Best inflation-beating savings accounts to make your money work hard
Inflation rose in December, but is forecast to fall in 2026. We list some of the top savings accounts in terms of rates, where your money will grow in real terms.
Inflation rose to 3.4% in the 12 months to December, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The month-on-month 0.2 percentage point rise was in line with analyst expectations as the Christmas period pushed some prices up.
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An increase to tobacco duty also helped fuel the rise in inflation as alcohol and tobacco prices rose by 5.2% in the 12 months to December – a sharp increase from 4% in the 12 months to November.
The latest data from Moneyfacts shows the average interest rate for a savings account is 3.33%, 0.07 percentage points below December’s level of inflation.
The top easy-access savings account on the market right now is Chase’s Saver With Boosted Rate, which pays an interest rate of 4.5%, inclusive of a 2.23% boost for 12 months. It beats inflation by 1.1 percentage points.
To get the deal, you must be a new Chase current account customer and open the saver within 31 days of opening your account. You can put a maximum of £3 million into the savings account with withdrawals allowed.
Caitlyn Eastell, personal finance analyst at Moneyfacts, said: “Inflation is set to fall this year, reaching its target around mid-2026. This will be promising news for savers’ returns as they could grow in ‘real’ value.
“However, pair this with tumbling savings rates and savers may find themselves in a similar situation where their accounts are struggling to keep pace.”
The below accounts are the best on the market for someone saving £10,000 and are all FSCS-protected, according to Moneyfacts.
Which are the best savings accounts to beat inflation?
Best easy-access savings accounts
Chase Saver With Boosted Rate | 4.5% | Rate includes 2.23% bonus for 12 months |
Mansfield BS Triple Access Bonus Saver | 4.25% | Rate includes 1.00% bonus for 12 months |
Sidekick Multi Shield | 4.23% | Rate includes 1.00% bonus for 6 months from £10,000 to £120,000. |
Manchester BS Rainy Day Saver | 4.15% | Maximum investment £1,000,000 |
Best easy-access cash ISAs
Trading 212 Cash ISA | 4.33% | Rate includes 0.73% bonus for 12 months |
Moneybox Cash ISA | 4.32% | Rate includes 0.84% bonus for 12 months |
Plum Cash ISA | 4.32% | Rate includes 1.76% bonus for 12 months |
Atom Bank Easy Access Cash ISA | 4.25% | Maximum investment £20,000 each tax year. No overall maximum. |
Best one-year fixed savings accounts
Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 4.55% |
OakNorth Bank Meteor Savings | 4.35% |
AlRayan Bank Raisin UK | 4.32% |
Best one-year fixed cash ISAs
AlRayan Bank Meteor Savings | 4.2% |
Shawbrook Bank | 4.14% |
Investec Save | 4.12% |
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