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Best budget printing calculator

Which budget printing calculator is best?

Whether you are a store manager, an accountant or in some other line of work, you may find a printing calculator essential.  It can save you energy and time and give you the documentation to ensure every item is correctly entered and tallied. And of course, while there are key features you need, you don’t want to spend more than necessary — when you’re running a business, every dollar counts.

The Canon P23-DHV-3 Printing Calculator is a phenomenal choice if you are hunting for an impressive budget printing calculator.

What to know before you buy a budget printing calculator

Functions

Budget printing calculators are only useful if they can actually perform the kinds of calculations you need for your line of work. That’s why it’s important to narrow down the possible models by focusing on the calculators that perform the functions you’ll actually use. 

Type of ribbon 

Calculators can use a couple of kinds of ribbons when they print — twin-spool ribbons and ribbon cartridges. Most budget printing calculators use twin-spool ribbons in red and black. 

  • Twin-spool ribbons are exposed, so they dry out more easily than cartridges and don’t last quite as long.
  • Ribbon cartridges are more expensive and harder to find, but they are also simpler to change and last longer than twin-spool ribbons.

Types of paper

Printing calculators can use thermal paper, enclosed paper rolls or external paper rolls. Thermal paper uses heat instead of ink to print, so it will save you money. Enclosed paper rolls are better protected from contaminants like dust, while external paper rolls leave your calculator susceptible to dust, dirt and damage.

What to look for in a quality budget printing calculator

Size

You should purchase a calculator big enough for your fingers to strike the correct keys and small enough to fit on your desk.

Power

You can power most budget printing calculators by plugging them into an outlet. Some work on batteries, but you will probably need an AC adapter as well, since printing on a battery-powered calculator can quickly run down the batteries.

Antimicrobial coating

Some budget printing calculators have an antimicrobial coating that helps decrease gradual discoloration, odors and bacterial growth.

How much you can expect to spend on a budget printing calculator

Expect to spend $25-50, depending on the calculator’s durability and features. By contrast, higher-priced printing calculators can cost $90-$200 or more.

Budget printing calculator FAQ

Why should you use a budget printing calculator when you already have Excel?

A. Well, why wouldn’t you want to boost your accuracy and improve your productivity by using both? Adding a budget printing calculator makes you more able to effectively perform your tasks.

What is two-key rollover?

A. You might sometimes depress a second key on the calculator before your first finger has entirely lifted off the first key. On low-quality printing calculators, the second key won’t register and you’ll end up entering the wrong number or missing a function. On high-quality calculators, both keys will register in the order they were pressed, reducing the possibility of error.

What makes a budget printing calculator considered heavy-duty?

A. The calculator’s printing speed determines how it is classified. Calculators that print three or fewer lines a second are considered light-duty, those that print three to four lines a second are medium-duty and calculators that print over four lines a second are heavy-duty.

What’s the best budget printing calculator to buy?

Top budget printing calculator

Canon P23-DHV-3 Printing Calculator

What you need to know: This jam-free calculator is economical, compact and perfect for small business owners.

What you’ll love: It runs on four AAA batteries and has stellar accounting abilities, including multicopy reprints and print after correction. It also works well in coworking spaces and home offices.

What you should consider: Its ink can dry out fairly quickly.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples

Top budget printing calculator for the money

Casio HR-10RC Printing Calculator

What you need to know: This portable and convenient printing calculator has a wonderful user-friendly design.

What you’ll love: This inexpensive calculator is perfect for entrepreneurs and small businesses and reprints several copies more quickly than most other models. It also makes currency-exchange and tax calculations with one button.

What you should consider: Its button design feels fairly cramped, which can lead to accidental keystrokes.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples

Worth checking out

Casio HR-200RC Printing Calculator

What you need to know: This simple-to-read budget printing calculator from CASIO features dark-on-light and extra large digits on the display.

What you’ll love: The big numerical display on this CASIO budget printing calculator is simple to read, with a dual-color output that prints out negative numbers in red. The correction system on the calculator enables you to fix any errors before printing.

What you should consider: The correction system that comes with this printing calculator can make simple calculations more difficult.

Where to buy: Sold by Amazon and Staples

 

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Alex Kilpatrick writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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