When Is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?
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There’s a lot to consider when buying a mattress — beginning with size, comfort and price.
We’ll leave size and comfort up to you, but we can help you sleep better by knowing that you got a good price. Here are some of the best times of the year to buy a mattress.
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Late winter and early spring
When: March or April.
Why: By March or April, new mattress models will typically be in stores, according to Scott Paladini, who founded online mattress company Bear Mattress. As new mattresses arrive, shoppers can save money by opting for an older model or a floor sample straight from the showroom.
Why? It’s out with the old and in with the new. “Eventually the retailers will have to remove all of those beds and put the new models down,” Paladini says.
What to expect: A floor model could save you as much as 50% off the price, according to Julie Tramonte, a former sleep advocate for Verlo Mattress, which sells online and in stores. She recommends asking a manager when the store plans to turn over its inventory, as timing can vary. Keep in mind that floor models have likely been tested out by other shoppers.
Holiday weekends
When: Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day.
Why: Mattress industry experts agree — holiday weekends are a prime time to shop. You can find deals throughout the year, but holidays offer widespread sales, says Jody Putnam, chief retail officer at Mattress Firm, which sells online and in stores.
“Most of the time there’s usually a couple beds here or a couple there that will be at sale prices, but at those major holidays, a larger portion of the products in the marketplace will be marked down,” Putnam says.
What to expect: Paladini estimates shoppers can save from 10% to 20% if they buy a mattress during a holiday promotion.
Online deal days
When: Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Why: Watch for deals popping up throughout the year when retailers designate their own “holidays.” Amazon Prime Day typically lands in the summer, followed by Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the fall.
What to expect: Like other major holidays, retailer deal days come with big savings. In the past, mattress retailers like Bear Mattress have provided discounts on purchases made on Cyber Monday, plus bonus products like sheets and pillows.
All year
When: Your current mattress is 7 to 10 years old.
Why: Maybe you don’t have the luxury of waiting for a seasonal sale because your bed is on the edge. The general consensus among industry experts is a 10-year-old mattress is nearing the end of its life, but that can vary by material and sleeper habits.
Your body can help you determine when it’s time to get a new one. For example, Tramonte says you may not notice your current mattress is lacking comfort until after you go on vacation and sleep on a different mattress.
What to expect: If your back or neck is aching, there are ways to find a good price — even if you can’t make your purchase during the times listed above. See some tips at the end.
How much should you spend on a mattress?
The answer to this question depends on your budget, as well as key factors like the size of the mattress and the type and quality of materials — think memory foam, innerspring or latex. So pick the model that suits your needs and your price point. You can likely find a good quality mattress for around $1,000 (sometimes less), according to Consumer Reports.
Mattress-buying tips
Keep these money-saving tactics in mind when buying your new bed:
Look online. You’ve probably watched mattress unboxing videos on social media. Online retailers such as Bear Mattress, Casper and Lull offer convenience and ship their mattresses to you in a compact box. Aside from the novelty, online prices can be competitive.
Shop store closings. If you prefer shopping for a mattress at the store and still want a great deal, check for store closings in your area. Retailers that are going out of business are typically eager to offload inventory, which translates to savings for you.
Test it out. Before you pick one, sleep on it. Many sellers offer a trial period. If you take a mattress home and decide to return it within a certain window (sometimes 100 to 120 nights), you’ll get a refund. That’s especially helpful if you buy from an online seller and haven’t felt the mattress first.
Get a guarantee. Look for a retailer that will guarantee its price, Putnam says. Some sellers will refund you the difference if the mattress you bought goes on sale within a given period after your purchase. At Mattress Firm, the 120-night price-guarantee window means you’ll likely be able to capitalize on the pricing from at least one major sale period.
Negotiate. Paladini says shoppers can negotiate. If you can’t get a retailer to come down in price, they may be willing to throw in a free pillow or accessory to make it worth your while.
Pay attention to price, not percentage off. A 50% off sale isn’t necessarily better than a 10% off deal, especially if the former mattress was substantially more expensive to begin with. It’s best to look at both the original and final price of the mattress, not just the percentage of the discount, Tramonte says.
Earn up to $250/year in cash rewards
With a NerdWallet+ membership, it's easy to rack up rewards for the smart decisions you're already making, like checking your credit score.
