The 9 Best Financial Calculators
This wiki has been updated 30 times since it was first published in May of 2016. If your work or studies involve more difficult calculations than the standard adding and subtracting, then chances are you'll be relieved to get one of these financial calculators. Capable of complex computations, including amortization schedules, profit margins, cash flow analysis, and more, they are essential tools for mortgage brokers, tax professionals, and financial advisers. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional
2. Texas Instruments BA II Plus
3. HP 12c
Editor's Notes
January 17, 2021:
The functions financial calculators need to perform haven't changed much in the last couple of decades and, as such, neither has the offerings on the market. The same models that have been popular for the last 10 or more years are still just as useful today as the day they were first released. Because of this, we didn't need to make a lot of changes to our recommendations. In fact, the only new addition is the Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional. We had already included the Texas Instruments BA II Plus, but decided that it was worthwhile to also feature the Professional model for those that need slightly more advanced functionality than basic Plus model offers, such as modified internal rate of return and a couple extra methods for calculating depreciation, book value, and remaining depreciable amount.
April 09, 2019:
Depending on what field your work in, or what classes you are taking, you will have different needs from your financial calculator. Real estate professionals would be best served by the Calculated Industries 3415, as it has many built-in mortgage functions, such as calculating full PITI payments, showing the difference between buying and renting, and the ability to simplify complex ARM payment schedules. Both the Texas Instruments BA II Plus and HP 12c are allowed during the Chartered Financial Analyst Exam, so if you are preparing for that, these are your best two options. With more than 250 pre-programmed functions, the HP 17BII+ might just be the most versatile model around, so if you aren't quite sure of every type of computations you will wind up doing, this can be a smart buy as more than likely, it can handle them. Those who find the traditional layout of a calculator a bit too tight for their liking may enjoy the landscape design of the HP 12c. The Sharp EL-738C, Victor Technology 6500 and Casio FC-200V are both budget-friendly models that would be suitable for students pursuing a degree in finance.
4. Calculated Industries 3415
5. HP 17BII+
6. HP 10bII+
7. Casio FC-200V
8. Sharp EL-738FB
9. Victor Technology 6500
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.