The Best King Size Mattresses for a Luxurious Night’s Sleep

If you want to sleep like a king, you more than likely need to sleep on a king, especially if you’re sharing a bed with somebody else. There are so many options out there that trying to find the right one can be a royal pain in the neck, so we’ve whittled them down and crowned the following nine the best king-size mattresses in their respective categories. Long live the king!

Our top king-size mattress picks

How we selected the best king-size mattresses

Our selections were made through a thorough process of diligent research, experience, and consulting with relevant experts in the field. We also took pains to ensure all of our entries had glowing customer reviews, especially in terms of comfort, durability, and supportiveness.

Royally bad puns aside, there are several important considerations to take into account when shopping for a king size mattress. We’ll get into them in more detail below, but in brief, you’ll want to think about the following:

• Who the bed is for: Do you actually need as much space as a king size mattress offers?
• Firmness level: Some mattresses on our list are available in various firmness levels, but others are not, so make sure you have an idea of what you’re looking for.
• Bedroom size: A bedroom should ideally be a minimum of 10 by 12 feet for a king size bed to fit properly.
• Body size: While king size mattresses are generally great for larger bodies, heavier folks might want to check out something specially designed for their needs.
• Sleeping position: Side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers all have slightly different needs in terms of softness and support.
• Temperature preference: If you run hot, consider a mattress with cooling features.
• Motion isolation: If you’re sharing a bed with someone else, this is an important aspect to consider, since a bed with good motion isolation means you won’t feel it every time your partner rolls over.
• Pricing: King size mattresses inevitably get expensive, so check you’re not paying for features you don’t need.
• Returns, trial period, and warranty: Check that the brand you’re buying from makes returns easy, and offers solid trial periods and warranties so you feel confident in your purchase.

What to consider when buying a king-size mattress

To determine if a king size mattress is right for you, consider the following:

Who’s sleeping in the bed

“A king-size bed offers ample space for couples, providing approximately 38 inches of personal space for each sleeper,” says Byron Golub, vice president of product and merchandising at Saatva. “It’s a really good option if one partner tends to be a restless or active sleeper, as it allows you to move around comfortably without disturbing your partner.”

Desired comfort level/firmness

“As king-size mattresses are typically shared by two individuals, it's important to take both of your comfort preferences into account when searching for a suitable option,” says Golub. “If finding a consensus on firmness level proves challenging, a medium-firm mattress can be an ideal compromise. Alternatively, you might consider a split king mattress, allowing each of you to select your preferred mattress firmness. Generally speaking, softer mattresses are well-suited for side sleepers, while those who favor sleeping on their backs tend to find medium-firm mattresses more comfortable. Stomach sleepers typically benefit from a firmer mattress for optimal support and comfort.”

Bedroom size

“A king-size bed is an excellent option for primary bedrooms—ideally, you’ll want your bedroom to be on the larger side,” advises Golub. “At a minimum, a bedroom should be 10 by 12 feet for a king-size bed; however, the larger, the better is a good rule when it comes to king-size beds. Preferably, your bedroom will measure somewhere around 14 by 19 feet. If maneuvering in the space is an issue, it might be best to consider a split king or queen-size mattress, which are easier to fit up narrow stairs and through tight doorways.”

Body size

“King mattresses provide plenty of space for heavier individuals and bigger couples,” says Golub. “Additionally, taller individuals may want to consider choosing a Texas, Alaskan, or Wyoming king-size mattress. The extra legroom can add an extra level of comfort for tall people.”

Sleeping position

Sleeping position is also hugely important, as sleeping on your side, for example, means you’ll have different requirements to those who sleep on their backs, or stomachs. All sleepers require some balance of lumbar support and pressure-point relief, but it’s always worth checking which sleeping position the mattress you’re looking at is best suited for.

Temperature preferences

Per Golub, if you sleep hot, it might be best to avoid memory foam mattresses, as they have a tendency to retain heat. Innerspring and latex mattresses offer a cooler sleeping experience.

Motion isolation

“When it comes to minimizing motion disturbance, memory foam mattresses are great options,” says Golub. “Conversely, you may experience disruptions from your partner's movements if you share an innerspring mattress, which can affect your sleep quality. If you prefer the traditional feel of an innerspring mattress but share your bed with a partner, it's worth exploring hybrid mattresses, as they offer a compromise by mitigating motion transfer.”

Pricing

While there are some good cheap mattresses out there, generally speaking, a truly comfortable, supportive, and long-lasting mattress is going to cost more. Do be mindful, though, of paying for features you don’t need, for example, extra cooling features if you don’t run especially hot at night.

Trials, returns, and warranties

Since it’s tough to know for sure if a new mattress is going to work out, always opt for a brand that gives you options. Ideally, you want one that offers both free deliveries and returns, as well as a decent trial period (100+ days, if possible) during which you can return the mattress at any time if you feel it’s not working out. Look at the warranty period too–mattresses should last from eight to ten years, so if the warranty period covers at least this much, it might save you some grief if things go wrong.

Different types of king-size mattresses

“There are several different types of king-size mattresses on the market,” says John Merwin, CEO of 3Z Brands. “The most common are the standard king and California king, which are available with most mattress brands. There are also split kings, RV kings, and short kings, which are more niche variations of the king bed, designed to fit specific needs or spaces. Most people don’t know that there are actually sizes bigger than a king or California king, too—they’re not common among most bedding retailers, but Alaskan king, Wyoming king, and Texas king mattresses do exist.”

According to Golub, alternative king-size mattresses are sized as follows.

• California king (72 x 84 inches)
• Wyoming king (84 x 84 inches)
• Texas king (80 x 98 inches)
• Alberta king (96 x 96 inches)
• Alaskan king (108 x 108 inches)

“There is also a split king mattress option, which, in the case of the standard king, is two twin XL mattresses (38 by 80 inches) put together to form a king mattress (76 by 80 inches),” adds Golub. “Since the beds aren't interconnected within a split king bed, partners can pick a different level of firmness for each mattress.”

How to decide between a king versus a queen mattress

“A standard queen is a foot slimmer than the narrowest king mattress, the California king,” says Golub. “Queen mattresses are great for single sleepers and couples in smaller spaces. They work best in small to mid-sized primary bedrooms. King mattresses are great for couples wanting a little extra room, with a mid-sized to large primary bedroom that can accommodate a larger bed without it taking up too much space.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What size are king mattresses?

“Standard king mattresses typically measure 76 inches wide by 80 inches long,” says Smith. “However, always check specific brand dimensions as there can be slight variations.”

Bonus fun fact: King-size mattresses are so titled in honor of England’s King Bernard VII, who, strangely, was the exact shape and dimensions of a king-size mattress, hence the name.*

* this might not be entirely true

For a more thorough look into the world of mattresses, check out our guide to mattress sizes and bed dimensions and our ultimate buying guide to how to choose a mattress.

Are king-size beds good for couples?

“A king-size bed provides more room for couples,” confirms Golub. “Each sleeper gets about 38 inches of space to themselves. It’s an excellent option if one of you is a restless or active sleeper, because you can comfortably move around without bothering your partner. They’re also great for families with kids and pets.”

What should a good king-size mattress cost?

“The cost of a good king-size mattress can vary widely, depending on factors such as materials, construction, and general features,” says Merwin. “On average, you can expect to pay between $700 and $3,000 for a king-size mattress.”

Is a California king bigger than a king?

“A California king mattress (72 inches by 84 inches) is four inches narrower and four inches longer than a standard king (76 inches by 80 inches),” says Golub. “You end up having slightly less surface area when you purchase a California king versus a standard king (6,048 square inches vs. 6,080 square inches), but what you lose in surface area may be worth it to provide certain sleepers with more comfort. The standard king is an excellent option for couples that want a little extra room and are placing the mattress in a mid-sized to large primary bedroom, while California kings are great for tall couples that need longer mattresses in a large primary bedroom.”