Embodiments include methods for discontinuous reception (DRX) performed by a wireless device. Such methods include receiving, from an access node while operating in idle mode, a first set of beams during operative instants of at least one DRX cycle according to a first DRX cycle pattern. Such methods include determining reception quality metrics for respective beams of the first set and determining a second DRX cycle pattern based on the reception quality metrics. Such methods include receiving, from the access node while operating in idle mode, a second set of beams during operative instants of a subsequent DRX cycle according to the second DRX cycle pattern. Other embodiments include wireless devices configured to perform such methods and computer-readable media storing program code that embody such methods.