Labor Day Sales Started SO Early This Year—And We're Actually Impressed by the Discounts

With Labor Day comes the end of summer, but it also brings a major sale holiday. Yes, there are a lot of sales throughout the year, but Labor Day weekend is one of our favorite times of year to save big in a few key categories: you can save big on mattresses, large appliances, furniture—and also, Apple hosts one of its only sale events of the year during Labor Day weekend.

SHOP OUR FAVORITE LABOR DAY SALES

I'm not talking about discounts on just any products, though—I'm talking about products that've been tested by the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute. (Here, we stick to recommending sales on products and brands we trust.)

These are the deals worth grabbing, from home goods to sales on our favorite Apple AirPods to major discounts in Amazon's Labor Day sales.

Best overall mattress in multiple categories

Saatva Classic Mattress

Now 4% Off

$1,781 $1,711 at Saatva

$2,099 $1,679 at Saatva

To get 20% off Saatva, use Good Housekeeping's exclusive discount link.

Best overall Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Now 32% Off

$249 $169 at Amazon

$169 at Walmart$350 at HSN

Best adjustable cooling mattress

Sleep Number i8 Smart Bed

Now 25% Off

$4,699 $3,524 at Sleep Number

GH top-tested brand

Crest 3D Whitestrips

Now 35% Off

$46 $30 at Amazon

$46 at Walmart

Our best value backpack

MATEIN Travel Laptop Backpack

Now 45% Off

$40 $22 at Amazon

Best Lululemon leggings for yoga

Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant

Now 30% Off

$98 $69 at Lululemon

Best Cheap TV

Roku 65" Plus Series 4K Dolby Vision TV

Now 27% Off

$680 $498 at Walmart

$696 at Macy's$680 $579 at Best Buy

Best for Travel

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones

Now 32% Off

$400 $274 at Amazon

$364 $286 at Walmart$400 $330 at Target

Best Overall Smart Speaker

Amazon Echo Dot (4th Gen)

Now 24% Off

$50 $38 at Amazon

$50 $38 at Lowe's$50 $38 at Target

READ MORE: The Best Labor Day Tech Deals So Far, According to an Expert

best overall airpods

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Now 32% Off

$249 $169 at Amazon

$169 at Walmart$249 $170 at Target

BEST SMART WATCH FOR IPHONE USERS

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

Now 32% Off

$249 $169 at Amazon

$249 at Best Buy

BEST LAPTOP FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS

Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop

Now 20% Off

$999 $799 at Amazon

$999 $837 at Walmart$999 at Best Buy

Expert tip: Apple's Education Store offers discounts for students, parents and educators, which means markdowns on iMacs, iPads and MacBooks — and this year, free AirPods with purchase through September. For non-bundled purchases, Amazon and Walmart are having great discounts on several AirPods models and MacBooks.

READ MORE: Apple Labor Day Deals Are Already Heating Up

Best Overall Mattress

Saatva Classic Mattress

Now 20% Off

$2,139 $1,711 at Saatva

$2,099 $1,679 at Saatva

Best Hybrid Mattress in a Box

Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

$1,998 at Bear Mattress

Best Mattress in a Box for Couples

Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress

Now 25% Off

$2,399 $1,799 at Amazon

$2,374 $1,919 at Helix Sleep$1,699 $1,499 at rockandrollcitymattress.com

Expert tip: Our Lab pros have evaluated a couple hundred mattresses over the years, and analyst Grace Wu says this year's Labor Day sales on mattresses are some of the best she's seen. "Labor Day sales are better than expected: Most sales match Memorial Day (which is when we've seen the biggest savings) and a few even outperform it."

Wu says bundles with free pillows, sheets, and mattress protectors are common right now, and our best overall mattress, Saatva, is holding an exclusive sale for GH readers—just make sure to shop through our links to get a special 20% off through Labor Day.

READ MORE: After Testing 200 Mattresses, These Are the Labor Day Deals Worth Shopping

best overall dutch oven

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Now 32% Off

$420 $285 at Amazon

$420 at Macy's$420 at Sur la Table

best overall bento box for kids

Bentgo Bento-Style 5-Compartment Lunch Box

Now 25% Off

$40 $30 at Amazon

$40 $30 at Walmart$30 at Nordstrom Rack

best value water bottle

Takeya Actives Water Bottle

Now 25% Off

$35 $26 at Amazon

$32 at Wayfair$35 $26 at Lowe's

meant to withstand outdoor weather

Highland Dunes Oversize Adirondack Chair

$140 at Wayfair

large-seat cushions

Ktaxon Sectional Sofa

Now 42% Off

$925 $540 at Walmart

best washable rug

Jonathan Adler Inkdrop Lapis Blue Rug

Now 20% Off

$549 $439 at Ruggable

Expert tip: "Outdoor furniture and seasonal decor are at their cheapest right now, since retailers need to clear inventory to prepare for an influx of fall inventory," says Jessica Teich, GH's director of editorial commerce. GH's Home Design Director, Monique Valeris, handpicked these early furniture Labor Day deals. Save on bed frames, sofas, and more.

READ MORE: I'm a Home Editor—Here Are the Early Labor Day Furniture Deals Worth Shopping

best value robot vacuum

eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX

Now 46% Off

$280 $150 at Amazon

$1,220 at Wayfair

best overall hardside luggage pick

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable Luggage

Now 40% Off

$280 $169 at Amazon

$340 at Walmart$280 at Macy's

GH BEDDING AWARD WINNER

Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows

Now 36% Off

$60 $38 at Amazon

$170 at Wayfair$50 $34 at Walmart

Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1, this year, which means that the three-day weekend kicks off Saturday, August 30 to recognize the contributions of American workers.

"2025 sales started in mid-August," says Teich, but don't worry: "The biggest and broadest discounts will happen during the last week of August and through the holiday weekend."

According to Teich, Labor Day weekend is one of the best times of the year to save on big-ticket purchases like mattresses, furniture, and appliances. Here are her tips:

• Large appliances: "Brands typically release new models for washers, dryers, and dishwashers in September and October," says Teich. "Older inventory has to be cleared, prompting good discounts prices and great deals on last year’s models."
• Summer appliances: "This is your last call for grills, fans, and air conditioners for the season, which means any remaining stock is likely marked way down."
• Outdoor furniture/seasonal decor: "These sales are at their steepest right now as retailers prepare for an influx of fall inventory, although summer months tend to offer a better selection."
• Back-to-school clothing: "The key for saving big on clothing is to shop true to seasonality to capitalize on seasonal discounts (and keep kids comfy in these early warm months at school!)."
• Apple tech: "Apple pretty much never has ‘sales’ in store, but its Education Store offers back-to-school discounts for students, parents, and educators offers up to 10% off select iPads, iMacs and MacBooks, and even free AirPods with purchase." If you don't need to bundle purchases, though, Teich recommends shopping at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for the best discounts on Apple.

Amanda Fama

Senior Editor, Deals & Trends

Amanda (she/her) is a writer and editor covering deals, trends and sales. She has almost a decade of experience in digital journalism, including more than five years in e-commerce at brands like Bustle Digital Group and TODAY. Amanda has a bachelor’s degree in communications with a concentration in journalism from Ramapo College of New Jersey. When she’s not working, you can find her writing songs.

Shanon Maglente

Contributing Editor

Shanon is a writer and editor who specializes in best-of product roundups and deals. She has over six years of experience, including almost three years as a Good Housekeeping product and reviews editor, covering the best sales and products across home, appliances, health, beauty, parenting and more.