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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
If you’re tired of feeling cramped into a bed that’s not spacious enough, it may be time to upgrade to a king-sized mattress. With 16 extra inches of width compared to a queen, a king mattress is great for bigger sleepers, as well as couples who want additional space. “A king certainly gives someone plenty of room to be comfortable, if space permits,” says chiropractor Dr. Adam Downs of Albuquerque Alternative Health.
After gathering valuable insight from Dr. Downs about what people should be looking for in a king-sized mattress, we tested a handful of mattresses from great brands and scoured numerous customer reviews to offer our picks for the best mattresses for a wide array of needs. Our choice for the best overall is the Tuft and Needle Mint Mattress, a mattress that’s as appealing to back sleepers as it is to side sleepers, is exceptionally breathable, and has a removable cover. Read on to see our choices for the best king-size mattresses below.
Best Overall
Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress
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Nordstrom
Removable and washable cover
Breathable open-cell foam
Temperature-regulating gel and graphite
Free shipping and returns
No handles
Off-gassing smell
For a king mattress that checks all of the boxes, it’s hard to beat Tuft and Needle’s Mint. With adaptive foam that’s designed to contour to your own body and a medium firmness feel, this mattress is as good for side sleepers as it is for back sleepers. Four unique layers are uniquely designed to offer benefits, including breathability, pressure relief, and added edge support.
Our tester, a side sleeper, particularly enjoyed how the mattress offered pressure relief in the shoulders, hips, and back. Unlike other memory foam mattresses, the Mint didn’t skimp on breathability due to its use of ceramic and cooling gel, heat-wicking graphite, and breathable Adaptive foam. As our tester explains, "The Mint slept wonderfully cool and offered excellent cushioning. I’m a side and stomach sleeper, and my husband is a side and back sleeper—the mattress comfortably supported all three."
The breathability, the multi-position sleep capability, and a 2-inch layer of foam that aids in eliminating motion transfer combine to make the Mint a dream for couples. One drawback with this mattress is it has no handles, which can make moving it a bit of a hassle. But unlike other options on our list, it does feature a removable cover so you can clean it with ease.
Price at time of publish: $2,295
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11.5 inches
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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
Best in a Box
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
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Helix
Zoned lumbar support
Cooling, breathable Tencel cover
Enhanced contouring and pressure point relief
Includes free pillows
Heavy for moving and making bed
Limited warranty
The exceptional quality of the Helix Midnight Luxe is only outdone by the convenience of it arriving at your door in a packaged box. In terms of comfort, the memory foam is specifically designed to aid in pressure point relief on the hips and shoulders, which Helix says is perfect for side sleepers. Our tester, a side sleeper, and her husband, a back sleeper, both found the mattress to work perfectly for them: "The Midnight LUXE can accommodate different preferences and sleeping positions. We both woke up feeling refreshed." That’s a result of the medium-firmness designed with couples in mind.
While other memory foam mattresses can be less breathable, the Helix Midnight Luxe features a choice between a breathable Tencel cover for additional airflow and a GlacioTex Cooling cover designed to pull heat away from your body. Our tester opted for the Tencel and said this helped keep her cool, even on hotter nights.
One potential drawback of this mattress is the heavier weight in a king size. Our tester felt it could be a bit challenging to make with sheets. This was by no means a deal-breaker (the mattress still earned a 4.8 out of 5 from our reviewer), but it’s worth considering.
Price at time of publish: $2,155
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 13.5 inches
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
Best Split
Saatva Classic Mattress
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Saatva
Three firmness levels
Three-inch pillowtop
Durable, responsive dual coil innersprings
Lifetime warranty
Fee for returns
Not great with movement isolation
If you and your partner just cannot seem to agree on a single mattress for both of your needs, consider Saatva’s Classic Mattress in the less-common split California King size. Due to its split nature, you and your partner can each choose a firmness level from the plush soft, luxury firm, and firm, options available. Additionally, the 11.5-inch thick mattress is compatible with adjustable bases, should you both need even more individual attention.
Our tester appreciated the edge support this split king mattress provides, which is the result of high-density foam rails that line the pocketed coils. As someone who sleeps close to her bed’s edge, she felt secure throughout the entire night. She chose the plush soft option and found it to be very effective at alleviating the aches and pains caused by her previous mattress, saying, "After a month, I was fully hooked on the Saatva. It was just as soft and comfortable when I slept on my back as when I slept on my side as if it knew just how to adapt to my varying sleeping positions."
While Saatva does offer a 365-night trial, there is a $99 return fee should you decide the mattress isn’t right for you. The brand has established itself in the last decade as not only offering a premiere mattress, but also a premiere service. Unlike many other modern mattress brands, Saatva doesn’t come in a box; instead, it’s delivered directly to your bedroom. Our tester appreciated this element of the Saatva experience, as it prevented her from having to wait for the mattress to expand fully.
Price at time of publish: $2,120
Material: Memory foam, steel coils, cotton | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Thickness: 11.5 inches
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The Spruce / Lindsay Boyers
Best Memory Foam
Casper Original Mattress
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Wayfair
CertiPUR-US certified
AirScape perforations for all-night cooling
Three ergonomic zones for pressure relief and spinal alignment
Highly breathable
Too soft for some
Off-gassing odor
Our tester tells us that although the Original Casper Mattress is softer than other mattresses, it still provides great support. That’s the result of three unique zones inside this king-sized mattress, all of which are designed to keep your spine aligned. The mattress features a softer foam around the shoulders and a firmer foam under the hips, waist, and lower back, resulting in what our tester refers to as a “good balance of cushion and firmness.”
In terms of cooling, the memory foam is dotted with thousands of perforations, called Casper’s AirScape system, which offers body heat a place to escape. Our tester enjoyed the attention to cooling features as well as the fact that the foam used by Casper is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning that it’s tested for low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions.
One drawback our tester did mention with this mattress is it features a bit of an off-gassing odor. However, this odor does dissipate over time. And for this much value at under $1,500, that brief, mild odor is a worthwhile compromise.
Price at time of publish: $1,695
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11 inches
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
Best Air Mattress
SoundAsleep Products Dream Series Air Mattress with ComfortCoil Technology & Internal High Capacity Pump
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Amazon
Durable materials
Inflates in under six minutes
High weight limit
Pricey
Strong vinyl smell
If you’re in the market for a new king air mattress, it’s going to be hard to beat the Dream Series Air Mattress by SoundAsleep. Thanks to its impressive 40 individual air coils, our tester found this mattress maintains its air level well. She tells us the pump makes setup easy; just plug it in, turn the switch, and within about four minutes, the mattress should be fully inflated. In terms of durability, it’s made with eco-friendly PVC, which helps to make it puncture-resistant. This air mattress also has a weight limit of just under 500 pounds, making it a stronger option than many others. Our tester also appreciated that it didn't require frequent adjusting: "When my husband and I slept on it, the mattress stretched a bit, but it retained its shape. We didn’t have to re-inflate. In fact, we even felt the need to deflate it a bit for a softer, cozier feel."
While it is a bit pricier than many other air mattresses on the market, the attention to detail and overall quality make the Dream Series worth the money. Our own reviewer gave it a 4.2 out of 5, and on Amazon, it boasts a 4.4 out of 5-star rating.
Price at time of publish: $132
Material: PVC | Firmness: Firm (adjustable) | Thickness: 18 inches
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The Spruce / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis
Best under $500
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam King Mattress
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Amazon
Very affordable
Four thickness options
Washable cover
Infused to reduce odor and bacteria
Difficult to move
Takes time to expand
In terms of bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat Zinus’ Green Tea Memory Foam mattress. The CertiPUR US Certified foam offers pressure relief throughout the entire mattress, as well as exceptional edge support. As its name indicates, this mattress features green tea extract, a feature designed to keep your mattress fresh. Additionally, ActivCharcoal particles help to absorb moisture, a feature our tester loved to keep her young son in a safe and healthy environment.
One drawback noted by our tester was that this mattress takes a few days to fully expand and is a bit cumbersome to move. But, with no noticeable deterioration or indentations over the trial period, as well as a ten-year warranty, she felt peace of mind that this mattress would last for quite some time.
Price at time of publish: $539
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches
Best for Couples
Purple Mattress
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Purple
Wide range of sizes available
Very breathable
Eliminates motion transfer
Poor edge support
Not great for stomach sleepers
If you sleep with a partner and are sick of them disturbing you in the night by getting out of bed or rolling around, Purple’s Original Mattress is built with you in mind. Our testers noted this mattress not only eliminated motion transfer but was also very quiet as well. That’s the result of the Purple GelFlex Grid, a hyper-elastic polymer that not only contours to your body but also aids in preventing movement from impacting the rest of the mattress. Our testers also found the Purple Original to work wonderfully for back and side sleepers, offering just the right amount of cushioning and conformity.
Our testers felt one place where this mattress fell a bit short was with edge support. A sleeper who prefers the edge of the bed said they felt like they may fall off. However, that didn’t stop this bed from still receiving a total of 4.8 out of 5 overall.
Price at time of publish: $1,799
Material: Polyurethane foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 9.25 inches
Best Organic
Earthfoam Organic Mattress
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EarthFoam
All-natural and organic materials
Multiple firmness options
Pressure-absorbing foam
Breathable cotton and wool
No free shipping to Hawaii and Alaska
Can take some time to break in
For a king-size mattress that’s organic and natural, Earthfoam’s Organic Mattress is one of the best. It features rubber that’s produced by organic farmers in Sri Lanka (who the brand created a fair trade network to work with). The mattress is also made of organic wool from New Zealand sheep and soft organic cotton. Every element is fixated on extreme attention to organic detail. The resilient foam offers excellent pressure absorption while returning to its original shape the moment you stand up. Additionally, the foam’s density makes it a great option for all sizes and shapes, and it’s naturally breathable, so you won’t wake up hot.
The firmer nature of this mattress is designed to keep your joints and spine in a supported position to prevent back pain. In addition to the organic materials, the versatility is another detail we love. If you look at customer reviews, there are 5 stars from stomach, back, and side sleepers alike.
One drawback with this mattress is it can take some getting used to, especially for those who are used to a less firm mattress. However, once you adapt, you’ll likely find you sleep better overall.
Price at time of publish: $1,499
Material: Rubber, wool, cotton | Firmness: Medium firm | Thickness: 8.5 inches
Best for Side Sleepers
Nectar 12 Inch King Mattress Medium Firm
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City Mattress
Choice of hybrid and memory foam
Heat-wicking cover
Dynamic, responsive foam layer
Forever warranty
Not great for stomach sleepers
Off-gassing odor
Featuring five individual layers designed with your comfort in mind, Nectar’s Memory Foam Mattress is a winner. Specifically, the dynamic response layer is particularly useful for side sleepers because it promotes spinal alignment. Above that, 2 inches of CertiPUR-US Certified foam offers pressure-relieving support. To top it all off, the cover features heat-absorbent polyurethane fibers, so you can enjoy a cool night of sleep.
While this king-sized mattress is great for side and back sleepers, some stomach sleepers didn’t find it to work for them. But with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating with over 50,000 reviews, this mattress definitely receives more praise than not. Plus, a 365-night trial and forever warranty should offer some insight into how sure Nectar is of its product.
Price at time of publish: $999
Material: Memory foam, gel memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 12 inches
Best under $1,000
Bear Original Mattress
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Bear
CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified
Cooling gel-infused memory foam
Adapts to all sleep positions
Choice between foam and hybrid
Too firm for some
No handles for moving
A king-sized mattress is a whole lot of mattress—so when you can find one that’s high-quality, comfortable, and available for under $1,000, it should really pique your interest. Bear’s Original Mattress meets these key hallmarks, and it offers you choices, too. It’s available in both an all-foam model and a hybrid. Both are great, but we like the foam mattress because it offers four layers designed to make the mattress last, keep you cool, and relieve pressure points. The firmness is more of a medium-firm feel, which is why this mattress is good for both side and back sleepers alike.
Customers particularly like this king mattress for its intersection of quality and price. Plus, the conforming comfort layers are designed to offer support where it’s needed by filling in spaces along your back and the rest of your body.
One drawback with this mattress is some found it to be a bit firm for their needs. However, a risk-free 120-night trial offers ample time to see if it’s a good fit for your needs. Plus, if you look on the website, there’s no shortage of customers who praise Bear for exceptional customer service should you have any issues.
Price at time of publish: $874
Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm | Thickness: 10 inches
Best for Back Pain
My Green Mattress Natural Escape
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My Green Mattress
GOLS-certified organic latex
Lumbar-supportive pocketed innersprings
Made in a family-owned factory
Hand button tufting
Break-in period needed
Too firm for some
Dr. Downs generally recommends “a mattress that's firm enough to support the spine but soft enough that it's comfortable.” In my testing, My Green Mattress’ Natural Escape offers exactly that. Aside from the GOLS-certified latex, which provides conforming comfort, there are pocketed coil innersprings that provide pressure point relief. In the past, I would wake up with a sore back, but that’s not an issue with the Natural Escape. Instead, I feel cradled even when moving from my back to my side during the night.
I will note, however, that there’s a slight break-in period with this mattress. It was very mild, but it just took some getting used to. Within two weeks, I found it to be great, and I was getting fantastic sleep. Additionally, knowing that my mattress is made with sustainable and organic latex, organic cotton, and organic wool, also helps me sleep more peacefully. Plus, the button tufting is done by hand, which not only ensures durability but also creates a nice finished product I know I can trust.
Price at time of publish: $2,299
Material: Latex, cotton, wool | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11 inches
Our best overall choice for a king-sized mattress is the Tuft and Needle Mint Mattress for its four unique layers designed for comfort and breathability, as well as the excellent pressure relief that it provides. If you’re in the market for something more affordable, we highly recommend the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam. At just under $500, it’s made with CertiPUR US Certified foam and features a green tea infusion to keep it fresh.
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The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash
What to Look for in a King Mattress
Material
Chiropractor Dr. Adam Downs of Albuquerque Alternative Health tells us that when it comes to picking mattress material, it “really boils down to the longevity of the structural integrity, the breathability of the mattress, and how that feels to the individual.” If you’re someone who needs a breathable mattress, you may want to avoid memory foam unless, of course, the brand has taken special measures to make it breathable. Additionally, if you want an all-natural and organic mattress, something made with latex, cotton, and wool will be your best option.
There are other factors to consider as well. For example, if you struggle with back pain, a mattress with innersprings can offer added lumbar support. For this, we highly recommend the Natural Escape by My Green Mattress. The innersprings, coupled with the conforming comfort of the latex, offer a night of sleep that’s as comfortable as it is supportive.
Height and Thickness
The height and thickness of your mattress are important to consider for a few reasons. From a stylistic perspective, if you have a lower bed frame and you want your bed to maintain a lower profile, you won’t want something that’s too thick. If you have a higher bed frame, you also won’t want something so thick that it becomes a challenge to get in and out of bed.
As far as the height and thickness in terms of comfort goes, while more foam (or other materials) can contribute to a thicker mattress, Dr. Downs tells us: “Thicker isn't necessarily better, but too thin won't allow for enough support and comfort.” For this reason, a good option to consider is the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress; with four different thickness options, you’re sure to find something that fits your needs.
Firmness Levels
An important detail to account for when sleeping is how to keep your cervical spine safe and aligned. As a result, the firmness level of your mattress will be dependent on the position in which you sleep. Dr. Downs tells us: “For back sleepers, slightly firmer may be more suitable than it would be for side sleepers." A side sleeper will benefit from a medium firmness because it will keep them comfortable while still offering support so that their heads and necks don’t misalign. For this, we highly recommend the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress due to its just-above-medium firmness feel and its dynamic response layer that is focused on spinal alignment.
It’s also important to note that while there are mattresses out there that are recommended for stomach sleepers, Dr. Downs recommends avoiding this mode of sleeping entirely, noting that it, “typically is going to put the cervical spine in prolonged rotation and the lumbar spine in unsupported extension.”
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
Standout Features
Trial Period
Dr. Downs notes that: “Nearly all mattress companies give a money-back guarantee over a favorable amount of time,” and he advocates using this to your advantage. Most quality mattresses today will offer a trial period with their mattresses to see if it’s a good fit for you. While these trials vary from brand to brand, the range will generally fall between 90 and 365 days. It’s important to be aware of this before purchasing so you can know when your ultimate decision needs to be made in regards to keeping it.
Additionally, with so many reputable brands offering a trial period as a chance to allow the mattress to break in, it’s worth being wary of brands that don’t offer a trial.
Warranty
Much like a trial period, most quality mattresses will feature a warranty. This commonly ranges from 10 years to a lifetime. However, not all warranties are the same, and some companies offer limited warranties and are very particular about what’s protected. Some warranties will replace the mattress, while others will charge a fee. If a warranty is important to you, you should read about the specifics on the company’s website before making a purchase.
Delivery
Mattress companies offer a slew of different ways to receive your mattress today (so you don’t have to do it on your own). Some come shipped in a box, which makes transportation easier. Other brands offer a white glove delivery service that will not only bring the mattress to your house but also set it up in the room you intend to use it in. While some brands will include that in the fee you pay, others will charge a delivery fee; it’s important to be aware before you purchase.
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What is the difference between a king size mattress and a split king mattress?
A King-size mattress measures 76 x 80 inches. It’s one of the largest options sold by many manufacturers and is commonly purchased by couples looking for space. A split king mattress also measures 76 x 80 inches, but it’s actually just two twin XL-sized mattresses pushed next to one another. As a result, “it's great for couples who have different needs for support and comfort,” Dr. Downs tells us. Additionally, if you have an adjustable base, the two different mattresses really allow each sleeper to customize based on their own individual needs.
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Which type of mattress lasts the longest?
Due to its natural durability, latex mattresses last the longest. If taken care of properly, they can last you anywhere between 15 and 20 years.
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How many years should a good mattress last?
How long a mattress will last comes down to the material, the quality, and how you take care of it. Assuming you take good care, a memory foam mattress is said to last anywhere from eight to 10 years. However, latex mattresses have a longer lifespan, with some being able to last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. It’s important, if longevity is your goal, to follow the manufacturer’s care instructions about things like rotating.
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Does it matter how thick your mattress is?
While the thickness of your mattress won’t necessarily determine how good of a night of sleep you have, it may just be a byproduct of the support that you need. For example, if you need extra cushioning, more foam will mean a thicker mattress. “Mattress thickness should only affect your night's sleep if the structure of the mattress is altered by the thickness,” as Dr. Downs tells us. So the short answer is no, the thickness of the mattress doesn’t necessarily matter so long as your needs are met by the mattress. However, it is important when deciding on thickness to make sure your sheets and comforter will fit over a larger mattress.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Jack Byram is a freelance writer who focuses on lifestyle and all things sleep-related. He has researched and written about countless mattresses, pillows, and bed sheets. For this article, he scoured The Spruce’s test reviews and read numerous customer reviews to offer his insights into the best products. He also spoke with Dr. Adam Downs of Albuquerque Alternative Health to better understand what the benefits of certain mattresses are and whom certain features are ideal for.