Best Time to Buy a Mattress

A new mattress is more than just something to sleep on; it’s an investment that could drastically improve your quality of sleep for a decade or longer. Thousands of mattresses can be had for a few hundred dollars, but a lower price can mean inferior quality, which can be frustrating for those hoping to stick to a strict budget.

However, a high retail price doesn’t prevent consumers from securing a luxurious, high-end mattress. Online and in-store, there are plenty of times throughout the year where mattress-buying is affordable. The best time to buy a new mattress depends on several factors. The most important aspects to consider are budget, physical limitations, personal needs, and personal preferences.

Anytime

You don’t have to go to a showroom to buy a great mattress. Online retailers sell a wide variety of mattresses at discounted prices throughout the year. Sales prices can correspond with major holidays, but more often they are in-store events that occur randomly every few weeks or months.

Because there are so many different brands, models, and types of mattresses available online, customers have the benefit of variety, improving the odds that they will find a mattress that fits their needs and price range.

Ordering online is a convenient process. Many online mattress retailers offer free shipping, and customers typically only need to unpack the box the mattress arrives before settling down for a great night’s sleep. Some companies offer free installation, especially in cases where the mattress size cannot be temporarily reduced by vacuum-packing or rolling.

Online mattress deals vary, but 30% and 75% off the original retail price is a common sales tactic. Many mattress companies advertise their sales via newsletters and promotional emails, helping potential buyers to stay aware of the best prices.

Customers that can wait a while before getting a new mattress have an increased advantage over other groups when mattress shopping online. Rather than having to make an immediate decision from a limited pool of options, online shoppers can compare deals, anticipate new sales, and get deep discounts on fantastic mattresses.

Early Spring

Spring may bring April showers, but it also heralds the beginning of a new mattress season. Warehouses and showrooms typically begin to slash prices around this time to make room for new merchandise. By the time May flowers begin to bloom, the annual mattress turnover will likely be over, so it’s important to go shopping between February and May.

Retailers typically mail paper advertisements to shoppers in their community, and sales prices for upcoming Spring sales events can often be found online as well. Buying a mattress in-store is ideal for anyone who would like to physically ‘try-out’ a mattress before committing to one.

Online mattress retailers typically offer sleep trials that allow customers to evaluate their new mattress for several nights and return it free of charge if they’re not satisfied. But this can result in a lot of hassle and frustration if a buyer is consistently displeased with the mattress they receive.

Shopping in-store decreases the likelihood of buyer’s remorse, and many retailers offer trial periods comparable to the ones offered by online mattress companies. However, anyone in need immediate need of a new mattress isn’t likely to benefit from these sales from June through January, which is a significant drawback.

Holiday Weekends

Holiday weekends are a great time for individuals and families to relax, spend time together, and go shopping. Retailers consistently reduce their prices during these days, allowing consumers to secure a great deal on a new mattress.

In February, you may see advertisements for President’s Day sales. In July, star-spangled paper flyers showing discounted mattresses find their way into waiting mailboxes and catalogs. September brings Labor Day and with it, plenty of fantastic deals. The beginning of November heralds Veteran’s Day and all the wonderful patriotism and sales it provides. And finally, after giving thanks and feasting with friends and family, customers can dash out to their local mattress store and find Black Friday prices on all their favorite mattresses. Immediately afterward, online shoppers can get their fill with Cyber Monday.

These weekends can be a great opportunity for anyone looking to buy a new mattress. But it’s important to note that buyers must spend part of their holiday weekend buying a mattress instead of lazing around the house or going out to do something exciting.

However, those suffering from a bad mattress are likely to feel delighted at the idea of buying a new mattress, no matter what day it is. A new mattress can help you sleep better, which in turn will help you to awake feeling more relaxed and well-rested. Because a new mattress can affect many aspects of a person’s life in positive ways, it’s worth the extra effort to get the best mattress possible.

We’ve written a number of guides on the big mattress sales that re-occur every year:

• Presidents Day Mattress Sales
• Sleep Week Deals and Mattress Sales
• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

When Should You Buy a New Mattress?

The average lifespan of a mattress is eight years, though the exact number varies from model to model and owner to owner. After about eight years of consistent use, it’s common for mattresses to sag, tear, and become uncomfortable to sleep on, which is why experts agree that consumers should replace their mattress about every eight years to ensure proper spinal support and quality of sleep.

Traditional innerspring mattresses typically do not last longer than ten years. Modern memory foam mattresses, on the other hand, can retain their shape and elasticity for a decade or longer, depending on how well the mattress was maintained and how often it was used.

However, if a mattress is causing a sleeper to wake up in pain, lose sleep, or suffer from uneven sleeping, it should be replaced as soon as possible. A mattress with significant indentations, rips, or sags should be discarded or recycled, no matter its age.

Mattresses that have collected foul odors, body sweat, and stains but that are still supportive and comfortable, do not necessarily need to be replaced. Many mattresses can be hand-cleaned, and a mattress protector can prevent future issues as well as reduce foul smells and the appearance of stains.

Can Old Mattresses Make You Sick?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes.

All people – hot sleepers in particular – release sweat, drool, and dead skin cells across their bed as they sleep. While bedsheets protect the mattress from enduring the brunt of this microscopic biological mess, it isn’t 100% effective.

It’s important to invest in a quality mattress cover or protector when buying a new mattress, as it can help extend the life of your mattress and prevent unpleasant odors, stains, and bacteria from infesting your mattress.

An older mattress that has not been well-cared for or regularly cleaned can cause a person to become ill, especially if that person’s immune system is already compromised. Individuals with sensitive sinuses should try to be particularly aware of any sinus-related symptoms that occur when they go to bed. It could be the result of dust, bacteria, and much more, lurking in the mattress.

What Should I Look For When Buying a Mattress?

There are several things to look for when buying a new mattress. Many of these qualities are dependent on a buyer’s personal preferences, budgetary restrictions, and physical needs. However, there are some basic standards that all mattresses should meet.

Any new mattress should be able to support the weight of a sleeper without allowing their spine to sag and drift out of alignment. Prospective buyers should ensure that their preferred mattress meets their firmness level needs.

Back sleepers rest more comfortably on mattresses that are medium-firm, while stomach sleepers need the firmest mattress possible. Side sleepers may experience lingering back pain when using a medium-firm or firm mattress, so a medium-soft mattress is often recommended for side sleepers.

Aside from firmness, prospective buyers should be aware of the mattress type. Three types of mattresses dominate the markets, and they are memory foam, latex, and innerspring.

Innerspring mattresses have been around for more than a century, but they haven’t always been very comfortable. Modern innovations such as pillow-top coverings and pocketed coils have helped to make the innerspring mattress more comfortable, and the addition of memory foam layers above an innerspring matrix resulted in the first hybrid beds.

Memory foam mattresses are a popular choice for mattress manufacturers, and strides in cooling technology and gel-infused foam have helped to reduce the heat-absorbing tendencies of memory foam. But out of all the different types of mattresses, memory foam tends to be the worst in terms of off-gassing. Buyers should be aware that many memory foam mattresses produce a strong rubber-like smell when they are first unpacked and installed.

Latex foam mattresses typically produce far less odor than memory foam mattresses and can remain elastic and ‘bouncy’ for several years. However, they can be quite expensive.

The type of mattress that works best for any given individual depends on their preferences. Some may enjoy the traditional feel of an innerspring mattress, while others may need the extra support that memory foam can provide.

Buyers should consider how they’d like to buy their new mattress. Online options typically feature free shipping and extended sleep trials, but in-store options give customers the chance to experience a wide variety of options in-person before making a purchase.

Lastly, if budget is a major concern, customers should seek out discounted models or mattress sales to ensure that they get the best options and the best prices.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & 7 In-Store Myths

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best month of the year to buy a mattress?

Mattress prices fluctuate throughout the year, and there are typically dozens of sales throughout that time, but May tends to be one of the best times of the year to buy a mattress.

Mattress retailers must rid themselves of enough stock to receive the new models, which means slashing prices until all their ‘old’ inventory is gone. Memorial Day is celebrated in the merry month of May, and Memorial Day weekend mattress sales tend to be the most lucrative for consumers.

Can a mattress last 20 years?

While it is technically possible for a mattress to last for 20 years, it’s not very likely. Even the toughest memory foam and latex mattresses tend to wear out after a maximum of fifteen years.

However, hypothetically, a high-quality memory foam or latex mattress that received outstanding maintenance and care throughout its lifetime could possibly live to see its 20th birthday.

What kind of mattress lasts the longest?

Latex mattresses tend to last longer than any other type of mattress, and memory foam mattresses are a close second. In its natural form, latex is derived from rubber trees, and so it is a material that is naturally resistant to tearing. Latex is also both flexible and resilient, ensuring that it retains its original shape, even after hours of being bent or positioned in an awkward angle.

Air mattresses have the shortest lifespan of all the mattress types, shortly followed by innerspring mattresses.

Do firm mattresses last longer?

Firm mattresses tend to last longer than soft ones. Because firm mattresses are designed to support bodies of all shapes and sizes, providing pressure-point relief and keeping the spine aligned, they naturally retain their shape better over time.

Soft mattresses that allow users to ‘sink’ into the mattress develop sags and indentations both more frequently and more quickly than firm mattresses.

Can mold grow in mattresses?

Yes, mold can grow inside of a mattress. Foam mattresses with open-air chambers are especially prone to developing mold if used in a humid or moist environment. If sleepers become too hot and begin to sweat, they may unintentionally create a mold-friendly environment in their mattress.

The best way to prevent mold from growing inside of a mattress is to keep it covered with a water-repellent, hypoallergenic protective covering at all times. Not only will doing so prevent mold, but it will also keep bed bugs and pests from invading your bed, prevent bad smells from clinging to your mattress, and ensure that spills never stain the fabric of the mattress.

Those who suspect that their mattress contains mold could choose to have it cleaned and sterilized by a professional. However, you might want to replace the mattress instead of spending the money required for a professional cleaning.

Why is my bed sagging in the middle?

A mattress may develop a noticeable dip in the middle if it’s a bed shared by two side sleepers, if it has gotten old, or if the users allow their child or dog to sleep in the middle. Side sleepers tend to sleep as close to the edge of the bed as possible, and over time this can lead to noticeable sagging in the center of the bed.

Side sleepers that tend to adopt the spooning position when falling asleep may also unintentionally be creating a mid-sag, as the body of one of the ‘spooners’ is typically positioned directly in the middle of the mattress.

Children and pets can also contribute to a mattress sagging in the middle, especially if they are consistently allowed to sleep in the center of the bed.

How often should you flip a mattress?

Most innerspring mattresses should be flipped and rotated every three months to prevent premature sagging. However, many pillow top models are designed to be one-sided, and users should not attempt to flip them. Innerspring and hybrid models with pillow top layers on both sides should be flipped every three to six months.

The need to flip and rotate your mattress may soon become a thing of the past. Modern memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are single-sided, and those that are double-sided are often firm on one side and soft on the other. These flip-capable mattresses don’t need to be flipped to stay in shape, but they can be flipped to suit the needs of the user.

So, Does the Time of the Year Influence Mattress Prices?

Yes! It absolutely does. Mattress retailers plan their sales around their inventory, and when they need to get rid of outdated models, they apply enormous discounts on even the most comfortable mattresses.

Still, customers may find that the time of the year doesn’t influence their purchasing decision at all! Online mattress retailers offer sales events throughout the year, regardless of national holidays or inventory issues. Online buyers hoping to avoid the showroom may not need to wait until Memorial Day to bring home a new mattress.

In-store or online, mattress buyers of all types can find high-quality mattresses at any time of the year.