1. Quick list
2. Best overall
3. Best for couples
4. Best budget foam
5. Best for heavy people
6. Best organic
7. Best under $500
8. Expert advice
The best king size mattress can offer you a huge amount of sleep space — measuring at 76x80 inches — and its roominess means it's a great size for couples. However, it can be difficult to search for the best king size mattress, especially when you need to take budget, sleep position, body type, and support and comfort preferences into consideration when deciding if a certain king size bed is the best mattress for you.
That’s why our team of sleep product experts have rigorously tested a wide range of king size beds to collate a concise, narrowed-down list of the very best king size mattresses of the year. In addition to our in-house test data, we have also drawn on a wider testing panel and trawled through hundreds of verified consumer reviews.
Our top pick for the best king size mattress is the Saatva Classic, a luxurious innerspring hybrid with customisable firmness options. Plus, we've included the best budget-friendly options, with prices starting from less than $500. Memorial Day is also fast approaching, so our best king size mattress picks are set to be even cheaper thanks to the upcoming Memorial Day mattress sales in May. Here are our recommendations for this year’s top-rated king size mattresses, as tested by our team of experts…
Best king size mattress: Quick list
Saatva's handmade king size hybrid mattress delivers hotel luxury straight to your bedroom, and comes in two heights and three mattress firmness levels to better suit your body and sleep style.
The king size DreamCloud hybrid is ideal for couples as it isolates motion well, so you shouldn't disturb one another in bed. While it's an affordable rival to Saatva, it only comes in one level of firmness.
Read more below
The Nectar is a great value memory foam mattress with a firmer feel than you'd expect from an all-foam bed. It's the best choice for people who want the hug of memory foam but without sinking too far down into the mattress, and a king size Nectar Memory Foam costs just $899 (was $1,399).
The enhanced lumbar support inside The WinkBed makes it a good choice for people experiencing back pain that worsens when lying down. It comes in four different firmness levels too, including for heavier bodies. The cost of a king size is cheaper than the Saatva Classic, at $1,699 (was $1,999) on sale, making it a more affordable way to get a bed similar to a Saatva.
If you want a mattress stuffed with certified organic mattress, this is the one. The Avocado Green Mattress packs in 1,459 coils for full body support and pressure relief, and you can upgrade it to a plush-top model for extra sink-in comfort. A king size Avocado Green Mattress costs $1,999 when not on sale, which is an excellent price for a certified organic bed.
A cousin to the Nectar Mattress further up this guide, the Siena Memory Foam Mattress is another good cheap king size mattress and one we'd highly recommend for occasional use in your guest room. The Siena is the cheapest king size mattress in this guide, priced at $499 (was $999).
The best king size mattresses, tested by experts
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Our team has tested a wide range of king size mattresses to find this year's top rated models. Not all of the mattresses we have reviewed have made it into this guide, so the following picks are our top recommendations based on in-house testing and thorough consumer research.
Best king size mattress overall
The Saatva Classic tops our list as the best king size mattress for most people and is also our highest-rated bed overall. This innerspring hybrid is available in three firmness levels – plush soft (3), luxury firm (5-7). or firm (8) – and two height profiles (11.5 or 14.5 inches) so it can be tailored to suit nearly any type of sleeper. (The WinkBed at #4 on our list comes in four firmness levels but only a 13.5-inch height.) Inside the Saatva Classic, you'll find a dual layer of coils and a foam encasement along the perimeter for stable edges. The middle third features a thin memory foam layer coupled with a higher concentration of 14.5-gauge recycled steel coils for targeted lumbar support. Everything is capped by a luxe 3-inch Euro pillow top.
What it's like to sleep on: review notes
This design yields a cool, responsive sleep surface that keeps everything well-aligned. Although it lacks the sink-in comfort of an all-foam bed, we felt the queen luxury firm Saatva Classic mattress we tested delivered outstanding pressure relief.
Price, trial and warranty
Frequent Saatva mattress sales mean you'll hardly ever pay the MSRP, but even after discounts this mattress often remains in the premium price bracket. However, keep in mind that each Saatva Classic mattress is handmade to order in the USA and comes with a one-year trial, a lifetime warranty, and free in-room delivery with optional mattress removal. With this bonafide all-rounder, you certainly get what you pay for.
- Read more: Saatva Classic mattress review
Best king size mattress for couples
If the premium Saatva Classic is beyond your budget, the DreamCloud is a sound alternative. The lofty, 14-inch DreamCloud is a seven-layer hybrid mattress consisting of individually-wrapped innersprings and multiple types of foam.
What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Our hands-on experience with a twin DreamCloud mattress revealed impeccable pressure relief and robust support, particularly for those dealing with joint or back pain. It has a firmer feel that's ideal for back and stomach sleeping; side sleepers and those who are lighter will prefer something softer like the all-foam Nectar at #3 on this list.
The DreamCloud also excels at isolating motion so you and your partner are unlikely to disturb each other with your movements at night. However, we found the edges to be lacking, so be aware if you tend to roll toward the sides while sleeping or sit on the edge to get in and out of bed. (In that case, we recommend the Avocado Green at #5 on this list for its tremendous edge support.)
Price, trial and warranty
This luxury hybrid costs less than $1,000 in a king during DreamCloud mattress sales. It also comes with a one-year trial and a lifetime warranty – but minus the return fees that Saatva charges. White glove delivery is an extra $199; otherwise, the DreamCloud ships free in a box for you to unravel and set up
- Read more: DreamCloud mattress review
Best budget memory foam king size mattress
The 12-inch Nectar mattress has three distinct foam layers, sandwiched by a sturdy foam base and a polyethylene cover that wicks away moisture. Its medium-firm feel will suit most side sleepers, offering the right balance of support and contouring to alleviate pressure on the shoulders, hips, and knees. (If you're a back or stomach sleeper and/or on the heavier side, the DreamCloud or Avocado elsewhere on this list may be a better fit.)
What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Sleep with someone who fidgets or operates on a different schedule than you do? You'll want a king size mattress with superb motion isolation. Memory foam mattresses typically shine in this area – and the Nectar is our favorite among them all. Although we tested a twin model in our Nectar mattress review, it passed our drop tests with flying colors. Nectar customers who share a bed with a partner or kids also praise its ability to dampen nearly any movement.
Price, trial and warranty
Price-wise, the Nectar is among the best values out there, especially for a mid-range mattress. Frequent Nectar mattress sales mean you can bring home a king for well under a grand. Plus, you'll get a full year to trial it at home and a lifetime warranty if you elect to keep it. While it might not have as luxe a feel as some of the other options on our list, the Nectar is still a fantastic choice for couples and families seeking restful, uninterrupted sleep.
- Read more: Nectar mattress review
Best king size mattress for heavy people
For those who struggle with back or joint pain, the WinkBed is an excellent choice to soothe your aches. Similar to the Saatva Classic at the head of this list, the WinkBed offers four levels of firmness, including a specialized Plus version to suit heavier individuals. However, the WinkBed only comes in a standard 13.5-inch profile, unlike Saatva's variable height options.
What it's like to sleep on: review notes
What makes the WinkBed our top mattress for back pain is its targeted support and pressure relief via individually wrapped, zoned coils and a top layer of gel-infused foam. The middle third has a higher concentration of springs along with an enhanced foam layer for proper alignment.
We slept on a queen luxury firm WinkBed and never woke up with any stiffness or discomfort throughout our review period. Couples will also appreciate the WinkBed's excellent motion isolation, but its temperature regulation isn't among the best we've experienced. Hot sleepers will want to explore the Casper Wave Hybrid Snow (below) instead.
Price, trial and warranty
In terms of cost, the WinkBed sits between the premium Saatva Classic and the mid-range DreamCloud. Evergreen WinkBed sales knock $300 off, placing prices in the upper mid-range category. (However, the latex-based WinkBeds Plus is a more expensive, premium model.) A risk-free 120-night trial is included – WinkBeds has waived its $49 returns fee – as is a lifetime warranty for peace of mind.
- Read more: WinkBed mattress review
Best organic king size mattress
If you're in the market for a king bed that's eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and built to last, consider the Avocado Green. This organic mattress excels in all key areas of performance and stands out as one of the most durable beds we've ever tested. Its three-tier construction consists of a Dunlop latex comfort layer, over 1,400 tempered steel coils arranged in five ergonomic zones, and a 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton and wool cover. (A vegan version of this mattress is also available, sans wool.)
What it's like to sleep on: review notes
The queen Avocado Green mattress we slept on for our review won us over with its firm yet bouncy feel – which made its exceptional motion isolation all the more impressive. The natural cooling abilities of Dunlop latex combined with the breathable fibers in the top cover will appeal to hot sleepers seeking relief. Edge support is also top-notch, eliminating any fear of rolling off the bed. The Avocado Green supports up to 700lbs and is among the best mattresses for heavy people, but sleepers on the lighter side might prefer something more plush.
Price, trial and warranty
The Avocado Green's premium cost reflects the quality of its organic materials, but keep an eye out for Avocado mattress sales to keep some cash in your wallet. Shipping is free but since a king Avocado mattress weighs 134lbs, you'll want to call some friends to help you set it up – or opt for in-home setup starting at $249. It also comes with a one-year trial and a 25-year warranty, but you'll have to pay a $99 returns fee if it doesn't work out.
- Read more: Avocado Green mattress review
Best cheap king size mattress under $500
Buying a cheap mattress often means sacrificing quality, but not so with the Siena Memory Foam mattress. At $499 for a king after an evergreen $300 discount, the Siena has a build similar to its mid-range sibling, the Nectar (#3 on this list). This 10-inch mattress features three tiers of foam, a shift-resistant cover at the base, and a top cover woven with moisture-wicking polyethylene fibers.
What it's like to sleep on: review notes
Contrary to Siena's self-assessment as a medium-firm mattress, our twin test model felt much firmer – we rate it a 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale. It doesn't offer the body-hugging sensation you'd get from many other all-foam beds, but we think it's a great choice for back sleepers. It also makes our list of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers. We were pleasantly surprised by the excellent edge support, and though we'd sooner recommend a specialized cooling mattress for chronic overheaters, the Siena holds its own in the temperature regulation department.
Price, trial and warranty
The Siena adds to its excellent value with a 180-night trial, giving you half a year to make up your mind. A 10-year warranty is also included, which is the industry average but still great for a budget mattress. The Siena only hit the market in March 2022, so the verdict is out on how it fares after years of nightly use. However, if you're looking for a budget-friendly king mattress that performs well right out of the box, the Siena is likely to exceed your expectations.
- Read more: Siena Memory Foam mattress review
Meet our king mattress experts
Alison is one of Tom's Guide's most experienced mattress reviewers and has tested every type of mattress you can buy online. She has slept on mattresses from Casper, Necta, Saatva, DreamCloud and others, and has extensive experience at recommending mattresses for different sleep needs and budgets.
Claire is Tom's Guides mattress expert and leads all sleep and mattress coverage on the website. Claire has 15 years' product testing experience under her belt and is also a Certified Sleep Science Coach, so she is best placed to help you understand how a good king size mattress can boost your sleep.
How we test
The Tom's Guide mattress review process is fully editorially independent and not influenced by any third parties. To create honest recommendations, we try out and test every mattress and award a score out of five in five key areas: pressure relief, temperature regulation, support and comfort, edge support, and durability. We also compare our own data to user reviews and other mattresses we’ve tested, so we can give you a panoramic, objective idea of what type of sleeper the bed will suit.
To get a good idea of what a mattress is like to sleep on, our expert mattress testers sleep on each mattress for at least three weeks (roughly how long it takes for a sleeper to adjust to a brand new bed) before sharing their honest, unbiased opinion. We also perform drop tests with weights to collect concrete data in areas such as edge support and motion isolation.
While our mattress methodology goes into more detail about our rigorous testing methods, here are some of our most important processes:
Best king size mattress: FAQs
How to choose the best king size mattress
When choosing the right king size mattress for your needs, you'll need to consider both the available space in your bedroom and who will be sleeping in there – whether it's just yourself, you and a partner, or your family, including kids and/or pets. King beds come in a variety of 'flavors' so it's important to know ahead of time which one you'll need.
Below is a quick rundown of the dimensions of several types of standard and specialty king bed sizes. Just know that if you're buying a specialty king, bedding and accessories will be much harder to come by:
- Standard King: 76 inches wide by 80 inches long
- California King: 72 inches wide by 84 inches long
- Wyoming King: 84 inches wide by 84 inches long
- Texas King: 80 inches wide by 98 inches long
- Alaskan King: 108 inches long by 108 inches wide
Alternatively, you can opt for a split king if you and your partner have dramatically different preferences but don't want to sleep apart. Consisting of two twin XL mattresses, a split king measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long – the same dimensions as a standard king bed. Some brands like Saatva and DreamCloud offer split king versions of their mattresses, usually at the same price as a standard king.
Beyond that, firmness (comfort) is the most important thing to consider when shopping for a king size mattress. Generally speaking, smaller individuals and side sleepers will want a softer mattress, while those with average-to-heavy builds or those who sleep on their backs or fronts will want a firmer option. A medium-firm mattress will suit most average-sized sleepers with no particular sleep needs. Combination sleepers will want to focus on the position they drop into at night.
What other factors should you keep in mind when buying a king matteess? Ample pressure relief is key for side sleepers and those who grapple with aches and pains. Chronically hot sleepers will fare well with a mattress made from breathable materials that won't trap heat. Sturdy edge support is crucial for anyone with mobility issues or people who like to sprawl out in their sleep. Superb motion isolation is a must if you share a bed but don't want to go the split king route.
All of our mattress reviews follow a standard methodology to test all of these features, ensuring we guide you toward a bed that'll offer you a comfortable and restful night's sleep.
Should you buy a king size mattress?
A king size mattress is ideal for solo sleepers who want as much space to sprawl out as possible. It's also good for families sharing a bed with kids or pets, as well as couples who crave a wider surface than a queen provides. Check out our detailed queen vs king mattress explainer if you're torn between these two sizes.
Among specialty king sizes, the California king is the most popular. It's slightly narrower than a standard king at 72 inches wide, but its 84-inch length will offer more comfort for sleepers over six feet.
If your room is narrower or you're taller than six feet, consider a longer California king (72x84 inches). Meanwhile, couples with wildly different sleep preferences may want to go for a split king, which is two twin XL mattresses pushed together to create a king-sized surface.
If you and your partner have different sleep needs or one of you tends to toss and turn at night, a split king could be your best bet for peaceful co-sleeping. Split California king beds are also available, though more rare.
The best time to buy a king mattress is in the upcoming Memorial Day mattress deals, or the Black Friday mattress deals, which often roll over into the Cyber Monday mattress deals and sales.
When is the best time to buy a king mattress?
There are 5 key mattress sale events every year when you can buy a king size mattress for less. The first big sale is the Presidents' Day mattress deals, which occur in February. This is a good time to buy a past-season model or a bed marked as final sale (i.e. really cheap but non-returnable) as mattress brands want to get rid of their old stock after the winter sales.
Next, Memorial Day mattress sales are your last chance to buy a mattress before bed prices increase in the summertime. Some brands, such as Saatva, reserve their big discounts for the Labor Day mattress sales in September, but we view this as a dress rehearsal for the biggest sale event of the year: Black Friday.
The Black Friday mattress deals in November offer a huge amount of savings, with brands unleashing their biggest discounts of the year. Cyber Monday mattress deals (occurring on the Monday after Black Friday) follow behind, but it’s still a good time to buy a bed for less.
What is a reasonable price for a king mattress?
The average cost of a king-size mattress is around $1,500, compared to about $1,200 for a queen. But don't take that as gospel – as our top picks show, prices for king mattresses vary based on the quality of materials, mattress type, and even the brand. Ultimately, you'll want to shop according to your budget.
Fortunately, mattress sales take place all of the time, and with the Memorial Day mattress deals just around the corner, you're likely to score some of the year's best savings if you wait just a little bit longer to buy. In any case, if you have your sights set on a specific king mattress, it's unlikely you'll have to pay the full ticket price, especially in big holiday events such as the Memorial Day mattress sales.
