Best Time to Buy a Mattress: Discount Data From 150+ Mattress Brands

The best time to buy a mattress is during a major holiday sale, specifically Memorial Day, Black Friday, or Presidents' Day, when brands typically offer 20% to 60% off. But the single deepest discount window may surprise you: our analysis of verified promo code data from 150+ mattress brands across 39 months found that October — not November — delivers the highest average coupon discount of any month, as brands front-load their Q4 promotions with early Black Friday pricing.

Here's what the full picture looks like when you combine holiday sale data with verified promo code data from SimplyCodes.

Best months to buy a mattress:

-May (Memorial Day)— The largest mattress sale event of the year. Premium brands discount 20–35% off MSRP. Verified promo codes average 37.6% off across tracked brands. -November (Black Friday)— The biggest total value when you include free accessories worth $300–$700. Advertised discounts average 25–60% depending on brand tier. -February (Presidents' Day)— The first major sale of the year at 15–25% off, plus clearance pricing on prior-year models. Verified promo codes average 37.1% off. -October (early Black Friday)— The highest average verified promo code discount of any month. Many brands launch Black Friday pricing 2–3 weeks early for email subscribers, making this the best month for code-based savings. -September (Labor Day)— 20–25% off from most brands, with the strongest free shipping and free gift offers of any sale window. -January (clearance)— An overlooked window. Brands clear prior-year inventory before spring launches. Our data shows January ties for the deepest average promo code discount of the year.

Worst months to buy a mattress:

-April— No major sales, no clearance events. Standard 10–15% promotional pricing at best. -August— The lowest verified promo code discounts of the year. A dead zone between July 4th and Labor Day. -June— Post-Memorial Day reset. Discounts revert to baseline across most brands.

When do mattresses go on sale? Best months to buy

May, November, and February are the best months to buy a mattress, driven by Memorial Day, Black Friday, and Presidents' Day sales respectively. September (Labor Day) and January (post-holiday clearance) are strong secondary windows. The worst months are April and August, when no major sale events occur and most brands offer only standard pricing.

Here's what to expect every month of the year based on industry sale data and our analysis of verified promo codes from 150+ mattress brands.

January — Post-holiday clearance deals

January is one of the most underrated months to buy a mattress. New Year's clearance events run through mid-January as brands move prior-year inventory to make room for new models arriving in the spring. Since most mattress manufacturers release updated product lines in late winter and early spring, January shoppers can grab outgoing models at steep markdowns — often 15–20% off, and sometimes more on specific closeout SKUs.

This is an especially smart window if you're flexible on model year. A 2025 model being cleared out in January 2026 is the same mattress it was two months earlier — just at a lower price. Retailers are motivated to sell, which means there's also more room to negotiate in-store or find bundled deals online.

Our verified promo code data backs this up: January ties for the highest average code discount of any month at 38.0% off among major mattress brands. Code availability also peaks in January, with an average of 12.1 verified healthy codes per brand — the most of any month. If you're open to stacking a promo code on top of a clearance price, January can deliver exceptional total value.

Verdict: Most underrated month to purchase a mattress

February — Presidents' Day sales

Presidents' Day weekend is the first major mattress sale event of the calendar year, and it's bigger than most people realize. Discounts typically range from 15–25% off at most retailers, with some brands going significantly deeper. Mattress Firm, for example, has advertised up to 60% off select models during Presidents' Day in recent years, often bundling free gifts and accessories with qualifying purchases.

The combination of a holiday sale plus lingering clearance pricing makes February one of the more reliable months to find a deal. On the promo code side, our data shows verified codes average 37.1% off in February, and free gift availability spikes to 13.7% of brands — the highest of any month in the first half of the year.

Verdict: Solid buying window — the first real sale event of the year.

March — New models arrive, old models clear out

Most manufacturers roll out their new product lines in late winter and early spring, which means March is when updated models start showing up in stores and online. For shoppers, this creates a narrow clearance window: retailers need to move the last of their prior-year stock to make room.

Outside of these model-specific clearances, though, March doesn't offer much. There are no major holiday sale events, and standard promotional pricing of 10–15% off via basic coupon codes is the norm. If you find a deal in March that seems unusually good, it's most likely a clearance price on a model being discontinued — which can be a great buy, but make sure to verify the model details before purchasing.

Our code data reflects the lull: verified promo codes average 34.1% off in March, a noticeable decline from February's Presidents' Day highs.

Verdict: Only buy if you spot a clearance deal on a specific outgoing model. Otherwise, wait for May.

April — The worst month to buy

April sits in a dead zone between Presidents' Day and Memorial Day with no major mattress sale events to drive discounts. Most brands revert to standard promotional pricing — typically 10–15% off — and there's little competitive pressure pushing retailers to offer more.

Our data confirms this: verified promo code discounts drop to an average of 33.6% off among major brands in April, and code inventory falls to just 9.2 codes per brand — the lowest availability of any month. Brands like Layla Sleep bottom out at just 15% off in April, compared to 50% during their peak months.

The one exception is if you find a brand running a spring clearance or anniversary sale, but these are brand-specific and unpredictable.

Verdict: Avoid. Memorial Day is just weeks away and will offer significantly better deals.

May — Memorial Day sales

Memorial Day weekend is widely considered the single largest mattress sale event of the year — and the industry data backs that up. Discount depth typically ranges from 20–35% off MSRP for premium brands, with some deals going even deeper on bundles or prior-year models.

The timing isn't accidental. By May, all the newest mattress models are in stores and online. Retailers are motivated to clear any remaining old inventory while simultaneously competing for the long weekend's foot traffic and online attention. The result is aggressive pricing across essentially every major brand.

During Memorial Day 2025, Saatva offered 20% off sitewide plus complimentary white-glove delivery. WinkBeds ran 30% off plus free pillows. Purple took 25% off select models.

Our promo code data adds another layer: verified codes average 37.6% off in May, the third-highest month in our dataset. Free shipping availability also climbs to 6.5% of brands.

Verdict: Top-tier buying window. If you can only plan around one sale, Memorial Day is the safest bet.

June — Post-Memorial Day lull

June is a quiet month for mattress deals. Memorial Day sales wrap up in early June, and the next major event — July 4th — is still weeks away. Most brands revert to standard promotional pricing during this gap.

Our code data reflects the dropoff: verified discounts average just 33.7% in June, and free shipping availability nearly disappears.

Verdict: If you need a mattress urgently, you won't get a terrible deal — but if you can wait even a few weeks for July 4th or a couple months for Labor Day, you'll do better.

July — Fourth of July Sales

July 4th brings another round of mattress promotions, but they generally don't match the depth of Memorial Day or the holiday sales later in the year. Mattress Firm has advertised up to 72% off for their July 4th events, though those headline numbers typically apply to select clearance models rather than the full catalog.

Most premium brands run some form of a July 4th sale, making it a useful window for buyers who missed Memorial Day. But if you have the flexibility to wait another two months, Labor Day and the fall sales tend to deliver better overall value.

Verified promo codes average 35.4% off in July — a moderate rebound from June but below the spring and fall peaks.

Verdict: Decent if you can't wait, but not a peak window.

August — The worst month for mattress promo codes

August is a dead zone for mattress shopping. The July 4th sales have ended, Labor Day is still a few weeks out, and most brands are coasting on standard pricing. The one exception is back-to-school promotions, which can offer deals on smaller sizes like twin and twin XL — relevant for dorm room shopping but not particularly useful for anyone buying a queen or king.

Our data confirms August's weakness: verified promo code discounts hit their absolute lowest point of the year at 33.3% off among major brands. It's the single worst month in our entire dataset.

Verdict: Avoid. Labor Day is right around the corner and will offer meaningfully better deals.

September — Labor Day sales

Labor Day weekend is the third-largest mattress sale window of the year and, for many shoppers, the best value play of the fall. Discounts typically average 20–25% off, with premium brands often running their second-deepest promotions after Memorial Day. It's also the last major sale event before the holiday shopping season, which gives retailers extra motivation to move inventory.

What makes September stand out isn't just the headline discount — it's the extras. Our data shows that free shipping availability peaks in September at 8.1% of brands, and free gift offers hit 13.5% — both the highest of any month. Brands like Nectar Sleep and Mattress Firm tend to be particularly aggressive during Labor Day, often packaging free pillows, sheets, or mattress protectors with qualifying purchases.

On the code side, verified discounts average 34.9% in September. Not the highest code month, but when you factor in the free shipping and gift bundling, the total value proposition is strong.

Verdict: Excellent buying window — especially when you factor in free accessories and shipping perks.

October — Early Black Friday deals

October has quietly become one of the best months to shop for a mattress — if you know where to look. Many brands now launch their Black Friday promotions two to three weeks early, particularly for email subscribers and loyalty program members. What used to be a single weekend event in late November has stretched into a month-long promotional season that starts in mid-October.

This is where our proprietary data reveals something that industry guides generally miss: verified promo code discounts peak in October at 38.2% off among major brands — the highest of any month in our dataset. Free gift availability also hits its yearly high at 15.3% of brands. GhostBed codes peak at 63% off, Tempur-Pedic at 40%, and Bear Mattress at 40%, all in October.

The likely explanation is that brands front-load their Q4 promotional codes to capture early holiday shoppers, then shift to sitewide markdowns (which don't require codes) during the official Black Friday window.

For shoppers, the practical takeaway is this: sign up for email lists from the brands you're considering, and start watching for deals in mid-October. You may get Black Friday-level code savings without competing against the Black Friday rush.

Verdict: The hidden gem for code-savvy shoppers. Sign up for brand emails and start watching in mid-October.

November — Black Friday and Cyber Monday

November is the headline event of the mattress shopping calendar, and for good reason. Black Friday and Cyber Monday drive some of the biggest total savings you'll find all year — not just on the mattress itself, but on the accessories bundled with it.

The actual deal levels during Black Friday 2025 were substantial. Nectar offered 50% off all mattresses, with up to 66% off sleep bundles. DreamCloud went up to 60% off and included $599 in free accessories. Bear ran 40% off sitewide. Casper took up to 35% off. Brooklyn Bedding offered 30% off sitewide. Saatva discounted $400 off orders over $1,000. Purple cut up to $800 off mattress and base sets. Sleep Number offered up to $1,300 off and 50% off select smart beds.

The accessory bundles are where Black Friday truly separates itself from other sales. Free adjustable bases, pillow sets, sheet bundles, and mattress protectors — valued at $300–$700 — are routinely included with mattress purchases during this window. These extras are rarely offered during other sale events.

One interesting finding from our code data: verified promo code discounts average 34.1% in November, which ranks below several other months. That's not because November savings are weak — it's because many Black Friday deals are sitewide markdowns that don't require a code. The savings are real, they just show up differently than code-based discounts.

Verdict: The best month for total value when you factor in free accessories. If you want the complete package — deep discount plus hundreds of dollars in bundled extras — this is the window.

December — Year-end clearance

December is a two-phase month. Through mid-December, some Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals linger — especially from online brands that extend their holiday promotions. Then, starting around December 26th, year-end clearance kicks in as retailers push to hit annual sales targets and make room for the next year's inventory.

The year-end clearance window can deliver the deepest single-SKU discounts of the year for specific models being discontinued. The tradeoff is constrained selection — you'll find great prices on whatever the retailer needs to move, not necessarily on the exact model you've been eyeing.

Our code data shows December is strong: verified promo codes average 37.3% off (the fourth-highest month), and free shipping availability peaks at 9.7% of brands. Brooklyn Bedding stands out in particular — our data captured a 76% off verified discount in December, the highest single-brand monthly code discount in our entire dataset.

Verdict: Strong for clearance hunters who are targeting a specific model or are flexible on their choice.

How to save even more with a mattress promo code

Beyond the advertised sale price, most mattress brands also offer promo codes that can unlock additional savings — sometimes 15–55% off depending on the brand and time of year. We analyzed verified coupon code data from over 150 mattress brands across 39 months to find when codes are deepest and which brands offer the most consistent code-based savings.

Mattress brands with the deepest promo codes

Some mattress brands consistently offer aggressive verified codes, while others rarely discount through codes at all. Here are the brands where promo codes deliver the most value, ranked by average verified discount across our 39-month dataset:

1. GhostBed leads the pack with an average verified code discount of 55.8% off — the highest of any major mattress brand we track. Even in their weakest months, GhostBed codes hover around 50% off, and they peak at 63% off in October and November. If you're considering a GhostBed, a promo code is almost always available and almost always substantial.
2. Mattress Firm averages 53.1% off through verified codes, though their deals vary widely by month — from 45.7% in their slower months to 60% during peak periods in August and September. Mattress Firm also stands out for free gift bundling: our data shows they include a free gift with purchase in 87% of all months tracked, far more than any other brand.
3. Nectar Sleep averages 46.8% off via promo codes, with a seasonal pattern that might surprise you: their deepest codes appear in January and September (55% off), not during Black Friday. November is actually Nectar's weakest code month at 40% off — likely because their Black Friday deal is a sitewide markdown (50% off in 2025) that doesn't require a code. Nectar also bundles free gifts 61% of the time, second only to Mattress Firm.
4. Brooklyn Bedding averages 43.1% off but has the widest seasonal swing of any brand in our dataset — a 46-point gap between their weakest months (30% off in June and November) and their December peak of 76% off. If you're buying a Brooklyn Bedding mattress, timing your code could save you hundreds more than buying in the wrong month.
5. Bear Mattress averages 39.6% off and is the most consistent brand we track. Their verified discount barely moves all year — 37.5% to 40% every single month. If you want a Bear mattress, buy whenever you're ready. Waiting for a better code month won't make a meaningful difference.
6. Layla Sleep averages 38.8% off with sharp seasonal peaks: 50% off in May, July, and September, dropping to just 15% in April. That's a 35-point swing that makes timing critical.
7. Tempur-Pedic averages 38.4% off via codes — perhaps surprisingly high for a luxury brand. Their codes are remarkably steady from April through November (40% off each month), dipping slightly in the winter months. For a brand in this price range, a 38% code on top of any existing sale is significant.
8. Casper averages 29.3% off through codes, with January (36.5%) and December (32.3%) as the strongest months. April is their weakest at 24.5%. Casper also bundles free gifts about 18% of the time.

Brands where timing your code matters most

For some brands, the difference between buying in the right month and the wrong month is dramatic. If you're shopping one of these brands, checking the calendar before you buy is worth your time:

Brands where timing barely matters

Other brands keep their codes so consistent that there's no real advantage to waiting. If you're shopping one of these brands, buy when you're ready:

Which brands bundle free gifts and free shipping?

Sometimes the best deal isn't the deepest discount — it's the free accessories that come with it. Based on our data, here are the brands most likely to include free extras with a promo code:

-**Free gifts (pillows, sheets, protectors):**Mattress Firm includes a free gift in 87% of all months tracked — far ahead of any competitor. Nectar Sleep bundles free gifts 61% of the time. Cocoon by Sealy, Puffy, Layla Sleep, and Casper each offer free gifts roughly 18–21% of months. -**Free shipping:**Eight Sleep leads with free shipping codes available 58% of months. Zinus offers free shipping 38% of the time, and Lull at 29%. Most other major brands include shipping in their base price or offer it only during select holiday periods.

For the best combination of discount plus free extras, September and October are the strongest months across the board. Our data shows free gift availability peaks at 15.3% of all brands in October, and free shipping peaks at 8.1% of brands in September.

Is Black Friday really the best time to buy a mattress?

Yes — but not for the reason most people think. Black Friday delivers some of the biggest total savings of the year, but the real value comes from bundled accessories like free adjustable bases, pillows, and sheets worth $300–$700. The mattress discount itself, while strong, isn't always deeper than what you'll find during Memorial Day, Presidents' Day, or even January clearance events.

The case for Black Friday

Black Friday's reputation isn't unearned. The 2025 numbers speak for themselves: Nectar offered 50% off all mattresses and up to 66% off sleep bundles. DreamCloud went up to 60% off with $599 in free accessories. Bear ran 40% off sitewide. Casper took up to 35% off. Saatva discounted $400 off orders over $1,000. Purple cut up to $800 off mattress and base sets. Sleep Number offered up to $1,300 off with 50% off select smart beds.

Those are real, substantial discounts — and they're available from nearly every major brand simultaneously, which makes comparison shopping easier than at any other time of year.

But the real differentiator is the accessories. During Black Friday, brands routinely bundle free adjustable bases, pillow sets, sheet packages, and mattress protectors with mattress purchases. These extras are valued at $300–$700 and are rarely offered at the same scale during other sale events. If you were planning to buy an adjustable base anyway — which can cost $500+ on its own — the Black Friday bundle can effectively double your total savings.

How much can you save by timing your mattress purchase?

On a typical $1,000 queen mattress, the difference between buying during a major holiday sale and buying in a dead month like April or August can range from $100 to $500 or more depending on the brand. Factor in free accessories during Black Friday — worth $300–$700 — and total savings from smart timing can exceed $1,000 on a premium mattress.

To make this concrete, here's what real savings look like at different price points and buying windows.

What if you can't wait for a sale?

If you need a mattress now and there's no holiday on the horizon, you're not out of luck. Our data shows that verified promo codes are available from most major brands year-round — even in the weakest months, the average code discount across 150+ mattress brands doesn't drop below 33%. On a $1,000 mattress, that's still $330 in savings versus paying full price.

The difference between buying in a dead month with a code and buying during a peak holiday is real — but it's not the difference between saving and not saving. It's the difference between saving $330 and saving $500+. If your current mattress is costing you sleep, the health tradeoff of waiting months for an extra $170 may not be worth it — especially since most brands offer 100- to 365-night sleep trials that let you buy with confidence anytime.

Tips for getting the best deal on a mattress

The best way to get a deal on a mattress is to shop during a major holiday sale, stack a verified promo code on top of the sale price when possible (this can be rare), and factor in the value of bundled accessories. But beyond timing, there are several practical strategies that can save you hundreds more — whether you're buying during Black Friday or on a random Tuesday in March.

1.**Sign up for brand email lists early.**Many mattress brands now launch their holiday promotions 2–3 weeks before the actual holiday — particularly for email subscribers and loyalty program members. Our data shows that October delivers some of the deepest verified promo code discounts of the year, largely because brands push early Black Friday pricing to their email lists before the official sale goes live. Signing up for emails from two or three brands you're considering costs nothing and can give you first access to the best deals. 1.**Check for verified promo codes before you check out.**Even outside of major sale windows, most mattress brands have active promo codes available. Our data across 150+ brands shows that the average verified code discount doesn't drop below 33% even in the weakest months. It takes 30 seconds to check a verified coupon site before completing your purchase — and on a $1,000+ mattress, even a modest code can save you $100 or more. 1.**Think in total value, not just discount percentage.**A 25% off code from one brand might look worse than a 40% off code from another — until you factor in that the first brand is also bundling a free adjustable base worth $500. Black Friday is the strongest window for accessory bundles (free pillows, sheets, bases, and protectors valued at $300–$700), but Labor Day and Presidents' Day also see elevated free gift offers. Always compare the full package, not just the number on the coupon. 1.**Consider prior-year models during clearance windows.**Mattress manufacturers release updated product lines in late winter and early spring, which means outgoing models go on clearance in January through March. In most cases, the prior-year model is functionally identical to the new version — same materials, same construction, same comfort — just without the latest marketing refresh. Buying a 2025 model in January 2026 can save you 15–30% compared to waiting for the 2026 version at full price. 1.**Use the sleep trial as your safety net.**One of the biggest advantages of the modern mattress industry is the sleep trial. Most major brands offer trial periods ranging from 100 to 365 nights — meaning you can sleep on the mattress in your own home for months before committing. Nectar, DreamCloud, and Saatva all offer a full 365-night trial. This makes buying during a sale event essentially risk-free: if the mattress doesn't work for you, you can return it regardless of when you bought it or what you paid. 1.**Don't assume a "sale" price is actually discounted.**Consumer Reports has noted that most mattresses are advertised as "on sale" year-round, which means the listed sale price is often just the regular price with a higher reference number next to it. The real deals come during specific holiday windows and through verified promo codes — not from a permanent "was $1,200, now $899" tag that never changes. If you're seeing the same "sale" price in April that you saw in February, it's not really a sale.

When should you actually buy a mattress?

The best time to buy a mattress is during Memorial Day, Black Friday, or Presidents' Day, when brands run their deepest sitewide discounts of 20–60% off. Labor Day and January clearance are strong secondary windows. And if you're willing to do a bit of extra homework, our data shows that October and January quietly deliver some of the strongest promo code savings of the year.

But the honest answer is more personal than any calendar can capture.

If you already know which brand you want, check whether timing matters for that brand. Brooklyn Bedding's discount swings from 30% to 76% depending on the month — that's worth waiting for. Layla Sleep jumps from 15% off in April to 50% in September. Stearns & Foster codes range from $100 to $600 off. For these brands, a few weeks of patience can save you hundreds.

On the other hand, if you're shopping Bear Mattress, Eight Sleep, Helix, or Leesa, the data is clear: their discounts barely move all year. Buy whenever you're ready.

Methodology

The proprietary promo code data referenced throughout this article comes from SimplyCodes, which tracks verified coupon codes across the mattress industry and hundreds of other retail categories.

Data scope: Our analysis covers over 150 mattress brands categorized under "Mattresses" in our merchant database. This includes major direct-to-consumer brands (Casper, Nectar, Saatva, Purple, Helix, etc.), national retailers (Mattress Firm, Sleep Number), and specialty brands (GhostBed, WinkBeds, Nolah, Amerisleep, etc.).

Time period: January 2023 through March 2026 — 39 months of monthly snapshots.

What "verified" means: Only codes classified as "healthy" — meaning they were tested and confirmed to be working — are included in our analysis. Expired codes, untested codes, user-submitted codes that haven't been validated, and single-use codes are all excluded. This is an important distinction: our data reflects codes that actually work at checkout, not the broader universe of codes floating around the internet.

What we measured: For each brand in each month, our data captures the number of verified active codes, the highest available discount (as a percentage off or dollar amount off, depending on how the brand structures its promotions), whether a free shipping code was available, and whether a free gift code was available.

How averages were calculated: Monthly discount averages were calculated across all brands with at least one active verified code in that month. Brand-specific averages were limited to brands with 12 or more months of data to ensure reliability. For percentage-off discounts, we capped values at 100% to exclude data outliers. For dollar-off discounts, we capped at $1,000.

What this data does not capture: Our promo code data specifically tracks code-based discounts — savings that are applied via a coupon code at checkout. Sitewide markdowns that don't require a code (such as a brand listing "50% off" directly on their homepage during Black Friday) are not reflected in our code data. This is why our November averages appear lower than the actual Black Friday deal levels reported by industry sources. The industry sale data cited throughout this article — including specific brand deal levels, MSRP discount ranges, and accessory bundle values — comes from published reporting by Tom's Guide, Consumer Reports, NerdWallet, and brand websites, and is attributed accordingly.

Brand-specific note: Some brands (Saatva, Eight Sleep, Helix Sleep, Stearns & Foster, WinkBeds, Purple) structure their promotions primarily as dollar-off amounts rather than percentage-off. These brands are analyzed separately using dollar figures rather than percentages to accurately reflect their discount patterns.