The best cash ISAs – February 2026
The best cash ISAs can help you make the most of your tax-free savings. But with Rachel Reeves's cash ISA reforms in the Autumn Budget, you may want to take advantage of top rates before they disappear
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In brief:
Cash ISAs from less well-known banks and building societies are offering interest rates higher than the current rate of inflation. When MoneyWeek researched rates in February 2026, it found the best easy-access account allowing penalty-free withdrawals offered 4.3% interest. Savers who don’t need to access their cash can earn up to 4.2% interest by placing it in a one-year fixed-rate account, while two and three-year fixed-rate accounts offer up to 4.15% each.
The best cash ISAs are currently returning inflation-busting rates of up to 4.32%. For those who want to lock in their cash for a set time, fixed-rate cash ISAs are a good place to start.
Every adult in the UK gets a £20,000 tax-free Individual Savings Account (ISA) allowance each fiscal year. However, this is about to change from April 2027.
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While the overall £20,000 allowance isn't changing, savers will need to invest the remaining £8,000 into the UK stock market if they wish to grow their savings.
The best easy access cash ISAs
Easy access cash ISAs do what they say on the tin, letting you access your savings without penalty. You can currently earn up to 4.32% with this type of ISA.
Account | AER | Minimum investment | Flexible ISA? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.32% | £500 | No | Open online | |
4.3% | £1 | No | Open online | |
4.25% | £0 | No | Open online |
The best one-year fixed rate cash ISAs
If you’re happy to lock your cash away without any withdrawals for a year, then you're guaranteed returns of up to 4.2% until your fixed term ends.
Account | AER | Minimum investment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
4.2% | £1,000 | Open online | |
4.2% | £1,000 | Open online | |
4.14% | £1,000 | Open online |
The best two-year fixed rate cash ISAs
If you have savings you’re happy to lock away for at least two years, you’ll find rates on cash ISAs of up to 4.15%.
Account | AER | Minimum investment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
4.15% | £1,000 | Open online | |
Chetwood Bank HL Active Savings - 2 Year Fixed Rate Cash ISA | 4.12% | £1,000 | Open online |
4.1% | £10,000 | Open online |
The best three-year fixed rate cash ISAs
If you wish to lock away your cash for at least three years, the best fixed rate cash ISAs are offering up to 4.15%.
Account | AER | Minimum investment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
415% | £1,000 | Open online | |
4.15% | £500 | Open online | |
4.05% | £1,000 | Open online |
What you need to know about the best cash ISAs
When choosing a cash ISA, there are two main factors to look out for: how long you are comfortable locking your cash up for and the interest rate.
- Easy access ISA accounts allow you to withdraw funds without incurring a penalty.
- Fixed-rate cash ISAs offer a fixed rate of return – usually higher the longer you are prepared to lock your money away. Note: if you withdraw money before the end of the term, then you are likely to be penalised, usually with a reduction in the rate of interest.
Generally speaking, the longer you leave the money untouched, the more interest you can earn. Many ISAs are classed as ‘flexible’, meaning you can replace any funds you withdraw in the same tax year without affecting your annual ISA allowance – which is currently £20,000.
We have an ISA guide to help you learn everything you need to know about how they work, how much you can pay in, what investments you can hold, and how to transfer one.
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