Best Savings Account UK 2026: How to Pick the Right One

The Personal Savings Allowance is £1,000 (basic rate), £500 (higher rate), or £0 (additional rate) - above that you pay your marginal tax rate on interest

A Cash ISA shelters interest from tax entirely. For higher-rate taxpayers above the PSA, the ISA almost always wins

Best easy-access rates in 2026 are around base rate; fixed-rate bonds typically pay 0.3-0.7% more for locking up 1-2 years

The right account depends on the job: emergency fund (easy access), known goal in 12-24 months (fixed bond), pure tax shelter (Cash ISA)