Best King Mattress

January 23, 2023

Sometimes, size is everything. The king mattress is the largest standard mattress size, so if you’re looking to sprawl out or to ensure that both you and your partner have sufficient personal space, the king is the way to go.

Most of the top online mattress companies offer their products in the king size, which leaves the question: Which one is the best king mattress for your sleeping position and comfort preferences?

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Best King Mattress - Top Picks

• Best Luxury Mattress - Saatva
• Best Value - Nectar
• Best for Combination Sleepers - Casper
• Best Customizable Mattress - Helix Midnight
• Best for Side Sleepers - Leesa
• Best for Hot Sleepers - Tuft & Needle Mint
• Best for Back Sleepers - Brooklyn Bedding Signature
• Honorable Mention - Best Latex - Zenhaven
• Honorable Mention - Best Hybrid - DreamCloud
• Honorable Mention - Best Flippable - Layla
• Honorable Mention - Best for Athletes - Bear Hybrid

King Mattress Pros	King Mattress Cons
Spacious for couples: King mattresses offer ample space for co-sleepers Great for heavier sleepers: With more surface area and support, heavier and tall sleepers will want to gravitate towards king mattresses Minimal motion transfer: Given the size and density of a king mattress’ materials, you won’t have to worry about your partner’s movements disturbing you	High price tag: King mattresses are available at a higher price point Takes up more room: King beds will take up more space in a room given their makeup and stature Set up: With substantial size and weight, setting up a king bed will require assistance

King vs Cal King

California kings tend to be a little bit longer and a little bit narrower. King mattress dimensions are 76” x 80” while a Cal King usually measures at 72” x 84”.

Read more about the best Cal king mattresses.

Best Luxury Mattress - Saatva

Saatva’s mattress exudes luxury, from its premium hybrid materials through its white glove delivery. It’s our top choice for sleepers who want to feel like they’re cozied up in a fancy hotel. As an added bonus, the Saatva offers customizable firmness options, works well for heavier sleepers, and provides pressure relief for those battling back pain.

Read more in our Saatva mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Luxurious feel High-quality, durable materials White glove delivery and set-up	Higher price tag; not recommended for budget shoppers

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Best Value - Nectar

For shoppers on a budget, the memory foam mattress from Nectar is a fantastic option. It’s a good, well-rounded option that provides comfort and support to all sleep types. It also has a fairly low price point, which is bolstered by a generous lifetime warranty and a full 365-night sleep trial. For bang for buck, you can’t go wrong with the Nectar.

Learn more in our Nectar mattress review.

• Low price coupled with generous warranty and sleep trial
• Great for couples
• Works well for back sleepers, side sleepers, and stomach sleepers

PROS	CONS
Not as ideal for heavier sleepers Like many memory foam mattresses, it can sometimes run hot	Not as ideal for heavier sleepers Like many memory foam mattresses, it can sometimes run hot

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Best for Combination Sleepers - Casper

The Casper mattress is an all-around great choice for all sleep positions, or people who tend to change positions throughout the night, which is why we rank it the best mattress for combination sleepers on our list. It accommodates a wide range of sleep preferences as well as a wide range of body types. One of the best memory foam mattresses on the market, the Casper will keep sleepers cool and comfortable all through the night.

Learn more in our Casper mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Promotes airflow and keeps you cool Extremely responsive, adjusting to the position of your body Zoned support to help relieve pressure points	Not recommended for those who want an all-organic mattress May have some minor off-gassing when you first open the box

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Best Customizable Mattress - Helix Midnight

When you visit the Helix website, you have an opportunity to take a sleep quiz, which will connect you with the new bed that’s just right for you. No matter where you fall on the firmness scale, the Helix site can connect you with something that will keep you comfortable and supported. We especially recommend their most popular model, the Helix Midnight, which is great for hot sleepers as well as side sleepers.

Read more in our Helix mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Choose between different firmness levels Highly customizable Great for couples	May take up to 30 days to break in Just so-so in edge support

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Best for Side Sleepers - Leesa

If you’re looking for the best mattress for side sleepers, we recommend the Leesa. This medium-firm memory foam mattress will hug you to sleep at night, helping you feel supported as the foam contours to fit your body. It’s also made with high-quality, durable products.

Read more in our Leesa mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Contours and hugs you to sleep Durable Extremely responsive Great pressure relief	Some mild off-gassing when you open the box Can take up to 30 days to break in

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Best for Hot Sleepers - Tuft & Needle Mint

Do you tend to run hot? The Tuft & Needle Mint is one of the best cooling mattresses. Its foam blend is designed to regulate body temperature and prevent overheating, keeping you cool and comfy all through the night.

Learn more in our Tuft & Needle Mint mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Heat-wicking graphite helps with body temperature control Helps with natural spine alignment Highly responsive, ideal for combination sleepers	No room for customization or to choose between a plush mattress or firm mattress option

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Best for Back Sleepers - Brooklyn Bedding Signature

Those who sleep on their back tend to prefer something that has a reasonably firm feel, but not too firm. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature gets our vote. One of the best hybrid mattresses, it offers the best attributes of both memory foam and innerspring coils. It's highly breathable, responsive, and is available in three firmness levels. (Back sleepers will probably want the firmest option.)

Read more in our Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress review.

PROS	CONS
Three options on the firmness scale Superior pressure relief and joint support	Some mild off-gassing when you open the box Can take up to 30 days to break in

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Honorable Mention - Best Latex - Zenhaven

This responsive latex model from Saatva modifies to your body’s movements while simultaneously working to keep you cool. The Zenhaven is also dual-sided, so sleepers can choose between a plush or firm side.

Get more information in our Zenhaven mattress review.

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Honorable Mention - Best Hybrid - DreamCloud

The DreamCloud is a luxury, 8-layer hybrid mattress. From the cashmere cover to the micro coil support system, the DreamCloud provides fantastic spinal support and comfort.

Read more in the DreamCloud mattress review.

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Honorable Mention - Best Flippable - Layla

Layla is one of the best customizable mattresses thanks to its flippable, two-sided design. With a soft and a firm side, its copper infused foam aids in pain relief and support.

Find out more in our full Layla mattress review.

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Honorable Mention- Best for Athletes - Bear Hybrid

The Bear Hybrid is a combination of memory foam and coils, engineered to cool and promote active recovery.

Learn more about the Bear Hybrid in the Bear mattress review.

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Compare the Best Mattresses

As you look for the perfect king size mattress, it’s important to consider the specs and features. Here’s how our seven mattress picks stack up.

Mattress Name	Quick Overview	Special Offer
Saatva	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Choose between plush, luxury firm, and firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: Free white glove delivery Trial Period: 180 nights Warranty: 15 years Price: $$$	Check Price
Nectar	Material: Gel memory foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 8.7/10 Delivery: 2-5 business days Trial Period: 365 days Warranty: Lifetime warranty Price: $	Check Price
Casper	Material: Medium-firm Firmness: Memory foam Customer Rating: 4.5/5 MA Score: 9.1/10 Delivery: 2-7 business days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	Check Price
Helix Midnight	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Customizable Customer Rating: 4.6/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 3-7 business days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	Check Price
Leesa	Material: Foam Firmness: Medium-firm Customer Rating: 4.8/5 MA Score: 9.3/10 Delivery: 2-8 business days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	Check Price
Tuft & Needle Mint	Material: Foam Firmness: Medium Customer Rating: 4.9/5 MA Score: 8.9/10 Delivery: 1-5 business days Trial Period: 100 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	Check Price
Brooklyn Signature	Material: Hybrid Firmness: Choose between soft, medium, and firm Customer Rating: 4.7/5 MA Score: 9.1/10 Delivery: 4-8 business days Trial Period: 120 days Warranty: 10 years Price: $$	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 king size mattress, it's helpful to compare different materials and mattress types.

Nectar	Saatva
What’s inside: Memory foam quilted cover: The top of the mattress is plush and comforting Gel memory foam: This gel foam support layer helps distribute body weight and cradle key pressure points Adaptive memory foam: Keeps you from sinking too deep into the mattress Base foam layer: Gives the mattress structure and stability Bottom cover: Helps the mattress stay in place on the foundation or bed frame	What’s inside: Quilted euro pillow top: Soft, cushioning, and cozy Coil system: Individually wrapped coils support your body’s pressure points and control motion transfer Dual perimeter edge support: Keeps the mattress from too much sagging Memory foam layer: Helps relieve joint and back pain Base coils: Another layer of innerspring coils to give the mattress strength and stability
Scored best in: Relieving pressure Durability Edge support	Scored best in: Durability Spine alignment Edge support

Casper	Helix
What’s inside: Breathable foam layer: The top layer is made for softness and breathability Responsive memory foam: Additional foam support layers adapt to the movements of the body Zoned support layer: Adds additional support and cradles the joints Additional support foam: The bottom layer keeps the mattress strong and sturdy	What’s inside: Soft cover: Promotes air circulation and keeps the mattress soft to the touch Memory foam support layer: Offers support and comfort, depending on the firmness option you choose Foam transition layer: Offers additional support for the body Pocket-coil layer: 600 pocket coils contour to the body Dense foam base: The base layer keeps the mattress sturdy and strong
Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Edge support	Scored best in: Cooling Durability Motion transfer

Leesa	Tuft & Needle Mint
What’s inside: Cooling foam layer: The top layer is cool and soft to the touch Middle layer: Contouring memory foam helps cushion the body Bottom layer: Dense foam allows the mattress to stay stable and durable	What’s inside: Adaptive foam: Wicks away body heat and keeps you cool all night Adaptive transition layer: Ceramic gel beads provide additional temperature control Support layer: Additional structure and support
Scored best in: Responsiveness Spine alignment Durability	Scored best in: Spine alignment Responsivenesss Cooling

Brooklyn Signature
What’s inside: Gel memory foam layer: Soft and cool gel foam that wicks away heat Adaptive layers: Adapts to the movements of your body throughout the night Encased coils: Thousands of individually wrapped coils cradle your body and keep the mattress strong and supportive Bottom layer: Additional foam to keep the mattress sturdy
Scored best in: Pressure relief Motion transfer Spine alignment

What is a King Mattress?

Most mattresses come in a number of standard sizes, with king being the largest. The dimensions are typically around 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, although there may be a tiny bit of variation between different mattress brands.

A king mattress is really the best mattress for couples, because it allows each sleeper to have their personal space.

Shopping Considerations

As you contemplate a new mattress, there are plenty of variables to keep in mind.

Type of Mattress

Memory foam: Memory foam mattresses offer the supple, comforting, cushioning feel that many sleepers like. These mattresses tend to fare well for motion isolation, which means they work well for couples. Some memory foam mattresses run hot, which is something to be aware of.

Innerspring: An innerspring mattress comes with individual springs, or coils, which help respond to the movements of the body. Innerspring mattresses can sometimes be noisy or fail the motion isolation test.

Latex: Latex mattresses tend to run cool and promote breathability. They are comfortable and cushioning but are also usually a little more expensive.

Hybrid: Hybrid mattresses combine two or more mattress materials and offer the best of both types of mattresses.

Performance Factors

Set-up: Take note of how long it will take to set up your mattress and break it in. Also beware of off-gassing, or mild odors that are emitted from bed-in-a-box mattresses. Usually, these odors fade away within a few hours.

Pressure relief: Seek a mattress that evenly distributes your body weight and helps relieve joint pain.

Spine alignment: No matter your sleeping position, it’s important to keep a straight spine. The right posture helps you avoid waking up feeling aches, pains, or stiffness.

Durability: Whether you get all-foam, coils, or latex, it’s important to get durable materials that will withstand the test of time.

Motion transfer: Even with a king mattress, you’ll want to make sure your movements aren’t disruptive to your sleep partner.

Temperature regulation: Hot sleepers will want to make sure their mattress topper and layers of foam promote air circulation, keeping them cool throughout the night. The addition of cooling gel can help.

Responsiveness: Be on the lookout for a mattress that adjusts to your bodily movements, especially if you are a side or combination sleeper.

Compare two top king mattresses for side sleepers in our Leesa vs Nectar mattress review.

Edge support: Look for a king size bed that doesn’t sag or sink around the edges.

Price

Most of the king size beds we’ve mentioned here are in the $1,000 to $1,300 range, with a couple of variants. You may pay a little more or less depending on the material you choose, e.g., foam beds are usually less pricey than latex.

Shipping and Delivery

More of the mattress products offered today ship for free and may arrive in one to 15 business days.

FAQ About King Mattresses

1. How does a sleep trial work?

   Say you pick a mattress with a 100-night sleep trial. You’ll have that many nights to decide whether or not you like the mattress; if you want to return it, at any point in that window, you can do so and get a refund.

2. How can I be sure my mattress is made with non-toxic materials?

   Look for a marker that the mattress is CertiPUR-US certified. You can usually find this information on the brand’s website or in a mattress review.

Summary of Our Top Picks for the Best King Mattress

• Best Luxury Mattress - Saatva
• Best Value - Nectar
• Best for Combination Sleepers - Casper
• Best Customizable Mattress - Helix Midnight
• Best for Side Sleepers - Leesa
• Best for Hot Sleepers - Tuft & Needle Mint
• Best for Back Sleepers - Brooklyn Bedding Signature
• Honorable Mention - Best Latex - Zenhaven
• Honorable Mention - Best Hybrid - DreamCloud
• Honorable Mention - Best Flippable - Layla
• Honorable Mention - Best for Athletes - Bear Hybrid

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.