The first big holiday of 2021 is finally here. Memorial Day, also known as the unofficial start of summer, is the perfect opportunity to save on 4K TVs, kitchen appliances, outdoor furniture, and more. The holiday is also known for its mattress discounts.

In fact, Memorial Day mattress sales tend to offer the lowest prices of the year on everything from the best mattresses to organic bed sheets. We outline our best tips for getting the best price possible on this holiday.

Look for dollar-off discounts, not percentages: One way to get the best deal possible is to look for dollar discounts, not percentages. Retailers will try to get your attention with fancy slogans like "50% off," but the real discount comes down to how much money you can save. Look at the original price of the mattress and the discounted price to see how much you can save. Also, remember that mattress prices vary depending on the size of the mattress and whether it is memory foam or hybrid.

Always look for coupons: on Memorial Day, almost all mattress retailers offer coupons. So it pays to search the retailer's website to see if there are any coupons available before making a purchase. Alternatively, you can initiate a live chat with customer support and ask if they have any valid coupons that you can use to lower the price of the mattress you want to purchase. Helix, for example, has a number of coupons that can be used to save $100 to $200 off the purchase price.

Don't be persuaded by early deals: Stores often hold "Memorial Day Bargains" in early May. However, as a shopper, you don't want to buy something and then see the price drop just two weeks later. To avoid this, check the expiration date of the bargain. For example, the $500 discount on Tempur-Pedic is valid through June 7. This means that it is highly unlikely that the Memorial Day sale will take place on May 31. By comparison, Leesa's $500 discount will end soon. This means that more aggressive discounts from Leesa are likely to be offered in the next few days.

Find the best possible guarantee: In-person shopping is making a comeback in many states, but buying online is still faster and easier than in-person shopping. The downside of shopping for a mattress online is that you cannot touch and try the mattress before you buy it. Fortunately, many mattress manufacturers offer extended trial periods with warranties of 10 years or more. Nectar, for example, offers a 365-night home trial with a lifetime warranty. To be fair, not all retailers are as generous, but it is worth looking into the warranty and return policy of the mattresses you are interested in.

Look for freebies on purchases: dollar-off discounts are great, but nothing beats saving money and getting extras with your purchase. Dreamcloud traditionally offers a comprehensive set of freebies with the purchase of a mattress. This includes a free mattress protector, sheet set, and luxury pillow. In total, you get $399 in accessories at no extra charge.