An in-depth guide to online and in-store mattress shopping and how to time your purchase for the best deal possible
The official first weekend of the summer is right around the corner, and that means big shopping deals are on the way. In fact, Memorial Day Weekend is considered the best weekend of the year to make one hefty purchase in particular: a new mattress. From Saturday, May 25 - Monday, May 27, shoppers can walk into a mattress store and easily walk out with a comfy, new bed for up to 50 percent off. The online deals will be plentiful, too!
Don’t worry, if you’re not ready to invest in a new mattress just yet, there are many times of year to find great sales. No matter the month, you should never have to pay full price for a mattress. This is one retail item that’s well known for being heavily marked up, and if you swipe your card without a decent discount, you’ve probably been duped.
That being said, the absolute stars for the best mattress sales are the 3-day holiday weekends, especially American holidays like Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day.
Now allow us to dive into the details to help you score great deals throughout the year.
Most online stores will run decent discounts year-round. This is due to their need to be competitive in a huge market. But you will probably notice even steeper discounts around traditional and online holidays including:
Sales will usually begin a few days before the actual holiday and continue for a few days after, giving you slightly more time to make a decision.
When you know your mattress is reaching the end of its lifespan and it’s just about time to put it to bed (please excuse our mattress puns), you can begin loosely planning your big purchase by thinking about the best seasons for deals at brick-and-mortar stores:
This seasonal guide can be a useful starting point, but for in-store mattress shopping, it’s really all about the holidays — especially the big, “American” three-day-weekends. Go ahead and mark your calendars with these discount-worthy dates over the next 12 months:
Pros and cons
Pros: Endless options await you when you choose to browse mattress options online. It may not strike you as the type of item shoppers choose to purchase digitally, but everyone from large, well-known manufacturers to small, niche brands have options available on their websites.
In general, you will tend to find lower mattress prices online, as these retailers know they have more competition than the store down the street. [NA3] And of course, online retailers without a rent bill to pay have lower overhead costs, and therefore don’t need to mark up their prices as much as their brick-and-mortar counterparts.
Convenience is a big draw for online mattress shoppers, who can have their new beds easily shipped to their homes. For example, the “mattress in a box” craze has popularized compressed, packaged mattresses which arrive on your doorstep and easily unfold to their full size.
Cons: Because you won’t be chatting with a manager face to face, you’ll miss out on your chance to haggle on price like you can when shopping at a physical store. And of course, testing out mattresses online is nearly impossible. You do have the option to order a mattress, try it out, and send it back if it doesn’t meet your needs, but if you go this route, be prepared for a fairly long process.
Tips for online mattress shopping
The mattress business is evolving, and the same old retailers you bought from 20 years ago may not be your best option anymore. Get familiar with some of the online brands selling convenient bed-in-a-box options like Casper, Purple, Lull or Bear Mattress.
No matter who you buy from, be sure you always search for coupons before making a decision. Browser extensions like CouponFollow’s Cently make it easy to find coupons for any item you’re reviewing online. [NA4] You may even notice pop-up ads on the company’s website that offer additional savings with special codes. Don’t be afraid to use ‘em before you lose ‘em!
If you’re looking for a deeper dive into online mattress shopping, check out this handy guide from Sleep Help Institute.
Pros and cons
Pros: Brick-and-mortar is still the most popular choice for mattress shoppers, and the reasons are understandable. Customers are able to test out their options and compare them side-by-side. Handling returns or exchanges can also be easier and faster when dealing with a physical store. Lastly, you’ll get a chance to practice your negotiating skills when you walk into your local mattress store, and this can help shave off a few more bucks.
Cons: Because brick-and-mortar stores have higher overhead costs, like paying their store rent, you’re probably going to pay a little more than you would online. Physical stores also have less competition to worry about; it’s unlikely that their shoppers will search outside their city, so they only have to consider the other stores in town when planning deals and discounts.
Tips for in-store mattress shopping
For anyone who finds themselves in desperate need of a new mattress outside these prime weekends or seasons, we’ve got a few more tips for finding a great price.
Overstock deals may be most common in spring and fall, but they can occasionally happen at random, so it’s worth a look through your Sunday paper. Store closings can also mean hitting the jackpot — keep your ears open for going-out-of-business sales. On the opposite end of the spectrum, brand new stores in your area may kick things off with major discounts in order to start their businesses off strong.
No matter the situation, be prepared to negotiate when finalizing a deal at your local mattress store. Scary as that may sound, managers have come to expect it and won’t be caught off guard. Even if they won’t budge too far on price, they’ll often throw in some free pillows or box springs. So, why not?
Now that you know the best times the buy and the pros and cons, we’re here to help you start the research portion of your buying journey. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
The average spring mattress can fall anywhere between $500 - $2,000. The specific style of mattress, quality, and size are all factors in the final cost.
Memory foam or latex are more luxurious options but be aware that these styles can sometimes cost you up to $4,000 for some higher-end brands. Cheaper options definitely exist, but it may take some hunting.
If you’re moving into a new place, be sure to measure your room first and find a great fit.
If this is an urgent purchase, your deal-hunting process may be on the lighter side. But if you’ve got a few months to make a decision, you may be able to strategically hold out for a better price.
Is brand important? Quality? Warranty? Material? Thickness? You may feel overwhelmed by all the options out there, so start off by making a list of priorities.
This question is the most important one of all in your mattress-buying plan and how to time your purchase.
Investing in a high-quality mattress means investing in your health, comfort, and happiness, so this is one purchase that’s worth the extra research. Take your time, weigh your priorities and preferences, and plan your shopping extravaganza based on the factors we’ve laid out here. Between local stores, online retailers, and digital coupon searching, there are a variety of deals to be found throughout the year for every price point. And with that, we wish you happy shopping and a good night’s sleep!