Best unsecured credit cards for bad credit in 2026

If you have poor credit, you won't be eligible for the best credit cards on the market. Secured credit cards can help you get your credit back on track, but they require a deposit to open. Luckily, several easy-to-get credit cards can help you rebuild your credit without an upfront deposit, even if you have bad credit.

When comparing unsecured credit cards for bad credit, it's important to pay close attention to the fees. This type of card can have an annual fee, a monthly fee and sometimes even a fee to open the card.

CNBC Select analyzed unsecured credit cards available to those with bad credit to determine the best options with reasonable fees. (See our methodology for more information on how we chose these cards.)

Who's this for? The Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit is a good choice if you have poor credit and want to earn rewards.

Standout benefits: You can earn 1% cash back on the following categories: eligible gas and grocery purchases and monthly mobile phone, internet, cable, and satellite TV services. You'll get a minimum credit line of $300, and your account is regularly reviewed for opportunities to increase your credit limit. The card does have an annual fee of $75 for the first year, then $99 each year after (billed at $8.25 per month).

Who's this for? With the Discover it® Student Cash Back, college students can start building credit while earning 5% cash back on a rotating selection of categories.

Standout benefits: Each quarter, you can earn 5% back on the first $1,500 in purchases within activated rotating bonus categories (then 1%, see Discover's 5% cash-back calendar)

Who's this for? The Prosper® Card is a great fit if you're frequently at the ATM. There's no ATM fee and it's accepted at any machine that takes Mastercard.

Standout benefits: If you're approved for the Prosper card, you'll get access to 50% of your credit line with a digital version of the card before your physical card arrives. Plus, your account will be automatically reviewed to see if you qualify for a credit line increase.

Who's this for? If you're applying for the Chase Freedom Rise®, having at least $250 in a Chase checking or savings account can increase your chances of being approved.

Standout benefits: For a limited time, earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, on up to $6,000 spent in the first six months from account opening. This card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases and offers a $25 statement credit when you sign up for automatic payments. Plus, each year you're automatically evaluated to see if you qualify for a product upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees).

Who's this for? If you're on the hunt for an unsecured credit card with very few fees, the Tilt Motion Card doesn't have annual fees, foreign transaction fees or a membership fee of any kind. It does charge up to a $40 late payment fee, though.

Standout benefits: You can prequalify for this card with no impact to your credit, so you'll have an idea of how likely you are to be approved before applying. The card doesn't guarantee rewards, but you can earn anywhere from 1% to 10% cash back at select retailers.

It's difficult to find affordable unsecured credit cards if you have bad credit. If you can manage the upfront refundable security deposit, there are secured credit cards that give you the same opportunity to build your credit — and some are significantly more rewarding.

Best for low deposits: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Regardless of whether you're approved for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card with a $49, $99 or $200 minimum deposit, your line of credit will be a minimum of $200. After a period of responsible card usage, you may be upgraded to an unsecured Capital One Platinum Credit Card and have your deposit returned.

Best for maximizing cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card

The U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured Visa® Card has a minimum security deposit of $300, but you won't pay an annual fee, and it has a slew of generous cash back categories. You'll earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 in combined net purchases in two categories you choose each quarter (then 1%), 2% back on one everyday category you choose and 1% back on all other purchases. Plus, prepaid hotels, rental cars and airfare you book through the Rewards Travel Center earn 5% cash back.

You aren't required to make an upfront security deposit with an unsecured credit card. Instead of basing your credit limit on a refundable deposit, unsecured credit cards use your credit history, income and other financial information to determine how much credit you're eligible for.

Most credit cards are unsecured, including the most rewarding travel credit cards and business credit cards. Just like with secured credit cards, you can boost your credit score with an unsecured credit card if you consistently pay your monthly bill on time and in full. If you don't pay your credit card balance in full, you will be charged interest on any remaining balance.

If you have no credit or bad credit, you'll likely be better off using a secured card. Not only will you have better chances of approval, but you'll likely earn more useful rewards. Even if you have to pay a deposit, that makes the card issuer more willing to provide you with perks and rewards, which you can earn value from long-term.

If you have at least average credit or have used a line of credit responsibly in the past, an unsecured card will likely provide you with a higher credit limit and more premium benefits, like trip insurance or statement credits to some of your favorite brands.

If you aim to build your credit score via an unsecured card, one of the most important things you'll need is restraint. While you shouldn't be scared to use your card, the goal should be to keep your credit utilization rate lower than 30% and, if possible, around 10%.

The largest factor in your credit score is your payment history, which accounts for 35% of your score. This means paying both on time and in full is critical to boosting your score. Setting up auto payments on your card can be a great way to make sure you never miss a payment, but make sure you have enough in your bank account beforehand.

One way to help control your spending on a new unsecured card is to attach it to one or two small, recurring payments, like a streaming service or gym membership. Once you've done this, don't keep the card in your wallet; instead, store it somewhere safe at home. This way, you'll still be using it each month, but in a controlled way where you'll always know how much you owe and be able to pay it back in full.

Unsecured credit cards are the most common type — everything from store credit cards to co-branded airline credit cards. That being said, there are trade-offs to some of the freedoms that unsecured cards can offer.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed financial decisions. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best unsecured credit cards for bad credit.

To determine which unsecured cards offer the best value for applicants with bad credit, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards, focusing on those with fewer or lower fees. We compared each card on a range of features, including the application process, available rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APRs and balance transfer and foreign transaction fees.

We considered how easy it was to redeem points, additional benefits like ongoing travel or merchant statement credits, and available cardholder protections, including purchase protection and travel insurance.
 
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.  

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Information about the U.S. Bank Cash+® Secured® Visa Card has been collected independently by CNBC Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.