The Best Steno Pads

Tops Steno Books

Brilliant basics

This pack of simple steno pads checks all our boxes.

Best Overall

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Steno books may not seem like a big decision-making purchase, but Tops’ pads are filled with fine details that are well worth checking out. They’ve got durable, tear-resistant covers and a coil designed to resist catching you or the papers you pull out.

This purchase will get you four standard-sized books in red, blue, green, and black. Each pad has 80 pages, giving you plenty of value when you consider their low price point. The inside pages are bright white for a clean look while you write as well.

Pros:

• These steno pads are made in the United States
• They’re available at an affordable price

Cons:

•  This set doesn’t come with different color options to choose from, but you receive a variety with your purchase

Mintra Office Steno Books

Let's get graphing

Switch up your steno routine with these unique, well-made graph versions.

Best Graph-Lined

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If you love steno pads for general writing, there’s a good chance they’ll be just as convenient when you need to create a graph. These books from Mintra Office are the typical steno shape, style, and size, but they’re filled with graph paper instead of the typical lined version.

These books come in packs of four, and you can choose from basic options, bold colors, pastel shades, and more, allowing you to match the look of your current office supplies. Each pad has 70 pages inside, and the entire set is available at a fairly affordable price.

Pros:

• These books bring a whole new use to the steno pad
• The same products are available with lines inside, in case you want all of your paper to match

Cons:

• The cover and wire on these pads may not be as durable as other versions sold today

National Brand Steno Notebooks

Throwing it way back

These steno pads are made with a timeless look, and their size, line style, and quality are just right, too.

Best Classic Look

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If you’re all about the basics, these National Brand steno pads are worth checking out. They give you just what a good steno pad should — a top-turning note pad with a medium size and two lined columns covering each page. These even give you the classic yellow paper, which is both easy on the eyes and great for classic steno style.

These books come in a pack of 12, giving you plenty of paper to go along with their very reasonable price point. They’ve got simple yellow covers that display the words “Steno Notes,” and each pad’s got 60 pages inside.

Pros:

• These products have a brown board cover for added sturdiness
• The wire ring on top is wide for easy turning

Cons:

• The sheet-per-pad ratio is lower than the average book

Roaring Spring Recycled Steno Pads

The tree-friendly choice

These high-quality steno pads are made from recycled materials for a greener way to stay organized.

Most Eco-Friendly

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These steno pads from Roaring Spring are the perfect way to stay eco-friendly while meeting your paper needs. They are made with 30% post-consumer recycled materials, making them a better choice for the environment while still keeping that quality notepad feel.

These books come in a pack of four with cute, pastel-colored leaf designs on each of the covers. They’re made in the typical steno size, and each pad has 80 pages to maximize its usability.

Pros:

• The inner pages come in a variety of light colors to match their covers, helping you switch up your writing routine with every book
• Each piece has perforation for easy tearing

Cons:

•  The price is slightly higher than other brands due to the recycled material makeup

Ampad Gold Fibre Steno Book

File under "fancy"

This steno pad isn't just elegant — it's filled with high-end usability features, too.

Best Premium

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When you use steno pads often, you deserve an optimal experience. This high-end version from Ampad is designed to give you just that. Its smoother-than-average paper is made to let your writing utensil and your hand slide smoothly across its surface. It’s also got perforated sheets for easy tearing.

This book isn’t just nice on the inside — the outside is worth noting, too. It’s got a durable front cover to protect your paper, a thick back cover so you can take notes without needing a table, and a strong no-snap coil for easy, protected page-turning.

Pros:

• This steno pad has more pages than most — 100 per book
• A stylish design adds to its premium look
• It’s made in the United States 

Cons:

•  This purchase is only for one pad, and it’s got a higher price than other versions sold today

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What separates steno pads from traditional notebooks?

A: These books are small in size — typically about six inches wide and nine inches tall. They have a wire ring holding their pages together at the top for upward flipping, and they have a line down the center of each page that makes them great for list-making.

Q: Is it easy to tear pages out of steno pads?

A: If you’ll be pulling papers from your steno pad often, you’ll want to choose one with perforated edges to make the tear-out process quick and easy.

Q: Can the top ring on steno pads store a writing utensil?

A: Yes, each product on the list above can store a pen or pencil within its top ring for organization and easy access.