To find the best planners we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions and layout, as well as any personalization options and other additional features. Overall, the best planner is the Day Designer 2023 Weekly Planner. Available in a variety of styles, the planner features inspirational quotes, an expense tracker page, and goal-setting worksheets, amongst other details. Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other planners and you can’t cancel, refund, or exchange the planner once the order is placed. The planner pages feature the standard weekly overview pages where you can write notes, deadlines, and events for each day. However, the pages also feature a weekly quote, a space to write in your top three priorities, and additional note space. Each date also includes a pre-bulleted space where you can put your to-do list for the day. With this planner, you’ll never have to worry about running out of space. There’s an additional tab with 19 note pages, as well as another tab with 46 pages for hourly scheduling. Plus, you’ll also appreciate an expense tracker, two pages for gift ideas, two pages for thank you note records, packing checklists, and bucket lists, as well as several other organizational features. In addition to the floral print, the planner is also offered in other prints. Just be sure you’re choosing which one you like best as you can’t cancel, refund, or exchange the planner once the order is placed. Price at time of publish: $68 Product Details: Dimensions: 7.3 x 9.5 inches | Layout: Weekly Keep in Mind: The notebooks are offered in a limited color selection. The planner is offered in a limited color selection: black, orange yellow, sapphire blue, and red. There’s a pocket version, though the larger size is still small enough to take with you. The lined pages offer plenty of space to write down your daily tasks and other notes you may need. There’s a built-in pocket that’s ideal for storing any grocery lists, random sticky notes, or other loose papers. The planner also features monthly calendars, as well as a world map that could come in handy for any travel plans. Price at time of publish: $24 Product Details: Dimensions: 5 x 8.25 inches | Layout: Daily Keep in Mind: You won’t receive a digital proof of the notebook before you order it. The floral-printed notebook is offered in three colors: beige, blue, and pink. It features a paper pocket where you can keep bills, receipts, and other important papers. Plus, it even comes with stickers to help indicate doctor appointments, birthdays, special events, and other reminders. The cover text can be customized to say either your name or the name of someone you’re gifting it to. Just keep in mind that to expedite the shipping process, Minted won’t send you a digital proof of the notebook before you order it. Price at time of publish: $28 Product Details: Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 inches | Layout: Weekly Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than some other styles. The beginning of the book features yearly calendars for the next two years, so it’s easy to refer to when you need it. There’s also a specific section for important dates and three pages of stickers, so you can indicate any special events throughout the month. Each month’s tab includes a full monthly calendar, as well as pages that break down each week. The weekly pages include bulleted spaces to write notes for each day for added organizational benefits. Plus, there’s a built-in pocket that’s ideal for any loose papers you want to keep track of. Price at time of publish: $40 Product Details: Dimensions: 8.25 x 6.75 inches | Layout: Monthly Keep in Mind: You’ll have to print some e-templates. The planner is offered in 10 colors, so you can choose which suits you or the person you’re gifting it to best. The hardcover book features chapters for timelines, outfit inspiration, venues and vendors, and guest planning. If you need any additional help with organization, there are free e-templates you can choose from as well. To further help with planning, the book even features a calendar to help countdown as well as suggestions, like important vendors to keep in mind. There’s also a storage compartment in which you can keep fabric swatches, photos, and inspirational magazine cutouts. Price at time of publish: $27 Product Details: Dimensions: 9 x 11 inches | Layout: N/a Keep in Mind: It’s suitable for five different trips, so you may need to buy a new book often depending on how frequently you travel. The faux leather planner is suitable for five different trips. Inside, you’ll find pages for packing lists, trip research, budgeting, favorite memories, transportation plans, and accommodations. There’s also a built-in folder in case you want to store any printed documents or your passport. Thanks to the elastic closure, it’ll all stay safely secured. Perhaps one of the most useful features is the included glossary, which includes metric conversions, translations, time zones, and temperatures. The page is sure to come in handy, especially during international travel. Price at time of publish: $23 Product Details: Dimensions: 5.8 x 8.3 inches | Layout: N/a Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than other options. To start, you’ll be able to choose from three different foil colors: platinum, gold, and rose gold. The platinum option is free, but the gold and rose gold options are an additional fee. You’ll also be able to personalize the cover with your first and last name or another message of your choosing. Lastly, there’s an option to add your own cover photos. The planner is pricier than some other options but it has several additional features you’ll appreciate. In addition to monthly quotes, there are also monthly and weekly spreads, as well as a page for notes in the back of the planner. Plus, there’s even a page to list any important contact information. Price at time of publish: $60 Product Details: Dimensions: 7 x 9 inches | Layout: Monthly, weekly Keep in Mind: It’s only offered in one size. The planner is offered in one size and in four colors: green, navy, pink, and beige. You’ll be able to customize the text on the front and back of the planner, so you can personalize it for yourself or a loved one as a gift. In addition to the planning pages, there are also tear-off grocery list sheets that make food shopping that much easier. There’s also a page with suggested pasta cooking times, which is sure to come in handy for the recipes to come. Price at time of publish: $20 Product Details: Dimensions: 7 x 9.5 inches | Layout: Weekly Keep in Mind: It’s more expensive than some other styles. The planner is more expensive than some other styles, however it has several features you’re sure to appreciate. For starters, there are pages that offer a look at both the upcoming week and month. There are also laminated tabs for each month, making it easy to flip between each one. There’s a hidden loop to store a pen or a pencil, so you’ll always have one handy whenever you need it. A built-in pocket in the front of the planner makes for a safe space to store any important papers while the snap closure ensures everything is safely secured. There’s another style option without a snap closure if you prefer, though keep in mind it’s a bit more expensive. Unlike some other styles, you can even personalize the cover of the planner with the initials of your choice. You’ll be able to choose between it being debossed or handpainted onto the planner. Each option is an additional cost, though you’ll be able to select the text color and size. Price at time of publish: $90 Product Details: Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 8.25 inches | Layout: Monthly Keep in Mind: It doesn’t come with stickers, a built-in pocket, or some other additional features other options have. The undated planner includes 12 dividers that help you further organize it from wherever you start. From there, you’ll be able to include your desired dates and plan accordingly. Just keep in mind that this planner doesn’t come with stickers, a built-in pocket, or some other additional features other options have. Price at time of publish: $30 Product Details: Dimensions: 7 x 9.25 inches | Layout: Monthly, weekly
What to Know About Planners Before Shopping
Dimensions
When choosing the best planner, it’s worth considering the dimensions. Unlike calendars, planners can often be taken on the go, so you’ll want to ensure it’s compact and lightweight enough to fit into your everyday bag. If you plan to leave it on your desk or nightstand, you can opt for larger styles with more pages and other features.
Layout
The best planners can be in either a daily, weekly, or monthly format. While some may include more than one format, consider how you want to use the planner. If you’re using the planner for a variety of tasks, like personal plans and work deadlines, a daily planner with more space for each date is ideal. If you’re just using it for travel dates, birthdays, or holidays, a weekly or monthly format may suit you better.
Style/ Additional Features
Although planners are typically used for scheduling, there are also specific types for meal planning, travel, weddings, wellness, and even teachers. These types of planners will have additional features that come in handy for that specific task, like time zones for different parts of the world or tear-off grocery lists for weekly meal prep. Some planners may also include stickers to indicate specific dates, as well as a built-in pocket to store loose papers, a pen holder, or extra note pages.
Your Questions, Answered
What are the benefits of a planner?
When it comes to planners, the benefits depend on how you want to use them. If you go with a more specific style, like one created for travel plans, the planner will serve as a central spot to track accommodations and, travel reservations, your budget, and other recommendations you have. Meanwhile, a wedding-oriented planner will help organize vendors, important dates, and any inspiration for the big day. If you go with a traditional daily, weekly, or monthly option, you’ll be able to track any important dates and deadlines. Overall, it’ll help with time management as you can see your upcoming schedule all at once and plan accordingly.
How much should a planner cost?
Planners often cost anywhere from $25-$90, more or less. Oftentimes, the price is impacted by the material of the planner, the number of pages, the type of layout, and any other additional features. For example, a standard date planner will often be around $20 while a leather-bound, personalized option will be more of an investment.
Who We Are
Jamie Weissman is a commerce editor for Better Homes & Gardens. To make this list she researched a variety of planners, keeping in mind the dimensions, layouts, and intended use, as well as any other additional features.
