If you’re looking to change your bank account, or even get one or two more in your name, then these current accounts are my latest top picks.

I’ve got 22 different personal current accounts right now. Yes, that’s far too many for most people, but trying them all out really helps me recommend to you the good from the bad.

You could just switch your existing account to get a better deal, or you could open a handful to take advantage of the different offers. Personally I’d look to have at least two accounts just in case of tech failures stopping you from getting access to your cash.

But there are other reasons to look around, from improved banking experiences to rewards to cashback to interest on savings.

To help you decide I’ve shared below my top picks of the best current accounts (click here for a full list of the latest offers).

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You can watch my video round up of the top offers, or keep reading

Best bank account app

Banking apps are improving all the time and the best have features such as freezing your card if it’s lost and features to help you save.

Winner: Starling

This digital bank is the one I’d choose for everyday banking. It makes everything easier. The features to help you track spending and manage your card have been copied elsewhere, but I think Starling does it best.

Alongside these features, you can use it on both app and desktop, you can pay in cheques with your phone, you can deposit cash at Post Offices and more. Here’s my Starling review.

Runner up: Chase Bank

Chase has more similarities with Starling than the big high street banks, and I like its clean look and the ability to create additional accounts with sort codes and account numbers within the app, then choose before paying which one you’ll connect your debit card to.

Best bank account for spending

I’d normally suggest using a specialist credit card for your spending so you’re earning a little cashback with every purchase and also one that won’t charge you for spending abroad – and there’s a current account that does both of these.

Winner: Chase Bank

You can make 1% back on spending for the first 12 months you have with Chase Bank, which is as good as it gets right now (unless you opt for the stoozing method of spending and saving).

There are still a few drawbacks with Chase, so I tend to transfer money across rather than use it as my main bank. That’s no bad thing as it helps you control your spending!

There’s also 5% interest on roundup payments and it’s fee free to use abroad. Here’s my full Chase Bank UK review.

Runner up: Starling or Virgin Money (Overseas spending)

There are a few accounts that won’t charge you to spend or take out cash abroad, so if you don’t have a Chase account it’s worth having one from either Starling or Virgin Money. Here’s more on spending abroad.

Best bank account for your bills

Winner: Santander 123

Only Santander will give you money back each month on your bills – but sadly the better paying Santander 123 Lite account was closed to new customers in late 2022 (if you’ve already got it, then keep using it).

Instead you can choose between the Edge and 123 accounts, and it’s the latter that will probably earn you more cashback each year,

You’ll pay £4 a month but get up to 3% back on household bills such as Council Tax, energy and broadband. Here’s my comparison of the two Santander accounts.

Both are also great options for joint accounts as you can pay those shared expenses from one place.

Runner up: Chase

You can also get cashback on some bills via Chase Bank’s debit card, and also use this to earn money back on other regular subscriptions such as TV and music streaming.

Best bank accounts with rewards

Some accounts will pay you each month, either in cash to your account or with a freebie. You often have to pay a monthly fee and meet other criteria.

Winner: Halifax Reward

Though it takes a little more effort than the runner up, I’ve gone for Halifax as you’ll get a better return.

You can get either £5 a month, 12 cinema tickets or 24 movie rentals as long as you jump through a few hoops. The main one to watch is spending at least £500 on a debit card each month, though there’s a hack to get around this. Plus you can have three of these accounts!

Runner up: Club Lloyds

You’ll get less each month from Club Lloyds – either 6 cinema tickets or 12 movie rentals – but once you’ve set up standing orders you can just leave the account alone. Here’s my full Club Lloyds review.

Best bank account for savings

Current accounts often give you higher rates than elsewhere, though with limits. Here’s my look at the best savings accounts.

Winner: Barclays

The highest interest rate at the moment is from Barclays. You need to add on the Blue Rewards extra (which requires you to deposit £800 a month and have two direct debits), and you can then access a 5.12% paying Rainy Day saver on savings of up to £5,000. Here’s my analysis of Blue Rewards.

Runner up: First Direct

For ongoing savings the highest paying account is from First Direct at 7% AER. You can only add up to £300 a month into this regular saver.

Best bank account with an overdraft

If you use an overdraft you’re probably paying around 40% in interest – far more than it’d cost to borrow elsewhere. So they’re best avoided. But if you are overdrawn then it makes sense to reduce that cost ASAP.

Winner: Nationwide FlexDirect

The best account for a 0% overdraft is Nationwide’s Flex Direct. If you’ve not had the account before you can ask for an overdraft when you apply (you can check what you’d get beforehand), and if successful you’ll get the buffer for 12 months. Here’s my review of the full account.

Runner up: First Direct & HSBC

You can currently get a boosted £500 0% buffer from First Direct, which will drop to £250 after a year. HSBC is also offering the same amount, but it’ll be cut to zero after 12 months.

Best ethical bank account

Winner: Triodos

This account tops the charts on Ethical Consumer’s list of ethical current accounts and it’s hard to beat. However it does come with a £3 a month fee and the app is limited. Here’s my full review.

Runner Up: Nationwide, Starling or Co-op

These banks also score well. As it’s a building society, Nationwide is committed to putting the bulk of its lending towards mortgages so it can’t invest heavily in non-ethical practices. It also has positive policies in place to avoid this.

Starling has the edge over its challenger bank rival Monzo, while Co-op is the top-ranked from the other high-street banks.

Best overall bank

Winner: Starling

Though it doesn’t have any rewards or high-paying interest rates, I’m going to pick Starling simply because it’s the easiest app to use and scores pretty well ethically.

Runner up: Halifax

As an alternative, and if you’re keen to get a high street bank account as your main account, then I think Halifax is worth a shot. The app is pretty decent, and the £60 a year Reward each to gain. Plus there’s a decent (though not best buy) monthly saver at 4.5% and regular switching deals worth £125 to £175. Here’s my full review.

Read next: Other bank reviews

• Halifax Reward account review: Is it any good?
• Club Lloyds review
• Chase Bank UK review
• Santander Edge vs 123 vs 123 Lite review: Cashback current accounts compared
• Barclays Blue Rewards review
• Virgin Money M Plus current account: Is it any good?
• Nationwide FlexDirect current account review
• Monzo bank review
• Starling bank review
• The best bank switching, cashback, interest & overdraft offers