Okay, I’m THAT girl. I am obsessed with planners and I am proud of it. If you are also THAT girl, you’ve come to the right place! Even if your not THAT girl but you just want to be a little more organized and intentional, you are in the right place because today I am doing an Ultimate 2020 Planner Review.
So sit back and grab your favorite fall inspired drink. It’s a behemoth but by the time I am done you’ll have all the info you need to effortlessly pick out the best 2020 planner to fit your life.
Quick side-note: I’ve had gadgets and gizmos a plenty (aka countless iPhone apps) that I’ve tried to use to keep my to-do’s and goals organized, but I always come back to paper.
For me, so much more gets accomplished when I am physically writing it down and it’s in my face. I can feel the stress melt away as I cross things off my list. Call me old school, but I get to use fancy pens, stickers and washi tape- so paper is the obvious choice. This planner review is on paper planners only.
Now onto the Ultimate 2020 Planner Review.
So how is this going to work? Well I’ve developed a complex algorithm to review each planner that includes 1. Overall cuteness 2. Organization 3. Usability 4. Customization 5. Extras and 6. Price. Just kidding, I hate math. But I’ve included gobs of photos and highlighted some of the best features! I hope you find one you love!
Stay tuned until the end and I will reveal which planner I’ve picked for 2020.
Note: There are NO affiliate links here- this review is completely unbiased. I’m just sharing details from my annual search for the best planner out there in hopes it will help you!
Before, we dive in and for those of you who may want to just skip ahead to a particular planner here’s a quick list with links to each:
- Plum Paper Planner
- Inkwell Press Planner
- Full Focus Planner
- Erin Condren Planner
- The Happy Planner
- The Desire Map Planner
- Spaces Planner
- Get to Work Book
- Rifle Paper Planner
- Commit30 Planner
- 1 Canoe 2 Planner
- Sol Planner
- The Simplified Planner
- The Productivity Planner
- PowerSheets Goal Planner
- Best Self Planner
- Day Designer Planner
- Passion Planner
- Ban.do Planner
- Seedlings Planner
That’s right. Of course there are 20 planners in my 2020 planner review. I hope you enjoy!
Plum Paper Planner
If you are looking for a super customizable planner with lots of add-ons and options the Plum Paper Planner might just be for you. Not only can you get the planner in a number of different sizes, there are tons of cover options and you can even begin your planner in any month of the year. I really love the option of adding a blog planning section and gratitude journal.
Fave Feature: All the add-ons and accessories
Price: Starting at $29
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: Yes and yes (personalized cover and page options)
Extras: Tons! (Including an awesome sticker subscription)
Cons: Possibly too many options to choose from – hard to pick from them all
Inkwell Press Planner
First off, I love that the Inkwell Press Planner offers a quiz to help you find your planner style. It also offers very professional looking (vegan) leather covers so you could use it for work but still have enough color and whimsy on the inside to make it fun. It is a DISC assembly which makes it easy to add or removed pages, but in my experience the DISCs can make it awkward to hold and can come apart if your not careful.
Fave Feature:The Planner Quiz
Price: Starting at $29
Binding: DISC
Customization: You can choose cover and page options, but it’s not personalized
Extras: A good amount
Cons: Cost can add up when building your planner ($29 starting is very basic)
Full Focus Planner
The Full Focus Planner was designed by New York Times Bestselling author, Michael Hyatt, and his daughter, Megan Hyatt Miller. If you are part of any business, productivity or boss mom FB group you’ve probably hear of this planner- and for good reason. It has a simple three-step system designed to help you reach your goals with clarity and focus. It links up your big annual goals to your daily action so you’re always making progress.
Fave Feature: Emphasis on achieving goals
Price: Starting at $39 (Plus an option for an annual subscription – each planner only last 90 days)
Binding: Lay-flat
Customization: None really, but there are 3 different versions to choose from
Extras: Limited
Cons: Color options are limited
Erin Condren LifePlanner
What planner review would this be if I din’t include Erin Condren?! EC planners have a cult following. They are pretty, you get tons of customization options (cover name, colors, quotes and photos) and they offers lots of cute extras and accessories. They’ve been know for being super bright and colorful, however they recently launched the Focused Collection which is professional and stunning (pictured above)!
Fave Feature: All the customization (Interchangeable covers for the indecisive – like me)
Price: Starting at $44
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: Basically everything, layout, cover, personalization
Extras: Lots!
Cons: It can be a little bulky
The Happy Planner
The Happy Planner makes me happy! I used a Happy Planner last year and loved the overall design! The tabbed divider pages coordinated so perfectly, each month was a new design surprise with a beautiful quote or image! Heck, after I was done with the planner I saved these pages to frame or reuse one day when I am feeling extra crafty.
Fave Feature: Design and fun add-ons. Also, I love that you check them out first and buy them in stores. Michael’s run anyone?
Price: Starting at $27.99
Binding: DISC
Customization: Lots of cover options, no personalization
Extras: Ample- stickers, expansion packs, folders, stamps and more
Cons: The DISC binding- personal preference but I just don’t love it. Also, would have liked more room for notes/lists
Desire Map Planner
Heart, abundance, gratitude…this planner is all about it. Created by Danielle LaPorte this planner will help you clear your mind and give you all the feels. Designed for conscious living it is filled with affirmations and even an astrology guide.
Fave Feature: When you buy the planner you get (limited) access to The Desire Map Course. Also, love the focus on gratitude
Price: $50
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: I hope you like pink or purple
Extras: There is an iPad addition you can purchase
Cons: Limited choices of colors/design
Spaces Planner
The Spaces Planners are beautifully designed and I love how they have “spaces” for different areas of your life like relationships, health, errands and even housework! You can plan by week, day, or topic.
Fave Feature: Lots of room for writing, plus built in pocket for loose papers
Price: $49.00
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: Three different styles to choose from, no personalization
Extras: Not really, she has digital art prints for download though
Cons: Limited choices of colors/design
Get To Work Book
No floral or frills, but the Get to Work Book Planner makes up for it in simplicity and function. Cutting out the distractions, this planner helps you focus on daily tasks, projects and goal setting. It’s sturdy, sleek and even throws in some beautiful motivational quotes.
Fave Feature: I love the simplicity and typography, also the project breakdown pages are great
Price: $55.00
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: Ugh- no, just two cover options
Extras: A few…
Cons: Limited choices of colors/design
Rifle Paper Planners
Rifle Paper is my go to resources for beautiful (strike that, gorgeous) stationary, and their planners are no exception. Inside, you’ll find pages with monthly and weekly views, inspirational quotes, a pocket folder with a ruler, and sticker sheets for galore.
Fave Feature: The sheer beauty and affordable price
Price: $34.00
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: You can choose from only few options, but they are all so gorgeous so who cares?!
Extras: Lots of coordinating stickers, notebooks and washi tape
Cons: I can’t think of many, maybe more room to write notes and lists
Commit30 Planner
The Commit30 Planner is all about goals. It gives you a yearly vision section, monthly and weekly planning pages and 30 day challenges.
Fave Feature: Vision mapping and 30 day goal/habit tracker built in
Price: $29.99
Binding: Lay flat
Customization: Different colors/sizes are available but all the same pattern
Extras: Have various lifestyle inserts (workout, shopping, etc.) as well as stickers available
Cons: The colors and design are a bit basic in my opinion
1 Canoe 2 Planner
1 Canoe 2 is an illustration and letterpress company and their passion for the craft shines through in their planners! They are stunning! There are monthly and daily pages with plenty of room for notes, goals section, plus folder pockets, tab dividers and beautiful typography.
Fave Feature: Can I say everything?
Price: $36
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: 3 gorgeous cover options, no personalization
Extras: Lots of complementary stationary is available
Cons: Hard to think of any, but I do wish it came with stickers.
Sol Planner
I’ve heard a lot about Sol Planner and that’s probably because it has sooo much in it: weekly and monthly pages, brain dump page, meal planning, books to read, bill tracker, reflection questions, even a hand lettering guide. This planner has it all.
Fave Feature: The fact that it includes so much, I probably wouldn’t need a extra notebook
Price: $60
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: 2 cover options, no personalization
Extras: Yes, stickers, pens, bookmarks
Cons: It’s a bit more expensive than the rest
The Simplified Planner
Navy, gold, floral and stripes- sign me up! The Simplified Planner by Emily Ley is as cute as it is functional. It’s minimal yet meaningful. There is tons of blank space for notes and to-do lists, plus simplicity tips scattered throughout. Oh and they also have a Planner Personality Quiz on the site. Doesn’t it fit in perfectly to this 2020 planner review?
Fave Feature: With each planner purchase you get a monthly email and video coaching from Emily
Price: $48
Binding: Spiral or Book Bound
Customization: 6 cover options, daily or weekly editions, no personalization
Extras: Yes- There are a bunch of cute pens, tape, bands, paper clips and stickers available
Cons: Head scratcher here- this is a really great planner
The Productivity Planner
This one is aimed at beating procrastination, The Productivity Planner helps you priorities your tasks using the Pomodoro Technique (had to google that- it’s a time management technique). What caught my attention really was that my girl (fave author) Vanessa Van Edwards is endorsing it- so you know it’s got to be good!
Fave Feature: It’s focused. By limiting the number of task you can put in you are more likely to get those tasks done
Price: $24.95
Binding: Lay flat
Customization: What you see is what you get
Extras: They have an accompanying journal
Cons: It’s a bit small and lacking color (but I think that is the point)
PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner
The PowerSheets Intentional Goal Planner is what the name implies, focused on helping you intentionally define and go after your goals. It has great reviews, a proven goal setting process and even in-person conference to go along with it.
Fave Feature: I love setting goals, so the fact that this is the focus of the planner is a huge bonus
Price: $60
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: 4 cover options
Extras: Tons of bonuses come with it including monthly coaching, and of course there are tons of accessories you can get
Cons: A bit more expensive that the others
Best Self Planner
I have always loved the Best Self Project Pad and they just released a planner so I’m interested. This planner claims to help you organize every area of your life all in one place- it includes a benchmark tool that helps you stay accountable for your success. Other features include a habit tracker, weekly time blocking and a 6 month bucket list.
Fave Feature: Good balance between planner and journal
Price: $19.99 (6 month edition only)
Binding: Lay Flat
Customization: Nope
Extras: No but there are the project pads and journals you could add on
Cons: I wish it was a 12 month planner and was dated
Day Designer Planner
The Day Designer is a classic, of course I had to include it in my 2020 Planner Review! Really it has everything, a beautiful design, lots of options, folders, tabs, ruler, stickers and space for notes.
Fave Feature: How beautifully designed it is and the reinforced gold corners help keep it looking nice
Price: $59
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: Choose from the daily or weekly planner, 2 size options and lots of cover designs
Extras: They offer coordinating pens, tape, folders- everything to tie it all together
Cons: It’s on the higher end of the price scale and the larger version can be bulky
Passion Planner
The Passion Planner gives you your calendar, goal setting guide, journal, sketchbook, gratitude log and a to-do list all in one, plus it is very reasonably priced. People rave about it all over the internet too so naturally I’ve included it in this 2020 planner review!
Fave Feature: It gives you a roadmap on exactly how to use the planner, plus the have an awesome charitable program
Price: $30
Binding: Lay flat
Customization: 3 sizes, simple but beautiful color options, no personalization
Extras: Nothing to speak of
Cons: Line spacing in the weekly pages seem really small, also no tabs
Ban.do Planner
If you are looking for a fun and funky planner ban.do might just be for you! It gives you all the fundamentals you’ve come to expect, with some unexpected touches such as a 3D page complete with 3D glasses. The art work and crazy cool stickers and coloring page complete the package.
Fave Feature: Um, you heard me say 3D page, right?
Price: $28
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: 2 sizes, 4 cover styles, including a glitter one
Extras: They sell a ton of fun accessories to match
Cons: Maybe more stickers, JK there are a ton, including one that sorta looks like Lizzo
Seedlings Planner
Have your paper planner and plant it too. This planner is crafted out of biodegradable eco-paper that’s been embedded with wildflower seeds that you can plant after filling out your schedule. This is a 17 month calendar that also includes super cute stickers and a removable bookmark.
Fave Feature: The field of flowers my crossed off to-do list will create
Price: $24
Binding: Spiral Bound
Customization: None
Extras: None, but they make coasters and cards too
Cons: It’s a one-off planner, would like to see an entire collection of planners like this
Okay…. Drum Roll!
There you have it… 20 great planners to pick from to crush 2020! This 2020 planner review was a blast to do but also extra stressful. How do I choose? There are so many great options! After weighing all the options and thinking about how I work best I narrowed it down to the Plum Paper Planner, Rifle Paper Planner, 1 Canoe 2 Planner and the Day Designer…
and the winner is: 1 Canoe 2 Planner
I am sure they are all great but I just loved the ambrose floral design, the typography, the quotes, the space for notes, the pocket folder, and the elastic closure. This planner was crafted with care. I doesn’t come with stickers and you know I gotta pimp my planner out so I will likely be ordering some of these. I’ll be sure to provide an update once I start using the planner!
Now tell me what is your favorite planner? Share with me on Instagram and if you’re bored, I mean, just for funsies, would you maybe share this post with someone you love who needs a planner?!
