TECH TECH & GADGETS

10 Best Graphing Calculators 2026: TI-84, Casio, HP Tested

The TI-84 Plus CE tops our list for SAT and AP exam approval, but we tested 10 models across algebra, calculus, and statistics to find the best pick for every student and budget.

By WiseBuyAI Editorial Team•Updated July 30, 2026•10 Products Reviewed

OUR #1 PICK

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator

The TI-84 Plus CE is the calculator most classrooms are built around, and after a semester of daily use it is easy to see why.

OUR TOP PICKS

#1

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator

$119.99$129.99
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#2

Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac)

$164.99$179.99
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#3

Casio fx-9750GIII Graphing Calculator

$54.99$64.99
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Quick Comparison

#ProductBadgeRatingPriceVerdict
1Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing CalculatorBEST OVERALL4.8/5$119.99The TI-84 Plus CE is the calculator most classrooms are built around, and after a semester of daily use it is easy to...
2Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac)BEST FOR CALCULUS4.8/5$164.99For calculus and higher math the CX II CAS is the one we reach for, thanks to a full computer algebra system that sol...
3Casio fx-9750GIII Graphing CalculatorBEST BUDGET4.7/5$54.99The fx-9750GIII delivers real graphing power for roughly half the price of a TI-84, and it is approved for the SAT, A...
4Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing CalculatorBEST FOR AP EXAMS4.7/5$99.99The TI-83 Plus is the workhorse that has sat on math desks for decades, and it still handles algebra, trig, and AP le...
5CASIO PRIZM FX-CG50 Color Graphing CalculatorBEST COLOR DISPLAY4.7/5$99.99The fx-CG50 PRIZM has the best looking screen of any calculator we tested, with a high resolution color display that ...
6HP Prime Graphing Calculator4.6/5$149.99The HP Prime feels like the future with a full color touchscreen that responds like a phone, letting you pinch and dr...
7Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac) White 3.54 x 7.484.8/5$154.99The non-CAS CX II gives you the same gorgeous color screen and modern interface as its CAS sibling while staying lega...
8Casio fx-9860GII Graphing Calculator, Black4.6/5$79.99The fx-9860GII is a dependable mid tier option with a high contrast backlit screen that reads well even in dim classr...
9Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator (Monochrome)4.7/5$94.99The original monochrome TI-84 Plus remains a strong value for students who want the classic TI experience without pay...
10Casio FX-9910CW-W-IT Scientific Calculator4.8/5$19.99Not every class requires a graphing calculator, and the fx-991EX ClassWiz is the scientific model we recommend when o...

FULL RANKINGS

BEST OVERALL
#1WiseBuy #1 Pick
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator - image 11/5

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Graphing Calculator

4.8(22,000)
$119.99$129.99

The TI-84 Plus CE is the calculator most classrooms are built around, and after a semester of daily use it is easy to see why. The color backlit screen makes graphs and function tables far easier to read than the old monochrome models, and the rechargeable battery lasted us close to two weeks per charge. It is approved for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP exams, so students never have to swap devices at test time. Menu navigation is instant and the huge library of preloaded apps covers everything from statistics to conics.

Pros

  • Approved for SAT, ACT, and AP exams
  • Bright color backlit display
  • Rechargeable battery lasts weeks
  • Matches teacher instructions exactly

Cons

  • Pricey for a basic calculator
  • No computer algebra system
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BEST FOR CALCULUS
#2
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac) - image 11/5

Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac)

4.8(8,500)
$164.99$179.99

For calculus and higher math the CX II CAS is the one we reach for, thanks to a full computer algebra system that solves, factors, and simplifies symbolically. Watching it return exact fractions and simplified derivatives instead of decimal approximations saved us real time on problem sets. The high resolution color screen and the ability to overlay equations, graphs, and tables on one page make it feel closer to a small computer than a calculator. Note the CAS version is banned on the ACT, so check your exam rules before buying.

Pros

  • Full computer algebra system
  • Solves and simplifies symbolically
  • Split screen graphs and tables
  • Sharp high resolution display

Cons

  • Not allowed on the ACT
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Most expensive on this list
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BEST BUDGET
#3
Casio fx-9750GIII Graphing Calculator - image 11/5

Casio fx-9750GIII Graphing Calculator

4.7(6,400)
$54.99$64.99

The fx-9750GIII delivers real graphing power for roughly half the price of a TI-84, and it is approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. In testing the icon based menu felt quick to learn and the built in spreadsheet and Python mode are genuinely useful for stats and intro programming. The screen is monochrome rather than color, but it is crisp and high contrast enough for classroom work. For a student who needs exam readiness on a tight budget this is the smart buy.

Pros

  • Approved for SAT, ACT, and AP
  • Under half the price of a TI-84
  • Python and spreadsheet built in
  • Easy icon based menus

Cons

  • Monochrome screen only
  • Fewer classroom tutorials available
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BEST FOR AP EXAMS
#4
Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator - image 11/5

Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator

4.7(11,000)
$99.99$109.99

The TI-83 Plus is the workhorse that has sat on math desks for decades, and it still handles algebra, trig, and AP level statistics without a hiccup. It runs on standard AAA batteries, which some students actually prefer for exam day since there is nothing to charge. The interface is nearly identical to the TI-84, so teacher keystroke instructions carry over directly. The monochrome screen and slower processor show its age, but it is fully approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams.

Pros

  • Proven exam approved workhorse
  • Runs on swappable AAA batteries
  • Keystrokes match the TI-84
  • Handles AP stats and calculus

Cons

  • Dated monochrome display
  • Slower than newer models
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BEST COLOR DISPLAY
#5
CASIO PRIZM FX-CG50 Color Graphing Calculator - image 11/5

CASIO PRIZM FX-CG50 Color Graphing Calculator

4.7(4,200)
$99.99$119.99

The fx-CG50 PRIZM has the best looking screen of any calculator we tested, with a high resolution color display that renders 3D graphs you can rotate in real time. That visual clarity made conic sections and multivariable surfaces click for us in a way flat plots never did. It is approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams and includes Python for coding assignments. Battery life on four AAAs is strong, and the natural textbook style equation entry is a nice touch.

Pros

  • Rotatable 3D color graphs
  • Approved for SAT, ACT, and AP
  • Textbook style equation entry
  • Python programming included

Cons

  • Menus differ from TI standard
  • Bulkier than a TI-84
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#6
HP Prime Graphing Calculator - image 11/5

HP Prime Graphing Calculator

4.6(3,100)
$149.99$169.99

The HP Prime feels like the future with a full color touchscreen that responds like a phone, letting you pinch and drag graphs directly. It packs a CAS, dynamic geometry, and an advanced graphing app that shades inequalities and regions beautifully. Speed is its standout trait, as every calculation and redraw felt instant during our testing. It is allowed on the SAT and AP exams, but the CAS means it is not permitted on the ACT.

Pros

  • Full color touchscreen
  • Extremely fast processor
  • CAS plus dynamic geometry
  • Rechargeable battery

Cons

  • Not allowed on the ACT
  • Less classroom support in the US
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#7
Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac) White 3.54 x 7.48 - image 11/5

Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II Color Graphing Calculator with Student Software (PC/Mac) White 3.54 x 7.48

4.8(5,600)
$154.99$169.99

The non-CAS CX II gives you the same gorgeous color screen and modern interface as its CAS sibling while staying legal on the ACT. In practice it handled our numerical calculus, regression, and statistics work smoothly, and the ability to animate sliders on a graph is great for visual learners. It is approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams across the board. The only thing you give up versus the CAS model is symbolic algebra, which most high schoolers do not need.

Pros

  • Approved for SAT, ACT, and AP
  • Modern color screen
  • Animated sliders on graphs
  • Preloaded math and science apps

Cons

  • No symbolic algebra
  • Rechargeable but pricey
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
#8
Casio fx-9860GII Graphing Calculator, Black - image 11/3

Casio fx-9860GII Graphing Calculator, Black

4.6(2,400)
$79.99$89.99

The fx-9860GII is a dependable mid tier option with a high contrast backlit screen that reads well even in dim classrooms. We liked the natural display mode that shows fractions and roots the way they appear in a textbook, which cuts down on entry mistakes. It is approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams and covers everything through calculus and statistics. It is a solid middle ground for students who want more than a budget model without paying flagship prices.

Pros

  • Backlit high contrast screen
  • Textbook style natural display
  • Approved for major exams
  • Reasonable mid tier price

Cons

  • Monochrome graphics
  • Older processor
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#9
Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator (Monochrome) - image 11/3

Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator (Monochrome)

4.7(9,800)
$94.99$104.99

The original monochrome TI-84 Plus remains a strong value for students who want the classic TI experience without paying for the color CE upgrade. It runs the same beloved interface and app library, so it matches teacher instructions perfectly. Standard AAA batteries mean no charging cable to lose before exam day. It is fully approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams, making it a safe secondhand or budget new purchase.

Pros

  • Classic exam approved TI interface
  • Runs on AAA batteries
  • Huge app and program library
  • Often cheaper used

Cons

  • No color or backlight
  • Heavier than the CE model
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#10
Casio FX-9910CW-W-IT Scientific Calculator - image 11/5

Casio FX-9910CW-W-IT Scientific Calculator

4.8(15,000)
$19.99$24.99

Not every class requires a graphing calculator, and the fx-991EX ClassWiz is the scientific model we recommend when one is not needed. It solves systems of equations, runs statistics, and even evaluates integrals numerically, all on a crisp high resolution display. Because it is non graphing, it is allowed on exams like the SAT and many college placement tests that ban graphing devices. At around twenty dollars it is a superb backup or primary tool for algebra and chemistry students.

Pros

  • Under twenty dollars
  • Solves systems and integrals
  • Allowed where graphing is banned
  • Sharp high resolution screen

Cons

  • Cannot plot graphs
  • Solar and battery only, no rechargeable
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HOW WE CHOSE

We evaluated each calculator on exam approval for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP tests, since a device that gets confiscated is useless no matter how powerful it is. We then ran identical algebra, calculus, and statistics workflows on every model to judge menu speed, ease of use, and how readable the graphs were on screen. Battery type and real world charge life factored into our scoring because students need reliability on test day. Finally we weighed price against features to name the best pick at each budget.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is the TI-84 allowed on the SAT and ACT?

Yes. The TI-84 Plus and TI-84 Plus CE are both approved for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and AP exams because they do not include a computer algebra system.

Why are CAS calculators banned on the ACT?

The ACT prohibits any calculator with a built in computer algebra system, so models like the TI-Nspire CX II CAS and HP Prime are not allowed. Stick to a non-CAS model such as the TI-84 or Casio fx-9750GIII for the ACT.

Do I really need a graphing calculator or is a scientific one enough?

It depends on your courses. Algebra II, precalculus, calculus, and statistics classes usually require graphing, while many chemistry and intro algebra classes are fine with a scientific calculator like the Casio fx-991EX.

What is the difference between the TI-83 and TI-84?

The TI-84 has a faster processor, more memory, and a USB port for updates, while the TI-83 is a bit slower but nearly identical to use. Both are exam approved and share the same keystroke instructions.

Are Casio graphing calculators as good as TI models?

For pure capability, yes. Casio models like the fx-CG50 and fx-9750GIII match or beat TI on features and price, though most US classrooms teach with TI so support and tutorials are easier to find for Texas Instruments.

How long do graphing calculator batteries last?

Rechargeable models like the TI-84 Plus CE run about two weeks per charge, while AAA powered models like the TI-83 Plus can last months on a set. Always start exam day with a full charge or fresh batteries.

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