3 of the Best Checking Accounts for High Schoolers Under 18

Even high schoolers benefit from checking accounts. You get to stop carrying around cash in a wallet. And you can spend online without going through Mom or Dad, within reason. Combined with a savings account, you can practice saving money.

The problem is many banks and credit unions are willing to open checking accounts for those under 18. Narrowing them down to the best of the best can feel overwhelming. We've gone ahead and done the grunt work for you.

Here are three of the best checking accounts for high schoolers under 18. Don't like them? No sweat. You can use these as a baseline to make your own informed choices. At a minimum, the following checking accounts charge zero maintenance or overdraft fees.

1. Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account (ages 8 and up)

Capital One kills it with its Capital One MONEY Teen Checking Account. It has everything a high schooler needs: no maintenance fees, no account minimums, and a debit card. The downside is that you can only deposit or withdraw $500 daily. For most teens, that's a non-problem.

Capital One is a big bank with plenty of ATMs in its network (over 70,000 nationwide), so you can withdraw cash easily. In-network ATMs are free to use. Capital One charges $2 and up for using out-of-network ATMs (plus the ATM will charge a fee too), so it's worth staying in-network if possible.

Capital One's app makes it easy for you and your parents to collaborate on spending, set rules, etc. If you want to convince the parents, it's worth pitching to them. The best accounts are those that put you and your guardians on the same team.

2. Axos Bank First Checking for Teens (ages 13 to 17)

Axos Bank is less well-known than Capital One, but Axos Bank First Checking for Teens is among the best options for high school teenagers. It charges no maintenance fees and offers a debit card. The downside is you need $100 to open an account, and withdrawals are limited to $100.

Axos Bank is online only, so you can't walk into a branch for help. Kind of a bummer. But if you're tech-savvy, you should be able to manage everything from the app or your computer. If you use cash, you're covered. Axos reimburses you up to $12 in ATM fees monthly.

The app is parent-friendly. You and your guardian can set up alerts, lock the card, and more. It's one of those things that gets parents excited about letting teens open checking accounts. At the very least, you'll learn how to manage your money.

3. Chase Bank High School Checking℠ (ages 13 to 17)

The Chase Bank High School Checking℠ account is sparsely featured, but if your parents bank at Chase, it could be worth a look. It's convenient to have all your family accounts in one place.

Chase Bank is a giant. Chances are high there's a physical branch near you. FYI, the account needs to be opened by a parent or guardian who banks at Chase, and it's a joint account. You and your parents are co-owners.

When you turn 19, your account automatically upgrades to a Chase Total Checking® account. Before that point, it's probably worth upgrading to a Chase College Checking account or switching banks. You could get better benefits.

Now, you have three options to weigh against competitors. Baseline: banks that offer checking accounts to high schoolers under 18 should charge zero monthly fees and offer easy access to money. The best teen checking accounts maintain the basics.