Top picks
- Safest pick: TI-84 Plus CE. Most classroom support, approved everywhere.
- Best value: Casio fx-9750GIII. Covers the same math for far less.
- Best modern interface: NumWorks. Easiest to learn, USB-C, Python.
- Best for advanced STEM: TI-Nspire CX II (non-CAS). Most power, steeper learning curve.
Side-by-side
| TI-84 Plus CE | Casio fx-9750GIII | NumWorks | TI-Nspire CX II | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most students | Budget | Self-starters | Advanced STEM |
| Typical new price | ~$95–$160 | ~$60–$90 | ~$100 | ~$130–$190 |
| Screen | Color | Monochrome | Color | Color, larger |
| Power | Rechargeable | 4 × AAA | Rechargeable (USB-C) | Rechargeable |
| Python | Python Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Learning curve | Easy | Moderate | Easy | Steep |
| Classroom support | Excellent | Fair | Limited | Good |
| SAT / ACT / AP / IB | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (non-CAS) |
Most calculator advice online is written to sell you the most expensive calculator. This guide starts from the classroom instead: what the teacher uses, which tests the student will take, and how much you want to spend. Every price here was checked in October 2026.
Before you buy: two questions
1. Does the teacher or school require a specific model? Ask. Many high school math classes assume a TI-84, and some schools say so on the supply list. If yours does, the decision is made.
2. Which exams will the student take? All four picks here are approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams. The one trap is CAS calculators (like the TI-Nspire CX II CAS or TI-89 Titanium), which are banned on the ACT and the SAT. Buy the non-CAS version unless you're sure.
TI-84 Plus CE: the safest pick
The TI-84 Plus CE is the default for a reason. Teachers demo on it, textbooks reference it, and every tutorial on YouTube uses one. The color screen and rechargeable battery fixed most of the old model's complaints.
You pay a premium for the name. You also get the least friction.
Best for: most students, and anyone whose teacher uses a TI-84. Full TI-84 Plus CE review →
Casio fx-9750GIII: best value
The fx-9750GIII does the same high school math for often less than half the price. It also has built-in Python. The trade-offs are a basic monochrome screen, AAA batteries, and fewer people around who know its menus.
Best for: budget-conscious families and independent students. Full Casio fx-9750GIII review →
NumWorks: best modern interface
NumWorks feels like it was designed this decade. A home screen of apps, a clean color display, USB-C charging, and Python. It's the easiest of the four to figure out without help.
The downside is the classroom. Fewer teachers know it.
Best for: students who learn by exploring, and anyone curious about programming. Full NumWorks review →
TI-Nspire CX II: best for advanced STEM
The Nspire is the most powerful calculator here by a wide margin, with far more memory, a faster processor, and a document-based interface built for advanced math. It also takes the longest to learn.
Buy the non-CAS version for high school unless you're certain every exam allows CAS.
Best for: students headed into engineering, physics, or advanced math. TI-84 Plus CE vs TI-Nspire CX II →
Decision guide
| If the student… | Buy |
|---|---|
| Has a teacher who uses a TI-84 | TI-84 Plus CE |
| Needs the cheapest solid option | Casio fx-9750GIII |
| Figures things out on their own | NumWorks |
| Is taking AP Calculus BC + physics, engineering-bound | TI-Nspire CX II |
| Will only use it for one or two years | Used TI-84 Plus CE |
Money-saving tips
- Buy in July or August. Back-to-school sales are the best time of year for new calculators.
- Buy used. Calculators are durable. A used TI-84 Plus CE in good shape is one of the best deals in school supplies.
- Check the battery. On used rechargeable models, make sure it holds a charge.
- Skip the CAS unless you know you need it.
Our default recommendation
If you don't know which to buy, buy the TI-84 Plus CE, ideally on sale or used. If money is tight, the Casio fx-9750GIII is the smart alternative. If your student learns best by exploring, the NumWorks is the friendliest. Save the Nspire for students who will actually use the extra power.
Where to buy
Prices change often. Check the current price before buying. Some links are affiliate links, which never change our verdicts.
FAQ
What graphing calculator do most high schools use?
The TI-84 Plus CE is the most common, which is why it has the most teacher and tutorial support.
What's the cheapest graphing calculator that's good enough?
The Casio fx-9750GIII. It covers standard high school math and is approved for major exams.
Do students still need a calculator for the digital SAT?
The digital SAT has a built-in Desmos calculator, but students can bring their own approved calculator, and many prefer the one they practiced on.
Should I buy a CAS calculator for high school?
Usually not. CAS calculators are banned on the ACT and the SAT. Buy non-CAS unless you know the student needs it.
