Up to 5.00% APY: Beat Inflation With the Best CD Rate We’ve Seen All Year

The best CDs remain competitive for short and long terms

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May 14, 2026 11:04am EDT

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Secure a Top-Tier Yield as Inflation Hits a Three-Year High

Inflation just hit a three-year high with April’s reading of 3.8%. If your spare cash is sitting in a standard bank account, this surge acts as a heavy "stealth tax" that hurts your real purchasing power.

Locking in a fixed-rate CD is an effective way to insulate your savings from this volatility and secure a guaranteed return. Right now, the best CDs offer up to 5.00% APY, providing a substantial spread over inflation and beating the national savings account average by more than 13x.

While the highest CD rates now are for short timelines, you can still secure 4% APY or higher on multi-year terms to safeguard your long-term growth. Our top CD picks are nationally available and federally insured, making it easy to capture standout yields while they’re still on the table.

Lock In a High CD Rate Now

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Stay liquid with a high-yield savings account: While CDs are ideal for locking in today’s peak rates, high-yield savings accounts offer a variable APY with the freedom to withdraw your money whenever you need it. The best high-yield savings accounts also outpace inflation, offering up to 5.00% APY right now. best high-yield savings accounts.

Up to 4.18% APY and zero guesswork for 365 days: The most competitive 1-year CDs offer APYs well above the national average, protecting your savings from future rate dips. Bypass the uncertainty of the 2026 market and secure a solid return without making a long-term commitment.

The CD sweet spot: If a year feels too short but the current inflation spike makes a long-term bet feel too risky, the best 18-month CDs offer a smart middle ground. Lock in a premium rate today, and adjust your strategy as necessary when your CD term is up.

Save money for long-term goals in a multi-year CD: There’s always a chance the Fed could push rates higher to combat sticky inflation, but waiting for the "perfect" peak could mean missing out on today's best offers. While you shouldn't lock up all your liquidity in a rising-rate environment, putting some cash in one of the best 2-year CDs can secure a win now and help you stay ahead of inflation.

Defend your wealth until spring 2030: Short-term rates might grab the headlines, but the best 4-year CDs allow you to lock in a great APY and ignore the volatility of the coming years. A long-term CD can help put your savings on autopilot—even if you don’t always get the very best yield possible.

Grow your long-term savings at 4.18% APY: There’s no telling how the market will change over the next few years, but history suggests that today’s elevated rates won’t last forever. A long-term commitment with one of the best 5-year CDs can act as a buffer against the day the Fed tames inflation and rates come down.

Save more with a money market account: Money market APYs can change when the Fed makes an adjustment, but with the central bank expected to hold firm for now, the best rates of 4.00% are likely to hold as well. MMAs bridge the gap between savings and checking accounts, offering high yields with the added utility of check-writing privileges.

Earn even better rates with a high-interest checking account: If you already use a debit card regularly, you could earn up to 6.75% APY with the best high-interest checking accounts. These accounts often outperform savings accounts and CDs, as long as you meet some monthly requirements.

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Up to 5.00% APY: Beat Inflation With the Best CD Rate We’ve Seen All Year

The best CDs remain competitive for short and long terms

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