10 Best Calculators 2026 in the United States

The HP 10bII+ is a financial calculator designed mainly for students and professionals dealing with business, finance, accounting, and statistics. It offers over 100 functions, including time value of money, loan calculations, cash flows, and probability distributions, making it very capable for real-world math tasks in its category. The calculator uses a clear, non-backlit display that is easy to read in most lighting conditions, though it might be harder to see in very dim environments. Powered by a single battery, it’s lightweight and portable, coming with a protective case and cleaning cloth for convenience and durability.

Its key strength lies in its user-friendly layout and dedicated keys for common financial and statistical functions, which simplify calculations without the need to memorize formulas. This makes it accessible for high school and college students preparing for exams like the SAT and AP, as it is officially approved for those tests. However, since it uses algebraic logic rather than more advanced input methods like RPN, users unfamiliar with financial calculators might need some practice to get comfortable.

Although it doesn’t have a backlit screen or solar power, the battery life tends to be reasonable for everyday use. The build quality is solid enough for regular school or office use, but it’s not designed for heavy industrial environments. For those needing a straightforward, reliable financial calculator for educational or professional use, the HP 10bII+ covers essential functions and exam requirements well, balancing ease of use with a broad feature set.

The Sharp EL-1801V Ink Printing Calculator offers impressive features that cater well to anyone needing a reliable tool for accounting and financial calculations. One of its standout aspects is the large 12-digit blue fluorescent display, which makes reading figures easy, even in less-than-ideal lighting. The two-color ink printer, with a speed of 2.5 lines per second, allows for clear and accurate record-keeping. Its one-touch change calculation function is a great time-saver, particularly useful for quick adjustments or corrections during calculations.

For professionals in finance, retail, or anyone who needs to calculate costs, sell prices, and margins efficiently, the dedicated keys for these functions, along with the grand total and average calculations, enhance productivity. The calculator's durability is commendable, designed to withstand daily use, making it a solid option for office environments.

There are a few points to consider. Since it operates on AC power, it may not be ideal for mobile use or places without a power outlet. Additionally, while the ink roller can be replaced, users need to factor in the cost of replacements over time, which might affect long-term usability. The design, being somewhat bulky compared to handheld models, could also be a consideration if space is limited.

The HP Prime Graphing Calculator is a powerful tool designed for students and anyone needing advanced math capabilities. It features a bright 3.5-inch multi-touch color display, which makes viewing graphs and equations more interactive and easier to understand thanks to pinch-to-zoom and touch controls. This calculator stands out with its Computer Algebra System (CAS), allowing you to work symbolically with equations—something very useful for higher-level math like calculus and algebra. It's approved for major exams like the SAT, AP, and IB, making it suitable for high school and college use.

Powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it avoids the hassle of constantly replacing batteries, and its durable brushed metal design with a slide-on cover helps protect it during everyday use. The calculator also supports wireless connectivity and app integration, so teachers can interact with students during class and you can access calculator features on your phone or computer.

With 256 MB of memory, it can store many programs and data, which is great for creating customized calculations or saving exam setups. However, its advanced features and touchscreen might have a learning curve for beginners or those used to simpler calculators. It is also a bit heavier and larger compared to basic models, which might affect portability. The HP Prime is a feature-rich graphing calculator suited for students taking advanced math courses or exams, offering great display quality, strong functionality, and modern connectivity options, though it may take some time to get familiar with all its capabilities.