Once you move past middle school, a standard calculator won’t suffice. A scientific calculator is pretty much a necessity for students who are doing high school or college level physics/math. You can always get math help from online homework solvers. But to be more consistent you’ll need an appropriate calculator. Or you can use the services of Math IA writers, which to use is up to you. A scientific calculator lets you do more complex calculations that exceed basic arithmetic, such as trigonometry, logarithm, and probability problems.
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The three most reliable companies for scientific calculators are Texas Instruments, Casio, and Sharp.
Over the decades, these 3 companies have provided students with quality calculators.
While making this list, my goal was to curate the most highly rated scientific calculators that students love and didn’t break the bank either. From the least rated to the highest-rated, here is my list of top 10 scientific calculators.
In this Article
- 10. Casio FX-991ESPLUS Scientific Calculator
- 9. Casio fx-300ESPLS2 2nd Edition Scientific Calculator
- 8. Sharp EL-W516TBSL 16-Digit Advanced Scientific Calculator
- 7. Casio fx-115ESPLS2 White Advanced Scientific Calculator with Natural Display
- 6. Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator
- 5. Casio FX-991EX Engineering/Scientific Calculator
- 4. Casio FX115ESPLUS Scientific Calculator
- 3. Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Engineering/Scientific Calculator
- 2. Casio fx-300ES PLUS Scientific Calculator
- 1. Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView Scientific Calculator
10. Casio FX-991ESPLUS Scientific Calculator
The Casio FX-991ESPLUS is an all-time classic that can still be found on various online stores, including Amazon. It has a sleek plastic construction and comes with a sliding cover, which you can remove and attach to the back.
It has a 2-line display, which Casio calls a “natural textbook display.” While I don’t see the “textbook” feel of the display, it is a clear and bright display that gets the job done. You get all the necessary functions that are expected of a scientific calculator.
Key Features:
- Twin-line 12-digit display
- Multi-replay
- Matrix/vector Function
- S-VPAM Logic
- Physical constants, Metric constants, Polynomial and simultaneous equations, calculus
- Total of 417 functions
- Table function
- Nine variables
- Fraction calculations
- Battery and solar-powered
You can get it here.
9. Casio fx-300ESPLS2 2nd Edition Scientific Calculator
The Casio fx-300ESPLS2 is a highly regarded calculator on our list. It has a simple plastic construction and is light. Same as the previous Casio, this one too comes with a protective case that can be attached to the back while using the calculator.
Key Features:
- Can display fractions, derivatives, integrals, sums, etc., in a style similar to math textbooks.
- Answers can be seen in either fraction form or decimals.
- Can review and edit previous entries.
- Battery-powered with solar backup.
- 262 built-in math functions
- Good for trigonometry, algebra, statistics, fractions, regression analysis, geometry
Get it from here.
8. Sharp EL-W516TBSL 16-Digit Advanced Scientific Calculator
This sharp scientific calculator has a somewhat retro look to it. It has a nice tall LCD that can display four lines and 16 digits at once. I like how crisp and bright the key labels are, unlike Casio calculators. As for functionality, you can pretty much do all kinds of calculations on any top-tier scientific calculator.
Key features:
- Tall 16-Digit 4-Line LCD Display.
- Offers over 640 functions.
- One-press home key allows you to start fresh from any screen.
- Can display and solve a 3-variable linear equation as well as quadratic and cubic equations.
- Solar and battery-powered.
- Seven modes: Stat, normal, drill, complex, matrix, list, and equation.
- Protective hard case.
Get it from here.
7. Casio fx-115ESPLS2 White Advanced Scientific Calculator with Natural Display
The Casio FX-115ESPLS2 is a personal favorite of mine mainly due to its beautiful white color. I personally don’t like black and dark calculators, and this one is a joy to look at. Of course, you won’t be using it as a show-piece, which is why it also performs very well. It has a tall display that can show four lines of text and 16 digits. It can do all the various trigonometry, algebra, geometry, stats, and standard deviation calculations.
Key Features:
- 16-Digit 4 Line LCD Display.
- Can display stacked fractions as you would see them on your textbook.
- Over 280 function
- Can do calculations such as – Statistics, trigonometry, algebra, polar-rectangular conversions, etc.
- Multi-replay feature allows you to scroll through each step of a previous calculation.
- Can perform table functions.
- Matrix and Vector calculations.
- Battery-powered with solar backup.
Get it from here.
6. Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator
The Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator is very simple and reliable. It features a simple 2-line display with a 10-digit capacity. The keys on this calculator are not as congested as some of the previous ones on this list. It can perform many of the functions that a college or high-school student would need.
Key Features:
- 2-Line LCD Display
- Solar and battery-powered
- Fraction calculations, fraction/decimal conversion. Probability, hyperbolic functions, trigonometry, and log functions
- Slide-on hard case
- Edit, cut, and paste entries
Get it from here.
5. Casio FX-991EX Engineering/Scientific Calculator
The Casio FX-99EX has been around for years and has proven itself to be reliable and extremely practical. I especially like the larger numeric keys on this calculator. However, I am not a fan of Casio’s signature yellow on black text; that is somewhat difficult to read. A distinguishing feature of this calculator is its ability to display a QR code, which you can scan with your smartphone and get a graphical representation of your data.
Key Features:
- High-resolution LCD Display
- Capable of displaying 4×4 matrix
- Spreadsheet functionality
- Graphical Representation via QR code
- Two-way power- Battery and Solar
Get it from here.
4. Casio FX115ESPLUS Scientific Calculator
The Casio FX115ESPLUS has over 5000+ five-star ratings for a reason; it is incredibly reliable and simple to use. Like almost all Casio calculators, this one too comes with a protective sliding cover. It has solid yet light plastic construction. The white color of the calculator makes it easy to read the key labels. It can carry out all the trigonometry, algebra, and calculus functions you could want at a college-level math course.
Key Features:
- 2-Line Natural textbook display
- Protective hard case
- Suitable for Trigonometry, Statistics, Algebra, Calculus, engineering, and physics
- Solar and battery-powered
- Decimal to fraction conversion and vice versa
- Scrollable menu
- Stores Answers in memory
Get it from here.
3. Texas Instruments TI-36X Pro Engineering/Scientific Calculator
This Texas Instruments calculator is a longtime favorite of many students in the US. It has over 9000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It has a 16-digit LCD and simple plastic construction. What I like the most about this calculator is its blue text over the black body, which makes the text far more visible than the light yellowish text used by many of Casio calculators, including the ones on this list. Apart from that, it offers all the essential scientific functions that you would expect out of a scientific calculator.
Key Features:
- MultiView display that allows you to view multiple calculations at once.
- MathPrint feature will enable you to view math expressions, symbols, and stacked fractions as you would on a textbook.
- Scroll through entries and make edits as you choose.
- Can convert values from decimals to fractions.
- Battery-powered with solar backup.
Get it from here.
2. Casio fx-300ES PLUS Scientific Calculator
The Casio fx-300ES PLUS is simple and easy to use as a scientific calculator. It comes in its signature blue color but can also be had in pink and blue. It features a 4-line display that can show equations as you would see them on a textbook. It also carries a multi-replay function that allows you to backtrack step-by-step through calculations.
Key Features:
- Natural Textbook LCD 4-line Display
- Multi-replay function
- Solar and battery-powered
- Simplify fractions and roots
- Decimal to fraction conversion and vice-versa
- Prime factorization
- Statistics and linear regression
- Nine constant memory locations
Get it from here.
1. Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView Scientific Calculator
On the very first spot, we have Texas Instrument TI-30XS. This is undoubtedly the most bought and reviewed scientific calculator on Amazon, with over 14000+ total reviews. The design and make of the calculator are very simple yet reliable. It features a 4-line display along with solar backup and MathPrint feature. You can scroll through your calculations step-by-step and review the process. The keys are not cramped up and are comfortable for long sessions.
Key Features:
- Large 4-Line LCD Display.
- MathPrint Feature allows you to enter and view calculations in standard math notation.
- Stacked fractions, exponents, exact square roots, and more.
- Scroll through previous entries and investigate critical patterns.
- Fraction to decimal conversion.
- Edit, cut, and paste entries.
- Solar and battery-powered.
Get it from here.