• HOME
  • Planning
    • Planner Newbie
      • New to planning? Start here
    • Planning Tips & Inspiration
    • 52 Planning Systems in 52 Weeks
      • My weekly spreads
    • Planner Index
    • Planner Reviews
      • Horizontal Weekly
      • Horizontal 1 Page Weekly + Notes
      • Vertical Weekly
      • Hourly Planners
      • Categories Weekly
      • Daily Planners
      • Discbound Planners
      • Teacher Planners
      • Planner Roundups
      • Happy Planner (MAMBI)
      • Budget Planners
    • Planner Comparisons
    • Bullet Journal
      • Bullet Journal Reviews
      • Bullet Journal Spreads
      • Bullet Journal Tips
    • Planner pens
    • Highlighters
    • Planner Stickers
    • Digital Planning
    • Household Binder
    • Stationery Shopping
    • Rachael’s Favorites
    • Blogging & Online Business
  • Graphic Design
    • Photoshop Tutorials
    • Microsoft Word
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Canva
    • Silhouette Studio
    • PicMonkey
  • SHOP
    • Shop at Etsy
    • Online Store
    • Graphic Design Resources
    • ECOURSES
    • Ebooks
      • 54 Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (And How to Fix Them)
      • 1200 Blog Post Ideas
        • 1200 Blog Post Ideas (Exclusive Download Content)
      • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (For Any Type of Blog)
        • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (Exclusive Download Content)
    • Feedback & Testimonials
    • Planner Supplies (my sister’s shop!)
    • Shop my favorite planner supplies on Amazon
  • Learn
    • ECOURSES
      • Free Graphic Design Video Tutorials Library
      • How to Make Planner Stickers
      • How to Make Printables in Photoshop
      • How to Make Printables in Microsoft Word
      • How to Make Printables in Microsoft Excel
      • How to make digital planners and notebooks in Microsoft PowerPoint
      • How to Make Labels in Photoshop
      • How to Make Patterns in Photoshop
      • How to Make Party Printables
      • How to Write Product Descriptions
    • Ebooks
      • 54 Mistakes Etsy Sellers Make (And How to Fix Them)
      • 200 Blog Post Title Prompts (For Any Type of Blog)
      • 1200 Blog Post Ideas
  • FREE
    • FREE Printables
    • Free Printables Library – Subscribers Login
  • Travel
    • Travel Planning
    • Europe
    • Australia & New Zealand
  • About
    • Browse All Posts
    • FAQ
      • What is a Printable? What happens when I purchase a printable from you?
      • Printing Tips
      • Printable Planner Stickers
      • Downloading Files
      • How to Open Zipped File Folders
      • What does EDITABLE mean?
      • Monogram Etiquette

All About Planners

Printable planners to organize your home, business and life!

November 19, 2020

10 Cheap bullet journal notebooks (that cost $15 USD or less)

Most bullet journal notebooks are around $15, $20 or $40 for one with really thick paper. What about notebooks that are $15 or less? Here are a few to consider.

Something to note:

I consider $15 USD to be in the mid price range for bullet journal notebooks. The features included vary a lot. Some of the notebooks on this list have good paper, some have paper that’s prone to ghosting, some have page numbers, some have pre-printed index pages – it’s a very mixed bag. You’re probably not going to find THE perfect notebook in this price range, I consider notebooks in this price ideal if you’re starting bullet journaling or want a second notebook to draft spread ideas or lists.

In no particular order…

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase this notebook using my affiliate link I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only affiliate with products I use and recommend.

1. Clever Fox

This is my top pick for a mix of best value paper that has hardly any ghosting, with multiple cover options and a quality notebook for a good price.

clever fox dotted notebook for bullet journaling 120 GSM paper colorful cover

clever fox dotted journal notebook review dot grid notebook sewn bound bright white paper rose gold cover affordable no ghosting bleed through paper_02

clever fox dotted journal notebook review dot grid notebook sewn bound bright white paper rose gold cover affordable no ghosting bleed through paper_01

Read more: Clever Fox Dotted Journal Notebook

2. Erin Condren Softbound

Just sneaking into the list at $14 USD is the Erin Condren sewn bound notebook.

Note: when I purchased the notebook it had 7mm line spacing. They’ve since reduced the spacing to 5mm (which is the size most dot grid notebook come in).

erin condren dot grid softbound notebook review video pros and cons

erin condren softbound notebook dot grid a5 page size bright white paper bookmark ribbon built in

Read more: Erin Condren Softbound Dot Grid Notebook

erin condren petite notebook dot grid journal weekly layout stencil rainbow pastel zebra mildliner milkliner ec weekly spread using stickers blogging checklist_08

Read more: Erin Condren Petite Dot Journal & Stencils

3. Minimalism Art

The first cheap dot grid notebook I purchased to use for drafting bullet journal spreads. The pages lay flat, it’s cheap and there are plenty of cover colors – not just black!

They seem to have upgraded their notebooks since I purchased mine a few years ago with thicker paper and more cover options to choose from (e.g. rose gold).

Price: $8 USD on Amazon

minimalism art notebook dot grid bullet journal bujo pros and cons cheap amazon draft spreads planner mockup ideas gender neutral blue cover hardbound

Read more: Minimalism Art Dot Grid Notebook for Bullet Journaling

4. Poluma

Similar to the Minimalism Art. If you want a dot grid notebook that’s narrower than A5 size (like the Leuchtturm), this one is good for lists.

Price: $8.60 USD

poluma dot grid notebook review bullet journal bujo 5mm dot grid spacing blue cover cheap affordable organizer factory

Read more: Poluma Dot Grid Notebook

5. Otto Dot Grid

Terrible paper quality but if you want to try bullet journaling and you’re in Australia, it’s readily available at Officeworks.

Price: $13

otto dot journal weekly planner key

otto dot grid notebook officeworks australian planner addict supplies numbered dot grid pages bright white paper a5 size hardbound

Read more: Otto Dot Grid Bullet Journal Notebook

6. Kmart Dot Grid

On this list for the same reasons as the Otto Dot Journal, this super cheap notebook is a good one to start bullet journaling with.

Price: $4 AUD

kmart dot journal notebook review ghosting pen test bleed through cheap less than 5 dollars australia affordable white paper_10 kmart dot journal notebook review ghosting pen test bleed through cheap less than 5 dollars australia affordable white paper_09 kmart dot journal notebook review ghosting pen test bleed through cheap less than 5 dollars australia affordable white paper_08

Read more: Kmart dot journal ($4 notebook!)

7. Typo dot grid notebooks

Also in Australia these notebooks are often on clearance for around $5.

I recently found a set of 3 x B5 page size notebooks (graph, dot grid and lined) on clearance for only $6!

They have wire bound (lay flat) with bright white pages and covers that aren’t just one color – they usually have patterns or a quote on them.

typo dot journal bullet journal review pros and cons my disorganised life journal video

8. Paipur

if you want a large page size, the Paipur is only $15 USD.

This is a hybrid notebook – one side is dot grid and the other is lined.

paipur dot grid lined notebook review alternative to traditional bullet journal bujo notebook video flipthrough pen testing_02

PAIPUR hybrid notebook weekly spread bullet journal dot grid lined notes list maker color coding pastel stabilo boss highlighters_07

Related post: List makers spread in the PAIPUR hybrid notebook

9. Northbooks

This brand has exposed stitching that allows the notebook to lay completely flat no matter where you open the notebook.

Price $12 – $20 USD (can purchase in bundles with multiple notebooks to reduce the cost of each notebook) + shipping

northbooks dot grid notebook lay flat binding 180 degrees completely flat

horizontal weekly spread simple quick minimalist rainbow northbooks dot grid notebook for bullet journal bujo

Related post: Landscape page orientation bullet journaling in the Northbooks dot grid notebook

10. Scrivwell

One of the first dot grid notebooks I ever bought when there weren’t many cheap dot grid notebooks available. I’ve put this one last on the list as I think the others are better value (most of them have page numbers while this one does not). Compared to the others on this list that also don’t have page numbers, this one is more expensive and the paper quality isn’t much better.

I could only find black when I bought this notebook but there seems to be many colors to choose from now: orange, yellow, red, pink, teal, green, grey, white and brown.

Price: $13 USD

scrivwell notebook for bullet journaling review dot grid pros and cons paper quality cheap amazon

scrivwell notebook for bullet journaling pen test review ghosting bleed through cheaper alternative to leuchtturm1917

scrivwell notebook for bullet journaling pen test review ghosting bleed through cheaper alternative to leuchtturm1917 honest

Is there a difference between these notebooks?

Don’t expect the best paper. There are more and more cheap notebooks that all look very similar popping up on Amazon all the time, usually with 100 GSM paper which tends to be prone to ghosting. Really the only difference between these cheap notebooks (I think) is the cover color, the page width and whether it includes page numbers or not.

With the exception of the Paipur notebook, most of the notebooks on this list are around the same page size (US half letter or A5 page size).

Still can’t decide? Download my comparison of more than 30 dot grid notebooks

comparison of 30 dot grid notebooks pros and cons page size paper quality price binding index page numbers review video

Bullet journal tips

  • How to resize any printable for any size bullet journal
  • 5 Things to do when you get a new bullet journal notebook
  • 7 Ways to quickly and easily cover up mistakes in your planner or bullet journal

Found this post helpful? Pin it!

best cheap bullet journal notebooks that cost $15 dollars or less budget friendly bujo nebwie recommended supplies getting started 5mm dot grid affordable

best cheap dot grid notebooks that cost $15 USD or less affordbale 5mm dot grid bujo newbie starter notebook pen testing recommendations all about planners

You may also be interested in...

  • Review of the Scrivwell Dot Grid Notebook for Bullet JournalingReview of the Scrivwell Dot Grid Notebook for Bullet Journaling
  • Bullet Keeper dot grid notebook review (including pen test)Bullet Keeper dot grid notebook review (including pen test)
  • Review of the Minimalism Art Dot Grid Notebook for Bullet JournalingReview of the Minimalism Art Dot Grid Notebook for Bullet Journaling
  • How to choose the right bullet journal notebook for you (10 things to check)How to choose the right bullet journal notebook for you (10 things to check)
  • Typo Dot Grid Notebooks for Bullet Journaling Review (Pros & Cons)Typo Dot Grid Notebooks for Bullet Journaling Review (Pros & Cons)
  • Poluma Dot Grid Notebook Review (Including Pen Test)Poluma Dot Grid Notebook Review (Including Pen Test)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Posted In: Bullet Journal, Bullet Journal Reviews · Tagged: $15 bullet journal notebook, $15 dot grid notebook, affordable bullet journal notebook, best bullet journals, best cheap bullet journal notebooks, best cheap dot grid notebooks, best cheap notebook, best dot grid notebooks under $15, best notebooks under $15, bullet journal for beginners, bullet journal newbie notebook, bullet journal starter notebook, cheap bujo notebook, cheap bullet journal, cheap dot grid notebook, cheap notebook for bullet journaling, recommended bullet journal

Welcome

Welcome to All About Planners! I’m Rachael, a 20-something Aussie addicted to graphic design and all things planning. On the blog you’ll find more than 1,000 posts about all things planning including planner reviews, tips, favorite supplies and some of my past weekly spreads.

Subscribe and join 60,000+ others on the quest to find planner peace!

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Search

Subscribe

free printables library sign up all about planners blog image graphic subscribe

Shop At Etsy

The photos and content on this site are the property of All About Planners. They are not allowed to be used without permission from All About Planners.

Categories

Recent Posts

  • 10 Brands that have Date Dot Stickers for your planner or bullet journal
  • Eleven Discs Dot Grid Notebook Review (Super Smooth Paper!)
  • 150 Dinner Recipe Ideas (Printable Quick Reference List) + Cooking Staples List
  • Arc versus TUL Comparison: Which discbound brand is better?
  • Esc. Goods 160 GSM Bullet Journal Notebook Review (Including Pen Test)

Disclaimer

All About Planners is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Popular Posts

  • 10 Brands that have Date Dot Stickers for your planner or bullet journal
  • How to make a weekly planner using Google Sheets (free online tool)
  • 130+ functional ideas to use blank notes pages of your planner or an empty notebook
  • 5 Planner Companies that will make a completely custom planner for you
  • How I use Excel for organizing recipes, meal planning, food inventory and grocery lists

Printables

  • Learn How to Make Printables
  • How to Make Planner Stickers
  • Resources & Tools I Recommend

Subscribe to access the free Printables library

Follow Me

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
Privacy

Copyright © 2021 All About Planners · Theme by 17th Avenue