We Gave These 2 Cash Back Cards a Perfect Score. Should You Apply?

Our team evaluates hundreds of credit cards every year -- and I'm the lucky nerd who gets to write about the best ones!

That's why I'm excited to talk about two cash back cards that absolutely crushed it in our ratings -- and by that I mean they both earned a perfect 5-star score.

One's built for people who love chasing the highest possible rewards for their spending. The other is best for folks who want solid rewards with zero effort.

Let's get into it.

Best for reward chasers: Discover it® Cash Back

This is a cash back card for folks who like to work the system.

The Discover it® Cash Back earns a massive 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate, and 1% back on all other purchases.

Plus, as a welcome bonus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. That's extra cash back for a whole year, with no limit.

Here are the top perks:

• 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate
• Cashback Match in your first year (e.g., earn $400, get $800 total)
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (The go-to 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR will apply at the end of the intro period.)
• $0 annual fee

There's one catch: You need to manually activate the bonus categories every quarter. A small pain, but nothing that can't be solved with a quick calendar reminder.

To get the most cash back possible, you'll need to be pretty intentional with your spending. If you're up for that, this card is a great fit for your wallet.

Apply now and let Discover double your first year of rewards (see rates and fees).

Best for effortless rewards: Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

If you'd rather avoid the rotating categories dance and just get rewards for everything you buy, the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (rates and fees) is a better move.

You'll earn 2% cash rewards on all purchases. And there's no spending cap, no categories, and no need to think twice about where you swipe.

Here's an overview of the top perks:

• Unlimited 2% cash rewards on all purchases
• 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers and purchases
• Cellphone protection (up to $600 against theft or damage, $25 deductible)
• $0 annual fee

There's also a quick and easy welcome bonus currently on offer for this card. You can earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months.

If you're looking for consistent, above-average cash rewards on daily spending, you can't go wrong here.

Apply for the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card now and earn 2% cash rewards on autopilot.

Can't decide? You don't have to

If you like the sound of both cards (I certainly do!), it doesn't have to be a binary decision. You can carry both and use them as a tag-team combo.

You can use the Discover it® Cash Back card for its current bonus category and get high cash back. And for everything else, you could fall back on the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card.

Carrying both of these 5-star cards means getting the best of both worlds -- and you won't pay any annual fees, so there's little downside.

Personally, I have about eight active credit cards in my quiver. Each one has a unique strength I tap into depending on what I'm buying.

Of course, you don't have to be a rewards geek like me. Even having just one or two solid cash back cards can seriously boost your earnings, without complicating your life.

The bottom line

These two cash back champions earned a perfect score for good reason. They're simple, generous, and free of annual fees.

Whether you're a points optimizer or a no-fuss spender, one (or both!) could be the perfect fit for your wallet.

Compare all our 2025 award-winning credit cards here and find the rewards you love most.