If you're in the market for a new mattress (and if we're being honest, you probably should be — according to experts, a mattress lasts about seven years), now is the time to buy. Thanks to the best Presidents' Day mattress sales, you can find some of the lowest prices of the year, with brands like Serta, Casper, Tuft & Needle, Nectar, Tempur-Pedic and more offering as much as 65% off.
Nabbing a great discount right now is easy, but knowing which mattress to buy? That can be a real pain in the neck (or back), especially if you're shopping online.
Rest easy, though — we reached out to experts for their tips so you can find that Goldilocks of mattresses. Scroll on, then make sure to check out our roundup of the best Presidents' Day sales overall.
Best Presidents' Day mattress sales
Casper
First up, we have Casper, which is offering up to 35% off everything including pillows, adjustable bases and sheets. The brand's Dream Hybrid is a good option if you don't want to go for an all-memory-foam mattress. It offers medium support that becomes slightly firmer towards the center of the mattress, so it doesn't dip by your back.
"It's the perfect firmness for two people who have slightly different preferences in that regard; we couldn't be happier!" wrote one of the 2,900-plus five-star reviewers.
Cocoon by Sealy
Sleep warm? Sealy's bed-in-a-box line, Cocoon, has carved out a space among cooling options with its Chill Mattress, which comes in both memory foam and hybrid constructions. Both feature a cover that promises to help absorb and dissipate heat, and you can nab them for a cool 35% off, along with everything else on the site. The brand is also throwing in a free Sealy Sleep Bundle, which includes two pillows, a sheet set and a mattress protector.
Nearly 7,000 customers have given this mattress a five-star rating. Said one, "I love this mattress! As an older woman, I have problems sleeping, but from the first night, I slept like a baby. I don't sweat at night either. It's perfect, and I have recommended it to several people."
Tuft & Needle
Paid for by Tuft & Needle
If you're looking for an option that's firm and supportive, and one that 25,000+ shoppers swear by, check out Tuft & Needle's OG mattress, also known as the Original. Made for all sleep positions (side, back or stomach), this all-foam bed provides a sturdy feel with softness on top, but not so much that you sink in. Its "bounce back support" means no sagging, and cooling technology lowers the odds you'll wake up sweaty.
If you bundle your mattress with a mattress protector and pillow set, and you can save an extra 15% with the code MATTRESS15.
Serta
Paid for by Serta
Serta has been around for more than 90 years, and the brand has used that experience to create some pretty innovative mattresses. The iComfort comes in four thicknesses and three firmnesses, and all versions include a 1-inch-thick layer of memory foam infused with graphite, which has naturally cooling properties.
During the sale, you can save up to $625 on the iComfort when you buy it with the Motion Renew Adjustable Base. And in honor of the Serta Counting Sheep's birthday — the mascot is turning 25! — there's an extra $25 off all sale.
Nectar
A good mattress doesn't have to break the bank. For proof, check out Nectar, which is offering up to 50% off mattresses and up to 66% off bundles through Feb. 26. With the sale, the brand's Classic Memory Foam Mattress clocks in at under $650, and it comes with a 365-night trial period and lifetime warranty.
No surprise, then, that more than 40,000 shoppers have awarded it five stars. "I had this mattress for a year-plus and so far it's amazing and hasn't sunk down or needed to flip sides," wrote one fan. "The mattress is medium-firm and not only has back support but also melts into the shape of your body. I really like it so far! It was also very easy to unpack."
Bear
Bear offers plenty of chances to customize your mattress, with three firmnesses and the option to add a cooling cover made with with Celliant, a fiber designed to absorb heat from the body that's also used in exercise clothing.
Right now, you can score 35% off the entire site, plus two free pillows. More than 3,000 reviewers have given the Elite Hybrid, the brand's most popular mattress, five stars. "Perfect bed for me. I'm a big guy and I feel like the mattress easily supports my weight, regardless of how many times I toss and turn. I've definitely gotten more sleep as a result of switching," wrote one fan.
Leesa
I've owned this memory foam mattress for six years, and I can confirm that it's supportive, comfortable and durable. I'm not the only fan — more than 14,000 shoppers have given it a five-star rating.
Just check out this rave: "Originally, I thought this mattress presented as a bit on the firm side (and I am a bit on the finicky side); however, as it turns out, it's not firm — it's supportive, and the mattress is really adaptable ... I have not had any hip pain from sleeping since getting this mattress, and my sleep quality is improved! Game changer for sure!"
Right now, most of Leesa's mattresses are 30% off, plus you can score two free pillows and a microfiber sheet set.
Avocado
Many of us are trying to make our homes more eco-friendly, and a good way to get on board is with an organic mattress. Avocado is one of the most popular brands, and right now it's offering up to 20% off. Presidents' Day Sale highlights include $130 off the top-rated Eco Organic Mattress, which is constructed with pocketed coils, organic latex and GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool.
"The mattress is just the right firmness and is incredibly comfortable. I especially loved not having to air it out to get rid of faint chemical smells immediately upon arrival," wrote one shopper.
Tempur-Pedic
If you've always dreamed of owning a Tempur-Pedic, you'll be happy to know the brand's offering up to $500 off select adjustable mattress sets (and 40% off mattress toppers). Of the four models it sells, the Tempur-Adapt has the most five-star reviews — and is also one of the least expensive options. It's designed to deliver advanced pressure relief and motion cancellation.
"We absolutely loved our first Tempur-Pedic mattress and slept on it for 20-plus years. Yes, I know," wrote one long-time fan. "I was worried about getting a new one ... well, so far I am pleased. It is just as good as the first. We had a great experience with the ordering process and the white glove delivery. A side note: we moved our 20-plus-year-old Tempur-Pedic into the guest room. My sister slept on it over the holidays and said it was the best night's sleep she has had in years. Just saying."
How to shop for a mattress
Between all the mattress types, firmnesses and toppers, you may have a tough time figuring out which one is best for you. We consulted experts for some general mattress-shopping guidelines to help you make an informed purchase — and start getting quality zzz's.
Know that one size doesn't fit all.
A mattress is an extremely personal purchase, says Michael Magnuson, founder and CEO of GoodBed, which recently teamed up with Dow to develop a standardized lab testing program for the mattress industry. "It should feel like it's custom-made for you," he says. Just because a mattress claims to be "best for side sleepers" and you sleep on your side, it doesn't necessarily mean it's your dream match. "A lot of people think mattresses are like toasters because we all pretty much want the same thing from a toaster. But a mattress is more like pants — what fits and looks great on your friend may not do the same for you," Magnuson says.
Aim for neutral spinal alignment.
So how do you find a mattress that fits your body? The goal is neutral spinal alignment, which basically means that your spine is aligned when you sleep the same as it is when you're standing. "If you're a back sleeper, you should have the natural curve of the lumbar supported — there shouldn't be a big gap between you and the mattress," says Magnuson. "If you're a side sleeper, make sure you get adequate pressure relief. As you get older, the subcutaneous fat in your body, which provides this naturally, thins out. You rely on your mattress more, so you want to make sure you get adequate pressure relief. You shouldn't wake up with shoulder or hip pain, and you shouldn't feel pins and needles, which could be a sign blood flow is blocked."
Understand the lingo.
You'll see plenty of terms to describe different types of mattress materials, toppers and more. A lot of it boils down to marketing, but here are a few general phrases to know:
Memory foam: A synthetic material made from polyurethane that slowly changes shape in response to heat and pressure, then returns to its original form when those elements are removed. It's the most common type of foam mattress (other types include polyfoam and latex).
Innerspring: The most traditional mattress type, made mainly of pocketed springs or coils with some kind of organic or semi-organic material.
Hybrid: Different brands define this differently, but in general, it's a mattress that has pocketed coils combined with layers of memory foam.
Gel grid: The generic term for a mattress made with a flexible grid layer, like Purple beds are known for.
Test in person if you can.
Even if you're buying a mattress online, check it out in person if you're able. And when you test it, "You should lie on it for a longer time than you think," says Kevin Meyer, associate technical service and development director at Dow. "Lie on it for 10 or 15 minutes to see if you get hot or feel uncomfortable."
Once you get your mattress home, give it time.
"You shouldn't expect to know that your mattress is right for you right away. A few nights might not be enough," says Magnuson, who advises using your mattress for a few weeks. In fact, many brands require that you keep a mattress for 30 days or so before potentially returning it. "There might be an adjustment period," he explains. "Maybe your body has been accommodating to your old mattress and overcompensating in some way. So give it time on the new sleep surface."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
