There's no better feeling than crossing off items on a to-do list. Even with almost everything going virtual, there's still great satisfaction in a good old-fashioned pen-and-paper combination in your routine. But with an overwhelming number of planners and agendas available to shop, it can be challenging to choose just one. Plus, considering you'll be stuck with yours until the end of the year (or school year), purchasing the best 2025 planner can feel like a lot of pressure. So, I consulted Marie Claire editors and other planner-using professionals about the ones they swear by.
I spoke to psychologist Dr. Scott Lyons and Kathleen Cameron, a manifestation coach, about how scheduling your day the old-fashioned way can make a tremendous difference. Dr. Lyons points out that there's actually a psychological reason for the satisfaction you get from writing down your tasks. "There is some interesting research about mobilizing where even just writing things down can help reduce stress because we’re motoring some of that energy and anxiety into action," he says. "Some things you just can't type out." Enter the perfect planner.
Cameron adds that writing tasks down can keep you focused on everything you need to accomplish in a day, keeping you organized and pushing you toward your goals. "It's [about] waking up every day and saying, 'What are the most important things that I need to get done, and how quickly am I going to get those things done?'"
So, whether you're looking to get more organized, trying to optimize your routine, or simply desperate not to forget any of the one thousand essential tasks you need to tackle, there's a 2025 planner, agenda, or cute notebook on this list that is right for you.
The Best Planners and Agendas at a Glance
- Marie Claire's Top Planners and Agendas
- Best Dated Planners and Agendas
- Best Undated Planners and Agendas
- What to Look For in a Planner
- Meet The Experts
Marie Claire's Top Planners and Agendas
- Best Overall Planner: Leuchtturm1917 Weekly Planner & Notebook
- Best Undated Planner: Kate Spade New York Daily To-Do Planner
- Best Classic Planner: Moleskine Classic 12 Month 2025 Weekly Planner
- Best Affordable Planner: Papercode Daily Planner
- Best Calendar Planner: Llewellyn's 2025 Witches' Datebook (Was $14, Now $10)
- Best Hardcover Planner: Brass Monkey The Perpetually Late Show Undated Standard Planner
Best Dated Planners and Agendas
Marie Claire's Associate Social Media Director, Lucia Tonelli, loves this planner by Leauchtturm1917. "There's a reason why the brand has remained a staple for writers, artists, amateur doodlers, etc., for over a century, and the German-made notebooks live up to the hype," she explains. "The thick paper prevents ink from bleeding onto other pages (or, in my case, prevents writing indentations from being heavy-handed), and the calendar formatting is ideal for daily, weekly, and monthly planning without being overly complicated. If you use a planner regularly, this sturdy, stylish, simple notebook is a must."
What We Love: Editor-approved; small; space for planning and creativity; thick, durable paper.
What We Don't: Small daily schedule blocks; some users say the ink is faint.
Customer Review: "Absolutely excellent, good quality paper and helps with work planning, home and my planning. Would not be without this!" — Amazon
It doesn't get any more classic than Moleskin's 12-month Weekly Planner, which comes in various colors. You can choose between the pocket-sized 3.5 by 6-inch or the larger 5 x 8.25-inch option. This way, whether you have a roomy work backpack or a modest-sized purse, you can easily stash this pick wherever you go. It includes monthly and weekly calendar views, and each week’s page lies adjacent to a page reserved for notes, to-do lists, or creative exploration. The book also includes stickers perfect for planning or highlighting essential dates.
What We Love: Small and easy to carry around; elevated look and feel; hardcover.
What We Don't: Thin paper, so ink may bleed or show through.
Customer Review: "I've been using Moleskin calendars for .... maybe 30 years? I love them. They are small enough for a purse or pocket, but hold up all year with no sign of wear. Love the little ribbon marker that is built in to keep track of the date." — Amazon
This fun datebook is worth considering for those who love spirituality and New Age wisdom. Not only does it function as a daily planner with plenty of space for to-do lists and daily planning, but it also contains recipes, wellness ideas, yoga poses, and other feel-good tips to get you through your week. Plus, it’s spiral-bound, so you can pull out any wellness and lifestyle tips you especially adore for safekeeping.
What We Love: Focus on wellness; small and easy to carry around; includes lifestyle tips.
What We Don't: Daily blocks are small.
Customer Review: "Love these datebooks!! I have bought one every year for the past 5 years if not longer. Large enough space to write about your day and reminders for the day. Monthly overview is great. Dates of the full moon are in the back of the datebook, which is a huge plus for me. Lots of information and Sabbat days. Space for notes in the back. And you can also color in the black and white pictures." — Amazon
I've been a planner girl since middle school and still love them even well into my post-grad life. Having a to-do list written down makes a ton more sense to me rather than using an app. This planner from Amazon fits all my needs and is super cheap. There's plenty of space to write in everything I have going on from day to day and I love how it comes undated. Plus, it doubles as a notebook with a ton of lined pages in the back!
What We Love: Editor-approved; lots of space for notes; small; space for visualization and manifestation; comes in multiple colors.
What We Don't: Thin paper, so ink may bleed or show through.
Customer Review: "This planner is the absolute best you can buy. If you want something that will not only keep you organized, but also keep you focused on your goals and bettering yourself, then this is it." — Amazon
"My Papier planner is essential to help organize my time," says former Senior Editor Tanya Benedicto Klich. "I add everything in it, from meetings at work to yoga classes at the weekend, and I love that it’s undated, so you can start it at any point during the year. Being able to personalize my name on the cover makes it feel really special and there’s a huge choice of designs to reflect your personal style which I love." On incorporating the planner into her wellness routine, Klich adds, "Using my planner and being organized clears my mind and makes me feel less stressed. It’s a wellness tool for me, too, and with all its cover designs ranging from colourblock to cottagecore, the planners add a dash of color and style to the interior of my work bag. You can buy their pocket diaries and meal planners to match."
What We Love: Editor-approved; can be personalized; plenty of space for planning; sustainable packaging; undated.
What We Don't: Small daily blocks.
This planner, which focuses on wellness, daily to-dos, mindfulness, and goal-setting, is a favorite of Marie Claire's former Beauty Writer, Gabrielle Ulubay. "My favorite aspect of its design is its pages devoted to habit tracking: The entries allow users to dive deep into the habits they'd like to develop by unpacking why those habits are important to them and exactly how and when they'll work towards them," she shares. "Another aspect I love (I’ve been using the planner all year) is the space for gratitude lists at the beginning of each week."
What We Love: Includes space for planning, to-do lists, and gratitude; has two built-in bookmarks; easy to carry around; editor-approved.
What We Don't: Hardcover, so a little heavy.
Customer Review: "I freaking love these diaries. I have used it for the last three years. You can find a use for all aspects, it has enough space to write lists, notes, etc. Daily habit tracker is brilliant, weekly planner where you can use it for what you like is perfect, just the right amount of space per day, goal setting and doodle space, looks beautiful." — Saint Belford
This planner is gorgeous, from the floral cover to the fun borders, colorful tabs, and metallic gold elastic. Even the font is pretty! As a bonus, there's a sticker sheet to make important days like vacations and birthdays stand out, plus an interior pocket to keep notes handy. For a planner that's as cute as it is useful, it's hard to believe it's only $25.
What We Love: Fun cover; includes interior pocket; comes with sticker sheet; affordable.
What We Don't: All the sections are in the front of the book.
Customer Review: "I have been using this planner for the last 10 years of my life. I ask for it as a gift every single Christmas. It is the perfect size to keep at my desk and for travel. My entire life is planned out in this monthly planner book. 10/10 recommend" — Lilly Pulitzer
Jenny Hollander, Marie Claire's Digital Director, swears by this planner. "Look, I hear you. Spending upwards of $300 on a planner feels crazy, right?" she says. "Hear me out: The Smythson Soho is so much more than a planner. Like your favorite wallet or handbag, it’s designed to go everywhere with you and be part of everything you do, from your social planning to wedding planning (hello!) and all your work needs. Two years ago, a friend gifted me my first Soho agenda, and I fell in love with the silky pages, meticulous design, and luxurious feel; I’ve been hooked ever since." She adds: "Just be warned: You can’t return to other planners. Nothing feels right after the Soho. (PS. If you’re going to splurge anyway, go ahead and get the gold monogramming. It’s worth it.)"
What We Love: Editor-approved; luxurious; small; includes a bookmark; can be personalized; comes in 10 colors.
What We Don't: Pricier than others on this list.
Rifle Paper Co. makes the prettiest and sturdiest stationery out there at an affordable price, and the brand's selection of planners are no different. This pick is a great gift for anyone who needs a little more color in their everyday life (like your co-worker or boss). It has a page for just about everything you could want in a planner: a to-do list, weekly and monthly spreads, a year-in-review page, a note page, and even inspirational quotes to help you tackle the week. One reviewer said it's a great size, too, writing, "The size is perfect for carrying in my small tote bag."
What We Love: Fun cover; affordable; big space for to-do lists; multiple cover options.
What We Don't: Small size.
Customer Review: "It is a little smaller than I expected but good quality and I like the split weekly portions and it will come in handy with staying organized." — Amazon
"I had a Franklin Planner back in school," says Dr. Lyons, "because I had such severe ADHD, and I relied on it because otherwise I didn’t know what my homework was. When you have a planner, it becomes a ritual, and it’s the ritual of writing things down and of checking things off. When we sink into a rhythm, and we have a ritual, it’s a restoration of time, and that’s a method of time management." He also says he loves the planner because it has a lot of space for notes and lists.
What We Love: Plenty of space for notes; expert-approved.
What We Don't: Organized by school year, so may not be for those who prefer annual planners.
Customer Review: "This planner is perfect for HR professionals with lots of interviews, to do lists and daily notes to look back on. I had this planner before and just reordered it. It's perfect for my organizational style. If you are detailed and like to brain dump, this is for you! The Best one back then and still today." — Amazon
![Hobonichi Techo 2025 Cousin Book [english/a5/january Start/monday Start/planner]](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5od3fzWR5Wx8SC29SzDqiW-1920-80.jpg.webp)
Bullet journaling went viral not too long ago, and if it's still your preferred method of keeping your thoughts in order, this is the planner for you. Each page is lined with a grid to keep your writing as precise as possible. Speaking of pages, there are a ton of them, including a yearly calendar, a yearly index, weekly pages, daily pages, monthly pages, blank graph paper, and more. With the spaciousness of each page, you can easily use it not just to track each day's to-do, but keep a memory journal with tickets, photos, and other keepsakes.
What We Love: Large size; plenty of space for notes and planning; lots of different page formats.
What We Don't: Thin paper, so ink may bleed or show through.
Customer Review: "I am a true Hobnichi fan. This is my second year and I am totally into a groove. It is so easy to adjust how you are using it each year, months or week." — Amazon
For many of us, a planner is something we carry with us every single day, so why not invest in one that's truly luxurious? Made of genuine leather and filled with stunning silver gilded pages, this planner will make you feel like a boss every time you write in it, not to mention it will hold up to everyday wear and tear. It features plenty of room for your daily to-do lists, plus a leather snap closing, and matching bookmark, and includes a pen in its own case so you'll never lose it.
What We Love: Comes in nine colors; made of leather; includes a matching leather bookmark and pen.
What We Don't: Pricier than others on this list.
When a planner has over 9,000 five-star reviews, then you know it's a real winner. This one has a weekly layout with plenty of space under each day to write out all of your to-dos. There's also monthly overview pages, a list of holidays, and pages to keep track of your contacts and references, plus a ton of extra lined pages in the back for notes. Personally, I'm obsessed with this rose gold shade (it's currently on my Christmas wish list) but there are plenty of other cover colors to choose from.
What We Love: Lots of space for notes; includes two bookmarks; includes pen-holder; comes in multiple colors; has interior pocket; premium paper.
What We Don't: Some reviewers dislike the off-white paper color.
Customer Review: "This planner ticked all those boxes and is exactly what I needed. A place to make lists of things to do for each day, and a monthly calendar so I can get a big picture look. I also like the size - I didn’t want a giant binder sized ordeal. My favorite detail is the pen holder on the side." — Amazon
Best Undated Planners and Agendas
"I'm positively obsessed with this planner from Kate Spade. Not only is it chic (in line with my expectations from the brand, of course), but it’s also incredibly functional," says Ulubay. "It has full-page spreads for each day, leaving space for block scheduling, to-do lists, prioritizing, and meal planning. Weighing in at 168 pages, it’s bulky enough to last you for ages but lightweight enough to stow away in your bag when you’re on the go."
What We Love: Lots of space for each day; lightweight; easy to carry around; fashionable; editor-approved.
What We Don't: Not a lot of note-taking space.
Customer Review: "This is a beautiful planner, and the layout helps organize your day. Plus you dont have any wasted pages." — Amazon
This planner is the perfect tongue-in-cheek accessory for those who are chronically tardy. Not only is it vintage-inspired and therefore delightful to look at, but it also comes with two cheeky floating pens: The first says "procrastinator" and changes to "mastercrastinator" while in use, while the other says "professional" and changes to "adequatefessional" while in use. And, if you're into desk pad-style planners, check out the brand's weekly planner pad, which lets you separate and plan tasks by morning, afternoon, and evening. I like how interactive this option is, with its fun trivia and quips that keep me amused and engaged. Plus, since it's not dated, there's no pressure to use it every day, and I never feel like I'm being wasteful for not using it on the weekends."
What We Love: Fun cover, trivia, and spaces for doodling; comes with pens.
What We Don't: Hard cover makes it bulky.
Customer Review: "Each page is full of random holidays, celebrity birthdays, doodle activities and writing prompts. Overall a fun planner." — Amazon
We all use planners for different reasons—while some of us use them religiously to manage our to-do lists, others may use them to track personal finances. If you're in the latter camp or want to be, this planner is for you. This 12-month, undated planner is ideal for those looking to nail down their budget or the advanced planner wishing to save more throughout the year. Each month, you get a page to set your goals and budget, and each week, you get a page to track your expenses so you can really see how much those Starbucks runs add up. Throughout the book, there's even quotes, tips, and challenges to keep you inspired and motivated.
What We Love: Financial-focused; focus on goal setting; easy to use; completely undated.
What We Don't: Not for to dos, work, and other traditional daily planning.
Customer Review: "This planner has everything I need for budgeting and tracking spending. I have used this for 2023 and ordered a new one for 2024. Love the setup." — Happy Planner
I use this planner, and I can't live without it. Its natural, butterfly theme never fails to uplift me, and it makes me feel chic and organized on even my most chaotic days. One of my favorite features is the sheer amount of blank note pages in the back of the book, which is extremely handy when I've forgotten my separate notebook (or when I can't fit it in my bag). It’s also incredibly affordable, and because it’s updated, it can last you for ages.
What We Love: Appealing design; lightweight; editor-approved; includes stickers.
What We Don't: Thin cover that may get damaged easily.
This option was created by Cameron herself and has a focus on gratitude journaling. She explains, "My gratitude journal has spaces to show gratitude for five things that I have already and for five things that I’m manifesting. It has a goal statement, it has a state of being a statement, and it has a statement on sending love (so it's 'Who am I sending love to today?')." She says part of her motivation was to open people up to what she calls the two types of gratitude: "There's gratitude for what you have in your life already, and there’s gratitude for manifestation. There, you’re grateful not for the things you have but for the things on their way."
What We Love: Developed by an expert; gratitude focus; plenty of space for journaling and to-do lists.
What We Don't: No date blocks.
Customer Review: "It is laid out and such an organized and informative way. It has a section for all things in my daily routine such as present gratitude, sending love, setting intentions, writing out your goal, affirmations, and future gratitude. It is truly a one stop shop and I will definitely be buying one every six months!" — Amazon
When I came across BURGA's planners, I was shocked at just how many options there are for covers. There's so many (over 200 designs, to be exact), that I had to go through the six pages of options thrice just to nail down my favorites. BURGA has a planner whether you're a minimalist or prefer bolder and brighter colors. Each one is bound in luxurious, durable vegan leather that will keep up with your daily wear and tear. Then, you have 144 silky pages thick enough to protect against ink bleeding to plan your week and overall year. As if this wasn't the perfect planner already, it also has an interior pocket for notes, two fabric bookmarks, and a smart metal time tag.
What We Love: Comes in over 200 designs; durable; made of vegan leather; includes interior pocket for notes, two fabric bookmarks, and a smart metal time tag; has a magnetic clasp closure.
What We Don't: Does not include space on date blocks to write dates.
Customer Review: "I've been using BURGA’s Infinity Planner for a while now, and I just love the flexibility it brings to my life! The undated pages are definitely the best part. There's no waste—if I skip a week, I just pick up right where I left off, no blank pages left behind. It's perfect for my sometimes unpredictable schedule. I organize things exactly how I want, at my own pace. Plus, the metal time tag? Absolute genius! It's like this planner gets me and my needs." — BURGA
We plan our waking hours, so why not plan our sleep, too? This highly original planner maps out a six-week program developed by therapists to help you achieve better, more restful, and more regular sleep. I've been using it over the past few weeks, and it's made me more thoughtful and intentional about my nightly routine so that I can be better rested (and more productive) during the day. It also helped me understand what practices weren’t working for me before bed.
What We Love: Educational; editor-approved; developed by therapists; wellness-focused; lightweight.
What We Don't: Not for to dos, work, and other traditional daily planning.
Customer Review: "This actually went above and beyond my expectations. It’s a great tool that I highly recommend!" — Therapy Notebooks
This planner comes with a special pen and pages that can be easily erased with a microfiber cloth for endless re-use. And, of course, the planner is undated. It’s a sustainable response to the waste that planners generate from being disposed of year after year, and it has a design that Cameron would approve of, with space for reasonable to-do lists, a morning routine, and gratitude lists. It also comes in multiple sizes, so you can pick one that suits you (and your work bag) best.
What We Love: space for routine setting, goal setting, and gratitude; editor-approved; comes in multiple sizes.
What We Don't: Reviewers note the pen dries too quickly.
Customer Review: "I have the large panda planner but moved to the small one for portability. Love all their products, and this planner keeps me organized and moving forward!!" — Rocket Book
This planner is perfect for people who, like me, sometimes go a week or so at a time without touching their planner (think: vacations, time off, or those weeks when you don’t have time to sit down and write). The flexible, undated layout of this option, coupled with a handy removable calendar clip, allows users to use the planner whenever they'd like, take a break when appropriate, and then pick back up where they left off. You can kiss wasted pages goodbye!
What We Love: Includes a secure, functional bookmark; completely undated; editor-approved; comes in multiple colors.
What We Don't: Daily blocks are small.
If you're especially goal-driven and want to give yourself deadlines based on the current professional quarter, this planner is the one for you. It also comes with prompts designed to bring you inspiration and motivate you along your journey. When I worked in sales, this planner was incredibly handy and allowed me to focus on my quarterly goals and overall growth, plus it kept me motivated in what was a notoriously challenging field. Plus, it comes in several different colorways so you can change up the vibe quarter after quarter.
What We Love: Focused on goal setting; geared toward motivation and persistence; editor-approved; comes in multiple colors.
What We Don't: Doesn't cover the full year (only three months at a time).
I'm obsessed with Silk and Sonder's unique take on the planner. This book is meant for focusing on self-development, wellness, and personal growth. This means that it includes features like inspirational quotes, undated calendar blocks, mood trackers, creativity exercises, gratitude lists, and more. With this planner, you can feel better about yourself and your trajectory every day. Plus, it’s thin and lightweight, which makes it a breeze to carry it around, whether you’re working at a traditional office or posted up at a cozy café.
What We Love: Wellness-focused; space for gratitude; lightweight.
What We Don't: Thin cover that can get damaged easily.
Customer Review: "I love my new journal! I make time to use it every day and it is helping me to build routines and rituals. The layout is adaptable in so many different ways and lets you track so many different things. This was one of the best choices I've made in my mental health journey." — Silk & Sonder
If working out is an important part of your day, take a look at this best-selling fitness journal, which includes monthly calendars, daily logs, and places for goal-setting. Not only is it a great way to stay on top of your growth and development, but it’s also fabulous for looking back and patting yourself on the back for how far you’ve come. Reviewers adore the book, with multiple happy customers saying that it's easy to use and straightforward and that they can't go to the gym without it.
What We Love: Focus on goal setting; great for quantifying growth; easy to use; comes in multiple colors.
What We Don't: Not right for to dos, work, and other traditional daily planning.
Customer Review: "I love this book. I am a bit of a journal addict and have bought many journals that I never use. There are two things that work for me with this journal: it's small and lightweight, and the formatting is simple." —Amazon
What to Look For in a Planner
- Space For Your Personal Goals: The perfect planner should get you into the right mindset to start a positive, productive day. Finding a planner that has room for the things that matter you (like a dedicated area for manifesation goals, mantras, or note pads at the start of each month), is key.
- Length of Use: Some agendas on this list are designed for limited spaces of time (e.g., six weeks or three months at a time); others are undated so that users can focus on accomplishing specific short-term goals. Other goal-oriented planners include inspirational quotes, tips on staying focused, and other tools meant to guide you along your journey. Meanwhile, more traditional, dated planners and agendas simply lay out the entire calendar year or school year.
- Size and Materials: Consider size and durability when buying a planner. If you carry around a big bag and need as much space as possible in your planner (for note-taking, mind-mapping, etc.), then a large planner may be best for you. On the other hand, if you need your planner to live and plan on taking it just about everywhere you go, go for a small planner. And if, like me, you tend to be rough on your items, look for a sturdy, hardcover planner so that you don't accidentally rip it to shreds within the first few weeks of use.
Meet the Experts
Kathleen Cameron is a Manifestation Coach, author, and entrepreneur. She founded Diamond Academy Coaching Inc. and has gained a loyal following that's culminated in a $10 million manifestation business. Author of Becoming The One and co-author of a guided manifestation journal, she's devoted to helping people realize their full potential.
Dr. Scott Lyons is a licensed psychologist, educator and author of the best selling book Addicted to Drama: Healing Dependency on Crisis and Chaos in Yourself and Others Scott is also the host of The Gently Used Human Podcast, an exploration of what it is to be human, to have lived life, and come out gently used. As a renowned body-based trauma expert and Mind-Body Medicine specialist, Scott also helps people to break free from cycles of pain, limited beliefs, and trauma. Scott is an innovator in transformative wellness and trauma therapy, teaching over half a million people internationally over the past twenty years how to relieve stress and restore vitality.
