The best time to buy a mattress is around a major holiday weekend, when retailers run their deepest discounts. Presidents’ Day in February, Memorial Day in May, Labor Day in September, and Black Friday in November are the four big windows. If you can plan ahead, timing your purchase to one of these sales can save you 20% to 50% on the same mattress. For shoppers looking for affordable furniture in Great Falls, knowing the calendar can mean a real difference in what you spend.
If you can’t wait, you can still find solid deals throughout the year. But if your current mattress is hanging on, planning around these dates is worth it.
The Big Four Mattress Sales
Mattress prices fluctuate predictably across the year. These are the four windows where you’ll consistently see the deepest discounts.
Presidents’ Day (Third Monday in February)
Presidents’ Day kicks off the year for major mattress sales. Most retailers extend deals from the weekend before through the days after. This is when stores clear out previous-year inventory to make room for spring models, so you can find serious markdowns on slightly older models that are still excellent.
Typical discounts: 20-30% off, with clearance reaching 40-50%.
Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
Memorial Day is the second major mattress sale of the year. Positioned at the start of summer, it tends to be one of the biggest sale events behind Black Friday. Many retailers stock up on inventory in May specifically to push it during this window.
Typical discounts: 20-40% off across major brands.
Labor Day (First Monday in September)
Labor Day is the unofficial preview to Black Friday. Sales typically start a week before the holiday and run a few days after. Some specialty mattress brands actually offer their lowest prices of the year around Labor Day rather than Black Friday, since shipping logistics are simpler before the holiday rush.
Typical discounts: 15-60% depending on brand and model.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Late November)
Black Friday remains the deepest discount window of the year. Sales now stretch from late October through Cyber Monday, giving you about a five-week shopping window. The trade-off is that floor models and popular sizes can sell out, and shipping windows get longer.
Typical discounts: 25-50% off, with some doorbuster deals deeper.
Smaller Sale Windows
Beyond the big four, there are a few other times worth watching:
- New Year’s Day through mid-January. Many retailers extend Black Friday-style pricing into the New Year as a “fresh start, new sleep” promotion.
- March and April. When new spring inventory arrives, last year’s floor models and demos go on clearance. Floor models can save 30-50% off retail.
- July 4th. Smaller bumps in deals, but worth checking if you need a mattress between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
NerdWallet’s analysis notes that holiday weekends consistently bring the widest sales because, as one mattress retail executive put it, that’s when a larger portion of products are marked down at once instead of just a few here and there.
When to Skip the Wait
A mattress that’s no longer supporting you isn’t worth holding onto for three more months just to save money. The Better Sleep Council recommends evaluating your mattress every seven years for comfort and support, and replacing it when sleep quality drops.
You shouldn’t wait for a sale if:
- Your mattress is visibly sagging, lumpy, or has visible damage
- You wake up sore most mornings and the soreness fades within an hour of getting up
- You sleep notably better in hotels or guest rooms
- Your allergies have been getting worse and your mattress is over seven years old
- The mattress is over ten years old, regardless of how it looks
For the deeper signs of when you actually need a new mattress, see our piece on determining when to buy a new mattress. Once you’ve decided you need one, the timing question shifts to “when can I get the best deal?”
Beyond Holiday Sales: Other Ways to Save
Major sales aren’t the only path to a good price. A few other tactics:
Floor Models and Demos
Floor models can save 30-50% off retail. They’ve been laid on by other shoppers but are otherwise the same as new. Ask the salesperson when they plan to rotate inventory.
Bundling
Buying a mattress, foundation, and pillow together often gets you a better total than buying each piece separately. Same goes for adding an adjustable base. Always ask about bundle pricing.
Negotiating
Mattress prices, especially in physical stores, are often negotiable. The worst they can say is no.
Open-Box and Returned Mattresses
Some stores carry open-box or returned mattresses that have been inspected and resanitized. Steep discounts. Ask if any are available.
Financing
Even if the sticker price isn’t negotiable, financing terms might be. Some stores offer interest-free financing for 12, 24, or even 60 months on qualifying purchases.
What Makes a Sale Real
Not every “70% off” tag is a real discount. Some retailers run “always on sale” pricing where the regular price is artificially inflated. A mattress listed at $2,000 and “discounted” to $1,000 every single week isn’t on sale. It’s just $1,000.
Signs of a genuine sale:
- The price is meaningfully below what it was a few weeks ago
- The discount is timed to a real event (Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, etc.)
- Multiple retailers run similar discounts on the same brand
- Last year’s model is being cleared to make room for new inventory
Local vs. Online Sales Timing
Online and local store sales follow similar patterns, with some differences:
- Online retailers sometimes run earlier and longer sale windows
- Local stores like Payless Furniture in Great Falls offer same-day pickup on sale items
- Local stores can sometimes match advertised prices and add bundle deals or free delivery on top
If you see a great online price, ask your local store if they can match or beat it. Many will.
Mattress Shopping Calendar
Here’s a quick year-at-a-glance calendar:
| Month | Event | Discount Level |
| January | New Year promotions | Moderate |
| February | Presidents’ Day | High |
| March-April | Spring clearance / floor models | Moderate-High |
| May | Memorial Day | High |
| July | July 4th | Low-Moderate |
| September | Labor Day | High |
| November | Black Friday / Cyber Monday | Highest |
| December | Year-end clearance | Moderate |
If your mattress can hold on a couple of months, time your purchase to February, May, September, or late November.
What to Bring Up at Payless Furniture
When you stop in at Payless Furniture in Great Falls, ask about current promotions, financing, and bundle deals. Stop by 116 Central Ave. West or call 406-453-4582 to find out what’s running this week.
For the full picture on what to test, what to ask, and how to pick the right mattress for your sleep style, see our mattress shopping guide for Great Falls.
Quick Tips Recap
- Best sale windows: Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday/Cyber Monday
- Don’t wait if your mattress is actively causing sleep loss or back pain
- Floor models and demos can save 30-50%
- Bundle the mattress, foundation, and accessories for additional savings
- Negotiate. Mattress prices in physical stores often have flex room
- Watch for “always on sale” pricing that isn’t really a discount
- Ask about financing if the timing isn’t right for cash-on-the-spot
A little bit of timing planning goes a long way on a purchase you’ll have for the next decade. If you can sync your shopping with one of the major sale windows, you’ll thank yourself every month for the next ten years.