Best California King Mattress

January 27, 2023

Looking for a new mattress that gives you plenty of room to sprawl, stretch, and enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep? You might be in the market for a California King mattress. It is one of the best mattresses for couples who share a bed together, or for those who like to have their pets and kids curl up in bed with them. A California King ensures everyone has plenty of personal space.

Read the following mattress roundup to learn more about some of the options available, and ultimately to determine which California King is the best bet for you.

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Best Cal King Mattress - Top Picks

• Saatva - Best Luxury Mattress
• Nectar - Best Budget Mattress
• DreamCloud - Best for Spinal Support
• Zenhaven - Best Latex Mattress
• Casper Wave Hybrid - Best for Back Pain
• Helix Midnight Luxe - Best for Hot Sleepers
• Brooklyn Aurora - Best for Different Firmness Options

Saatva - Best Luxury Mattress

Saatva is one of the most revered luxury hybrid mattresses on the market today. There are plenty of reasons to recommend this Cal King wonder: Eco-friendly materials, free white glove delivery, multiple firmness options to choose from, and more. Plus, it’s made with premium materials that will offer you comfort and support for many years to come.

Read more in our Saatva mattress review.

Pros	Cons
Great for side sleepers Excellent for anyone who wants a luxury sleep experience Works well for heavyweight sleepers	Not recommended for budget shoppers Not recommended for traditional memory foam shoppers

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Nectar - Best Budget Mattress

If you’re looking for a Cal King-size memory foam experience, and if you want it without breaking the bank, check out the Nectar mattress. It’s made for comfort, and it’s backed with a year-long sleep trial and a lifetime warranty. Plus, it is one of the best affordable mattresses.

Learn more in our Nectar mattress review.

Pros	Cons
Great for budget shoppers Works well for couples Works well for side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers alike	Doesn’t work as well for heavier people or for combination sleepers Not recommended for those who sleep hot

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DreamCloud - Best for Spinal Support

The DreamCloud mattress is one of the highest-rated products for spinal support, meaning it helps you maintain a healthy posture all through the night, avoiding morning aches and pains. Its hybrid design (memory foam plus coils) provides a premium level of comfort and support. If you seek back support, the DreamCloud is one of the best mattresses for back pain.

Find out more in our DreamCloud mattress review.

Pros	Cons
Cradles your body to promote healthy posture Generous year-long sleep trial and forever warranty Works well for heavyweight sleepers	Not recommended for side sleepers

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ZenHaven - Best Latex Mattress

The ZenHaven is a latex mattress designed by Saatva. Not only does it offer all-natural materials, but it sleeps cools and offers you a flippable design, meaning you can pick between a plush sleep experience and a firmer one. Its eco-friendly materials also make it one of the best hypoallergenic mattresses.

Read more about this latex mattress in our ZenHaven mattress review.

Pros	Cons
Made with eco-friendly materials Great for people who tend to sleep hot Free white-glove delivery	Not recommended for budget shoppers Some off-gassing when you unbox it You’ll have to pay $99 if you return it

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Casper Wave Hybrid - Best for Back Support

The Casper Wave Hybrid truly offers the best of all mattress types: The contouring feel of memory foam, the responsiveness of coils, and the bounciness of latex. It’s one of the best options around for alleviating pressure points and soothing back pain.

Related: Compare Casper Mattresses to find out which model is the best for you.

Pros	Cons
Excellent scores in responsiveness, motion isolation, and spinal alignment Free in-home setup	Not recommended for budget shoppers

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Helix Midnight Luxe - Best for Hot Sleepers

The Helix Midnight Luxe is one of the most advanced hybrid mattresses available anywhere. It offers you targeted lumbar support as well as advanced cooling technology, mitigating your body temperature and keeping you from the night sweats.

Read more about the Helix Midnight Luxe and other Helix models in our Helix mattress review.

Pros	Cons
Great for people who sleep hot Works well for couples Works well for side sleepers	Not recommended for shoppers on a budget Not recommended for those who prefer a traditional memory foam or innerspring feel

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Brooklyn Aurora - Best for Different Firmness Options

There’s much to love about the Brooklyn Aurora, a premium-level hybrid. It’s one of the best options for temperature regulation. It’s one of the most highly recommended mattresses for side sleepers. And, it allows you to pick from three different firmness options, ensuring you get just the sleep experience you need.

Learn more in our Brooklyn Aurora mattress review.

Pros	Cons
Great for hot sleepers Great for side sleepers Allows you to pick between plush, medium, and firm	May take up to 30 days to break in

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Compare the Best Mattresses

Ensure that you’re getting the right comfort level from your Cal King… but also the best value. This comparison chart should help.

Mattress Name	Quick Overview	Special Offer
Saatva	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Three firmness levels Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: Free white glove delivery and setup Trial Period: 180 nights Warranty: 15 years Price: $$$	Check Price
Nectar	Material: Gel memory foam Firmness: Medium firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: 2-5 business days Trial Period: 365 nights Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $	Check Price
DreamCloud	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium firm Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 9.0/10 Delivery: 2-3 weeks Trial Period: 365 nights Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $$	Check Price
Zenhaven	Material: All natural latex Firmness: Dual sided firmness Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.6/10 Delivery: Free delivery Trial Period: 180 nights Warranty: 20 years Price: $$$$	Check Price
Casper Wave Hybrid	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.3/10 Delivery: 2-7 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 10 years Price: $$$$	Check Price
Helix Midnight Luxe	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 6-10 business days Trial Period: 100 nights Warranty: 15 years Price: $$$$	Check Price
Brooklyn Aurora	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Three firmness options Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 4-8 business days Trial Period: 120 nights Warranty: 10 years Price: $$$$	Check Price

MA Score: The Mattress Advisor Score is a weighted score that takes into account 14 different factors related to the mattress’ performance, function, convenience, and the brand’s social responsibility.

Compare Features and Materials

As you look for the best product in the Cal King size, it’s helpful to take a closer look at what each mattress product is truly made of. Here’s a summary of materials and key features.

Saatva	Nectar
What’s inside: Quilted euro pillow top: The top layer is cushioning and soft to the touch Individually wrapped coils: Made to offer support, cushioning, and motion isolation Dual perimeter edge support: Enhances the mattress’ longevity and offers a more supportive feel Memory foam layer: Additional pressure relief for your back and joints Durable steel coils: Additional coils to keep the mattress steady and stable	What’s inside: Memory foam quilted cover: Soft and cushioning Gel memory foam layer: Helps to evenly distribute the weight of your body Adaptive memory foam: Supports your body and minimizes sinking Base layer: Durable, strong, and supportive Bottom cover: Keep your mattress from slipping from its foundation
Scored best in: Durability Spine alignment Edge support	Scored best in: Edge support Motion transfer Pressure relief

DreamCloud	ZenHaven
What’s inside: Cashmere cover: Designed for softness and for breathability Gel infused memory foam layer: Contours to the shape of your body Soft quilted memory foam: Offers plush support Natural latex: Offers additional responsiveness and support Plush supporting memory foam: High-density foam that provides structure and support Super soft memory foam: Cradles your joints and offers additional comfort Support coils: Layers of coils to offer additional support and responsiveness High density memory foam: Added durability and support	What’s inside: Gentle-firm side: Supple Talalay latex that’s cool, supportive, and designed to promote air circulation Latex support core: For added resilience Luxury-plush side: A firmer counterpart to the gentle-firm side, but with the same supportiveness, breathability, and high quality
Scored best in: Pressure relief Motion isolation Responsiveness	Scored best in: Motion transfer Edge support Responsiveness

Casper Wave Hybrid	Helix Midnight Luxe
What’s inside: Comfort foam: The top layer is designed to be supple and welcoming Breathable latex foam: More buoyant and more breathable than traditional memory foam Pressure relieving memory foam: Designed to cradle and support your joints Gel support foam: Made with gel pods to deliver targeted support Pocket coil spring system: The innerspring layer keeps the mattress strong and durable	What’s inside: Cooling pillow top: Designed to absorb excess heat and keep you cool throughout the night Gel comfort layer: Provides extra support and pressure relief Memory Foam support layer: High-density foam cushions and supports the body High-grade foam transition layer: Contours to the shape of your body Pocket coil mattress core: More than 1,000 individually wrapped coils give targeted support Dense base layer: Super-stable foam gives the mattress a resilient structure
Scored best in: Durability Responsiveness Motion transfer	Scored best in: Cooling Durability Spine alignment

Brooklyn Aurora
What’s inside: Cooling Copper Gel: Pressure-relieving foam infused with temperature-regulating materials Hyper elastic foam: Super responsive to your body’s movements Elastic memory foam: Contours to your body Edge pocketed coils: Supports you and provides motion isolation Base support foam: Helps with long-term durability
Scored best in: Cooling Responsiveness Spine alignment

What is a California King Mattress?

What’s the difference between a regular king-sized mattress and a California king? The main difference is that a California King tends to be a few inches longer, but also a few inches narrower. It’s also worth noting that, while pretty much all mattresses come in a king size, not all of them are available in Cal King.

Shopping Considerations

There are a number of factors to consider as you seek the Cal King that’s best suited to your sleep preferences.

Type of Mattress

Memory foam: Memory foam mattresses tend to be supportive and great for both motion isolation and pressure relief. The downside is that many memory foam mattresses run hot.

Innerspring: Innerspring mattresses are made with individual coils, which adjust to the movements of the body and offer targeted lumbar support. These mattresses tend to be cooler, though older ones can also be noisy.

Latex: Latex is cool to the touch and helps promote air circulation. It’s also bouncy and responsive. The downside here is that it tends to be on the more expensive side.

Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses are made by combining the best features of memory foam, latex, and innerspring.

Performance Factors

Set-up: Consider how long it will take you to get your California King size mattress set up and ready for use, and whether you’ll have any off-gassing to contend with.

Pressure relief: Seek a mattress that evenly distributes body weight and relieves pressure on your joints.

Spine alignment: How well does your California King bed support a natural, healthy posture? It all depends on the materials used to support the body’s pressure points.

Durability: Look for a bed in a box mattress that’s built to last, specifically one that’s constructed with high-quality materials and supported by a generous warranty.

Motion transfer: Motion transfer is the measure of how well a mattress suppresses movements and keeps one partner from disrupting the other.

Temperature regulation: Look for a mattress that’s made to mediate body heat, especially if you tend to sleep hot in the nighttime.

Responsiveness: Responsiveness is the measure by which a mattress adjusts to the movements of your body.

Edge support: Look for a mattress that won’t sag around the edges.

Price

Price is determined by the mattress type as well as the mattress size; as such, you’ll pay more for a Cal King size bed than you would for, say, a Twin or a Twin XL, though there can still be a lot of pricing variability between Cal King products.

Shipping and Delivery

Another consideration: How long will it take for your mattress to arrive? Also think about whether there are shipping or return costs, and whether white glove service setup is available.

FAQ About Cal King Mattresses

How can I tell if my mattress is eco-friendly?

One way to tell is to look for an indication that it’s CertiPur-US certified, which denotes that it has passed some basic emissions tests.

How do sleep trials work?

You’ll be granted a certain number of days to try out the mattress and ensure it’s right for you. You may return the mattress within that window for a full refund. (A few mattress bands may subtract a small return fee, usually no more than $100.)

Is financing available for my Cal King?

Most mattress companies will offer financing options through a service like Klarna or Affirm; look for these options when you check out from the mattress company website.

Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best California King Mattress

• Saatva - Best Luxury Mattress
• Nectar - Best Budget Mattress
• DreamCloud - Best for Spinal Support
• Zenhaven - Best Latex Mattress
• Casper Wave Hybrid - Best for Back Pain
• Helix Midnight Luxe - Best for Hot Sleepers
• Brooklyn Aurora - Best for Different Firmness Options

About the Author Josh Hurst

Josh Hurst lives and writes in Knoxville, TN. A recovering insomniac, he has a long-standing appreciation for the power of a good night's sleep.