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.
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Made from high-density foam, the Nectar is designed for long-term support and conformity. It’s a mid-level firm mattress that has great motion isolation, comfort, and much more at a more affordable price than similar quality beds in the market.
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365
Best Bed-in-a-box on a budget
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!
The Saatva marries the look and the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress with new technology for a final product that’s both supportive and comfortable.
Offered at plush, luxury firm and firm
180 nights
High quality and custom firmness options
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!
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100 days
Great for most everyone! Excellent all-around mattress.
If you are looking to get a lot of bang for your buck in your new king mattress, the Leesa original is hard to beat. Most people upgrade to a king-size mattress when they are moving in with a partner, or have been living with a partner for a while and are simply in need of more space. Leesa is a great choice for couples! The edge support when you sit done to tie your shoes may not seem like it is the best in the world, but it holds shape when you use the entire surface really nicely. The foam isolates motion well and allows each person to find their preferred position at night without the other person feeling every single movement. you may feel a tiny shake when your partner moves around, but it shouldn’t be too disturbing! Speaking of couples and motion isolation, Leesa also made our list of the best mattresses for sex!
See our full Leesa mattress review to learn more.
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120 nights
Four firmness options
The Winkbed mattress is our top pick for the best king size bed in a box. It measures a mighty 14” from base to cover and contains a gel-infused cooling layer along with pocket coils.
The Winkbed features a hybrid construction that has more of a traditional innerspring mattress feel, while still providing a good amount of cushion throughout its memory foam layers for pressure relief.
In addition, if you’re someone who tends to sleep hot, then the Winkbed could be an excellent choice. It’s breathable comfort layers and pocketed coil design allow for sufficient airflow that will keep you cool throughout the night. Overall, it’s a solid choice when it comes to bed-in-a-box mattresses.
See our full Winkbed Review to learn more!
The Midnight is Helix’s best seller, which is no surprise to us. The king-size version just gives you more to love!
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100 nights
Made for side sleepers
If you’re looking for a mattress that helps relieve pressure along sensitive parts of the body, the Helix Midnight might just fit the bill: and at a reasonable price, too. As the best-selling mattress in the Helix line, the Helix Midnight is a medium-firm mattress that’s great for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers who want extra pressure relief and weight distribution. A robust layer of individually wrapped coils makes up the support section of the mattress, balancing the body’s sensitive joints atop the layer and helping sleepers feel comforted without allowing for too much sinkage. The comfort layers of the mattress are made from Helix’s Memory Plus foam and responsive polyfoam, which work in tandem to help relieve pressure buildup. Whether you purchase the Helix Midnight in a small Twin size or a broad, sprawling King, the bed offers a high-quality construction at a great value.
See our full Helix Midnight Mattress Review to learn more.
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365 days
A luxury mattress with a great return policy
With one look at the DreamCloud Premier mattress, it’s evident that the bed is built for a King: pun intended! From the luxurious gold coloring of the cover to the robust 15” height, the bed gives off an air of durability and prestige. Topping off the look of this mattress is the brand’s TrueLoft Euro Top pillow top, which combines memory foam and fabric for a cushioning feel on top of the mattress. The tufted pillow top will help shoppers achieve that ever-so-popular “hotel bed” feel.
Back and side sleepers should feel especially comfortable on the DreamCloud Premier mattress because of its medium-firm feel. While some stomach sleepers might not find the bed to be firm enough for their liking, those who tend to sleep hot should appreciate the bed’s thick layer of breathable coils. The Edge Shield Coil System will allow air to move freely from one side of the mattress to the other: even in a robust King size.
See our full DreamCloud Premier Mattress Review to learn more.
The Brooklyn Aurora is a hybrid with a profile of 13.5” that comes in soft, medium, and firm options. Its top layer is made with phase-change material for conformity and temperature regulation, and it also features polyfoam and memory foam comfort layers, a pocketed coil support core, and a high-density polyfoam base layer.
Offered at three firmness levels
120 days
Cooling features and overall comfort
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!
5.5
101 nights
Top-of-the-line cooling technology
All mattress models in the GhostBed line have their fair share of advanced cooling measures, but the GhostBed Luxe is one of the best cooling mattresses we’ve seen. All too often, hot sleepers have to resort to ultra-firm beds so that they don’t feel “trapped” in a mattress and thus feel hotter. But the GhostBed Luxe combines a soft feel and intentional temperature control to help hot sleepers spend less time sweating and more time sleeping. The cover feels cool to the touch, the breathable coils offer great airflow, and the bed uses gel memory foam to help mitigate the heat-trapping tendency of foam.
Because the GhostBed Luxe comes in at a 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale, it’s good for side sleepers and some back sleepers (predominantly those who are average-weight and lightweight). Stomach sleepers might want to choose a firmer mattress for a bit more support, but couples will appreciate the stellar motion isolation the GhostBed Luxe is able to offer. While it’s a bit more expensive than other mattresses that GhostBed offers, we think this mattress is worth it if you’re tired of waking up hot.
See our full GhostBed Luxe Mattress Review to learn more.
The Puffy is a memory foam mattress with temperature-regulating poly foam layers, the 12” Puffy Lux features four unique pressure-relieving comfort layers and a medium-firm feel that’s great for all sleepers, and the Puffy Royal features 14 inches of comfort with unique cooling beads. All Puffy mattresses are known for producing minimal noise and having excellent motion isolation.
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101 days
One of the most well-rounded mattresses
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 any of the Puffy models. Minimal motion transfer is a major benefit of this mattress, in addition to its competitive pricing and comfortable feel.
Since the Puffy Original tends to feel soft for most sleepers, (it’s called “Puffy” for a reason!) our team recommends it for side sleepers who need a cozy, comfortable mattress that will cradle delicate pressure points like the hips and shoulders. 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!
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100 nights
Affordable mattress made for all sleepers
The Casper Original mattress is an excellent option for memory foam lovers looking to upgrade to a king mattress. It is engineered to accommodate all sleeping positions and has zoned support so the entire body will be supported differently. The Casper is the original mattress in a box, and even though there have been dozen to follow suit, it is still one of our favorites.
Even though it is a memory foam mattress, it has recently been upgraded with cooling features so sleepers do not overheat at night. I will say, it is better for lightweight and average weight sleepers. If you are over 250 pounds, you may sleep better on the Casper Wave mattress. Coming in right around a 6/10 on the firmness scale, it is the perfect medium-firm that will not cause hips and shoulders to jam, but will keep the since aligned and hips from sinking too much.
See our full Casper Mattress Review to learn more.
Here’s an overview of purchasing considerations and factors when buying a king size mattress:
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.
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.
An eastern king is simply a synonym for a standard king, and it also measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long.
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.
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.
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CONS
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.
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.
| Mattress | Award | Nerd Score |
| Nectar | Editor’s Pick | 4.7/5 |
| Saatva | Best for Combination Sleepers | 4.7/5 |
| Leesa | Best King Mattress for Aches and Pains | 4.9/5 |
| Winkbeds | Best Bed in a Box King Mattress | 4.7/5 |
| Helix Midnight | Best For Pressure Relief | 4.8/5 |
| DreamCloud Premier | Best Pillow Top King Mattress | 4.8/5 |
| Brooklyn Aurora | Best Hybrid King Size Mattress | 4.8/5 |
| GhostBed Luxe | Best for Hot Sleepers | 4.7/5 |
| Puffy | Best for Side Sleepers | 4.8/5 |
| Casper | Best King Size Memory Foam Mattress | 4.8/5 |
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