Written by Julia Forbes, Lead Product Tester
For many people, a king-size mattress represents a dreamy upgrade. These beds give you loads of room to stretch out, even if you share your sleeping space with a partner, kids, or pets.
You’ll be presented with a lot of choices when upping your bed size to a king. Generally, though, the best king-size mattresses will be evenly supportive across the entire surface, as well as soft or firm enough to suit your comfort preferences.
With help from my fellow mattress testers, I’ve created a list of our top-rated king-size beds. Their different features should cover a wide range of needs so you can find a royally perfect match.
Our Pick for the Best King Mattress is…
The Helix Midnight. Though this hybrid was originally designed with side sleepers in mind, its balanced, medium feel appeals to just about every sleeper. It’s a well-rounded bed with features that’ll appeal to couples, hot sleepers, and anyone looking for a well-made king-size mattress.
Our Best King-Size Mattress Picks
- Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
- Nectar – Best Memory Foam King-Size Mattress
- The WinkBed – Best King-Size Mattress for Back Pain
- DreamCloud Premier – Best King-Size Mattress for Side Sleepers
- Saatva Classic – Best Luxury King-Size Mattress
- Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best King-Size Mattress for Combination Sleepers
- Nolah Evolution – Best King-Size Mattress for Couples
- Helix Dawn – Best Firm King-Size Mattress
- Bear Star Hybrid – Best Cooling King-Size Mattress
- Titan Plus – Best King-Size Mattress for Heavy People
Our Video Review of the Best King Mattresses
Compare the Best King Beds of 2024
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| Helix Midnight Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Nectar Mattress | DreamCloud Premier Mattress | Saatva Mattress | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress | Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress | Helix Dawn Mattress | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress | Titan Plus | |
| Rating | ||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium: 5.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Multiple firmness options | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Firm: 8/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| Warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free white glove delivery | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | 120 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 365 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 120 nights |
| Best For | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Back Pain, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Seniors | Couples, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples | Joint Pain, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Seniors |
How We Picked the Best King-Size Mattresses
My fellow testers and I review mattresses by testing them out comprehensively in our studio. This way, we’re able to get hands-on, first-person experience from a variety of sleepers with different body types, primary sleeping positions, and overall preferences.
We then summarize our findings in easy-to-understand language to give you a clear idea of how each bed performs.
When it comes to choosing the best king mattresses, we focused on a few key categories during testing, including reliable support across the whole surface of the bed and features that benefit couples.
What We Want to See in a King Mattress
Support Over a Large Surface Area
Every bed on this list received at least a 4 out of 5 in the support category during testing. This category is crucial for king-size beds because of their impressive width. You want a mattress with consistent support across the entire surface, rather than one that sags or pokes in certain spots.
Couple-Friendly Features
Chances are, if you’re looking for a king-size mattress, you’ll be sharing the bed with a partner or a pet (or both!). The beds below performed well in the categories most relevant to couples, such as motion isolation, edge support, and responsiveness.
It’s important to note that some of these elements come at the cost of others. For example, a bed with great bounce—which can help facilitate intimate activities—probably won’t have the best motion isolation. So, you should decide which features matter the most to you and your partner while browsing.
Good Value
A king-size mattress is a big investment, and even the cheapest options are going to start around $1,000 minimum. The beds we’ve chosen balance high quality with affordability: most of them cost less than $2,000 for a king. Of course, when discounts are running, these prices drop lower still.
The 10 Best King-Size Mattresses, Reviewed
Helix Midnight – Editor’s Pick
The Advisor Says: The Midnight has one of the most impressive score spreads of all the mattresses we’ve reviewed. The best word to describe it is “balanced”: it’s got pressure relief, support, and cooling power in spades, plus a versatile medium-firm feel that tends to satisfy lots of sleepers.
The Helix Midnight at a Glance
The Helix Midnight was built with side sleepers in mind, but it’s a great bed for anyone who wants a medium-firm feel with some initial softness. It lays three sheets of proprietary foam on top of a coil unit for a classic hybrid design.
Nectar– Best Memory Foam King-Size Mattress
The Advisor Says: We believe that Nectar offers a quality bed backed up by generous policies, and for under $1,000 for a queen (after discounts). If you’re looking for a firmer foam mattress on a budget, the Nectar Classic has you covered.
The Nectar at a Glance
Years after its launch, Nectar’s original memory foam bed remains one of the reigning champions of the online mattress world. Without springs (and their heftier price point), it offers a medium firmness level and a supportive foundation paired with amazing pressure relief.
DreamCloud Premier – Best King-Size Mattress for Side Sleepers
The Advisor Says: Its fancy quilted cover and generous foam layers make the DreamCloud Premier a slightly softer bed than the original DreamCloud. But, it still skews firm for a hybrid, so it’s best for back and side sleepers who like an initial bit of cushion followed by lots of lift.
The DreamCloud Premier at a Glance
The DreamCloud Premier is a hybrid bed that places special emphasis on its upper comfort layers. There are four foams between you and the coil unit, making this a mattress that’s well-suited for side sleeping as well as spinal alignment.
The WinkBed – Best King-Size Mattress for Back Pain
The Advisor Says: Our testers often compare the WinkBed to a luxury hotel mattress, which is no surprise given its handcrafted touches and elegant hybrid design. It’s also one of the most customizable beds out there, with a firmness level for every body type.
The WinkBed at a Glance
If you’re looking for a king-size bed that can help relieve back pain, I’d nominate the WinkBed. It’s a hybrid mattress with handcrafted touches and an especially durable innerspring unit beneath its softer foams. It has multiple firmness options, including one for heavier sleepers.
Saatva Classic – Best Luxury King-Size Mattress
The Advisor Says: The Saatva Classic is the gold standard for lower-back support, strong edges, and customizable luxury. It’s not the softest or most motion-isolating bed out there, but it’s a dependable, bouncy hybrid that consistently impresses our testers with its two coil units.
The Saatva Classic at a Glance
The Saatva Classic is marketed as a “luxury innerspring” mattress, and we agree with that label. Notably, it contains two coil units: an upper one with pocketed coils, and a lower one with interconnected coils. Together, they provide unflagging support inside a bed that can be customized to to suit your preferred firmness and height.
What’s Inside the Saatva Classic?
You can order your Saatva Classic in one of two heights: 11.5 or 14.5 inches. You’ll also be able to choose between Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm models.
- Euro Pillow Top. Soft foam dressed in an organic cotton cover, with firmer quilting in the middle to lift your lumbar spine.
- Lumbar Crown. A strip of foam that stretches across the middle of the bed, further boosting the lumbar region.
- First Innerspring Unit. Individually wrapped coils are stronger in the middle, where you’re likely putting the most pressure on the bed.
- Spinal Wire. Positioned amidst the springs, this wire prevents sagging and helps keep your back properly aligned.
- Second Innerspring Unit. Interconnected coils that permit lots of airflow and should stand up to years of use.
- Foam Rails. Around the edges of the bed, a frame of high-density foam buttresses the sides.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Saatva Classic
I gave this mattress the winning spot in this roundup because it’s an all-around champion when it comes to support, no matter where you’re lying on the bed.
The dual innerspring units lifted my midsection so that my spine felt aligned in all sleeping positions, including on my stomach.
The edge support is likewise phenomenal, perhaps because the sides are bolstered by thick foam (not reinforced springs like we see in most hybrids).
This is a key factor for some couples sharing a king-sized bed—it allows them to spread out without worrying about the edges dipping.
My only concern when it comes to ordering a king-sized Classic is motion isolation. You can feel big movements made by another person from across the bed, so we awarded only 2 out of 5 points in this performance category.
Saatva Classic Mattress Dimensions
| Height | Number of Layers | Product Width | Product Length |
| 14.5″ | 5 | 76″ | 80″ |
Customer Reviews of the Saatva Classic
The Classic has garnered more than 3,000 online reviews on Saatva’s website, and sits at 4.8 out of 5 stars. Negative reviews tend to highlight the fact that it can take a bit of time to get your made-to-order bed delivered. But one-star reviews make up about 1% of the review pool, and most customers love the easy delivery process as well as the mattress’s effectiveness at helping with back pain.
Interested in more details? See our complete review of the Saatva Classic or the best luxury mattresses.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best King-Size Mattress for Combination Sleepers
The Advisor Says: For shoppers on a budget, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is one of the top hybrids we recommend. It’s simultaneously soft and bouncy, with three firmness options and decent cooling power.
The Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid at a Glance
This hybrid comes in three distinct firmness levels, but all three should be exceptionally bouncy due to the spring unit at the base. This is a balanced bed that does the essentials well but lacks flashy bells and whistles.
Nolah Evolution – Best King-Size Mattress for Couples
The Advisor Says: The Nolah Evolution is a team favorite with a highly competitive score spread—our testers gave it at least a 4 out of 5 in every single performance category. It’s definitely a luxury mattress, with the height (and price) to match.
The Nolah Evolution at a Glance
At 15 inches tall, a king-size Nolah Evolution cuts a striking figure in any bedroom. Its opulent construction includes seven total layers, plus an upper gusset that encourages heat to leave the mattress. With all of that material, it’s no surprise that it stands up well to the challenges of partnered sleeping.
What’s Inside the Nolah Evolution?
Listing the materials inside the Nolah Evolution is no easy feat, as this mattress has seven layers (including its top cover) and is 15 inches thick. You can order this mattress in one of three firmness levels: Plush, Luxury Firm, or Firm.
- Layer 1 – Cover. An organic cotton cover with heat-transferring fibers.
- Layer 2 – Pillow Top. A Euro topper quilted with breathable foam and encased by a gusset that further vents unwanted warmth.
- Layer 3 – AirFoamICE™. This graphite-infused foam reputedly beats memory foam at pressure relief, cooling, and standing up to wear and tear.
- Layer 4 – High-Resilience Foam. A firmer foam that supports the softer layer above.
- Layer 5 – Transition Foam. Adds some bounce and responsiveness to the mix.
- Layer 6 – Coil Unit. Three regions that provide specialized amounts of pushback to different parts of the body. Thicker coils around the bed’s perimeter lend the mattress remarkable edge support.
- Layer 7 – Base Layer. A robust foundation made from recycled plant fiber.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Nolah Evolution
This mattress was a universal hit. It earned perfect scores from us in all but two categories—pressure relief (4 out of 5) and motion isolation (4 out of 5). But a 4 is still a high score, and the Evolution appears to be a jack of all trades when it comes to comfort.
Couples in need of a king-size bed should be pleased with the Evolution’s awesome edge support, responsiveness, and cooling. As for its motion isolation, it may not be perfect, but it’s pretty darn close.
One of our senior staff writers owns this bed, and because of it, she says she can finally achieve easy sleep next to her husband, who tends to fidget and flop “like a tilt-a-whirl at a county carnival.”
Nolah Evolution Mattress Dimensions
| Height | Number of Layers | Product Width | Product Length |
| 15″ | 7 | 76″ | 80″ |
Customer Reviews of the Nolah Evolution
The Nolah Evolution has netted an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Nolah’s website across hundreds of customer reviews. Buyers seem to value the brand’s dedicated customer service and the pressure-relieving feel of the bed, though some say it doesn’t run quite as cool as they’d hoped.
Interested in exploring further? Read our full Nolah Evolution mattress overview or our roundup of the best beds for couples.
Helix Dawn – Best Firm King-Size Mattress
The Advisor Says: Helix’s firmest mattress certainly lives up to the hype. We recommend this bed to firm mattress fans (stomach or back sleepers, we’re looking at you) who are looking for a bed that prioritizes support.
The Helix Dawn at a Glance
The spring unit and the proprietary foams in the Helix Dawn give it a firmer feel that’s perfect for people who prefer minimal sinkage. Instead of classic memory foam, this king-size hybrid features Helix Dynamic Foam—a material that emulates the airy feel of latex—as its first foam layer.
Bear Star Hybrid – Best Cooling King-Size Mattress
The Advisor Says: The Bear Star Hybrid touts an enviable medium-firm feel that should appeal to a swath of mattress shoppers, including couples with different preferences looking to “compromise.” We gave this hybrid perfect scores in pressure relief, support, and motion transfer.
The Bear Star Hybrid at a Glance
The Bear Star Hybrid is often marketed to athletes, but its cooling components don’t discriminate—they should help anyone who tends to sleep hot. At the top of this bed is a cover that boasts temperature-regulating HydroCool® technology, and for an extra fee, you can add Celliant® fibers that allegedly transform body heat into infrared energy.
Titan Plus – Best King-Size Mattress for Heavy People
The Advisor Says: Brooklyn Bedding created the Titan Plus to cater to heavier shoppers looking for a bed that truly met their needs, and we believe they’ve delivered. Consider buying the Titan Plus if you’re looking for a comfortably supportive mattress with added benefits like cooling and bounce.
The Titan Plus at a Glance
If you’re a bigger person looking for a king-size mattress, the Titan Plus has you covered! This bed was designed to accommodate plus-size folks who often find themselves dissatisfied with other mattresses. Support is where the Titan Plus prevails, thanks to its industrial coil unit that should have you feeling lifted and aligned on the mattress surface.
What’s Inside the Titan Plus?
The Titan Plus is 11 inches tall. It has 4 internal layers and can accommodate up to 1,000 pounds.
- Layer 1 – Gel Memory Foam (1 inch). This cooling foam layer contours to the body but reforms easily to its original shape.
- Layer 2 – TitanFlex™ Foam (2 inches). A responsive layer of foam that also prevents pressure buildup.
- Layer 3 – Coils (6 inches). Sturdy, individually wrapped coils make up the support unit. There are stronger coils along the edges for added reinforcement.
- Layer 4 – High-Density Foam Base (2 inches). The dense, firm, foam foundation of the bed.
Our Thoughts After Testing the Titan Plus
Our heavyweight tester, Spencer, was a huge fan of this bed.
He felt loads of support accompanied by absolutely no pressure buildup, and even threatened to take the bed home because of how comfortable it felt.
As an average-weight sleeper, I thought the bed felt just a tad firm, and Loren—our most petite tester—agreed, though we couldn’t quibble with how lifted and and supported we felt.
The Titan Plus is another one of those rare hybrids that excels at motion isolation. It surprised us with how well it canceled out movements, and gave it a 4 out of 5 in this category.
A king-sized version of this mattress would work well for plus-sized folks who want to stay cool and spread out (its edge support is nothing to scoff at, either!).
Titan Plus Dimensions
| Height | Number of Layers | Product Width | Product Length |
| 11″ | 4 | 76″ | 80″ |
Customer Reviews of the Titan Plus
Users on Titan by Brooklyn Bedding’s site have given the Titan Plus a 4.7 out of 5 stars. There are over 2,500 reviews where most customers find the Titan Plus mattress to offer exceptional durability and support, but some mention that it might be too firm for those who prefer a softer feel.
Want to learn more? Check out our full Titan Plus review or our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.
Other King-Size Beds We Tested
While these mattresses didn’t make our list, they’re still large and cozy king-sized beds.
Product
Type
Score
Who Should Buy a King Mattress?
- Couples and families. The best part about a king-size mattress is the amount of space you’re getting. Couples who want lots of room to stretch out should enjoy this size, and if you have children, there will probably be room to spare for when they want to rest (or jump) alongside you.
- Pet owners. In the same vein, folks who allow their pets into the bed may want the extra space to ensure that everyone’s comfortable.
- People with large bedrooms. One drawback of a king-size bed is that it can take up a lot of space. If you have a fairly big bedroom, though, a king might be the perfect fit. Sometimes, a queen or full can look too small in larger rooms.
- People who toss and turn. If you find yourself waking up on the opposite side of the bed from where you went to sleep, a king-size mattress may give you the room you need to sprawl and change positions.
- People who want a touch of luxury. Simply put, king-size mattresses look and feel luxurious. If you’re someone who wants their bedroom to be the ultimate restful retreat, a king may be for you.
What to Consider When Shopping for a King-Size Mattress
Mattress Size
Did you know there’s more than one type of king-size bed? Actually, there’s more than five, and they all have different dimensions.
How Big is a King-Size Bed?
A standard king-size mattress is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. This is the most common incarnation of a king-size bed. Its dimensions make it a full 16 inches wider than queen beds, giving you more than a foot of added space from side to side.
King vs. California King
A California king mattress is slightly narrower and longer than a standard king, measuring 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. It’s also known as a Western king, Cali king, or Cal king.
So, why you might buy a California king over a standard king? Certain sleepers — especially tall ones — appreciate the extra length. Its dimensions may also work better with your bedroom setup.
The king vs. California king debate is long and storied, with good arguments on either side.
King vs. Alaskan King
An Alaskan king-size bed is 108 inches by 108 inches — in other words, a 9 foot by 9 foot square! That makes it about 2.6 feet wider and 2.3 feet longer than a regular king. It’s the largest king-size bed available that isn’t custom-made.
These mattresses are much harder to find than regular king-size beds, and much more expensive. But some folks are willing to pay a large sum for all that extra space and luxury.
King vs. Wyoming King
The Wyoming king is a square mattress that measures 84 inches by 84 inches, a whopping 7 feet by 7 feet. It’s 8 inches wider and 4 inches longer than a standard king bed.
King vs. Texas King
A Texas king mattress measures 80 inches wide by 90 inches long (or 6.5 feet by 8 feet). It’s 4 inches wider and 10 inches longer than a regular king.
King vs. Split King
A split king mattress is exactly what it sounds like: a king-size bed that’s been split down the middle into two separate sides. Usually, a split king is just two twin XL mattresses (measuring 38 inches wide by 80 inches long each) placed next to one other.
Split kings are ideal for couples who want to sleep beside one another but have notably different preferences in terms of comfort. For example, maybe you like a soft mattress, but your partner prefers an extremely firm bed. With a split king, you won’t need to compromise.
This setup works optimally with a split adjustable base. Each sleeper gets the feel they want from their bed, and they can manipulate the head and foot on their side independently.
The Different Types of King-Size Beds, Compared
| Type of Mattress | Dimensions (inches) |
| Standard King | 76″ x 80″ |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ |
| Wyoming King | 84″ x 84″ |
| Texas King | 80″ x 98″ |
| Alaskan King | 108″ x 108″ |
| Split King | 30″ x 80″ and 30″ x 80″ |
Type of Mattress
The type of king-size mattress you buy will affect how it feels, how much it costs, and how long it lasts.
Hybrid King Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses have a coil unit at the bottom for support and foam layers at the top for comfort and pressure relief. Because they combine the benefits of all-foam and innerspring beds, we recommend them more often than not.
Memory Foam King Mattresses
Memory foam mattresses excel at pressure relief and motion isolation in particular. They’re also a more affordable option than a hybrid bed. However, they may trap heat, and they typically can’t offer as much support as a mattress with springs.
Latex King Mattresses
Latex mattresses feature latex foam somewhere in their construction, whether it’s as a single comfort layer or the entirety of the bed. Latex foam is temperature-neutral, durable, and great for pressure relief. Natural and organic latex is also eco-friendly. The main downside to this material is its high price point.
Innerspring King Mattresses
Traditional innerspring mattresses have an interconnected coil system at the base, topped by a thin comfort layer. These beds aren’t very common nowadays due to the popularity and enhanced features of hybrid models.
Support
Consistent, even support is essential in a king-size bed. Otherwise, you may end up with a mattress that dips in the middle, causing you and your partner to roll into that indentation at night.
How do we test support?
We lie down on each bed we test and assess how lifted we feel, and whether that support is present throughout the entire mattress. We take special notice of beds with zoned support—these mattresses, such as the WinkBed and Saatva Classic, provide extra lift under areas that need it most, namely the lower back.
A bed receives a high score in support if we feel evenly and thoroughly buyoed across body types and sleeping positions. It will get a low score if we feel that we’re sinking down too much or too unevenly in some areas.
Firmness
The firmness of your king-size mattress affects how comfortable you are and how soundly you sleep. Something overly soft can leave you feeling stuck in the bed, while something too firm can cause soreness around sensitive joints.
Furthermore, the best firmness for a given person can depend on their body type and primary sleeping position.
Body Type
Your weight and body type influence how firm a bed feels to you.
- Petite people (those who weigh less than 130 pounds) tend to prefer softer beds, and are more sensitive to harder surfaces.
- Average-weight people (between 130 and 230 pounds) usually like a medium-firm bed that splits the difference between cushion and support.
- Heavyweight sleepers (who weigh more than 230 pounds) do best on firmer beds, which tend to provide lots of support.
Sleeping Position
There are three main sleeping positions: side, back, and stomach. Some folks rotate through more than one throughout the night, and they’re called combination sleepers.
- Side sleepers typically like a softer bed that relieves pressure from the hips and shoulders.
- Back sleepers, on the other hand, usually enjoy something that can distribute their weight evenly over the surface of the bed. A medium to medium-firm feel works best for these folks.
- Stomach sleepers need a firmer bed. A firm mattress helps to keep their hips elevated and level with their shoulders, whereas an overly soft bed could cause their hips to dip too low.
- Combination sleepers need a bed that suits several sleeping positions, so a versatile medium-firm feel is ideal, along with enough responsiveness to help them move around.
How do we test firmness?
When we test a bed, we assign it a rating on our mattress firmness scale between 1 and 10. The higher the number, the firmer the mattress (1 would be softer than air, 10 would be as hard as cement).
Because we’re people with different body types, we consult with each other and agree on a firmness score that matches everyone’s experience of the bed.
Pressure Relief
Beds that cradle your most sensitive spots can melt away aches and pains to bring restorative sleep. We say that these mattresses are good at pressure relief—they counteract pressure buildup around the places on your body that are bearing the most weight or force.
Pressure relief is important for any mattress, including king-sized ones. Some people like a lot of it, whereas others prefer a bed with less. But a degree of pressure relief is what helps prevent the soreness and stiffness you’d probably wake up with if you slept on a totally rigid surface.
How do we test pressure relief?
We use a pressure map on each bed we try. This map is color-coded to show areas of increased pressure buildup: blue and green mean less pressure, while red and yellow signify more pressure. We have testers of each body type lie on their back and side to get an accurate reading for each position.
Edge Support
Even in a large bed like a king, good edge support is beneficial, particularly to co-sleepers who spread out a lot. It allows couples to use the entire bed without feeling like they’re falling out of it.
Additionally, reinforced edges can help those with mobility issues get in and out of bed more easily. Edges without enhanced support may dip too low and cause slipping.
How do we test edge support?
We test out edge support in two positions: sitting on the edge while tying our shoes, then lying on the edge for about a minute. We make note of how much the edges sink as well as how secure we feel.
Motion Isolation
A king-size bed should give you plenty of room to move around, but if it doesn’t isolate motion well, you may feel every movement from a partner (or child, or pet). A bed with good motion isolation will dampen these movements so that you sleep on, undisturbed.
How do we test motion isolation?
We use a seismograph app to record movement across the mattress surface. The graphs look like a line with a lot of waves; smaller waves or straight lines mean little to no disturbance, while bigger waves mean more noticeable movement.
We’ll also lie side by side and see if we can feel a fellow tester’s movements to corroborate our findings.
Responsiveness
Responsiveness refers to how quickly and energetically a bed’s surface “bounces back” in response to your movements. It’s a helpful feature for combination sleepers, who change positions throughout the night and don’t want to feel stuck in a bed’s layers.
Because a responsive bed facilitates movement and bounce, it’s also the best type of bed for sex.
How do we test for responsiveness?
We bounce a lacrosse ball and a weighted medicine ball on the bed to see how high the objects bounce and how quickly the mattress surface reshapes itself. Of course, we also jump on the bed too!
Cooling
The size of a mattress doesn’t necessarily affect its ability to keep you cool, but if you’re sharing a bed, overheating becomes more likely. Many of the best king-size beds therefore have lots of cooling elements.
Look for foams infused with cooling gels or copper, as well as spring systems that permit extra airflow. Beds like the Bear Star Hybrid and the Nolah Evolution take things a step further with their wealth of temperature-regulating materials.
How do we test cooling?
We use a temperature gun to measure a bed’s cooling capability. First, we’ll take the surface temperature of the mattress (which is usually 74 degrees Fahrenheit at most in our studio).
Then, a tester lies on the bed for five minutes, and we take the temperature again. After another five minutes, we take the temperature a third time to see how much it’s changed (if at all). A bed that keeps its surface temperature within five degrees between these two readings has effective cooling materials.
Best King-Size Beds Price Comparison Chart
| Mattress | Best For | Price (King Size) | Review |
| Helix Midnight | Editor’s Pick | $1,748.80 | Helix Midnight Mattress Review |
| Nectar | Memory Foam | $1,399 | Nectar Mattress Review |
| DreamCloud Premier | Side Sleepers | $2,553 | DreamCloud Premier Mattress Review |
| The WinkBed | Back Pain | $1,999 | WinkBed Mattress Review |
| Saatva Classic | Luxury | $2,595 | Saatva Classic Mattress Review |
| Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid | Combination Sleepers | $1,599 | Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Nolah Evolution | Couples | $2,699 | Nolah Evolution Mattress Review |
| Helix Dawn | Firm | $1,748.80 | Helix Dawn Mattress Review |
| Bear Star Hybrid | Cooling | $2,298 | Bear Star Hybrid Mattress Review |
| Titan Plus | Heavy People | $1,499 | Titan Plus Mattress Review |
King-Size Mattress FAQs
What are the dimensions of a king-size mattress?
A standard king-size mattress is 76 inches in width by 80 inches in length.
What’s the difference between a king and a California king?
A standard king-size mattress is 4 inches wider but also 4 inches shorter than a Californa king. Whereas a king bed is 76” x 80”, a California king is 72” x 84”.
How much does a king-size bed cost?
You can expect to pay at least around $1,500 to $2,000 for a quality king-size bed. However, certain luxury models can cost more than $5,000.
Is a king-size mattress better than a queen-size mattress?
A king-size mattress will be better for you if your bedroom is large enough and you need a lot of room to stretch out at night, especially if you share the bed with a partner, children, or pets.
A queen-size mattress is better if you’re trying to fit it in a smaller room, and you don’t mind snuggling up with any co-sleepers a bit more. It will also be somewhat more affordable than the larger model.
Both sizes have their pros and cons, but the decision ultimately comes down to the size of your bedroom, your budget, and your personal preferences.
Julia Forbes
Lead Product Tester
About Author
Julia is the Lead Reviewer at Sleep Advisor, specializing in testing out mattresses and sleep accessories – she’s in the right line of work, because she loves to sleep.
Stomach Sleeper