There is no one definitive answer when it comes to which is the best time to buy a mattress.
However, experts generally agree that springtime is a good time to purchase one, as manufacturers reduce their inventory of new mattresses and prices are typically lower.
In the fall and winter, buyers may find that the competition for beds is greater, and prices may be higher.
Finally, during peak summer months, there may be too many choices and not enough bargains to be had.
How Do You Know If It’s Time to Replace Your Mattress?
Regardless of what some mattress manufacturers claim, no mattress will endure forever.
Some types are more durable than others, but your mattress’s components will eventually wear out.
This may have an impact on how supportive and comfy your mattress is, which can contribute to sleep issues and fatigue the following morning.
If one or more of the following apply to your present bed, you may want to consider purchasing a new mattress:
- Aches, pains, and pressure spots in your neck, shoulders, lower back, and/or hips are common. Over time, the mattress comfort layers soften, causing you to sink deeper under the surface.
- On the surface where you and/or your spouse regularly sleep, deep body imprints have developed. This is a frequent sort of mattress wear and tear, and if the imprints are deep enough, your warranty may cover a free mattress replacement.
- When you sit or lay down around the perimeter of your mattress, the edges have begun to sink. Over time, even mattresses with strong edge support may droop.
- You feel lethargic and exhausted when you wake up. As the layers of your mattress degrade, your sleep quality may decrease as well.
- Dust allergies are causing you problems. Dust mites, as well as other allergens like mold and mildew, may be attracted to old mattresses.
- The mattress has been yours for almost eight years.
The typical mattress will last six to eight years before it has to be changed, according to the last bullet.
The materials utilized to manufacture each layer may affect how long a mattress lasts.
The average lifespans for the five most prevalent mattress kinds are shown in the table below.
| Mattress Type | Components | Average Lifespan | Durability Issues |
| Foam | Comfort layers of memory foam or polyfoam Core made of polyfoam |
6-7 years | As foam ages, it softens, causing increased sinkage and discomfort for sleepers. |
| Latex | Support core and latex comfort layers | 7.5-8.5 years | Latex is a long-lasting material, however it can soften and lose form with time, much like foam. |
| Innerspring | Comfort layers of foam Support core made of steel coils |
5.5-6.5 years | As the foam layers disintegrate, many innerspring owners notice substantial sagging. |
| Hybrid | Comfort layers of memory foam and/or latex Coil support core with pockets |
6.5-7.5 years | Sagging and body imprints, like innersprings, are the most typical durability difficulties with hybrids. |
| Airbed | Comfort layers of foam Support core for custom air chambers |
8+ years | Airbeds have a long lifespan if they are properly maintained and problems are addressed promptly. |
Related: Best Three Quarter Mattresses of 2024
Discover Your Mattress
Answer 5 Simple Questions To Find Your Ideal Mattress
What sleeping posture do you prefer?
- Side: Sleeping on your side is how you usually wake up.
- Back: Sleeping on your back is how you usually wake up.
- Stomach: You sleep on your stomach flat.
Do you have any discomfort when sleeping?
- Pain in the back and/or sides: I often get back and/or side discomfort after waking up and throughout the day.
- Shoulder and/or Neck Pain: I often get neck and/or shoulder discomfort after waking up and throughout the day.
- Pain is minimal to non-existent: Sleeping causes me very little discomfort.
Do you have any preferences for materials?
- Innerspring: A classic coil-based mattress is my preference.
- Foam: A coil-free design comprised of memory foam, latex, and cloth is my preference.
- Other/No preference: I don’t mind what kind of material I sleep in as long as I’m comfortable.
Are you a hot sleeper?
- Yes: You have a tendency to overheat during night and often wake up sweaty.
- No: You never have to worry about getting too hot at night.
Do you share a bed with someone?
- Yes: To account for companion movement throughout the night, we’ll propose mattresses with improved motion isolation.
- No: In our mattress suggestions, motion isolation is less of a consideration.
Related: How To Move A Mattress?
When is the best time to buy a new mattress?
Another key issue is when to purchase a mattress.
New mattress discounts during federal holidays and key shopping days are often offered at the lowest sticker costs.
There are also particular seasons of the year when brands debut new models, and these firms often offer mattress sales and discounts in the weeks leading up to the introduction.
The chart below lists some of the greatest times to purchase a new mattress throughout the year.
| Holiday or Event | Dates | What to Expect |
| New Year’s Day | January 1st | For mattress buyers, the new year usually means huge savings. This is especially true for firms who aim to introduce new models while retiring old ones. |
| President’s Day | Third Monday in February | The first significant mattress sales holiday of the year is President’s Day. Throughout the three-day weekend, expect cheaper rates and promotions. |
| Spring Product Launch | April/May | In the mid to late spring, several mattress companies release new models. Older models are often offered with significant reductions as a result of this. |
| Memorial Day | Last Monday in May | Memorial Day deals are frequent for both online and offline mattress retailers. These deals usually start a week before the three-day weekend. |
| Independence Day | July 4th | Many mattress businesses, like Memorial Day, offer Independence Day discounts and promotions that begin far before the holiday. Some promotions start as early as mid-June and go through July. |
| Amazon Prime Day | July 13th-16th (varies by year) | If you’re an Amazon Prime member, buying a bed on Amazon Prime Day may save you a lot of money on shipping and mattresses. |
| Labor Day | First Monday in September | Labor Day deals start the week before the holiday weekend for many mattress manufacturers and shops. Back-to-school sales for children, teens, and college students may also overlap with these events. |
| Veterans Day | November 11th | Around Veterans Day, look for substantial deals on older mattress types. Companies may reduce costs on mattresses that they want to phase out as they prepare to offer new models around the New Year. |
| Black Friday | Day after Thanksgiving | Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, has become an annual ritual for mattress retailers. These include internet retailers, which enable you to skip long lines at physical locations. |
| Cyber Monday | Four days after Thanksgiving | Cyber Monday, a shopping holiday that follows Black Friday, is known for big bargains from online mattress retailers. You may also discover nice mattress and pillow bundles, as well as linens and other accessories. |
Discounts may also be available at other periods of the year, for as during the holiday shopping season, which runs from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
Keep an eye out for mattress retailers in your neighborhood.
If one of these businesses closes, you may notice significant price reductions on new beds and other sleep items.
Brands offer different holiday bedding deals.
We suggest comparing bargains and specials on several online mattress manufacturer websites in the days and weeks leading up to shopping holidays.
Related: How To Get Cat Pee Out Of Mattress?
Online vs. In-Store Shopping for a New Mattress
Choosing between buying a mattress online or in person at a mattress shop is often a difficult decision.
While buying a mattress online has several advantages over shopping in a physical store, the in-person shopping experience has some perks that can’t be recreated on a computer.
Affordability, variety, and convenience are all important considerations to consider when purchasing a mattress.
Purchasing a Mattress Through the Internet
Advantages: For starters, buying a bed online will almost certainly save you money.
Because most internet retailers have a limited workforce and don’t have physical stores, their overhead expenses are lower, and as a consequence, their product prices are cheaper.
Shopping online is also advantageous since you may make orders at any time of day or night and peruse items without being harassed by salespeople.
Customers’ mattress evaluations are another bonus, and most online retailers give free delivery to the continental United States.
Disadvantages: Some customers prefer to chat with educated professionals before making a purchase.
Many online retailers provide live web chat with customer support representatives, however availability varies, particularly outside of typical business hours.
Many individuals are also hesitant to acquire a mattress without first sleeping on it, even though most online retailers provide sleep trials of at least 90 nights to allow you to try out the bed before committing.
Purchasing a Mattress from a Retailer
Advantages: While sitting on a mattress for 5 to 10 minutes at a shop does not equal sleeping on it, these in-person encounters might give you a general notion of how a bed feels.
If you’re unclear which sort of mattress to purchase, speaking with sales personnel may be beneficial, and you may be able to negotiate costs in some circumstances.
Disadvantages: Store employees might be overbearing or intimidating for certain customers.
This might lead to you purchasing a mattress that isn’t ideal for your requirements.
Most brick-and-mortar businesses will have more overhead expenses than online retailers, therefore prices will be higher there as well.
Another consideration is convenience, particularly if you live in a rural location or can only come on weekends when people tend to congregate.
| Buy a mattress online if… | Buy a mattress in a store if… |
| You’d rather shop without the help of salespeople. | Before selecting a bed, you’d like to consult with a qualified professional. |
| You live in a rural location and have to go to the closest mattress shop. | You reside in a city or suburb with a lot of mattress retailers. |
| You have a basic understanding of how mattresses feel and which varieties you like. | You want to try out various beds before deciding on one. |
| Your buying budget is increasingly constrained. | Your buying budget is more flexible. |
Related: How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs In A Mattress?
What Does a New Mattress Cost?
It is possible that the finest mattress for you may cost more or less than this.
A vital first step is to compare prices from several online and offline mattress retailers, and then create a budget based on your findings.
The following are some of the factors that might influence a bed’s price:
Size: The twin, twin XL, and full sizes are all designed to fit one person.
As a consequence, they may be hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars less expensive than queen, king, and California king sizes, which are designed for many sleepers.
The most costly are specialty sizes like as split queens or kings for couples with adjustable bases.
Type: Mattress cost is heavily influenced by the kind of material used.
Thickness: You’ll pay a little more for thicker mattresses since they have more cushioning and support layers than lower-profile beds.
A high-profile bed is defined as one that is 12 inches thick or more.
Brand: Just as with other things, some mattress vendors just charge more than others.
A mattress from an established brand with a strong industry presence would almost certainly cost more than one from a newer firm.
Buying online vs. in-store: As previously stated, owing to variations in overhead expenses, online mattress companies often price substantially less than brick-and-mortar dealers.
When purchasing a mattress, whether online or in person, there are a few more costs to consider.
The following are some of them:
Taxes: You may be required to pay sales tax as part of your mattress buy, depending on your state.
The highest sales tax rates are approximately 9%, whereas five states do not levy sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
Residents of California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island must also pay a “recycling tax” when purchasing a mattress.
Ground Transportation: If you acquire a mattress online, basic ground shipment will almost certainly be free if you live in the contiguous United States.
Before purchasing, be sure to verify the manufacturer’s shipping regulations and average delivery rates.
Delivery with white gloves: This service, which is offered from a few online and brick-and-mortar mattress retailers, comprises a crew going to your house to transport and install a mattress.
White Glove delivery includes a specific delivery date and time, as well as complete installation in the room of your choosing.
On request, some carriers will also remove your old mattress and/or box spring.
Check the company’s shipping policy since certain brands and mattress types provide this service for free.
Returns: For mattresses returned within the authorized sleep trial period, the great majority of online mattress companies provide free delivery or mattress pickup.
You could be requested to dispose of the mattress yourself, which might cost you more money if you recycle it instead of giving it to a charity.
Bundling: You may need new linens, cushions, or a base to match the bed in addition to the mattress.
For these things, some companies offer packages.
You’ll spend more overall, but you could save money compared to purchasing these goods separately.
Replacements and repairs: All mattresses come with a guarantee that covers manufacturing flaws as well as abnormal wear and tear.
If the warranty isn’t prorated, you won’t have to pay anything to have a broken bed fixed or replaced, save for possible shipping costs.
If a fault occurs within a partly prorated warranty, you may be required to pay a portion of the original mattress price to have it replaced.
How to Find the Most Affordable Mattresses
To recap, here are some suggestions for getting the greatest mattress at a reasonable price.
- Do Your Research: When looking for a high-quality mattress that won’t break the budget, comparison shopping is crucial. Consider visiting your local mattress shop as well as looking at as many internet brand websites as possible.
- Keep an eye out for bargains: Holiday sales are always a wonderful time to save money on a mattress, but look for extra offers throughout the year. Bookmark the mattress companies that seem to be your best options and check their websites for specials and coupon codes on a regular basis.
- Consider Buying with a Friend: Some online mattress retailers provide discounts to consumers who purchase their mattress after being referred by a former customer. If you buy anything with a friend or family, you may be able to save a little money.
- Check the Small Print: Free shipping, complete refunds on returns, and non-prorated warranties are quite typical, while some firms’ policy statements conceal hidden expenses. Always take the time to read these materials from beginning to end.
- Bundle with Other Products: If you’re purchasing a new mattress, you’ll almost certainly need new bedding or a base. Selecting a firm that provides sleep product bundles might save you a lot of money.
The bottom line is that a new mattress is a big financial commitment for most families, but with careful planning and budgeting, you should be able to discover an inexpensive bed that matches your requirements.
