When Is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress in 2026
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You know it is time to buy a new mattress, but a new mattress costs real money. A good queen setup often costs over $1,000. That’s exactly why timing matters. Buy at the right moment, and you can cut a few hundred off the price without settling for less.
Mattress prices change throughout the year. Brands launch new models in late spring and early summer. Retailers adjust inventory, clear space, and plan promotions around a set calendar. Holiday and end-of-season sales cut costs significantly.
So, when is the best time to buy a mattress? This guide explains the sale windows, mattress prices throughout the year, and the mattress sales events that are worth your attention.
The Best Overall Times to Buy: Holiday Weekends
Four weekends offer the biggest discounts each year. Discounts vary by brand and store, but the pattern stays steady across the market.
Presidents' Day (February)
This is the first big event of the year. You often see 10-20% off at direct-to-consumer brands and 20-40% off list prices from traditional labels. Stores clear post-holiday stock, including last year’s models and floor pieces.
Tip: Shop early in the sale for the best size and firmness selection. Ask about discontinued items and boxed returns that still carry a factory warranty.
Memorial Day (May)
Many shoppers circle this weekend for a reason. New summer models roll out in June, so stores work hard to move current inventory. You see deep markdowns on prior-year lines, bundle deals with pillows or protectors, and extended sale periods that run 2 to 3 weeks around the holiday.
Tip: If you want a bigger name brand at a lower price, this is often your best shot. Floor models get lower pricing in late May.
Labor Day (September)
Labor Day brings summer closeouts. Prices often match or come close to Presidents’ Day levels. Back-to-school promotions also push twin and twin XL sizes at steep discounts, and you can find smart bundles that include bedding or frames.
Tip: Shop the week before Labor Day if you want a specific model. Popular medium and queen sizes sell fast.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November)
This is the biggest online sale event. Bed-in-a-box brands run some of their lowest advertised prices of the year, and many add extras like sheets or upgraded foam for free. Brick-and-mortar stores compete with online pricing and offer immediate pickup or quick delivery.
Tip: Create a shortlist in advance and set price alerts. Stock can run short on top-rated models. Expect the best online pricing on direct brands, with stores matching or beating on select in-stock pieces.
When do Mattresses Go on Sale? Best Months to Buy
You can plan your search and spot the best month to buy a mattress. After the notes, you will find a simple calendar table you can use as a cheat sheet.
January and February: Post-holiday clearance. Retailers clear older models and mismatched sets. You can catch solid deals on last year’s lines, especially in firm and plush versions that did not sell in December.
April and May: Often the strongest two-month run for value. New lines arrive in June, so April and May bring real discounts and easier negotiation on floor models. It is common to see 30% to 50% off tagged on well-kept showroom pieces.
July: The 4th of July gives you a summer price break. The promotions are smaller than Memorial Day or Labor Day, but you can still lock in good savings on popular sizes and mid-range hybrids.
August and September: Back-to-school hits first with twin and twin XL deals. Labor Day follows, with broad markdowns that compete with Presidents’ Day. You also see more bundle offers with bedding or base upgrades.
November: Black Friday and Cyber Week favor online-first brands, but many local stores match the deals in person. In-stock queens and kings sell fast. Prepare a short list and check both store and brand sites the week of Thanksgiving.
Simple calendar callout:
| Month | What to expect |
| January-February | Post-holiday clearance on prior-year models and floor pieces |
| April-May | Pre-June markdowns, strong floor-model deals, extended Memorial Day sales |
| July | Fourth of July promos, modest but useful savings |
| August-September | Back-to-school on twins and twin XL, Labor Day holiday pricing |
| November | Black Friday and Cyber Week online deals, with some in-store matches |
Other Sale Events Worth Knowing
Clearance and Closeout
Clearance runs year-round as stores make room. These sales can offer the biggest single-unit discounts, since they want to free up floor space and move discontinued tags. You may buy a past model, but the exact feel or fabric may not be available again if you want a second one later. Ask about warranty status, exchange terms, and delivery timing.
Amazon Prime Day in July and October
Prime Day in mid-July offers good discounts, and Amazon has also added an October event in recent years. The best values here tend to be entry-level foam beds and Amazon-exclusive brands. You will still see strong deals on name labels in November and September that often beat Prime Day pricing, especially on premium lines. Read reviews with care and confirm return shipping terms.
Brand Anniversaries and Seasonal Promos
Many brands run their own events around brand birthdays or seasonal changes. Some add a gift with purchase instead of a big price cut. A quick way to catch these is to sign up for brand email lists or store alerts. That way, you see the promo the day it drops. This is useful for shoppers looking for a specific line, such as Sealy, Serta, or Beautyrest.
In-Store vs Online Deals
Online, the choice is wider, and it’s easy to compare prices. Trials are usually long, often 100 nights or more, so you have time to see how it feels at home. You can find the best prices from direct brands around holidays, and many of those deals stay online.
In-store, you can lie down and know right away if a mattress works for you. You can talk price, too, and sometimes get a deal on a floor model. Many local shops will match online prices. You might even walk out with it the same day or get it delivered fast. If you prefer to test before you buy, head to our mattress store in Austin, TX.
Tip: Try a few models in-store, then order online if a brand’s direct price is lower. Or bring the online quote to the store and ask for a match.
How to Get the Best Deal Regardless of the Season
- Compare the real price, not just the sale. One store can list a mattress at a higher MSRP and show 50% off, while another shows 15% off the same model and still wins on the final price. Write down the out-the-door total and compare that number.
- Ask about price-match guarantees. Some national chains offer a low-price window that protects you after purchase. Save a screenshot or ad to support a match request if a price drops.
- Shop floor models. Floor pieces often show light cosmetic wear only and can be 30% to 50% off. Inspect stitching, edges, and the surface for impressions. Ask for the full factory warranty in writing.
- Buy direct from the manufacturer. Buying direct can remove middle markups and unlock online-only coupons. You also get the brand’s full trial and return terms.
- Check warehouse clubs. Costco and Sam’s Club carry name brands at stable discount prices. These stores also have friendly return terms that reduce risk.
- Stack promo codes and perks. Brand newsletters, podcasts, and review sites often share codes. Some stack with holiday pricing or freebies like pillows.
- Consider financing if a sale is not active. Many brands and stores offer 0% financing for a set term. Spread-out payments can feel like a discount when you need a bed now, and a sale is weeks away.
What If You Can’t Wait for a Sale?
Life happens. Maybe you moved, or the springs finally gave out, or your back needs relief now. You can still land a smart deal outside the big sale windows.
Check the clearance section first. Last floor models and discontinued lines can be a steal if you’re not picky about color or minor wear. Ask about factory-direct pricing. It’s not always advertised. Open-box pieces are worth a look too, especially when they still come with a full warranty. If money’s tight, 0% financing can bridge the gap without raising the final cost.
Do not sleep badly for months just to buy at a discount. Poor sleep has a real cost in energy, mood, and focus. If your bed hurts, shop now and use the playbook above to cut the bill.
Summing Up
The right time to buy a mattress is the moment your current bed stops supporting you. You can find deals year-round. Price compare the final number, ask for a match, and be ready to buy when a model you like drops.
Holiday weekends deliver the best chance for savings. Presidents' Day starts strong. Memorial Day often brings the year’s best selection and pricing. Labor Day and Black Friday round out the top tier, with deep online deals and in-store matches. Mark those four weekends on your calendar and keep a shortlist ready.
If you want in-person help, visit our mattress store in Austin, TX. Try popular lines side by side, then take your pick home the same day. You can also browse by brand right now. Start with Beautyrest mattresses, Sealy mattresses, Serta mattresses, Stearns and Foster mattresses, and Saatva mattresses.
Have questions about today’s best mattress deals or a current Half Price Mattress TX mattress sale? Contact us or visit our store.
