Whether you’ve just hit a growth spurt, are moving in with a partner, or are looking for some added luxury in your life, then you’re a prime candidate for a king mattress. The widest option available, a king mattress is a perfect idea for someone who doesn’t want to be limited and forced into a corner of their bed. According to Dr. Karena Wu, “Those who have the space in the bedroom should consider purchasing a king-size mattress. A king-size mattress can absolutely improve someone's night of sleep if sleep is disturbed due to crowding or motion transfer.”
If you’re trying to determine whether a king-size mattress is the right fit for you, your sleep preferences, and your available space, these large mattresses can offer a lot of perks. However, they aren’t necessarily a fit for every sleeper. A king mattress is typically best for sleepers who share their bed with a partner, their kids, or pets; sleepers who like to stretch and sprawl out at night; wider bedrooms; and taller individuals (if you’re opting for a California king).
In addition to speaking with Dr. Wu, we did our own research and tested over 50 mattresses, narrowing our picks down to the best king mattresses available. Our testing process focused on factors like comfort, support, pressure relief, durability, the sleep positions each mattress was best suited for, and value, resulting in a comprehensive list that covers king mattresses that’ll suit a variety of sleep needs.
Editor's Note: This review was revised in October 2023 to include several new mattresses we tested from Saatva, Purple, Casper, and more.
Best Overall
Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
Suits all sleeping positions
Soft, plush feel
Reinforced edges
Supportive yet contouring foam
Heavy
Mild motion transfer
With top-tier comfort, impressive whole-body support, and relaxation-enhancing pressure relief, Saatva’s Memory Foam Hybrid is our clear pick for the best overall king mattress. From the first time we laid on its surface, we were impressed with its plush, luxurious feel and its support for our head, neck, spine, and hips.
The memory foam inside this mattress offered us excellent contouring, but with the right amount of support so we didn’t feel as though we were sinking in. Additionally, the high-density foam rails along the edges provided us with that same support, no matter where our weight was distributed. This enabled us to sit on the edge of the bed without feeling like we were sinking, but it wasn’t so firm that we felt like we were seated on a plank of wood. Furthermore, the multiple layers of memory foam excelled at providing pressure relief that helped our bodies relax at night.
This king-size is a medium firmness, and we found it helped our spinal alignment. Saatva promotes this option as being suitable for all types of sleepers, with a special focus on side sleeping. In testing, we found that to be the truth; the mattress supported us comfortably, regardless of the position we slept in. Plus, it’s shown no signs of indentations and is holding its shape exceptionally well after many nights of continuous use. We also found that the cotton cover, air pockets under one of the layers of foam, and the pocketed coils helped regulate our body temperature throughout the night.
One drawback, however, is we did experience some very mild motion transfer. It wasn’t enough to disturb our sleep, but we could feel another sleeper move around atop the mattress. Additionally, this mattress is quite heavy; however, we did like that there are built-in handles along the sides to make moving or adjusting easier.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11.5 inches
Best Under $500
Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
Supportive for side and back sleepers
Quick expansion
Multiple thickness options
Lacks edge support
No handles
A perfect night of sleep can be had for less than $500, and Linenspa’s Memory Foam and Innerspring Hybrid Mattress proves this. Right from the start, we were impressed by how immediately this bed in a box expanded. While the manufacturer recommends waiting 24 to 72 hours for full expansion, we found it was ready to go within about five minutes.
We were also very impressed by how good it felt immediately; this required no time to break in to achieve its peak comfort. The hybrid makeup makes this option a good middle ground between firm and soft; we found we didn’t sink in too deeply, despite it molding around our bodies. Additionally, the memory foam is able to offer contouring support while the steel springs help to avoid overly sinking in. Plus, we felt supported in both the side and back sleeping positions.
This king mattress is available in thicknesses of eight, 10, and 12 inches, all of which are highly affordable. Just be aware it doesn’t have handles, should you need to move it; its weight and size can make that a challenge. Additionally, do be mindful you may experience a lack of edge support with this option, though that shouldn’t impact your nightly comfort or sleep support.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 8, 10, or 12 inches
Best Cooling
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
Soft, sink-in support
Comfortable in every position
Breathable, with extra airflow
Requires multiple people to move
For a king mattress that offers king-size cooling features, our pick is Casper’s Nova Hybrid. While this mattress is softer than other options on our list, it offers a sumptuous balance of a slight sink-in feeling with support for every kind of sleeper–stomach, back, or side. In our real-world testing, we found its comfort inviting and its support ideal even for those prone to tossing and turning. We also particularly liked how we woke up free of aches or mattress-induced soreness regardless of which position we slept in.
If you’re a sleeper who runs hot, this king-size mattress can help you keep your cool. We were impressed by how clearly we could feel the airflow through the layers of material as soon as we laid down on the Nova Hybrid. In fact, this option stopped one of our hot sleepers from waking up sweaty and warm in testing. That’s because the Nova Hybrid features a number of effective cooling features, like a top layer of memory foam with Casper’s AirScape technology, which features small perforations to alleviate the heat trapping that memory foam normally experiences. From there, another layer of AirScape and the springs underneath further promote breathability.
Just be aware that we found this mattress to be heavy, so if you are going to move it, be sure to have an extra set of hands on deck as it is 125 pounds for a king option. When it comes to setup overall, the process is a breeze. This mattress expanded fast upon arrival; it was ready for use in five minutes, just as Casper said it would.
Key Specs: Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 12 inches
Best Under $1,000
Bear Original Mattress
Solid motion isolation
Durable materials
Maintains shape over time
Shorter trial period
Weaker edge support
With a mix of solid value and quality for its price, Bear’s Original Mattress is a great option that’s really built to last. We loved it immediately in our testing thanks to its ability to conform to whatever position we decided to lay in. With this mattress, we were able to sleep more consistently through the night, with less wakeups and tossing and turning.
It also impressed us with its ability to mold to our specific body shape. This continued to hold true the more we used it over the course of a month, hugging our bodies and yet bouncing right back into shape. The layers of dynamic, memory, and support foam maintain their shape very well even after many consecutive nights of use. This durability also proved extra impressive when we let our canine friends sleep on the mattress–we didn’t see any sort of fabric tearing from their longer nails.
A fully foam composition makes this a dream for co-sleeping; it provides good motion isolation, leaving us barely feeling the other person moving. Plus, we really felt like our joints were expertly supported by this option.
Lastly, we appreciate that Bear offers a lifetime warranty and free shipping and returns, but the 120-night trial is shorter than the 365-night option that other brands offer. Furthermore, the edge support could be better, but for an all-foam mattress, it provides decent all-over support that balances out this small disadvantage.
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium Firm | Thickness: 10 inches
Best Firm
Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress
50 firmness options
Quick set up
Excellent support for different sleep needs
Not for sleepers who want contouring
Returns aren’t free
If you’re a picky king sleeper who prefers additional support, Saatva’s Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress leaves it in your hands. With the help of the Saatva team, this was set up and ready for us to test in less than 10 minutes–and we were quickly impressed by both its firmness and its all-night comfort.
Despite being adjustable (with a whopping 50 different firmness settings!), we found this mattress to be firm even when we set it to a softer option. For us, that was a great perk, as we felt exceptionally supported. Make no mistake, though; the three-inch Euro pillow top of the mattress is still plush enough to provide comfortability. Additionally, it developed no irregularities or indentations with daily use, and we really found it excelled at preventing us from feeling like we were sinking in.
This mattress is also a great king-size option for those who prefer different sleep positions or couples with different firmness preferences. A remote control enables co-sleepers to specifically adjust the firmness of their side (for queen and larger sizes) of the mattress. Inside, dual air chambers determine the firmness, but be aware that you aren’t in control of the mattress height; you’re only in control of the firmness. Beyond the air chambers, a layer of natural latex and another layer of memory foam each focus on support.
If you’re looking for contouring, this mattress won’t be suited to you. On the plus side, Saatva offers a full year-long trial, but do be aware that returns aren’t free should you decide it isn’t the right fit.
Type: Hybrid (memory foam, air, latex) | Firmness: 50 adjustable settings | Thickness: 13 inches
Best Hybrid
Purple Restore Hybrid Mattress
Temperature balancing
Good motion isolation
Cradles pressure points
May be too low for some
Very heavy
Our pick for the best hybrid king mattress, Purple’s Restore Mattress, really impressed us when it came to pressure relief. From the moment we first laid on it, we felt like we were floating; it had a sinking in sensation without being overly soft, still providing quality support as its uppermost layer cradled our press points. When laying on our sides, we felt that same cradling took the pressure off of our hips and knees. While sleeping on our backs, we also found this choice did a great job at supporting the curves of our backs.
Available in both firm and soft options, we tested the firm version and found it was perfect for us–and despite the “firm” label, we felt it would really work for most types of sleep preferences. The brand’s proprietary GelFlex Grid works with individual shapes and positions, offering comfort at any angle. Underneath, the coils assist in providing additional support and promoting airflow. The result was a night of sleep without tossing and turning for us. We particularly liked how well the increased airflow helped regulate body temperature at night; we didn’t wake up overly hot.
We also found this to do a good job of promoting motion isolation, and we weren’t able to feel our partner’s movements on the other side of the bed. However, we found that we would prefer this mattress to be slightly taller, though this preference may vary depending on the user. Also, at 148 pounds in weight, this king-size pick was quite heavy and difficult to move or lift.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Firm | Thickness: 11.5 inches
Best for Couples
Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress
Comfortable for combination sleepers
Great motion isolation
Excellent body conforming ability
Not the strongest edge support
If you and your partner just cannot seem to both get a good night’s sleep, Saatva’s Loom & Leaf Mattress may be just the solution you need. Available in both relaxed firm and firm mattress options, we opted for the relaxed firm, which is Saatva’s recommendation for couples with different sleep styles and combination sleepers. The mattress proved to offer excellent support, while still conforming to our bodies. That contouring ability helped to make this mattress viable for all different sleep positions, but it doesn’t mean it’s overly soft; there are no indentations after a month of daily use, and this mattress has held up very well in terms of wear. Furthermore, it also proved to have excellent motion isolation for us, making it an even more prime candidate for couples seeking a new mattress.
The pressure-relieving layer of memory foam in the Loom & Leaf helps to promote spinal alignment, while a breathable layer of foam underneath that focuses on pressure relief through contouring. Lastly, the high-density memory foam core is what provides additional support and comfort, while a transitional foam layer determines the firmness. Just be mindful that despite all of these excellently supportive factors, the edges are the weakest point on the mattress. While it held its shape and comfort well, the support did dip slightly with weight right at the edges.
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Relaxed firm | Thickness: 12 inches
Best California King
Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
Added edge support
Spinal support and alignment
Durable construction
Shorter trial period
Shorter warranty
Tuft and Needle’s Mint Mattress earned its place as our pick for the best California king option on our list for a few reasons. With a larger mattress, there may be fears of sagging, but this option features a reinforced construction that assists in creating better edge support. We also found it to have no irregularities; after daily use over the course of a month of testing, it maintained its shape beautifully.
The Mint comes with a wonderfully soft feel that enabled us to sink in just enough to enjoy the memory foam while still enjoying substantial support from the firmness underneath, proving itself to be a true medium firmness for us. When sleeping on our backs, we found our spines felt supported and in perfect alignment; at the same time, we found this mattress offered pressure relief from the adjustability of the body-conforming memory foam. The composition also helped to keep us from having to toss and turn throughout the night.
Improved motion isolation in the Mint helped us to stay asleep for longer; we found that we didn’t wake from our bed shaking or moving. As an added plus, the cover on this mattress can be removed and washed. Just be mindful that Tuft & Needle’s 100-night sleep trial is the shortest on our list, and the 10-year limited warranty is shorter than many others mentioned here.
Type: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium Firmness | Thickness: 11.5 inches
Best Pillow Top
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Plush while still offering support
Comfortable for side sleepers
Expands quickly out of box
Includes pillows
May experience mild sagging
Helix’s Midnight Luxe Mattress is standout king mattress for someone looking for the added comfort of a plush pillow top. The premium quilted pillow top on this mattress provides an extra cushion of comfort and is also available in Tencel or GlacioTex for added temperature-regulating benefits, if you’re a hot sleeper. Right out of the box, the Midnight Luxe expanded fast, reaching full capacity within five minutes (though Helix does recommend waiting 30 to 45 minutes.) The pillow top creates a highly plush feel, though we still find the mattress to offer a medium firmness overall.
Even sleepers who move, toss, or turn throughout the night, we found we woke up in the same exact position after falling asleep on this mattress. The combination of plush pillow top and firmer memory foam created support for our hips and shoulders–particularly when we slept on our side–and helped us wake up feeling refreshed. It also offered solid motion elimination, thanks in part to its 1,000 individually-wrapped coils.
There’s also an added bonus with this king mattress: It comes with a pair of king-size pillows that we found provided top tier neck support. While it checks a lot of boxes for us, do be aware that we did experience some mild sagging in the middle of this mattress after a month of use.
Type: Hybrid | Firmness: Medium firm | Thickness: 11.5 inches
Final Verdict
Our best overall king size mattress is the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid for its universality among all sleep styles, excellent edge support, and its handles on the side help to make moving it much easier. If you’re looking for something more affordably priced, our best under $500 pick is the Linenspa Memory Foam & Innerspring Hybrid Mattress for its multiple thickness options, its support, and because of how quickly it expands out of the box.
How We Tested the Mattresses
We put a total of 56 mattresses to the test to find the best options for different types of sleepers across a variety of key sleep needs. Over the course of four weeks, we slept on each mattress and rated them on comfort, support and spinal alignment, and quality and durability. Our testers, who included individuals of all heights, weights, sleep positions, and sleep preferences, put the mattresses through their everyday routines and considered how each one suited their support and comfort preferences.
When the mattresses arrived, we took a close look at how they arrived and their initial quality. We considered how each was delivered and set up–if they arrived as a bed-in-a-box, for example, or if white glove delivery was included. We took a close look at the mattresses' construction, looking for details like indentations, loose threads, or signs of quality like removable covers or built-in handles for easy moving. Additionally, we noted whether or not these mattresses had any kind of odor out of their packaging, and how long any lingering smells took to dissipate.
From here, we put the mattresses to use for a total of four weeks. Our testers slept on the mattresses every night, treating them as they would their regular mattress. We assessed the mattresses' comfort by noting how we felt laying atop their surfaces, looking at key details like body-conforming plushness, any sinking-in feel, and how firm or soft the mattress felt. After each night's sleep, we also considered how well we slept–and which positions we felt most comfortable in–as well as whether we tossed, turned, or woke up frequently due to comfort issues.
In terms of support and spinal alignment, we considered how our bodies felt after sleeping on the mattresses. We assessed how our backs and hips felt throughout the night and upon waking in the morning, noting any aches or discomfort, as well as how we felt while sleeping in our preferred position (or, for combination sleepers, every position.) We considered how our backs felt in various positions, and if any mattresses helped limit usual aches and discomfort with increased support or pressure relief. Our testers noted how the mattresses felt when sleeping with partners, kids, and pets too, noting any motion transfer with others present–a key detail for expansive king-size mattresses that often have room to accommodate multiple individuals.
Lastly, at the close of the testing period, we took another look at each mattress to assess durability. We looked for clues that would suggest a mattress is more or less durable, like indentations that no longer disappeared after getting out of bed or sagging under repeated pressure. Fortunately, the majority of the mattresses we tested–and nearly all of those on this list–held up quite well and showed no signs of wear after a month of use.
What to Look for in a King Mattress
Material and Durability
In terms of material durability, latex mattresses tend to last the longest, with a lifespan of 15 years, generally speaking. Conversely, gel and memory foam options may only last 10 years on the shorter end. Other factors that play into durability include craftsmanship, which encompasses features like reinforced edges and hand-performed button tufting.
Beyond lifespan, materials will also determine the overall feel of a mattress. As Dr. Wu tells us, “Latex has more 'bounce' and responds more quickly than memory foam. It will give you support and cushioning but doesn't mold to you. It will have a firmer feel,” while memory foam options, like the Bear Original (best under $1,000), “contours to your body and is a slower-to-respond material that allows your body weight to really sink and get cradled by the foam mattress. It will have a softer feel and helps to eliminate motion transfer.”
Lastly, she tells us that hybrid mattresses, like the best overall Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid, “will give you more support with the innerspring and the soft, cushiony feel of the foam on top,” adding that “You will have the softer feel with a firm underlying support.”
Height and Thickness
The height and thickness of a mattress is a byproduct of the materials that it is made of, specifically the number of layers and the density of the materials in those layers. Thickness does not necessarily mean more support or more cushioning, that will be a factor of the materials used in the mattress.
One thing to note with thicker options in a mattress, though, is that it will change the overall height of your bed. In other words, if you are interested in a new mattress, but the thickness of it combined with your existing bed frame will be too tall for you, then you will have to consider a new bed frame as well.
Do be mindful as well that when purchasing a king-size bed, if you haven’t previously owned one, you will also have to purchase a new set of sheets, so use it as an opportunity to get a material that fits you and your needs.
Firmness Levels
Firmness levels will really be suited to catering to the different kinds of sleepers. For example, Dr. Wu recommends that “Side sleepers opt for a soft to medium-firm mattress so that the shoulder and hip joints are supported and cradled,” like the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress (best pillow top).
For stomach and back sleepers, she notes that medium-firm to firm options are good “so that they do not sink into the bed, creating morning aches and pains (especially for front sleepers for the neck and lower back).” One such option on our list is the Saatva Solaire Adjustable Mattress (best firm). Lastly, she adds that “Extra firm mattresses are good for those who enjoy sleeping flat on their back or for heavier body builds.”
Delivery and Set up
Modern day mattress companies, and the advent of online ones specifically, has ushered in a whole new way of ordering and receiving mattresses. Certain options like the Saatva Loom & Leaf Mattress (best for couples), offer free delivery and set up, and removal of your old mattress, all built into the cost of your new mattress purchase. Conversely, other options like the best cooling Casper Nova Hybrid and the best pillow top Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress can be compressed into a box, so that all you have to do is open it in the room that you would like to use it in and wait for it to fully expand before usage.
Both of these ways of ordering have their benefits and drawbacks, just be mindful with the boxed option that while it will be compressed, it will still be the full weight of a mattress, so you may still need to enlist help to move it.
Standout Features
Trial Period
A feature that most modern day mattress companies offer is a trial period. This is a length of time, usually ranging from 90 days to a full calendar year, as is the case with the Bear Original (our best under $1,000 pick), during which you can return the mattress. Because many brands don’t have storefronts, this is a viable method for actually being able to try the mattress out. Additionally, because some mattresses can take some time to break in, a lengthy trial period ensures that you can experience the mattress when it’s at its best.
Warranty
Much like trial periods, a warranty, specifically a lengthy one, has become a staple for quality mattresses. Because of how many brands are offering substantial warranties, be wary of any brand that doesn’t offer one. On the shorter end, brands will offer limited warranties for about 10 years, while lengthier options will last a lifetime, like Saatva's Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress (our best overall pick.)
Certifications
Certifications can be a useful tool to understand the quality of materials and construction for your mattress. Some common certifications that you can expect to see include GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), a regulatory method pertaining to the quality as well as the chemicals in the latex. In the end, a GOLS certification ensures a 95 percent certification of organic raw material.
Another commonly seen certification is a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification that focuses on requirements for environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing, as well as quality harvesting of materials.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers all things sleep-related. He's been writing about mattresses, pillows, bedding, and other home topics for The Spruce since 2022. He has written numerous articles covering everything from the Best Latex Pillows to the Best Blackout Shades to the Best Mattress Pads. Additionally, he has spoken with countless experts, all in the name of achieving the perfect night of sleep.
Our Experts:
- Karena Wu, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, CSCS, CKTP, CPI, FAAOMPT, a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and owner of ActiveCare Physical Therapy in NYC & India.
- Heather Adams, senior editor at The Spruce
- Bianca Pineda, commerce writer at The Spruce