One of the highlights of ringing in the new year, starting a new school year, or simply getting a new calendar is the chance to pick up a fresh planner. With a new wall calendar or planner, any week or month can feel like a fresh slate. The best planner is a go-to desk accessory (and general organization staple) that will depend on your preferred calendar view and how much space you need to plan.
Whether you’re a student keeping track of class schedules and school assignments, or you’re someone who prefers jotting family schedules and to-do lists into a physical planner as opposed to using a smartphone app, start with these shopping tips and recommendations for the best agendas and planners.
- BEST OVERALL: Erin Condren LifePlanner
- RUNNER-UP: Artfan 2022-2023 Weekly Monthly Planner
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: BooQool 2022-2023 Weekly & Monthly Planner
- BEST ACADEMIC: Blue Sky 2022-2023 Academic Year Planner
- BEST FOR TEACHERS: Elan Publishing Company 7 Period Teacher Lesson Plan
- BEST DAILY PLANNER: Panda Planner Pro Daily Planner Undated
- BEST BUSINESS PLANNER: Smart Planner Pro – Daily Planner
- BEST FOR BULLET JOURNALING: Clever Fox Planner Daily Organizer
- BEST FAMILY ORGANIZER: 2023 Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer
- BEST WEEKLY: Legend Planner Deluxe Weekly & Monthly Life Planner
Tips for Choosing the Best Planners
The first step to getting organized is having a clearly defined road map in place to help you achieve your goals. A planner can help you do that. But before you buy any old planner, take a moment to consider what you need to help you stay organized.
Do you like keeping a daily checklist of tasks close at hand so that you can stay on track throughout the day, or are you more inclined to list out only the big tasks you have to tackle weekly? Will you be carrying your planner around with you in a bag or a backpack, which will necessitate that it be made of durable materials, or will it be sitting on your computer desk most of the time? Keep these tips in mind as you choose a planner:
- Decide if you want a daily, a weekly, or a monthly calendar. The more detail you like to enter into your planner, the more space you’ll need―a daily or a weekly planner may be the best equipped. Monthly calendar views, however, provide a quick look ahead.
- Consider the materials used to make the planner (i.e. leather, synthetic, or sturdy chipboard). In addition to defining aesthetics, the quality and durability of the material can protect the pages better if and when you toss it in your bag or backpack to take with you.
- Choose your preferred binding style. Spiral often allows users to flip used pages to the back of the planner like a notepad or tear them out entirely; meanwhile, perfect-bound planners open flat for use on a table or other work surface. Binder-style appointment planners allow users to remove pages as needed. A hardcover planner keeps the pages inside in top condition but may be too heavy to take on the go.
- Take note of any options in addition to calendars that you might need. For example, individuals who make weekly grocery runs can benefit from a spot to write out a weekly shopping list. Likewise, students may appreciate a series of blank pages for scribbling down notes.
Types of Planners
There are many different types of planners, each of which has a different purpose and application. The following are some of the most popular types of planners available:
- Daily planners provide one page per day and are ideal for those with busy schedules. They can also be used as journals for those who want to document their memories of the day alongside their tasks and appointments.
- Weekly planners are the most common type of planner. In a weekly planner, a two-page spread represents one week. They can come in many different formats.
- Monthly planners provide an overview of the entire month and are best for scheduling and making appointments but probably don’t have enough space for listing daily tasks.
- Bullet journals have become increasingly popular in recent years and are used for daily planning, goal setting, keeping lists, and doodling. They act as an appointment keeper, diary, and dry-erase board in one. They are typically blank save for a dotted grid, which provides users with a simple guideline but allows for plenty of creativity.
- Goal-tracking planners are designed to help users stick to their goals, whether those goals are related to fitness, financial planning, productivity, or household chores. They provide customizable charts where users can track their success with a variety of different goals.
- Household planners—also known as family planners or parent planners—are targeted toward families with children and feature organizational structures for multiple family members.
- Memory-keeping planners combine planning and scrapbooking, giving users a space to insert photos and other keepsakes from important life events.
Our Top Picks
Being organized is a process, but finding a planner that works for you should be the easy part. Start with this short list of some of the best planners so that you can look ahead to focus on the more important things, like meeting that deadline.
Photo: erincondren.com
Erin Condren planners are some of the most popular on the market because they’re well organized and customizable. The LifePlanner is one of the brand’s most popular offerings because of its versatile weekly page layout and additional features that make getting organized a breeze. Alongside the standard weekly page layout, this model also features a monthly notes page, monthly inspirational quotes, a monthly mini calendar and more.
These cute planners come in a wide variety of designs and appeal to a range of tastes and aesthetic preferences, ensuring there’s an option for most shoppers. They include several fun and useful add-ons, including a page of stickers, a snap-in ruler, and a folder for storing documents. Shoppers can customize a number of different features of the planner to ensure it’s perfect for their specific needs. While these unique planners are on the pricier side, they’re constructed with high-quality materials like thick 80-pound paper and sturdy aluminum coils.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly/monthly
- Size: 7 inches by 9 inches
- Length: 12 or 18 months
Pros
- Can be customized and personalized
- Includes stickers and an organizational folder
- Made with high-quality materials
- Provides monthly, weekly, and daily planning
Cons
Get the Erin Condren LifePlanner on Erin Condren.
Photo: amazon.com
This classic weekly calendar from Artfan is simple but effective, providing users with everything they need to get their lives in order. From weekly and monthly calendar options to colorful stickers and tabs for easy access, this 8.4-inch by 5.7-inch planner is a true workhorse when it comes to organization. Bound in durable Saffiano leather (the same material used by high-end designers to make their leather goods), this planner comes equipped with a few noteworthy perks, such as a pen holder and thick, nonbleached pages that not only help eyesight by reducing glare but also inhibit ink from bleeding through.
Other features include blank pages for scribbling notes, lists of state capitals and time zones, and a U.S. map, all of which come in handy for planning. Two bookmarks help ensure users can clearly find their place, and an inner pocket provides a space to store important documents.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly/monthly
- Size: 8.4 inches by 5.7 inches
- Length: 18 months
Pros
- Cover is made from high-quality leather
- Features thick, nonbleached pages
- Includes colorful tabs and stickers
Cons
Get the Artfan Weekly Monthly Planner on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
This 6.25-inch by 8.3-inch wire-bound planner is proof positive that it doesn’t take big bucks to organize a calendar. Priced affordably, this 12-month planner organizes the year into weekly and monthly spreads as well as a yearlong overview on which important dates can be highlighted. Additionally, monthly tabs, a two-sided inner pocket, and a durable and flexible cover make this planner a great value. The paper used is acid-free and designed to be ink proof, allowing users to write on both sides of the page without worrying about the ink bleeding through.
It comes in either black or pink, depending on user preference. One downside is that this is a 12-month planner that starts in July 2022 and extends to June 2023. The fact that it doesn’t offer an 18-month range may be a deterrent for some shoppers who would like to use the same planner for all of 2023.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly/monthly
- Size: 6.25 inches by 8.3 inches
- Length: 12 months
Pros
- Affordable price
- Features lay-flat spiral binding
- Made with thick, ink-proof paper
Cons
Get the BooQool Weekly & Monthly Planner on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Juggling assignment deadlines, class schedules, extracurriculars, social activities, and more can be stressful for students. Blue Sky planners are a popular choice for those who need a planner for the academic year. Between its cheerful covers, this spiral planner offers 12 months of weekly and monthly pages, each 8.5 inches by 11 inches large, making this a large planner that provides ample space to jot down all the important dates throughout 2022 and 2023. Each spread also offers plenty of room for daily to-do lists and other notes, helping students stay on track of tasks both big and small.
While these are good planners for those looking for an academic calendar, it only offers a length of 12 months spanning July 2022 to June 2023, so it’s not ideal for those who need a more standard 12- or 18-month calendar.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly academic
- Size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches
- Length: 12 months
Pros
- Large size
- Made with high-quality paper
- Ideal for students and teachers
Cons
Get the Blue Sky Academic Year Planner on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Teachers looking to organize their lesson plans and class schedules need planners that are made especially to meet their needs. Available with a simple solid blue cover, this 8.5-inch by 11-inch wire-bound planner is specifically designed with teachers in mind. It includes sections where teachers can record students’ allergies, special schedules, or health issues as well as a place to write down emergency procedures, contact information for key figures in the school administration, and audiovisual equipment instructions.
In 40 weeks’ worth of planning pages, this book divides each spread into sections for up to seven periods per day and leaves room to write out seating charts for each class. There are also sections for recording students’ grades, comprehensive planning measures, and notes and procedures for substitute teachers. In addition, there’s also a section to write down important school events that will impact daily schedules.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly teacher
- Size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches
- Length: 40 weeks
Pros
- Affordable price
- Features sections for 7 glass periods
- Undated
- Includes a schedule for school events
Cons
- Not versatile enough for regular use
Get the Elan Publishing Company Teacher Lesson Planner on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Emblazoned with an illustration of a panda on its soft-bound cover, this daily planner takes a scientific approach to the business of staying organized by focusing on the power of positive psychology. The 8.5- by 11-inch Panda Planner Pro aims to make planning fun by dividing each daily page into sections for setting a “morning review” of what you’re grateful and excited about that day. In addition to six months of (non-dated) daily and weekly spreads, additional spots offer room for penning your upcoming schedule, deadlines, and important notes. Moreover, this planner gives you access to a private membership site that offers tips and tricks to being happy and successful in both business and in life.
Product Specs
- Type: Daily
- Size: 8.5 inches by 11 inches
- Length: 6 months
Pros
- Undated for maximum flexibility
- Includes sections for gratitude
- Perfect for detailed daily organization
Cons
Get the Panda Planner Pro Daily Planner on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
A simple, leather-look design gives this planner a professional edge, while its daily schedule is broken down by the hour and caters to entrepreneurs and businesspeople who need to carve out time for meetings, calls, and more. This planner is sleek and professional enough to bring along to meetings, conferences, and other work settings. Available in a rainbow of colors, including neutrals and pastels, this 5.7-inch by 8.6-inch planner offers a range of organizational options, from designated sections to write out monthly calendars and daily schedules to habit tracking and goal setting.
Each spread provides an in-depth look into the user’s plan of attack for the week or month ahead at a glance so they can focus on getting down to business. For those looking for a desk planner, this model also comes in a larger size, measuring 8.5 inches by 11 inches, and a medium size, measuring 10 inches by 7 inches.
Product Specs
- Type: Daily/weekly/monthly
- Size: 5.7 inches by 8.6 inches
- Length: 13 months (undated)
Pros
- Undated for maximum flexibility
- Professional-looking cover
- Available in many colors
- 3 sizes
Cons
Get the Smart Planner Pro Daily Planner on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Bullet journaling, a method of personal organization created by designer Ryder Carroll, has become a trendy method for tracking one’s goals, such as diet, exercise, and budget. The best bullet journals act as custom planners and provide dotted grids that allow users to follow this method.
This 5.8-inch by 8.3-inch Clever Fox planner is geared specifically for 6 months of that and more. Alongside sections designed for listing short- and long-term goals, daily to-do lists, weekly reviews, and important dates of the month, dotted grids leave room to scribble down notes and draw (the latter of which is a big part of bullet journaling). There are even sections for creating a vision board and mind map to help keep what’s important close at hand. These cool planners come with 150 stickers to add color and impact to notes and schedules.
Product Specs
- Type: Bullet journal
- Size: 5.8 inches by 8.3 inches
- Length: 6 months (undated)
Pros
- Design provides both structure and flexibility
- Includes 150 colorful stickers
- Perfect for goal setting
Cons
Get the Clever Fox Planner Daily Organizer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Families with children have different organizational needs than individuals, which is why a dedicated family planner is a great investment for busy parents. This spiral-bound planner helps families take control of their hectic schedules by putting all of the most important dates and details (right down to emergency numbers for babysitters and quick contact information for children’s organizations) in one place.
Noteworthy aspects of this 6-inch by 8-inch planner include monthly and weekly spreads for recording each family member’s schedule from August 2022 to December 2023, goal-setting pages, and sticker sheets containing 350 full-color stickers to help brighten the family calendar. This planner also provides a space for weekly meal plans and tear-off pages for grocery lists and to-do lists, providing an all-in-one organizational solution. One potential downside is that the space for each day is relatively small, leaving minimal room for detailed daily planning.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly/monthly
- Size: 6 inches by 8 inches
- Length: 17 months
Pros
- Provides a place for important details
- Includes 350 colorful stickers
- 17-month length
Cons
- Lacks space for detailed daily planning
Get Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer on Amazon.
Photo: amazon.com
Weekly planners are a popular option for many types of users since they provide ample space for both detailed and broader planning. The Legend Planner provides 12 months of weekly page spreads along with monthly layouts for listing important dates and appointments. The pages are undated, so it’s a great choice for those who don’t use their planners every day. Along with the standard weekly layout, this planner also offers spaces for yearly goals, awareness and self-discovery, dreams and life goals, monthly goals and action steps, daily rituals, monthly reflections, and dotted pages for scribbling and creativity.
This option is great for left-handed users because rather than a spiral binding, it uses a lay-flat binding that makes the right page easier to write on without the spiral getting in the way. It’s available in a wide range of colors, including neutrals, bright hues, and pastels.
Product Specs
- Type: Weekly/monthly
- Size: 5.5 inches by 8.3 inches
- Length: 12 months (undated)
Pros
- Undated for maximum flexibility
- Available in many colors
- Spiral-free lay-flat binding
Cons
Get the Legend Planner Weekly & Monthly Life Planner on Amazon.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, you now know more about shopping for the perfect planner. We recommend the Erin Condren LifePlanner for its customizability and the fact that it can be personalized. Those on a budget may appreciate the BooQool 2022-2023 Weekly & Monthly Planner, which offers a great option at a lower price point.
How We Chose the Best Planners
Years of experience covering organizational products and office supplies as well as extensive product research went into creating this guide. We explored more than 30 planner options and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.
Regardless of the style and materials used, we prioritized planners made with high-quality materials that could withstand plenty of wear and tear. Additionally, we gave preference to models with thick, bleed-proof pages. Our top priority when choosing our recommended picks was how the pages were organized. We only included planners that offered well-thought-out layouts and were ideal for personal organization. Additionally, planners are available at a wide range of price points. Since planners need to be replaced at regular intervals, we aimed to prioritize options that offered excellent value.
FAQs
Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of planners available, see if any lingering questions can be answered with the information below.
Q. Should I get a bullet journal or a planner?
If you enjoy drawing and scribbling in addition to planning, you may appreciate that bullet journals offer more of a blank canvas. However, if you only want to record to-do lists and important dates, a planner may be the better option.
Q. Should I get a big or small planner?
Planners come in a variety of sizes, but popular choices are 5 inches by 8 inches or 8.5 inches by 11 inches. Small planners are great for throwing into a purse or briefcase to take on the go but give users less room to write. Larger planners, on the other hand, give users plenty of space to jot down tasks and ideas and work well on a desk.
Q. How do I use a planner?
A planner is used to track important dates, tasks, schedules, etc. Jot down events and reminders on the appropriate days for a physical reminder. If you use a smart pen in conjunction with your planner, you can even keep digital versions of these notes.
Q. How do I organize my day planner?
The best way to organize a day planner depends on your lifestyle. The simplest way is to start by filling the planner with major events and appointments and then filling in daily tasks and meetings.
