Top Notepad Brands: Elevate Your Writing Experience

Notepads have evolved to become indispensable tools for many, whether you're a student jotting down lecture notes, a professional organizing thoughts in meetings, or an artist sketching ideas on the go. In today's market, the choice of notepad can significantly impact your efficiency and creativity, thanks to the plethora of designs, paper qualities, and formats available. From eco-friendly options to luxurious leather-bound styles, there's a brand and type suited for every need and preference. Below, discover a carefully curated selection of some of the best brands for notepads, each offering a unique blend of functionality, style, and innovation.

Illustration of notepads

Best brands of notepads in 2025

Moleskine

Moleskine is a renowned brand in the notepad market, celebrated for its high-quality products and widespread availability. Founded in 1997, Moleskine has established a strong presence globally, with products sold in 102 countries and a retail network that includes over 79 directly operated stores as of 2016. The company's revenue has seen significant growth, increasing from EUR98.8 million in 2014 to EUR145.2 million in 2016, with a CAGR of 18% over this period. Moleskine's products are popular among various demographics, with its website attracting a significant audience, particularly from the United States, Italy, and the UK. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has made it a favorite among writers, artists, and professionals. Discover more about Moleskine's high-quality products and global presence on their website.

Rhodia

Rhodia, founded in 1932 by the Verilhac brothers in Lyon, France, is renowned for its high-quality notepads and notebooks, featuring smooth, ink-friendly paper and iconic orange and black covers. The brand, now part of Clairefontaine since 1997, is celebrated for its acid-free and micro-perforated sheets, making it a favorite among artists, designers, and writers. Rhodia's products, such as the Webnotebook and Meeting Books, come in various sizes, including A5 and A4, and are available in different formats like lined, dot grid, and graph. The paper quality ranges from 80 gsm to 90 gsm, ensuring optimal writing and drawing experiences. Rhodia's unique scored cover and waterproof card cover add to its durability and portability.

Leuchtturm1917

Leuchtturm1917, a renowned German brand founded in 1917, is esteemed for producing high-quality notebooks and notepads that cater to various needs, including journaling, bullet journaling, and professional writing. Their notebooks feature numbered pages, a table of contents, and ink-proof paper (80 gsm), making them ideal for users who value organization and durability. The brand offers a range of sizes, including Pocket (A6), Medium (A5), and Composition (B5), and various paper layouts such as dotted, squared, ruled, and plain. Leuchtturm1917 notebooks are appreciated for their thread-bound structure that allows them to lie flat and their inclusion of elastic closure bands, bookmarks, and stickers for labeling. With over 100 years of experience, Leuchtturm1917 has established itself as a trusted brand among writers and journal enthusiasts.

Field Notes

Field Notes is a renowned American notebook brand, founded in 2007, known for its high-quality, durable, and well-designed memo books. The brand, a joint venture between Draplin Design Company and Coudal Partners, offers standard notebooks with ruled, graph, or plain pages, as well as limited edition releases. Field Notes has seen significant revenue growth, with $844,368 in November 2024 and a competitive conversion rate of 4.00-4.50%. The brand is popular for its collaborations with companies like Levi's and Starbucks, and its products are sold through 1,400 retail locations and online. Field Notes' commitment to quality over quantity has earned it a loyal customer base. For more details, visit their official website.

Clairefontaine

Clairefontaine is renowned as one of the best producers of notepads, having been in the industry since 1858 and manufacturing its own paper since then. The company is notable for creating the first school notebooks in France and is currently the only European manufacturer producing its own papers for its products. Clairefontaine's paper, such as the 90gsm Vellum paper, is highly praised for its fountain pen friendliness and minimal showthrough. The brand offers a wide range of products, including staplebound, wirebound, and hardcover notebooks, catering to various needs from schoolchildren to professionals. With a consistent quality and cost-effectiveness, Clairefontaine remains a benchmark in the stationery market. For more information about their notebooks and pads, visit their website.

Oxford

Oxford, a brand acquired by Hamelin in 1982, stands as a market leader in notebooks, notepads, and diaries in Europe, with an impressive production scale of over 50 million products annually, and 99% of these are manufactured locally in European factories. Known for its high-quality optical white paper, Oxford primarily serves the school and office segments. The brand's success is deeply rooted in its combination of expertise, tradition, and uncompromising quality, emphasizing design, comfort, and functionality. Oxford’s products are widely recognized for their excellence, making them a preferred choice for consumers seeking reliable and high-standard stationery. This brand continues to grow steadily, maintaining its position as a top producer in the European market.

Black n' Red

Black n' Red is a renowned brand known for producing high-quality notebooks that cater to both professionals and enthusiasts. Their notebooks, such as the 1-Subject Professional Notebook, feature 96 sheets of wide-ruled, 24 lb weight Optik Paper that minimizes ink bleed and show-through, making them ideal for use with various writing instruments. The notebooks are casebound, ensuring a durable and long-lasting binding, and come with additional features like a ribbon marker and elastic closure. Since 2009, users have praised these notebooks for their smooth paper and unique black and red design. With a history of delivering decent quality at an outstanding price, Black n' Red notebooks are a popular choice among stationery enthusiasts.

Muji

Muji is renowned for its high-quality, minimalist notepads that embody the brand's philosophy of functional, simple design. Founded in 1980, Muji has expanded to over 970 stores in 31 countries, offering products that are highly sought after for their durability and affordability. The notebooks, made in Indonesia with paper potentially from Japan or China, are praised for their smooth paper that handles fountain pens admirably with minimal feathering and bleeding. Muji's focus on material selection, process streamlining, and packaging simplification ensures a product that is both eco-friendly and cost-effective. With annual revenues of USD 1.7 billion as of 2020, Muji continues to be a leader in the stationery market. Explore more details about their exceptional stationery offerings in this comprehensive article on Muji's high-quality products.

Canson

Canson is renowned as one of the top producers of high-quality notepads and artist supplies, known for its durable and versatile products. The Canson Artist Series, for instance, offers sketch books with 108 sheets, ideal for artists and students. The global paper notebooks market, which includes brands like Canson, is forecast to grow by USD 21,820.5 million from 2022 to 2027 at a CAGR of 8.21%, driven by increasing adoption in the education sector and product launches. Canson's products are popular in various regions, including APAC, Europe, and North America, contributing to the market's growth. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position in the fragmented paper notebooks market.

Baron Fig

Baron Fig is a highly regarded brand in the notebook industry, known for its high-quality and aesthetically pleasing products. Founded in 2013 by Joey Cofone and Adam Kornfield, the company quickly gained popularity through its successful Kickstarter campaign, selling nearly 9,000 notebooks in just 30 days. Baron Fig's Confidant notebook, their bestseller, is available in various sizes and paper types, including lined, plain, and dot grid, and is priced competitively with discounts for bulk purchases. The brand also emphasizes sustainability by planting a tree for every notebook sold. With a range of products that include notebooks, pens, and workspace enhancers, Baron Fig has established itself as a favorite among thinkers and creatives.