The 10 Best Scientific Calculators
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Exam rules decide most calculator purchases, so we checked 10 scientific and graphing models against SAT, ACT and NCEES policies. The Casio fx-9910CW leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Some sellers call calculators with a computer algebra system SAT-approved, but the College Board bans them, so check your exam's current rules before you buy. A scientific calculator handles the trig, logs, exponents, fractions and statistics that a basic calculator can't. Students from middle school through engineering school rely on one, and so do test takers. Graphing models add a larger screen for plotting.
From the manual
- The spreadsheet holds 45 rows by five columns, and turning the calculator off wipes everything in it, so copy results down first. p. 95
- Auto power-off defaults to 10 minutes; System Settings offers 60 minutes for long work sessions. p. 26
- One AAA cell powers it for about two years at an hour a day; Casio says to replace it at least every two years. pp. 11, 154
- Damage from a leaking battery isn't covered by the warranty, and removing the battery clears all memory. pp. 11, 149
Why the Casio fx-9910CW is our top pick
Our pick solves bigger problems than our runner-up, the TI-36X Pro. Its equation app handles linear systems with up to four unknowns and polynomials up to the fourth degree,1 while the TI stops at three unknowns and cubics.2 Its matrices go up to four rows by four columns,1 and it adds a 45-row, five-column spreadsheet;1 the TI's nearest tool is a data editor with three lists.2
Its screen shows up to four lines, or six in the small font,1 against the TI's four lines of 16 characters.3 Speed counts in a timed test, and Chris Drew, a university professor who founded the Helpful Professor site, calls our pick "lightning fast" and finds the TI substantially slower than an older ClassWiz, the fx-991EX.5
The TI still wins on certainty for engineers. NCEES lists TI-36X models outright, while it admits Casio models by how their names begin, a rule our pick's name fits though NCEES never names it.4 Two habits to learn: switching our pick off wipes its spreadsheet, and it shuts itself off after 10 minutes unless you set it to 60.1
| Casio fx-9910CW | TI-36X Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Equation solver | Up to 4 unknowns, 4th degree | Up to 3 unknowns, cubic |
| Spreadsheet | 45 rows x 5 columns | None (3 data lists) |
| Screen | Up to 4 lines (6 small) | 4 lines x 16 characters |
| Power | 1 AAA, about 2 years | Coin cell, solar-assisted |
| FE/PE exams | Name fits fx-991 rule | TI-36X models listed |
Sources
- Casio fx-9910CW 1User's guide, 2nd edition (PDF), pp. 26, 95, 27, 95, 107, 121
- TI-36X Pro 2Guidebook (PDF), pp. 35, 60–61 3Product page
- 4NCEES: 2026 approved calculator list (member board memo)
- 5Helpful Professor: best scientific calculators, by Chris Drew (October 2026)
From the manual
- It shuts off after about five idle minutes and keeps the display, pending operations, settings and memory, so unfinished work survives. p. 4
- The battery is one CR2032 coin cell, and changing it means removing screws from the back with a small screwdriver. p. 79
- The reset sequence clears stored variables, history and statistics data, a quick wipe if a proctor asks. p. 14
- The guidebook leaves warranty terms to TI's website; the product page lists a one-year limited warranty. p. 81, product page
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Screen | Graphs on screen | Power | FE and PE exams (NCEES 2026) | SAT and ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Casio fx-9910CW | Up to 4 lines (6 small) | No, QR code to a phone | 1 AAA, about 2 years | Name fits fx-991 rule | Allowed |
| 2. TI-36X Pro | 4 lines x 16 characters | No | Coin cell, solar-assisted | Yes | Allowed |
| 3. TI-30XS MultiView | 4 lines x 16 characters | No | Solar + coin cell | Yes | Allowed |
| 4. TI-84 Plus CE | Full color | Yes | Rechargeable, up to 1 month | No | Allowed |
| 5. Casio fx-115ES PLUS | Textbook display | No | Solar + LR44, about 3 years | Yes | Allowed |
| 6. Casio fx-260 Solar II | 1 line, 10+2 digits | No | Solar only | No | Allowed |
| 7. TI-Nspire CX II | Backlit color | Yes | Rechargeable, up to 1 week | No | Allowed |
| 8. Casio fx-9750GIII | 128 x 64 monochrome | Yes | 4 AAA | No | Allowed |
| 9. TI-30XIIS | 2 lines | No | Solar + battery | Yes | Allowed |
| 10. HP Prime G2 | 320 x 240 color touch | Yes | Rechargeable | No | Banned |
Battery life is the maker's figure: about an hour a day for the Casio scientific models, two hours a day for TI's rechargeables. NCEES admits Casio models whose names begin with fx-115 or fx-991 and doesn't list the fx-9910CW by name. Exam rules as of November 2026.
Sources
- Casio fx-9910CW user's guide (PDF) fx-115ES PLUS user's guide (PDF) fx-260 SOLAR II spec sheet (PDF) fx-9750GIII hardware guide (PDF) fx-9750GIII product page
- Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro product page TI-30XS MultiView product page TI-84 Plus CE product page TI-Nspire CX II guidebook (PDF) TI-30XIIS quick reference guide (PDF) Rechargeable battery care (Solution 33711)
- HP Prime quick start guide (PDF)
- NCEES: 2026 approved calculator list
- College Board: SAT Suite calculator policy
- ACT: calculator policy
From the manual
- The backup battery is a CR2032 coin cell, and TI warns that a swallowed one can cause severe internal burns within two hours. Battery Information
- The table of values can step from a start value or take x values you type in one at a time. Function Table
- Seven memory variables, x, y, z, t, a, b and c, hold numbers or results between problems. Memory and Stored Variables
From the manual
- Charging from a computer needs TI Connect CE or TI-SmartView CE installed first, and a sleeping laptop can cut the charge. p. 1
- The first charge takes four to six hours; after that, charge time depends on how low the battery was. p. 2
- An orange light by the port means charging; green means full. p. 1
- TI says to recharge at least every two to three weeks and not leave it on a charger longer than three days. TI Solution 33711
From the manual
- The hard case slides off the front and clips onto the back while you work. p. 7
- In the U.S. and Canada, Casio says to leave battery changes to its service center, and to replace the cell every three years. pp. 6-7
- It switches itself off after about 10 minutes without a key press. p. 8
- A built-in screen shows an ID number and QR code to confirm it's a genuine Casio, useful when buying from a third-party seller. p. 102
From the manual
- It has no battery; the solar cell needs at least 50 lux of light to run. p. 2
- In poor light the screen can dim, calculations can stop and the stored memory value can be lost. p. 2
- Casio's spec sheet lists no auto power-off and a single memory variable. spec sheet, p. 1
From the manual
- Charge the new battery at least four hours before first use; a full charge normally takes about six hours. pp. 3, 60
- It turns off after three idle minutes by default, and the timeout can be changed in Handheld Setup. p. 3
- For long storage, hold the reset button on the back for four seconds to put it in Deep Sleep. p. 3
From the manual
- Four AAA cells come in the box but aren't loaded. Casio says to replace them yearly and never use nickel-based primary cells. pp. i, EN-2
- Exam Mode switches off Python, programs and data transfer, and deletes anything made during the session when you exit. software guide, p. β-1
- It has two exam modes, one for the IB and one for Texas, and IB exams allow only the IB mode. software guide, p. β-1
- Its Python is a cut-down MicroPython, different from the Python that runs on a computer. software guide, p. 14-1
From the manual
- It powers down after about five idle minutes and keeps the display, settings and memory. p. 1
- It runs on the solar cell in good light and on its battery in dimmer rooms. p. 2
- TI's warranty runs one year from purchase for buyers in the U.S. and Canada. p. 2
From the manual
- Pinching a graph horizontally zooms only the x-axis, vertically only the y-axis, and diagonally both. p. 12
- Entry can be algebraic, textbook-style or RPN, where numbers come before the operator. p. 13
- A password-protected exam mode lets a supervisor switch off chosen features for a set time. p. 12
- HP says to use only its supplied or approved replacement battery, warning of an explosion risk with incompatible cells. p. 10
Editor's Notes
November 4, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
We read the makers' manuals and support documents for all ten calculators, added notes from them, a spec table and a section on why the fx-9910CW leads. We corrected the fx-260 Solar II entry, which has no automatic shut-off, the TI-30XIIS's conversions and the TI-Nspire CX II's battery life, and noted that the fx-9910CW's name fits NCEES's fx-991 rule. We also added AP's 2027 calculator changes, an engineer's PE-exam advice and TI's new TI-84 Evo.
October 15, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
Calculators change slowly, but this list still needed real work. The HP 35S is reported discontinued and hard to find new, and the HP 12C Platinum is a financial calculator that never belonged on a scientific list. The original HP Prime and the old TI NSpire CAS have both been replaced by newer hardware, and the Casio FX-9750 GII gave way to the Casio fx-9750GIII, which adds Python.
The new favorite is the Casio fx-9910CW, a ClassWiz model with a sharper screen and a built-in spreadsheet for about the price of a pizza. The TI-30XS MultiView and TI-30XIIS join as low-cost classroom picks, and the HP Prime G2 is here for readers who want symbolic algebra.
Exam rules decide most of these purchases, so we read the College Board, ACT and NCEES policies ourselves and noted in each entry which tests allow it. One thing surprised us: some sellers describe CAS calculators as SAT-approved, but the College Board's own page bans them. Check your exam's current rules before you buy.
We found no lab tests of scientific calculators, so our evidence is makers' specs, an educator's speed comparison of TI and Casio models, the exam policies, owner reports and a recall check.
Earlier notes
September 9, 2020, by Christopher Thomas:
As you might expect, there's not a ton of modern innovation in the field of calculators. In fact, there's not even much refinement; the whole point of many of these is to accompany students and professionals who already have a significant grasp of certain subject matters.
As such, the TI-36X Pro remains the top choice for standard scientific endeavors, and the TI-84 Plus CE is still the calculator to use for students who need advanced, yet still test-approved, graphing functions. If you're not concerned about proctored tests, the Texas Instruments Nspire CX II and TI NSpire CAS are both highly advanced options that boast significantly more complex processing systems and displays than many others.
Alternatively, there are some old releases, albeit with a few modern upgrades, that are worth considering. The HP 35S and HP 12C Platinum are decidedly classic options that will still last for many years. On the other hand, the Casio FX-260 is one of the most affordable choices out there, and for trained mathematicians or simple equations, it might be all that's needed. The Casio FX-9750 GII, meanwhile, is similarly affordable, yet has a highly useful two-line display that's also compatible with sub- and superscript output.
August 14, 2019, by Christopher Thomas:
It's been said that that there are 10 kinds of people in this world: those who understand binary, and those who don't. Whether you're already in the first group or you're on your way there, the calculator world definitely has a ton of options for you to choose from. If you'll be using it on standardized testing, the TI-36X and Casio FX-115ES are worth a look because they're reliable and relatively inexpensive. The HP Prime and 35S are similar, though they are a little heavier and have a bit more of a professional feel; they're also a touch more expensive. [2026 update: the HP Prime is banned on the SAT and ACT, while the HP 35s is on the NCEES list for engineering exams.] If you'll be using it mostly to tabulate budgets and payroll at the office, the 12C Platinum may be your best bet; its reverse Polish notation is often considered the easiest for computing long financial records.
Then there are graphing calculators. Many tests don't allow these, but for some they're explicitly required. Do be aware that the TI NSpire CAS is definitely not allowed on many of those tests, in part because it's practically a pocket computer (its CAS computation method can do much of the important work for you, which of course flies in the face of testing). The NSpire CX II and iconic TI 84 Plus are two of the top choices in the graphing calculator realm. Also keep in mind the Casio FX-9750, which offers nearly all of the functionality of TI's top offerings, but costs far less and comes in multiple colors to help differentiate yours from the rest of the class's calculators.
Special Honors
Desmos Desmos makes the free graphing and scientific calculators that are built into the digital SAT and the online ACT, and the same tools run in any web browser or as phone apps. Practicing with Desmos before test day helps you use it well when it counts, and it covers graphing for homework without buying a graphing calculator. desmos.com
Start With Your Exam And Course Rules
Many algebra 2, precalculus, calculus and AP statistics teachers name a specific graphing model, usually a TI-84.
The test you're taking decides more than any feature list. The College Board's SAT and PSAT policy doesn't list approved calculators. Instead it bans models with a computer algebra system (CAS), including the TI-Nspire CAS and CX II CAS, anything starting with TI-89 or TI-92, the HP Prime and Casio's ClassPad line, along with QWERTY keyboards and wireless devices (College Board). Nspire models without CAS in the name are fine. The ACT bans the same kinds of CAS models and says students who use a prohibited calculator will be dismissed (ACT). AP exams allow calculators only in certain courses and sections, and for 2027 AP Statistics doesn't allow nongraphing calculators, while AP Biology and Environmental Science don't allow handheld graphing ones (AP Central).
Engineering licensing exams are far stricter. NCEES allows only a short list in FE and PE exam rooms: Casio fx-115 and fx-991 models, TI-30X and TI-36X models, and the HP 33s and 35s, with no graphing calculators (NCEES). NCEES defines the Casio models by how their names begin, and the Casio fx-9910CW's name begins with fx-991, but NCEES never names it, so engineers who want no doubt at check-in can choose a TI-36X Pro or fx-115ES PLUS. Zach Stone, a licensed professional engineer who founded the Electrical PE Review course, called the TI-36X Pro the best calculator for the electrical power PE exam in a 2017 article updated in 2022, because it mixes polar and rectangular complex numbers in one calculation without converting; he names the fx-115ES PLUS as the other low-cost model that can. He also advises bringing two calculators (Electrical PE Review).
The IB program doesn't allow unrestricted CAS, and TI says its CAS models are acceptable there only with CAS turned off in a test mode (Texas Instruments). Finally, read your syllabus. Many algebra 2, precalculus, calculus and AP statistics teachers name a specific graphing model, usually a TI-84.
Scientific, Graphing Or CAS?
A basic scientific calculator, such as a one-line Casio fx-260 Solar II or the two-line TI-30XIIS, covers trig, logs, exponents and statistics for very little money. A multi-line, textbook-style model adds stacked fractions, roots and exponents shown the way they look on paper, plus tables, and the better ones solve equations and handle matrices, vectors and complex numbers. Those models, like the TI-36X Pro and Casio's ClassWiz line, cover most high school and college math, chemistry and physics.
A graphing calculator adds a large screen for plotting functions, more memory and, on some models, programming in Python. Prices run from roughly three times to nearly ten times the cost of a good scientific model. You may not need one at all: the digital SAT, run in the Bluebook app, includes a built-in Desmos calculator with graphing and scientific modes (College Board), and the online ACT has Desmos built into its math section (ACT). Desmos itself is free on the web and on phones, though phones aren't allowed in exam rooms. TI has also introduced the TI-84 Evo, which it says has a processor three times faster than the TI-84 Plus CE's and a USB-C port in place of the CE's mini USB (Texas Instruments).
A CAS calculator manipulates algebra symbolically. It can factor, expand and solve equations with variables in them, which is why the SAT and ACT ban it. It's useful in college math and engineering courses that permit it.
Power, Care And Safety
Most scientific calculators pair a small solar panel with a backup battery, so they run for years with no charging. A few, like the Casio fx-260 Solar II, rely on the solar cell alone, so in a dim room the screen can fade and the memory can be lost (Casio). Many backup batteries are button cells, and TI prints an ingestion warning in its guides, so keep spare cells away from young children.
Color graphing calculators such as the TI-84 Plus CE, TI-Nspire CX II and HP Prime G2 use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. TI rates a TI-84 Plus CE charge at up to a month and a TI-Nspire CX II charge at up to a week, both at two hours of use a day, and expects its batteries to last about three years (Texas Instruments). Charge with the supplied cable, and replace a battery the way the maker's guide describes rather than with a generic cell. The Casio fx-9750GIII takes four AAA batteries, which is handy if you'd rather swap batteries than remember to charge.
Before an exam, clear any stored programs or notes your test doesn't allow, and learn how to switch on exam mode if your school uses it. Keep the hard cover on in a backpack, since a cracked screen ends a calculator's life faster than anything else.
We searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's database for Texas Instruments, Casio and HP and found no calculator recalls, only unrelated older recalls of computer adapters, music keyboards and HP office electronics (CPSC).
How we researched this
We screened more than 20 scientific, graphing and CAS calculators, compared 12 finalists, and read the makers' documents for all ten picks: Casio's fx-9910CW and fx-115ES PLUS user's guides, the fx-260 SOLAR II manual and spec sheet, and the fx-9750GIII hardware and software guides; TI's guidebooks for the TI-36X Pro, TI-30XS MultiView and TI-Nspire CX II, its TI-30XIIS quick reference and its TI-84 Plus CE charging and battery-care notes; and HP's Prime quick start guide. The exam rules came straight from the College Board, ACT, AP Central and NCEES's 2026 calculator list, with an education professor's comparison and a licensed engineer's PE-exam advice as the outside voices. Searches of the CPSC recall database for Texas Instruments, Casio and HP, and of Health Canada's for calculators, on November 4, 2026 found no calculator recalls.
Sources (18)
- College Board: SAT Suite calculator policy
- ACT: calculator policy
- College Board AP Central: calculator policy
- NCEES: Fall 2026 exam changes memo
- Texas Instruments: TI-36X Pro
- Texas Instruments: IB resources
- Notebookcheck: Casio fx-9910CW launch
- Helpful Professor: best scientific calculators for students
- Popular Mechanics: best calculators
- HP Museum forum: fx-115ES PLUS editions
- CPSC recalls
- Texas Instruments: TI-84 Plus CE colors press release (battery life)
- Texas Instruments: technology for teachers (online calculator license)
- Texas Instruments: rechargeable battery care (Solution 33711)
- Texas Instruments: TI-84 Evo compared with the TI-84 Plus CE (Solution 40502)
- Casio Education: fx-9910CW
- Electrical PE Review: TI-36X Pro for the electrical power PE exam (Zach Stone, P.E.)
- Health Canada: recalls search, calculator
Frequently asked questions
What is the best scientific calculator?
For most students, the Casio fx-9910CW: a sharp textbook-style screen, equation solvers, matrices and a spreadsheet for a low price. Engineering students headed for the FE exam should pick the TI-36X Pro or Casio fx-115ES PLUS, which NCEES clearly allows.
Do I need a graphing calculator?
Usually only if your course or teacher requires one. A good scientific calculator handles algebra, chemistry, physics and most statistics. The digital SAT and the online ACT include a built-in Desmos graphing calculator.
Which calculators are banned on the SAT and ACT?
Models with a computer algebra system, such as the TI-Nspire CAS and CX II CAS, the TI-89 and TI-92, the HP Prime and Casio ClassPad models. Calculators with QWERTY keyboards, wireless connections and phone calculators are banned too. Non-CAS TI-Nspire models are allowed.
Which calculators are allowed on the FE exam?
Only the NCEES list: Casio fx-115 and fx-991 models, TI-30X and TI-36X models, and the HP 33s and 35s. Graphing calculators aren't allowed. The Casio fx-9910CW's name fits the fx-991 rule, but NCEES doesn't name it, so check before you rely on it.
Is Casio or Texas Instruments better?
Both make reliable calculators. TI models dominate U.S. classrooms, so lessons and tutorials often follow their keys. Casio usually gives you more functions for the money, such as a spreadsheet on the fx-9910CW or a graphing model for well under the price of a TI-84.
How long do scientific calculator batteries last?
Solar models with a backup battery often run for years. Rechargeable color graphing calculators need charging far more often: TI rates the TI-84 Plus CE at up to a month per charge and the TI-Nspire CX II at up to a week, at two hours of use a day.
