Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit (2026)
Having bad credit does not mean you cannot get a credit card. Secured credit cards and select unsecured options are available for people with credit scores below 650. These cards report to all three credit bureaus, giving you the opportunity to rebuild your credit with responsible use. In as little as 12-18 months, you may qualify for mainstream rewards cards.
How We Choose These Cards
Our methodology for ranking the best bad credit cards
All card data is verified against issuer websites and updated monthly. Last verified: March 2026. See our advertiser disclosure for details on how we are compensated.
Top 3 Bad Credit Credit Cards
Discover it® Cash Back
Rotating 5% categories with unique Cashback Match for first year - effectively double cash back.
Bonus Categories
Pros
- Discover matches all cash back earned in the first year
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
Cons
- High ongoing APR (up to 27.24%)
Key Benefits
- 5% cash back on rotating categories (up to $1,500/quarter)
- Cashback Match: Discover matches all cash back first year
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- Free FICO credit score
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Top cash back card for dining and entertainment with no annual fee.
Bonus Categories
Pros
- 200 cash welcome bonus (~$200 value)
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Up to 3x on dining, entertainment, groceries, streaming
Cons
- High ongoing APR (up to 29.74%)
Key Benefits
- 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, groceries, and streaming
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- $200 welcome bonus
- Extended warranty and purchase protection
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Choose your own 3% cash back category and earn even more with Preferred Rewards.
Bonus Categories
Pros
- 200 cash welcome bonus (~$200 value)
- No annual fee
- Up to 3x on choiceCategory
- 3% cash back in your choice of category
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- High ongoing APR (up to 29.24%)
Key Benefits
- 3% cash back in your choice of category
- 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs
- Up to 75% rewards bonus with Preferred Rewards
- No annual fee
- $200 online cash rewards bonus
Tips for Choosing a Bad Credit Card
- Avoid cards with high monthly maintenance fees. Many good secured cards have no annual fee.
- Make every payment on time. Payment history is 35% of your credit score.
- Keep your balance below 10% of your limit for the fastest score improvement.
- Avoid applying for multiple cards at once as each application creates a hard inquiry.
- Monitor your credit report for errors that could be dragging your score down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Categories
Find Your Perfect Card
Not sure which bad credit card is right for you? Take our personalized quiz for a custom recommendation.