How We Evaluate Home Improvement Cards
Choosing the best home improvement credit card depends on your shopping habits, project size, and credit profile. We focus on the factors that matter most: ongoing rewards, financing offers, annual fees, and usability.
- Ongoing rewards: Does the card earn cash back or points on purchases?
- Annual fee: Is the card free to carry?
- Usability: Can you use it at multiple retailers, or only at the issuing store?
Sources: Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet
Best Store Cards for Home Improvement
Store cards are tied to a specific retailer and often offer perks like financing promotions or loyalty discounts. Two major options are The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card and MyLowe's Rewards Credit Card.
- The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card is a closed-loop card that can only be used at Home Depot and on homedepot.com. It has no annual fee and no ongoing rewards, but it offers deferred interest on purchases of $299 or more, with promotional offers up to 24 months.
- MyLowe's Rewards Credit Card gives you 5% off eligible store purchases at Lowe's, with no annual fee. It is usable at Lowe's stores and online.
Sources: Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, Yahoo Finance, Host Merchant Services
Best General Rewards Cards for Home Improvement
General rewards cards earn cash back on a variety of purchases, and some let you choose home improvement as a bonus category. These cards can be used anywhere the network is accepted, offering more flexibility than store cards.
- Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards: Earn 3% cash back in a category you choose, including home improvement and furnishings. It also earns 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on all other purchases (combined quarterly cap on 3% and 2% categories). No annual fee. Offers 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles.
- Citi Custom Cash Card: Earn 5% cash back in your top spend category each billing cycle, which can include home improvement stores. No annual fee. Offers 0% intro APR for 15 months.
- U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards: Earn 6% cash back at two retailers you choose from a list that includes Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards, and Ace Hardware. $95 annual fee waived the first year.
Sources: ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal Finance, NerdWallet
Comparing Store Cards vs. General Cards
Store cards and general rewards cards serve different needs. Store cards are often more accessible and may offer financing that helps with large purchases, but they are limited to one retailer. General cards provide flexibility and ongoing rewards, but may be harder to qualify for if your credit is not strong.
| Card | Category | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Introductory Offer | Usability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card | Store Card | $0 | None | Deferred interest 6-24 months on purchases $299+ | Home Depot only |
| MyLowe's Rewards Credit Card | Store Card | $0 | 5% off eligible store purchases | Not specified | Lowe's stores and online |
| Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards | General Rewards | $0 | 3% in chosen category, 2% grocery/wholesale, 1% other | 0% for 15 billing cycles | Anywhere Visa is accepted |
| Citi Custom Cash Card | General Rewards | $0 | 5% in top spend category | 0% for 15 months | Anywhere Mastercard is accepted |
| U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards | General Rewards | $0 first year, then $95 | 6% at two chosen retailers, 3% everyday category, 1% other | Not specified | Anywhere Visa is accepted |
Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, Yahoo Finance, Host Merchant Services, ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal Finance
Choosing the Right Card for Your Spending
Think about where you plan to shop. If you are committed to one store, a store card might offer valuable financing. If you prefer flexibility, a general rewards card lets you earn on many types of purchases.
- For large projects at Home Depot, the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card offers deferred interest on purchases of $299 or more, but no rewards.
- For frequent Lowe's shoppers, MyLowe's Rewards Credit Card gives 5% off every eligible purchase, which can add up.
- For a versatile card that earns on home improvement and other categories, Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards and Citi Custom Cash are strong choices.
- If you shop at multiple home improvement stores, the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards card lets you earn 6% at two retailers of your choice.
Sources: Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, Yahoo Finance, ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal Finance
Credit Score Considerations
Your credit score affects which cards you can qualify for. Retail store cards are often more accessible than general purpose cards, especially for consumers with credit scores in the 620-720 range. However, the best rewards cards typically require good to excellent credit.
- Store cards may be a good starting point if your credit is building.
- General rewards cards may require a higher score, but offer more flexibility and rewards.
- Deferred interest is common on home improvement cards, but be sure to pay off the balance before the promotional period ends.
Sources: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Forbes Advisor
Frequently asked questions
Which card is best for large home improvement projects?
For large projects, the Home Depot Consumer Credit Card offers deferred interest on purchases of $299 or more, with promotional terms up to 24 months. However, it has no ongoing rewards. If you prefer a general card, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card offers 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles and 3% cash back in a category you choose, including home improvement. For very large projects, the Home Depot Project Loan Card allows borrowing up to $55,000, but its terms were not detailed in our sources.
Sources: Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, Host Merchant Services, ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal FinanceDo store cards offer better rewards than general cards for home improvement?
It depends on the card. Some store cards like MyLowe's Rewards offer 5% off eligible purchases, but The Home Depot Consumer Credit Card offers no rewards. General rewards cards like Citi Custom Cash can earn 5% cash back on home improvement purchases if that is your top spend category, and the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards card can earn 3% in a chosen category. General cards also allow you to use them anywhere, not just at one store.
Sources: Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet, Yahoo Finance, ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal FinanceCan I use a general cashback card at Home Depot?
Yes, general cashback cards like the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards and Citi Custom Cash can be used at Home Depot because they are accepted anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. However, the rewards rate may vary depending on the card and your chosen category. For example, the Bank of America card earns 3% if you select home improvement as your category, while the Citi Custom Cash earns 5% if home improvement stores are your top spend category.
Sources: ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal FinanceWhat credit score do I need for a home improvement card?
Retail store cards are generally easier to get than general purpose cards. However, specific score requirements vary by issuer and card. General rewards cards often require good to excellent credit, but the exact thresholds are not listed in our sources.
Sources: Consumer Financial Protection BureauSources
- Issue Spotlight: The High Cost of Retail Credit Cards — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Best Credit Cards For Home Improvement Projects 2026 – Forbes Advisor — Forbes Advisor
- Best Credit Cards for Home Improvement and New Homeowners — NerdWallet
- Best credit cards for home improvement (August 2026) — Yahoo Finance
- Home Depot Credit Card Guide: Key Benefits, Offers & Insights — Host Merchant Services
- BEST Home Improvement Credit Cards 💳 Rewards on Home Improvement Purchases And/Or 0% Financing 🔨 — ProudMoney - Credit Cards & Personal Finance