There is no doubt that calculators have made things a lot easier for everyone worldwide. Be it any calculation, solving complicated questions and getting answers in a blink of an eye is now possible using a calculator.
One of the most difficult tasks in mathematics is graphing, and special graphing calculators are available to make things easier for students.
Choosing the right best graphing calculator can sometimes be difficult due to its complications. There are so many types of calculators that you may be confused sometimes.
This complete graphing calculator guide will help you make the right choice. Make sure to choose from the options we have mentioned below.
MY TOP PICK: I recommend you choose the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE as it offers the best value for money and is the most trusted graphing calculator by students and teachers Worldwide.
I personally use Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE, and I have no issues with it. And I am pretty happy using it for my lessons.
Top Best Graphing Calculators
There are countless options for graphing calculators that you will get to see when you go out looking for them. Here are the best graphing calculators for you.
1- Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE
If you have been using graphing calculators for a long time, you would know the value and quality of the TI-84 family in the market. They are the best graphing calculators you can find to make your job easier.
The TI-84 Plus CE is the latest addition to the family of Texas Instruments. It is 30% lighter than thinner compared to the previous TI-84 models. This graphing calculator has a rechargeable battery that ensures that it never dies on you.
The best thing about TI-84 Plus CE is making it easier for you to visualize concepts and the speed it works in. In seconds, it provides the answers by connecting the data, equations, and graphs.
There are preloaded apps and images. You can find 14 interactive zoom features built-in in this graphing calculator. Texas Instrument has made it easier by offering seven different graph styles. This will make it convenient for you to distinguish each point and interpret what you were looking for.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Ranked no. 1 in its category – High-resolution display – Color display – 7.1-inch display | – Not recommended to use for electrical engineering |
2- Casio fx-9750GIII Black Graphing Calculator
When calculators mention how the name Casio could slip anyone’s mind, Casio is one of the best mathematical accessories and equipment brands. It has contributed immensely to the industry, and no one can deny that.
The calculator by Casio is one of the best graphing calculators you can use. You can’t find the features this calculator offers in any other product.
The fx-9750GIII has a 3MB flash memory that can store and save all the recent calculations you carried out. It also offers spreadsheet functionality where all the answers to your question are organized. This makes it easier to interpret and get what you were looking for.
The best feature of this graphing calculator is the USB connectivity for file sharing. Now you can share the calculations you carried out and use them in any way you like. For example, add them to your presentations or keep them in an archive; it is all in your hands.
Built-in conic equations are also available in this calculator, making it easier for you to find the intersection curve of your graph. Trig functions are also included in this calculator.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Flash memory feature – Saves your calculation history after the shutdown – It is relatively cheap | – Have to go through different menus manually |
3- Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II
You may have seen many graphic calculators best for office use. But the TI-Nspire CXII is one of the best calculators with student-friendly software. But it can be used for office use as well.
The functionality and ease of use are great of this model by Texas Instruments. The graphing capabilities of this calculator are enhanced to the next level and ensure the best experience.
The unique thin design is not the only feature you will love. But there is a touchpad for easy navigation to different menus and settings.
A rechargeable battery is installed in this graphic calculator, which can last two weeks on a single charge. You can always depend on this graphic calculator during an exam or office work.
Talking about functionality, the Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II provides defined points by coordinates quickly and efficiently. Easily find the relation between different points and easily understand the graphs.
The best feature is the animated path plot through which you can visualize graphs and functions as they are drawn in real life. This graphing calculator makes it easier for you to understand and interpret each graph.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Enriched with visuals – Best for STEM concepts – High-quality user experience – Ranked no. 3 | – Use it carefully for trigonometry; otherwise, you may get wrong answers. |
4- Casio Touchscreen 4.8 (fx-CG500)
The Casio Touchscreen 4.8 (fx-CG500) would be a great option if you are looking for a natural, real textbook display from your graphing calculator. The best feature of this Casio fx-CG500 is the LCD touchscreen.
The 4.8-inch touchscreen improves your experience and makes it easier to use. Don’t worry; you get a stylus that you can use throughout.
The high-resolution LCD has great visuals and around 65000 colors. In addition, the Casio Touchscreen 4.8 (fx-CG500) has an advanced computer algebra system. On the touchscreen, you also get a drag option that makes it convenient.
All the buttons on the front are now on the touchscreen. However, thoroughly understand this calculator’s features and settings before using it. A start guide available in the box can help you a lot.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Recommended if you are looking for CAS capabilities – Highly innovative product – The large screen shows all the steps of your calculations – Best user interface design | – Takes time to understand every feature of this calculator |
5- Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium
The TI model family of Texas Instruments graphing calculators is one of the best. They are easily available and highly affordable compared to other graphing calculators. Make sure to choose the one that would suit you the best.
The TI-89 is perfect for algebra, matrices, calculus, and other statistical functions. The calculator offers you a 2.7MB flash memory. This storage is sufficient for functions and data storage.
The high-resolution screen offers a split-screen view that improves your experience and makes it convenient to understand everything. The TI 89 graphing calculator is also compatible with CBL 2 system and CBR 2 motion sensor.
Solve every type of matrix question very easily by using this graphing calculator. The USB on-the-go technology in this calculator provides a great feature for file sharing. Easily connect your calculator to a PC or any other graphing calculator.
This feature makes it easy to save your calculations and prepare a report or presentation. Otherwise, the calculator doesn’t have a lot of memory to save every calculation you carried throughout.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Compatible with much other software – Large display – Brilliant colors – 1-year warranty – 16 preloaded apps installed – Precision calculations | – Too complex for basic graphing calculations |
TI-84 Vs. TI-84 Plus CE: Which One is better?
The TI-84 Plus CE is better than TI-84 Plus because it is smaller, has a better, rechargeable battery, and comes with continued software updates. The most noticeable difference between the two calculators is the color display of the CE.
The TI-84 CE Plus is the latest member of the TI-84 calculators family. It comes with battery life, a better color screen, software, and more compact size.
Furthermore, TI-84 CE Plus is teachers’ most widely adopted, widely trusted calculator in classrooms, particularly in the United States.
TI Vs. Casio: Which One Is better?
Texas Instruments calculators (also referred to as TI) are definitely more well-known and well-loved than Casio, especially regarding education and standardized testing in the United States.
Both Casio and Texas Instruments brands produce a variety of graphing calculators. And TI-84 Plus CE is the most popular and loved graphing calculator by students and teachers.
The Casio equivalent to the TI-84 is the Casio fx-9860GII or Casio fx-9750 GII.
What Does The CE Stand For in TI-84 Plus CE?
The CE in TI-84 Plus stands for Color Enhancement. Each TI-84 Plus graphing calculator comes with a LED color display screen.
Furthermore, the TI-84 Plus CE comes with an excellent colored back-lit display and the most loved and popular applications preloaded. More importantly, the TI-84 Plus CE is rechargeable.
You might enjoy reading: 9 Creative Methods to Teaching Mathematics to High School Students.
Final Thoughts
Here is your complete guide to the five best graphing calculators you should choose from. Make sure to learn more about each option. That would help you make a better choice.
It would also help you see which calculator will suit you the best. That is why you should know more about every option we discussed above.
I suggest you get the Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE as it is the most loved and trusted graphing calculator by students and teachers Worldwide.