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As a mom of three, I know firsthand how important it is to have a planner to keep track of all my personal and professional appointments and every one of life’s little details. Without it, I’d be a hot mess. But with so many options out there, choosing the best planner can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m sharing exactly how I pick the right planner for my style and needs, plus the ones I actually recommend.

Quick Answer: How Do You Choose the Best Planner?

The best planner is the one that matches how you actually plan. Start with three questions: Do you prefer writing things down or tapping on a screen? How much space do you need each day? Do you want dated pages or the freedom of an undated planner? If you love paper and customization, go with a disc-bound or coiled planner like the Happy Planner or Erin Condren LifePlanner. If you juggle family schedules, a digital planner like Notion or a shared calendar wins. If you have ADHD or tend to abandon planners by February, an undated planner with built-in structure is your best bet.

Paper Planner vs. Digital Planner: Which Is Better?

First things first, you need to decide whether you want a written planner or a digital planner. Both have their pros and cons, and it really comes down to personal preference. Personally, I love the tactile experience of writing things down and the satisfaction of crossing off tasks. But I also love the convenience of a digital planner, which I use to keep track of everyone’s schedules (because three kids = three different schedules).

  • Choose a paper planner if writing helps you remember, you love stickers and color coding or you want a break from screens.
  • Choose a digital planner if you need reminders, share calendars with a partner or want your plans on your phone.
  • Choose a hybrid planner if you want both. A reusable smart planner like the Rocketbook Fusion Planner lets you write by hand and then scan your pages to the cloud.

Types of Paper Planners and Who Each One Is For

If you’re someone who prefers a written planner, there are a few different types to consider. If you’re a small business owner or mom blogger, you may want a planner with plenty of space for notes and to-do lists. If you’re just looking for something to keep track of appointments and events, a planner with a more streamlined layout may be a better fit. Personally, I love a planner with plenty of space for notes and to-do lists, because let’s be real, as a busy mom I’ve got a lot going on.

  • Daily planner: a full page per day with hourly time slots. Best for detailed schedulers and time blockers.
  • Weekly planner: the whole week on one spread. Best for most moms who want to see the big picture.
  • Monthly planner: a calendar view only. Best for tracking appointments and events.
  • Undated planner: you fill in the dates. Best for anyone who skips weeks or wants to start mid-year.
  • Bullet journal: a dotted notebook you design yourself. Best for creative planners and minimalists.
  • Life planner: a binder for the big stuff like finances, passwords and emergency info.
best planner

Erin Condren LifePlanner Review: Is It Worth the Price?

Erin Condren planners have become incredibly popular, and for good reason. These planners are known for their colorful and stylish designs as well as their customizable features. You can choose from a wide range of cover designs, add personalized stickers and accessories and even select the layout that works best for you.

I personally love using my Erin Condren planner to stay organized. Not only is it visually appealing, but it’s also extremely functional. I love being able to customize the layout to fit my specific needs, and the stickers and accessories make it easy to make it my own.

In addition to the customizable features, I also love the high-quality construction. The pages are thick and durable, and the binding is strong and secure. This is especially important to me as a busy mom, because I know my planner is going to see a lot of use and needs to stand up to the wear and tear.

Best for: moms, small business owners and anyone who wants a premium, personalized weekly planner. I can’t imagine staying organized without mine!

Happy Planner: Best Customizable Disc-Bound Planner

The Happy Planner is all about inspiring your daily planning and letting your creativity shine. It’s a customizable disc-bound planner system, which means you can add, remove and rearrange pages whenever you want. Plus, it’s just plain cute and fun to use!

I love the Happy Planner 2027 Classic weekly and monthly planner for its price and flexibility, and a Happy Planner sticker book makes it easy to color code appointments, school events and meal plans.

Best for: budget-friendly planning, sticker lovers and anyone who wants to swap pages in and out.

Clever Fox Planner Pro: Best Undated Planner for Goal Setting

If you want a planner that does more than hold appointments, the Clever Fox Planner Pro is a favorite for goal setters. It’s undated, so you can start any week of the year, and it includes vision pages, monthly goals, weekly reflections and habit trackers. The large 8.5 x 11 size gives you plenty of writing room.

Best for: goal setting, mid-year starts and anyone who has ever quit a dated planner by March.

Panda Planner: Best Daily Planner for Productivity

The Panda Planner Classic is an undated daily planner with hourly scheduling, top priorities and a gratitude section built into every page. Each book lasts about 90 days, which makes it a great low-commitment way to test whether daily planning works for you.

Best for: time blocking, work-from-home moms and anyone who wants structure without a full-year commitment.

Bullet Journal: Best Planner for Creative Minimalists

If store-bought layouts never quite fit, a bullet journal lets you design your own. The Leuchtturm1917 Official Bullet Journal has numbered dotted pages, an index and thick paper that handles markers well. Pair it with Zebra Mildliner highlighters for soft color coding and Pilot FriXion erasable pens so mistakes don’t ruin a page. I keep mine on my writing desk so it’s always within reach.

Best for: creative planners, minimalists and anyone who wants total control over their layout.

Digital Planners: Best for Busy Family Schedules

If you prefer a digital planner, there are plenty of options to choose from. Some people love the flexibility of accessing their planner from their phone or computer, while others prefer the security of a physical backup in case something happens to their device. Digital planners are great for moms who are always on the go, since you can check them from anywhere. I also use digital tools to keep my blog content organized, which I break down in my post on using AI tools in my daily content workflow.

Notion: Best Digital Planner App for Organizing Everything

If you love digital planners, you’ve probably heard of Notion. It’s a super popular app for managing tasks, taking notes and organizing projects. At its core, it’s a digital planner that lets you keep track of your to-dos, appointments and notes in one place. But it’s so much more than that. Notion also lets you create databases to store and organize information however you want. For example, you can create a database for your clients and keep track of their contact info, project details and more.

Notion is also super user-friendly, with headings, bullet points and checklists to help you structure your information. And with attachments and embeds, you can include documents, images and even YouTube videos in your notes and tasks. Check out this daily planner Notion template to get started.

Ultimate Life Planner: Best for Organizing Important Documents

Need to organize more than your daily appointments, to-do lists and weekly schedule? An Ultimate Life Planner helps you manage the big picture. It’s a really useful tool for keeping all of your home and personal details in one place. You can use it to track important dates, manage your finances, plan for the future and keep track of your personal goals. Plus, it’s a great reference for important info like emergency contact numbers and insurance policies.

Check out this popular Ultimate Life Planner on Etsy, or grab this important document organizer binder if you prefer something ready to fill in.

Best ADHD Planner for Adults

As someone with ADHD, I have found that using an ADHD planner has been extremely helpful in managing my time and staying organized. These planners are designed with tools tailored to ADHD brains, such as a visual layout, coding systems and checklists. These features make it easier for me to see and process information and to stay on track with my tasks. My planner also has space for recording daily thoughts and feelings, which has helped me spot patterns that affect my productivity. Overall, an ADHD planner has been an invaluable tool for managing my time in a way that is both effective and ADHD-friendly.

I love this ADHD planner on Etsy. On Amazon, the Refine Days Time Blocking and ADHD Planner and the Templatables ADHD Daily Planner are both undated with simple daily layouts that don’t overwhelm.

best planners, organizers and printable lists

How to Actually Stick With Your Planner

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Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Planner

What is the best planner for busy moms?

The best planner for busy moms is one with a weekly layout, room for to-do lists and space for every family member’s schedule. The Happy Planner Classic and the Erin Condren LifePlanner are both great picks because you can customize the pages as your family’s needs change.

Is a paper planner or a digital planner better?

Neither is better for everyone. A paper planner is best if writing things down helps you remember them and you love crossing off tasks. A digital planner is best if you need to share schedules, get reminders or access your plans from your phone. Many moms (me included) use both.

What is the difference between a dated and an undated planner?

A dated planner has the days and months already printed, so it is ready to use but pages go to waste if you skip a week. An undated planner lets you fill in the dates yourself, so you can start any time and never feel guilty about blank pages.

What type of planner is best for ADHD?

An undated planner with a simple visual layout, daily priorities, time blocks and checklists works best for most adults with ADHD. Fewer sections and more structure help you see what matters today without feeling overwhelmed.

When should I buy a new planner?

Most dated planners run January through December, so fall is the best time to shop for the best selection of covers and layouts. Academic planners start in July, and undated planners can be started any day of the year.

How much does a good planner cost?

A good paper planner usually costs between $15 and $65. The Happy Planner and Clever Fox fall on the budget-friendly end, while the Erin Condren LifePlanner sits at the premium end because of its thick paper and customization options.

Find the Planner That Fits Your Life

Ultimately, the best planner for you depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you’re always on the go with a lot of appointments, a digital planner may be the way to go. If you love the tactile experience of writing things down and crossing off tasks, a paper planner is a better fit. Don’t be afraid to try a few options until you find the one that sticks.

Save this post for later! Pin it to your organization or mom life board on Pinterest so you have it handy the next time you’re shopping for a new planner.