The King size bed is the actual ruler of all sizes (except for the California King) as it is long and wide enough to fit a family of three and their pets, and still have some room left on the sides. While it is not the most sought after size version, people seem to like the idea of a huge sleeping surface. It gives a lot of personal space to two regular sized people, and it is the best choice for heavyset couples!
But a top-rated King size mattress is not all about the sleeping space it offers you; it’s also about the space it occupies in your bedroom. After all, a sleeping surface that’s 76 inches wide and 80 inches long will definitely take your medium-sized bedroom hostage!
Furthermore, there are also other things to consider such as the accessories, which are not always extremely easy to find, and the fact that a King is more expensive than the other available versions.
But hey, if the budget and the bedroom allow it, why not splurge on personal space?
With this thought in mind, we decided to put together a guide to choosing a King mattress so anyone can get the exact type of bed they need. Even more, we listed several best mattresses and why to consider them as your future sleeping surface.
Why King Size Mattress is the Perfect Choice
Benefits of the Size
The most obvious benefit (and the one that brings people more joy) is the available personal space. Now, if you sleep alone, you may get a bit lonely in all that space, but if you have a partner, the fact that you get all that room for just you, can be a blessing.
After all, you do get an extra 16 inches in comparison to a Queen size bed design. You can use these inches as you like and they come in handy when you want to let the entire family (pets included) join in on the sleep.
For instance, you can have a family movie night and let the kids sleep in, instead of waking them up at the end of the movie and sending them to their own rooms.
But it’s not just about the comfort; the extra space can be amazing when you’re using a lot of pillows to make your slumber more comfortable. Here we can list pregnant women or people who suffer from bad back pain and need pillows to support their position.
A King size surface is also a good choice if you need a lot of medical equipment around (like a CPAP machine for sleep apnea). While it’s not a happy situation, the fact that you have all that room in the bed provides some level of comfort.
Finally, larger sleeping surfaces are just taking off in popularity, and many bedding and accessories joined in the market share. So you should find a lot of cool-looking stuff!
King vs. California King
Given we are discussing sizes, the difference between the two stands in dimensions. However, it’s not like talking about Twin size and Full-size designs, where the bed just gets bigger or longer; it’s about a complete change in shape as well!
If the King bed is wider than the rest of the sizes (76” x 80”), the California King (72” x 84”) is longer.
So, besides each being a different type of rectangle, the available space is different: the standard King size has 6,080 square inches, and the California King has 6,048 inches.
Now that we established the fact that a California size version is actually smaller in surface than the standard version, why would anyone go for the CAL?
Well, first of all, the California is mostly designed for tall people (athletes in general) who need a bit more leg room. Of course, this means you will be losing space on the sides, but that’s the rule here.
One negative aspect about the California is that you can’t find bedding and accessories as easily as you would for a King version. Of course, this is a direct consequence of the fact that the California is not so popular among buyers.
Top Things to Watch Out For When Purchasing King Bed
Thickness
Is it better if I choose a mattress with more than four layers? If the surface is bigger, should the surface be thicker? Would I be comfortable on an 8-inch design?
These are several of the questions that go through your mind when you’re choosing a King size, and they are just.
When it comes to thickness, the first misconception that runs around is that, if the design is large (such as a King), then the bed should be thick. In reality, the thickness has nothing to do with the general size of the surface, but with your level of comfort and your personal preference.
For instance, if you are heavy and your partner is about the same weight as you, a thick surface will keep you both comfortable when a thinner one may just go soft on you. If you are of a regular weight, but you do want a mattress that will be on the softer side, then you can go thick.
But, if you want a firm surface, it’s best to go with a thin one. Check out our top firm mattresses guide.
You should also consider the level of support your need for your back. If you need both coils and foam in your bed’s structure, then you are bound to end up with a thicker surface, but if you only like foam, you can go thinner. Usually, the level of comfort is quite similar, but there are differences in support.
Overall, in terms of thickness, it’s very important to select a design that will complement your needs.
Type of Materials
What should I choose: memory foam or latex?
Should I keep it on the safe side and buy an innerspring or should I be daring and select a hybrid bed?
In terms of materials, the fact that there are so many possible options out there may make you feel a bit confused, so it’s normal to be anxious.
Still, when it comes to choosing the perfect large size bed, it’s best to also consider mobility and general level of maintenance. Because it is so big, such a mattress is difficult to maneuver around the house when it’s not rolled up into a box. However, even a bed-in-a-box must be released in order to actually sleep on it, so you have to consider how difficult it will be to move it when it reaches its full size.
Considering this aspect, you should be aware of the fact that a natural latex design will be heavier than any other materials, and a memory foam bed will probably be the easiest to maneuver.
Also, in terms of maintenance, a foam surface is less pretentious and can usually be installed on all types of frames (even the floor) while a hybrid or one made of natural materials requires a bit more attention.
In conclusion, besides your comfort during slumber, you should also keep in mind that is a big surface that will require a bit of manpower to be moved, flipped or even aired.
Cost
The cost is a variable that’s of paramount importance for most of us, and a King mattress is usually not on the list of cheap designs. Besides the California version, the King bed is the most expensive on the list presented by manufacturers, because let’s face it, it requires more material and work to make it.
However, it is not a lot more expensive than a Queen (in most cases) and if you truly want to spend your next 10 years of sleeping feeling like royalty, you should stretch your budget a little bit.
Of course, we also have to consider the material and type of mattress you want to buy, but if you can buy a Queen, you can definitely save up a little bit and get the bigger version instead.
Now, depending on the fact that you make the purchase from a brick and mortar store or you go online, the prices will be different. Still, if you choose to shop online, most large beds will be somewhere between $1000+ and $3000+, depending on the type of material you select.
In terms of maintenance, warranty, and trial, the King version gets the same treatment as other beds, so there will be no difference there.
If you are on a budget see our most affordable mattresses buyer’s guide.
Nectar
Features:
- Perfect design for all sleeping positions
- Full-foam design for improved comfort
- Good spine alignment and a nice combination of the soft and hard feel
Our Ratings: 9.7/10
The term of nectar comes from a time when the Gods used to roam the Earth and it was known as being their favorite drink because it was extremely delicious and fragrant.
With this in mind, the Nectar founders wanted to make sure their sleeping surface is only suitable for a God-like sleep where you lay down and feel carried towards the Heavens on a fluffy cloud.
Now, stories aside, the mattress is one of the highest rated memory foam designs on the market, with good back support and accommodations for all types of sleepers (not just the ones who favor one side).
Furthermore, the large version of Nectar is lightweight, easy to maintain, and easy to maneuver even when in its full size.
Actually, the producer is so happy with the result that they will provide buyers with forever warranty and a full year of trial time. In our opinion, this is a fantastic deal!
Want to learn to see more information? Read Full Nectar Review.
Tuft and Needle
Features:
- They found strength in simplicity
- Combines all the necessary features for a comfy sleep
- Revolutionary cooling system
Our Ratings: 9.5/10
As we already mentioned that it’s best to choose a surface that is not too heavy, given the size of a King version. Well, the Tuft and Needle mattress is the ideal for easy maneuvering and maintenance because it only has two layers of foam on the inside.
Plus, the cover can be unzipped and removed, which makes cleaning a lot easier.
Still, you shouldn’t be fooled by the simplicity of the design; it may have only two layers, but it is very well equipped to provide comfort and cooling. The first layer is infused with graphite and a special gel to wick the heat away and keeps the firmness at a medium, bouncy level.
Furthermore, the T&N design offers amazing back support and it has one of the greatest foam designs you can get at such an affordable price. Not to mention you’ll get 10 years warranty and you have 100 nights to test it in the comfort of your home.
Learn more about them by reading our complete analysis here.
Layla
Features:
- Gorgeous cover, whit plenty of features
- You get a 2-in-1 product (different levels of firmness for each surface)
- Unique cooling system
Our Ratings: 9.1/10
Layla is one of the first companies to consider the needs of both partners and provide them with a solution that is not medium firmness. With this King size bed, you get two firmness settings in one and you can simply flip it over to have a whole new feeling.
Furthermore, to promote a good cooling system, the layers are infused with copper, which is a conductive metal. If this sounds weird, the explanation is simple: being so highly conductive, the copper particles will wick heat away from the surface and drive it through the layers and out. This way, you stay cool and cozy on your soft/firm bed.
Finally, the copper also has anti-allergic properties, which is why Layla is one of the most recommended foam mattresses for people with mild allergies.
If you really are interested in knowing more about Layla mattress. A much more in-depth overview can be found here.
Purple
Features:
- Grid layer with a unique support system
- Proprietary design and materials
- Works great for all types of people
Our Ratings: 9/10
The Purple is one of the top companies in the online mattress niche right now, but their success is not temporary. While this design is quite new, the team that worked on creating the Purple and its amazing grid-like layer is experienced in new materials and studied sleep behaviors for years in order to come up with this revolutionary design.
However, you should know that, because of the first layer (which is a grid-shaped gel-like material) a Purple in King size will be heavier than a standard all-foam design.
Of course, the support and comfort are more personalized and the surface moulds to your needs because the gel is hyper-elastic and creates the perfect surface for everyone’s sleeping habits.
With a trial of 100 nights and 10 years warranty, you can see that the Purple is durable and will stay with you for a long period of time. So, don’t ignore one of the best-sellers in this category!
Want to learn more about them? See our detailed review here.
Casper
Features:
- Created by one of the finest online mattress companies
- An all-foam design with good back support
- Created to adapt to everyone’s habits
Our Ratings: 8.9/10
The Casper company is one of the most famous in the bed-in-a-box niche. Actually, they were among the first ones to support this concept and helped spread it across the country. So, even if you order a King, you’ll get it nicely packed in a box, which makes it easy to move around.
Since the overall design is foam, the bed is easy to flip or turn even when in its full size, and you don’t have to worry too much about maintenance. This surface works well with all types of frames and it will even manage sitting on the floor!
The Casper is one of those designs that can adapt to each of the sleeper’s needs. It is also great with motion control, so you and your partner can enjoy your habits and personal space without disturbing each other.
Want to find more information? Read our Casper analysis here.
Our Final Thoughts
Choosing a new bed is a huge decision and implies a lot of variables, but if you are on the market for a surface that will take care of your needs and make you feel amazing, we recommend going for a larger mattress!
The fact that you get so much more extra space compared to a Queen size is extremely freeing and once you try it, you will feel like you can’t go without it (regardless of the extra cost and space it takes in the bedroom!).
The King size is the luxury size of sleeping surfaces, but like most fancy things, it is definitely worth the extra effort.
So, if you have the big bedroom, why not get the big bed as well?
Even if you don’t have a big family right now, in 10 years a lot can change so it’s highly recommended to be prepared.
If you are in the market for such a bed, we hope that today’s guide on how to choose one to fulfill all your needs was helpful. Also, the products we reviewed and proposed in the top best rated King size beds section are indeed the finest on the market so you should check them out.