The fun part of buying a mattress? Sprawling out on bed after bed at the mattress store. Watching your bed-in-a-box inflate. Putting fresh sheets on and crawling into a brand new bed for the night.
The not so fun part? Actually, you know, buying it. But we spend a third of our lives sleeping (those without children, of course), and you want to be sure the mattress you bring home will be comfortable and supportive enough to last for years.
But when is the best time to buy a mattress? Turns out, mattress brands offer sales that cycle throughout the year, and buying one during these times can save you a lot of money. Here’s when, and how, you can secure one at the best possible price.
Major Holiday Sales
Mattress companies are the OG of the President’s Day and Memorial Day mattress sales you see in ads. Major holidays are opportunities to buy high-quality mattresses like the Brooklyn Sedona Elite for lower prices. Here are the holidays where you’ll find most mattress retailers running sales:
- New Year’s Day: On January 1st, many retailers will entice customers who didn’t buy a mattress at the end of the previous year to purchase one now.
- President’s Day: The third Monday in February is part of a long weekend and sales are popular at this time.
- Memorial Day: The last Monday in May is historically a time when new inventory comes in and there are sales on older models.
- Fourth of July: Independence Day is a big summer sale event for big purchases like mattresses, and usually, these sales are longer than just July 4.
- Labor Day: The first Monday in September is a popular time for mattress sales to happen.
- Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving often gives you the best sales of the year for a mattress.
- Cyber Monday or Cyber Week: After Black Friday comes… Cyber week is a great time to snatch up a mattress online.
Of course, like anything, there are downsides to shopping for a mattress during holiday sales. Sort of like Black Friday at the big-box electronic store, trying to buy only one of 25 deeply discounted TVs. While you (hopefully) won’t be elbowing your way past crowds to get the luxury mattress of your dreams, these sales can have increased competition for limited stock.
Seasonal Sales
The beginning of a new season can be a great time to update your mattress. Many brands offer spring and fall events so you can score some major deals.
Keep an eye out for discounts when the seasons change. For instance, May is when a lot of seasonal sales start with the summer holidays—Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. November is the start of fall and winter sales like Black Friday, New Year’s Day, and President’s Day.
Certain times of the year might be better for specific mattress types. For example, hybrid mattresses like the Brooklyn Aurora Luxe or copper-infused memory foam mattresses like the Brooklyn Copperflex, can have cooling technology and are more likely to be on sale during the hotter summer months. The best time to buy a memory foam mattress is in the winter season, because they retain more heat than other mattress types. You’ll often find these on sale.
Industry Events and Clearance Sales
Some industry events like the National Sleep Foundation’s Sleep Awareness Week in March will be a time when retailers discount their mattresses. Mattress retailers might offer discounts on their anniversary sales as well.
Mattresses can be at their lowest price during clearance sales, or “closeout” sales. These clearances can happen several times throughout the year. The point of these is to clear out the mattresses that are no longer being sold, and making room for new models. So they’re basically a “last chance” opportunity.
Different brands may offer discounted prices for a few days or weeks, up to several months. When there are sales, some mattress sizes might be more difficult to find. You may want to note the warranty, trial period and return policies of different brands because they can vary in their offerings. For example, Brooklyn Bedding offers a limited lifetime warranty, 120-night sleep trial, and easy returns.
Beyond the Sales Cycle: Long-Term Value and Durability
Sales and clearances are short term, and there’s a certain thrill in finding a great deal. But there’s something to say about long-term value, especially when you think of how often you’re really spending time on your mattress.
The initial cost (even at a sale price) might be a lot, but many brands offer financing and perks such as free delivery or long trial periods. Experts say to replace your mattress every eight to 10 years, depending on variables. A good quality, durable mattress can give you a better bang for your buck than a “cheaper” mattress. How well your mattress holds up over time and the quality of its support and pressure-relieving features can provide big benefits to your body and bank account in the long run.
It can pay off—literally—to not only do some research on sale prices, but also on mattress materials and construction. This can contribute to long-term savings. You may consider looking for mattresses that offer quality construction like the Brooklyn Signature Hybrid at a non-ridiculous price. Mattresses don’t have to be expensive to still offer premium features.
Strategies for Finding the Best Deals
So outside of actually seeing a sale on mattresses and jumping on it, what else can you do in order to find the best deal? Here's some actionable advice to really save you money:
- Mark your calendar, so you don’t let a great deal pass you by, especially during the increased activity around holidays.
- Sign up for email alerts from mattress brands so sales and clearances land right in your inbox.
- Compare prices across retailers—they can differ in their sales offerings.
- Don't hesitate to contact customer service to help you walk through choosing a mattress model that's right for you.
- Be proactive in your search, even outside peak sale seasons. You might randomly come across a great deal if you’re paying attention.
Remember, your budget is important, but consider weighing price against quality and durability. A great deal on a lower-quality mattress may seem good at the time, but quality mattresses last longer and can contribute to a better night’s sleep.
The Bottom Line
By doing a little research, being patient for the next sale, and weighing cost savings with long-term quality and durability, you can be strategic in shopping for the best deal. Consider these tips when making your next mattress purchase so you can make an informed decision for your sleep health.