Best Cash Back Credit Cards of 2025
Last updated: July 2, 2026
Cash back credit cards are one of the simplest ways to earn money on purchases you're already making. The best ones require no annual fee, no complicated redemption, and earn at least 1.5–2% on everyday spending. Here's how the top cards compare.
Our top picks
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
One of the best flat-rate cash back cards — earn 1.5% on everything with no annual fee, plus boosted rates on dining and drugstores.
Annual Fee
$0
APR
20.49%–29.24% variable
Welcome Offer
$200 bonus after $500 spend in first 3 months
Pros
- ✓1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases
- ✓3% on dining and drugstores
- ✓5% on travel through Chase
Cons
- ✗Requires good to excellent credit (670+)
- ✗3% foreign transaction fee
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Citi Double Cash® Card
Earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay. No categories to track, no caps, no annual fee.
Annual Fee
$0
APR
19.24%–29.24% variable
Welcome Offer
$200 cash back after $1,500 spend in first 6 months
Pros
- ✓2% flat cash back on everything
- ✓No annual fee
- ✓No rotating categories to track
Cons
- ✗No intro bonus (or small)
- ✗3% foreign transaction fee
- ✗No bonus categories
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Discover it® Cash Back
Earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (groceries, gas, restaurants, Amazon) and 1% on everything else. Discover matches all cash back earned in year one.
Annual Fee
$0
APR
18.74%–27.74% variable
Welcome Offer
Unlimited Cashback Match in first year
Pros
- ✓5% on rotating categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- ✓Cashback Match™ doubles your first year
- ✓No annual fee
Cons
- ✗Must activate 5% categories quarterly
- ✗Discover accepted at fewer merchants abroad
Rates & terms on partner's site. We may earn a commission. Learn more
Blue Cash Everyday® (Amex)
Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, online retailers, and gas stations with no annual fee — ideal for everyday spending categories.
Annual Fee
$0
APR
19.24%–29.99% variable
Welcome Offer
$200 statement credit after $2,000 spend in first 6 months
Pros
- ✓3% at supermarkets (up to $6,000/year)
- ✓3% at U.S. online retailers
- ✓3% at U.S. gas stations
Cons
- ✗3% capped at $6,000/year at supermarkets
- ✗Not ideal for dining or travel
- ✗2.7% foreign transaction fee
Rates & terms on partner's site. We may earn a commission. Learn more
How we chose these picks
Flat Rate vs. Category Cards
Flat-rate cards (like Citi Double Cash at 2%) are best if you want simplicity — one rate on everything, no tracking required. Category cards (like Discover it Cash Back) can earn more, but only if you remember to activate the categories each quarter and spend heavily in them. If you regularly spend at grocery stores, a card like Blue Cash Everyday's 3% can easily outperform a flat-rate card.
How to Maximize Cash Back
The simplest strategy: pick one flat-rate card for everything. The advanced strategy: pair a flat-rate card with a category card — use the category card at grocery stores and gas stations (where it earns 3–5%) and the flat-rate card everywhere else.
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