The Best Split King Mattress of 2026

UPDATED

There’s a simple solution for couples who can’t agree on a mattress: the split king. A split king gives you the best of both worlds. With a split king, you can share a bed with your partner while you each sleep on a mattress that’s perfect for your own individual sleeping positions and preferences. Our team picked the best split king mattress models based on their performance during testing trials in our Seattle-based sleep lab.

Many of our top picks for the best mattresses of 2025 are also available in split king size. And, we recommend looking at our choices for the best split king adjustable bed to find the ideal split king mattress platform.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall Mattress

Nolah Evolution 15

9.1/10
Nolah Evolution 15

30% off sitewide + extra $50 off with code: SD50

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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.

Ideal for Most Sleepers
Firmness Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Feel Plush, Supportive
Value Good Value

Best Value Mattress

Nectar Mattress

8.8/10
Nectar Mattress

Save up to 50% on mattresses + up to 66% off bundles

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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.

Ideal for Side Sleepers
Firmness Medium Firm (6)
Feel Close-Conforming Foam
Value Great Value

Best Luxury Mattress

Solaire

9.2/10
Solaire

$300 off orders of $1,000 or more

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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.

Ideal for Couples
Firmness Adjustable - Soft (3) to Firm (8)
Feel Conforming Foam and Responsive Latex
Value Good Value

Best Mattress for Couples

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

8.3/10
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

25% off sitewide

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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.

Ideal for Couples
Firmness Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Feel Varies by Firmness
Value Great Value

Best Mattress for Back Pain

Bear Elite Hybrid

8.4/10
Bear Elite Hybrid

40% sitewide with code: SD40

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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.

Ideal for People With Back Pain
Firmness Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (8)
Feel Plush, Supportive Surface
Value Good Value

Best Cooling Mattress

PlushBeds Botanical Bliss

9.6/10
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss

Up to 50% off mattresses

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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.

Ideal for Hot Sleepers
Firmness Medium Firm (6), Firm (7)
Feel Responsive Latex
Value Fair Value

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. 

More Mattress Guides

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

What is the disadvantage of a split king mattress?

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.

Is a split king the same as two twin XL beds?

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.

Are split king mattresses worth it?

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.

Can you use regular king sheets on a split king bed?

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.

How can you prevent a split king bed from separating?

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.

About the Author

David Rubin

David Rubin

Director of Product Testing for Sleep Doctor

Position: Side Sleeper

Temperature: Hot Sleeper

Chronotype: Lion

David is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with a lifelong passion for well-being and health optimization. His interest in sleep developed with the arrival of his son, when sleep suddenly became a precious commodity. Since then, David has researched everything from bedtime routines to mattress toppers in his quest for a great night’s sleep.

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