Walking into the ACT with the wrong calculator can cost you real points. Some questions are built to eat up your time unless you have a tool that can crunch through them quickly, and picking a model that is approved, reliable, and genuinely helpful makes a bigger difference than most students realize.
We get why this choice feels stressful. You want something powerful enough to handle tough problems but simple enough that you are not fighting the buttons during a timed section.
This review breaks down the five calculators we trust most for the ACT. You will get a clear look at what each one does well, who it suits best, and how to match your pick to your study habits. By the end, you will know exactly which one deserves a spot in your test kit.
How We Selected the Best Calculators for ACT
Our team spent weeks comparing models across every major brand approved for the ACT. We factored in classroom input, testing feedback from students who actually sat the exam, and dozens of hours of hands-on use across algebra, geometry, and trig problems pulled from past ACT sections.
Here are the specific factors that shaped our picks:
- ACT approval: Every calculator on this list is confirmed by ACT, Inc. as permitted under the official calculator policy for the math section.
- Display quality: We looked for screens that show expressions the way they appear in textbooks, since misreading an exponent or fraction can tank a whole problem.
- Speed under pressure: Menu depth, key response, and how fast you can jump between functions all got weighed carefully.
- Battery and power setup: Solar backup, rechargeable batteries, and reliable power options were scored on how well they hold up during long study sessions and test day.
- Function range: Each model had to handle trig, statistics, fractions, and exponents at minimum, with bonus points for matrix and equation-solving tools.
- Build and portability: A cover that stays put, buttons that survive heavy use, and a size that fits in a backpack pocket all mattered.
- Price-to-value ratio: We checked whether each calculator earns its cost based on what it actually does for a test-taker.
Every pick below clears these hurdles with room to spare. The lineup covers a wide range of budgets and study styles, so one of these will almost certainly fit you.
Best Calculators for ACT (2026 Expert Review)
Below you will find five calculators that stand out for ACT prep and exam day. Each one brings something different to the table, so read closely to see which matches your needs best.
1. Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE: The Full-Featured Classroom Standard
The TI-84 Plus CE is the graphing calculator most ACT takers end up using, and for good reason. It handles every type of math question the ACT throws at you, from basic algebra through trig and statistics, with preloaded apps that speed up common problem types.
Our team loved the high-resolution color backlit screen. Graphs look crisp, fractions display the way your textbook shows them, and the split-screen lets you compare a table and a graph at once. It is a lot easier on the eyes during long prep sessions.
Build quality feels solid in the hand at just under half a pound, with a slide cover that snaps onto the back so you will not lose it. The rechargeable battery holds a charge for weeks of regular use, which means one less thing to worry about before test day.
This is our top pick for students who want a single calculator that will carry them from high school through early college math. It is approved for the SAT, ACT, AP, and IB exams, making it a long-term investment rather than a one-off purchase.
Key Specs:
- Calculator type: Graphing
- Display: 3.2-inch high-resolution color backlit LCD
- Memory: 3.0MB ROM, 154KB RAM
- Power: Rechargeable lithium battery (included)
- Weight: 0.44 pounds
- Exam approval: ACT, SAT, PSAT, AP, IB
- Color screen makes graphs and menus much easier to read
- Rechargeable battery lasts for weeks between charges
- Works across virtually every high school and early college math course
- Slide cover protects the keys and stores on the back
- Uses Mini-USB instead of USB-C, so you will need the right cable handy
- Costs more upfront than scientific models
If you want graphing power but prefer something more affordable, the next pick is worth a close look.
2. Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView: The Reliable Budget Workhorse
If you need a scientific calculator that punches well above its weight, the TI-30XS MultiView delivers. It uses the MathPrint feature to display stacked fractions, exponents, and exact square roots exactly as you would write them on paper, which cuts down on input errors during timed sections.
Four lines of display may not sound like much, but it is a real advantage. You can enter multiple calculations, scroll back through previous entries, and paste older work into new problems without retyping anything.
It runs on both solar and battery power, which is exactly what you want for a device that will sit in your backpack for months. The toggle key between fractions and decimals is a small detail that saves real seconds on ACT problems.
For students who want a dependable scientific option without paying graphing calculator prices, this is hard to beat. It covers pre-algebra through statistics and general science comfortably.
Key Specs:
- Calculator type: Scientific (non-graphing)
- Display: Four-line, 16-character LCD
- Power: Solar with battery backup
- Weight: 0.51 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.25 inches by 3.38 inches
- Exam approval: ACT, SAT, AP
- MathPrint display shows math the way your textbook does
- Dual solar and battery power means no surprise shutdowns
- Light, compact, and fits easily in a pencil pocket
- No graphing, so it will not help you visualize functions
For readers who want more raw function power in a non-graphing package, keep reading.
3. Casio fx-115ES Plus 2nd Edition: The Function-Packed Scientific Powerhouse
The Casio fx-115ES Plus 2nd Edition crams over 280 functions into a non-graphing scientific calculator, which is genuinely impressive at this price. You get complex number calculations, matrix and vector operations, numerical integration, summation, and polar-to-rectangular conversions built right in.
Looks are clean and compact with a white finish and a slide-on hard cover. The four-line LCD shows 16 digits per line, and the Natural Textbook Display makes fractions, roots, and equations look like they do in your math book.
One of our favorite features is the Multi-Replay function, which lets you step backward through your calculations, edit any expression, and recalculate on the fly. It is a huge time saver when you need to check your work on a tough ACT problem.
Solar Plus technology with battery backup means you will not get stuck mid-study-session. The calculator feels well built, with responsive buttons that hold up under heavy daily use.
Our team found this to be the smartest pick for students heading into engineering, physics, or higher-level math, since it scales well beyond ACT prep into calculus and college courses.
Key Specs:
- Calculator type: Scientific (non-graphing)
- Functions: 280+
- Display: 16-digit, 4-line LCD with Natural Textbook Display
- Power: Solar with LR44 battery backup (included)
- Weight: 6.05 ounces
- Exam approval: ACT, SAT, AP
- Massive function library for the price
- Natural Textbook Display makes complex expressions easy to read
- Solar plus battery combo for reliable power
- Sturdy case keeps it protected in a bag
- No graphing capability
- Lighter shade shows smudges with daily use
The next calculator brings graphing back into the mix at a price that undercuts the big names.
4. Casio fx-9750GIII: The Budget Graphing Alternative
The fx-9750GIII is what happens when a graphing calculator is built to do the job without inflating the price tag. It is approved for the ACT, SAT, AP, and IB, and it handles everything from pre-algebra through AP Statistics and calculus.
Python programming sets this one apart. You can write MicroPython scripts directly on the device or transfer them through the included USB cable, which is a real bonus for STEM-leaning students who want to automate repetitive calculations.
Natural Textbook Display shows equations and results in familiar form, and the calculator supports graph plotting, vectors, probability distributions, spreadsheets, eActivities, and integrals. That is a serious feature set for the price.
Powered by four AAA batteries (included), the fx-9750GIII runs for months of regular use before needing fresh cells. One electrical engineering professor in our research pool specifically praised its ability to handle complex matrices, which is rare in this price range.
Key Specs:
- Calculator type: Graphing
- Display: 12.8 cm LCD with Natural Textbook Display
- Memory: 3MB flash
- Power: 4 AAA batteries (included)
- Connectivity: USB cable included
- Exam approval: ACT, SAT, AP, IB
- Python support for programming-minded students
- Costs significantly less than comparable graphing models
- Handles complex matrices and vectors well
- Comes with protective sleeve and USB cable
- Screen is not backlit, so dim rooms can be tricky
- Keys feel slightly mushy compared to premium models
Our final pick takes a different angle and focuses on maximum function density in a scientific form factor.
5. Sharp EL-W516TBSL: The Loaded Scientific Alternative
The Sharp EL-W516TBSL packs 640 functions across seven distinct modes, including Normal, Statistics, Drill, Complex, Matrix, List, and Equation. That is an unusually wide spread for a scientific calculator, and it gives you flexibility that some graphing models cannot match.
The WriteView 4-line display shows 16 digits and renders expressions as they would appear written out, with fractions, exponents, and roots formatted naturally. A dedicated Home key resets you to a clean screen from any mode, which is handy under test pressure.
We especially liked the three definable memory buttons and eight temporary memory slots, which let you store constants and intermediate results for multi-step ACT problems. The one-press toggle between fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers is another small feature that saves real time.
Solar power with battery backup keeps it running reliably, and the matte black finish with silver accents feels more premium than the price suggests. For students who want maximum function variety without stepping up to graphing, this is a strong value.
Key Specs:
- Calculator type: Scientific (non-graphing)
- Functions: 640 across 7 modes
- Display: 16-digit, 4-line WriteView LCD
- Memory: 8 temporary, 3 definable
- Power: Solar with battery backup
- Exam approval: ACT, SAT
- One of the widest function sets in a scientific calculator
- Home button makes navigation quick and intuitive
- One-press toggle for fractions, decimals, and mixed numbers
- Includes number system conversion (hex, binary, decimal)
- Build feels less premium than competing brands
- Binary conversion limited to 9 digits
With all five picks covered, here is a quick summary to help you compare at a glance.
Best Calculators for ACT: A Quick Rundown
- Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE: Best overall for versatility and long-term use
- Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView: Best value for money among scientific models
- Casio fx-115ES Plus 2nd Edition: Best function-to-price ratio for advanced math
- Casio fx-9750GIII: Best budget graphing calculator with Python support
- Sharp EL-W516TBSL: Best for students who want maximum function variety in a scientific form
Final Thoughts
Picking the right ACT calculator comes down to matching the tool to your study style and future plans. If you are heading into AP coursework or STEM fields, a graphing model will pay off well beyond the test. If you want something simple and reliable, a four-line scientific calculator will serve you just as well on exam day.
Focus on what you will actually use. A calculator loaded with features you never touch is no better than a basic one, and sometimes worse because it slows you down. Think about your budget, your comfort with menus, and how long you want the device to last. Choose with confidence, and let your calculator do what it is built to do: help you earn the score you deserve.