Having a decent system to organise your tasks and schedule for the day can minimise stress in the morning. Once upon a time, we used post-its and notebooks but when a stack of these builds up, it can look messy and sometimes even adds to the chaos! To-do list pads are the way forward, as they allow you to keep all of your errands and tasks in one place, and many offer handy features that'll take your organisation to the next level!
This buying guide will run through the various types of to-do list pads available, including weekly and daily options, and show you which extra features to look out for when browsing online. We've also ranked the 10 best products available at Amazon in the UK, from tear-off pads and spiral-bound stationery for your desk to magnetic shopping lists for the fridge.
Quick List - Top To-Do List Pads
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Table of Contents
There are two main types of to-do list pads: tear-away and spiral-bound. Tear-away pads definitely provide an element of satisfaction, as they enable you to rid yourself of your list of finished tasks with one swift movement. This can make you feel more accomplished at the end of the day than if you just left the completed list sitting there in your notebook.
However, a spiral-bound notebook also has its benefits. Firstly, this type of to-do list pad comes with a cover to protect the inner pages from damage, which is handy if you're prone to spilling food or drinks. It also tends to look more professional, making it better suited to the office, whereas tear-away pages are great for use at home.
If you often have meetings, appointments and specific times that you need to remember throughout the day, look for a to-do list pad with a schedule element. These are particularly useful if you tend to have multiple deadlines at once or spend a lot of your time in various meetings throughout the day.
Schedules are also ideal for students who need to split up their time effectively in order to complete homework, prepare for presentations or revise for exams, as well as allocate specific time slots for classes and group study sessions.
The key to making a to-do list work for you is prioritising your tasks. If you tend to pick the easy things on your list, rather than the most important, choose a to-do list pad with some sort of prioritisation feature.
Some designs have their priority function as a separate section on the page with space to write your top three most important tasks for the day. Others have a small box next to the task where you can add a number to indicate its importance. Regardless of which design you prefer, this is a handy feature if you tend to feel bogged down by your long list and don't know where to start.
Tick boxes are a much neater option than crossing out items on your to-do list, plus you can still see what the task is if you want to check what you've accomplished at the end of the day.
Having a dedicated spot where you can tick off a completed task is not only handy and satisfying but it has even been proven to release dopamine in our brains, making us feel happier, lighter and less stressed.
Lastly, you might want to look out for a notes section. Having a dedicated spot for jotting notes down during a business call or meeting, or even things that pop into your head during the day such as "buy milk on the way home", is a really useful feature.
Keeping everything all in one place also prevents your desk and other notebooks from getting messy with post-its. Just make sure that the notes space is large enough for your needs!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | PAIVSUN Daily To-Do Pad | ![]() | A Feature-Filled To-Do List Pad Complete With Well-being Extras | |
2 | kuou Weekly Planner Pad | ![]() | A Great Option for Weekly Scheduling and Planning Ahead | |
3 | aovowog 3 Pack of To-Do List Notebook Pads | ![]() | A Pack of 3 Sturdy Spiral-Bound Pads With Pens | |
4 | BROOK STREET NOTES To-Do List Notepad | ![]() | A Streamlined Pad That's Ideal for Multiple Deadlines | |
5 | SWEETZER & ORANGE Daily Planner Notepad | ![]() | A Decent-Sized Desk Pad With All the Essentials, Plus a Large Note Section | |
6 | The Classy Planner Store To-Do List Notepad | ![]() | Organise Your To-Do List However You Want With This 3 Column Pad | |
7 | Q-Connect Store Things To Do Today Book | ![]() | A Professional To-Do List Pad for Office Use | |
8 | Pukka Pad Store To-Do List Magnetic Pad | ![]() | List Pad With a Magnetic Back for a Running To-Do List | |
9 | Collins Slim Shopping List | ![]() | A Simple Magnetic Pad for Noting Down Your Shopping List | |
10 | Monster Stationery Cherry Blossom A5 To-Do Pad | ![]() | Pretty in Pink, for a Colourful Way to Organise Your List |
Our number one choice is this beautiful pad from Paivsun, as it has everything you need — plus a few handy extras! These include a checklist that can be ticked off when completed, a section for your top 3 priorities of the day and a list of important times that you might need to remember.
Best of all, it includes a couple of well-being extras that we haven’t been able to find anywhere else. There are sections for monitoring your water intake to ensure you're staying hydrated and tracking your mood to become aware of how you're feeling. It also has a spot to note down any achievements of the day to help you give yourself the pat on the back that you deserve! What more could you need?
Here's another tear-away pad, but this one focuses specifically on your weekly schedule. It's an excellent option for those who like to follow a strict routine or who attend multiple meetings and need to hit numerous deadlines throughout the day.
It also features a checklist, a note section, a space to jot down top priorities and somewhere to write notes for the next day, making this pad perfect for planning ahead. Plus, it's just the right size for keeping on your desk at work or university.
Next up, we have a set of three spiral-bound to-do list pads with matching pens, making this a great option if you’re looking for a bargain! The sturdy hardback cover provides extra protection, which is handy if you'll be carrying your notepad around on your commute.
This one has plenty of sections, with an extended schedule where you can write important times, phone calls and meetings, as well as a priority checklist. There's also a little note section if you want a dedicated spot for doodling.
If you're looking for a straightforward tear-away pad, we present this inexpensive option. It has a smart design with a motivational quote at the top to give you a bit of momentum when you start your day.
As for features, it has everything you could need for a simple to-do list, including a section for prioritising your tasks by ticking one of three relevant boxes — this makes it super easy to see which job you should work on next. There’s also a date section next to each task, making this a handy choice for freelancers or those who want to keep track of multiple deadlines.
This notepad is similar to the first product on our list, just without a few of the well-being extras. It still features all the essentials, such as tick boxes alongside your checklist, a priority section and a "don’t forget" section for other details you need to be aware of during your day.
Since it has a particularly large notes section, we think this pad is a brilliant choice for those who tend to have lots of phone calls throughout the day and want to jot everything down in one specific place.
Now for something a bit different that could be much more helpful than a single list, depending on how you like to work. The layout consists of 3 columns of checklists with tickboxes. We love this design because it gives you the freedom to organise your to-do list however you want.
For example, you could use one column for home, one for work and one for the kids. Or you could split them up into high, medium and low priority. It may not have all the bells and whistles of some of our other recommendations, but if you prefer a little more flexibility then this pad might be just what you need!
If you’re just looking for a basic, professional-looking to-do list pad, this spiral-bound option is perfect. While it may not be as visually appealing as some of the patterned ones on our list, it still contains most of the essentials.
Its features include a schedule, priority section, a tick box space, a large area for notes and even a section for phone numbers! While the latter may feel unnecessary in today's world, it can be handy if you're using a work phone rather than your mobile.
The next option on our list is ideal for those who like to keep a checklist in the kitchen, for meal prep and chores as well as a shopping list. Thanks to the magnetic back, it can be stored on the fridge where it can be seen by everyone, so any member of the household can add to the list.
It could also be attached to a magnetic noticeboard if you have one in your hallway or office. We think the layout is tailored towards those who prefer a running to-do list rather than having a new one each day, so bear that in mind when purchasing.
This affordable pad by Collins is pretty similar to the option above, with its magnetic back and long shape, but the design is slightly more colourful and it has 200 sheets for you to use which should last a while!
While this no-frills product doesn't feature any of the additional sections that most of our other options do, it's suitable for making a list of any groceries you need and it could also be used as a regular to-do list.
Finally, we have this pretty pink number from Monster Stationery. The cute floral design is certainly eye-catching and means this pad won't get lost on your desk. However, the bold colour scheme won't be to everyone's taste.
It features a checklist, a priority section and a place for your notes, but doesn’t include a schedule which may be a dealbreaker for some shoppers. Still, the tear-away pages provide a satisfying way to finish the day by ripping off your completed list.
Written and researched by Roxy Pratley
No. 1: PAIVSUN|Daily To-Do Pad
No. 2: kuou|Weekly Planner Pad
No. 3: aovowog|3 Pack of To-Do List Notebook Pads
No. 4: BROOK STREET NOTES|To-Do List Notepad
No. 5: SWEETZER & ORANGE|Daily Planner Notepad
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