As the world gets more digitized by the day, you'd think we'd have less paper floating around our houses. But it seems that some aspects of our lives just require a hard copy. Fortunately, binders provide a solution with simplicity to rival a quick drag-and-drop on your computer. From household bills to your children's schoolwork, binders are a great way to aggregate your papers for any purpose. Below, we've featured our favorite binders to help you organize your life, one hole-punched page at a time. Samsill 0.5″ 3-Ring Binder (12 Pack) Small Size, Big FunctionalityThis 12 pack of 1/2" binders gives you all the same benefits of bigger binders in a compact, portable design.Best Small SizeFind on Amazon Sure, big binders are great for holding what seems like an infinite amount of papers, but anyone who’s had one or more of these heavy objects in their rucksack knows how inconvenient they can be. While not suited for everyone’s needs, small binders like this 0.5″ option by Samsill are a great alternative to their unwieldy cousins. They are perfect for storing a smaller range of information like assignments or quarterly records. Despite their more convenient size, you still get all the same perks of bigger binders, including a transparent covering to add your own labels, interior pockets, and extra sheet protectors to keep your materials safe. Pros: Archival safe design that won’t transfer ink from materials Rust-resistant round rings Comes with 25 heavy-weight sheet protectors Cons: Difficult to add spine label Cardinal 1″ 3-Ring Binder (12 Pack) Hold More, Do MoreEasily carry up to 225 sheets of paper in these reusable, mid-sized binders.Best Medium SizeFind on Amazon “Medium” implies the best of both worlds, borrowing a bit from the big and small extremes to find that perfect, Goldilocks-approved balance. And if she needed a binder, she’d likely stake her claim on this 12 pack of 1″ ring binders from Cardinal. Holding about half a ream, these file organizers are still easy to carry and throw in a bag when you need to take your paperwork out of the house. The designers at Cardinal are so sure you’ll love their notebooks that they even put extra effort into the non-stick poly cover inserts for easy label replacement when you use them time and time again. Pros: Great cost value Reinforced with XtraLife cover hinge to prevent seam tearing 100% recycled fiber cover boards Cons: It can be difficult to slip a label into the spine Wilson Jones 2″ Durable 3-Ring Binder For Oversized OrganizationFor sizable home or school projects, this heavy-duty binder has you covered — in capacity and in construction.Best Large SizeFind on Amazon A 2-inch binder is not for everyone. It’s bigger and heavier and harder to transport. But there are also many reasons why it could be the perfect organizer for you. If you’ve got about a year’s worth of household receipts and paperwork that you need to keep but won’t need to access that often, then bigger is better. If your kids haven’t learned your organization skills yet, then help them arrange their semester’s subjects within one big binder like this heavy-duty one by Wilson Jones, giving them just one item to carry into school. And while the price is slightly higher than other compact models, for some situations, it’s a simple case of “go big or go home.” Pros: Can purchase as a single binder or a four-pack Extra deep pockets inside Heavy-duty polypropylene material Cons: Higher cost for larger binders Xuchun Multicolor 1″ 3-Ring Binder (6 Pack) Categorize by ColorComing in six bright colors, these binders make your organized files easily distinguishable. Most ColorfulFind on Amazon Color has two main purposes when it comes to organization: aesthetics and functionality. While it’s not hard to see why these colorful mid-size binders by Xuchun are more aesthetically pleasing than simple black binders, those pastel hues do more than just brighten up your office. No matter how clearly we label our notebooks and file organizers, in terms of actual perceptual processing, nothing beats quick color identification. When your kids are running out the door in the morning and need to grab one of their schoolbooks, it’s more likely they’ll grab the right one for Biology because it’s green and stands out more. So whether your organizational needs are static or dynamic, color can speed up the process and spruce up your space. Pros: Bright, easy-to-distinguish colors Round, steel rings for smooth page turning Sturdy design Cons: No room for side labels Mead Zipper 1-1.5″ 3-Ring Binder Safely StockedKeep your papers safe and secure with this multi-functional, extra-storage zipper binder.Best Zipper BinderFind on Amazon Once you’ve figured out a good organization system for you, the next step is making sure that the system stays in place. While this sounds like an easy task for those whose binders just rest on a shelf at home, this isn’t the case for those on the go. Enter the zipper binder, which ensures that your organized papers stay exactly as you left them no matter where and how you take them. Mead takes your organization one step further by adding interior pockets and file organizers so you can store papers, office supplies, and whatever else you need to keep your paperwork on task no matter where you are. Pros: Three color choices Interior expanding file and multi-pockets Antimicrobial exterior fabric Cons: Higher cost Zipper leaves a 1″ gap, so smaller items may fall out Frequently Asked Questions How do I choose the best binder for me? There are a few things to consider when selecting the perfect binder, and most of these depend on how you’ll be using it. Firstly, ring size (generally ranging from 0.5″ to 2″) will determine how many papers the binder can hold, but can also make it hard to carry. If you have a lot to organize but won’t be transporting the binder much, we recommend going for a bigger size. On the other hand, if you’re using it for on-the-go lessons, then a smaller size will be your best bet. Secondly, the material of the binder is important. We recommend aiming for polypropylene or vinyl coverings as they are water-resistant and usually have transparent covers for inserting labels. Lastly, look out for other features such as zip closures, extra pockets, and sheet protectors that may suit your specific needs. What’s the best way to throw out my old binders? Believe it or not, there actually may be a binder recycling center somewhere near you, so look that up as a first step. If not, donate any binders without serious damage to your local school or charity shop. For binders beyond repair, the best thing to do is to “de-manufacture” them into recyclable bits, carefully remove the metal rings and vinyl covering from the chipboard. Metal can be recycled as you would standard metal, the vinyl goes in landfill trash, and the chipboard can be treated like curbside cardboard.