is the **Leuchtturm1917 Official Bullet Journal Edition 2**. - **Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2** - $31.95 (Bullet Journal) ### 🏆 Best overall: Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2
If you mean the best notebook for bullet journaling, my pick is the Leuchtturm1917 Official Bullet Journal Edition 2.
It’s especially good because it was developed with Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal method, and includes features specifically designed for BuJo: numbered dot-grid pages, index/key/future-log pages, and 120 gsm paper.
Why I'd choose it:
Best for art/watercolor: Archer & Olive — its 160 gsm paper is much better if you use lots of markers, paint, or mixed media.
Best value: Scribbles That Matter Pro — 120 gsm paper and lots of BuJo-specific features for less money.
Best minimalist option: Regular Leuchtturm1917 A5 Dotted — excellent if you want to create everything yourself without the BuJo-specific pages.
Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 - $31.95 (Bullet Journal)
Archer & Olive Notebook - $29.00 (Little Craft Place)
Passion Journal - $21.00 (Passion Planner)
Notebook Therapy Tsuki Bullet Journal - $28.98 (NotebookTherapy)
My recommendation: If this is your first bullet journal, get the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2. It's the easiest "buy it once and start journaling" choice.
The "best" bullet journal depends entirely on your personal style—specifically whether you keep things clean and minimal or love using heavy markers, brush pens, and watercolors . The bullet journaling community generally centers recommendations around paper weight (GSM), binding, and pre-printed…
The "best" bullet journal depends entirely on your personal style—specifically whether you keep things clean and minimal or love using heavy markers, brush pens, and watercolors . The bullet journaling community generally centers recommendations around paper weight (GSM), binding, and pre-printed features.
Top options categorized by journaling style include:
Overall Best (The Gold Standard): [Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESQQHrOzAVNYZua2qhAx5L51hoz_xhumZpmBcaIq2MAUxoedNVJPJvzy3P7LvUuqV2-DXU27gGdES3NumxQe9cnw0Q)
Best for Art & Heavy Inks: Archer & Olive Dot Grid Notebook Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
Best Eco-Conscious & Fountain Pen Friendly: [Dingbats* Earth Collection Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESRgHrOzAVsOJGiJywU9O5BKN-oy8ab0xcHUzq0QRZb_F_I0L7lpJpFzj2QhC_A60KEkIdivMwyCplG_UNwHxn5fjDcMMEc2Q)
Best Value / Budget Pick: Scribbles That Matter Pro Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
To help narrow down the ideal match, tell me:
If by **“best bullet journal”** you mean the **best notebook for bullet journaling**, my top pick is: ### [Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2]() *€41.40*
If by “best bullet journal” you mean the best notebook for bullet journaling, my top pick is:
€41.40
It’s the safest choice if you want a classic, functional BuJo. It’s specifically designed around the Bullet Journal method, with features such as numbered pages and indexing. It also has a strong reputation among bullet journalers.
€23.19
I'd choose this if you use fountain pens, markers, or lots of color. Its 90gsm paper is smoother and tends to show less ghosting than Leuchtturm paper. It also includes numbered pages and organizational sections specifically useful for bullet journaling.
€40.50
Best if your journal is more art journal + planner than minimalist productivity system. The thick paper is particularly good for markers, brush pens, and mixed media.
My quick recommendation:
If you tell me your budget and whether you use pens, highlighters, markers, or fountain pens, I can narrow it down to one exact notebook.
The best overall bullet journal is the [Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 A5](https://google.com/goto?url=CAESQQHrOzAV5kwQUtjyIropyDofieYTJnh7yHNSP7S9uCGHVxKS7HMz2U_wq38XbBAloHqsHS7a-4fTouosclU0ujR2) , which costs around **$31.95** and was officially developed in collaboration with bullet journal creator [Ryder…
The best overall bullet journal is the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2 A5 , which costs around $31.95 and was officially developed in collaboration with bullet journal creator Ryder Carroll . It strikes the ideal balance for most users with 120 gsm ink-proof paper , 206 numbered pages, a built-in grid guide, three bookmarks, and a handy pocket guide. However, the "best" choice ultimately depends on your specific planning and artistic style.
Top Choices by Journaling Style
If you tell me what kind of pens or markers you plan to use (e.g., heavy brush pens, watercolors, or basic ballpoints) and whether you prefer minimal or artsy layouts , I can recommend the exact paper weight (GSM) that fits your needs.
If you mean the **best physical notebook for bullet journaling**, my pick is the **Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2**. ### [Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition…
If you mean the best physical notebook for bullet journaling, my pick is the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2.
$31.95
It’s the safest choice because it was developed with Bullet Journal creator Ryder Carroll and is specifically designed around the BuJo method. It has 120 gsm paper, numbered dot-grid pages, an index/key/future-log structure, page dividers, and a grid guide.
Why I’d choose it:
$31.95
$33.75
$33.98
$36.98
| If you want… | I'd pick |
|---|---|
| Best overall | Leuchtturm1917 BuJo Edition 2 |
| Thick paper for markers/art | Notebook Therapy Tsuki 160GSM |
| Beautiful/aesthetic journal | Notebook Therapy Tsuki |
| Very smooth fountain-pen paper | Rhodia Goalbook |
| Traditional Bullet Journal experience | Leuchtturm1917 |
For artists who use watercolor, brush pens, or heavy markers, I'd actually take a 160 gsm notebook such as Archer & Olive or Notebook Therapy over Leuchtturm; the thicker paper is much better suited to wet media.
Bottom line: If you're starting your first bullet journal and don't want to overthink it, buy the Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 2. It's the one I'd recommend to most people.
Selecting a notebook for bullet journaling depends on your personal preferences for paper thickness, size, binding, and layout style. While any blank or dotted notebook can work, several brands have become the gold standard in the…
Selecting a notebook for bullet journaling depends on your personal preferences for paper thickness, size, binding, and layout style. While any blank or dotted notebook can work, several brands have become the gold standard in the community.
Widely considered the quintessential bullet journal, it features 80 gsm (or the newer 120 gsm edition) paper, numbered pages, an index, two ribbon bookmarks, an elastic closure, and an expandable pocket. It is lightweight and lays flat nicely, though ghosting can occur with very wet fountain pens or heavy markers on the standard 80 gsm version.
Known for ultra-thick 160 gsm paper that virtually eliminates ghosting and bleeding, making it ideal for painting, brush lettering, and heavy marker use. These notebooks feature pure white pages, a signature signature motif on the cover, a back pocket, and an elastic band.
A timeless, lightweight choice featuring a soft or hard cover, ivory-colored 70 gsm paper, and an elastic closure. The paper is thinner, meaning some ink bleed-through is common, but it appeals to minimalists who prefer a traditional, slim profile.
Often nicknamed the "Webbie," it is praised for its exceptionally smooth 90 gsm Clairefontaine paper, which handles fountain pen ink and markers smoothly with minimal feathering. It features an Italian-style synthetic leather cover and cream-colored pages.
Dingbats Earth Collection A5+ Dotted *: An eco-friendly option featuring 100 gsm cream-colored, fountain-pen-friendly paper, a vegan leather cover with animal debossing, a pen holder, a bookmark, and micro-perforated pages.
If you'd like, let me know:
I can help you pick the ideal notebook for your 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’s the favorite:
The “best” bullet journal depends on how you use it, but for most people the top choice is:
Why it’s the favorite:
Best for: beginners, productivity-focused users, people who want a ready-to-go system.
Archer & Olive A5 Dot Grid Notebook
Pros:
Cons:
Best for: scrapbook-style bullet journals, doodles, elaborate spreads.
A regular A5 dotted notebook can work perfectly. Look for:
You don’t need a fancy notebook to bullet journal—the method matters more than the brand.
If you’re new to bullet journaling, I’d choose the official Leuchtturm1917 Edition 2—it gives you the structure without forcing you into a pre-made planner.
