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The Best Split King Mattress of 2025
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall Mattress
Nolah Evolution 15 -
Best Value Mattress
Nectar Mattress -
Best Luxury Mattress
Solaire -
Best Mattress for Couples
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid -
Best Mattress for Back Pain
Bear Elite Hybrid -
Best Cooling Mattress
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss
Best Overall Mattress

The Nolah Evolution 15 checked many boxes during our tests. Three firmness levels and a balanced hybrid construction ensured a comfortable model for most of our testing team. Cooling infusions, ArcticTex cover, and breathable coils also made the mattress popular with our hot-sleeping testers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extra lumbar support thanks to the tri-zone coil system
- Hybrid design and cooling features regulate temperature well
- Perimeter reinforcement boosts edge support
Cons
- Firmer models don’t provide the “hug” feeling some sleepers prefer
- Coils may make some noise with movement
- Foam layers have an initial chemical smell
Ratings
Our Take
Best Value Mattress

A competitive price-point, year-long sleep trial, and lifetime warranty make the Nectar Mattress an appealing option for value seekers. The all-foam model also has a firmer-than-average feel that appealed to members of our team that typically don’t go for memory foam mattresses.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Budget-friendly price-point
- Excels at relieving pressure
Cons
- Budget-friendly price-point
- Excels at relieving pressure
Ratings
Our Take
Best Luxury Mattress

The Solaire by Saatva is a luxury airbed that is adjustable between soft and firm feels. This design allowed each of our testers to find a level that fit their support needs. You can also choose different firmnesses for each side of the bed, which should appeal to couples.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Airbed with 50 firmness levels to choose from
- Sleeps exceptionally cool
- Latex and memory foam comfort system offers top-notch pressure relief
Cons
- Limited edge support despite perimeter reinforcement
- Has a high price-point, like other airbeds
- Responsive surface allows motion transfer
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Couples

Available in three firmness levels, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid cushions the body with adaptive foam and reinforces with sturdy pocketed coils. Approachable pricing makes this mattress a good option for shoppers with limited budgets.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Multi-layer comfort system provides deep pressure relief
- Couples have three firmness levels to choose from
- More affordable than other comparable hybrids
Cons
- Only the firm model provides strong edge support
- Firm model doesn’t isolate motion well
Ratings
Our Take
Best Mattress for Back Pain

The Bear Elite Hybrid’s balanced feel and variety of firmness options make it a great choice for couples with distinct firmness preferences. Other features couples will enjoy include the foam comfort system’s motion isolation properties, which should reduce nightly disturbances from your partner changing positions at night.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Zoned support system designed to ease back pain
- Celliant fiber and hybrid design keep the mattress cool
- Three firmness options with distinct feels and support levels
Cons
- Couples who like a responsive surface during sex may find this model too compressive
- Coils make some noise
- Both sides of split king must be purchased in same firmness level
Ratings
Our Take
Best Cooling Mattress

Latex mattresses are often great choices for back pain, offering cradling for the spine while supporting the body. Our testers with persistent back pain enjoyed the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss’ supportive contouring, as well as the two firmness and three profile options.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cooling features and temperature-neutral materials keep hot sleepers happy
- Responsive surface is excellent for sex
- Available in three height profiles and two firmness levels
Cons
- Neither option is ideal for stomach sleepers under 130 pounds
- Doesn’t provide highly conforming feel some sleepers prefer
Ratings
Our Take
Compare Our Top Picks
Mattress | Mattress Type | Ideal For | Value | Sleep Trial |
Nolah Evolution 15 | Hybrid | Most Sleepers | Good Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
Nectar Mattress | Foam | Side Sleepers | Great Value | 365 nights |
Solaire | Airbed | Couples | Good Value | 365 Nights ($99 Return Fee) |
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Hybrid | Couples | Great Value | 120 nights (30-night requirement) |
Bear Elite Hybrid | Hybrid | People With Back Pain | Good Value | 120 nights (30-night break-in period) |
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss | Latex | Hot Sleepers | Fair Value | 100 nights (30-night requirement) |
Tempur-Pedic is a mattress brand known for its high-quality memory foam mattresses. Memory foam conforms to the shape of the body, making it an excellent choice for side sleepers by cupping the hips and shoulders. With so many options available, side sleepers who are interested in Tempur-Pedic’s lineup should make sure the bed’s firmness matches their body type.
What Is a Split King Mattress?
A split king is a king size mattress that’s divided down the middle, so that it has two distinct sides. However, instead of literally cutting the bed, manufacturers use two twin XL mattresses next to each other because together, they have the same dimensions as a king. Each side measures 38 inches by 80 inches, which combined are 76 inches by 80 inches, the same size as a king.
Couples often choose split king mattresses when they have different preferences from one another. Not only can you choose separate firmness levels with most brands, but you can also opt for beds with different levels of cushioning, motion isolation, and pressure relief. If you have an adjustable bed base, you can sleep at a different angle than your partner.
Benefits of a Split King Mattress
If you share a bed, a split king mattress has several advantages over a standard king.
- Each partner can choose a distinct firmness level for their side of the bed
- With an adjustable base, each partner can sleep at a different angle
- You may feel less of your partner’s movement
- You can opt for a more or less conforming feel than your partner does
- Partners can use sheets and bedding in different weaves or fabrics
It’s important to remember that a split king is essentially two twin XL mattresses next to each other. For that reason, a split king may feel and perform differently than a standard king, even if it’s the same mattress model with the same firmness level.
What’s Important to Consider in a Split King Mattress?
Purchasing any mattress takes research and consideration, but there are additional factors to consider if you’re looking for a split king.
Adjustability
Many people enjoy using split king mattresses on adjustable bed frames. These frames allow each bed partner to adjust their side of the bed independently from the other side. For example, they may be able to raise or lower the head or foot of the bed to varying degrees. Adjustable bed frames require mattresses that will remain durable in the face of such adjustments.
Bed frames aside, some mattress models allow sleepers to adjust their firmness levels. Airbeds and other adjustable mattresses are often available in a split king size and are a worthy choice for anyone who wants a highly versatile bed with custom firmness options on each side. An airbed has an air-filled rubber support core that inflates and deflates to change a bed’s firmness level.
Edge Support
When a mattress has strong edge support, you can sit or sleep right at its edge without causing the materials to compress significantly. Edge support is especially important for split king mattresses, because weak edges can cause your bed to sink in the middle where the two mattresses meet. A strong perimeter also allows you to sleep near your partner without losing support.
Price
While mattress type, materials, extra features, and brand reputation can all affect price, split kings are typically more expensive than standard kings by at least a few hundred dollars. The average split king costs between $1,200 and $3,000, though split king airbeds and other luxury models can cost more.
Sleep Trial and Warranty
One of the advantages of online mattress shopping is getting a sleep trial with your purchase. Most companies offer a trial window to let you test out the mattress and send it back for a full or partial refund if it’s not right for you. This is especially helpful for people trying out a split king or adjustable bed base for the first time.
Most quality mattresses carry a warranty that safeguards against manufacturing errors and material defects. The term lengths vary widely, be sure to check what a warranty covers and for how long before buying a mattress.
Assembly
Many split king beds and frames require at least a bit of assembly. How to assemble a split king mattress can differ among brands, so reading instructions is important. To keep the mattresses from spreading apart, ensure that the connector between the two sides is secure. If you still have trouble keeping them together, use support braces that are designed for the task. You can also put a standard king size topper over the two mattresses to bridge any gap.
Sheets and Accessories
Since split kings are two twin XL mattresses next to each other, you can use twin XL bedding too. However, some couples prefer to use twin XL fitted sheets and share a standard king top sheet and bedding, so they are sharing bedding. Keep in mind that buying split king sheets in packs or a la carte can cost more than standard king sheets.
Video: What to Look For in a Mattress
Watch our video to learn more about choosing the perfect mattress for your needs and budget.
Should You Buy a Split King Mattress?
If you share a bed and have different preferences than your partner, you may want to consider buying a split king mattress. Since split kings are two twin XL mattresses next to each other, you can choose a mattress that’s firmer or softer than your partner’s. A split king mattress for couples is useful when partners have different builds or have different preferred sleeping positions or unique needs.
Using a split king along with an adjustable bed frame also allows you to sleep at a different angle than your partner or stay up and read while they sleep. However, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of a split king mattress. They take up considerable floor space and are more expensive than standard king mattresses.
Pros
- Lets each partner choose their own sleep surface and firmness level
- Works well with adjustable bed bases
- Very little motion transfer, even if you have a responsive mattress
Cons
- More expensive than standard king mattresses
- Can require assembly and troubleshooting to prevent the mattresses from spreading apart
- Bedding can be costly and tricky to find
Discover More Mattress Solutions
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to mattress shopping, take a look at our buying guides to learn how to pick a bed that suits your needs.
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How We Test
Our expert team has tested out more than 1,000 mattresses over nearly a decade. We’ve created a methodology that evaluates not only how well a mattress supports sleepers, but also how it ranks across many performance factors. To pick the best split king mattress, we relied on intel from our expert testing team.
Members of our team tried each mattress personally to determine how well it worked with their unique sleeper type and weight group. We also looked at scores from edge support and heat retention tests, since these two factors are often important for couples who share a split king.
Frequently Asked Questions
Split king mattresses are more expensive than other mattress sizes and can be tricky to assemble, which can be a disadvantage for some sleepers. It may also take some trial and error to prevent a gap from forming between the two sides of the bed. When comparing a split king vs. king mattress, keep these factors in mind.
A split king is essentially two twin XL beds sold together and placed next to each other, often in a shared bed frame. Individually, twin XLs measure 38 inches by 80 inches. Together, two of them are 76 inches by 80 inches, which are the same dimensions as a standard king. Split king bed frames often have connecting pieces to support the two mattresses both individually and collectively.
Split king mattresses are worth it for couples with different body weights and sleep position preferences from one another, though they can be expensive and require a large bedroom. If you and your partner can’t agree on whether to get a firm or soft mattress, a split king mattress may be a solution worth considering.
You can use a regular king top sheet on a split king bed, but you’ll need to use twin XL fitted sheets instead of a standard king fitted sheet. If you use a regular king fitted sheet, the inside edges of the two twin XL mattresses won’t be covered or protected.
Preventing a split king bed from separating can be a bit tricky, but the best methods include using a bed frame with a strong connector or purchasing support braces that keep the mattresses secure. You can also place a king size mattress topper on the bed to cover the crack between the mattresses.