Taking a statistics class or planning on majoring in the subject? You'll need a calculator for statistics to help you figure out common problems like the median, mean, and standard deviation. Some people also use statistical calculators for work or personal reasons, especially if consumer research and sample data sets are involved.
Our top 10 list, including the number one pick, Texas Instruments' TI-36X, reveals what types of functions and features you can expect to gain from a statistics calculator. Plus, read through our buying guide for details on how to narrow down your choices when purchasing calculators for statistics. Learn more in the information we've provided below.
Quick List - Top Calculators For Statistics
Texas Instruments
Good for High School and College-Level Courses
Casio
Advanced Scientific Calculator for Comprehensive Mathematical Applications
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If you’re taking a statistics course or decide to major in math, you will need a calculator that can help you figure out sample sizes, averages, variances, and standard deviations quickly. While some of these functions are available within programs like MS Excel and Excel add-ons, a calculator can help you perform them when you don’t have access to a computer or statistical software.
A statistical calculator may be required by your instructor or college to complete courses, and you may need one during exams. These calculators, when used with your course textbook, teach you how to manually enter the data variables necessary for statistical calculations.
However, if you're using a statistics calculator in a professional role, you'll probably be able to get away with shorter, pre-programmed formulas that are essential to business decision-making than textbook-perfect formulas.
Choosing a calculator for statistics involves evaluating your needs, considering the display type, and what functionalities will work best for your coursework or professional responsibilities.
Statistics calculators vary according to grade level and purpose. For instance, some calculators are geared toward high school students and others toward college-level business statistics classes. Options may offer statistical calculations and functionalities for exams like the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and Cambridge International Examinations.
If you need to select a statistics calculator for a class, your instructor may have a list of specific models that are acceptable. This is because the instructor will usually craft the content of the course, assignments, and exams around the calculator's capabilities.
The instructor’s recommendations may also be because they have researched which calculators will match the course’s content.
If you’re purchasing a statistics calculator for professional or personal reasons, a calculator designed for business statistical functions will usually be sufficient. Some of the more common functions include mean, mode, standard deviation, and linear regression.
Determine if you need other mathematical functions, such as trigonometry, general math, and algebra. Some statistics calculators have multiple functional areas of mathematics, while others focus on general math and statistical calculations only.
While the display area is relatively similar across calculators, some offer high-resolution or LCD displays that enhance the appearance of the on-screen calculations. Some screens allow you to scroll, preview, and edit figures and calculations while you’re working on problems. This can add convenience if you make a small mistake or want to double-check your work.
Other calculators have displays that integrate with a course’s textbook or materials, displaying formulas, fractions, and logarithms as the materials show them. This can enhance the learning process, making it more consistent and reducing confusion.
Some calculators’ displays have multiple lines where you can compare more than one calculation. This can help you see the differences between things like the mean and the mode or the sum, variance, and standard deviation.
Some statistical calculators can make QR codes so that you can pull up work and calculations on smartphones and tablets. If you need to print your work or embed your calculations into papers or other documents, the ability to generate QR codes can become invaluable.
These features, such as memory functions, power sources, and programming options, vary between models. We will discuss some of the most important differences below.
Statistical calculators usually come equipped with memory for different users and calculations. Some calculators have space for five spaces for numbers and equations you want to have on hand, and others have up to 10 user memory spaces in case you need to work with values from multiple or complex calculations.
You can store work under these spaces if you need to temporarily store a calculation and refer back to it. This is usually necessary for complex calculations or problems where you have to figure out multiple variables.
Some calculators run primarily off of solar power with a battery backup. Others exclusively use batteries. Although batteries in calculators can last for several years or longer, having a solar power option can reduce the need for battery replacements.
However, you may want to always have a charged battery since you may lose work if your calculator runs out of solar power during use.
Statistical calculators with programmable keys and menu functions let you process repetitive calculations more efficiently, but some calculators with programmable features may not be allowed for exams. This is because programmable features make it easier to store answers and facilitate cheating.
Spreadsheet, matrix, and vector functions can be advantageous for more complicated calculations. You will also want to consider the number of preprogrammed functions available on the calculator. Some models also allow you to create and plot graphs, which can be helpful if you need to show regression analysis models and trends.
Think about interactive and intuitive menus, too. An understandable menu can shorten your learning curve and make it easier to access the functions you need. Some calculators also come with online tools and apps that help you learn how to use their capabilities.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Texas Instruments Pro/Engineering Scientific Calculator|TI-36X | ![]() | Good for High School and College-Level Courses | |
2 | Casio Standard Scientific Calculator|FX-991EX | ![]() | Advanced Scientific Calculator for Comprehensive Mathematical Applications | |
3 | CATIGA Scientific Calculator with Graphic Functions|CS-229 | ![]() | Built-In Graphing Capabilities | |
4 | Sharp 16-Digit Scientific Calculator | ![]() | A Straightforward Option With a Hardcover Case | |
5 | Texas Instruments Graphing Calculator|TI-89 | ![]() | A USB for Easy File Sharing | |
6 | Texas Instruments Multiview Scientific Calculator|TI-30XS | ![]() | Good for High School Courses and Simple Statistics | |
7 | Casio Graphing Calculator|fx-9750GII | ![]() | Icon Menu and Large Characters for Easy Viewing | |
8 | Texas Instruments Color Graphing Calculator|TI-Nspire CX II | ![]() | Features a Color Screen and Software Bundle | |
9 | Casio Prizm Color Graphing Calculator|FX-CG50 | ![]() | Three-Dimensional Graphing Capabilities | |
10 | Sharp Advanced Scientific Calculator|EL-W516TBSL | ![]() | Good for General Statistics |
The TI-36X can perform statistical calculations at the high school through college levels. There are not any graphing capabilities, but the calculator is MathPrint compatible. This means the calculations are displayed as they appear in course textbooks. Is permitted for use during the SAT, ACT, and AP exams too.
Some reviewers found the keys difficult to read and others found them hard to use. However, most reviewers appreciated its solar power and that it doesn't run through batteries quickly. They also liked that it performs quickly, producing solutions to complex calculations and problems in little time.
The fx-991EX scientific calculator is equipped with a high-resolution LCD and offers a wide array of advanced functions tailored for complex mathematical tasks including integration, differentiation, matrix operations, and statistical analysis. It features an intuitive icon-based menu and Natural Textbook Display™ for easy input and viewing of mathematical expressions, enhancing user convenience and comprehension. The calculator supports up to 552 functions, including spreadsheet calculations and the ability to solve equations with up to four unknowns, making it suitable for both middle and high school students tackling advanced math courses. Additionally, its innovative QR code feature allows users to visualize equations on external devices such as smartphones or tablets, expanding learning possibilities beyond the calculator itself. Powered by both solar and battery sources with a durable design, the fx-991EX ensures reliable performance and longevity, making it a versatile tool for educational environments requiring robust computational capabilities.
Over 280 functions are available with this calculator! The CS-229 allows you to make graphs, trace and draw them, and use pre-loaded templates. You can also use the calculator for problems that appear on the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.
Some reviewers said the screen is hard to read. But, more reviewers noted that this calculator is good for middle and high-schoolers. They also said that the buttons are intuitive, and they appreciated the color options.
This calculator handles statistical calculations, including seven regression types. It is surrounded by a hardcover case for extra protection against drops or shuffling around in a bag or backpack. The display features four lines and large characters for easier viewing.
A few reviewers noted that keys are not easy to read. The majority of reviewers, however, stated that the calculator works well for school and professional use. They liked that the functions are easy to understand with a little instruction.
The TI-89 can handle statistics and graphs, in addition to featuring 2.7 megabytes of flash memory. It also has a USB port that allows you to transfer data from the calculator to computers and other calculators. The calculator can be used to solve problems on the SAT and AP exams.
One group of reviewers ran into longevity issues, ranging from battery corrosion to the screen not displaying or turning on. Overall, a larger group of reviewers were impressed with the ability to share data and calculations with fellow students. They also reported that this calculator is easy to use and liked that it handles advanced problems.
This calculator can handle one and two-variable statistical calculations. It is acceptable to use with the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. The multiview feature lets you enter in more than one calculation and view them side by side. It has a four-line display too.
Some reviewers noticed the calculator produces incorrect results if calculations were not set up in certain ways. However, the majority of reviewers were pleased with the overall abilities of this calculator, saying it's good for basic math. They also said the display is easy to read and it has good battery life.
Casio's fx-9750GII calculator can compute simple to more advanced calculations, including regression analyses. The characters on the screen are large for easy viewing, and there is an icon-based menu for those who prefer graphics.
A small group of reviewers said that the packaging is difficult to open. However, most reviewers liked that this calculator has the same functions as more expensive models, like the TI series. They also reported that this device is user-friendly.
This graphing calculator can compute statistics and display graphical representations of the results. It comes with a software package that expands the graphing capabilities of this calculator. There are 15 different colors and six graph styles you can use to differentiate the look of graphs.
One small group of reviewers found it difficult to understand and sync with other computing devices. But the majority of reviewers were impressed with the graphing capabilities and liked that they can perform advanced calculations.
This Casio calculator graphs calculations in 3D. It also features a natural textbook display that shows numerical values in the same way a course's textbook does. You can also use the icon menu and plot regression analyses from statistical variables.
A few reviewers complained about problems with the longevity of the device. On the other hand, a larger group of reviewers were pleased with the calculator's graphing capabilities and color display. They thought the calculator was simple to understand and liked the fast processing.
Sharp's advanced scientific calculator can handle basic and general statistical calculations. There are 640 functions available within the device's menu. This calculator is also shielded by a hard protective case and has a stat mode. The display lets you view your calculations and make adjustments on-screen.
A few reviewers complained that this calculator is hard to understand, saying it's difficult to know how to use the various keys. A lot of reviewers, however, liked how lightweight the calculator is and said that it works well for high school and college coursework.
When you're headed back to the classroom, you need the right tools to set you up for success. Be sure to read about our other recommendations for notebooks, planners, and more!
No. 1: Texas Instruments|Pro/Engineering Scientific Calculator|TI-36X
No. 2: Casio|Standard Scientific Calculator|FX-991EX
No. 3: CATIGA|Scientific Calculator with Graphic Functions|CS-229
No. 4: Sharp|16-Digit Scientific Calculator
No. 5: Texas Instruments|Graphing Calculator|TI-89
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