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Written by
Daniel Noyed
It’s hard to argue with a king size mattress, which can comfortably fit two sleepers with room to spare. Significantly larger than other mattress sizes, king size mattresses offer the ultimate luxury for those who can spare the floor space. Split king models cater to people who own adjustable beds.
Since king size is a standard mattress size, shoppers can choose from a wide range of options. Below is a list of mattresses that our testing team has determined to be the best options for king size. Our team performed thorough research and hands-on tests to ensure that this list includes the best overall mattresses on the market. We considered criteria such as price-point, since king beds cost more money than beds in smaller sizes. We also looked at durability and temperature neutrality, since king size beds are often purchased by couples.
If you’re curious to learn more about our picks, read our reviews below. At the bottom, we also provide a buyer’s guide to shopping for king size mattresses. Our guide offers practical advice on how to find the right king mattress, which types of sleepers will benefit from these mattresses, and which mattresses are best for a king size.
Best Overall
The DreamCloud Mattress combines the stability of an innerspring with the even contouring of an all-foam bed. The result is a sleep surface that alleviates pressure and minimizes motion transfer without sacrificing support. A medium firm (6) feel ensures adequate reinforcement for most people weighing 230 pounds or less regardless of their sleep position.
Soft polyfoam is quilted into the cover to give the surface a luxuriously plush feel, while a second comfort layer of gel-infused memory foam provides additional cushioning and contouring. Other components include a polyfoam transitional layer to prevent deep sinkage around the midsection, and a pocketed coil system that reinforces the mattress without making the surface feel stiff or overly responsive.
The entire mattress is encased in a cover that includes cashmere, a material with exceptional cooling properties. Steady airflow throughout the coil layer also helps the mattress maintain a comfortable interior temperature. The deep foam layers also absorb quite a bit of movement, so disruptive motion transfer shouldn’t be an issue for couples and co-sleepers.
The DreamCloud Mattress is priced competitively for a hybrid model and ground shipping is free for all buyers in the contiguous U.S. The company’s sleep trial extends for an entire year, giving you plenty of time to test out the mattress and come to a decision. If you keep the DreamCloud, you’ll also receive a lifetime warranty that covers structural defects for as long as you retain ownership of the mattress.
Best Value
The Nectar Mattress is a quintessential memory foam model with an approachable price-point that should appeal to shoppers on a budget. A 3-inch comfort layer ensures even contouring from head to toe, which can improve spinal alignment for side sleepers and alleviate pressure points in the process, but the medium firm (6) feel means the mattress won’t feel too soft if you weigh 230 pounds or less.
Memory foam has a bad reputation for trapping heat and feeling uncomfortably warm. The Nectar Mattress mitigates bothersome heat retention with phase change material infused into the comfort layer. This component is engineered to absorb and release heat, resulting in a reasonable temperature. The cover also contains cooling fibers intended to maintain a comfortable surface.
Motion isolation is another strong point. The bed’s three foam layers reduce a significant amount of motion transfer, helping you and your partner sleep soundly without disruptions when the other person changes positions or gets up in the middle of the night.
On top of the affordable pricing, Nectar further incentivizes value seekers with free shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. and a sleep trial that spans 365 nights in length. The mattress is also backed by a lifetime warranty that covers structural and manufacturing defects for as long as you retain full ownership.
Best Luxury
Buy more, save more. $200 off Saatva Classic mattresses $1000-$2000, $300 off $2,000+ Classic mattresses. $200 off all other mattresses.
The innovative Saatva Classic combines the responsiveness of a traditional innerspring with the contouring feel of a hybrid mattress. A Euro-top cover containing fiber padding and comfort layers of memory foam and polyfoam gives the surface an invitingly plush feel. The transitional layer contains pocketed minicoils, while the support core features sturdy recycled-steel hourglass coils, so you can also expect a good deal of springiness from the Saatva Classic.
The two coil layers promote consistent airflow, allowing the mattress to sleep exceptionally cool even by hybrid standards. The robust design is also well suited to people who weigh at least 130 pounds and need extra support from their mattress – back and stomach sleepers in particular.
You can choose from three firmness levels for your Saatva Classic: medium soft (4), medium firm (6), and firm (7). There are noticeable differences between these feels in terms of contouring and pressure relief, but all three deliver exceptional support. The mattress is also available in two profiles, 11.5 or 14.5 inches.
Saatva is one of the only online mattress brands that offers free White Glove delivery to all customers in the contiguous U.S. This service includes full assembly in a room of your choice and removal of your old mattress and/or foundation at no extra charge. You’ll also receive 180 days to test out the Saatva Classic before deciding whether to return it or keep it, as well as a 15-year warranty.
Most Comfortable
The WinkBed is a luxury hybrid mattress available in four firmness levels: medium soft, medium firm, firm, and Plus. Built with high-quality foams and pocketed coils, all four versions boast above-average durability and temperature control, as well as outstanding edge support.
The medium soft, medium firm, and firm WinkBeds offer some initial pressure relief with a euro-style pillow top quilted with gel polyfoam. The medium soft mattress has an additional layer of polyfoam that helps absorb motion for people who sleep with a partner. In turn, the medium firm and firm WinkBeds have a more responsive feel that boosts movement for sex and for combination sleepers. All the WinkBed mattresses have a breathable Tencel cover.
The WinkBed mattress features a dual-coil system with a layer of pocketed micro-coils and a support core of zoned pocketed coils with reinforced edges. Along with strategically placed foams in the comfort layers, this design helps provide targeted support to the spine and lumbar area in particular. One of the best firm king mattresses for heavier sleepers, the WinkBed Plus is similarly built but replaces the top layer of micro-coils with latex for sturdier support.
WinkBeds offers a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty against workmanship and manufacturing defects.
Best for Back Pain
The Puffy Lux Hybrid features a foam and coil design that delivers excellent contouring and moderate support. This construction makes the mattress a good fit for people who are looking for a bed that can help alleviate back pain.
The mattress has a firmness level of medium (5), which makes it softer than the average hybrid model. At 12 inches thick, the bed starts with a layer of cooling memory foam that generously cushions the body, followed by a polyfoam layer that provides some pressure relief but also more support than the memory foam. Another polyfoam layer beneath is engineered to help keep the mattress cool. The support core contains a coil system that responds and adapts to the body for moderate contouring.
The Puffy Lux Hybrid is an ideal fit for side sleepers up to 230 pounds, as well as back and stomach sleepers who weigh less than 130 pounds. The bed delivers enough support to bolster the lumbar region in these sleep positions, but also offers generous contouring to cradle the hips, shoulders, and spine, which are common pressure points for side and back sleepers. Ensuring that the body receives the right amount of support and cushion is vital for reducing back pain during sleep.
The plush surface of this bed makes it a great choice for motion isolation, which may appeal to those who share a bed with restless sleep partners. The stain-resistant polyester cover is also removable and may be machined washed at home, for easy maintenance.
Puffy provides free ground shipping within the contiguous U.S. Customers receive a 101-night sleep trial with their purchase, as well as a lifetime warranty.
Best Cooling
While Casper is best known for its original all-foam mattress, customers shouldn’t overlook the Casper Original Hybrid, especially if they are looking for a comfortable mattress that has above-average temperature control.
The comfort system of the Casper Original Hybrid is made up of two distinct materials. The top layer is a perforated polyfoam that offers slight bounce and mild contouring. The second layer is memory foam that cuts down on motion transfer and relieves pressure. The memory foam features multiple zones to accentuate support around the hips, waist, and lower back while providing a softer feel for the shoulders and legs.
The core has 7 inches of pocketed coils that provide responsive support and enhance airflow. The coils are surrounded by a dense foam encasement which increases edge support and allows you to use the entire mattress surface without too much sagging.
The Casper Original Hybrid has a medium (5) feel that suits most sleep positions and body types. Side sleepers benefit from the contouring foam that accommodates their shoulders and hips. Back sleepers appreciate the combination of firmness, bounce, and cradling, while stomach sleepers who weigh less than 230 pounds should feel adequately supported.
Casper provides customers with a sleep trial of 100-nights that allows for returns without any mandatory break-in period. The Casper Original Hybrid comes with a 10-year limited warranty and shipping is free to the contiguous U.S. and Canadian provinces. Shoppers in Hawaii, Alaska, and Canadian territories should expect additional charges.
Best Pressure Relief
Hot sleeping is an unfortunately common problem and mattresses that trap heat can exacerbate this issue. For many sleepers, the Birch Mattress will have the opposite effect. The mattress contains a comfort layer of ventilated Talalay latex that pushes air toward the surface to keep you cool throughout the night, while a pocketed coil support core creates added circulation to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. The entire mattress is encased in a breathable organic cotton cover, and the fire barrier underneath contains moisture-wicking natural wool to prevent discomfort from excessive perspiration.
Latex is a naturally durable substance that resists indentations and impressions better than foam. The coils in the Birch Mattress are also zoned for extra perimeter protection, which reduces sinkage that can permanently damage the edges of your mattress. As a result, the mattress is quite durable and should perform for at least seven to eight years. The latex and coils also make the mattress feel quite responsive and bouncy, so most people have little to no trouble moving across the surface.
The Birch Mattress should appeal to people who value eco-friendly products. A Rainforest Alliance certification indicates rubber trees used to create the latex are sustainably grown, while an eco-INSTITUT certification ensures the material has been evaluated for harmful emissions. Additionally, Birch has been recognized for humane treatment of the sheep used to extract wool in the fire barrier.
The Birch Mattress has an affordable price-point compared to other latex hybrids. Birch also offers free ground delivery to customers in all 50 states. Each order comes with a sleep trial that spans 100 nights in length, as well as a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Best for Side Sleepers
Hip pain sufferers may find relief in the Nolah Original, a 10-inch all-foam mattress designed with cushioning foams that conform to relieve pressure points. A top layer of proprietary AirFoam and a second layer of transitional polyfoam alleviate sore spots without restricting movement. In the mattress core, a thick layer of high-density polyfoam provides the support needed to keep the spine aligned and prevent the hips from sinking in.
In terms of firmness the Nolah Original mattress falls at a medium, or a 5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This makes it ideal for side sleepers and those who weigh less than 130 pounds. These sleepers often experience pressure points from firmer mattresses, as they don’t exert enough pressure on the mattress to feel a firmer bed’s cushioning. The relatively plush foams also absorb motion well, keeping co-sleepers from waking each other in the night.
The Nolah Original is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning the foams used in the bed are made without a variety of harmful chemicals and ozone depleters. For every mattress purchased, the company makes a donation to American organization Defenders of Wildlife. Nolah offers a 120-night sleep trial and a 15-year warranty, with free shipping in the contiguous U.S.
Softest
Memory foam mattresses have a reputation for being soft and contouring closely to the body, but the AS5 is exceptionally plush even compared to other models in this category. The thickest and softest all-foam mattress in Amerisleep’s lineup, the AS5 is best suited to people who enjoy the cloud-like sensation of sinking into their sleep surface.
The AS5’s top layer is composed of proprietary Bio-Pur memory foam, which has a dense composition for close and even contouring. A second comfort layer of Active Flex polyfoam provides additional cushioning, while the transitional layer is zoned to feel more supportive around the lower back and hips.
A base layer of high-density polyfoam is intended to stabilize the mattress without affecting its soft surface feel. The breathable, mesh-like cover is made from a stretchy blend of polyester and cotton.
As a soft (3) mattress, the AS5 has some noticeable advantages over firmer all-foam beds. One of the bed’s major strengths is motion isolation. The foam layers absorb movement very well and practically eliminate motion transfer across the surface, so you and your partner shouldn’t experience any sleep disturbances when the other person changes positions or tosses and turns. The AS5 also cushions the spine to improve alignment and alleviate pressure for side sleepers – especially those who weigh 230 pounds or less.
Amerisleep offers free ground shipping to all customers in the contiguous U.S. Each AS5 comes with a 100-night sleep trial that includes free returns after a 30-night break-in period has elapsed. The mattress is also backed by a 20-year manufacturer’s warranty.
At Sleep Foundation, we’ve personally tried and reviewed hundreds of mattresses to bring you our top picks for the best king size options on the market today. Each sleep product expert on our team has extensive experience testing mattresses and knows which factors are critical when evaluating performance. The qualities we test include durability, temperature control, pressure relief, and edge support. When combined with factors like firmness level and construction, these metrics help us determine who will most enjoy each mattress we review.
Our team includes people from multiple weight groups and sleeper types because our readership does too. We want to provide the most accurate data possible so that you can better choose a mattress that fits your individual sleep habits. With so many new mattresses currently available, our team constantly reviews and updates our top picks to highlight the models we think are worth considering.
Mattress companies like to highlight the proprietary features that make their products stand out from the crowd. However, before giving consideration to these special features, you need to consider whether a mattress is adequate for your body type and preferred sleeping position. If a mattress isn’t right for your sleeping style, no amount of cooling gels or other features can change that.
The following are some of the most important things to look for when buying a mattress. If you look through these mattress qualities and prioritize them based on your personal needs, then you can read between the lines and select a mattress that suits your needs.
Introduced to the mainstream bedding industry in the 1940s, king mattresses are the largest of the standard sizes. A king mattress measures 76 by 80 inches, leaving more than enough space for two adults to sleep side-by-side. King mattresses are becoming increasingly popular with multiple subsets of sleepers, including single adults, couples, and families.
Single Adults: With its imposing, almost-square build, a king size mattress can make a powerful statement in a spacious bedroom. If you sleep alone, a king size mattress can be the perfect accent for your carefully curated interior design. For taller sleepers, larger sleepers, or those who frequently switch sleeping positions, a king mattress also allows enough room to sprawl out and get your beauty rest.
Couples: Falling asleep while spooning is romantic, but it’s not for everybody. A king size mattress gives each partner ample room to sleep comfortably. If you and your partner have trouble agreeing on mattress firmness, you can take things one step further and buy a split king with two different feels.
Families: There’s nothing cuter than having the kids cozy up with you in bed, but if you’re short on space, this can make it tricky to get to sleep. A king size mattress is the best option if you and your sleeping partner want some extra room for kids or pets.
There are several variations of the king size mattress, of which the most frequently seen is the California king. Measuring 72 by 84 inches, the California king size is 4 inches narrower and 4 inches longer than the standard king.
The extra length of the California king makes it popular with taller individuals. However, many people prefer the aesthetic appeal of the almost-square standard king mattress. This size may also be more convenient for heavier sleepers or those who anticipate sharing the bed with children or pets.
Almost every mattress manufacturer offers both king and California king mattresses at identical price-points, although it might be slightly harder to find bedding for California king mattresses. King and California king mattresses may also come in a split version, in which each side can be customized with a different firmness level or other preferences. As split king mattresses aren’t fully attached to each other, they also allow less motion transfer.
Other types of king beds include Alaska king (108 by 108 inches) and Wyoming king (84 by 84 inches). These are rarely found through regular channels and may need to be special-ordered where available.
A king size mattress may be ideal for sleepers who love spreading out in bed, but not everybody has the space for such a hefty mattress. Here are some pros and cons to weigh if you’re considering the jump to a king size mattress.
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Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the different mattress types is a useful way of knowing how a mattress is likely to feel. However, despite broad similarities in materials and construction, the specific design of each mattress will give it its own distinct feel. We’ve outlined the major characteristics of the five major mattress types you’ll find on the market today.
Definition: Hybrid mattresses are generally made with a pocketed coil support core to reduce noise and motion transfer. This is supplemented by a comfort section with one or more layers of memory foam, latex, micro-coils, or other pressure-relieving materials.
Highlight: Middle Ground. Because they incorporate the qualities of multiple materials, hybrid mattresses are a convenient compromise for sleepers who have trouble deciding between the merits of coils, foam, or latex.
Definition: Innerspring mattresses are built almost entirely of steel coils that provide bounce, support, and airflow. Some innerspring mattresses may have a comfort layer, but this does not significantly change the feel of the mattress.
Highlight: Customizable. Innerspring mattresses pair well with mattress toppers. Co-sleepers can use a split king mattress to give each side a different feel and eliminate the problem of motion transfer that can arise with interconnected coils.
Definition: Natural latex is made by processing the milky white liquid of the rubber tree, using either the Dunlop or Talalay method. The resulting material is breathable and durable, and it can be given different properties that make it suitable for use in both the comfort and support layers of a mattress. Synthetic latex alternatives also exist, but they are of lesser quality.
Highlight: Sustainable and Durable. Natural latex is gaining recognition in eco-conscious circles thanks to its environmentally friendly credentials. Despite the higher price tag, latex is a worthwhile investment as it promises longer durability than most mattress materials.
Definition: Made with one or more air chambers in the support core, airbed mattresses feature customizable firmness that can be adjusted by inflating or deflating the chambers. Airbeds may also have an additional comfort layer section on top of the air chambers.
Highlight: Individual Control. King size airbeds usually have a separate air chamber for each side of the bed, so each sleeper can experiment to find the feel that works for them.
Definition: All-foam mattresses have a support core made of high-density polyfoam, and may feature memory foam, latex, polyfoam, or similar materials in the comfort section.
Highlight: Motion Isolation. All-foam mattresses tend to perform the best on motion isolation, which can reduce disruptions when sharing the bed.
Before settling on a purchase decision, ask yourself if the mattress is well-suited to its intended sleepers, and don’t forget to read the fine print for shipping, sleep trial, and warranty policies.
A king mattress is large enough to be used by one or two adults. If you anticipate using the mattress for more than one sleeper, be sure to take each party’s needs into consideration.
Side sleepers and those who weigh less than 130 pounds typically need a closer-conforming mattress that helps take the pressure off the hips and shoulders. Stomach sleepers and those who weigh more than 230 pounds need a firmer surface to better distribute body weight. A split king may be the answer in cases where two sleepers with vastly different needs are sharing the bed.
It’s not uncommon for kids and pets to join their parents in bed. In this case, it may be more appropriate to use a regular king mattress instead of a split king to prevent having anyone sleep on the crack between the mattresses. Those who share the bed with one or more restless sleepers may benefit from a mattress that dampens motion and noise, while strong edge support allows full use of the bed for families who may otherwise find it too crowded.
Most king mattresses are able to be compressed, shrink-wrapped, and shipped as a mattress in a box. The standard in the online mattress industry is to offer free ground shipping within the continental U.S., with many companies also offering optional White Glove delivery and old mattress removal for an extra fee. In rare cases where certain king size mattresses may be too heavy to ship via ground shipping, companies may include White Glove delivery at no additional charge.
Mattresses ordered online should come with a sleep trial of at least 90 nights, giving you time to test out the mattress at home and receive a refund if it doesn’t work for you. Following this period, mattress companies typically offer a warranty of at least 10 years against workmanship and manufacturing defects. Before finalizing payment on your new mattress, it’s always a good idea to double-check these terms.
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.
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
Certified Sleep Coach
Danny is a Certified Sleep Science Coach with an in-depth knowledge of sleep health. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and sleep products.
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