The Best Planners, According To Our Testing

If there’s one thing in your life that you need—it’s a planner. Planners help you to keep track of your schedule, remember important dates, and ultimately help you to stay organized. Not only that but “planners allow us to pre-plan our time based on the larger vision we have for our lives,” says Katherine Lawerence.

And while digital planners are convenient, paper planners can help you stay organized without the distractions that come with a device. “A paper planner helps you see what you need to do, allows for notes, helps you with time management, and helps your brain process all the steps of getting something done,” says Prominski.

From undated planners to customizable ones, there are all kinds of planners available to purchase. Lawrence adds, “Most planners come equipped with tabs, making it easy to navigate between months or sections. Pockets are often found inside the covers, ideal for stashing loose papers, or receipts. For those who enjoy personalizing their space, stickers or decorative elements often accompany planners.”

To come up with our list of the best planners, we surveyed our staff on the best planners they’ve used based on quality, durability, ease of use, and overall value. We received 54 responses across a variety of brands and styles.

If you seek a planner with all the bells and whistles, look no further than Happy Planner. This endlessly customizable disc-bound planner comes in numerous layouts, though we’re big fans of the vertical layout. This particular layout comes with both monthly and weekly spreads, the latter of which breaks out each day into three separate boxes. Use them to divide each day into morning, afternoon, and evening, or between work, school, and personal activities. 

Furthermore, the planner comes in both dated and undated, 12-month and 18-month versions. In addition to the vertical layout, you’ll find horizontal, checklist, budget, teacher, and fitness layouts, just to name a few. 

If you enjoy being creative, you can use Happy Planner’s countless stickers to decorate the planner. And with the 12 tab dividers, you can easily locate the month you’re in by flipping right to it. The disc-bound design allows you to add or remove pages as needed, and Happy Planner even offers extension packs, so you can have additional note-writing space or use your planner to track fitness or finance goals. Plus, it comes in dozens of different designs to choose from, including floral, cosmic, and even Disney-themed options.

The classic size is just right for carrying to and from school, the office, or anywhere else without having to worry about it taking up too much space. The bigger version is 8.5 by 11 inches, should you prefer more room to write. Just keep in mind that no matter which size you go with, the disc-bound system makes the planner a bit more bulky by nature, and those who prefer minimalist design options may find it hard to find one to their liking (although Happy Planner does offer some neutral planner covers).

Layout: Weekly and monthly | Size: 7 x 9.3 inches; 8.5 x 11 inches | Dated: Available in both dated and undated versions | Time Span: 12 or 18 months | Features: Planner dividers, stickers

Like the Happy Planner, this planner has both weekly and monthly layouts. The weekly layout features lined boxes for each day with more than enough space to write down events, daily tasks, and other important information that you need to remember.

The monthly spread features lined boxes with just enough space to write down appointments and important deadlines, so you can view your whole month at a glance. This planner comes in three different sizes: 5 by 8 inches, 7 by 9 inches, and 8.5 by 11 inches. 

At the end of the planner, there’s a contact sheet for keeping track of phone numbers, as well as an important dates sheet that you can use to keep track of birthdays and other events.

This affordable planner has a very minimalist design and a solid black cover that’s appropriate for any workplace, but those who prefer a more customizable option will need to look elsewhere. And do note that on the weekly layout, Saturday and Sunday have smaller boxes than Monday through Friday, which can make it difficult to fit in all your weekend tasks and plans.

Layout: Weekly and monthly | Size: 5 x 8 inches; 7 x 9 inches; 8.5 x 11 inches | Dated: Yes | Time Span: 12 months | Features: U.S. holiday sheet, states and capitals sheet, contacts sheet, notes page

The Erin Condren A5 Daily LifePlanner comes with inspirational quotes, goal-setting pages, and stickers to help keep you motivated. And for an additional fee, you can personalize the cover with your name or add another six months to make it an 18-month planner. 

The daily planning layout dedicates a full page to each day, which includes a daily timeline so you can plan your day in increments, as well as a to-do list on the side. This layout also features a monthly spread so you can see your entire month at a glance.

What’s more, it comes with a 12- or 18-month calendar overview and monthly planning pages where you can set your intentions for the month. Should you prefer a more zoomed out planner, the A5 LifePlanner is also available in a weekly layout, too.

Since the planner comes with binder rings, you can add or remove the pages as needed. The thick paper in the Erin Condren A5 Daily LifePlanner allows you to use heavy-ink pens on the planner without the ink bleeding through the pages. Because of the smaller size of the planner and the design, you can store it on a bookshelf, a desk, or on a counter. 

Layout: Daily and monthly | Size: 8.3 x 9.4 x 1.5 inches | Dated: Yes | Time Span 12 months | Features: Stickers, laminated tabs, stencil ruler, zipper pouch, monthly quotes, notes page, contacts page, productivity pages

If you prefer to use a more flexible planner, then the Fringe Weekly Planner is undated, so you start using it at any point in the year and fill in the dates yourself.

One page features a weekly layout with lined rows for each day, while the other features a space where you can note your top priorities for the week or take notes. However, it doesn’t come with a monthly overview for each month, unlike most weekly planners.

This planner comes with a magnetic bookmark which you can use to mark the current week you’re on, as well as stickers. You can use them to remind you to pay bills, go to certain appointments, and remember important dates.

The planner comes with 160 pages total, so you use it for up to 18 months. And since this is a much smaller planner, you can put it on your office desk, in your dorm room, or in your bedroom. Choose from multiple cover designs.

Layout: Weekly | Size: 7 x 8.4 inches | Dated: No | Time Span: 160 undated pages (about 18 months) | Features: Magnetic bookmark, stickers

Whether middle school, high school, or college, this is the best planner for students and teachers. The planner comes with a weekly overview with lined rows where students can make note of class times and other important appointments, as well as a notes section at the bottom of each day. However, we do wish there was additional note-taking space somewhere else in the planner.

The planner also comes with a page for deadlines where students and teachers can keep track of assignments, tests, or grading. And in the “My Schedule” section, students and teachers can write down their class schedule for the semester and refer back to it as needed.

In the monthly overview section, there is space to write down monthly goals, things to do for a particular month, and important things to remember. Additionally, the planner features space for recipe ideas and finance trackers.

We like the bookbound version for its durability, but it's also available with spiral binding. It comes in six different colors and the text can be personalized to that of your choosing, making it a great gift, too. Just keep in mind that if you’re not a student or a teacher, this planner has a lot of features you likely won’t use.

Layout: Weekly and monthly | Size: 6 x 8.5 inches | Dated: Yes | Time Span: 12 months | Features: Magnetic bookmark, stickers

The Day Designer planner is perfect for anyone who likes to plan their day down to the hour. One of the staff members we surveyed has been using this planner daily for over six years.

The daily planning pages include a top-three priority box, a daily prompt box, a 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. scheduling space, a daily gratitude section, and a to-do list with checkboxes. All of these features help you to know what your goals are for the day ahead and work to complete each task. 

But it doesn’t stop there—goal-setting worksheets, a birthday and important days checklist, a 12-month overview, and tabbed monthly calendars all add to the value of this planner. Plus, this planner also comes with fun extras such as sticker sheets, a ruler bookmark, and an interior pocket. And the protective corners ensure it will endure daily use. 

Since this planner is available in over a dozen different patterns and comes in a chic gift box, it makes a great gift for the student or teacher in your life. Just keep in mind that this planner is spiral bound, which can make it somewhat bulky when carrying to and from school or the office. 

Layout: Daily, weekly, and monthly | Size: 7.4 x 9.5 inches | Dated: Yes | Time Span: 12 months | Features: Daily quotes, gratitude box, notes box, to-do list, daily prompts, priorities list

This planner features monthly, weekly, and daily layouts, each with the aim of helping you achieve your goals. It compels you to reflect on your goals, development, and gratitude, making it both a daily planner and a self-improvement tool. 

On the monthly layout, you can fill in the calendar with appointments, plan your monthly goals, and review your progress when the month is over. On the weekly layout, you can review the previous week, write down projects that you need to finish, and plan for the next week. And, on the daily layout, you can write out daily priorities that you need to focus on, plan your daily schedule hour to hour, and review your day once it’s over. When used together, these three layouts ensure you’re making progress toward your goals.

Since this planner is undated, you can use it at any point in the year. Just keep in mind that does mean you’ll have to fill in the dates yourself. Due to the small size, you can take this planner with you wherever you go. Furthermore, the strap helps to bind the planner for easy storage. Our biggest complaint is because this planner features so many different layouts, it only has enough space for 90 days. 

Layout: Daily, weekly, and monthly | Size: 5.3 x 8.3 inches | Dated: No | Time Span: 3 months | Features: Inner storage pocket, three bookmarks, elastic closing band, plan and review month boxes, daily habit box, project boxes

Like the Panda Planner, the Moleskine Classic Weekly Notebook Planner has a solid cover and a strap. The Moleskine Classic Weekly Planner comes in several layouts, but we like the notebook layout the best. This layout gives you a weekly overview on the left page and a full page of lined notebook paper on the right. 

It also comes with monthly calendars and even a time-zone map to help you keep those cross-country video calls straight. This planner is available in three different sizes, including a pocket-size version.

This planner is dated from January to December, so it’s not best for those on an academic schedule. It doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles of other planners, such as recipe pages or a finance tracker. But, it’s a great option for a professional who wants to take notes during meetings or write down what’s coming up in the next week. Plus, it’s lightweight and slim, so it won’t add too much to your load as you go from one conference room to the next.

Layout: Weekly and monthly | Size: 3.5 x 5.5 inches; 5 x 8.3 inches; 7.5 x 9.8 inches | Dated: Yes | Time Span: 12 months | Features: Notes sheet, time zone map, stickers

The Emily Ley Weekly Planner is another great planner for students and professionals alike. Not only is it organized by color-coded tab dividers, but there are 31 note pages. This planner also comes with stickers, a ribbon page marker, and an interior pocket.

It comes with both weekly overviews (one week over a two-page spread) and monthly overviews. You’ll also find both a full year overview and a full list of holidays and their dates.

Since this planner comes in a keepsake box, it also makes a great gift. It’s available in six different striking designs, including Pistachio Plaid, Beaufort Birdies, and Savannah Blooms.

It comes with a spiral binding and protective gold corners that will last the duration of the year. And when you purchase the planner, you will also receive access to the coaching video library, which features 12 videos from creator Emily Ley.  

Layout: Weekly and monthly | Size: 6.5 x 8 inches | Dated: Yes | Time Span: 12 months | Features: Notes boxes, simplicity tips, tabs 

The Bottom Line

After surveying our staff, our Best Overall pick is the Happy Planner Vertical Layout Planner and our Best Budget pick is the Blue Sky Professional Weekly Monthly Planning Calendar.

Both planners have weekly and monthly layouts with enough space to write down deadlines, appointments, and other important reminders. The Happy Planner features endless options for customization, including a disc-bound system for adding and removing pages. The Blue Sky planner is more bare-boned, but it comes with sheets for keeping track of important contacts and dates.

Our Testing Process

To come up with this list, we surveyed our staff on the best planners they’ve used. We asked each participant to rate the quality, durability, ease of use, and overall value of the planner that they used. Participants also added how long they used their planners and if they would repurchase them as gifts, as well as any benefits and drawbacks they found with them.

We received 54 responses across 30 unique brands. Based on the survey results, we found that planners with flexible page layouts, customizable options, and hardcovers are generally best.

Tips for Choosing the Right Planner 

Layout

Just like there are different types of people in the world, there are different types of planner layouts. You’ll find planners with daily, weekly, or monthly layouts, or most commonly, a combination of multiple. 

Daily layouts may feature hourly slots to help you plan your day, while weekly or monthly layouts are usually intended for you to identify your priorities within either time frame. Prominski mentions that some planners, like the Panda Planner Undated Daily Planner, are more focused on goal setting and habit tracking. 

Dated vs. Undated

Another aspect that you should consider when purchasing a planner is whether you want to get a dated or undated planner. Scott says, “Dated planners are best for those that want simplicity, have more day-to-day tasks or events to record, or perhaps need more structure.” 

But, for individuals who are more laid back and don’t anticipate using their planner that often, buying an undated planner may make more sense. Another benefit of using an undated planner is that you can use it for any year and start using it at any point in the year without wasting pages.

Features

Besides the normal aspects of a planner such as layout and cover, many planners come with extra features such as stickers, bookmarks, budget/ finance trackers, tab dividers, water intake trackers, inspirational quotes, etc. Some may find that these features all work to enhance their experience of using the planner, while others may find the extras to be distracting.

Questions and Answers

What is the most popular planner layout?

Prominski says, “​​I wouldn’t say there is one that is ‘most popular.’ It just depends on what your goals are and how you like to use a planner.” If you’re the type of person that likes to thoroughly break down your days, then the Day Designer Daily Planner is one purchase that you should consider making.

Scott adds that most planners feature weekly layouts with a monthly view. These types of layouts help you to organize your weeks while also keeping the entire month in mind. 

What type of academic planner should you purchase for each grade level?

You’ve probably noticed planners come in all sizes. From desk planners to ones you carry in your bag, there’s a planner for everyone. For children in elementary and middle school, we recommend buying a planner that has a simplistic design with the basic details such as a dated monthly layout, note boxes, and stickers.

For high school students, planners such as the Papier Academic Year Planner will benefit them the most. Not only can they write down important deadlines, but they can also reflect on what they’re grateful for. We also recommend finding planners that have a budget or finance tracker. This is a helpful tool to help them manage their money. 

Is a paper planner worth it?

“It’s hard to beat the digital calendars on our smartphones for portability, shareability, and notifications so we don’t miss an appointment. However, there's something truly magical about the tactile experience of writing,” says Lawrence. Furthermore, even if you’re not a fan of paper planners, using one will help you to keep track of important dates without digital distractions. 

Whether you’re a student, a busy parent, or a business owner, having some type of system in place that will help you to stay organized and not miss important deadlines will make your life a little easier. 

What are the best paper planner brands?

According to the professional organizers we spoke to, the best planner brands include Rifle Paper Co., The Happy Planner, Blue Sky, Moleskine, and many others. From bookmarks to stickers and encouraging reminders, most of these planners offer various features so that using your planner feels less like a chore and more like a fun activity. 

Why Trust Southern Living

This article was written by Moriah Mason, a writer for Southern Living, who specializes in reviewing home and lifestyle products. To help you pick out the best planner, we surveyed our staff on the best planners they’ve used based on quality, durability, ease of use, and overall value, and included multiple styles for some of our options. Moriah also spoke with Certified Professional Organizers Mackenzie Scott (of Mission 2 Organize), Katherine Lawerence, and Jean Prominski for tips on how to choose the right planner for your needs.