If you want to borrow a lump sum of money to help pay for a new car or home improvements, an unsecured personal loan might be a suitable option.
Typically personal loans allow you to borrow from £1,000 up to £50,000 over periods of one to 10 years. The most competitive rates at the moment are on medium-sized loans (£7,500-£15,000).
Here, we reveal which loan providers are offering the best rates on borrowing £5,000, £10,000, £15,000 and £25,000.
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Best £5,000 loans over three years
The table shows the best deals available for a £5,000 loan paid back over three years.
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of a personal loan provider before committing to any financial products.
| Provider | Representative APR %* | Monthly repayment | Total amount payable | Representative example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard holders) | 7.3% | £154.53 | £5,563.08 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan taken out over three years at a fixed rate of 7.3% APR representative. |
| Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders) | 7.3% | £154.54 | £5,563.44 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan taken out over three years at a fixed rate of 7.3% APR representative. |
| Santander | 7.4% | £154.75 | £5,571.00 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan taken out over three years at a fixed rate of 7.4% APR representative. |
Table notes: table last updated 4 January 2024. The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £5,000 loan taken out over three years. *APR is subject to change based on individual circ*mstances and the representative APR may not be what you receive.
Best £10,000 loans over five years
The table shows the best deals for personal loans of £10,000 paid back over five years.
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of a personal loan provider before committing to any financial products.
| Provider | Representative APR %* | Monthly repayment | Total amount payable | Representative example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard holders) | 6.1% | £193.02 | £11,581.20 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £10,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.1% APR representative. |
| Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders) | 6.2% | £193.47 | £11,608.20 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £10,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.2% APR representative. |
| Santander | 6.3% | £193.91 | £11,634.60 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £10,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.3% APR representative. |
| Halifax | 6.6% | £193.23 | £11,713.80 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £10,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.6% APR representative. |
| M&S Bank | 6.6% | £195.23 | £11,713.80 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £10,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.6% APR representative. |
Table notes: table last updated 4 January 2024. The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £10,000 loan taken out over five years . *APR is subject to change based on individual circ*mstances and the representative APR may not be what you receive.
Best £15,000 loans over five years
The table below shows the best deals for personal loans of £15,000, paid back over five years.
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of a personal loan provider before committing to any financial products.
| Provider | Representative APR %* | Monthly repayment | Total amount payable | Representative example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard holders) | 6.1%. | £289.54 | £17,372.40 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £15,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.1% APR representative. |
| Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders) | 6.2% | £290.20 | £17,412.00 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £15,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.2% APR representative. |
| Santander | 6.3% | £290.86 | £17,451.60 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £15,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.3% APR representative |
| Halifax | 6.6% | £292.85 | £17,571.00 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £15,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.6% APR representative |
| M&S Bank | 6.6% | £292.85 | £17,571.00 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £15,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.6% APR representative |
Table notes: table last updated 4 January 2024. The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £15,000 loan taken out over five years. *APR is subject to change based on individual circ*mstances and the representative APR may not be what you receive.
£25,000 loans over five years
The table below shows the best deals for personal loans of £25,000, paid back over five years.
Please note that the information in this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice. Please refer to the particular terms and conditions of a personal loan provider before committing to any financial products.
| Provider | Representative APR %* | Monthly repayment | Total amount payable | Representative example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard customers) | 6.1% | £482.57 | £28,954.20 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £25,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.1% APR representative. |
| Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders) | 6.3% | £484.78 | £29,086.80 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £25,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.3% APR representative. |
| Santander | 6.4% | £485.88 | £29,152.80 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £25,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.4% APR representative. |
| Halifax | 6.6% | £488.08 | £29,284.80 | The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £25,000 loan taken out over five years at a fixed rate of 6.6% APR representative. |
Table notes: table last updated 4 January 2024. The table shows the monthly repayment and total cost of a £25,000 loan taken out over five years. *APR is subject to change based on individual circ*mstances and the representative APR may not be what you receive.
How we choose the best rate personal loans
All the loan providers listed by Which? are signed up to the Lending Code, which sets the minimum standards for the way banks, building societies and other providers should treat their customers.
These loans are widely available across the UK, and consumers do not need to own any other financial products from an institution to qualify for them.
All of the loan providers featured in our tables use risk-based pricing to determine what interest rates their customers get. This means you might not end up with the same rate as the one you saw advertised, as the rate you get is based on your personal circ*mstances and credit history.
All of the loans included in our best tables include an early repayment charge. This is a charge applied if you repay your loan before the end of the term.
- Find out more:personal loans explained
5 tips for borrowing with a personal loan
Here's what to check before committing to a loan.
Check your eligibility
An eligibility check will show how likely you are to get a loan, without leaving a mark on your report, and in some cases, it can tell you what size of loan you are likely to receive.
Borrow over the shortest period
You should aim to borrow over the shortest amount of time to reduce the interest you pay.
For example, borrowing £10,000 over five years at a rate of 5.8% will cost you £1,502 in interest. If you borrow the same amount over seven years, it would cost £2,131 in interest.
Check if borrowing more costs less
Typically smaller loans tend to come with much higher rates compared to medium-sized loans, so if you are on the cusp between a small and medium loan it's worth checking how borrowing a bit more could give you a much better rate.
Check for early repayment charges
Before committing to a loan check what early repayment charges it comes with.
These are fees (usually around one or two month’s interest) that apply if you pay off your loan before the end of the term.
Check if a loan is the cheapest way to borrow
Even on the cheapest personal loans you will need to pay interest, so a cheaper way to borrow could be with a 0% purchase credit card.
These deals allow you to spend up to a certain credit limit interest-free for a set time. Currently, the best deals offer almost two years of interest-free spending. Just be aware that your credit limit will depend on your personal circ*mstances, and you may not find out what you will get until you apply.
These cards are only useful if you need to pay for services by card. If you need cash consider a 0% money transfer card instead. These cards let you shift money from your card (up to around 90% of your credit limit) to your current account to spend as cash (usually for a one-off fee of around 4%), interest-free for a set period.
Alternatively, if you only need to borrow a small amount, you could check if you can get a fee-free overdraft.
First Direct, a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP), offers £250, the largest fee-free buffer on a current account, however, if you exceed this buffer it charges 39.9% EAR.
Cumberland Building Society offers the cheapest overdraft rate at 14.99%, however, you must have held the account for six months before applying for an overdraft. Starling Bank, a WRP, is a close second with a rate of 15%, but the rate is only available if you have an excellent credit score.
- Find out more:best bank accounts for overdrafts
As an expert and enthusiast, I can provide information on various topics, including personal loans. While I don't have personal experiences or opinions, I can provide you with factual information based on search results. Let's dive into the concepts mentioned in the article you provided.
Unsecured Personal Loans
An unsecured personal loan is a type of loan that doesn't require collateral. It allows individuals to borrow a lump sum of money for various purposes, such as purchasing a car or making home improvements. These loans typically have fixed interest rates and repayment terms ranging from one to 10 years.
Loan Amounts and Repayment Periods
Personal loans usually allow borrowers to borrow from £1,000 up to £50,000. The repayment period can range from one to 10 years. However, the most competitive rates are often available for medium-sized loans, typically ranging from £7,500 to £15,000.
Best Loan Providers and Rates
The article mentions specific loan providers and their representative APRs (Annual Percentage Rates) for different loan amounts and repayment periods. Here are some examples:
Best £5,000 loans over three years:
- Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard holders): 7.3% APR
- Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders): 7.3% APR
- Santander: 7.4% APR Best £10,000 loans over five years:
- Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard holders): 6.1% APR
- Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders): 6.2% APR
- Santander: 6.3% APR
- Halifax: 6.6% APR
- M&S Bank: 6.6% APR Best £15,000 loans over five years:
- Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard holders): 6.1% APR
- Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders): 6.2% APR
- Santander: 6.3% APR
- Halifax: 6.6% APR
- M&S Bank: 6.6% APR Best £25,000 loans over five years:
- Tesco Bank (available to Clubcard customers): 6.1% APR
- Sainsbury's Bank (available to Nectar cardholders): 6.3% APR
- Santander: 6.4% APR
- Halifax: 6.6% APR Please note that the APRs mentioned are representative rates and may vary based on individual circ*mstances. It's important to refer to the particular terms and conditions of a personal loan provider before committing to any financial products.
Factors to Consider
When considering personal loans, there are several factors to keep in mind:
- Eligibility: It's advisable to check your eligibility for a loan before applying. Eligibility checks can provide an indication of your likelihood of approval without leaving a mark on your credit report.
- Repayment Period: Borrowing over a shorter period can reduce the interest you pay. It's important to consider the total cost of the loan over the chosen repayment period.
- Borrowing Amount: Sometimes, borrowing a slightly higher amount can result in a better interest rate, especially when transitioning from a small loan to a medium-sized loan.
- Early Repayment Charges: Some loans may have early repayment charges if you pay off the loan before the end of the term. It's essential to check for any potential charges.
- Alternatives: Depending on your needs, it may be worth considering alternatives to personal loans, such as 0% purchase credit cards or fee-free overdrafts. These options may offer different terms and benefits.
Remember to carefully review the terms and conditions of any loan provider before making a decision.
