The bullet journaling craze has been around for a while now, but if you haven't heard of it yet, we've gathered everything you need to know, AND reviewed some of the top bullet journal brands on the market in 2024.
For nearly five years, I've been an avid bullet-journaler, experimenting with an array of journals, pens, and artistic mediums. Drawing from this extensive experience, I'm on a mission to identify the ultimate bullet journal available.
I've meticulously selected five journals for evaluation, subjecting them to rigorous testing with a wide assortment of writing and art tools, while also scrutinising factors like construction, features, and value for money.
Today, our spotlight is on the Yop & Tom A5 Dotted Notebook Paper Hardback. Stay tuned to discover if it earns a place among the top contenders for the title of the best bullet journal!
Jump straight to:
- Summary
- How we tested
- Yop & Tom A5 Dotted Notebook Paper Hardback review
- Where to buy Yop & Tom A5 Dotted Notebook Paper Hardback
- Our verdict: should you buy Yop & Tom A5 Dotted Notebook Paper Hardback
- Looking for more bullet journals?
Summary
This brightly coloured bullet journal comes with 180 pages of 120gsm paper, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer to keep a fairly simple journal with less colouring in. The paper hardback cover is of a lower quality than the other journals on test, and scratched quite easily, but it's the most affordable option on test.
- Buy now from Amazon (£14.99 | $19.99)
How we tested
When reviewing the bullet journals, I allocated 5 points across 5 key categories: construction, writing tools, art tools, features, and value for money.
Testing involved a range of writing tools like fine liners, gel pens, and fountain pens, as well as art mediums including watercolour and acrylic. I considered the binding style, cover material, and features like page markers. I also examined internal elements like page numbering and supplementary features.
Finally, I considered the price and overall value for money of each journal to determine a final score.
Yop & Tom A5 Dotted Notebook Paper Hardback review
Key features
- Paper gsm: 120
- Number of pages: 180
- Size: A5
- RRP: £14.99
Construction - 3/5
I loved the funky coloured paper hardback cover of the Yop & Tom Contrast Navy & Orange A5 Dotted Notebook, although it lost points for durability. The cover scratched within the first few days of use, and it had a cheaper feel compared to the vegan leather competitors on test. However, it is a considerably more affordable option!
With 180 pages, you get more bang for your buck, although the paper is only 120gsm, compared with the 160gsm of most other journals on test. It depends on your priorities, but for those less likely to be using lots of coloured pen, this shouldn't cause much of an issue.
It features two satin ribbon page markers and an elastic closure, but doesn't have a pocket for storing bits of paper or stickers, which caused it to lose points.
Writing tools - 4/5
Most of the pens I tested passed with flying colours, however, a few struggled, exhibiting signs of feathering, ghosting or bleeding. If you're not familiar with these terms, take a look at our buyers' guide.
The uni-ball rollerball and the Staedler felt tip caused slight feathering and ghosting, and the Pentel water-based brush pens also ghosted slightly on to the other side of the page.
The Sharpie and Promarker alcohol-based pens were mainly included as a point of comparison, and both bled onto the other side of the page.
Art tools - 5/5
I was pleasantly surprised by the art mediums I tested in this journal. I was expecting a lot more ghosting and paper degradation, but there was little to none, except when diluting the paint heavily with water.
Features - 4/5
The Yop & Tom bullet journal is packed full of features, including a key, index page, and pen test page. It also has page numbers, and each page is marked in the centre to help you easily find the middle.
Despite not having a 'belongs to' page, like its Vegan Leather Hardback counterpart, the contrast journals come with a double page colour spread with an inspiring quote to kick off and close the journal.
Value for money - 5/5
I scored the Yop & Tom Paper Hardback bullet journal 5 points for value for money, as it's the most affordable bullet journal on test. At £14.99, it balances affordability with quality - you get loads of pages, and although they're not the full 160gsm, 120gsm is still much better than most normal notebooks!
Where to buy Yop & Tom bullet journal
- Buy now from Amazon (£14.99 | $19.99)
Our verdict: should you buy Yop & Tom bullet journal
If you're less likely to be using lots of brush pens and felt tips, and prefer to keep a minimalist journal, this is a great option for you. With a funky design, plenty of pages, loads of features, and great value for money, you'll be well on your way to bullet-journaling in no time!
Looking for more bullet journals?
If you're still browsing for bullet journals, check out our comprehensive guide to the best bullet journals for a full list of the journals on test.
