Best savings rates – earn as much as 4.5%

If you're looking for the best savings rates, you can earn as much as 4.5% with the top easy-access account, 4.4% with a one-year fixed bond or 7.5% with a top regular saver.

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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With the Bank of England’s interest rate cut in December, top savings deals have been tumbling, so if you want to get a competitive rate, 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.

Best notice savings rates

The best easy-access savings rates

Best regular savings accounts

The best one-year fixed rates

The best two-year fixed rates

The best three-year fixed rates

The best easy-access cash ISAs

The best one-year fixed rate cash ISAs

The best two-year fixed rate cash ISAs

The best three-year fixed rate cash ISAs

Types of savings accounts

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.
• 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.

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, where you can earn as much as £750.

What is the maximum amount protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK?

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects up to £120,000 of your savings and investments if a financial institution goes bust.

Previously, the limit was £85,000 for sole accounts and £170,000 for joint accounts, but it was raised to £120,000 and £240,000 respectively in December 2025.

All accounts listed above are eligible for FSCS protection. You can check if your account is protected online on the FSCS website.

What is the current Bank of England base rate?

The current Bank of England base rate is 3.75%. Interest rates were cut in December 2025, to the lowest level in nearly three years.

The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee meets eight times a year to set rates, which have been falling gradually since August 2024. Many analysts project rates to continue falling in 2026, though at a slower pace.

The decision from the next Bank of England base rate meeting will be announced on 5 February 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.