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Written by
Austin Meadows
The California king is one of the six standard mattress sizes. Most models measure 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. These dimensions make it the longest mattress size. While many think of the California king as the largest size option, standard kings – which measure 76 inches wide by 80 inches long – technically offer more surface area. A California king is ideal for couples who want a spacious sleep surface, including those who share their bed with children or pets. King and California king models usually share the same price-point.
A single sleeper may enjoy the roominess of a California king, but we primarily focused on criteria that matter most to couples when choosing our top picks for this list. These factors include durability, edge support, motion isolation, temperature control, and responsiveness for sex. Value is another key consideration, since California king sizes are one of the most expensive options for any given model.
If you’re in the market for a California king, keep reading to see a detailed profile of each top pick that highlights its strengths and standout attributes. You can learn even more about our best California king mattress selections by clicking the links to our onsite reviews. Scroll down further to find our guide for first-time California king buyers. We’ll discuss pros and cons of this size, how California kings compare to other sizes, and who should consider purchasing one.
Best Overall
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The Saatva Classic is a luxury innerspring model featuring a dual coil design and multiple customization options. For practical purposes, customers can opt for an 11.5- or 14.5-inch profile, with no difference in feel.
Sleepers can choose between three firmness levels: soft (3), medium (6), and firm (8). All three models have a Euro-top followed by two thin layers of polyfoam and memory foam, which provide some cushion as well as lumbar support. A transitional layer of individually pocketed minicoils provides extra support while creating minimal motion transfer. Below, the hourglass coil support core has a foam encasement reinforcing the perimeter, helping provide support right up to the edge of the bed. The entire mattress is wrapped in a tufted organic cotton cover with a natural thistle fire retardant.
The dual coil system provides excellent relief for sleepers who experience pressure build-up at night. Side sleepers in particular will benefit from the mattress since this position tends to put pressure on the shoulders and hips. The mattress may also appeal to people who run hot during sleep. The top layer of coils is situated close to the sleeper, so this layer goes a long way toward promoting airflow and helping maintain a cool sleep surface.
Saatva offers a 180-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty. Orders in the contiguous U.S. include free White Glove delivery and old mattress removal.
Best Value
The all-foam Nectar Mattress is a premium option without the high-end price tag. This model features polyfoam and memory foam that work together to provide even support and deep contouring that’s well suited to multiple sleeper types. Back, side, and stomach sleepers who weigh under 230 pounds will most enjoy this medium firm (6) mattress, while people over 230 pounds may prefer one that’s firmer.
The Nectar Mattress’ top layer is made from gel-infused memory foam that’s designed to sleep cool and hug your body. It rests on a 2-inch transitional polyfoam layer that acts as a buffer between the memory foam and core, which is crafted out of supportive high-density polyfoam. The no-slip cover ensures that your mattress and its components stay put.
The high-quality foams featured in the Nectar help it excel in several categories, most notably motion isolation and pressure relief. Instead of allowing motion to transfer from one side of the bed to the other, the foam absorbs any movement. It also helps prevent pressure points by cradling areas like your hips and shoulders.
Nectar offers sleepers a generous 365-day sleep trial as well as a lifetime limited warranty. Shoppers in the contiguous U.S. qualify for free shipping.
Best for Back Pain
The Puffy Mattress is a mixed-foam mattress that’s made in the US and known for its pressure-relieving properties. Though the Puffy is somewhat responsive, it primarily gives sleepers the conforming feel of memory foam. The Puffy is a good choice for sleepers who like to feel “hugged” by their mattress. Since it relieves pressure so well, it’s also a good choice for sleepers who tend to experience pain.
The Puffy mattress is available in one firmness level, which is medium. Lighter individuals weighing under 130 pounds find the most comfort in the Puffy mattress. Some sleepers over 130 pounds, especially those who prefer to sleep on their sides and stomachs, will also like the Puffy. It excels at promoting spinal alignment for side sleepers.
Most sleepers weighing over 230 pounds will want to opt for a firmer mattress than the Puffy. They might find themselves sinking in too deeply or feeling unsupported on this bed. Of course, personal preference influences mattress choice, and some heavier sleepers who prefer soft mattresses might be happy with the Puffy.
Customers in the contiguous US receive free delivery from Puffy, and those in Alaska or Hawaii can purchase the bed for an additional fee. The Puffy mattress comes with a 101-night sleep trial and customers can make returns after a required 14-night break-in period.
Most Comfortable
The WinkBed is a hybrid mattress that features a combination of coil and foam layers. Available in four firmness settings, the WinkBed has options that are suitable for virtually all sleepers regardless of body weight or sleep position preference. Lighter sleepers will prefer the softer WinkBed options, while heavier sleepers will prefer the firmer options. The WinkBed Plus is designed to be able to accommodate sleepers who weigh over 300 pounds.
The WinkBed Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firmer options are constructed slightly differently than the WinkBed Plus. All WinkBeds feature a 7.5-inch pocketed coil support core. The first three firmness options have a Euro-pillow top, two polyfoam layers, a layer of foam-encased microcoils, and a cotton lumbar support pad. Instead of these comfort layers, the WinkBed Plus contains one polyfoam layer, a layer of latex, and the cotton lumbar support pad.
As a result of the differing constructions, the softer WinkBed mattresses are more conforming than the firmer WinkBed Plus. All WinkBeds are on the responsive side, and none give the sensation of sleeping “in” rather than “on” the mattress.
All of the WinkBed mattresses come in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king. They ship for free to the contiguous US. Customers may purchase White Glove delivery for $129, or both White Glove delivery and old mattress removal for $189. WinkBeds also come with a lifetime warranty.
Best Cooling
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Made in the US, the GhostBed Luxe is an all-foam mattress with cooling properties. The GhostBed Luxe is constructed with a cooling cover, memory foam comfort layer, latex-like polyfoam layer, and a support core made of high-density polyfoam. The result is a mixture of contouring and responsiveness, making the GhostBed Luxe a good choice for people who want both conforming and bounce.
The GhostBed Luxe is available in a medium firmness feel, which is well-suited to sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds. Most sleepers in this range find that the GhostBed Luxe provides adequate support and spinal alignment for them. Heavier individuals might require a firmer mattress option.
The bed is specifically designed to keep bodies cool throughout the night, so it shouldn’t trap heat like many all-foam mattresses do. Its cooling cover has memory foam quilted into it and incorporates phase-change material into its fibers. The “Ghost Ice” layer also contains phase change material, which absorbs heat energy and transforms it into a cooler temperature.
The GhostBed Luxe comes in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. The bed ships for free to the contiguous US, and for $600 to Hawaii and Alaska. It comes with a 101-night sleep trial, though sleepers must break in the mattress for 30 days before initiating a return. The warranty is prorated and lasts for 25 years.
Best for Side Sleepers
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The Layla Hybrid is a standout choice for California King shoppers due in part to its reversible design. Both sides of the mattress are cushioned with memory foam. One surface has a thicker comfort layer and a medium soft (4) feel, while the opposite side’s surface has less foam and feels firm (7). Each side has unique strengths. The softer surface excels at motion isolation and pressure relief, and should be most comfortable for people who weigh less than 130 pounds. The firmer side feels more support for people who weigh more, especially back and stomach sleepers.
A layer pocketed coils is sandwiched in the middle and serves as the bed’s support core no matter which surface you use. These coils are zoned to reinforce the edges against sinkage without compromising your comfort with excessive firmness. The coils also help the mattress remain temperature neutral by circulating air throughout the interior. For added breathability, both memory foam layers are infused with copper, which has natural cooling properties and also provides antimicrobial protection against harmful bacteria.
The Layla Hybrid’s price-point is in line with the average hybrid model, but all customers in the lower 48 states will receive free ground shipping with their order. The mattress is backed by a 120-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.
Best Pressure Relief
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The Nolah Evolution 15 is a pressure-relieving hybrid mattress that’s available in three firmness levels. You can choose between medium (5), medium firm, and firm (8) options, which Nolah has named Plush, Luxury Firm, and Firm, respectively. While materials and specifications vary a bit between models, all three feature several cooling features and a foam comfort system that hugs pressure-prone areas.
The support core is built from 8-inch pocketed coils that are zoned and reinforced at the edges. This provides more robust support around your lower back and midsection while allowing more give beneath your shoulders and legs. A layer of polyfoam rests above the core and prevents sleepers from sinking too deeply into the mattress, even when using the softest model. Proprietary graphite-infused polyfoam called AirFoamICE gently cradles your body and helps draw excess heat away from you while you sleep.
Each model features a quilted Euro-top that cushions without affecting the support level. In addition to the AirFoamICE, the Evolution 15 includes a heat escape gusset, thermal conductive fabric, and a layer of wool and cotton that are all included to help regulate temperature. A carrying handle and non-skid base allow for easy use.
Nolah provides a 120-night sleep trial as well as a lifetime warranty, though you can opt out of the free trial for added savings. Free shipping is available to shoppers in the contiguous U.S. and you can choose to add old mattress removal and set up at checkout.
Best for Active People
The Zoma Mattress is an all-foam bed that is specifically aimed at sleepers who lead an active lifestyle or seek a bed engineered to relieve pressure buildup. The mattress is competitively priced compared to other foam beds with similar quality.
The bed is made up of three foam layers encased in a polyester-spandex cover. The comfort layer contains 2 inches of Triangulex memory foam with a zoned design that provides more support to the lumbar region and additional pressure relief to the shoulders and legs. The foam is infused with a cooling gel meant to reduce heat retention on the surface.
A transitional layer of polyfoam provides more support than the comfort layer, with a responsive quality that prevents sleepers from sinking in too deep. The support core is made with a 7-inch layer of high-density polyfoam that is quite dense and durable. The bed has an overall firmness rating of medium (5) and is best suited for side sleepers, especially those who weigh less than 230 pounds. Due to the pressure exerted on their shoulders and hips during sleep, side sleepers stand to benefit from the Zoma’s excellent pressure relief. Those who experience sleep disruptions from restless sleep partners may also appreciate the bed’s strong motion isolation.
Zoma offers free shipping and returns on beds within the contiguous U.S. Mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial, with a 30-day break-in period required for full refunds. A 10-year warranty is also included.
Best for Back Sleepers
Back sleepers seeking a California King mattress should prioritize models that provide even support for their entire body. Otherwise they may experience aches, pains, and pressure points around areas that sink too deeply beneath the surface. The AS3 from Amerisleep is a good option thanks to a medium (5) feel that conforms to the body without sinkage or loss of support. Back sleepers who weigh 230 pounds or less should find the mattress particularly comfortable, and the same is true for side sleepers in the same weight range.
The comfort layer is constructed from Bio-Pur memory foam. This proprietary material is known for a dense composition and long lifespan, allowing it to withstand wear and tear better than low- or medium-density foams. People who feel sharp pressure points along the spine may find relief from the AS3 thanks to the foam’s precise contouring abilities.
Bio-Pur is an open-cell foam, meaning it circulates air fairly well compared to standard memory foams. This can help regulate the surface temperature of the mattress, and a breathable cover provides additional cooling. The foams also absorb movement very well, and should cut down on sleep disruptions for anyone who’s easily awakened by their partner’s movements.
Although the AS3 is a bit expensive compared to other memory foam models, the Bio-Pur foam’s longevity makes this mattress a good long-term investment. Customers in the contiguous U.S. also enjoy free ground shipping. The mattress comes with a sleep trial that runs 100 nights in length and a 20-year manufacturer’s warranty against structural defects that kicks in once the return period expires.
When it comes to testing mattresses, our team at Sleep Foundation relies on rigorous hands-on evaluations as well as years of experience in the sleep product industry. We understand that mattress comfort is largely dependent on individual needs and preferences, so our team includes side, back, stomach, and combination sleepers with different body types to reflect as many sleepers as possible.
To find the best California king beds, we performed various tests using special tools to measure pressure relief, temperature neutrality, and motion isolation. Our testers also sit, lie down, and move around on the mattress surface to evaluate firmness, support, and edge support. The top performers in our tests are reflected in the list of picks above.
King and California king size beds differ in terms of their measurements and how much space they take up. The two beds have the following measurements:
Taller people who tend to sleep stretched out might prefer the California king since it measures 7 feet in length. People with pets might also prefer the additional length, so pets can sleep comfortably at the end of the bed.
The size and shape of your bedroom can also influence which king size you prefer. The beds take up the following square footage:
Bedding is another factor to consider when choosing between a standard and California king size mattress. The standard king is more common, so there are more bedding options for that size and it’s likely easier to find low-cost bedding.
Different people need different characteristics in a mattress depending on their preferences, sleep position habits, and body weights. The following factors determine how a mattress feels to you, how long it will last, how well it supports you throughout the night, and more.
There are 5 major mattress constructions on the market today: innerspring, foam, latex, hybrid (a combination of coils with foam or latex), and airbed. Generally, since the mattresses within each category are constructed similarly, they share commonalities and features.
That being said, there is plenty of variation within each mattress type category as well. Individual models of mattresses within a larger group fall across a spectrum in terms of quality, materials used, and performance.
Definition: Hybrid mattresses are an attempt to combine the best characteristics of other mattress types in a single bed. Hybrids contain a coil support core and comfort layers of either memory foam or latex. They are usually cooler and have stronger edge support than all-foam beds while providing more cushion than the average innerspring mattress.
Widely Comfortable: California king mattress shoppers often share a bed with a partner, kids, or pets. Hybrids can be a good choice for bed sharing because they tend to stay temperature neutral due to airflow through the coil layer. Their feel is often a mix of responsiveness and conforming, which can be a good compromise for people with different preferences.
Definition: Springs make up the support core of innerspring mattresses and create a bouncy, responsive bed. Innersprings tend to remain temperature neutral and provide a firm sleeping surface. As one of the oldest mattress technologies, innerspring mattresses are some of the most affordable beds available.
Cooling Firmness: Innerspring mattresses allow for a lot of airflow and, as a result, remain temperature neutral throughout the night. People who sleep hot or share a bed will find that an innerspring mattress doesn’t trap heat the way some all-foam or hybrids might.
Definition: Latex is made from natural or synthetic rubber and can be used in a mattress’s support core, comfort layers, or both. Latex mattresses tend to be the longest lasting and can potentially last decades. Sleepers who enjoy a soft yet responsive mattress surface will be happy with a latex mattress.
Responsive Comfort: Latex provides cushion and contouring without sinkage. People who share a bed can enjoy the softness of latex without worrying that they will sink too far into the bed or into each other.
Definition: Airbeds, not to be confused with inflatable air mattresses, are beds that use air chambers instead of coils, foam, or latex as their support core. Often, the air levels in the mattress can be controlled, allowing sleepers to instantly make their mattresses softer or firmer to meet their needs.
Adjustable Support: Many airbeds have separate, adjustable firmness levels on each side of the bed, which is a major benefit to people who share a bed. If you fall in a different weight group or have different mattress preferences than your sleep partner, you could adjust only your side of the bed in many airbeds.
Definition: Foam beds are known for the “hugging” sensation of memory foam, though not all foam beds are extremely conforming. Foam makes up both the support core and comfort layers, although some beds have additional comfort layer materials as well. Foam beds can tend to trap heat, so many are constructed with infusions of cooling material to help sleepers stay temperature neutral.
Contouring Relief: Foam mattresses can be a good choice for people who share a bed with someone who prefers a different sleep position. Memory foam tends to provide the most cushion and pressure relief, and a well-constructed foam bed will be supportive of all sleep positions.
Our product experts have extensive experience testing just about every sleep product on the market. Send an email to [email protected] with your questions and we’ll help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Sleep Product Tester
Austin is a professional writer and researcher who has covered sleep science and sleep products for over a decade.
Sleep Product Tester
Austin is a professional writer and researcher who has covered sleep science and sleep products for over a decade.
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