Presidents Day 2026: Your Guide to the Best Deals and How to Save

Presidents Day on Monday, February 16, 2026, marks the first major sale event of the year, offering a prime opportunity for those looking to tick items off their shopping lists. Retailers are known to offer substantial discounts on products like mattresses, bedding and bath linens, large home and kitchen appliances, and other winter-related items such as coats, boots, and decor. With ongoing economic uncertainties, both consumers eager to save and retailers hoping to clear winter stock are viewing this Presidents’ Day as especially significant.

According to RetailMeNot, 46% of shoppers plan to shop during Presidents Day weekend, a noticeable increase from last year’s figures, says Stephanie Carls, a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot. However, the average planned spending remains steady at approximately $196. This suggests shoppers are enticed by the sales, yet are sticking to budgets, purchasing only necessities when discounted, she adds.

Top Items to Buy During Presidents Day Sales

Mattresses

Carls highlights Presidents’ Day as a key event for securing home-related bargains, particularly mattresses, which often reach their lowest prices of the year. Large retailers like Mattress Firm and Wayfair, as well as specialized brands like Casper, Sleep Number, and Purple, are expected to offer significant discounts.

Bedding and Bath Linens

The sales extend to bedding and bath linens, with discounts on sheets, comforters, duvets, and more. Vipin Porwal, CEO and consumer savings expert at Smarty, notes the advantages of purchasing items from stores like Brooklinen, Pottery Barn, and The Company Store, which often have storewide sales encompassing bath linens too.

Large Home and Kitchen Appliances

Another highlight of the holiday sales is on large home and kitchen appliances. Retailers not only offer low prices but also bundle deals, allowing savings on multiple purchases, and perks like free delivery and installation. Carls advises checking for additional installation costs and delivery timelines to avoid unexpected expenses.

Winter Apparel and Seasonal Home Goods

Retailers aim to clear winter inventory, making Presidents Day the perfect time to purchase winter apparel like coats and boots, as well as seasonal home decor. Discounts are aimed at making way for spring collections.

Items to Consider Skipping

While Presidents Day offers various great deals, some items are better purchased later. Carls suggests that spring apparel and footwear will have modest discounts now compared to when spring fully arrives. Similarly, outdoor goods, electronics, and certain sports gear are likely to see better prices in future sales events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.

Maximizing Savings

Cash Back and Promo Codes: Use credit cards for cash back, subscribe to retailer notifications for promo codes, and download browser extensions to automatically apply discounts.

Comparison Shopping: Comparing prices across multiple stores is crucial. Also account for shipping fees, which may affect the overall cost.

Loyalty Programs: Signing up for retailer rewards can unlock exclusive deals and delivery perks. While some programs have fees, others are free.

Price Tracking and Matching: Tools like CamelCamelCamel can help assess price histories. Additionally, some retailers may match their own lower prices post-purchase.

Check Return Policies: Ensure understanding of return policies to avoid keeping unwanted items. Look for sale terms on product pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, most Presidents Day deals are already available. Deals typically persist throughout the holiday, ending by Tuesday, February 17. Online and in-store offers are generally the same, although online shopping is more convenient for accessibility and product variety. In-store shopping, however, allows for the physical inspection of goods, and some exclusive in-store offers might apply.

While some retailers close for Presidents Day, major stores like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy will be open, though hours may vary. It’s advised to verify opening times locally.

Despite economic challenges, Presidents’ Day deals are reportedly robust, potentially even surpassing previous years. As shoppers remain budget-conscious amid inflation concerns, retailers are competing to provide deeper discounts and more robust offers to entice purchases now instead of delaying transactions.

Notably, Valentine’s Day coincides with Presidents Day this year, prompting some retailers to integrate deals into promotions for both celebrations, offering shoppers even greater incentives to make purchases.

Meet the Experts

Stephanie Carls is a retail insights expert at RetailMeNot, renowned for deal-finding and cash back services. Vipin Porwal serves as CEO and a consumer savings expert at Smarty, specializing in cashback browser extensions. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin, with over six years covering sales and consumer spending, provides comprehensive shopping advice and regularly appears on NBC platforms to discuss major sales events.