Should you buy on Labor Day or wait for Black Friday?
Labor Day is fast approaching. While we all appreciate the day off and the chance to honor the American worker, there's another benefit – the Labor Day sales.
However, Black Friday is looming on the horizon too, which traditionally sees huge discounts on top tech and appliances. Savvy shoppers will be wondering if they should make the most of Labor Day and get discounts ASAP or wait for Black Friday.
As head of eCommerce here at Homes & Gardens, I spend my life reviewing products and covering sales periods, especially Black Friday, so I know exactly what is and isn't worth your attention. I also spoke to some consumer-spending experts for their insider tips and tricks.
The short answer is that you should hold out until Black Friday for tech and small appliances, but you can find some great deals on mattresses and outdoor furniture.
Is it ever worth buying on Labor Day?
If you're shopping for tech and small appliances, hold out for Black Friday. However, you may not see better prices on mattresses and outdoor furniture until next year.
Mark Vena, CEO and Principal Analyst at SmartTech Research, told me that Labor Day isn't really a sales day. Unlike Black Friday, which is an event in its own right, Labor Day is (rightfully) focused on celebrating the achievements of the American worker. That means Black Friday is usually a better bet for savings.
'The best prices are often seen on Black Friday, with massive discounts on everything from TVs and gaming consoles to headphones and tablets,' says Mark. 'It's worth waiting for Black Friday if you have your heart set on a particular high-end tech product, as the savings can be substantial'.
However, he points out that there are occasionally some great deals on Labor Day if you don't want to buy top-line products. 'Retailers often use this holiday to clear out older models of appliances, laptops, and smartphones to make room for new inventory. So, if you're not fixated on having the latest and greatest, you can find great deals on slightly older but still highly functional gadgets.'
Mattresses
There are often big sales on mattresses around Labor Day, particularly on cooling mattresses, which see a big drop in popularity after the summer. 'Mattress retailers promote a bevy of deals on select mattress brands and styles and will usually have special financing deals and extra perks', says Andrea Woroch, money saving expert.
I'm expecting to see bigger flash sales on Labor Day itself, but there are already some big savings to be found.
Nectar Original
Our pick for the best memory foam mattress around, and best mattress for back pain, the Nectar memory foam mattress is already 33% off. There's also hundreds of dollars off a set of pillows, bedding, and a mattress topper.
There's more detail in our full Nectar Memory Foam Mattress review.
Was $3,395, now $2,716 at Casper
If you're a hot sleeper, you've met the perfect mattress. Our expert tester found it literally cold to the touch. Casper are running 20% off sitewide in their pre-Labor Day sale, so you can save nearly $700 in their sale.
Helix Midnight
This mattress is a true medium-firm, so our tests found that it's a great compromise if you and your partner prefer different mattresses. Helix's Labor Day sale is already live, offering 25% off sitewide.
Outdoor living
Perhaps the smartest items to shop on Labor Day are outdoor living items like furniture, grills, and pool items. 'Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer and seasonal goods that you use during this hot season will no longer be needed', says Andrea. 'Retailers need to push excess inventory out to make room for fall and winter holiday goods, offering dramatic price cuts on everything from grills to patio furniture to beach chairs and pool floats'. Mark agrees, adding that 'you can snag discounts on outdoor tech like grills, patio speakers, and smart home devices, which are ideal for end-of-summer or early-fall upgrades.'
If you didn't update your furniture on Memorial Day, this is a really clever bet. You can find huge discounts – Andrea's seen 75% off in previous years – and you still have a few weeks of good weather to enjoy your buys as September slowly becomes more autumnal. When the first snow hits, you can store the furniture away for next spring after minimal weathering in the early autumn. You save hundreds, get high quality furniture, and keep it in good condition for the next summer.
Costway 7PCS Patio Rattan Dining Set
Was $999.99, now $499.99 at Target
Seats: 7 Table dimensions: 59" x 35.5" x 29" Materials: rattan and acacia Assembly: needs assembly
This gorgeous acacia set seats 6, yet costs less than some of the armchairs. It's now 50% off, saving you $500. The neutral gray design and acacia finishes are well-suited for most gardens.
Agio Park Gate Dining Set
Was $1,799, now $999 at Macy's
Seats: 6 Table dimensions: 68'' x 38'' x 28'' Materials: aluminum Assembly: needs assembly
When shopping for outdoor furniture, my top tip is to opt for cast aluminum. You can get sturdy, lightweight furniture that looks like wrought iron but at a fraction of the cost - and now nearly $800 off.
Costway 8-Piece Acacia Set
Was $1,629.99, now $809.99 at Target
Seats: 6 Table dimensions: 40'' x 22'' x 18'' Materials: acacia Assembly: needs assembly
This is one of the best outdoor furniture deals I've ever seen. This acacia set of four chairs, two tables, and two loveseats is rare value, and they're very versatile. You can group the pieces all together as above, or spread them throughout the garden for multiple seating areas.
Origin 21 Veda Springs Bistro Set
Seats: 2 Chair dimensions: 24.09'' x 25.98'' x 32.48'' Materials: steel, wicker Assembly: needs assembly
I think that contemporary spaces will benefit from this clean, calm wicker set. It looks at its best in white, Mediterranean-inspired spaces, and it's now half off in the runup to Labor Day.
Pacifica Swivel Lounge Chair
Was $2,398, now $1,798 at Serena & Lily
Seats: 1 Chair dimensions: 32'' x 33'' x 28'' Materials: steel and wicker Assembly: none
I love Serena & Lily's pieces but the prices can be pretty eyewatering, and they're rarely on sale. 25% isn't the biggest discount you'll see over Labor Day, but it's well worth considering for this quality swivel chair.
Brown Wicker Outdoor Sofa
Was $4,250, now $2,975 at Live Outer
Seats: 3 Chair dimensions: 103'' x 37'' x 29'' Materials: aluminum and polyethylene Assembly: none
A 33% discount doesn't sound huge, but it represents more than $1200 off some quality furniture. Live Outer's furniture is not only stylish and comfortable, but has inbuilt covers to keep your furniture out of the elements.
Christopher Knight Bistro Bamboo Seats in Black and White
Was $291, now $206.70 at Amazon
Seats: 2 Chair dimensions: 18.5" x 21.5" x 35" Materials: aluminum and faux ratten Assembly: yes
If Parisian chic is your style, this bamboo bistro set will let you enjoying a morning coffee and croissant in a suntrap. It's durable, and weather-resistant and has 30% off for Prime Day.
Intex PureSpa Plus 6 Person Hot Tub
Was $1,399.99, now $739.99 at Wayfair
Dimensions: 28 x 85 x 85 inches Person Capacity: 6 people Water Capacity: 290 gal Jets: 170
The Intex PureSpa Plus has a two inflatable headrests for extra comfort, as well as LED lighting and a 6-person capacity. It's now nearly half off at Wayfair.
Ooni Karu 16
Was $918.99, now $829.00 at Ooni
Fuel type: Wood and gas Exterior dimensions: 33" x 32" x 20" Cook surface: 16.7" x 16.7" Best type of pizza: Neapolitans
Ooni's Karu 16 is still our favorite ever pizza oven. It makes true, traditional pizza in seconds, and can be fired with either wood pellets or gas. Though the 10% discount in their Summer Sale doesn't look like much, at these prices yu're saving nearly $100.
Should I wait for Black Friday?
Unless it's a mattress or outdoor furniture, you're generally better off waiting until Black Friday. Mark is a lot more bullish on this than I am - he says Black Friday is the 'reigning champion' of sales events. He says 'the best prices are often seen on Black Friday, with massive discounts on everything from TVs and gaming consoles to headphones and tablets. It's worth waiting for Black Friday if you have your heart set on a particular high-end product, as the savings can be substantial'.
The selection is much wider on Black Friday. Andrea says that Black Friday will see everything from 'clothing and accessories for a few bucks, to 70% off select electronics, to streaming services for $1 a month'. She points out that it's not just online, either. Even services like gym memberships, spa treatments and even medical care are discounted on Black Friday.
That's because Black Friday is a chance for retailers to sell off stock that they couldn't sell before Thanksgiving. It's also the starting gun for buying Christmas and Hanukkah gifts, so retailers want to sell off cheap stock before they start selling more expensive last-minute gifts in the runup to the holidays. Andrea adds, 'companies know that people are out looking for deals on holiday gifts and are more willing to buy if they get something on sale. When there's an increase in the volume of sales, businesses can reduce prices and still make a profit because they're selling more. Plus, many have to reduce prices to keep up with competition.' Labor Day doesn't have any of these pressures, so there aren't as many discounts.
Labor Day and Black Friday FAQs
When is Labor Day?
This year, Labor Day falls on September 4th. It's a federal holiday celebrating workers, so most people will have the day off.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday is November 24th, the day after Thanksgiving. However, in recent years the deals have lasted all month long. The following Monday has also been called Cyber Monday, and sees further discounts.
While these tips and tricks are all well and good, a deal you can't afford is never a good option. Though there's a lot of hype for these sales events, not every discount is a genuine saving. If a product is poor, or doesn't work for you, it's not a bargain. Make sure to do your research by looking through product reviews.
