Best Plain Laboratory Notebooks of 2025

Jordan Akhtar Avatar
Jordan Akhtar
Last Updated: 7 Feb 2025

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Plain Laboratory Notebooks are a practical and essential tool for anyone working in a laboratory environment. These notebooks are designed to allow scientists, researchers, and students to record their observations, experiments, and findings in a clear and organised manner. With their plain covers and pages, they offer a simple and professional appearance, making them suitable for use in any laboratory setting. The notebooks are available in a range of sizes and formats, allowing users to choose the one that best suits their needs. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out, Plain Laboratory Notebooks are an indispensable tool for anyone working in the scientific field.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Clairefontaine A4 Clothbound Notebook, 192 Pages Cover #TOP 1
Clairefontaine A4 Clothbound Notebook, 192 Pages
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Clairefontaine Calligraphe Staple Bound Notebook Cover #TOP 2
Clairefontaine Calligraphe Staple Bound Notebook
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Minimalism Art Classic Yellow Notebook Journal Cover #TOP 3
Minimalism Art Classic Yellow Notebook Journal
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 5 Plain Laboratory Notebooks

#TOP 1

Clairefontaine A4 Clothbound Notebook, 192 Pages

791404C
Blue
Clairefontaine A4 Clothbound Notebook, 192 Pages Cover
Clairefontaine - Ref 791404C - Age Bag Clothbound Notebook (192 Pages) - A4 Size, Plain Rulings, 90gsm Brushed Vellum Paper - Blue Leather Effect Cover

The Clairefontaine Notebook offers a durable glossy card cover that mimics leather grain, ensuring an authentic appearance. You will appreciate the comfort and quality of its thread seam and canvas back, which provide flexibility and support, allowing the notebook to open flat. The customizable end pages give you the opportunity to personalise your notes for a neat finish. With its large A4 format, you have ample space for all your note-making needs, making this notebook ideal for students and professionals alike.

What We Like
Durable and stylish cover
Comfortable flat opening
Customisable end pages
Large A4 format
#TOP 2

Clairefontaine Calligraphe Staple Bound Notebook

assorted colours
A4/21x29,7 cm
Clairefontaine Calligraphe Staple Bound Notebook Cover
Clairefontaine - Ref 48C - Calligraphe Staple bound Spine Notebook (32 Sheets) - A4, Séyès & Plain Ruling, 70gsm Vellum Paper, Offset Card Cover, Assorted Colours - Pack of 15

The Calligraphe Staple Bound Notebook offers a robust design with an offset card cover and stapled spine, making it ideal for school use. With 32 sheets featuring a mix of French ruling and drawing paper, it caters to various subjects, including biology and geography. The use of 70gsm and 90gsm Clairefontaine paper ensures a good price/performance ratio, perfect for everyday tasks. Plus, with PEFC certification, you can feel good knowing that the paper comes from sustainably managed forests.

What We Like
Robust and durable design
Variety of ruling options
Good value for money
Environmentally friendly paper
Made in France
#TOP 3

Minimalism Art Classic Yellow Notebook Journal

HC-A5(C)
Amber
Minimalism Art Classic Yellow Notebook Journal Cover
Minimalism Art Classic Notebook Journal, Size: 5" X 8.3", A5, Yellow, Plain, Blank Page, 192 Pages, Hard Cover, Fine PU Leather, Inner Pocket, Quality Paper - 100gsm

The Minimalism Art Notebook is designed for convenience and creativity. Its portable size makes it ideal for carrying around or using at your desk. The plain paper format is perfect for drawing and sketching, allowing you to express your creativity freely. With numbered pages, you can easily keep track of your notes, while the table of contents helps with quick referencing. Additionally, the elastic strap ensures that your notebook stays securely closed, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

What We Like
Portable and easy to carry
Perfect for drawing and sketching
Numbered pages for easy tracking
Elastic strap for secure closure
Table of contents for quick referencing
#TOP 4

Minimalism Art Classic A5 Journal Red

HC-A5(C)
Minimalism Art Classic A5 Journal Red Cover
Minimalism Art Classic Notebook Journal, A5 Size 5 X 8.3 inches, Red, Plain Blank Page, 192 Pages, Hard Cover, Fine PU Leather, Inner Pocket, Quality Paper-100gsm

The Minimalism Art Journal is a compact and stylish notebook, measuring 5 x 8.3 inches, making it easy to carry wherever you go. With 122 numbered pages of high-quality, acid-free paper, it resists ink bleed, ensuring your notes remain clear and legible. The inclusion of a handy Table of Contents allows for easy navigation, while the durable elastic strap keeps your journal securely closed. Plus, the matching ribbon bookmarks make it simple to keep track of your important pages.

What We Like
Compact and portable size
High-quality ink bleed-resistant paper
Includes Table of Contents
Durable elastic strap closure
Expandable inner pocket
#TOP 5

Minimalism Art B5 Premium Edition Notebook

HC-B5
Pink
Minimalism Art B5 Premium Edition Notebook Cover
Minimalism Art Premium Edition Notebook Journal, Composition B5 7.6 x 10 inches, Plain Blank Page, Hard Cover, 234 Numbered Pages, Ink-Proof Paper 120gsm (Pink)

The Minimalism Art Notebook is a B5-sized journal that’s perfect for both home and on-the-go use. With 186 numbered pages made from 120gsm, ink bleed-resistant paper, you can write freely without worrying about smudges. The inclusion of a Table of Contents helps you organise your thoughts efficiently, while the durable elastic strap ensures your notes stay secure. Plus, the matching ribbon bookmarks allow you to easily find your place, making it a convenient tool for jotting down ideas or important information.

What We Like
Eco-friendly, ink-proof paper
Convenient Table of Contents
Durable elastic strap closure
Matching ribbon bookmarks
Expandable inner pocket
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

It is important to understand that your lab notebook is a legal document. In the case that your research contributes to the issuing of a patent, it will be closely scrutinized because it documents your group's claim to the discovery.

2. What is the difference between a lab notebook and a regular notebook?

Lab notebooks have multiple uses. They're for your own records, to refer to when you begin to write up an experiment. They avoid confusion if a method changes multiple times or becomes convoluted.

3. Do scientists still use lab notebooks?

Reliable figures on lab notebook practices are not available, but it is widely agreed that a large majority of university researchers still use paper. Nonetheless, some scientists have found that the volume of digital data their labs generate necessitates a new approach to record-keeping.

Editor's Notes

During our plain laboratory notebook research, we found 9 plain laboratory notebook products and shortlisted 5 quality products. We collected and analyzed 49,804 customer reviews through our big data system to write the plain laboratory notebooks list. We found that most customers choose plain laboratory notebooks with an average price of £19.42.

The plain laboratory notebooks are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of plain laboratory notebooks, including Clairefontaine, Calligraphe, Minimalism Art.

Written by
Jordan Akhtar Avatar

Jordan Akthar owns one stationery store in Bradford, and another in Derby. He started with a corner bookshop, and now the rest is history. He is often found in his stores taking count of inventories of books and stationery. Jordan also likes to write, and this drove his passion for writing articles on stationery maintenance. He owns a blog, where in his free time, he would write DIY tips on how you can recycle and refine your stationeries.