Best Credit Cards for Home Depot and Lowe's in 2026

Home improvement spending hit $472 billion in 2025, with the average homeowner spending $3,200 annually at retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's. The right credit card can earn you $96-160 back on that spending.

Top Credit Cards for Home Depot and Lowe's

Chase Freedom Flex (Rotating Categories)

The Chase Freedom Flex earns 5% back on up to $1,500 in quarterly bonus categories when you activate. Home improvement stores appear as a category roughly once per year.

• Annual fee: $0
• Q2 2026 category: Home improvement stores
• Value: $75 maximum per quarter ($1,500 × 5%)
• 1% on everything else

The 5% rate applies to both Home Depot and Lowe's when home improvement is the active category. You must activate the bonus each quarter.

Citi Custom Cash

The Citi Custom Cash automatically earns 5% back in your top spending category each month, up to $500 in purchases.

• Annual fee: $0
• Earn rate: 5% on top category (up to $500/month)
• Value: $25 maximum per month on home improvement
• 1% on everything else

If home improvement is your highest spending category in a given month, you'll automatically earn 5% without activation required.

Capital One SavorOne

The SavorOne earns 3% back on entertainment and popular streaming services, but also codes many home improvement purchases as general retail.

• Annual fee: $0
• Earn rate: 3% on entertainment, 1% on everything else
• No category limits
• Home Depot and Lowe's typically earn 1%

This card works better for consistent home improvement spending outside of bonus category periods.

U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature

The Cash+ lets you choose 5% back categories each quarter, including home improvement stores.

• Annual fee: $0
• Earn rate: 5% on chosen categories (up to $2,000 quarterly)
• You select two 5% categories from available options
• Home improvement available as a selectable category
• Value: $100 maximum per quarter if you choose home improvement

Store Cards: Home Depot and Lowe's

Both retailers offer store cards, but the math rarely works in your favor.

Home Depot Consumer Credit Card:

• 0% APR financing offers on purchases $299+
• No ongoing rewards
• Only works at Home Depot

Lowe's Advantage Card:

• 5% off first purchase
• 0% APR financing offers
• No ongoing rewards
• Only works at Lowe's

Store cards make sense only if you need financing. For rewards, general-purpose cards win.

How cashew handles this

cashew tracks rotating category calendars and automatically routes your Home Depot and Lowe's purchases to the highest-earning card. When the Chase Freedom Flex has home improvement as a 5% category, cashew will recommend it. During off-quarters, it might suggest your Citi Custom Cash if home improvement is your top category that month.

The app sends notifications before quarterly categories expire and reminds you to activate new ones. For store financing needs, cashew can factor in 0% APR offers alongside rewards rates.

Note that cashew provides optimization suggestions but isn't a financial advisor. Consider your full financial picture when choosing cards.

Quick Reference: Best Cards for Home Improvement

Card	Earn Rate	Annual Fee	Best For
Chase Freedom Flex	5% (quarterly)	$0	When home improvement is active category
Citi Custom Cash	5% (monthly top)	$0	Consistent high home improvement spending
U.S. Bank Cash+	5% (chosen category)	$0	Year-round home improvement focus
Capital One SavorOne	1%	$0	Simple, no-category strategy

Bottom Line

For maximum rewards on Home Depot and Lowe's purchases, use the Chase Freedom Flex during home improvement quarters (worth $75 per quarter) and the Citi Custom Cash during off-periods when home improvement is your top spending category. This combination can earn you 5% back year-round on up to $1,500 quarterly and $500 monthly respectively.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. Store cards only make sense if you need 0% financing and plan to pay off balances before promotional rates expire.