There are four TI-84 models you can still buy, and they are not as different as the prices suggest. This guide compares them side by side and tells you which TI-84 calculator is best for your class, your budget and your exams.
Quick answer
- Newest model: TI-84 Evo. Bigger graphs, faster, USB-C charging and Python.
- Best value: TI-84 Plus CE or CE Python. Color screen, rechargeable, and the keys most teachers and tutorials use.
- Cheapest: a used TI-84 Plus. Black-and-white screen and AAA batteries, but the same core menus.
- All four are allowed on the SAT, ACT and AP exams.
TI-84 Models Compared
Every TI-84 does the same high school math: graphs, tables, statistics, matrices and probability. The differences are the screen, the battery, programming and how new the keyboard is.
| TI-84 Plus | TI-84 Plus CE | TI-84 Plus CE Python | TI-84 Evo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | Black and white, 96 × 64 | Color, 320 × 240 | Color, 320 × 240 | Color, 320 × 240, full-screen graphs |
| Power | 4 AAA batteries | Rechargeable | Rechargeable | Rechargeable, USB-C |
| Programming | TI-Basic | TI-Basic | TI-Basic and Python | TI-Basic and Python |
| Keyboard | Classic layout | Classic layout | Classic layout | New, simpler layout |
| Status in the US | Still sold | Replaced in 2021, easy to find used | Replaced in April 2026, still in stores | Current model since April 2026 |
| Best for | Tight budgets | Value, used deals | Value plus coding | Newest features |
The TI-84 Plus CE Python replaced the TI-84 Plus CE in North America in 2021, and the TI-84 Evo replaced the CE Python on April 28, 2026. Older models like the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition and TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition are no longer made, but they work fine if you find one cheap.
Which TI-84 Calculator Is the Best for You?
The best TI-84 calculator depends on what you need it for. Match your situation to one of these.
You want the newest and fastest
The TI-84 Evo is the best TI-84 for you. The graph fills the whole screen, the processor is faster and it charges with a normal USB-C cable. It also comes with a 4-year license for TI’s online version.
TI-84 Evo
Your teacher uses TI-84 handouts
Get a TI-84 Plus CE or CE Python. Most worksheets, textbooks and video tutorials still show the classic key layout, so every key press will match.
Plus CE
You want to learn coding
The CE Python and the Evo both run Python. Python programs move between them easily.
CE Python / Evo
You need it cheap
A used TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus CE costs much less than a new Evo and does the same math for algebra, geometry, statistics and calculus.
Used Plus / CE
TI-84 Evo vs TI-84 Plus CE: What Changed
The Evo is the biggest change to the TI-84 in years. The math is the same, but some keys and menus moved. That matters if you follow class notes written for the classic layout.
| Feature | TI-84 Plus CE / CE Python | TI-84 Evo |
|---|---|---|
| Graph area | 264 × 165 with a border | 319 × 209, no border (about 50% bigger) |
| Charging | TI USB mini cable | USB-C cable |
| Storage | 3 MB | 3.5 MB |
| Distributions (normalcdf) | 2nd VARS | ALPHA STAT |
| Matrix menu | 2nd x⁻¹ | 2nd VARS |
| APPS key | Yes | Replaced by a fraction key and an icon home menu |
| TI-Basic programs | .8xp files | .8xp2 files, old programs need converting |
| Built-in clock | Yes | No |
The Evo also adds gradian mode and three new regressions. If you already own a working CE, there is no math reason to upgrade. If you are buying new and your class has no old handouts, the Evo is a good choice.
TI-84 Plus vs TI-84 Plus CE
The TI-84 Plus is the older model with a black-and-white screen. The TI-84 Plus CE has a sharp color screen, a rechargeable battery and a thinner, lighter body. Both use the same keys and menus, so a lesson written for one works on the other.
Color helps when you graph two or three functions at once, because each line gets its own color. If you only need a calculator for one class and want to spend as little as possible, the TI-84 Plus still does the job.
Is a TI-84 Allowed on the SAT, ACT and AP Exams?
Yes. The TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus CE and TI-84 Plus CE Python are on the approved lists for the SAT, ACT and AP exams. TI and its partners list the TI-84 Evo as approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP and IB exams too.
On the digital SAT you can also use the Desmos graphing calculator built into the test app, but many students still bring the calculator they practise with. Rules can change, so check the College Board calculator policy before test day.
Cheap TI-84 Calculator Options
Buy usedA used TI-84 Plus or Plus CE is the cheapest real TI-84. Check it with the list below.
Wait for school salesPrices usually drop during back-to-school sales in July and August.
Ask your schoolMany schools lend graphing calculators for the year or for test day.
Use a free online oneFor homework, an online TI-84 can cover you until you buy one.
What to Check Before Buying a Used TI-84
Check the model
The model name is printed above the screen. Make sure it says the model you are paying for, such as TI-84 Plus CE and not TI-83 Plus.
Look at the screen
Turn it on and graph Y=X. Look for dead pixels, dark lines or a dim screen.
Test every key
Press each number and function key once on the home screen. Sticky or dead keys are hard to fix.
Check the battery
On a CE or Evo, ask how long the charge lasts. On a TI-84 Plus, put in fresh AAA batteries.
Reset it
Do a full reset so you start clean. Our guide on how to reset a TI-84 shows the exact steps.
Try a TI-84 Before You Buy
Our TI-84 calculator online uses the classic TI-84 Plus CE layout, so you can test graphs, statistics and menus for free and see if the TI-84 suits you before you spend any money.
Frequently asked questions
Which TI-84 calculator is the best?
For most students, the best TI-84 calculator is the TI-84 Plus CE or CE Python for value, or the TI-84 Evo if you want the newest model. All of them handle high school and college math.
Is the TI-84 Evo worth it over the TI-84 Plus CE?
Only if you want the bigger graph screen, USB-C and the newest keyboard. The math functions are the same, and the CE matches more class handouts.
Is the TI-84 Plus CE Python discontinued?
In the US, the TI-84 Evo replaced it in April 2026. Many stores still sell the CE Python while stock lasts.
Do TI-84 Plus CE programs work on the TI-84 Evo?
Python programs move over easily. TI-Basic programs use a new file type on the Evo, so older programs need to be converted first.
What is the best TI graphing calculator overall?
For high school math and standardized tests, the TI-84 family is the most common choice. The TI-Nspire CX II is more advanced, but its CAS version is not allowed on the ACT.