Best King Size Mattresses

A king size mattress is unofficially the gold standard of mattress sizes, providing ample space for couples and a balanced, aesthetically pleasing look to a bedroom, thanks to its near-perfect square shape. By definition, king size mattresses have dimensions 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. They’re spacious, kid- and pet-friendly, and widely available from a variety of mattress manufacturers. 

King size mattresses have certain advantages over queen and full size beds, namely the extra space. However, the average price-point for king size mattresses is higher than that of smaller sizes available, but the emergence of online-only mattress brands has made them available at lower prices.

If you’ve already made the personal decision to invest in a king size mattress, the next question is obvious: what are the best king size mattresses, and which one should you buy? In this review, we’re sharing our top 10 picks for king size mattresses. 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

MATTRESS NERD’S TOP PICKS

• Puffy
• Nectar
• Tuft & Needle
• Beautyrest Black
• Leesa Hybrid
• Casper Essential
• Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt
• Brooklyn Aurora
• Nest Alexander Signature Hybrid

Sleeping with a partner has it’s 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.

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 quality 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.

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 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.

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 top for extra cushioning, are available in some models. All Black line mattresses feature a cooling cover layer, top comfort 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.

 If you’re looking for a firm king size mattress, the Leesa Sapira Hybrid is a great place to start. It suits a variety of sleepers, including back, stomach, and combination sleepers, and provides temperature regulation for hot sleepers. While it costs more than other Leesa models, it provides more support and can be supportive enough for individuals weighing more than 250 pounds. While supportive, the feel remains comfortable, but it certainly isn’t what we’d describe as plush. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid king size comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping to all 50 states, and a 10-year, non-prorated warranty.

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 heavy weights. 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. So, ‘firm’ might become ‘medium’ in a year or two’s time. The Casper Essential comes with a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping in the contiguous U.S., and a 10-year, non-prorated warranty. 

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.

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 comes with a 120-night sleep trial, free shipping, and a 10-year, non-prorated warranty.

The Nest Alexander Signature’s four top comfort components make it exceptionally soft, especially for side sleepers and back sleepers. You’ll find memory foam, polyfoam, cooling, copper-infused gel polyfoam, 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

What to Look for in a King Mattress

Finding a new mattress can be a confusing, frustrating process, even if you’ve narrowed down the size bed you want to purchase. Choosing the best king mattress requires the same considerations when choosing a mattress in general, including taking into consideration material composition, price, and much more. Here’s an overview of what to look for in a king mattress, with both general mattress purchasing considerations and factors that apply specifically to a king size:

• 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 breathability. 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 products 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.
• 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 king 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 or adjustable, while still sharing closeness with their partner.

Benefits of King Mattresses

King size mattresses not only offer space but things like health benefits, and solving for insomnia is just one of them. Here are some of the benefits of king mattresses:

• Less tossing and turning—Large dimensions allow you to stretch out and find a comfortable position with ease.
• Proper sleeping positions—Extra space allows individuals and couples to focus on sleeping habits that reduce tension, pain, soreness, and pressure points.
• Kid- and dog-friendly—If “the gang’s all here” (pets, children) rings true for your bed, it can feel crowded. A king size mattress makes family snuggles and sleeping a little more comfortable.
• Luxurious, spacious feel—Couples who upgrade from a full size or queen size bed will find that a king size has the feel of a luxury hotel. 

Cons of King Mattresses

It’s hard to imagine that a larger, more spacious bed could have downsides, but they do exist. Here are some of the drawbacks of king mattresses:

• Bulkier—Depending on the layout of your bedroom, a king size may feel overwhelming or like it inhibits you from moving around and reaching other pieces of furniture in your room. Be sure to measure the dimensions of your room to confirm that a king size is right for the space.
• Heavy—Adjusting, flipping, and turning the mattress can feel laborious with a king size, as they tend to weigh more. They can also be difficult to move and install.
• More expensive—More materials are used in king size mattresses, making them more expensive than twin, full, and queen size mattresses created with the same materials. 

Who a King Mattress is Best For?

Individuals and couples considering a king are most often battling between a king vs. a king, so that’s what we’ll consider here. Which one is right for you and your needs? Understanding the core differences between them will help you make an informed choice. 

A queen measures 80 inches long by 60 inches wide, whereas a king measures 80 inches long by 76 inches wide. A queen requires a room, at a minimum, that measures 10 by 12 feet, and a king requires a room that measures at least 10 by 14 feet, 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 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 it isn’t a decisive factor you should worry about.

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, a 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 better 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 motions throughout the night, and a 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.