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While savings rates are lower than they were a few years ago, you can still find inflation-beating deals on the market and make your money work hard for you.
You shouldn’t judge a savings account solely by its top rate, but rather check whether it fulfils your needs – both short-term and in the long run. This includes looking at whether there are any restrictions on withdrawals or bonus rates, which could mean the rate quickly drops when the boost comes to an end.
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The Bank of England held interest rates again at its latest meeting, so if you want a competitive rate on your cash, you may need to act quickly.
Below, we look at the top rates for notice savings, easy-access savings, fixed bonds, regular savings and cash ISAs.
Note: All the banks we mention in this article are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, meaning up to £120,000 of your savings are protected should a bank or other financial services company go out of business.
There are several different types of savings accounts to choose from.
Easy access savings accounts: These allow you to take your money out as and when you please. However, some come with restrictions on withdrawals, which can mean you can’t immediately access all of your money in the account in an emergency. For instance, you may only make same-day withdrawals if done before a particular timeframe, or you may only be permitted a limited number of withdrawals before the rate on your account drops.
Fixed-rate savings accounts: These come with restrictions, so you can’t access your cash until the account reaches maturity; otherwise, you may face a hefty penalty. You usually earn more interest if you are willing to lock your cash away for a fixed period, but keep in mind that this also takes away flexibility should you need the cash suddenly. Here's how much you should have in emergency savings.
Regular savings accounts: Regular savers reward customers who are ready to commit to a consistent savings habit. These are usually the top-paying savings rates in the market, but can also come with withdrawal restrictions and are usually fixed for a certain time. We look at whether easy access or regular savings accounts give you the best return in a separate piece.
Individual savings accounts (ISAs): These are a type of ‘tax wrapper’ into which you can put cash or investments. Currently, you have a £20,000 limit on how much you can set aside into an ISA. We look at how many ISAs you can have in a separate guide.
If you aren’t saving in this type of account, you could be forced to pay tax on interest. We look at ways to shelter your money from the savings tax trap.
If you’re looking to switch your current account, take a look at our guide to the best bank switching offers.
What is the maximum amount protected by the FSCS in the UK?
The current Bank of England base rate is 3.75%. Interest rates were held at that rate in July. The next decision from the Bank of England will be announced on 17 September 2026.
This article is updated regularly to bring you the latest on the best savings rates. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all the latest deals for cash savings.
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Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Oojal has a background in consumer journalism and is interested in helping people make the most of their money.
Oojal has an MA in international journalism from Cardiff University, and before joining MoneyWeek, she worked for Look After My Bills, a personal finance website, where she covered guides on household bills and money-saving deals.
Her bylines can be found on Newsquest, Voice.Cymru, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from politics and LGBTQIA+ issues to food and entertainment.
Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.
