Should you buy a mattress in the Labor Day sales or wait for Black Friday?
By Alison Barretta,
2024-09-02
Labor Day weekend is often considered a good time to buy a mattress, but how do the deals compare to Black Friday? While mattress prices typically hit their lowest points in October and November, the Labor Day mattress sales are well worth shopping if you need something right away.
I've been tracking sales and deals for nearly two decades, and over the last four years I've tested some of the best mattresses in the world. Here I'm sharing everything I know to help you decide when to buy a mattress: Labor Day or Black Friday mattress deals . Here's my take...
Labor Day vs Black Friday mattress sales: When should you buy?
Mattress discounts and free bedding bundles
In many cases, Labor Day sales offer a preview of what's to come during Black Friday when it comes to money-off discounts. However, I recommend not taking these markdowns at face value because MSRPs fluctuate throughout the year and usually hit their lowest point in late fall.
If you're hoping to score free bedding with your purchase, both Labor Day and Black Friday sales will deliver. That said, the value of these free gifts is usually better during the Cyber Monday mattress sales as brands try to attract more buyers while the dust settles from Black Friday.
(Image credit: Brooklyn Bedding)
This could mean adding more accessories, upgrading free bedding bundles to include higher-quality items, or offering free White Glove Delivery if it isn't already included.
Winner: Black Friday . Both sales offer large price cuts and some mattress brands add in generous free bedding bundles too, so if you need to buy a new bed urgently the Labor Day sales are a good time to buy. If you can wait a little longer, historically Black Friday has the cheapest prices of the year.
Fluctuating mattress prices
This is where the road begins to diverge. While a sleep brand may offer the same money-off discount for both Labor Day and Black Friday, pay attention to the MSRP to gauge how good a mattress deal really is. It'll usually be lower during the Black Friday shopping season, which kicks off around Halloween or early November.
Of course, there are outliers. For example, Saatva has been dropping the list price of its flagship Saatva Classic to its lowest point of the year in early September, which has been yielding better-than-Black Friday deals. Read our Saatva Classic mattress review to learn why we rate it the best hybrid mattress for most people.
On the other hand, some brands remain consistent in their discounts and MSRPs throughout the year. (WinkBed and Cocoon by Sealy are two that come to mind.) You can buy from these brands at any time of the year without worrying about missing out on potentially bigger savings.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Winner: Black Friday. If you need a mattress ASAP, the Labor Day sales are a great time to shop. However, if your goal is to buy a mattress at or near its historical price low, you're better off waiting until Black Friday.
Avoiding potential shipping delays
A downside to buying a mattress during Black Friday sales in November is the potential for shipping delays. Supply usually can't keep up with high demand driven by the year's lowest prices, resulting in backorders.
This is especially true if you're purchasing a handcrafted luxury mattress from brands like Saatva or Stearns & Foster. The sooner during Black Friday season you can buy, the better your chances of receiving it well before Christmas.
Shipping issues are less common during Labor Day sales. While prices are still very good, they don't generate the same level of frenzy as Black Friday deals. This can work to your advantage if you need a new mattress sooner rather than later.
Winner: Labor Day. The rock-bottom prices of Black Friday can lead to backorders and shipping delays. Labor Day sales are relatively more subdued, but they offer a better chance of receiving your mattress on time.
What about Prime Day and Cyber Monday sales?
Once again, Amazon is hosting its Prime Big Deal Days in October, although the exact dates have not yet been confirmed. While you can find deals on mattresses during Amazon Prime Day, they won't beat Black Friday or Labor Day sale prices.
(Image credit: Future / Frances Daniels)
However, if you're specifically looking for a cheap Amazon mattress or discontinued models from major name brands, you might have better luck.
As for Cyber Monday, most mattress brands are keen to extend their Black Friday deals, with some offering an extra $50 to $100 off or adding a larger bedding bundle. (We've seen Casper, Purple, and Tempur-Pedic do this in past years.) Just beware that the closer you get to the end of the year, the more likely you are to experience shipping delays.
The bottom line: shop according to your needs
Honestly, the best time to buy a mattress is when you need one – but timing your purchase around a major holiday or shopping event helps keep some extra cash in your pocket.
If you're focused on scoring the absolute cheapest price of the year for the mattress you've had your eye on, sit out this year's Labor Day sales and wait for Black Friday. The good news is you won't have to wait too long, as brands often launch their Black Friday specials well before the day itself. Based on recent years, I expect Black Friday early access deals to begin in late October.
On the other hand, if you absolutely can't wait to buy a new mattress, you'll still find great deals during this year's Labor Day sales. Plus, there's a lower risk of shipping delays compared to buying later in the year, so you won't be stuck with a worn-out mattress (or without a mattress altogether).
No matter when you buy, don't be swayed by price alone – and do your best to avoid other common mistakes when buying a mattress online . The money you save won't help you sleep better if the mattress you choose isn't the right fit for your needs.
My top 3 mattress deals
1. Saatva Classic mattress Queen MSRP: $2,095 Queen sale price: $1,695 Savings: $400 off at Saatva
Why I like it: I recommend the Saatva Classic to most people who ask me for buying advice because it's a beautifully crafted bed you can tailor to your needs. (It comes in three firmness levels and two height profiles.) I tested it out at a Saatva Viewing Room and found the firmest option most comfortable for my occasional stomach sleeping and lumbar support in all sleep positions. (I deal with regular back pain.) If you don't like the sink or heat retention of memory foam, you'll find the dual-coil design and plush Euro pillow-top of the Saatva Classic to be just what you're looking for. The only downside is some mild motion transfer, although it does come in split king sizes.
Price history: Our exclusive $400 discount cuts an additional $100 to $200 off the prices in the general Saatva Labor Day sale , making this the lowest price we've seen for the Saatva Classic since Memorial Day and Black Friday 2023. While it's unlikely we'll see prices drop as low as they did in 2021 and 2022, the quality of the build and the generous extras included still make this a fantastic value compared to other luxury rivals.
Benefits: 365-night trial | Lifetime warranty | Free mattress installation and old bed removal
2. Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress Queen MSRP: $3,595 Queen sale price: $2,030 Saving: $1,565 off at Amazon
Why I like it: The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow may be discontinued, but it remains one of the best cooling mattresses I've ever slept on. Casper's Snow technology kept my fellow testers and me comfortable during a very hot summer – and the zoned memory foam layer, gel pods, and wrapped coils delivered medium-firm support with excellent pressure relief. (We liked it most for back sleeping.) Yes, this is a pricey mattress, even on clearance, but it's still considerably less than a Tempur-Pedic TempurBreeze mattress and an all-around excellent choice for hot sleepers who are in desperate need of cooling relief.
Price history: All sizes of the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow are 40% off at Casper, but if you have a queen-size bed, Amazon offers a lower price for that size at $2,030. (It's $2,157 at Casper.) This beats last year's Labor Day sale as the best deal we've seen for this mattress, but since it's no longer being produced you'll want to grab it before it's gone for good.
Benefits: Free shipping | 10-year warranty
Note that this is a final sale item at Casper, so you won't be able to return it at any point. However, if you buy it from Amazon, a 100-night trial should apply.
3. Siena Memory Foam mattress Queen MSRP: $769 Queen sale price: $399 Savings: Up to 50% off at Siena
Why I like it: Sure, Siena runs an evergreen sale but this is the best cheap mattress you can buy over Labor Day weekend. My fellow testers and I agreed that it feels much firmer than advertised, but that's not a bad thing if you like a more supportive bed for back or stomach sleeping. The lack of sinkage also helps it sleep cooler than most foam beds. Edge support and motion isolation are excellent as well, which is another reason why it's one of the best memory foam mattresses I've tested. Whether you need a dorm room mattress or a sudden replacement for a main bedroom, the Siena is a well-made budget bed that won't set you back too much.
Price history: The Siena mattress has been on sale since its launch, so the MSRP isn't particularly relevant here. A queen-size Siena mattress is currently $399, and while that price isn't likely to change, it remains a great deal for the younger sibling of the popular Nectar mattress.
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