The Fed’s rate pause is keeping returns on safe cash options surprisingly strong right now.

Top savings accounts, CDs, brokerage cash, and Treasurys are paying roughly 3% to 5%, with some offering guaranteed returns.

One chart lets you quickly compare today’s highest cash yields across accounts to see where your money can earn the most.

Every week, we chart the best-paying cash options across savings accounts, CDs, brokerages, and Treasurys—all in one place for easy comparison.

Top high-yield savings accounts still pay up to 5.00% with certain requirements, or up to 4.60% with no strings attached. The best nationwide CD rate is 4.25%, while brokerages, robo-advisors, and Treasurys offer returns ranging from the mid-3% to upper-4% range.

Inflation is currently about 2.4%, so savings should earn at least that much to avoid losing purchasing power. Today’s top cash options clear that bar by a wide margin.

Keeping your cash parked doesn’t mean it has to sit idle. The right account can turn even short-term savings into real earnings.

With a lump-sum savings deposit of $10,000, $25,000, or even $50,000, you can earn hundreds of dollars in interest if you choose one of today’s top rates. Whether you opt for a 3.25% cash management account, a top high-yield savings or money market account paying 5.00%, or something in between, here’s what different balances could earn over the next six months.

Six Months of Earnings at Various APYs

APY

Earnings on $10K for 6 months

Earnings on $25K for 6 months

Earnings on $50K for 6 months

3.25%

$161

$403

$806

3.50%

$173

$434

$867

3.75%

$186

$464

$929

4.00%

$198

$495

$990

4.25%

$210

$526

$1,051

4.50%

$223

$556

$1,113

4.75%

$235

$587

$1,174

5.00%

$247

$617

$1,235

The rate you earn from a savings account, money market account, cash account, or money market fund is variable and will generally drop whenever the Fed cuts rates. In contrast, CDs and Treasurys allow you to lock in your yield for a set period.

For a low-risk return that still pays, today’s top cash options fall into 3 main categories—each with different trade-offs depending on how long you plan to keep your money parked.

Bank and credit union products: Savings accounts, money market accounts (MMAs), and certificates of deposit (CDs)

Brokerage and robo-advisor products: Money market funds and cash management accounts

U.S. Treasury products: T-bills, notes, and bonds, plus inflation-protected I bonds

You can choose one or mix and match based on your goals and timeline. Below, we break down the top rates in each category as of Friday’s market close—and where they’ve moved over the past week.

Related: 6 Best Investment Accounts for Handling Uninvested Cash

Every business day, Investopedia tracks rates from more than 200 banks and credit unions that offer CDs and savings accounts to customers nationwide and determines daily rankings of the top-paying accounts. To qualify for our lists, the institution must be federally insured (FDIC for banks, NCUA for credit unions), and the account’s minimum initial deposit must not exceed $25,000. It also cannot specify a maximum deposit amount that’s below $5,000.

Banks must be available in at least 40 states to qualify as nationally available. And while some credit unions require you to donate to a specific charity or association to become a member if you don’t meet other eligibility criteria (e.g., you don’t live in a certain area or work in a certain kind of job), we leave out credit unions whose donation requirement is $40 or more. For more about how we choose the best rates, read our full methodology.

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