Your shortcut to the best credit cards for you
Our Nerds researched more than 300 credit cards, narrowing down to just one winner per category.
Click the categories you’re interested in to see the winners.
BEST CREDIT CARD FOR BONUS CASH BACK 2025
$0
1%-8%
Cashback
$200
Pros
Cons
This $0-annual-fee card earns an impressive 3% back on dining and at grocery stores, as well as on select streaming and entertainment. You'll also get 5% back on select travel through Capital One. Its flexible redemption options and lack of foreign transaction fees make it a great traveling companion.
Read our methodology ❯BEST ALL-PURPOSE TRAVEL REWARDS CREDIT CARD 2025
$95
1x-5x
Points
100,000
Points
Pros
Cons
For a modest fee, you’ll get access to rich rewards in many categories, plus multiple transfer partners, an annual hotel credit, anniversary points and a big sign-up bonus.
Read our methodology ❯BEST BALANCE TRANSFER CREDIT CARD 2025
Pros
Cons
This card’s long 0% intro APR on balance transfers (up to 21 months), low transfer fee and lack of late fees make it a standout choice.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR SIMPLE CASH BACK 2025
$0
2%
Cashback
$200
Pros
Cons
You’ll get 2% cash back on all purchases and a rich sign-up bonus with a single card. That’s market-leading and makes this card a smart one for everyday spending.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR DINING 2025
$0
1%-8%
Cashback
$200
Pros
Cons
Several cards earn 3% back at restaurants, but this one also offers that rate at grocery stores, as well as on entertainment and eligible streaming services. Its lack of an annual fee or foreign transaction fee makes it hard to beat.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR GROCERIES 2025
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
1%-6%
Cashback
$250
Pros
Cons
An industry-leading rewards rate at U.S. supermarkets makes it worth the annual fee. Generous rewards in other categories just add to the appeal. Terms apply.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS 2025
$0
1%-2%
Cashback
Cashback Match™
Pros
Cons
This card earns solid rewards on gas and restaurants and even comes with a bonus offer for new cardholders. Better yet: You can get approved with no credit history.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR BUILDING CREDIT 2025
$0
1%-2%
Cashback
Cashback Match™
Pros
Cons
This card offers ideal features for its category, like no annual fee and automatic reviews for a potential upgrade to an unsecured card. It even earns rewards.
Read our methodology ❯BEST 0% APR CREDIT CARD FOR PURCHASES 2025
$0
1%-3%
Cashback
$200
Pros
Cons
With its high cash-back rates on U.S. online retail purchases, this card can help you finance big-ticket items. Plus, you can use your card immediately after approval, making it useful in emergencies. Terms apply.
Read our methodology ❯BEST TRAVEL CREDIT CARD WITH NO ANNUAL FEE 2025
$0
1x-3x
Points
20,000
Points
Pros
Cons
This card’s hefty rewards and useful transfer partners give it outsized value for no annual fee. Plus, its lack of foreign transaction fees means it's ideal for international travel.
Read our methodology ❯BEST AIRLINE CREDIT CARD 2025
$0 intro for the first year, then $150
1x-2x
Miles
80,000
Miles
Pros
Cons
For a modest fee, this card gives you free checked bags, lounge passes, priority boarding and a credit for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS. Plus, you’ll earn elevated rewards on dining and select travel expenses.
Read our methodology ❯BEST HOTEL CREDIT CARD 2025
$95
2x-17x
Points
3 Free Night Awards + 50,000 Points
Points
Pros
Cons
This card’s bonus categories, free night award and sign-up bonus more than make up for its $95 annual fee. Plus, Marriott’s massive footprint makes it easy to redeem rewards no matter where you’re headed.
Read our methodology ❯BEST SMALL-BUSINESS CREDIT CARD 2025
$0
1.5%
Cashback
$750
Pros
Cons
Straightforward rewards (1.5% back on all purchases), a long intro APR period, no annual fee and a generous welcome offer make this card an easy choice for any business. The cherry on top: Cash back is earned as Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which makes the benefit more flexible, and potentially more valuable, than rewards from other top-rated business cards.
Read our methodology ❯BEST PREMIUM TRAVEL CREDIT CARD 2025
$395
2x-10x
Miles
75,000
Miles
Pros
Cons
This card’s $395 annual fee is easily offset with a yearly travel credit, anniversary bonus and lounge access. Plus, with 2X miles on most purchases, you’ll easily earn rewards no matter how you spend your money.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR ENTERTAINMENT 2025
$0
1%-4%
Cashback
$100
Pros
Cons
This card earns a massive 4% back on a wide variety of entertainment expenses, like concerts and sporting events, plus public transportation, secondhand shops and some self-care purchases.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR STREAMING 2025
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
1%-6%
Cashback
$250
Pros
Cons
This card earns a whopping 6% back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. Plus, the yearly statement credit on the Disney Bundle nearly offsets its $95 annual fee. Terms apply.
Read our methodology ❯BEST CREDIT CARD FOR ONLINE SHOPPING 2025
$0
1%-3%
Cashback
$200
Pros
Cons
This card earns an impressive 3% back on U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 in spending per year), making it a great choice for digital shopping. It also features U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations as bonus categories. Terms apply.
Read our methodology ❯