The 5 Best Things to Buy During President’s Day Sales — and 4 Things to Skip

While the winter holidays feel like a distant memory, retailers are already eager to clear inventory to make room for spring arrivals. President’s Day – to be held on Monday, Feb. 16, this year – it’s your best chance to get deep discounts on certain categories, as long as you know where to look.

The trick to selling in February is to understand the sales life cycle.

This is not a free-for-all like Black Friday. It’s the target unloading event where winter stocks should go, and some household goods are reaching their traditional low prices.

If you come in looking for patio furniture or new spring fashions, you’ll probably overpay. If you’re in the market for a new mattress or winter coat, however, the time couldn’t be better.

Here’s what you should consider buying during this year’s sales, followed by what you might want to skip right now.

1. Mattresses

If you’re slaying in a lumpy bed, this is the weekend to upgrade. The mattress industry has successfully dubbed President’s Day its Black Friday. You can expect to see fierce competition between online-only stores (like Nectar, Casper and Saatva) and traditional brick-and-mortar stores (like Mattress Firm).

• Deal: Look for discounts ranging from 40% to 60% off.
• Strategy: Don’t just look at the price. Look for “value-adds” that retailers include to sweeten the deal, such as free adjustable pillows, cushions or extended trial periods.

2. Large machines

Manufacturers usually release their 2026 electronic models in the spring. That means the lower 2025 models need to leave the warehouse ASAP. Home Depot, Lowe’s and Best Buy may all have special deals on refrigerators, washers, dryers and washers.

• Deal: Expect savings of 30% to 40% on major items.
• Strategy: If you’re buying a set of appliances (eg, a refurbished kitchen), put them together. Retailers often offer additional discounts when you buy three or more items from the same product.

3. Winter clothes

February is the last call for winter clothes. Sellers want to clear the racks for swimsuits and sundresses (yes, even in February). Although the selection can be selective in terms of size, the prices are usually very low.

• What you can direct: Heavy coats, cashmere sweaters, boots and warm clothing.
• Strategy: Stick to classic styles that won’t look old when you take them off the shelf next November. A high quality fur coat bought at 70% off today is a smart investment for 2027.

4. Previous generation technology

Following the Consumer Electronics Show in January, tech companies are gearing up to ship their latest gadgets. This puts older models – usually released late last year – on the discount block.

• Laptops: You’ll find solid deals on laptops in 2025 as stores make room for machines with new chips.
• TVs: While the best TV prices usually occur before the Super Bowl (which was last week), many of those sales come during Presidents’ Day weekend to clear out remaining stock.

5. Tax software

With the April deadline approaching, tax software companies like TurboTax and H&R Block often run promotions in February to capture early filers. If you haven’t filed yet, you can save a decent percentage by downloading the software now rather than waiting until April 14th.

What to skip (for now)

Not all red tags represent a good thing. Sellers will slap an auction sticker on almost anything this weekend, but savvy shoppers should avoid these categories until later in the year.

1. Spring clothes

You’ll see the new spring collections front and center in every department store. They will look tempting after months of gray skies, but they will also be full price. Unless you have an immediate need, wait until around May to buy these items.

2. Outdoor furniture

It sounds counterintuitive, but buying patio furniture in February is often a mistake. Retailers know you’re dreaming of warmer weather, and they’re naming these arrivals accordingly. Deep discounts on outdoor living sets often occur during Memorial Day sales (late May) or Labor Day sales (September).

3. Spring decoration

Like clothing, home decorating follows a strict seasonal calendar. The pastel throw pillows and floral arrangements you see right now are new. You pay a premium for something new.

4. Jewelry and flowers

If you leave for Valentine’s Day, you may find some chocolates left when you’re allowed, but the jewelry market tends to recover from the mid-February spike. There is rarely a time to find a real bargain on high-end jewelry.

Your shopping plan

The best option for President’s Day 2026 is surgery. Inspect your home for big-ticket items that need replacing — especially, your mattress or your washing machine. If that’s okay, scan the winter racks for next year’s coat. For everything else, keep your credit card in your wallet and wait for the spring sales cycle to really kick in.