Our reviewers evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.
Personal checks, despite the rise of digital payments, still hold a valuable place in our financial lives. Ever wondered why people continue to use checks when so many transactions have gone digital? You may be surprised at just how often personal checks prove their usefulness.
First off, checks offer a level of reliability and comfort that some of us just aren't ready to give up. If you've grown up writing checks for rent, bills, or groceries, the process feels familiar and trustworthy. Plus, having that physical piece of paper as a record can be reassuring, especially if you like to keep track of your finances in a tangible way.
Wednesday, December 11th
Midwest work ethic and no-nonsense customer service meet the personal check industry: that's what you'll get with CheckAdvantage. Not only are their prices impressively low, but their approach to taking care of their customers is unbeatable, with a no-fault guarantee for fixing errors (even if the typo is yours) and free basic shipping with no handling fees snuck in during checkout. CheckAdvantage is our favorite site for buying personal checks, and we think you'll love it too.
Carousel Checks has been printing personal checks for over 20 years. There are several companies in its brand portfolio (and you'll see Carousel's "sisters” evaluated separately), and this one comes out as the leader of that bunch. Carousel Checks is also a great service in its own right, with low prices and a range of over 3,000 designs. The price goes up with shipping and handling fees, and that sometimes catches customers off guard. But, an "A+” from the BBB and thousands of top reviews mean that Carousel Checks is worth a try when you need to order personal checks.
While Designer Checks may be lacking in inventory - with under 150 personal check designs to choose from - it makes up for it in ease-of-use and prices. Be sure to snag one of their many promo codes, because it'll make your order about as cheap as it gets (without sacrificing quality). This is one of the most hassle-free websites for buying personal checks, and the BBB gives Designer Checks' parent company a perfect "A+”. They earn a high rating from us too.
If you've browsed checks on Carousel, Bank Checks Plus, or Extra Value Checks, what you find on the Checks on Sale website will be super-familiar - because they're all part of the same company. You'll get the same pricing here, but the website is a little less polished than its "sisters”. And, does it make anyone else feel irritated that you get the same price when they're supposedly "on sale” here? That aside, the personal checks are still impressively affordable at Checks on Sale and backed by a company with a strong reputation, so this site earns an above-average rating.
If you visit Extra Value Checks and think, "Hmm, I think I've seen this before”, you're probably right. It's part of the same brand family as Carousel Checks, Bank Checks Plus, and Checks on Sale, so you'll find almost the exact same pricing and selection, though the inventory here is quite a bit smaller than the other two. On a positive note, Extra Value Checks has earned thousands of high reviews in its own right, and most customers would recommend ordering personal checks here. The company ties with one of its sister sites, earning a respectable score from us.
While you might spot some similarities between Checks Unlimited and its sister site on our list (Designer Checks), this particular platform gets outranked for a few reasons. First, it's missing some of the amazing promo discounts that would bring the personal check prices down to what we were expecting. The selection here is also smaller than many competitors we evaluated, with just 250 designs. And, we found some less-than-glowing comments from customers, complaining about coupons that didn't get applied properly and a lackluster response from Checks Unlimited's reps, among other things. For personal checks, this company earns a "could be better, could be worse” rating.
Although you won't know it unless you really dig, Bank Checks Plus is another imprint of Carousel Checks. However, there are some differences here, and they don't necessarily give this company an advantage. You won't find as many designs to choose from, and from the cost of the personal checks themselves to the nickel-and-dime fees for personalizations, everything costs more at Bank Checks Plus. The company has still earned its own 1,000+ reviews from happy customers, but it's not enough to earn more than an average rating here.
The Bradford Exchange has been a household name in art and collectibles for longer than a lot of people have been alive. They extend their expertise into personal checks, providing a selection of 600+ designs of not just artsy checks but also sports teams, worthy causes, and even basic plain colors. All around, though, this company's service is just average, from pricing to shipping fees and customer service. There's no big reason not to order your personal checks from The Bradford Exchange, but we'd look at other options on our list first.
American Bank Checks is owned by the same company that operates several other online storefronts for printing personal checks. This particular site doesn't have a bad reputation, but you'll pay a lot more for what you order here (starting at $27.99 for a box with just 80 checks). There's not a lot of customer feedback for American Bank Checks either, and its sister sites (which we evaluated a few years ago) ranked pretty low on our list. Without much to recommend it, American Bank Checks gets a below-average rating.
Deluxe has been around for over a century and partners with many financial institutions to supply their personal and business checks. You can order directly from Deluxe too, but you'll have to use your personal banking info just to sign in and see pricing. You'll pay way more for your checks here, have far fewer design choices than with rival companies, and you'll have to wade through a clunky online interface just to get to the checkout. Deluxe itself has a good reputation, but we wouldn't call it a competitive, customer-friendly place to buy personal checks.
Another great thing about checks is the control they give you. When you write a check, you decide when and how the money leaves your account. There's no immediate electronic withdrawal, which can give you a bit of breathing room to make sure everything is in order. This can be a real plus if you're managing your budget carefully and want to avoid any unexpected hits to your bank balance.
Checks are also widely accepted. While it's true that digital payments are common, not everyone accepts them. Small businesses, local service providers, and even some individuals might prefer or only take checks - or they charge extra if you pay with a credit card (DMV, anyone?). In these cases, having a checkbook handy can save you from scrambling to find an alternative payment method.
Just because checks are a little old-fashioned doesn't mean you have to get them the traditional way: ordering checks online is almost always cheaper than getting them through your bank. Plus, these providers tend to give you more options to customize your checks with different styles and security features, so you're not stuck with the basic (boring) designs your bank might offer.
Speaking of styles, personal checks come in a huge variety of designs. Whether you like classic, no-nonsense patterns or want something fun and colorful, there's something for everyone. You can find checks with themes ranging from nature scenes to cute animals, and even get personalized checks with your own photos. It's a great way to add a personal touch to your finances.
When you're ready to order your checks online, here are some things to look for when choosing which company to use:
The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched some of today's most popular options for ordering personal checks online. Use this information to choose the best place to get your checks in a style you love, delivered right to your doorstep!
Select any 2 Personal Check Stores to compare them head to head