You can buy a mattress any time, can’t you? They’re not fruit, there’s no “mattress season” to live by. However, there may just be a mattress season when the price is perfect for the picking. Let’s examine this so you can buy a mattress at prime time.
Why Look for the Best Time To Buy a Mattress?
Mattresses aren’t cheap, and if they are you’re doing it wrong! Think about it like this—you can get by on a £100 mattress from eBay, but it won’t be great. You can feel the springs when you sit on it. There’s no support. It sinks fast, and it’s always groaning.
Instead of saving money by skipping the quality, shop smart. Mattresses go on sale throughout the year just like everything else—like summer stock clearage in mid-fall, or how some toys mysteriously appear pricier around Christmas.
When Is the Best Time To Buy a Mattress?
April or May
The entire month of May is prime mattress season. Think about it—June is halfway through the year, and many companies bring out new models at that time. It’s not a proven fact but look at advertisements around June and see what new stuff comes out.
Paired with that, look for the summer sales starting in May. Some shops have an excuse to put these sales—sell more summer stock than usual, make more money! But this usually applies to clothes and things people will buy in bulk.
Mattresses, on the other hand, go on sale because there’s new stock coming! You need to clear out the old to make way for the new.
Some businesses may do this slightly earlier, in April, as they launch new products in spring.
New Year’s Day and Holidays
It’s the start of a fresh new year, for you and for businesses. Know what that means? The businesses are ready to kill off old stock for good to make way for the new models mentioned above. So, the classic New Year’s sale is afoot!
You may get lucky and find an excellent mattress for a sizeable discount on New Year’s Day, or the days following it. You might also find some deals in the lead-up to Christmas as companies slash their pieces hoping that more people will buy in bulk, or invest in pricier items.
Holidays, in general, are an excellent time to buy—particularly US holidays. If you know of a US company that offers free or cheap shipping to the UK, take advantage. You may find that the mattress plus shipping will cost less than the mattress without shipping on any other day. Look for:
- The third Monday in February (President’s Day);
- The last Monday in May (Memorial Day);
- The 4th of July;
- The first Monday in September (Labor Day);
- November 11th (Veterans Day).
Take advantage of the US’s holiday frenzy! And ensure you pick your business/brand in advance, so you can be doubly sure they ship to the UK, and that the online stock won’t be sold out by the time you pick one.
Amazon Prime Day
Would you prefer a newer mattress? One of the brands released in early spring or June? If you can wait until July, you might just find one.
It’s no secret that Amazon has everything, and while they don’t always have the best mattresses some are quite excellent. Keep an eye on Amazon Choice products as you lead up to July. Read the reviews, make sure they’re good ones—then when Prime Day hits, snag your discount.
Prime Day changes year to year but it’s always in July, often in the middle of the month. Sometimes Prime Day deals last a few days so you have a decent cushion if you forget the date—but your best bet is to buy on Prime Day itself. You’ll get the biggest discount, and more brands will be offering deals.
Black Friday
Black Friday isn’t just for the Americans any more. While it takes place the day after Thanksgiving, it’s now a widespread holiday. Amazon brought the event to the UK in 2010 and around 2013 it started creeping into physical UK locations, too.
In 2023 Black Friday is on November 24th. The event always takes place on the fourth Friday in November.
Work fast on Black Friday because stock sells out fast—we’re not the first ones to think of buying mattresses during the event! Many people fight over magnificent mattresses as they do over terrific television deals.
Cyber Monday
If you missed Black Friday, that’s fine. The following Monday is also a prime time for shopping—in 2023, it’s November 27th.
Black Friday is usually the time to purchase newer models, large and more expensive items, and shop in physical locations. Cyber Monday is best reserved for deals on the old and new, on smaller items and home appliances. You might not find a mattress discounted on this day, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
If you’re an avid online shopper, then look to the web for your mattress. The clue is in the name—you’ll find superior deals in cyberspace.
Where Should You Buy Your New Mattress?
That Cyber Monday deal begs an interesting question. Do you buy online or go brick and mortar? We recommend a hybrid approach.
Find a brick and mortar shop that sells mattresses and ensure you can also shop online. Bring a pen and paper, and head into the wild to try out their beds. While a few minutes lying and sitting on a bed won’t give you a full idea of how it feels to sleep on it, it’s better than going in fully clueless.
Write down the names of the mattresses you like and some comments on how they feel. Now go home and look them up online.
There are often online-exclusive deals to find, hence hybrid shopping. If there are none? No worries, at least you saved yourself the hassle of arranging delivery in person and waiting in lines. Buy your pick online and be thankful you didn’t have to bring it home with you.
Shopping In Person
Pros
- You can speak to employees about bed care and compatibility recommendations.
- It’s easier for you to pick a mattress by testing them first.
- You can negotiate deals and warranties face to face.
Cons
- The stock is pricier.
- Staff will want to be helpful and you may prefer solidary shopping—some staff will pressure you to buy specific mattresses which may not be best for you.
- It’s crowded, possibly loud and there may not be a shop near you.
Shopping Online
Pros
- Online exclusive deals.
- Some brands are online only and have lower operating costs, so lower mattress prices.
- No staff to pressure you into purchasing.
- You don’t need to travel.
Cons
- No way to test how the mattress feels.
- Delivery fees may apply.
- You need to know the exact type of mattress that suits you best.
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Mattress?
Sometimes you can’t wait for the best time of year to buy a mattress. There are signs that you need one now for the sake of your physical health. Let’s touch briefly on when you need to jump the gun and invest a chunk.
It’s Groaning
If your bed starts groaning with the weight of its life, it’s time to get a new one.
Jokes aside, if the springs of an innerspring or hybrid mattress are getting noisy, it’s a sign they’re wearing out. It’s best you get a new one before springs start to pop, or no longer retain their pert shape.
You Feel the Springs
If you feel the springs it’s worse. Perhaps the padding has worn down or you’ve made yourself a little dip in the bed. You can flip or turn the mattress but if you still feel the springs, your mattress is exhausted. It’s time to get a new one.
The Mattress Sags
Foam or spring, your mattress will eventually start staging. Like above you can flip it all you like, but eventually, you’ll notice your feet are a bit higher than your torso. You’ve really made your mark on the mattress—so it’s time for a fresh start with a mattress that can support you.
Trouble Sleeping
While a manner of things can cause sleep issues, a mattress can contribute. If you suddenly find yourself having trouble sleeping, start the experiments straight away.
First, try out a new pillow. No luck? Try sleeping in the guest room or rent a hotel room for the night and see if that helps. If you sleep soundly in another bed then your mattress may be the culprit. Time to replace it.
However, go through these experiments quickly as trouble sleeping may be a more serious issue. If changing your mattress doesn’t help consult a doctor immediately.
How To Choose a Mattress?
A mattress novice may not know what to look for in the perfect mattress. See the video below for some tips that can assist your shopping.
Final Thoughts
Mattresses are a hefty investment and you want to be sure it’s a valuable purchase. Products are often far costlier than they’re worth, so sales are the best times to go in and snatch them up. The best time to buy a mattress is:
- April and May;
- New Year’s Day;
- US holidays (online only);
- Amazon Prime Day (online only);
- Black Friday;
- Cyber Monday;
Be sure to shop smart and know what you want in advance—and if you have any comments or questions on the topic, leave them below.
