The Best Time to Buy a Mattress: A Month-by-Month Sales Guide
The best time to buy a mattress is during a major US holiday sale: Presidents Day in February, Memorial Day in May, the Fourth of July, Labor Day in September, and Black Friday through Cyber Monday in late November. Late spring is also good for showroom brands clearing out older models.
That said, the best time to buy a mattress is also when you need one. Online mattress brands run promotions most of the year, and the gap between a holiday sale and a regular sale is often smaller than the ads suggest. Below is how the US sales calendar works, and how to tell a real deal from a permanent one.
US mattress sales calendar
| When | Sale event | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| February | Presidents Day | The first big sale of the year; brands often bring back their strongest promotions |
| May | Memorial Day | One of the biggest mattress sales of the year; also overlaps with new-model season |
| Early July | Fourth of July | A summer sale, usually similar in depth to Memorial Day |
| Early September | Labor Day | Another major event; good for back-to-school and fall moves |
| October | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | Some brands run smaller sales |
| Late November | Black Friday and Cyber Monday | Often the strongest offers of the year, with the widest range of bundles and extras |
| Late December | End of year and holiday sales | Some brands extend Black Friday-style promotions |
Sales usually start before the holiday itself and often run for a week or more afterward. Black Friday promotions in particular now tend to begin in early November.
Holiday mattress sales, one by one
Presidents Day (February)
Presidents Day sales are a good option if you need a mattress early in the year. Brands frequently offer discounts comparable to their other major events, and showrooms are less crowded.
Memorial Day (May)
Memorial Day is one of the most popular times to buy a mattress. It falls during the season when many traditional brands introduce new lines, so stores have a reason to discount older models.
Fourth of July
The July Fourth sale is a mid-year chance to buy if you missed Memorial Day. Offers are usually similar.
Labor Day (September)
Labor Day sales coincide with college move-ins and fall house moves, so they're a natural time to buy twin XL mattresses for dorms and new beds for new homes. See our mattress sizes guide if you're furnishing a new room.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November)
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are often the best time to buy a mattress online. Expect the broadest set of discounts, plus bundles that add pillows, sheets or protectors.
New-model season: a showroom opportunity
Many traditional mattress brands release new models in spring and early summer. When that happens, retailers discount the outgoing models to make room. If you shop in stores, May and June are good months to ask about floor models and discontinued lines.
Floor models can save money, but check whether they're sold as-is, whether a warranty still applies, and whether returns are allowed.
Why online mattresses are "on sale" most of the year
Many online brands list a high regular price and run a discount nearly all year. The data we track shows how big that gap can be: the Nectar Classic lists at about $1,615 for a queen but is often on sale for around $699, and the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid shows a queen price of about $699.
That means the list price isn't a useful reference point. A better question is how the current price compares with what the mattress usually sells for. If a "holiday price" matches the price from the previous month, it's not a special deal.
How to tell if a mattress deal is real
- Track the actual selling price. Watch the price for a few weeks before a holiday, or check what it sold for during the last sale.
- Compare bundles fairly. A free pillow set is only valuable if you'd have bought it anyway.
- Check the size. Some advertised prices are for the smallest size. Compare queen to queen.
- Read the policies. A small discount on a mattress with a generous trial can be better value than a big discount on a final-sale item. Our mattress trial and return policies guide compares brands.
- Look at delivery and removal. White-glove delivery and old-mattress removal can be free, paid or unavailable. Factor that into the total.
When you shouldn't wait for a sale
If your mattress is causing pain or ruining your sleep, waiting months for a holiday rarely makes sense. Online brands' everyday sale prices are usually close to their holiday prices, and a good night's sleep is worth more than a modest extra discount.
If you're on a tight budget, start with our best budget mattress picks, which include several queens that often sell for under $400. Mattresses like the Siena Memory Foam and Zinus Green Tea are inexpensive year-round.
Know what you want before the sale starts
Sales create pressure to buy fast. Decide on your size, firmness and type ahead of time so you can act quickly on a good price. Our how to choose a mattress guide walks through the steps, and the best mattress in a box list covers popular online picks. Or take the quiz now and have your short list ready for the next sale.
Frequently asked questions
What month is the best time to buy a mattress?
November is often the best month, thanks to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. May is also strong because Memorial Day overlaps with new-model season, when stores discount older lines. Presidents Day in February, the Fourth of July and Labor Day in September are other good options. With online brands, everyday sale prices are often close to holiday prices.
Do mattresses go on sale on Black Friday?
Yes. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are among the biggest mattress sale events of the year, and many brands start their promotions in early November and extend them past Cyber Monday. Expect discounts plus bundles of pillows, sheets or protectors. Compare the sale price with what the mattress usually sells for, not just the list price.
Is it better to buy a mattress in a store or online during a sale?
Both run holiday sales. Online brands usually offer lower everyday prices and long at-home trials, often 100 to 365 nights. Stores can be better for discounted floor models and outgoing models during new-model season, and you can lie down first. Whichever you choose, check the return policy, delivery fees and whether old-mattress removal is included.
Are mattress prices negotiable?
In physical stores, sometimes. Showrooms may have room to discount floor models or add extras like free delivery, a base or a protector, especially near the end of a sale or when older models are being cleared. Online mattress prices are usually fixed, though you can watch for coupon codes and holiday promotions.
How do I know if a mattress sale is a good deal?
Compare the sale price with the price the mattress usually sells for, not the list price, since many online brands discount nearly all year. Make sure you're comparing the same size, value any bundled extras realistically, and check the trial, return fees and delivery costs. A good deal on the wrong mattress is still a bad buy.