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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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.
7
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. 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!
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.
6
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
120 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!
The Midnight Luxe is Helix’s best seller, which is no surprise to us. The king-size version just gives you more to love!
5.5
100 nights
Luxury zoned support made for side sleepers
No matter what your reason for purchasing a king-size bed, there is something luxurious about having enough space to spread out and fully enjoy your mattress. When you purchase the Helix Midnight Luxe in a king-size, you take that luxury to the next level. This medium-firm mattress has zoned lumbar technology throughout, to keep the spines of you and your partner aligned throughout the night. body heat may not be an issue with all of your new-found surface area, but just in case you tend to sleep hot, Helix has top of the line cooling features to absorb body heat and promote airflow. As with all Helix mattresses, the support you receive from the coils, paired with the expertly crafted layers makes for a good night’s sleep for just about anyone.
See out full Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review to learn more.
6
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.
6
10 days
A versatile and breathable bed available in hybrid and all-foam models.
The Amerisleep AS3 is one of five models that Amerisleep manufactures. It is the company’s take on a medium-firm mattress and was engineered to suit as many types of sleepers as possible. With a mattress like this, if you are someone who is very specific when it comes to their needs in a mattress, you may want something that is a little more tailored towards a specific group of people. If you are someone who does not have a ton of specific concerns and just wants a comfortable, durable mattress, we think the AS3 is a great choice.
Another category of people who may want to invest in the AS3 are couples who have slightly different preferences. This mattress is not too much one way or another so it is good for people who just need a comfortable place to sleep without too many bells & whistles.
See our full Amerisleep AS3 review for more info!
6
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.
0
120 nights
Unique AirFoam that cradles the hips and shoulders
The Nolah Original mattress is the perfect solution if you are looking for a king mattress that feels soft when you lay down, but will still provide you adequate support. This mattress is made of cooling Nolah Air Foam, which the company claims is better than memory foam. It really does do all the things people love about memory foam and works against the things people do not love so much. For instance, the bed will still give you that slight sink you expect with memory foam, but will not make you feel trapped in the bed. Additionally, overheating won’t be a problem when sleeping on the Nolah, as their foam is engineered to be breathable and cool all night long.
See our full Nolah mattress reviews to learn more!
The Tuft & Needle mattress is simple but mighty, featuring just two layers. The top layer is three inches of adaptive foam, which feels like a marriage between memory foam and latex. The bottom layer is seven inches of high-density support foam.
6
100 days
Quality foam mattress on a budget
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!
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!
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.
PROS
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 |
| Puffy | Editor’s Pick | 4.8/5 |
| Nectar | Best for Side Sleepers | 4.7/5 |
| Saatva | Best California King | 4.7/5 |
| Helix Midnight Luxe | Best For Pressure Relief | 4.9/5 |
| Casper | Best King Size Memory Foam Mattress | 4.8/5 |
| Amerisleep AS3 | Best King Mattress for Back Pain | 4.8/5 |
| Leesa | Best King Mattress for the Money | 4.9/5 |
| Nolah Original | Best Soft King Mattress | 4.8/5 |
| Tuft & Needle | Best King Mattress Under $1,000 | 4.7/5 |
| Brooklyn Aurora | Best Hybrid King Size Mattress | 4.8/5 |
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