CNET’s sleep editors have tested more than 100 mattresses, and to help you narrow your search, they’ve rounded up some of the best king-size mattress options. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a king bed, or you need to swap out your current mattress for something more modern, our list of the best king-size mattress models likely has a good match for you.
What is the best king mattress overall?
My Slumber Yard
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
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Lindsay Boyers
Saatva Classic
Jonathon Gomez
You may not be familiar with Allswell, but you’re likely familiar with its parent company Walmart. As its entrance to the bed in a box game, Walmart introduced the affordable Allswell mattress. It’s a hybrid mattress made with both foam and coils, and hybrid beds tend to be a little more expensive than your average bed. However, the Allswell mattress is a good hybrid mattress for the price of a low-budget foam mattress, giving it a well-deserved spot on this best king bed list.
Nectar
Nectar Premier
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Amerisleep
The Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid has a lot going for it and stands out from other competing memory foam bed-in-a-box mattresses. It’s one of the best king mattress picks for people with back pain because of its accommodating features, extra bells and whistles and affordable price.
Jonathon Gomez/CNET
Layla Hybrid
Casper
Casper Original
How we test king size mattresses
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Testing a king mattress is similar to how we test most of our mattresses, and we pay attention to a handful of important factors.
Firmness: The measure of how firm or soft a mattress feels is an important factor in deciding if a bed is suitable for you or not. Firmness, a lot of the time, indicates how pressure relieving or how supportive a mattress feels. Side sleepers usually like a softer mattress because it offers more give, therefore, more pressure relief around the hips and shoulder areas. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, tend to sleep better on firm beds that keep the spine properly supported. We test firmness by using our judgment and deliberating amongst team members. It’s easier to test firmness when you have 100 different mattresses to compare it to.
Construction andfeatures: We take a close look at the construction of a mattress, which is a good tell on how it feels and how supportive it is for certain body types. We also consider any extra or special feature a mattress might have to stand out from the rest of the competition. Is it cooling? Does it have a special cover made with Celliant fabric or cashmere? Does it have an extra durable construction? We take all of this into consideration when testing mattresses and delegating best list picks.
Performance: This refers to motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support abilities. How well does a mattress perform when we put it to the test? We test motion isolation by having couples judge how it sleeps, or placing a glass of water at the end of the bed to see how much it shakes when we move. Edge support is tested by laying on the sides, bouncing and checking how sturdy it feels. Personal experience is also how we test temperature, with the help of a thermometer gun.
Feel: Feel is a separate topic from firmness. This refers to how a mattress’ materials are perceived. Is it dense and morphy like memory foam, neutral and soft like neutral-foam, or supple and bouncy like latex foam? We like to describe the feel as best we can since you’re unable to feel it through your computer screen.
Read more on how we test mattresses.
What to look for in a king mattress
When looking for the best mattress, you should take in some key considerations. You should follow the same guidelines when looking for a king-size bed, with a few key considerations.
Hybrid vs. foam: The more you weigh, the more supportive your mattress should be. Hybrid beds are best for all body types, including those over 230 pounds, while foam beds are most ideal for people under 230 pounds.
Firmness is a key indicator for how accommodating a bed will be. One of the first things to think about while looking for the best king mattress is firmness. Are you a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper? Side sleepers typically need softer mattresses, while back and stomach sleepers benefit from a firmer mattress, because having a firm bed will help support the spine, decreasing back pain. Medium beds right in the middle are perfect for combination sleepers.
Key features like cooling tech, edge support reinforcements and Celliant covers can help you decide if a bed fits your lifestyle and circumstances. Strong edge support is great for couples who share a mattress, while beds with Celliant covers are perfect for people with active lifestyles.
Price matters when looking for a king bed. The bigger the bed the more expensive it is. King beds are often more than $1,000, but there are budget options like Allswell to consider if you’re looking for maximum savings.
Check out our size guide to compare mattress sizes. And if you’re looking to upgrade your whole sleep setup, we have suggestions for sheets, pillows and other sleep essentials.
Who is a king mattress best for?
Not everyone needs a king-size bed, but it is mighty convenient and comfortable during these situations:
Couples who want more space than a queen size offers
Taller people who don’t want to feel cramped (queen beds are about 6.6 feet long)
Sleepers who share a bed with their kids (king beds are wider than California king beds)
King and California king mattresses are the most popular of the king variety, but there are a host of beds that are technically classified as king. Here’s an overview of the different types of king beds if you’re looking for something a little different.
King-size mattress types
How much does a king-size mattress cost?
The average king mattress costs around $1,000 or more, depending on how premium of a mattress you’re looking to buy. However, there are more affordable options available for around $500 for budget shoppers who are looking to pay a little less.
How big is a king-size mattress?
A king-size mattress measures out to 80 inches long by 76 inches wide and 4 inches thick. Compared to a queen-size mattress, it offers the same length but 16 more inches in width.
What is the best king-size mattress?
Typically, the best king-size mattress is a bed that’s able to accommodate two sleepers because it’s the most popular size among couples. Some of the best king beds have pocketed coils and reinforced edge support, can isolate motion well, and/or have a breathable design. Some of CNET’s picks include:
