Best easy-access savings accounts – earn up to 4.5%
Easy-access savings accounts are offering inflation-busting rates of up to 4.5% on your cash savings, but they won't last for long. We look at the best interest rates on the market now
If you need flexibility with your cash, easy-access savings accounts are a good place to start.
These accounts typically offer top savings rates while allowing you to make penalty-free withdrawals, making it a good option for those who want an emergency fund to cover any unexpected costs.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
All the banks featured here are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), meaning up to £120,000 of your savings are protected should a bank or financial firm go bust.
Best easy-access savings accounts
Dudley BS 2 Access Bonus Saver – 4.25% AER
You can save from £1,000 to £500,000 in this double-access saver from Dudley BS. It means that only two instant withdrawals are permitted within a 12-month period, after which your interest rate will drop to 3.6%. Moreover, just £120,000 of your savings are eligible for FSCS protection. Interest is paid annually. The account can be opened at a branch or via post.
Manchester BS Manchester Rainy Day Saver – 4.25% AER
Manchester Building Society’s Rainy Day Saver can be opened with just £1, and you can save up to £1 million. But only £120,000 of your savings are eligible for FSCS protection. You’re allowed one penalty-free withdrawal each year, after which your rate will drop to 1.9%. It’s also worth noting that the rate on this account will drop to 4.15% on 21 January 2026. You can open the account online or in person. Interest is paid annually.
Mansfield BS Triple Access Bonus Saver – 4.25% AER
This account from Mansfield BS pays 4.25% if you save between £1 and £400,000, of which only £120,000 is eligible for FSCS protection. The interest rate includes a 1% bonus that is fixed for the first 12 months, after which it reverts to 3.25%. You can access your funds thrice each calendar year, and open the account in person or via post. Interest is payable annually.
Sidekick Multi Shield – 4.23% AER
This saver can be opened online with a minimum balance of £10,000. The interest rate is 4.23% (variable) and includes a 1% bonus for six months on your first £120,000. It's worth noting that Sidekick partners with UK-regulated banks to provide its savings products. The rate is also a blended rate, which means that your first £120,000 is deposited at a higher rate partner bank, the second £120,000 at the next highest rate bank, and so forth. Since the above deal lets you allocate your funds across multiple banks, it is eligible for FSCS protection of up to £360,000. It is operated by Bondsmith.
AA Easy Access Savings – 4.2% AER
AA Savings is provided by NatWest Boxed. The savings account includes a 1.2% fixed bonus for the first 12 months. You can get 4.2% on your money provided you save up to £1 million. There is no minimum balance; however, keep in mind that only £120,000 of your funds will be protected under the FSCS. You can withdraw up to £10,000 per transaction, and £20,000 over a rolling 24-hour period. Interest is calculated daily basis and paid monthly. You can open the account online.
Spring Easy Saver – 4.11% AER
Earn a variable 4.11% on your savings between £10 and £500,000. Note that only £120,000 is FSCS protected. You will have 28 days to fund your account. The account can be opened on the Spring app, and interest is paid monthly.
Vida Savings Defined Access – 4.11% AER
This savings account will let you earn 4.11% interest on deposits from £10 to £85,000. Interest is paid annually and can be either paid out or compounded. You can withdraw money from this account up to four times a year without incurring a lower interest rate. The account can be opened and managed online.
DF Capital Easy Access Account – 4.1% AER
You can open this account with £1,000 and save a maximum of £250,000. The FSCS protects up to £120,000 of your deposits. You have the freedom to withdraw money, but you must give one working day's notice and the minimum withdrawal amount is £1,000. The saver can be opened online, but can be managed either by phone, email or using internet banking. Interest is paid monthly into a nominated bank account.
Vanquis Bank Triple Access Saver Account – 4.08% AER
You can start investing from £1,000 and go up to £250,000 to earn this variable rate with Vanquis Bank. Only up to a total of £120,000 is protected under the FSCS. Up to three penalty-free withdrawals are allowed, after which your rate will drop to 2.25%. The account can be opened online. Interest is paid at maturity.
Charter Savings Bank Easy Access – 4.06% AER
Open this account with £1 and save up to £1 million, but keep in mind that only £120,000 of your deposit will be protected by the FSCS. Interest is paid annually on maturity and you can open the saver online.
How do easy-access savings accounts work?
Easy-access savings accounts let you flexibly save your cash, by making as many withdrawals as you like without incurring a penalty.
You will earn a variable interest rate, which means that the provider can increase or decrease the rate on your savings account as they choose, which is usually the case when the Bank of England cuts the base rate.
If a market-leading account that you opened a few months ago is not offering a good rate anymore, it's worth shopping around regularly to ensure your savings are working as hard as possible.
When can I withdraw money with easy-access savings accounts?
Traditionally, easy-access accounts should give you unlimited and flexible access to your savings.
However, there is now a trend for savings accounts to restrict the number of withdrawals – while still calling the account "easy-access". If you breach the limits, the penalty is normally a loss of interest, or falling onto a lower interest rate.
It means you'll need to look carefully at any restrictions on withdrawals (which could limit the frequency or the amount you take out) before opening an easy-access account.
-
The shape of yields to comeCentral banks are likely to buy up short-term bonds to keep debt costs down for governments
-
The sad decline of investment clubs – and what comes nextOpinion Financial regulation and rising costs are killing off investment clubs that once used to be an enjoyable hobby, says David Prosser
-
Brits leave £31.6 billion in savings accounts paying 1% interest or less – do you need to switch?Eight million Brits hold money in savings accounts that pay 1% interest or less, meaning the value of their cash is being eroded by inflation.
-
Buying vs renting: is is better to own or rent your home?The higher mortgage rates of recent years have actually made renting comparatively cheaper, analysis suggests. But there are hidden costs to long term renting.
-
Hargreaves Lansdown launches first cash ISA – how does it compare?Hargreaves Lansdown is offering an own brand cash ISA for the first time with their new easy-access account. How does the interest rate compare to other products?
-
Is Britain heading for a big debt crisis?Opinion Things are not yet as bad as some reports have claimed. But they sure aren’t rosy either, says Julian Jessop
-
‘My NS&I one-year British Savings Bond is maturing – what should I do with my savings?Thousands of savers will see their fixed-rate savings accounts mature next month. We consider whether you should stick with NS&I or move to a competitor
-
How to pay in a chequeReceiving or writing a cheque has become much less common in recent years as instant bank transfers have grown in popularity. Amid widespread bank branch closures, we explain what to do if you get a cheque, and how you can pay one into your bank account.
-
‘Current account coasters’ are leaving billions of pounds languishing in low interest accountsThe average saver with £10,000 or more in their zero interest current account is missing out on over £1,500 in potential interest payments, new research has revealed.
-
Best inflation-beating savings accounts to make your money work hardWe explore the savings accounts that can best protect your money from inflation
