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Best King Mattress: Reviewed by Experts, Approved by You
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
WinkBeds GravityLux -
Best Value Mattress
Bear Original -
Most Comfortable Mattress
Helix Midnight -
Best Luxury Mattress
Saatva Latex Hybrid -
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
Nectar Mattress
Best Overall Mattress
The all-foam WinkBeds GravityLux combines excellent contouring with a high-density foam foundation that prevents excessive sinkage. You can pick between three firmness options, depending on your personal preference and sleep position. Side sleepers on our test team preferred the softer models while back sleepers gravitated toward the firmer models.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Zoned transitional layer helps maintain spinal alignment
- All-foam construction relieves pressure points, particularly in soft and medium models
- Available in three firmness levels
Cons
- Edges sink under pressure
- Stomach sleepers over 230 pounds may need a bed with more structure
- Above-average price for an all-foam mattress
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress
The Bear Original caters to sleepers who enjoy the feel of foam beds but need a bit more firmness. With a firm (7) feel, this model is more supportive than other foam models we’ve tested, but still conforms closely enough to relieve pressure buildup.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Foam helps absorb movement
- Firm surface is great for sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds
Cons
- Heat buildup may be too much for hotter sleepers
- May lack support for stomach sleepers
- Restricts some movement when changing positions
Ratings
Our Take
Most Comfortable Mattress
Comfort is subjective, but most of our testers agree the Helix Midnight nails that fine balance between plush cushioning and strong support. Consistent cooling, a strong perimeter, and a light bounce add to the appeal — not to mention the approachable sticker price.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reinforced perimeter helps strengthen edge support
- Breathable cover and pocketed coils keep the sleep surface cool
- Above-average pressure relief
Cons
- May lack support for stomach sleepers
- Some people may feel restricted when changing positions
- Sensitive sleepers may notice some motion transfer
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress
The Saatva Latex Hybrid is a well-rounded mattress that offers outstanding support and temperature control. The sturdy coil system and latex comfort layer generate ample pushback, with just enough responsiveness to gently cradle the body.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sleeps cool thanks to excellent airflow
- Bouncier feel helps with switching sleep positions
- Zoned support and comfort systems engineered to prevent lower back pain
Cons
- Allows some motion to transfer from side to side
- Higher price-point may detract cost-conscious buyers
- Coils may produce some noise
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Nectar Mattress offers the quintessential hug that foam beds are known for, with a bit more firmness than all-foam competitors. Our testers recommend this model if you need the pressure-relieving benefits of foam combined with enhanced support for your lower back.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Balanced pressure relief and spinal support
- Excellent cushioning beneath side sleepers’ hips and shoulders
- Little-to-no motion transfers from side to side
Cons
- Foam retains some heat
- Too soft for most stomach sleepers
- Combination sleepers may experience limited movement
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
| Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
| WinkBeds GravityLux | Foam | Combination Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30 night requirement) |
| Bear Original | Foam | Side and Back Sleepers | Great Value | 120 nights (30-night break-in period) |
| Helix Midnight | Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | Good Value | 100 nights (30-night requirement) |
| Saatva Latex Hybrid | Hybrid | Hot Sleepers | Good Value | 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee) |
| Nectar Mattress | Foam | Side Sleepers | Great Value | 365 nights |
A king is one of the larger standard size mattresses available on the market. It’s a good choice for couples who find queen sizes too small. It’s an especially good fit for couples who share the bed with children or pets.
Who Is a King Mattress Best For?
The king mattress is the widest standard mattress size. In addition to being one of the best mattress sizes for couples, king mattresses are an excellent option for anyone seeking a bit of extra room, including people who co-sleep with kids, those who share the bed with a pet, and single sleepers who like to sprawl out.
King size bedding and frames are readily and widely available, though they are typically more expensive than other sizes. King beds require significant floor space, so be sure to measure your bedroom to see if a king will fit.
At 76 inches by 80 inches, king size mattresses are the same length as queen mattresses, but measure 16 inches wider. A queen mattress may be a better choice if you have limited space.
California kings are 72 inches by 84 inches. They have the same overall surface area as a king mattress, but are less wide and feature added length to accommodate tall sleepers. If you’re choosing between the two, think about whether you need your bed to be wider or longer.
Allswell Mattress Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extra width gives you plenty of room to sprawl out
- Long enough to accommodate sleepers around 6 feet tall
- Widely available, with plenty of bedding and frame options
How to Choose a King Mattress
Choosing any mattress, including a king mattress, requires paying attention to several important details. Mattress construction, firmness, performance, and price are all critical factors to consider.
Mattress Material
Though there are thousands of different mattresses on the market, most models belong to one of four particular mattress types. You can find king mattresses in any of the following common constructions.
- Foam: Foam mattresses have a polyfoam support core and a comfort system that often includes polyfoam or memory foam. They are typically affordable and excel at pressure relief and isolating motion.
- Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses have support cores made from pocketed coils, which lends structure, airflow, and bounce. They also have an ample comfort system, which may include layers of foam, latex, micro-coils, wool, or microfiber.
- Latex: Latex comes from the same trees that produce rubber, and mattresses that feature this material have the same buoyant, resilient quality. Latex mattresses are breathable and highly durable, though they can be expensive.
- Airbed: Airbeds have adjustable firmness levels. The air-filled support core can inflate and deflate to give you your desired feel. You can adjust each side of the bed independently, which is particularly beneficial for couples.
Some mattresses are also available in a split king size, which is essentially two twin XL mattresses next to each other. The split king’s major benefit is that each sleep partner can choose their own firmness level.
Firmness
Each mattress has a firmness rating that falls somewhere on our scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the firmest. Choosing a firm vs. soft mattress depends on your weight, favorite sleeping position, and personal preference. Considering all these factors together, it can help you pick a mattress that’s firm enough to support your spine, with enough cushioning to prevent discomfort from pressure points.
Motion Isolation and Edge Support
Motion isolation and edge support are two critical qualities for anyone who shares a bed.
A mattress with strong motion isolation traps movement where it happens rather than allowing it to transfer across the surface and wake your partner. Foam mattresses and hybrids with foam layers are typically excellent at isolating motion.
Strong support along the edges allows two people to use the entire mattress surface without sagging, sinking, or rolling toward the middle. Choose a mattress with a high-density foam perimeter or stronger perimeter coils to get maximum edge support.
Pricing, Trial, and Warranty
King mattresses and their accessories generally cost more than smaller mattresses because they require more materials to make. While construction, quality, and brand name all affect price, you can expect to spend between $900 and $2,000 for a good model.
Most mattresses sold online come with a sleep trial that usually ranges between 100 and 365 days. These trials allow you to test out your mattress in person and send it back for a refund if it’s not quite right for you.
Mattresses also come with a warranty, which protects your purchase by covering manufacturing or workmanship defects as well as material issues like cracking foam.
Transport and Setup
Because king mattresses are so large, buying one requires a bit of planning ahead. First, measure your bedroom’s floor space and any doorways the mattress needs to fit through. If you’ve got enough space, you can clear a path to make the delivery day easier.
We recommend asking a friend or partner to help you move the mattress. Even if it’s compressed and packed in a box, the mattress’ weight can make it difficult to move. For an extra fee, companies may offer White Glove delivery, where a team installs your mattress for you and may also remove your old one, along with any packaging.
Video: How to Choose the Right Mattress
Watch our video to learn more about the mattress-buying process and how to make sure you make the best decision for your needs.
Discover More Mattress Solutions
How We Test
In our Seattle-based sleep lab, we test every mattress the same way, using a methodology we’ve developed over nearly a decade. We examine a mattress’ performance, support, and feel using a series of objective tests as well as personal trials. Our team members have a diverse range of body weights and sleeping positions. They offer detailed feedback on how well each mattress meets their individual needs.
King beds are often shared, so when evaluating the best king size mattresses, we looked closely at factors important to couples, including motion isolation and edge support. We also included models in a range of firmness levels and constructions.
We put each mattress through a rigorous set of tests to evaluate performance metrics like support and durability. Our team also uses body-mapping technology and thermal imaging to measure pressure buildup and heat retention. We regularly update our top picks to reflect the current market’s best mattresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone who wants a very wide bed should consider a king mattress. They’re convenient for couples, people who share the bed with their children, those with bed-hogging pets, and single sleepers looking for a luxe mattress. However, king mattresses and bedding usually cost more than other sizes and require substantial floor space, so plan accordingly.
A king bed is wider than both queen and California king beds, but shorter than a California king.
Queens are narrower than both king sizes and measure 60 inches by 80 inches, while standard king mattress dimensions are 76 inches by 80 inches. A California king has the same surface area as a standard king, but at 72 inches by 84 inches, it’s narrower and longer than a regular king. The best choice between a king vs. queen or king vs. California king mattress depends on whether width or length is more important for you.
If you have enough space in your bedroom, a king mattress is a good choice for couples. A king is 16 inches wider than a queen, which gives each partner plenty of room. However, king mattresses cost more than other mattress sizes, and you’ll need a fairly large bedroom to accommodate one.
A California king may be better if you or your partner is taller than 6 feet.
A king mattress’ price depends on factors like materials, construction, brand reputation, and quality. Prices generally run between $900 and $2,000 for a mid-range model. However, you can find budget-friendly options for less than $500, while luxury and specialty beds can cost over $3,000.
A split king bed is a king size mattress that’s split down the middle, similar to having two twin XL beds placed next to each other. Split kings are excellent for couples who want to share a bed but have very different needs. A split king gives your side of the bed a different firmness level and feel than your partner’s side.
