Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit June 2023 (2023)

A credit score lower than 580 puts you in thebad creditcategory. If you fall into this range, you'll probably have a hard time qualifying for a credit card. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost. If you areauthorized useron someone else's account is not an option, there are several cards that are advertised to people with less than excellent credit history.

Secure cardsthey are usually the best choice for people with diabetesbad credit. These cards require a security deposit (often $200) that becomes your line of credit. When you use your secure card responsibly and pay your bill on time and in full each month, you're good to goimprove your credit score.

Once you have asincerely(580 to 669) orgood credit score(670 to 739), you can switch to an unsecured card or apply for a new card. (Look atthe difference between secured and unsecured cards.)

Select CNBClists the best credit cards for people with bad credit so you can choose a card designed to help you build credit.

• Winner: Discover it® secured credit card
• Best for low deposits:Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
• Best for low interest rates:DCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Card
• Best without credit check: OpenSky® secure Visa® credit card

Who is this for?FromDiscover it® secured credit cardis a well-rounded secure card that offers many of the benefits typical of unsecured cards. Cardholders can earn cash back, receive a generous welcome bonus, use the card abroad at no extra cost and more - all with no annual fees.

Cardholders earn a competitive 2% quarterly cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases, and 1% thereafter. Plus, you can automatically earn unlimited 1% cashback on all other purchases. The welcome bonus is also unique: for new card members in the first year only, Discover will automatically credit any money you've earned onendyour first year. If you earn $25 in cash at the end of the first year, Discover will give you an additional $25.

This card requires a $200 security deposit, which is pretty standardsecured credit cards. It stands out from the crowd because cardholders have a clear path to upgrade to an unsecured card (and get their deposit back). Starting seven months after account opening, Discover will automatically check your credit card account to see if they can switch you to an unsecured line of credit and refund your deposit. This will keep you from wondering when you qualify for an unsecured credit card.

Who is this for?If you are looking for a card with a low deposit,Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Cardis your best option. This card has no annual fee and minimum deposits of $49, $99 or $200, depending on your creditworthiness.

If you qualify for the low $49 or $99 deposits, you'll still get a $200 line of credit. This is a great feature, since many secured cards require a $200 deposit to get an equivalent line of credit.

By using your card responsibly and paying on time, you may be able to improve your credit score and qualify for a credit limit increase in as little as six months. In addition to paying on time, make sure you pay in full because this card has a very high variable APR of 29.99%.

Who is this for?FromDCU Visa® Platinum Secured Credit Cardoffers one of the lowest interest rates for a secured card with no annual fee at a variable rate of 11.50%.

While we don't recommend carrying a balance from month to month (especially when you're trying to build or rebuild credit), it may be a good idea to choose a low-interest secured card if you're past balances or looking for a safety net.

There is a higher than average $500 deposit to open the card. But it comes with a number of extra benefits, including travel insurance, collision deductibles on car hire and extended warranty protection.

Membership in Digital Federal Credit Union is mandatory, but anyone can join in several ways: if you are a friend or relative of a DCU member, live in select communities, work for select employers, or make a one-time contribution (as low as $10) to a participating organization .

Who is this for?If you have bad credit and have had trouble getting approved for cards in the past, consider a card that doesn't run a credit check. TheOpenSky® secure Visa® credit carddoesn't pull your credit when you sign up.

As with other secured cards, a minimum deposit of $200 is required to open the card, and you can deposit up to $3,000.

While this card is great with no credit check, it does come with a $35 annual fee, unlike the other cards mentioned above that don't have an annual fee. The annual fee can be worth it if you're trying to build up your credit and struggle to qualify for other cards.

To determine which credit cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed the 234 most popular credit cards available in the US. We compared each card on a range of features including: annual fee, minimum deposit, credit limit, rewards program, introductory and standard APR, welcome bonuses and foreign transaction fees, as well as factors such as required credit score and customer ratings where available. We've also looked at how easy it is to upgrade from a secured to an unsecured card and how quickly you can get your deposit back.

Because it's unusual for secured credit cards to have strong rewards programs, we haven't analyzed how many rewards points you can earn in the first year. For cardholders looking to build credit, it's more important to practice good credit card habits -- spend within your means, pay your debt on time and in full -- than to try to optimize your credit score.

Click for Discover it® Secured Credit Card pricing and feeshere.

Clickhereto view the cardholder agreement for the OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card.