Why You Can Trust CNET Best King-Size Mattress for 2024
To help you find your ideal match, we tested the best king-sized mattresses and evaluated them based on budget, construction and who they’re best for.
- Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach
Like other beds, the best king-size mattresses offer both support and comfort. What’s different about them is that they give you an extra 16 inches of bed to stretch out. King mattresses are an excellent choice for people who like their space at night or who have a few furry friends they need to make room for.
Every brand will have a king option, which means you’ve got a lot to sort through. My team and I have tested more than 200 mattresses, more than the average person will experience in a lifetime. The best king-size mattresses below were chosen because of their accommodating features (especially for couples), fair prices, quality constructions and other attributes. Whether you're looking to upgrade to a king bed, or you need to swap out your current mattress for something more modern, our list of the best king-size mattress models likely has a good match for you.
What is the best king mattress overall?
The best king-size mattress overall should check several boxes. It should be accommodating for a wide range of sleeping positions and body types, and have solid edge support and motion isolation for couples who share a bed. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress fits the bill to a tee. Plus, it offers a really good value.
Video: Best king mattress for 2024
Watch CNET Video Producer Owen Poole review the best king mattresses for 2024.
Read more: Best California King Mattresses for 2024
Best king size mattresses of 2024
Mattress price scale:
$ = Budget: $799 and below
$$ = Average: $800 to $1,699
$$$ = Premium: $1,700 and up
These reflect MSRP or list prices. Sales might make a mattress less expensive, but are always changing.
Like
- Suits all sleeping positions because of its three firmness options
- Hybrid construction suits all body types
- Great bang for your buck
Don't like
- You'll have to spend an extra $300 if you wanted the optional pillow top
Why we picked the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress:
Kicking off our best king-size mattress review is the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress. It fits the bill for your average sleeper looking for a quality king bed that won't cost too much.
More on Brooklyn Bedding signature:
What really impressed me about this one is that although this is a high-quality hybrid mattress, it costs less than the foam Casper. That's pretty uncommon since hybrid beds are typically more expensive than all-foam ones, so they offer exceptional value.
It's offered in three different firmness levels, giving you the option to cater exactly to your primary sleeping position. It's suitable for all sleepers from back, stomach, side and combination. I really liked the firm option because it sat around a medium-firm, and I'm a stomach sleeper who needs that additional support. Side sleepers may want to consider the medium or soft model instead for more plushness.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature also has a hybrid construction containing almost 1,000 pocketed coils, making it durable and supportive enough for any body type from petite to heavy. As a plus for couples looking for the best king-size mattress, the outer perimeter of the coils is designed to be extra supportive and strong for enhanced edge support. If you're looking for a quality king bed at a very reasonable price, this is a great pick.
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid
Like
- Good for combination, back and stomach sleepers
- Strong memory foam feel for people who like hugging, contouring memory foam
Don't like
- Might not be supportive enough for sleepers over 230 pounds
Why we picked the Nectar Premier mattress:
It's the best king-size bed for people who want the traditional memory foam feel you can find in a Tempur-Pedic mattress at a more wallet-friendly price. It has a thick memory foam construction, giving it a relieving and slow-responding memory foam feel. It takes a few seconds for your body to activate the foam, but once it does, the memory foam slowly contours around your curves and nestles you into the bed.
More on Nectar Premier:
The Nectar Premier mattress is the replacement for the mattress company's upper-level model called Nectar Lush. Inside the bed's gel memory foam comfort layer is a phase-change material that helps keep your temperature neutral, unlike old memory foam beds that are notorious for retaining heat. For even more cooling abilities, you can also take a look at the Nectar Premier Copper model.
I think Nectar Premier falls around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making this king mattress suitable for most sleeping positions, especially back or stomach sleepers. If you're a side sleeper under 150 pounds, it might not be soft enough for what you need. The memory foam nature of this mattress will also give some resistance to combination sleepers who switch positions during the night. Read more in our full Nectar Premier mattress review.
Editor's note: The US Product Safety Commission recently issued a recall for Nectar Premier king- and queen-size mattresses manufactured on Sept. 24, 2021. Look for a model number CHILL and Prototype ID:ECS2003RHCH on a tag on the bottom of your mattress to find out if yours has been recalled. We have reached out to Nectar for comment and will update the story if they respond.
Nectar Premier
Like
- Accommodates all sleeping positions and body types
- Great price for the quality
- Cloud-like pillow top
Don't like
- Not a true budget option
- Not for people who want a memory foam feel
Why we picked the WinkBed mattress:
WinkBed is an affordable luxury mattress that’s widely accommodating. The steel coils and fluffy pillow top make the WinkBed mattress a standout choice if you’re looking for a supportive and durable bed.
More on WinkBed:
The WinkBed mattress is available in different firmness levels, which I always like to see, especially for couples trying to find a bed that works for both of them. The Firm model of WinkBed is our pick for the best king-size firm mattress because of how supportive it is while still being extremely comfortable.
You can think of the WinkBed mattress as a classic innerspring-style bed with modern upgrades. The light and airy pillow top is seriously comfortable. It’s also easy to move around on. If you’re a pillow top lover, I cannot recommend the WinkBed mattress enough.
The WinkBed king mattress retails for around $1,799. While that’s still a lot of money, the quality of this bed makes it a great deal. Especially considering how often WinkBed runs sales, you can often get around $300 off.
Read our WinkBed mattress review for more.
WinkBed Mattress
Like
- Medium firmness level accommodates all sleeping positions
- Zoned construction isn't often found in foam mattresses
Don't like
- Its all-foam construction may not accommodate sleepers over 230 pounds
Why we picked the Casper Original mattress:
For the best king-size mattress that skips the hoopla and offers affordable value, the Casper Original is a great entry-level option and could also be considered the best king-size foam mattress. It's incredibly accommodating, comfortable and arguably the most popular bed-in-a-box mattress on the market.
More on Casper Original:
It has a simple three-layer construction that boasts a zoned support design, meaning it's firmer under your back where you need additional support, and pressure-relieving under your shoulders and trunk where your body needs pressure relief.
It's not slow-responding like memory foam mattresses are. Instead, this bed responds quickly to pressure and I'd describe it as a basic, neutral feel; like standard foam you might pull out from the cushions of your favorite comfy couch. The firmness level is also really accommodating, I'd rate it around a medium or 5 or 6 on the firmness scale. This makes it ideal for any sleeping position, from back, side or stomach, to combination sleepers.
The one downside about this bed is that it's probably not ideal for people over 230 pounds, but there are plenty of Casper hybrid mattresses that offer support, durability and the same signature Casper feel. There's a reason why it's so popular; after laying on it, most people agree that it's a comfy bed.
Casper Original
Like
- One of the most affordable hybrid beds on the market
- Suits back, stomach and combination sleepers
- Accommodating for all body types
Don't like
- A little too firm for side sleepers
Why we picked the Allswell mattress:
You may not be familiar with Allswell, but you're likely familiar with its parent company Walmart. As its entrance to the bed-in-a-box game, Walmart introduced the affordable Allswell mattress. The Allswell mattress is a good hybrid mattress for the price of a low-budget foam mattress, giving it a well-deserved spot on this best king bed list.
More on Allswell:
Inside is a simple construction with a foam base layer, a 6-inch thick pocketed coil system and a poly foam top layer. It is quick to respond to pressure and you sit more on top of the bed than you do inside. If you're a combination sleeper, this is music to your ears because it doesn't give resistance like memory foam does when you switch positions. Also, thanks to its hybrid construction, it's suitable for all body types. That said, it's a tad on the firm side and best for back, stomach and combo sleepers.
In short, the Allswell mattress is a generally accommodating mattress that sells for a great price. You'll be hard-pressed to find a quality king mattress that's as wallet-friendly. Read more in our Allswell mattress review.
Allswell
Like
- Zoned Support system for back pain
- Great motion isolation and edge support
- Good for most sleeping positions
Don't like
- Expensive
- People under 150 pounds may not need the added support
Why we picked the Casper Wave Hybrid mattress:
People with back pain need a mattress designed to ease symptoms, not contribute to them. The Casper Wave hybrid mattress uses pocketed coils and layers of zoned foams to ensure back pain sufferers sleep comfortably.
More on Casper Wave:
The Casper Wave hybrid mattress has a medium firmness level and a neutral foam feel that most people will like. What makes it the best king-sized mattress for back pain is what’s going on under the hood. In addition to the thick layer of pocked coils, it has a Zoned Support Max system of transition foam and a Zoned Support Max layer of memory foam.
The Zoned Support Max layer of memory foam is divided into three sections across the bed’s surface. It’s firmest in the middle across the back and softer at the head and foot of the bed. While you might not immediately notice the Zoned Support system when you lie down on it, it likely will help with chronic back pain.
The Casper Wave Hybrid mattress is a premium bed, which means it’s not cheap. You probably won’t find this bed under $2,000, even with discounts. If you live with chronic back pain and need the support and durability of a hybrid bed, it’s worth the money.
Read our Casper Wave Hybrid review for more.
Casper Wave Hybrid
Like
- Flippable design allows for two firmness levels in one bed
- Great pick for side sleepers who want a plush, light and airy feel
- Is suitable for all body types
Don't like
- Heavy back and stomach sleepers will likely think it's too soft
Why we picked the Layla Hybrid mattress:
In a sea of bed-in-a-box mattresses, brands have to add a little sauce to their designs to make them stand out. The Layla Hybrid is unlike most other hybrid mattresses because it comes with a two-in-one deal. What I mean is that it's flippable, and you can sleep on each side of the mattress comfortably.
More on Layla Hybrid:
The memory foam inside the Layla Hybrid is quite pleasant. It's more light and airy than the typical dense, hugging memory foam I'm used to. It feels like you're laying on a big fluffy pillow that supports your back.
The soft side is perfect for side sleepers who want an ultralight yet plush feel. I rate it around a medium-soft or a 3 out of 10 on the firmness scale. On the flip side, the firm profile of Layla isn't a true firm. It's more like a medium to medium-firm or a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This makes it a good choice for most sleeping positions, but I also think it's a good pick for heavy side-sleepers who want a soft feel with extra support.
In the center of the Layla Hybrid is a system of strong pocketed coils that act as the support layer. The edges of the coils have an even stronger, dual-coil design to make the perimeter of the mattress more supportive. The comfort layers of the soft side are made of two thick foam slabs including copper-infused memory foam to help regulate temperature. The firm side is made with the same materials, but firmer and thinner so you get a more supportive feel.
Layla Hybrid
Other mattresses we've tested
Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Many mattresses make embellished claims about their cooling abilities, but the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe actually works. With multiple cooling enforcements including cooling foam, Titan Cool technology and a cooling cover. With three firmness levels to choose from and a strong hybrid construction, it's a versatile mattress that works for any sleeping position and body type.
Purple mattress: There aren't many mattresses out there like the Purple. It's made with a special gel-like material the brand calls its GelFlex Grid. It's squishy and firm at the same time, offering a nice balance of support and pressure relief. It has a medium firmness level that suits all sleeping positions.
How we test king size mattresses
CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
Testing a king mattress is similar to how we test most of our mattresses, and we pay attention to a handful of important factors.
- Firmness: The measure of how firm or soft a mattress feels is an important factor in deciding if a bed is suitable for you or not. Firmness, a lot of the time, indicates how pressure-relieving or supportive a mattress feels. Side sleepers usually like a softer mattress because it offers more give, and thus, more pressure relief around the hips and shoulder areas. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, tend to sleep better on firm beds that keep the spine properly supported. We test firmness by using our judgment and deliberating amongst team members. It's easier to test firmness when you have 100 different mattresses to compare it to.
- Construction and features: We take a close look at the construction of a mattress, which is a good tell on how it feels and how supportive it is for certain body types. We also consider any extra or special feature a mattress might have to stand out from the rest of the competition. Is it cooling? Does it have a special cover made with Celliant fabric or cashmere? Does it have an extra durable construction? We take all of this into consideration when testing mattresses and delegating best list picks.
- Performance: This refers to motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support abilities. How well does a mattress perform when we put it to the test? We test motion isolation by having couples judge how it sleeps, or placing a glass of water at the end of the bed to see how much it shakes when we move. Edge support is tested by laying on the sides, bouncing and checking how sturdy it feels. Personal experience is also how we test temperature, with the help of a thermometer gun.
- Feel: Feel is a separate topic from firmness. This refers to how a mattress' materials are perceived. Is it dense and morphy like memory foam, neutral and soft like neutral foam, or supple and bouncy like latex foam? We like to describe the feel as best we can since you're unable to feel it through your computer screen.
Read more on how we test mattresses.
What to look for in a king mattress
When looking for the best mattress, you should take in some key considerations. You should follow the same guidelines when looking for a king-size bed, with a few key considerations.
- Hybrid vs. foam: The more you weigh, the more supportive your mattress should be. Hybrid beds are best for all body types, including those over 230 pounds, while foam beds are most ideal for people under 230 pounds.
- Firmness is a key indicator of how accommodating a bed will be. One of the first things to think about while looking for the best king mattress is firmness. Are you a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper? Side sleepers typically need softer mattresses, while back and stomach sleepers benefit from a firmer mattress because having a firm bed will help support the spine, decreasing back pain. Medium beds right in the middle are perfect for combination sleepers.
- Key features like cooling tech, edge support reinforcements and Celliant covers can help you decide if a bed fits your lifestyle and circumstances. Strong edge support is great for couples who share a mattress, while beds with Celliant covers are perfect for people with active lifestyles.
- Price matters when looking for a king bed. The bigger the bed the more expensive it is. King beds are often more than $1,000, but there are budget options like Allswell to consider if you're looking for maximum savings.
Check out our size guide to compare mattress sizes. If you're looking to upgrade your whole sleep setup, we have suggestions for sheets, pillows and other sleep essentials.
Who is a king mattress best for?
Not everyone needs a king-size bed, but it is mighty convenient and comfortable during these situations:
- Couples who want more space than a queen size offers
- Taller people who don't want to feel cramped (queen beds are about 6.6 feet long)
- Sleepers who share a bed with their kids (king beds are wider than California king beds)
King and California king mattresses are the most popular of the king variety, but a host of beds are technically classified as king. Here's an overview of the different types of king beds if you're looking for something a little different.
King-size mattress types
King mattress dimensions
| Type | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Standard king (aka Eastern king) | 76 by 80 inches |
| California king | 72 by 84 inches |
| Split king | Two twin beds (36 by 80 inches) |
| Split California king | Two twin XL beds (36 by 84 inches) |
| Alaskan king | 108 by 108 inches |
| Wyoming king | 84 by 84 inches |
| Texas king | 80 by 98 inches |
King-size mattress FAQs
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