Saving rates have soared over the past couple of years, but they’ve now started to fall in the wake of the Bank of England cutting its base rate.
With lower returns likely to be a theme of the coming months, you’ll need to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Here, Which? reveals the top rates across instant-access and regular savings accounts as well as fixed-rate bonds. We also recommend the best savings providers based on customer experiences and expert analysis, so you can find the right home for your cash.
Why you can trust our savings account comparison
Real savings customers
We asked 6,008 personal savings account customers about their experiences with 39 different providers.
Expert in-depth analysis
We combine scores for customer satisfaction with our interest rates analysis to find our Which? Recommended Providers.
The best savings rates in January 2026
Our experts regularly scour the market for the best rates so you don’t have to.
See our tables for the latest rates on everything from instant-access accounts to five-year fixes. The top rates are based on an initial deposit of £1,000 (instant-access accounts) or £5,000 (fixed-rate bonds).
Some providers offer a choice of how often interest is paid. Where this applies, we’ve listed all the options available in the ‘Interest paid’ column of each table.
The information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of the savings account provider before committing to any financial products. Please note that minimum and maximum deposit amounts vary, even across products with the same rate, so make sure you consider the full details before you opt for a new account.
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026. No providers in this table had a sample size large enough for us to generate a Provider customer score. (a) 5% AER on balances up to £3,000 for 12 months, after which funds transfer to a Cahoot Savings account at 1%.
Best instant-access savings rates
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026 and based on a balance of £5,000. Provider customer score is based on savers’ overall satisfaction with the brand and how likely they are to recommend it to others. n/a means sample size was too small for us to generate a provider score. (a) The Sunny Day Saver account offers 5% AER on balances up to £3,000 for 12 months, after which funds transfer to a Cahoot Savings account at 1%. (b) The AA Easy Access Savings account includes a bonus rate of 1.2% AER for 12 months, after which the interest rate is 3%.
- Find out more: what are the different types of savings accounts?
Best 1-year fixed bond rates
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026 and based on a balance of £5,000. No providers in this table had a sample size large enough for us to generate a Provider customer score.
Best 2-year fixed bond rates
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026 and based on a balance of £5,000. No providers in this table had a sample size large enough for us to generate a Provider customer score.
Best 3-year fixed bond rates
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026 and based on a balance of £5,000. No providers in this table had a sample size large enough for us to generate a Provider customer score.
Best 4-year fixed bond rates
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026 and based on a balance of £5,000. No providers in this table had a sample size large enough for us to generate a Provider customer score.
Best 5-year fixed bond rates
Table notes: rates sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026 and based on a balance of £5,000. No providers in this table had a sample size large enough for us to generate a Provider customer score.
The best regular savings accounts
Regular savings accounts can offer higher interest rates than other savings accounts, but some require you to have a current account with the same provider.
Unlike fixed-rate bonds or instant-access accounts, which allow you to deposit a lump sum, you’ll be much more restricted on the amount you can pay into a regular savings account. Maximum monthly deposits are typically between £250 and £500.
What’s more, the rates sometimes only apply for a limited time, often 12 months.
Minimum and maximum deposit amounts vary, even across products with the same rate, so check the full details before you choose an account.
Table notes: data sourced from Moneyfacts on 12 January 2026. Provider customer score is based on savers’ overall satisfaction with the brand and how likely they are to recommend it to others. n/a means sample size was too small for us to generate a provider score (a) Existing current account customers only, requires membership with provider or requires you to live in a specific postcode.
The best savings providers
Customer service is an important factor for many people when choosing a savings account. But how do you find a bank or building society that combines great rates with top-notch service?
We asked thousands of savers to rate their bank or building society, enabling us to create unique customer scores for all the major providers.
We’ve also analysed thousands of savings products and given each provider an overall interest rate score, highlighting which companies offer consistently competitive rates. The full results from our most recent analysis are as follows:
Table last updated November 2025. Next update November 2026. The results are based on an online survey of 6,008 members of the public conducted in August 2025. The customer score is based on satisfaction with the brand and likelihood to recommend. Sample sizes in brackets. ‘n/a’ means not enough responses to include a star rating. The interest rate score is based on analysis of Moneyfacts data collected weekly, between 6 June 2025 and 22 August 2025. An interest rate score of 100 represents the market-leading rate.We only generated an interest rate score for providers that offer accounts without opening restrictions. ‘-‘ means we weren’t able to generate an interest rate score.
Which? Recommended Providers for savings
Each year, our analysis allows us to name Which? Recommended Providers (WRPs) for savings. To qualify for a WRP the bank or building society must:
- Achieve a customer score of 70% or above – we calculate this by combining a brand’s satisfaction scores with how likely customers are to recommend the brand.
- Achieve an interest rate score of 80% or above – we calculate this by seeing how far its rates differed from the best rates on the market over 12 weeks.
- Earn a minimum of three stars across star rating categories – such as online banking, communications and customer service.
- Be fully covered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
- Not have significant barriers to opening an account, for example, high minimum deposit rules or opening restrictions.
- Offer products that are available nationally and are not tied to the purchase of another product with the same provider.
This year, our WRPs (in customer score order) are:
Charter Savings Bank
Charter Savings Bank received the highest overall customer score in our survey, as well as five stars for customer service and online banking. Founded in 2015, it does not have a presence on the high street but operates its accounts online.
The bank also received one of the best interest rate scores (90% vs an average of 76%) in our analysis, meaning it consistently offered near market-leading rates.
One happy customer told us: ‘It has consistently offered one of the best rates on the market over the last few years, and is still above most high street banks. The online banking is excellent and the service is always available with no problems.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score
Leeds Building Society
Leeds Building Society achieved an above-average customer score, and savers gave it the full five stars for customer service.
It also did well in our interest rate analysis with a score of 87% (the average for all providers in the analysis was 76%), meaning it consistently offered competitive rates.
Leeds Building Society has a branch network which customers valued. One customer said: ‘Find them very easy to deal with and the branch staff are helpful.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score
Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Online and app-based bank Marcus by Goldman Sachs achieved an above-average customer score, with savers giving it five stars for online banking as well as overall customer service.
It also did well in our interest rates analysis with a score of 83% (vs an average of 76% for all providers in our review).
One customer commented: ‘App is easy to navigate, online banking and customer service is excellent.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score
Aldermore
Aldermore got an above-average customer score. Savers rated it four stars for customer service and communication, and five stars for online banking.
It also excelled in our interest rates analysis, with a score of 85% – the average was 76% for all the providers in our analysis. This means it offered competitive rates over the 12 weeks we checked.
One customer said: ‘[Aldermore] had the best rate at the time of application. Contacted me when the rate was due to expire with my options. Gave me lots of time to consider.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score (joint 12th)
Kent Reliance
This national bank (with a small network of Kent-based branches) achieved an above-average customer score (74% vs 70%), putting it in joint 12th place.
It also did the best of the WRPs during our interest rates analysis with a score of 93% (vs an average of 76% for all the providers we compared). This means it consistently offered near market-leading rates.
One customer said: ‘Good rates, wide range of account options, easy to use website.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score (joint 12th)
Skipton Building Society
Skipton Building Society also got a decent customer score with five stars for customer service and four stars for its online banking experience and communications.
It also excelled in our interest rates analysis with a score of 82% (vs 76% for all providers in our research). This means it consistently offered competitive rates on its accounts during our analysis.
One customer summed it up: ‘Enquiries are answered promptly. Rates are competitive.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score (joint 12th)
Zopa
Zopa is a WRP for the fourth time. It got four stars for customer service, application process, communication and mobile banking, and five stars for its online banking service.
It also did well in our interest rate analysis, with a score of 80%, just above the average of 76%. This means it offered consistently good savings rates during our analysis.
Customers praised how simple Zopa’s app was to use, and many noted it had ‘excellent interest rates’.
out of 39 providers with a customer score (joint 12th)
Yorkshire Building Society
Yorkshire Building Society is a WRP again in 2025. It earned an above-average customer score in our latest survey, and we found it consistently offered competitive rates during our interest-rate analysis, with a score of 84% (vs an average of 76% compared to all providers in the research).
Savers gave it five stars for overall customer service and four stars for its branch service, online banking and contact with customer services.
Customers especially valued that the building society has a network of branches. One respondent said: ‘The staff are kind and patient when dealing with customers.’ While another commented: ‘They have a branch where I can speak to real people face to face instead of a chatbot.’
out of 39 providers with a customer score (joint 17th)
The top savings rates on offer from WRPs
The eight WRPs we’ve picked for savings combine customer satisfaction with competitive interest rates.
Here are the top savings accounts from our WRPs at the moment (ordered by highest interest rate):
Source: Moneyfacts data. Rates correct as of 12 January 2026.
Which savings accounts beat inflation?
Inflation dropped to 3.2% in November 2025 (from 3.6% in October), according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the lowest since June.
Which? analysis of Moneyfacts data on 5 January found 60% of accounts anyone can apply for (including junior Isas and children’s savings accounts), offered rates above November’s inflation figure.
The ONS will next provide an update on inflation (covering December 2025) on Wednesday, 21 January 2026.
- Find out more: which savings accounts beat inflation?
Could you earn more interest from a current account or an investment?
Despite a series of rate cuts on popular interest-paying current accounts, many still offer meaningful returns, albeit only on small balances. You’ll also need to make sure you pay in the required minimum monthly amount to qualify for interest.
For example, Nationwide’s FlexDirect current account is the highest-paying. It currently pays 5% AER on balances up to £1,500, but only for the first 12 months, generating a maximum return of £75. The rate will drop to 1% AER after that. You’re also required to pay in at least £1,000 a month.
You might also consider investing. It can earn you more than a savings or current account, although it doesn’t always. Our guide to the best stocks and shares Isas explains more.
How to transfer your savings to your new account
Once you’ve selected and opened an account, it’s time to transfer your money.
If you’re moving existing savings from elsewhere, you’ll need to check what your options are with your current provider.
Some providers allow you to make a BACS transfer straight to your new account. Others will require you to transfer the money to a current account first.
It may also be possible for your new provider to initiate a direct debit from your old account.
Once you’ve switched savings accounts, don’t rest on your laurels. If the new savings account has an introductory bonus, make a note of when it ends, as you may want to switch again to make sure you’re still getting a good deal.
If it’s a variable-rate account, keep an eye on your rate to make sure it stays competitive.