It's easy to see the appeal of the best king size mattresses. At 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, a king mattress is the largest standard mattress size and its extra room is ideal for bed-sharing couples, co-sleeping families and solo sleepers who love to stretch right out.
We've tested the best mattresses of 2026 and all are available in a king size. Our team of expert testers have whittled this down to the 7 best king beds on the market today, for all sleep needs and budgets.
King size mattresses tend to be more expensive than other beds due to their bigger size. However, with the 4th of July mattress sales around the corner, you've picked an excellent time to buy. We're already seeing deep discounts on some of our favorite beds, including the premium-priced Saatva Classic, our top pick overall. However, we've selected plenty of top-rated options on the lower end of the price spectrum, too. Let's take a look...
Update for June 2026: After analysing the test data, we have added the Nectar Premier as the best king size memory foam option, the Helix Midnight Luxe at the best option for side sleepers, the Plank Firm as the best firm option, the Saatva Zenhaven as the best organic king size mattress and the EGOHOME as the best king size option for under $500.
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, receiving a perfect 5/5 in our recent retest.
It's available in three firmness levels — plush soft (3), luxury firm (5-7). or firm (8) — plus two height profiles (11.5 or 14.5 inches). Which means this innerspring hybrid can be tailored to suit nearly any type of sleeper.
Inside, 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.
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.
Edge support is sturdy, so you can comfortably use every inch of the mattress. Motion isolation is excellent, especially for a spring-based bed. You'll be even less inclined to feel movement on such a large surface, but a split king option is available if you'd rather have some space between you and a fidgety partner.
With a maximum weight limit of 600lbs, the Saatva Classic can accommodate slightly above the average capacity of a mattress (500lbs). Larger bed-sharers should look at the WinkBed Plus further down the list; it can support up to 900lbs.
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.
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 value hybrid mattress
If the premium Saatva Classic is beyond your budget, the DreamCloud is a sound alternative. This 12" hybrid mattress combines individually-wrapped innersprings with multiple types of foam and a cozy top cover.
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. Unsurprisingly, it's also featured on our best mattress for couples list.
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 or Saatva Classic for their tremendous edge support.)
We're going to be testing an updated version of the DreamCloud Hybrid (albeit in a smaller size than king) in the coming weeks and will update our testing notes accordingly.
This luxury hybrid costs less than $800 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. It ships free in a box for you to unravel and set up. (White glove delivery is no longer an option.)
- Read more: DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress review
Best memory foam king size mattress
The Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress is the best memory foam mattress we've tested, offering sumptuous pressure relief for side and back sleepers (you'll need something firmer for stomach sleeping, like the Plank at #5.)
It's 13" tall and made up of five layers, including a breathable cover. The foams are CertiPUR-US certified and the materials are fiberglass-free, so you know you're not sleeping on any unwanted nasties.
During testing, we gave the Premier a rating of 3.5 out of 5 for temperature regulation. The cover feels cool to the touch and the foams sleep temperature neutral, which means you're unlikely to overheat (which you're more prone to do on memory foam mattresses.)
As memory foam is a slow moving material, it's highly effective at isolating motion. That's excellent news for restless bed-sharers, who are prone to feeling every toss and turn as they shift positions.
As well as excellent motion isolation, the Premier also offers excellent edge support. That means you can sleep right up to the bed's edge without feeling it dipping or collapsing beneath you. It's important to note that the Premier has a maximum weight capacity of 650lbs. If you exceed that, we'd recommend the Plank instead at #5 with its 950lb capacity.
A king is usually priced at $1,099 in the Nectar mattress sales, with ultra rare price drops occasionally taking it to under $1,000. The benefits are good, too — it comes with a 365 night sleep trial, lifetime warranty and free and fast shipping.
- Read more: Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress review
Best king size mattress for side sleepers
The Helix Midnight Luxe offers unapparelled support for those who sleep on their sides, providing blissful support along the shoulders, hips and knees. However, it's also superbly comfortable for back sleepers, too.
Our sleep editor Nicola describes the Luxe as the best bed she's tested, praising it for its strong motion isolation, support around the edge and effective temperature regulation for most people. However, there is now two cooling upgrades available for very hot sleepers.
As well as being the best mattress for side sleepers, we rate it highly for its back pain relief. Zoned lumbar support and a plush pillow top help support the spine, while relieving pressure and tension in that area.
We should point out that the plush pillow top layer can make it ever so slightly laborious to shift positions on. If you're someone who likes to move freely and easily throughout the night, we'd suggest the Saatva at #1, thanks to its responsive sleep feel.
Regular Helix mattress sales take a king size Luxe down to $2,339, with discounts typically ranging from 20-27%. The latter deals are reserved for major holidays, such as Labor Day and Black Friday. The Luxe comes with a 120 night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty.
- Read more: Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review
Best firm king size mattress
The Plank Firm is the best firm mattress we've tested and while that won't sound appealing to everyone, hard mattress fans will love its unyielding feel. We recommend it to back and stomach sleepers who wants a bed that holds their spine in reassuringly healthy alignment.
It's an all-foam bed that boasts a dual-firm design, with one side firmer than the other. Godsend or gimmick? That's for you to decide. But if you do find yourself wishing it was slightly or firmer, you do have the option to flip it (however much of a faff that is with no handles.)
As you'd expect from a firm mattress, the sides are reassuringly solid. Our lead tester Ruth described sitting on the edge as feeling as though she were sitting in a chair. Again, as a memory foam, it isolates motion incredibly well (that's good news for couples.)
However, we did find that it's prone to trapping heat, so we'd recommend the Saatva Zenhaven below at #6 instead for its firm feel and naturally cooling materials. The Saatva is an ultra premium buy at an eye-watering $4,000 for a king, however. For a firm all-foam which won't hold onto heat (or break the bank), we recommend the Siena Signature Memory Foam mattress.
A king Plank Firm usually sells for $1,149 after regular 25-30% mattress sales, which is excellent value for money. Shopping during major mattress sales, like 4th of July or Memorial Day, will unlock the deeper discounts.
If you're looking for a mattress with more of a typical memory foam 'hug', then opt for the Nectar Premier at #3. But if you want one step down from, well, a plank of wood, this is the mattress for you.
- Read more: Plank Firm mattress review
Best organic king size mattress
Like the Plank above, the Saatva Zenhaven is a dual-sided flippable mattress. However, unlike the Plank, the Zenhaven is crafted from sustainable, natural materials like New Zealand organic wool and organic cotton, which is why our top organic mattress recommendation.
The Zenhaven is a 10" latex mattress, which makes it naturally cooling, durable and hypoallergenic. So it's a great option for hot sleepers and those with allergies. Our lead tester slept on it during a warm spring and didn't find herself reaching for the air con.
One side is classified by Saatva as 'luxury plush' but we found it to be slightly firmer than advertised (more like medium-firm), while the other side is gentle firm. Both sides are great options for back and stomach sleepers, depending on your body type and tension preference.
Due to the dual-firmness, we recommend the Zenhaven to all sleepers. We found the gentle firm offered the better motion isolation out of the two sides and it's also the side we would recommend to back and stomach sleepers (side sleepers will fare better on the luxury plush.)
Let's talk about price. The Zenhaven is the second priciest mattress in Saatva's luxurious line up, second only to the Solaire, the brand's smart mattress. You'll pay in the region of $4,000 for a king size Zenhaven, depending on Saatva mattress sales. The best time to buy it is during the rare 15% off sales, when you could save up to $650.
Granted, it's still incredibly expensive. However, latex mattresses are incredibly durable so you could still be sleeping on this bed in 20 years time. As with all Saatva mattresses, the Zenhaven comes with a 365 night sleep trial, free White Glove delivery and a lifetime warranty.
- Read more: Saatva Zenhaven mattress review
Best cheap king size mattress under $500
You might not be as familiar with the name EGOHOME as you are with the other brands in this guide, but it's quickly establishing itself as a mattress brand that offers excellent blend of comfort and value for money.
We've tested both the hybrid and the memory foam version of the 12" mattress and found it to offer the sink-in support synonymous with all-foam beds. We recommend the EGOHOME to both side and back sleepers, with our lighter than average weight lead tester praising it for its contouring support along the shoulders, hips and knees.
Edge support is reliable and motion isolation is great, so it's a good option for couples. However, despite its supposedly cooling copper-infused foams, it can feel a little stuffy, especially during the warmer months. If you're not a particularly hot sleeper than this could be offset with cooling bedding.
However, those who sleep very warm should consider a breathable hybrid mattress instead, like the DreamCloud at #2. If you are set on an all-foam, we rated the Nectar at #3 better for temperature regulation.
When taking into account build quality and comfort vs price, the EGOHOME is exceptional value for money, usually scraping in at under $500 for a king during sales. You can buy direct from the brand but you can usually pick up a better deal when buying from Amazon.
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, Nectar, 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 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.
Our mattress methodology goes into more detail about our rigorous testing methods.
Best king size mattress: FAQs
How to choose the best king size mattress
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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.
Here's what else you should consider when buying a king mattress:
- Firmness: 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.
- Sleep position: Side sleepers tend to go for cushier beds, while stomach sleepers usually prefer a flat, firm surface. Back sleepers generally go for medium-firm to firm.
- Your sleep issues: Overheat at night? A cooling mattress may be your best bet. Deal with lower back pain? Try a bed with targeted lumbar support. Prone to snoring? Seek a mattress that works well with an adjustable base.
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.
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-size. 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 Memorial Day sales in a few weeks, 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 during big holiday events.
