As a child, walking through the aisles of Staples ahead of the first day of school—cart full of highlighters, notecards, binder dividers, and other supplies for my blank canvas of a year—always felt exciting. I couldn’t know what the year would bring, but I sure as heck would be prepared with the right gear. The same goes for planners in adulthood. Entering a fresh year with the right paper planner to help you take charge of your time, tasks, schedule, and goals stands to help you lead a more efficient, productive, and ultimately happy life.
“It’s very helpful to offload your mental load so your brain can focus on what you’re trying to do and not on remembering everything you need to do,” says Alexis Haselberger, productivity and time-management coach, explaining why planners are so essential. Additionally, using a planner can enhance your memory, as research suggests that writing out information by hand may aid retention. Scroll down to explore some of the best planners designed to boost your productivity (and uplift your mood) as you head into 2025.
Best overall: Erin Condren LifePlanner, $65
Best luxury: Day Designer, $68
Best personalized: Papier 2025 Monogrammed Leather Planner, $65
Best spiral planner: Laurel Denise 2025 Horizontal Weekly Planner, $59
Best book-bound: Rifle Paper Co. 12-Month Bookbound Planner, $42
How to choose the best planner for you
There are seemingly endless options for planners, which is great news since individual preferences vary greatly. “A good planner provides space for goal setting, planning, scheduling, time management, and reflection,” says Lori Vande Krol, an organization and productivity consultant. “These components are essential for managing overwhelm, organizing your weeks and days, and achieving your goals. More specifically, look for high-quality paper that resists bleed-through and a sturdy cover and binding to withstand a full year.” To guide your decision, consider these questions:
- Do you prefer a daily or weekly layout?
- Will you carry your planner with you or mainly use it at your desk? (This can help determine the size you need.)
- Do you prefer ample space for creativity, or do you like a structured format?
- Would you rather have a Monday or Sunday start date for your weekly planning?
However, don’t overthink it: “The best planner for you is the one you will use regularly,” advises Vande Krol. With that in mind, check out our top picks for the best planners.
Shop 10 of the best planners for an organized 2025
Best overall: Erin Condren LifePlanner — $65.00
This versatile planner is designed to help you stay organized for 2025 while pursuing your goals. It features thick, 80lb paper that resists ink bleed-through and a robust laminate cover designed to last through 2026. At checkout, you can customize numerous aspects to best suit your needs. The weekly schedule layout offers vertical, hourly, horizontal, and compact vertical options. Additional features include mini-months, monthly quotes, productivity pages, and extra lined pages for planning and tracking.
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- Pros:
- Extensive customization, from layout to color choices
- High durability with sturdy paper
- Optional extra pages (for a $10 fee)
- Cons:
- One of the pricier options
- Potentially overwhelming for those wanting simplicity
- Spiral bindings may be susceptible to damage
Best luxury planner: Day Designer — $68.00
Styled by one of Well+Good’s editors, this luxury planner not only organizes but also inspires productivity. It features daily planning pages designed down to the hour alongside motivational quotes, goal-setting worksheets, and stickers. It offers various views (daily, monthly, yearly), while the bookmarks simplify date navigation.
- Pros:
- Multiple cover designs available
- Incorporates goal-setting and to-do prompts
- Includes an inside pocket in the front cover
- Cons:
- Gold foil may flake over time
- Most expensive option on the list
- Spiral binding might bend easily
Best personalized: Papier Leather Monogrammed 2025 Planner — $65.00
This planner marries functionality and elegance, allowing for monogram customization to elevate its regular planner aesthetic. Inside, there’s a perfect balance of weekly and monthly views along with space for notes, ensuring you won’t miss deadlines or tasks.
- Pros:
- A vast array of customization options
- Durable leather cover
- Includes an accordion pocket for storage
- Cons:
- Higher price point
- Lacks built-in tabs for quick date access
Best spiral-bound: Laurel Denise 2025 Horizontal Weekly Planner — $58.00
This efficient planner provides a soft spiral-bound option that lays flat for easy writing. Its unique horizontal design allows a clear weekly overview with ample space for daily tasks and appointments.
- Pros:
- Pages lay flat for easier writing
- Ample space for notes and journaling
- Option to choose a Monday or Sunday start
- Cons:
- No built-in tabs for quick reference
- Higher price range
Best book-bound: Rifle Paper Co. 2025 12-Month Bookbound Planner — $42.00
The elegant Rifle Paper Co. planner features a beautiful vintage-style cover and offers both monthly and weekly layouts with quality paper that permits smooth writing while minimizing bleed-through.
- Pros:
- Beautiful gold foil accents
- Plenty of space for planning and notes
- Conveniently compact
- Cons:
- No built-in tabs
Best compact planner: Hobonichi Techo 2025 Cousin Book — $65.00
This smaller planner packs an organizational punch with its multiple layouts: yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily pages, all designed to allow for hour-by-hour task tracking.
- Pros:
- Graph paper allows for creative layouts
- Compact size for portability
- High-quality paper for smooth writing
- Cons:
- Higher price point
Best for fitness: Ink+Volt Fitness Planner — $27.00
This 3-month fitness planner helps you track your workout activities and reflect on your progress with guided prompts.
- Pros:
- Sturdy softcover with lay-flat binding
- Portable for on-the-go tracking
- Good space for journaling and planning
- Cons:
- Example use may require an additional planner
- 3-month coverage only
Best for productivity: Happy Planner Classic Custom Planner — $30.00
This popular planner features a vertical layout and customizable options, making it both fun and functional with plenty of room for detailed plans.
- Pros:
- Divider tabs for easy navigation
- Customization with stickers and accessories
- Ample room for journaling
- Cons:
- Some reported issues with the durability of the disc binding
Best for budgeting: Erin Condren A5 Budget Planner — $25.00
This budget planner helps you manage income, expenses, and savings goals with dedicated spaces to track your financial wellness.
- Pros:
- Color-coded tabs for easy navigation
- Durable laminate cover
- Affordable pricing
- Cons:
- Not suitable as a standalone planner
- Spiral binding may wear out quicker
Best to-do list planner: Ban.do To Do Planner — $25.00
This straightforward planner features dedicated pages for daily scheduling and to-do lists, perfect for users who prefer simple organization.
- Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Approachable design for newbies
- Compact, easily portable
- Cons:
- No dedicated weekly or monthly pages
- Limited cover design options
Best for self-care: The Everygirl x Day Designer Planner — $21.00
This planner focuses on self-care with daily prompts and guided journal worksheets to help users check in with their mental and emotional health.
- Pros:
- Motivational prompts make it a combination journal/planner
- Encourages creativity with visualization spaces
- Affordable pricing
- Cons:
- Users may require an additional traditional planner
Best for goal-setting: ProAction Planner — $52.00
Created by productivity consultant Vande Krol, this planner assists users in turning goals into actionable steps with its unique layout.
- Pros:
- Combines goal-setting methods and agenda tracking
- High-quality paper
- Unique two-week layout helps with organization
- Cons:
- Relatively high price point