For a homeowner with good credit, does it make sense to refinance from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage now, and which lenders are most competitive?

For a homeowner with good credit, refinancing from a 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage can make sense, but it depends less on credit score alone and more on your current mortgage rate, remaining balance, years left, cash flow, and goals.

Current market conditions make the decision more nuanced: 15-year refinance rates are generally lower than 30-year rates, but they are still elevated compared with the ultra-low rates many homeowners locked in during 2020–2021. Recent averages have put 15-year fixed refinance rates roughly in the high-5% to low-6% range, depending on the source, borrower profile, and fees.

When moving to a 15-year mortgage usually makes sense

A 15-year refinance is often attractive if:

• Your current mortgage rate is higher than today’s 15-year rate - Example: You have a 30-year loan at 7.25% and can get a 15-year loan near 6%. You may reduce interest costs substantially.
• You can comfortably handle the higher payment - A 15-year loan pays principal down much faster, but the monthly payment can rise significantly.
• You want to be mortgage-free sooner - You build equity faster and reduce lifetime interest.
• You are several years into your current loan - Resetting a 30-year clock can erase some of the benefit of refinancing; a 15-year term avoids that.

When it may not be the best move

Consider staying with the 30-year mortgage if:

• Your existing rate is very low (for example, around 3%–4%).
• The higher payment would reduce your emergency savings or retirement contributions.
• You value flexibility. A 30-year mortgage with extra principal payments can mimic a shorter loan while keeping the lower required payment.
• You have higher-interest debt or better investment opportunities for the cash flow difference.

A simple example

Suppose you owe $300,000:

• 30-year loan at 6.75%:

• Payment (principal + interest): about $1,946/month

• Total interest over life: about $400,000

• 15-year loan at 6.0%:

• Payment: about $2,532/month

• Total interest over life: about $156,000

The 15-year option costs about $586 more per month, but could save roughly $244,000 in interest if held to payoff.

(Actual numbers vary with taxes, insurance, closing costs, and your exact rate.)

Lenders worth comparing for a strong-credit borrower

For a borrower with excellent credit, I would compare at least:

• Rocket Mortgage — strong digital process and broad availability.
• Better Mortgage — often competitive for straightforward refinance cases.
• LoanDepot — large refinance lender with online tools.
• SoFi — sometimes competitive for financially strong borrowers.
• PenFed Credit Union — worth checking, especially if you qualify for membership.
• Navy Federal Credit Union — often competitive, though membership is restricted.
• A strong local credit union or mortgage broker — smaller lenders sometimes beat national lenders on fees.

Rate comparisons change daily, and lender rankings vary by borrower profile. For example, recent rate tables have shown some 15-year refinance offers from smaller lenders competing aggressively, while larger lenders may offer more convenience and service options.

How I would shop it

Get 5–7 Loan Estimates within the same short period and compare:

1. Interest rate
2. APR
3. Origination fees
4. Points purchased (if any)
5. Closing costs
6. Break-even point

A good-credit borrower should not assume the advertised “best rate” is the best deal—sometimes a slightly higher rate with much lower fees wins.

To tell whether you should refinance, I’d need:

1. Current mortgage balance
2. Current interest rate
3. Years remaining on the 30-year loan
4. Approximate home value
5. Credit score range (e.g., 740–760, 760+)
6. State
7. Whether you plan to stay in the home 5+ years

With those, I can estimate your payment change, break-even period, and whether a 15-year refinance is likely worth it.

Refinancing from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage comes down to balancing a lower interest rate and faster equity building against a significantly higher monthly payment. With national averages sitting around 6.6 6% for a 30-year fixed and 5.9 8% for a 15-year fixed according to Freddie Mac , a 15-year term yields a rate discount of roughly 0.60 0.60 0.6 0 to 0.70 0.70 0.7 0 percentage points.

Does it make sense right now?

• Interest Savings: A shorter term cuts total lifetime interest dramatically, and the lower rate on a 15-year loan magnifies those savings.
• Higher Monthly Outlay: Your principal is compressed into half the time, meaning your monthly payment will jump up even if the interest rate is lower.
• Cash Flow Flexibility: If your current 30-year rate is significantly lower than today's market rates (e.g., you locked in a 3% or 4% rate previously), refinancing makes little financial sense. However, if your current rate is higher than today's 15-year average and your income is stable, the forced savings of a 15-year timeline can be a powerful wealth-builder for strong-credit borrowers.
• The Alternative: If you want flexibility without refinancing costs, consider keeping your 30-year mortgage and voluntarily making payments equivalent to a 15-year amortization schedule.

Most Competitive Lenders

When shopping for a refinance with strong credit, comparing multiple estimates is essential. Top-rated and competitive lenders in the current market include:

• Rocket Mortgage : Noted by CNBC Select as a top choice for speedy processing and robust digital tools.
• loanDepot : Frequently recognized by CNBC Select for streamlined online closing experiences.
• PenFed Credit Union : Highlighted by CNBC Select as a premier credit union option for competitive rate structures if you qualify for membership.
• Better : Noted across industry evaluations for a fast, fee-transparent digital origination process.

To help me narrow this down, could you share:

• Your current mortgage interest rate and remaining balance
• Whether your primary goal is minimizing total interest or maximizing monthly cash flow

Yes—but for most homeowners, I would not automatically refinance a 30-year into a 15-year at today’s rates. It can make excellent sense if your current rate is materially higher and the new payment is comfortably affordable.

As of August 26, 2026, the market is roughly in the mid-6% range. Recent data put the average 15-year refinance rate around 5.8%–6.2%, versus roughly 6.7%–7.1% for a 30-year refinance, depending on the source and borrower assumptions.

When a 15-year refi makes sense

I'd seriously consider it if:

• Your current 30-year rate is above ~6.5%.
• You have excellent credit (roughly 760+) and substantial equity.
• You expect to stay in the house for at least 5–7 years.
• The higher 15-year payment doesn't interfere with retirement savings, emergency reserves, or other goals.
• You want to be mortgage-free in 15 years and value that certainty.
• Your closing costs are modest enough that the interest savings justify them.

The biggest attraction is not merely the lower rate: you're simultaneously cutting the repayment period in half and paying substantially less total interest.

But there's an important wrinkle: if you already have, say, 20–25 years remaining on your current 30-year loan, refinancing into a new 15-year loan isn't necessarily as compelling as the headline rate suggests. You're accelerating amortization, so the payment can jump dramatically.

Freddie Mac notes that refinancing commonly costs several thousand dollars and that costs can run roughly 3%–6% of the loan principal, although actual costs vary substantially.

The alternative I'd seriously consider

Before doing the 15-year refinance, compare it with:

Keep the existing 30-year loan + make additional principal payments.

For example, suppose you have a $400,000 balance at 7%. A new 15-year loan around 6% would have principal-and-interest of roughly $3,375/month. Keeping the 30-year loan would be about $2,661/month.

Instead of committing to the $3,375 payment, you could keep the 30-year loan and voluntarily pay ~$3,375 toward it. You get much of the accelerated payoff benefit while retaining the ability to drop back to the $2,661 payment if your finances change.

The 15-year refinance wins if its lower interest rate + forced amortization + closing costs produce enough savings to compensate for giving up that flexibility.

Lenders I'd shop first

For a strong-credit borrower in California, I'd get at least 4–5 competing Loan Estimates rather than choosing a lender based on an advertised rate.

My shortlist right now:

1. penfed.org — particularly worth checking for a high-credit borrower. Its current published conventional refinance rate is 6.25%, although that's based on a particular 30-year scenario with one discount point, so don't compare that number directly with a zero-point quote elsewhere.
2. better.com — very competitive online lender. Its published August 21 rate was 6.30% APR for a 15-year fixed refinance, though again, your actual quote can differ.
3. usbank.com — worth getting a quote, particularly with 740+ FICO and 25%+ equity. U.S. Bank explicitly publishes 15-year refinance pricing for that borrower profile.
4. truist.com — NerdWallet currently rates Truist as its best overall refinance lender for 2026, citing competitive APRs and reasonable fees.
5. A good local California credit union/broker — don't overlook this. A mortgage broker can sometimes beat a big bank because they can shop several wholesale lenders simultaneously.

The current lender-rate surveys also specifically show PenFed, Better and Navy Federal among the more competitive lenders this week. Yahoo Finance If you're eligible for Navy Federal, I'd definitely include it in the comparison.

What I'd want to see before pulling the trigger

Don't compare advertisements. Ask each lender for the same scenario:

15-year fixed, rate-and-term refinance, zero points, same loan amount, same property, same occupancy, and quote both rate and APR. Then compare:

I'd be especially wary of a lender advertising something like 5.5% if it requires 2 points. A slightly higher rate with $5,000 less upfront cost can easily be the better deal.

My bottom line

If your current rate is 7%+ and you have excellent credit, I'd shop a 15-year refinance now. Current 15-year rates are sufficiently below 30-year rates that there can be a compelling mathematical case.

If your current rate is already around 6% or lower, I probably wouldn't refinance simply to get into a 15-year. I'd keep the existing loan and make extra principal payments, unless the numbers show unusually low closing costs.

If you give me (1) your current mortgage balance, (2) current interest rate, (3) years/months remaining, (4) approximate home value, and (5) your rough credit score, I can calculate the 15-year vs. keeping your current mortgage vs. a new 30-year and tell you approximately what rate/closing-cost combination would make refinancing worthwhile.

What I'd want to see before pulling the trigger

Don't compare advertisements. Ask each lender for the same scenario:

For a homeowner with strong credit, refinancing from a 30-year fixed mortgage to a 15-year fixed mortgage comes down to a clear trade-off: lower total interest and faster equity building versus a higher monthly payment.

With 15-year fixed rates hovering around 5.9 5%−6.0 7% and 30-year rates sitting near 6.6 3%−6.6 9%, shifting to a 15-year term typically secures an interest rate discount of roughly 0.60% to 0.75%.

Does it make sense right now?

• Pros:
  • Massive Interest Savings: Paying off the loan in half the time drastically cuts the lifetime interest paid to the bank.
  • Lower Rate: You capture a reduced baseline interest rate just by choosing the shorter term.
  • Forced Equity: You build wealth much faster, which is great if you are tracking toward retirement within 15 years.
• Cons:
  • Higher Monthly Payment: Your principal is compressed into 180 months instead of 360, meaning your mandatory monthly obligation will spike significantly.
  • Reduced Flexibility: Unlike a 30-year loan (where you can voluntarily pay extra each month to treat it like a 15-year loan), a 15-year loan locks you into that higher baseline payment every single month. If income drops, you don't have the safety valve of a lower minimum payment.

If your cash flow is robust, job security is high, and you want to aggressively shed debt, it makes financial sense. If you prefer maximum liquidity and flexibility, you might be better off keeping a 30-year mortgage and making voluntary extra principal payments.

Most Competitive Refinance Lenders

When shopping with good credit, you want to look at institutions known for competitive pricing, low fees, and smooth digital or branch experiences:

• Truist: Noted in industry analyses as a top overall performer for refinancing flexibility and broad product availability.
• Rocket Mortgage: Highly rated for a streamlined, rapid digital closing process, though it pays to cross-check their closing costs.
• PenFed Credit Union: Excellent choice for credit union membership benefits, often providing very competitive rate structures and lower lender fees for well-qualified borrowers.
• LoanDepot: Recognized for strong online tools and hybrid digital-to-closing capabilities.
• Better: Frequently cited for low-fee, zero-commission digital mortgage origination structures.

If you'd like to narrow this down, please share:

• Your current remaining balance and interest rate
• Roughly how much monthly payment increase you are comfortable absorbing
• Whether you'd prefer a fully digital lender or a traditional bank/credit union

I can help estimate your break-even timeline and monthly payment shift.

Yes—but only for the right starting rate and loan balance. As of August 22, 2026, I would not automatically refinance a good-credit borrower from a 30-year into a 15-year simply because 15-year rates are lower.

Where rates are now

Freddie Mac's latest weekly survey has the national average at 6.65% for a 30-year fixed and 5.95% for a 15-year fixed (Aug. 20).

Actual refinance rates are somewhat different: Bankrate's Aug. 18 survey showed a 6.15% average for a 15-year refinance, with some advertised offers around 5.12%, although those lowest offers carried substantial points/fees.

So the rate advantage is roughly 0.5–0.7 percentage points, but you are paying for it with a substantially higher monthly principal-and-interest payment.

When I'd seriously consider the 15-year

A 15-year refi makes particularly good sense if:

• Your existing mortgage is around 7% or higher.
• You have 15–25+ years remaining.
• You have strong credit (roughly 720+ tends to get the best pricing).
• You have substantial equity, ideally enough to avoid PMI.
• The new payment is comfortable even after property taxes, insurance and other debts.
• You expect to stay in the house for at least several years.

For example, Better estimates that a $400,000 balance going from 6.72%/30-year to 6.10%/15-year raises principal-and-interest payments by roughly $800/month, but can save a very large amount of lifetime interest.

When I wouldn't do it

If your current 30-year mortgage is already around 6%–6.5%, I'd be much more hesitant. You're giving up liquidity and taking on a much larger mandatory payment for a relatively modest rate reduction.

In that situation, I would seriously consider keeping the 30-year and making voluntary extra principal payments instead. You get much of the interest-saving/payoff benefit while retaining the option to make the lower required payment during a financially difficult month. Better makes essentially the same point in its 2026 refinance analysis.

Lenders I'd quote

I wouldn't pick one lender based on advertised rates. I'd get 4–5 competing Loan Estimates on the same day and compare rate, APR, points and lender fees.

My shortlist would be:

For perspective, Rocket was displaying a 5.875% 15-year rate in early August, but with 2 points, illustrating why comparing APR and total closing costs matters more than simply chasing the lowest rate.

The calculation I'd use

Don't use the traditional "you need a 1% rate drop" rule. Calculate:

Break-even = refinance closing costs ÷ monthly savings

But for a 15-year refi, there's an even better comparison:

Compare the total interest you'd pay from today forward under your existing mortgage versus the total interest + closing costs under the new mortgage.

That accounts for the fact that you're changing the amortization schedule, not merely reducing the rate.

My bottom line: If your current rate is 7%+ and you're early-to-midway through the loan, I'd actively shop a 15-year refinance now. If you're at 6.5% or below, I'd probably keep the 30-year and make additional principal payments unless a lender gives you an unusually attractive 15-year quote with very low fees.

If you give me your current mortgage balance, current interest rate, years remaining, and approximate home value, I can run the actual 30-year-vs-15-year numbers and tell you roughly what rate/closing-cost combination would make the refinance worthwhile.

Refinancing from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage can be a powerful wealth-building move, but it comes down to a strict trade-off: significantly lower lifetime interest in exchange for a higher monthly payment.

National averages put the 30-year fixed mortgage around 6.6 5% to 6.7 2%, while 15-year fixed rates hover lower at roughly 5.9 3% to 6.1 0%. Because you have good credit, you'll easily qualify for the best tiers of these pricing spreads.

Does it make sense to do it now?

It makes sense if you fit the right financial profile:

1. You can comfortably afford the higher payment: A 15-year term compresses the principal repayment into half the time. Divide your new loan amount over 180 months instead of 360; ensure that higher out-of-pocket obligation doesn't strain your emergency fund or retirement contributions.
2. Your current rate is higher than prevailing 15-year rates: If your current 30-year rate is sitting in the upper 6% or 7% range, shifting to a 15-year rate in the high-5% or low-6% range drastically cuts total interest.
3. Alternative strategy: If you like the safety net of a lower monthly payment, you could stay in a 30-year mortgage and simply pay extra toward the principal each month. This mimics a 15-year payoff timeline without legally locking you into a higher mandatory monthly payment if cash flow tightens.

Most Competitive Lenders for Refinancing

When shopping with good credit, you shouldn't just look at one institution. Securing quotes from at least three different places can save you thousands. Highly competitive options include:

• Rocket Mortgage: Frequently rated high for a streamlined, fast digital closing process and efficient underwriting.
• PenFed Credit Union / Navy Federal Credit Union: Credit unions routinely offer lower average interest rates and lower closing fees than traditional massive commercial banks if you qualify for membership.
• loanDepot: Noted for flexible, repeat-refinance options and strong online closing tools.
• Better: A purely digital, fee-friendly choice known for aggressive rate-matching policies.
• PNC Bank or Bank of America: Great options if you already hold assets or accounts there, which can trigger relationship rate discounts.

To help narrow down whether this move pencils out for you, tell me:

• What is your current mortgage interest rate and remaining balance?
• How many years have you already paid on your current 30-year loan?

Refinancing from a 30-year to a 15-year fixed mortgage makes sense if the new 15-year rate is at least 0.75% to 1.0% lower than your current rate, you can comfortably handle the higher monthly payment, and your break-even point for closing costs (typically 2% to 5% of the loan amount ) is under 2 to 3 years. With strong credit, you will secure the best available tier pricing, but you should weigh whether locking into a mandatory higher payment is better than keeping a 30-year loan and voluntarily paying extra toward the principal for cash-flow flexibility . Average 15-year refinance rates hover around 5.7% to 6.2% (notably lower than 30-year rates near 6.5% to 7.1%).

When It Makes Sense vs. The "Pay Extra" Alternative

• Interest savings: Shorter terms capture lower market rates and significantly cut total lifetime interest.
• Forced equity: A 15-year schedule forces rapid principal reduction from day one.
• The flexibility counter-argument: Many financial advisors suggest keeping a 30-year loan and simply making 15-year-sized principal payments, which provides an escape hatch if your income drops.
• Break-even check: Divide total closing costs by your monthly payment reduction to verify the timeline.

Most Competitive Lenders

• Rocket Mortgage – Known for a streamlined digital refinance process and competitive baseline conventional pricing.
• AmeriSave – Frequently aggressive with low upfront lender fees and transparent online rate customization.
• Large National Banks (e.g., Chase) – Often offer relationship discounts (rate drops for keeping substantial assets with the bank).
• Local Credit Unions – Frequently beat big banks on closing costs and portfolio 15-year fixed rates, though with a more manual underwriting timeline.

Homeowner Perspectives

“Dropped from a 30 yr to a 15 yr in 2020. Knocked 16 years off what I had left for ~$300 more per month. Wild I only have 10 years left now, if I only make the payments.”

“Keep your 30yr and make an extra $477/month in principal payments. No reason to ever refinance really unless you're getting a significant drop in interest rate which you're not.”

If you share your current mortgage interest rate , the approximate remaining balance , and how long you plan to stay in the home , I can help you calculate your exact break-even timeline.

Yes—but only for the right existing mortgage rate and cash-flow situation. As of August 2026, I would not refinance a low-rate mortgage simply to get into a 15-year loan.

Current national averages are roughly 6.7% for a 30-year and 6.0–6.1% for a 15-year. On Aug. 13, the 15-year average was 5.96%; Bankrate's Aug. 17 survey had it at 6.07%.

When I'd consider the 15-year

The important wrinkle: don't compare only the interest rate. Compare the new payment, closing costs, and how many years you expect to stay in the house. A 15-year refinance can save a huge amount of interest but substantially increase the monthly payment.

Example

Suppose you owe $400,000.

• 30-year loan at 6.75% → roughly $2,594/month principal & interest.
• 15-year loan at 6.0% → roughly $3,375/month.
• The 15-year costs about $780 more per month, but you'd pay the mortgage off 15 years earlier and save a very large amount of interest.

If your existing mortgage is, say, 3.5%, however, refinancing at ~6% would be a terrible trade even if the new loan is shorter. I'd keep the 3.5% mortgage and make additional principal payments if your goal is early payoff.

Lenders I'd put on your shopping list

Since you're in the Tacoma/Puget Sound area, I'd include both national lenders and local credit unions:

1. BECU — particularly worth checking locally. Its published 15-year refinance APR was 6.173%, versus 6.913% for a 30-year refinance, effective July 31.

2. Alliant Credit Union — NerdWallet currently rates it among the strongest refinance choices for competitive APRs, with online personalized quotes.

3. Truist — NerdWallet's overall 2026 pick for refinance lending, citing competitive rates and reasonable fees.

4. Better Mortgage — worth getting a quote because its online pricing can be aggressive. Its published refinance page has recently shown a 15-year rate around 6.1%, although its displayed pricing changes frequently and can include substantial points.

5. Sound Credit Union — very worth adding to the comparison because it's local, offers 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year fixed mortgages, and specifically offers refinancing of non-Sound mortgages with no origination fee on its first-mortgage program.

I'd also get a PenFed quote. It is a national credit union with mortgage refinancing and says its rates are current as of August 2026, though you'll need membership for advertised products.

One thing I'd do differently

Don't tell lenders you're looking specifically for a 15-year until you've compared the alternatives. Ask each for:

• 15-year fixed
• 20-year fixed
• new 30-year fixed
• zero-point/no-point pricing
• total lender fees and estimated closing costs

Then compare APR and Loan Estimates, not just the advertised rate. Rates vary significantly by credit score, loan-to-value, loan size, property type and points; APR incorporates many of the costs that a headline rate doesn't.

If you give me (1) your current balance, (2) current interest rate, (3) years remaining, (4) approximate home value, and (5) your target monthly payment, I can tell you whether I'd refinance to 15, refinance to 20/30, or simply keep the current loan and accelerate payments—and estimate the break-even point.

Deciding whether to refinance from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage depends on balancing the lower overall cost of a shorter term against the requirement for a higher monthly commitment.

Does it make sense to refinance to a 15-year mortgage?

• Lower Interest Rates: 15-year fixed mortgage rates typically track roughly 0.6% to 0.7% lower than 30-year fixed rates (averaging around 6.0 0% vs. 6.7 0%).
• Massive Lifetime Savings: Cutting 15 years off your repayment timeline significantly reduces total lifetime interest.
• Higher Monthly Payment: Because you are principal-packing the loan into half the time, your monthly payment will increase substantially—even with the lower interest rate.
• Credit Advantage: Having good credit ensures you qualify for the best tier of pricing, minimizing your APR and avoiding adverse risk fees.
• The Flexibility Alternative: If you want flexibility, consider sticking with a 30-year mortgage and voluntarily paying it as if it were a 15-year loan. This gives you the lower rate savings if you shop right, but protects you with a lower baseline required payment if your financial situation changes.

Most Competitive Lenders for Refinancing

When shopping around with good credit, looking at both online powerhouses and credit unions yields the best rate quotes:

• Navy Federal Credit Union : Frequently leads surveys for some of the lowest conventional and refinance rates, especially tailored for military families.
• Better : Known for a fast, streamlined digital process and aggressive rate matching.
• PenFed Credit Union : Highly competitive 15-year and refinance rates with strong customer marks for credit union members.
• Rocket Mortgage : Top choice if speed, transparent digital tools, and a reliable closing timeline are your primary goals.
• CrossCountry Mortgage : Highly ranked overall for a diverse suite of custom rate-and-term refinance options.

To narrow down whether this move makes strict financial sense for you, tell me:

• What is your current interest rate and remaining balance?
• Can your monthly budget comfortably handle a higher required payment?

Yes—but for a homeowner with good credit, I would not automatically refinance into a 15-year mortgage right now. The answer depends heavily on your existing rate, remaining balance, years left, and how much higher the 15-year payment would be.

Where rates stand now

As of August 14, 2026, the market is roughly:

• 30-year fixed: ~6.67%–6.70%
• 15-year fixed: ~5.75%–5.96%
• 15-year refinance: roughly 5.8% on average, although individual quotes vary considerably.

So the 15-year is currently about 0.8–0.9 percentage points cheaper than a 30-year. That's meaningful, but not so large that refinancing automatically wins once closing costs and the much higher payment are considered.

When I'd consider the 15-year

It makes particularly good sense if:

1. Your existing mortgage is around 6.5%+ and you have a substantial balance remaining.
2. You can comfortably handle the higher payment without reducing retirement contributions or your emergency reserves.
3. You expect to stay in the house for at least 5 years.
4. You want to eliminate the mortgage quickly and value the guaranteed return from reducing mortgage interest.
5. Your refinance costs are reasonable—ideally with a break-even period of 2–3 years or less.

For example, at today's approximate rates, a $400,000 mortgage would have principal-and-interest payments of roughly:

The 15-year dramatically accelerates principal repayment and reduces lifetime interest, but you're committing yourself to that extra ~$750 every month.

An often-better alternative

If you already have a 30-year mortgage at a reasonably attractive rate, I'd seriously consider keeping it and making extra principal payments rather than refinancing.

You get much of the economic benefit of a 15-year mortgage while retaining the flexibility of the 30-year payment. In a tight month, you can pay the minimum; with a 15-year refinance, you're contractually obligated to make the larger payment.

There's also a third option worth pricing: a 20-year refinance. Current 20-year refinance rates are around 6.5%, between the two terms. fortune.comfortune.com That can be an excellent compromise if the 15-year payment feels too aggressive.

Lenders I'd shop

Rather than picking one "best" lender, I'd get at least 4–5 competing Loan Estimates. Current research shows substantial variation between lenders, and Bankrate reports that many refinance borrowers leave significant money on the table by stopping their rate shopping too early.

I'd put these on your shopping list:

• Better Mortgage — Particularly worth checking for an online, low-friction refinance. Its published 15-year rates have been competitive, although its displayed rates can involve substantial points, so compare APR and total closing costs, not just the headline rate.
• Rocket Mortgage — Good benchmark for an online lender and 15-year refinance; its published examples have been around the mid-5% range, depending on assumptions and points.
• Truist — NerdWallet currently rates it its overall best refinance lender, citing competitive APRs and a broad range of refinance products.
• Chase — Especially worth getting a quote if you're already a Chase customer; NerdWallet highlights its customer service and significant refinance volume.
• Navy Federal Credit Union — If you're eligible, absolutely get a quote. Its published 15-year refinance rates have been quite competitive.
• Sage Home Loans — Forbes currently identifies Sage as its best lender specifically for 15-year refinancing, based on its research into rates, fees and loan terms.

I'd also get one quote from a good local mortgage broker/credit union. They can sometimes beat the big online lenders because they can shop multiple wholesale lenders.

The key is comparing the right number

Don't compare:

"Lender A offers 5.75%, Lender B offers 5.90%."

Compare:

Rate + APR + points + lender fees + title/appraisal costs + total cash to close.

For example, a 5.50% loan requiring 2.5 points isn't necessarily better than a 5.75% loan with zero or one point.

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If you give me your current mortgage balance, current interest rate, years remaining, approximate home value, and your credit score (e.g. 740/780/800), I can run the numbers and tell you whether 15-year refinance vs. keeping the 30-year vs. a 20-year refinance looks best, including the approximate break-even point.