The 6 best school notebooks (2024)

Updated 2021-08-02T21:12:05Z The 6 best school notebooks (1) JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
  • How we tested
  • Best overall
  • Best for elementary school
  • Best for middle and high school
  • Best for college
  • Best for lefties
  • Best budget
  • What else we considered
  • Note-taking tips
    • How we tested
    • Best overall
    • Best for elementary school
    • Best for middle and high school
    • Best for college
    • Best for lefties
    • Best budget
    • What else we considered
    • Note-taking tips

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    With a master's degree in education and years of teaching under my belt, I've seen my fair share of notebooks.

    Some students, school districts, and colleges have made the switch away from paper and gone completely digital. However, research has shown that students who write their notes down — as opposed to typing them — perform better on tests.

    As a teacher, I've seen this firsthand. Students may not internalize their notes as well when they don't write them out by hand. It's also easier for them to get distracted when using a device — it's almost impossible for them to ignore a notification.

    You don't need to splurge to get a good notebook for school, but there are some things to consider when shopping for this ubiquitous school supply. Andy Beauchamp, a second grade teacher in Minnesota, advises parents to wait until they hear from their child's teacher before purchasing notebooks. Always keep in mind that different teachers may have different requirements.

    To find the best notebooks, I conducted research, talked to current teachers, and tested 12 popular options, which were provided as editorial review samples by their manufacturers. My testing included writing, ripping out pages, spilling water on them, and more — which you can read about in the next slide.

    Here are the best school notebooks

    Best overall - Five Star Advance 3 Subject Notebook See at Amazon
    The Five Star Advance 3 Subject Notebook with moveable pocket dividers keeps notes in great shape through the school year and beyond.

    Best for elementary school - Amazon Basics Wide-Ruled Composition Notebook See at Amazon
    The Amazon Basics Wide-Ruled Composition Notebook helps kids perfect their handwriting and the sewn binding eliminates the danger of wires for younger kids.

    Best for middle and high school - Five Star Wirebound 1 Subject Notebook See at Walmart
    The Five Star Wirebound 1 Subject Notebook is simple, versatile, and exceptionally durable with a water-resistant plastic cover.

    Best for college - Hamelin 1 Subject Spiral Notebook See at Walmart
    The Hamelin 1 Subject has 150 pages of college-ruled paper to accommodate notes-intensive courses, and it comes with access to a note management app.

    Best for lefties - Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, XL See at Amazon
    The Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, XL is ideal for lefties because the pages lie flat and ink doesn't smudge.

    Best budget - Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebook See at Amazon
    The simple Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebook does the job at half the price of similar notebooks.

    How we tested

    Alicia Betz

    After researching and selecting the top contenders for this guide, I received samples of each one on my short list and put them through the following testing criteria we designed for this guide:

    • Writing test: I wrote in each notebook with various writing utensils to make sure there was no bleeding through pages. None of the pages bled with typical pencils and pens. I did not test with markers, highlighters, or Sharpies.
    • Rip test: I tore pages out of each notebook to test how cleanly and easily they came out. Teachers often ask students to rip pages out to hand in, and many teachers don't like when pages are uneven and have jagged edges.
    • Typical student test: I threw them, stepped on them, tried to rip them by pulling on the cover, and tried to pull the coil off of notebooks that had one.
    • Water test: I spilled water on the cover of each notebook and let it sit for 15 minutes before assessing damage.

    Best overall: Five Star Advance 3 Subject Notebook

    Amazon
    Check price at Amazon Check price at Staples
    • Page count: 150
    • Size: 8.5 by 11 inches
    • Extras: Dividers with pockets, perforated pages, pen holder

    Pros: Cloth cover protects coils, moveable pocket dividers, extremely durable plastic cover

    Cons: Some resistance when writing, may not be ideal for young students

    In my experience as a teacher, the two main reasons notebooks get ruined are ripped covers and snagged wires. The college-ruled Five Star Advance Notebook takes care of both of these problems with a durable plastic cover and a fabric wire guard.

    With room for three subjects and protective coverings, this notebook will last through an entire school year and even longer. In our tests, the cover protected the pages from water damage, and it was difficult to pull the wires out from under the fabric guard.

    Its durability makes it ideal for saving notes from higher-level courses to refer back to later. The moveable dividers add versatility as well. Maybe one class only uses 50 pages while another uses 75 — you won't waste pages like you would with a fixed divider. I found the pages ripped out cleanly and didn't leave any jagged edges. A nice added feature is the pen/pencil holder.

    When compared to some of our other picks, writing utensils didn't glide quite as smoothly over the paper. However, this isn't a big deal for the average student. The only age group this notebook might not be ideal for is lower-elementary school due to its size.

    If for some reason this notebook doesn't last, it also has Five Star's one-year guarantee (misuse and abuse are not covered).

    Best for elementary school: Amazon Basics Wide-Ruled Composition Notebook

    Amazon
    Check price at Amazon
    • Page count: 100
    • Size: 9.75 by 7.5 inches
    • Extras: None

    Pros: Pages are securely sewn in, the wide-ruled paper is ideal for perfecting handwriting, includes schedule and conversion chart

    Cons: Cover is plain, can't tear pages out

    While I typically recommend notebooks with more durable covers, I like the Amazon Basics Composition Notebook specifically for elementary school kids because it has wide spacing between lines. This is ideal for writers who are still perfecting their technique. The sewn binding also prevents problems spiral notebooks can cause for young kids.

    Beauchamp agrees that young children benefit from a sewn binding. "Spiral notebooks make practicing writing mechanics and using a full line challenging for students," she said. "About halfway through the year, the spiral begins to come undone if not taken care of, and can be harmful to students as it is quite sharp. Composition notebooks eliminate those problems."

    In our tests, the cardboard cover tore easily, but there was no wire to pull loose. The cover held up well to the spill test; it showed water damage, but it didn't seep through to the paper. Like most composition notebooks, there aren't any perforations to tear pages out, so the edges ripped unevenly when I tried to pull them out. Ease of writing was average — slightly rough but what you'd expect from a notebook at this price point.

    The notebook is available in solid or marbled covers in blue, yellow, green, red, and black. While these colors are nice, young kids might be disappointed that there aren't fun designs.

    A handy conversion chart and a space to write a schedule are included on the inside covers. The schedule space can help young kids learn to tell time and follow routines.

    Best for middle and high school: Five Star Wirebound 1 Subject Notebook

    Amazon
    Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart Check price at Staples
    • Page count: 100
    • Size: 8.5 by 11 inches
    • Extras: Perforated pages, interior pockets

    Pros: Durable, water-resistant cover; built-in pockets; colorful covers are easy to organize; loops on wires prevent snagging

    Cons: Interior pockets aren't very durable

    As both a student and a teacher, the Five Star Wirebound 1 Subject was my favorite notebook. While some other notebooks quickly succumb to wear and tear as the year goes on, many Five Star notebooks look good as new even on the last day of school.

    The durability of this notebook is largely due to its water-resistant cover. "Notebooks with stronger, thicker covers seem to survive the everyday wear and tear of being thrown in backpacks and lockers," according to Alissa Martin, a high school teacher in Pennsylvania. "Often, buying a more expensive notebook will save money in the end because it won't need to be replaced due to a cover falling apart or ripping, or the wiring coming apart."

    In our tests, the cover of this notebook did not rip and it protected the pages from spilled water. The edges of the wire loop back on itself to prevent snagging. There are also two interior pockets for storing handouts, worksheets, and loose paper. While I like this feature, the pockets are made of cardboard that is not very durable. The ink bleed-resistant paper has perforations, and the pages ripped out well in our testing. Out of all of our top picks, this was the roughest to write on but not unusual for this type of notebook.

    A 100-page one-subject notebook is usually enough for one class. Teachers may request wide-or college-ruled paper. If they don't give a preference, middle school students might prefer wide-ruled while high school students might gravitate toward a college-ruled notebook. Five Star offers both options. It also comes in many different colors, ideal for organizing classes by color.

    Best for college: Hamelin 1 Subject

    Amazon
    Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart
    • Page count: 150
    • Size: 8.5 by 11 inches
    • Extras: Perforated pages, note-sharing app

    Pros: Durable, works with Scribzee app to manage and send notes, includes organizational stickers, writing utensils glide smoothly on paper

    Cons: Wire pulls out easily, cost adds up if you need to purchase multiple notebooks

    Of all the notebooks I've used throughout my life — from elementary to grad school — the ones I've held onto the most are the ones from my undergrad years. That's why the Hamelin 1 Spiral Subject notebook with its sturdy cover is our pick for the best college notebook. Not only will the notebook itself last, but electronic versions of your notes can last forever if you take advantage of the Scribzee app.

    According to Meghan Huber, assistant professor in mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, "Choosing the right notebook paper is critical, now more than ever, since most classes are taught online. Especially in STEM courses, students might be required to upload their homework and exam problems to show their work."

    This is where students will really appreciate the Scribzee app that serves as a companion to the notebook. Students can take pictures of their notes and turn them into PDFs, send them to other people, organize them into folders, and add additional content like images. Uploading homework and exam problems to send to professors is a breeze.

    For further organization, the included peel-and-stick labels can be used to create dividers, label sections, and add bookmarks. Papers can be stored in one double-sided pocket in the front, which is somewhat flimsy card stock like that of the Five Star. The notebook comes in blue, red, white, black, purple, green, and yellow.

    The thick cover protected the pages well in our water test. The paper was very smooth to write on, and the pages tore out easily. The only test this notebook didn't do well on was the wire pull test — the spiral wire that binds the notebook pulled out very easily. Traditionally, this is more of a problem with middle and high school students who get the wire stuck on their lockers. However, the pros of this notebook outweigh that one con, especially for college students.

    Best for lefties: Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, XL

    Amazon
    Check price at Amazon Check price at Staples Check price at Office Depot
    • Page count: 192
    • Size: 7.5 by 9.5 inches
    • Extras: Bookmark, pocket

    Pros: Paper lies flat, minimal smudging, bookmark and folder included, many size and color options

    Cons: Pages aren't perforated

    Moleskine notebooks are known for their high quality and the brand has many loyal followers. This was my first time trying a Moleskine, and I was sold.

    To determine the best school notebook for lefties, however, my left-handed husband helped me test and make the final decision. This notebook came out on top in his testing for two reasons. First, the paper lies flat, so it wasn't uncomfortable and he didn't have to waste half the page. Second, ink and pencil smudged the least out of all the notebooks we tested. After decades of having ink smudged all over his hands, my husband was thoroughly impressed.

    These two factors, while great for lefties, aren't the only reasons this is an excellent notebook. In our tests, the hardcover protected the pages from water, and pens and pencils glided smoothly over the paper. Additional features include a bookmark ribbon, an elastic closure, and a durable expandable folder inside the rear cover. Although the pages do not have perforations, they tore out the best of all the non-perforated notebooks we tested. They come out evenly as long as you take your time.

    The Moleskine classic has a very sleek look, and it's easy to customize: There are 10 color options, six sizes, four paper types, and two cover options (note that I did not test the softcover). Its durability and versatility make this a solid choice for left-handed notetakers.

    Best budget: Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebook

    Amazon
    Check price at Amazon Check price at Staples Check price at Target
    • Page count: 70
    • Size: 7.5 by 10.5 inches
    • Extras: Perforated pages

    Pros: Affordable, multiple color options, page perforations and binder holes

    Cons: Coil can get snagged, cover rips easily

    Is the Mead 1 Subject the best notebook out there? No. Can you beat $2 or less for a school notebook? Also no. This notebook almost always can be found for $2, too. It certainly has its drawbacks, but as a teacher, it was one of the most popular notebooks I saw in the classroom simply because you can't beat the price.

    It comes in a variety of colors for students to choose from and is a typical wire-bound notebook with a cardstock cover. The pages include perforations and three-ring holes, so students can rip them out for graded assignments or put them in a binder.

    With such a low price comes some drawbacks, however. The cover is thin and was easily ripped in our tests. It also allowed water to seep through in our water test. The wire coil can get snagged easily, and I've seen this ruin Mead notebooks in my classroom.

    The ease of writing is average, similar to the Amazon Basics Composition Notebook. The perforated pages tear out evenly, but if you don't take your time, you might get the jagged edges that go around the wire.

    There are certainly better notebook options out there, but the cost of school supplies can add up very quickly. If your budget is tight and you're looking for ways to save, the Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebook can do the job.

    What else we considered

    Amazon
    • Mead Composition: This notebook is very similar to the Amazon Basics Composition Notebook. It came in slightly more expensive than the Amazon option, which is why it didn't make the cut.
    • Mead Primary Composition Notebooks: This is a good option for very young kids. They use the red baseline ruled lines to help kids learn how to write. Because most kids would outgrow them by second grade, we went with a wide ruled composition notebook pick for elementary school instead.
    • Rocketbook Core: This is a unique eco-conscious notebook. Students can write on the reusable paper with FriXion pens, then use the Rocketbook app to store a digital copy of their notes and erase the page with a damp cloth. This technology worked well when I tried it, but it may not be the best option for students. For one, it's not cheap for a notebook that might get destroyed or lost, and if students lose their FriXion pen, the notebook is useless. They also won't be able to tear any pages out to hand to a teacher. It would be a better fit in classrooms with 1:1 technology than those without.
    • Black n Red Ruled Hardcover: This notebook had high-quality paper and the hardcover protected the pages very well. However, the cover was so hard and the binding so tight that it was difficult to get the notebook to lie flat.
    • Cambridge Professional:This was a nice notebook that I found to be similar to the Hamelin. The very thick paper made it difficult to rip off along the perforated line, however. Hamelin also edged this notebook out because of its compatibility with Scribzee.

    Note-taking tips

    John Howard/Getty Images

    Efficient note-takers successfully create a balance between trying to write down every word their teacher says and not writing enough. Here are a few note-taking tips:

    • Keep notes organized with dates, titles, and sections. "Different sections of a notebook can help students learn to organize, especially if it's notes within one subject area," according to Martin.
    • Having multiple notebooks can help keep students organized. "Keep a notebook for each class plus a catch-all notebook," Huber said. "This additional notebook should be with the student at all times and can be used for anything from scratch paper to making a shopping list to a stand-in for that forgotten notebook."
    • Try using highlighters or colored pens to color-code notes.
    • Use shorthand and abbreviations. This helps you write your notes quickly so you can spend more time listening. It also helps ensure you'll be able to understand your notes later.
    • Underline or otherwise mark important or key notes.
    Alicia Betz Freelance Writer Alicia Betz is a freelance writer for Insider Reviews, where she specializes in parenting and education. She researches and tests products from the hottest new toys to the most tried and true parenting products. Alicia tests products in the field with her daughter. She earned her bachelor of science degree in education from Penn State University with concentrations in English and communications. She earned her master of arts degree in education from Michigan State University with concentrations in literacy and technology. Alicia holds a certificate in online teaching and learning and is licensed to teach in Pennsylvania. She was a teacher from 2012 through 2019 and has been writing professionally since 2016.Alicia's writing has been featured in Scholastic, Brighter Higher Ed, Popsugar, AARP, and Yahoo News. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read less

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    The 6 best school notebooks (2024)

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