The 5 best credit cards for gamers looking to earn rewards on every purchase

While streaming services have been a big category for spending ever since the start of the pandemic, many Americans have turned to their credit cards to earn rewards for their at-home entertainment.

Credit card issuers took notice and began offering limited-time bonus rewards on groceries, takeout and streaming subscriptions.

Luckily for gamers, some issuers even classify purchases for video game services under their streaming bonus category. An example is Chase, which lists Google Play under its streaming services.

Whether you like to buy video games via streaming, online or in-store, you can use a credit card to earn rewards on both your everyday spending and your gaming purchases.

CNBC Select took a look at some of the best credit cards for gamers and narrowed down our top five picks based on how they reward your gaming spend while also being applicable to the other costs in your life.

Below are our top five credit cards for gamers.

• Amazon Visa
• Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
• PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card
• Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees)
• Target RedCard™

The Amazon Visa lets you earn rewards on everything you buy from Amazon.com. Given the wide selection of video games, consoles and accessories available on Amazon to buy, this card is a smart choice to keep up with your gaming while also earning rewards points on any of your other expenses. 

You earn 3% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market, 2% back at restaurants, gas stations and drugstores and 1% on all other purchases. And if you are an Amazon Prime member,  the Prime Visa offers 5% back at Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market. Prime currently costs $119 for an annual membership or $12.99 per month.

To redeem rewards on the Amazon Visa, you can use Shop with Points to pay for part or all of your purchases at Amazon.com. You can also redeem your points for cash back, gift cards and travel. Like most cards, the redemption rates vary based on how you redeem your rewards.

The card has no annual fee, nor foreign transaction fees. New cardholders receive a $50 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval for the credit card.

The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a solid card for gamers as you'll earn 2% cash rewards on all eligible purchases, as well as the opportunity to earn a $200 cash rewards welcome bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.

In addition, you will have a 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfer fee of 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%, min: $5. This is a great feature to use on large gaming purchases, like buying a new console, as it gives you an extended period to pay it off without incurring any interest.

Lastly, the card also comes with cell phone protection for up to $600 (subject to a $25 deductible) in case your phone is stolen or damaged.

The card has no annual fee.

PlayStation® loyalists should consider getting the PlayStation® Visa® Credit Card. The beauty of this co-branded credit card is that not only do you can earn points for your purchases of PlayStation and Sony products, but also for your cable and internet bills and everywhere else Visa is accepted.

Avid gamers earn 5X points at the PlayStation™ Store and on purchases of PlayStation and Sony products at authorized retailers with purchase confirmation, 3X points on their cable and internet bill payments and 1X point on all other purchases accepting Visa.

There is no annual fee, and new PlayStation Visa Credit cardholders can earn a $75 free game after they activate the card and spend $500 on purchases outside of PlayStation® and Sony within 60 days of account opening. When you use the PlayStation credit card within the first 60 days, you'll also receive a a $50 PlayStation™Store Code for purchases.

This card is really only worth it if you stick to PlayStation; otherwise, consider one of the other cards if you switch up between PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox, etc.

The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card made our ranking of the best credit cards for entertainment spending (along with its counterpart, the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card) because of its focus on entertainment. 

The Capital One SavorOne card is great for gamers because it offers unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment — which includes video rental purchases. You also earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding Walmart® and Target®) and 1% on all other purchases.

You can redeem your cash back for any amount as a statement credit, gift card or at Amazon.com.

The card does not have an annual fee, and new cardholders have the opportunity to earn a one-time $200 cash bonus if they spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of card membership.

For any new purchases you make on the card, there is a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies (3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time; see rates and fees).

The Target RedCard™ may be a store credit card, but it's worthwhile if you frequently shop at Target for its wide variety of games and consoles — or just about anything else. Just make sure you pay off your balance in full at the end of the month so to avoid racking up its high interest rate of 24.40% variable APR.

Target RedCard holders receive a 5% discount at checkout on most purchases in-store and at Target.com. You don't accrue points like other rewards and cash-back credit cards, but it's easy to redeem your discount. There are additional perks for members as well, such as free two-day shipping on eligible orders, additional 30 days for returns and exchanges and cardholder exclusives like receiving a 10% off coupon every account anniversary year when you opt in to Target marketing emails.

The RedCard comes with no annual fee and can only be used on purchases at Target and Target.com.

Information about the Target RedCard, Playstation Visa Credit Card, and Amazon Visa has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication. If you purchase something through the Amazon credit card links, we may earn a commission.