The 15 Best Planners for 2024 to Absolutely Crush Your Goals, According to a Productivity Expert

The new year is the perfect time to start turning your dreams into reality, and the easiest way to stay on task is by using one of the best planners out there to keep you organized. Whether you want a super-detailed planner with all the sections and prompts you could dream of (like this Day Designer 2024 weekly planner, $68), or are embracing your tech-savvy side in 2024 and want a smart version that’s both digital and rewritable (yes, it exists: Rocketbook smart planner, $38; $28), there’s one out there for you. We asked productivity consultant and organization expert Rashelle Isip for her top tips on how to select a planner that won’t be gathering dust by March, and scoured reviews for the top-rated planners from shoppers (pulled from a group of over 40 choices) who nailed their to-do lists with the help of the 15 best planners below.

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity consultant, time management coach, organization expert, speaker and author who helps entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals by showing them how to work more efficiently in their daily routines. In addition to working with clients, she’s a regular contributing columnist to Inc.com where she writes about productivity and is an author of four books including The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management. She’s been featured in top-tier media including Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, Business Insider, NPR, Huff Post, Fox Business and The Atlantic. 

Taking into consideration our expert’s advice on what to look for in a planner (which you can find below), we considered over 40 choices across the web and narrowed them down to a group that has something for everyone’s needs. From dated weekly planners, to ones focusing on health and budgeting, we pulled the ones with the best reviews and/or useful features. We also looked at some luxe and giftable options that anyone would love to show off on their desk.

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After consulting with Isip and researching the top-rated planners, it became clear that planners aren’t one size fits all. As Isip says, “A good daily planner is determined by [you]. You must consider your current situation in life, your responsibilities and your needs.” For example, Isip tells us that “someone who has various changing appointments, meetings and action items may benefit from a daily layout with a detailed hourly schedule, with space for to-dos and notes. Someone who has a regular predictable schedule with occasional appointments and events may benefit from a flexible daily layout with space for appointments, meetings and notes.” We suggest you run through the following criteria to ensure you’re snapping up the planner that will best suit your specific needs in the coming year:

• Layout: To get the most out of a scheduler, you'll want to think about how you'll use it on a regular basis. Do you need a monthly planner to give you a bird's eye view of the next 30 days? Or are you someone who will do better with a more granular look at your daily, or even hourly, to-do lists? Your planner should be set up in a manner that will encourage you to use it just the way you intend to. You'll also want to look at whether it's dated or undated.
  
• Size: Take into account where you plan to use your new organizational tool. Will it go on your desk, where you'll have ample room to spread it out, or do you need something more portable that you can take on-the-go, like a pocket planner? The answer to these questions will help you narrow down your selection.
  
• Theme: If you're looking for something to help you with a specific focus or goal (there are planners for budgeting, meal prep, self care and more), it's best to go with a speciality planner that is specifically designed to fit your needs.
  
• Appearance: Last but not least, you'll want to take the cover of your planner into account, opting for one with a design that reflects your personality—even if that's a minimalistic solid color.

Isip nails the answer to this question: “The best type of planner is one you’ll enjoy using on a regular basis. If you purchase a planner and never use it, then it won’t help you manage your daily responsibilities.” Harsh, but true. As she says, “that’s why it’s so important to consider the planner format, your personal preferences and how you interact with the planner. Make selecting a planner a thoughtful experience.” What better way to usher in a new year than with some mindfulness that’ll pay dividends throughout the months ahead? Happy planning!