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There’s a lot to consider when buying a mattress. Things like size and comfort come down to personal preference, but cost — we can help with that, and it all comes down to timing.
The good news is that the holidays are approaching, and for shoppers, that means it's a good time of year to buy a mattress. You could score deep discounts and bonus perks like free delivery.
But if you’re not quite ready to make your purchase, here are some other times when you’re likely to catch a deal.
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: The months July through September consistently see the highest sales volume, Mary Helen Rogers, vice president of marketing and communications at the International Sleep Products Association, said in an email interview. "Retailers runs strong promotions and consumers are conditioned to expect deals during these times," Rogers said.
"Long weekends also give shoppers time to visit stores, which still matters," Rogers said.
Even as online mattress sales grow, most people prefer to buy a mattress in a store, according to data provided by the association.
Spring mattress sales
When: March or April.
Why: By March or April, new mattress models will typically be in stores. Shoppers can save money by opting for an older model or a floor sample straight from the showroom as retailers make way for newer models.
What to expect: Purchasing a floor model could save you big, but keep in mind that floor models have probably been tested out by other shoppers.
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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: Retailers are looking to clear their inventory at the end of the year to make room for new items in January, Rogers said. You might even be able to negotiate a better deal if the timing is right.
When your mattress wears out or stops working for you
When: Your current mattress is seven to 10 years old or your body is telling you it's time.
Why: If your body aches or your needs change, it might be time to purchase a new mattress. There are a few reasons why people decide to replace their mattress, and mattress deterioration is at the top (77%), followed by health and comfort (71%), according to a 2023 report by The Better Sleep Council.
What to expect: Maybe you don’t have the luxury of waiting for a seasonal sale. The general consensus among industry experts is that a 10-year-old mattress is nearing the end of its life, but the exact timing can vary by material and sleeper habits.
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 hybrid. You might also have to include a box spring or foundation to your total cost.
On average, people spent $1,021 on a queen sized mattress, according to the Better Sleep Council's 2023 Mattress Consumer Research Report.
What do Redditors think?
We sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on what users look for when buying a mattress and how much they spend. We used an AI tool to help analyze the feedback. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.
Redditors’ budgets vary widely, from $200 to $3,000 and above. But generally, users say that you can find a quality mattress between $400-$1,000.
When looking for the best value, they consider durability and longevity, support and comfort level for your desired sleep position (back, side, etc.), quality of the materials and the exchange or return policies.
The most common complaints were about memory foam mattresses, mainly due to heat retention and off-gassing, which is the harmless, but unpleasant smell some mattresses emit after taking them out of their packaging for the first time.
If possible, users recommend testing the mattress before purchasing, and shopping only at stores with a good return policy. Local stores might match online prices, some users suggest.
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.
- Don't overlook warehouse clubs: Stores like Costco and Sam’s Club carry popular name brand mattresses at a discount. They also run in-store sales that could bring the price down further. Delivery and setup are sometimes included in the price, which adds extra value (and saves your back).
- 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 probably be able to capitalize on the pricing from at least one major sale period.
- Pay attention to price, not percentage off. A 50% off discount doesn’t always mean a better deal than 10% off. If the original price was way higher to begin with, you could still end up paying more. To truly understand the value, focus on both the original and final prices, not just the percentage discount
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