When is the best time to buy a mattress?

Follow this guide to learn the best time to buy a mattress, plus how to find the most comfortable bed for you

A mattress is more than just a mattress. “You spend about a third of every day in bed,” says Russell Jelinek, senior director of engineering, quality and compliance at Casper, a sleep company known for its mattresses. “It’s important to find a mattress that feels comfortable and provides the right level of support, specifically for you.” Of course, knowing you need a mattress is only the first step. From there, you need to know the best time to buy a mattress to save big bucks.

Our thorough research and years of experience will help you find the best mattress at the best price, whether you prefer a boxed bed or one from a brick-and-mortar store, a memory foam mattress or a spring version with a mattress topper or mattress pad. There’s a best time to buy pretty much anything, and since mattresses don’t break down at random like appliances, you can afford to wait until the time is right and prices are slashed. The best part: If you clean your mattress and treat it well, it’ll last for years.

How to buy a mattress

You used to have to walk into a brick-and-mortar store and check out a floor model if you wanted a new mattress. But in the age of the internet, you have more options. Whether to shop in-store or online is just one aspect of how to buy a mattress. Beyond that and the best time to buy a mattress, you’ll also want to consider your sleep preferences and how much you’re willing to pay for a better slumber.

When is the best time to buy a mattress?

The best time to buy a mattress is early spring or during a holiday weekend like Memorial Day and Black Friday. The former is because brands tend to introduce new products early in the spring, so they’ll put their old stock on sale to clear the warehouses. The latter is a little more obvious: Companies love to celebrate holidays with sales and, in fact, rely on them for their bottom lines.

When is the worst time to buy a mattress?

If the best time to buy a bed is early spring or a holiday weekend, then by process of elimination, technically the worst time to buy one is the rest of the year, when you’re likely to pay full price. That said, you can still look out for deals on overstock sites and from closing stores. If you’re open to a pre-loved option, you can check out sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace as well.

How can you tell when your mattress needs to be replaced?

You can get a lot of use out of a mattress before it needs replacing. “For the most part, a mattress will last 7 to 10 years,” Jelinek says. “However, this time frame depends on how often you use it and care for it.”

The best time to buy a mattress is when your current one starts affecting your sleep. Maybe its sagging or damaged sections keep you tossing and turning all night. Maybe its noisy springs wake you up each time your sleeping partner shifts. Or maybe you can’t fall asleep on its lumps and bumps, despite using the best pillow and other sleep-inducing comforts.

Because you lie on this mattress every night, it’s easy for your body to try and adapt, so pay attention to how well rested you are when you sleep elsewhere. And look for other signs that your mattress is affecting you physically, such as an increase in allergies, asthma and muscle or joint stiffness.

How much will a new mattress cost?

So, how much money can you expect to fork over for a new mattress? The short answer: It depends. “New mattresses routinely cost anywhere between $450 and $4,000,” Jelinek says. But as he points out, there are many technical aspects that can impact the price, including size and material.

Take a queen mattress for example. According to Jelinek, you can expect to pay around $860 for memory foam, $950 for innerspring, $1,600 for latex foam and $1,850 for a hybrid. If you’re on a tight budget, we’ve researched some of the best quality, cheap mattresses.

The best place to buy a mattress

Just as important as how to buy a mattress is where to look for one. As people have done for decades, you can buy in person from specialty stores like Wesloft or Sleep Number, department stores like Macy’s or Sears, and even big-box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. But in the internet age, you can also order from online retail giants like Overstock and Wayfair as well as brands like Zinus, Nectar, Casper and Purple.

Buying a mattress online

When it comes to shopping online, the obvious con is that you can’t try your mattress before buying it. That negative is balanced by some notable positives, namely “simple assembly and overall cost-savings by cutting out the middleman and additional fees that typically come up with the in-store shopping experience,” Jelinek says. And many online retailers offer trial periods, so you can dress your mattress in some cooling bedsheets and a lightweight comforter, then snuggle up for a multi-night test.

Keep in mind shopping for a mattress online could be frustrating if it turns out the mattress you saw, doesn't quite feel like you thought it would be. Returning it could be a hassle, and many internet mattress companies now charge a hefty "restocking fee" (some up to 50% of the purchase price!)

Buying a mattress in a store

The in-store experience allows you to try as many mattresses as you want, getting a good sense of how you’ll feel while sleeping on each. It’s a good way to find out whether you prefer one type of mattress—say, memory foam or coils—over another. Plus, if you shop at a specialty store, you may be able to haggle for a lower price.

Many of today's Brick-in-Mortar mattress stores have quickly adapted to the "online" world, Offering the same if not better deals, with the ability to try the mattress before buying. And also you get the ease of returning it if you don't like it. 

Many Brick-In-Mortar stores have the ability to do same-day delivery. And dealing with the warranty is much easier to have a phyiscal place to address your concerns rather than dealing with the hassle of printing labels, paying for shipping and a hefty return fee. 

Traditional Brick-in-Mortar stores also carry all the fancy online brands as well! so it makes shopping much easier with a much wider selection. So Find a mattress store near you

How to choose a mattress

Whether you’re buying in person or online, take a few steps before you hand over your credit card. For starters, check the warranty period. You’ll want to make sure your purchase is covered in the case of defects or other issues because, unlike bedsheets and down comforters, mattresses cost a pretty penny.

Unfortunately, returns can be messy no matter how you shop, which is why it’s crucial to not only learn how to buy a mattress but also how to return one you don’t like. Step one: Check a retailer’s return policy prior to purchasing. And then be sure to inspect the mattress when it’s delivered to ensure it’s not damaged in any way.

How to choose the right mattress size

When deciding which mattress to get, it’s typically wise to choose one that’s big enough for you (and a partner) to spread out but not so large it cramps your space. Queen is the most popular size because it leaves plenty of sleeping space for one or more people but fits in most standard-size bedrooms. So before you make a cozy bed, make sure you get the right size. Before buying your mattress make sure to study a good Mattress Buying Guide.

How to choose the right type of mattress

Let’s get one thing straight: There’s no single best mattress type. What someone else finds ideal might be incredibly uncomfortable for you. When deciding among the options below, consider details like softness, support and cost.

Your weight is also a factor. If you’re on the lighter side, consider a soft to medium-firm mattress. If you’re heavier, go with a firmer one. You’ll also want to think about temperature regulation (a bonus of cooling mattresses), motion isolation (so you don’t feel your sleeping partner move) and mattress height.

Foam

Foam mattresses are softer than innerspring ones and more durable. Plus, the foam absorbs motion, so restless sleepers aren’t as disruptive. That being said, they can be more expensive and provide less-than-ideal support for some sleepers. Be sure to pay attention to the labels too, because some kinds of foam can trap body heat.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are the most budget-friendly option, made with steel coils and softer materials that provide great back support and vary in firmness. Unlike foam, they don’t provide as much pressure relief on joints and can wear out more quickly—you’ll know when yours is nearing its end because the springs will start making noises.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses  offer the best of both worlds: innerspring mattresses with foam on top. They provide the softness of foam without the potential sinking feeling, which means you get pressure relief as well as significant back support. Other perks: Hybrids are quieter than innerspring mattresses and better at regulating heat than foam ones.

The biggest downside is that a good hybrid mattress is more expensive than most other options.

How to buy a mattress for your sleep position

Among the myriad things to consider when shopping for a new mattress is how you (and your sleeping partner) will use it. Do you spend the night on your back? Shift onto your side? Flop onto your belly? Your answers to those questions matter.

Stomach sleeper

A nice innerspring or memory foam mattress is best for stomach sleepers. Both provide the necessary support that levels out your spine while molding to your body and decreasing pressure on your organs.

Back sleeper

Sleeping on your back is the most recommended position because it keeps the spine straight. But you’re still at risk for lower back pain. Specialists recommend two options: a latex foam mattress that’s cushioned yet springy, or a memory foam mattress that perfectly fills in the natural gaps of your body.

Side sleeper

Because of the contours of your body, sleeping on your side creates ample opportunities for spinal misalignment. A soft to medium-firm memory foam or hybrid mattress, like Wesloft Medium Hybrid Mattress, with layers of foam in varying densities, is worth considering.

How long will a mattress last?

An important thing to consider when learning how to buy a mattress is the product’s lifespan. While Jelinek says a mattress will last you 7 to 10 years, the actual length of time depends on a whole host of factors, including the three below.

Material

The materials used to make your bed have a big impact on its longevity—and therefore whether you can wait for the best time to buy a mattress or need to snap one up before your aching back gets out of control.

Innerspring and hybrid mattresses should have thick coils that help reduce sagging. Memory foam mattresses are also prone to sagging, so look for higher foam densities. Hybrid and latex foam mattresses tend to be the most durable. If you do go with a latex option, just be sure it’s made with natural latex instead of synthetic.

Sleeper size

It makes sense that your size and weight will affect the life expectancy of your mattress. One that holds heavier sleepers—and multiple people—will wear out more quickly than one that holds a lightweight solo sleeper. It comes down to the amount of pressure you’re putting on your mattress every night.

Kids and pets

Kids and pets are typically the culprits when a mattress becomes stained, torn or otherwise destroyed. And while you love ’em, they add extra weight to your bed, which also makes it degrade more quickly.

Health considerations when buying a mattress

There’s more to selecting a mattress than just size, firmness and mattress type. “It’s always important to look into the materials of the mattress, focusing on mattresses with nontoxic materials that eliminate unnecessary chemicals,” Jelinek says.

VOCs and off-gassing

Ah, the smell of new products. Chances are, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Pull a new purchase out of its box, and often it’ll release a strong scent, particularly if it’s been wrapped in plastic. According to the Sleep Foundation, this is called off-gassing, and it happens when volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into the air.

Off-gassing isn’t necessarily dangerous, but it can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness if you’re sensitive to smells. And if you have respiratory issues, you may experience airway irritation and difficulty breathing. To minimize this, choose a latex, hybrid or innerspring mattress. Wesloft Zoned Reactive Mattress is a smart choice too.

Set on foam but looking to limit VOC exposure? Look for one made from materials with CertiPur-US, Oeko-Tex, Greenguard Gold or Eco-Institut certifications, like Wesloft Copper Infused Mattress. You can also leave your new mattress in a well-ventilated room until the scent goes away.

Flame retardants

All mattresses have been required to contain flame retardants since 2007. At first glance, that doesn’t sound controversial. But as the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes, these flame retardant chemicals have been linked to problems with the immune and endocrine systems, neurological function and reproduction. They also can increase your chance of cancer.

The good news is that there are other solutions, such as wool, that are much more natural.

How to dispose of your old mattress

Typically, the larger an item is, the more difficulty you’ll have disposing of it. Still, as big as a mattress is, you have some solid options.

You can recycle pretty much anything, mattresses included. You should be able to call around and find a local recycling facility that will take it, and possibly even pick it up, for free or a small fee. You can also dismantle it and recycle the wood frame, steel springs, polyurethane foam and outer foam separately.

Alternatively, donation is an option. Some charities (but not many) will accept used mattress donations, but Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist should help you give it to someone in need quickly.

How to sell a used mattress

The first thing to know about selling a used mattress is that it’s not necessarily legal in every state, and even if it is, there may be serious cleaning requirements. Your state health, consumer affairs, agriculture or licensing departments will have the most updated information.

You’ll have the best luck selling on a website like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace with an ad detailing factors like how long you used it, whether you have any pets or if you’re a smoker. Another option is to post on social media—if friends or acquaintances are in the market for a new mattress, they may prefer to purchase from someone they know and trust at a discounted price.

It pays to know the best time to buy a mattress

Knowing when to time your shopping trips to find the best deals will help you purchase necessities while keeping more money in the bank. And with prices of, well, everything skyrocketing, it’s an effort worth making.