Best King Size Mattresses

A king-size mattress is a perfect solution for couples looking for ample space to get a good night’s sleep. They are spacious, kid- and pet-friendly, and widely available from most mattress brands. King size mattresses have certain advantages, namely the extra space. Of course with a larger mattress comes a larger price tag.

Thankfully, the emergence of online-only mattress brands have made King size mattresses available at lower prices. If you’ve already made the decision to invest in a king-size bed, the next question is obvious; What is the best king size mattress, and which one should you buy? In this review, we’re sharing our top 10 picks for king size mattresses so you can feel confident in your purchase. You’ll also find a shoppers’ guide for purchasing a king-size mattress, including what to look for, the size’s pros and cons, who they’re best for, and the different types available online.

The Best King Size Mattresses of 2020

• Puffy: Best Overall
• Nectar: Best Value
• Tuft & Needle: Most Affordable
• Beautyrest Black: Best Luxury Innerspring
• Saatva: Best Affordable Luxury
• Casper Essential: Best Affordable Firm Mattress
• Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt: Most Versatile Luxury
• Brooklyn Aurora: Best Hybrid Mattress
• Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid: Softest Mattress

Sleeping with a partner has its advantages to be sure, from snuggles and pillow talk to other unmentionable things that occur in bed. However, once the lights are out, sleep can be hard to achieve with a partner who snores or moves excessively throughout the night. If you’re a light sleeper with a partner, we recommend the Puffy or the Puffy Lux. Minimal motion transfer is a major benefit of this mattress, in addition to its competitive pricing and comfortable feel. All Puffy mattresses are sold with a 101-night sleep trial, free shipping in the contiguous U.S., and a lifetime, non-prorated warranty. The Puffy is also one of our top mattress picks for best bed-in-a-box! 

See our full Puffy Mattress Review and learn more!

Young newlyweds who want to upgrade to a king-size mattress can often experience sticker shock at the price tag. The Nectar offers a budget-friendly option for singles, recent grads, and couples who want the experience of a king bed without draining their savings accounts. Not only is the baseline mattress price attractive, but Nectar goes beyond expectations, using high-quality, quilted gel memory foam materials that are both conforming and temperature-regulating. Every Nectar mattress comes with a generous 365-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping in the contiguous U.S.

Read our full Nectar Mattress Review to learn more!

If you want an all-foam mattress but tend to sleep hot with or without a partner, this mattress’ open cell foam will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night, featuring graphite and cooling gel beads for temperature regulation. The Tuft & Needle is also our pick because of the price. On Amazon, a King currently costs just $750 and is Amazon prime-eligible. It’s also great for sleepers of any size; the more pressure you put on the bed, the more it reacts to support you. The medium-firm feel is also suitable for sleepers of all positions, most notably combination sleepers. For its versatility, price, and high online ratings, this is our Editor’s Pick king size mattress. Every T&N mattress comes with free shipping in the contiguous U.S., a 100-night sleep trial, and a non-prorated 10-year warranty.

Read our full Tuft & Needle Mattress Review to learn more!

Beautyrest Black is the highest luxury line from Simmons, so if you’re set on a luxury king-sized model, we recommend looking into this line. Black mattresses come in a variety of firmness options and price points. Generally, the thicker the mattress, the more expensive it is. Sought after luxury mattress features, like a pillow topper for extra cushioning, are available in some models. All Black line mattresses feature a cooling cover layer, top comfort foam layers in various materials and thicknesses, bottom comfort layers for pressure point relief, and support layers made of an advanced pocketed coil system that cradles the spine. The trial period depends on the retailer, as does the shipping, but all Simmons Beautyrest Black beds come with a 10-year warranty.

Read our full Beautyrest Black Mattress Review to learn more!

The Saatva mattress contains a low-gauge Bonnell coil support core that’s topped with a plush comfort system and a euro-top cushioning layer, which together provide more added comfort than you’ll find in most innerspring options. Bonnell coils help keep the mattress relatively affordable, and they also keep it supportive. These coils can withstand high levels of compression without shifting. As such, the Saatva takes from the best of both worlds: it has the support, response, and durability of an innerspring mattress and the conforming pressure relief of CertiPUR-US foam or hybrid model. Getting it in a King size just maximizes the surface area of this luxury, and we think you will want as much as you can get!

Read our full Saatva Mattress Review to learn more! 

If you’re looking for an affordable firmer king size mattress, we recommend the Casper Essential. It provides consistent body-conforming and pain and pressure relief for all sleeper types, but it’s particularly great for sleepers at average and heavyweights. It’s marketed as a ‘firm’ mattress, but it’s important to note that the more affordable price point also means somewhat lower quality foams, meaning that they’ll degrade and soften up quicker than other models, but will still give you some contouring, no matter what your body type. So, ‘firm’ might become ‘medium’ in a year or two’s time. Casper Mattresses comes with a 100-night trial, free shipping in the contiguous U.S., and a 10-year, non-prorated warranty.

Read our full Casper Essential Mattress Review to learn more! 

The ProAdapt offers the most versatility of Tempur-Pedic models, including three firmness settings and all-foam and hybrid options. This mattress also features a dual-layer SmartClimate cover for added coolness. While some mattress brands and models cater to specific sleeper weights, positions, and firmness preferences, the ProAdapt has an option for every sleeper. If you have a relatively large shopping budget, tend to sleep hot, and your partner wakes you easily with movement, we recommend the ProAdapt. Like all Tempur-Pedic beds, this mattress comes with a 90-day sleep trial, free white glove shipping in the contiguous U.S., and a 10-year non-prorated warranty.

Read our full Tempur-Adapt Mattress Review to learn more. 

All of Brooklyn’s products have earned recognition for their ability to suit a variety of sleepers with different weights and preferred sleeping positions. The Aurora is our favorite hybrid king-size, however, because it simply checks so many boxes. It’s thick, durable, motion isolating, responsive, conforming, and temperature neutral, among other things. The thick, multi-layer support system absorbs and reduces motion transfer to a significant extent. The Brooklyn Aurora is handcrafted in the USA, comes with a 120-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 10-year, non-prorated warranty.

See our full Brooklyn Aurora Mattress Review to learn more! 

The Nest Alexander Signature’s four top comfort components make it exceptionally soft, especially for side sleepers and back sleepers. You’ll find a memory foam, polyfoam, cooling, copper-infused gel foam, and transitional polyfoam — and that’s just in the comfort layer. The Nest Alexander also sleeps cool regardless of your size, meaning that, even if you and your partner vary dramatically in weight or height, you’ll both find a cool night’s sleep in this bed. It’s also a nice option for sleepers who want a soft feel but find themselves sinking too much in other models. The Alexander is thicker than average, which combats that problem. The Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a lifetime warranty. White glove and international delivery are also available

See our full Nest Alexander Mattress Review for more information. 

What to Look for in a King Mattress

Here’s an overview of purchasing considerations and factors when buying a king size mattress:

• Sleeping position—Different positions have different support requirements, so the best king mattress will depend on whether you’re a side, back, stomach, or combination sleeper. Back and stomach sleepers typically prefer firmer mattresses, while conforming mattress work well for side sleepers.
• Weight—Heavier sleepers not only tend to sleep hotter, but they experience more sinkage, meaning that a medium-firm mattress may feel soft to an overweight or tall individual. Similarly, lightweight or petite individuals who desire firm beds may find their match in mattresses that feel soft to most sleepers.
• Temperature—Do you sleep cool or hot? All-foam mattresses tend to sleep hotter, although recent advancements have improved airflow and made mattresses more breathable. If temperature regulation is important, consider a hybrid or innerspring king size mattress or an all-foam variety with dedicated cooling properties.
• Material—The bulk of mattresses on the market are innerspring, foam, latex, or hybrid styles. Each material has its own benefits and drawbacks, and they vary in cost, durability, and more. 
• Firmness—While there’s no standardized firmness scale across the industry, mattresses range from 1 to 10 in firmness, with 1 being extra soft and 10 being extra firm. Your weight and sleeping position will most impact the firmness that feels best to you and supports proper spinal alignment.
• Thickness—Most mattresses measure 10 inches in thickness, but luxury and thick options can measure 15 inches or more. 
• Price—Mattresses vary dramatically in price based on the quality of materials used, the make, the manufacturer, and other costs, like delivery fees. Budget mattresses can cost just a couple hundred dollars, whereas luxury king size mattresses can cost $2,000 or more.
• Performance factors—Consideration of a king-size mattress’ performance will give you a well-rounded perspective on the product’s pros and cons. Consider properties like durability (how long it will last), motion isolation, conformity, temperature neutrality, off-gassing, edge support, noise, and more.
• Policies—Third-party retailer and mattress company policies like shipping, warranties, returns, and trials can greatly impact customer satisfaction and experience, especially if you’ll be shopping for your king size mattress online. Make sure you’re comfortable with the level of protection for the investment you’re making and with the trial and return policies, just in case you’re not happy with your purchase. Also be aware that failing to use proper foundation, box spring, or bed frame can also void your warranty. 
• Mattress weight—By nature of their size, king mattresses tend to be heavier and bulkier.
• Durability—Durability is key for king size mattresses, which often support the weight of two individuals night in and night out. Research and read reviews about the mattress’ longevity, looking for answers to questions like, “Does it sag over time?” and “How’s the edge support?”

Types of King Size Mattresses 

A bigger mattress can solve issues of disturbances like snoring, turning, tossing, and cover-stealing from a partner. If you’ve decided that a king bed is what you need, you’ll need to decide on the exact type of mattress you’re after. Here are the details and dimensions of the most common king size mattresses.

King

One size larger than a queen, a traditionally sized king provides sleepers with an additional 16 inches of width. A standard king measures 76 by 80 inches, which is the same as two twin XL mattresses pushed together. 

Eastern King

An eastern king is simply a synonym for a standard king, and it also measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long.

California King

The only difference between a California king and a standard/eastern king is in the width and length. California kings measure 84 inches long by 72 inches wide, so they’re best for especially tall individuals and those who enjoy extra space.

Split King

A split king, otherwise known as a dual king mattress, comes in two pieces rather than one. Each piece is roughly the same size as a twin mattress. Creating a king bed out of two separate mattresses allows each partner to have their own space, which is often customized for firmness level or adjustable, while still sharing closeness with their partner.

Pros & Cons of King Mattresses

PROS

• More space
• Less tossing and turning
• Proper sleeping positions
• Kid- and dog-friendly

CONS

• Bulkier
• Can be heavy and hard to move
• More expensive

Who Is a King Mattress Best For?

Individuals and couples considering a king are most often deciding if a king is worth the extra money, or if a queen would suffice. Understanding the core differences between them will help you make an informed choice. 

Most queen mattresses measure 60” x 80”, whereas a king mattress typically measures 76” x 80”. A queen requires a room, at a minimum, that measures 10’x12’, and a king requires a room that measures at least 10’x14’, not accounting for other bedroom furniture. In general, queens work well for single sleepers and for couples who don’t need much sleeping space. Kings are typically preferred for couples who want the maximum amount of personal sleeping space.

If the price is a concern, keep in mind that while a king does generally cost more than a queen, affordable options are available. Both a king and a queen are widely available in a variety of styles at many price points, so you can find a quality mattress in both sizes at a price point that works for you. 

As mentioned, room size becomes a major factor when couples realize that a king is more than a foot wider. Leaving two feet of space on three sides of your room is recommended by interior designers, but that’s the minimum. If you want to include a wardrobe, nightstands, and other pieces, you’ll need more room. 

At the end of the day, the choice between a king or a queen mattress is a matter of personal preference. If you sleep alone, queen size is a great choice and will save you room space. If you’ve been sleeping with a partner for several years in a queen and find that your sleep is compromised for whatever reason, upgrading to a king might pave a path to more restful sleep and better overall wellness for the two of you.

Conclusion

If you’re on the hunt for a king-size mattress, you’re already well on your way to more comforter and better sleep. Most owners of king size mattresses would tell you that the extra expense is worth it. With extra space, you’re less likely to feel your partner’s movements throughout the night, and bedroom space, especially a master, simply looks better in a larger bedroom. Investing in a king mattress is an important step toward guaranteeing restful sleep, so we hope you’ll use this guide to the best king mattresses to get you there.

If you still need guidance in your mattress buying journey, check out our ultimate mattress buying guide here.