Best California King Mattress

Written by Lauren Hapgood, Editor

Our Methodology

Our Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed more than 220 mattresses in our lab, testing each one on its materials, comfort, cooling, support, and other categories.
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Just Updated

We’ve recently re-reviewed all of our California king mattress picks and added more feedback from the testers in our lab – so you can rest easy that if it’s on this list, we’ve personally tested it, slept on it, and stand by its recommendation.

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If you’re a tall sleeper, a co-sleeper, or just someone who wants to feel like royalty, you might want to search for the best California king mattress. These beds are significantly bigger than a queen, twin, full, and many other sizes, giving you a truly luxurious sleeping experience. Our team at Sleepopolis tested and analyzed many of the best California king mattresses on the market, and have compiled a list of our favorite 10 beds just for you.

The Helix Midnight gets the top spot on this list because it’s a great option for couples, hot sleepers, and multiple sleeping positions. We think it’s a nice option for folks who want a slightly softer feel but don’t want to sacrifice support.

Sleepopolis senior product editor Bridget Chapman said she really appreciated how responsive the Helix Midnight is, so combination sleepers or folks with mobility issues can move around with ease.

Best California King Mattresses

• Helix Midnight – Best Overall
• Nectar – Best California King Mattress for Joint Pain
• DreamCloud – Best Hybrid California King Mattress
• Titan Plus – Best California King Mattress for Heavy Sleepers
• Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best California King Mattress for Couples
• Nolah Natural – Best Organic California King Mattress
• WinkBed – Best California King Mattress for Back Pain
• Leesa – Best California King Mattress for Back Sleepers
• Bear – Best Foam California King Mattress
• Layla – Best Flippable California King Mattress

Compare the Best California King Mattresses

Helix Midnight – Best Overall

Expert Opinion

We think that the Helix Midnight might be the king of California kings. Part of Helix’s original line of hybrid mattresses (each with a different firmness), it’s a medium-firm bed built with a combination of soft yet responsive foams and a support layer of coils. Its balanced feel should appeal to many different types of sleepers. It also comes at an excellent value: around $1,700 before sales and discounts. 

What our tester says: “I felt really comfortable back and side sleeping on the Helix Midnight. Its cushy foams offered me pressure relief, while its pocketed coils offered support.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Helix Midnight is Best for

• Back sleepers and side sleepers: While side sleepers require a bit more contouring than back sleepers, both of these positions need a mattress with a mixture of comfort and support. The Helix Midnight offers the former trait in its foam and the latter trait in its coils.
• Hot sleepers: The Helix Midnight boasts a Tencel cover that helps with temperature regulation, as well as breathable coils, so you won’t need to worry about body heat.
• Couples: They should be thrilled with the Midnight’s stellar motion isolation. Since the comfort layer traps movement, you shouldn’t wake up to your partner tossing and turning.

Who Should Avoid the Helix Midnight

• Stomach sleepers and heavy sleepers: Both of these types of sleepers usually need more firmness and support than the Helix Midnight has to offer.

Think the Helix Midnight is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Helix Midnight mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses.

Nectar – Best California King Mattress for Joint Pain 

Expert Opinion

If you’re looking for a California king that’s easy on the joints, then we highly recommend the Nectar. When we tested out this all-foam mattress, we felt ourselves slowly sinking into the comfort layers. There’s an especially thick layer of memory foam up top that closely contoured  the pain points on our body, resulting in a lot of pressure relief.

What our tester says: “I think the Nectar is a great value for folks wanting a memory foam feel with a little bit of responsiveness. The foams contoured nicely around my joints and offered great relief.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Nectar is Best for

• Side sleepers: These folks usually need a softer mattress like the Nectar, and should get plenty of contouring and pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.
• Back sleepers: As long as they enjoy a soft bed, back sleepers should be comfortable on the Nectar. They’ll get some soothing pressure relief at the lumbar region, all while still being lifted by the bottom layer of high-density support foam.
• Couples: The Nectar’s foam cuts down on motion transfer, which should appeal to couples, especially if they’re lighter sleepers.  

Who Should Avoid the Nectar

• Those who want a really responsive mattress: Combination sleepers, senior citizens, or anyone looking for ease of movement might feel a little stuck in the comfort layers.

Think the Nectar is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Nectar mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for arthritis.

DreamCloud – Best Hybrid California King Matress

Expert Opinion

For those in need of a California king hybrid — a bed utilizing plush comfort layers and sturdy coils — set your sights on the DreamCloud. This is a luxury hybrid mattress with a feel similar to what you’d find in a high-end hotel: supportive, durable, and springy. When we laid down on the DreamCloud, we found it to be slightly firm and highly responsive. The coils allowed us to move around and easily change positions, while the gel foam in the comfort layer gave us some relaxing pressure relief.

What our tester says: “The DreamCloud felt super luxurious to me. It’s very supportive and offers a plush feel. I really appreciate the high-quality materials used in its construction.” – Sleepopolis senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the DreamCloud is Best for

• Combination sleepers: The DreamCloud should be, well, a dream for these folks since it makes it easy for them to switch positions. Seniors should also appreciate it for this reason. They shouldn’t have any problem getting in and out of bed on the DreamCloud.
• Hot sleepers: The gel infusions assist with cooling, as do the coils, which leave plenty of room for airflow.
• Back sleepers: The coils should help keep their spine neutrally aligned while the foam cushions their lumbar region.

Who Should Avoid the DreamCloud

• Strict side sleepers: If you sleep exclusively on your side, you may want a mattress with more contouring and less firmness.

Think the DreamCloud is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full DreamCloud mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best hybrid mattresses.

Titan Plus – Best California King Mattress for Heavy Sleepers

Expert Opinion

Heavy sleepers, or even big and tall sleepers, should love the extra leg room and space of a California king. And they can get even more support on the Titan Plus, a durable hybrid mattress from Brooklyn Bedding designed with larger sleepers in mind. Its support layer is made of a six-inch section of 961 TitanCaliber encased coils, followed by a thick layer of high-density base foam. We asked a colleague with a larger body type to test out the Titan Plus, and he found that the heavy-duty materials gave him some contouring while also preventing him from sinking into the comfort layers too much.

What our tester says: “The materials under the Titan Plus’ hood are sturdy and durable. You get just the right amount of cozy mobility on top, but the theme here is support. Heavier people with back problems will likely enjoy the lower body alignment the Titan Plus provides.” – Sleepopolis senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Titan Plus is Best for

• Heavy couples: They should love the Titan Plus, as it has low motion transfer and strong edge support. They likely won’t feel each other moving at night, and should be able to spread out and use the entire surface of the mattress.
• Average weight back sleepers and stomach sleepers: Even though the Titan Plus was built for heavy people, back sleepers and stomach sleepers between 150 and 250 pounds should also find it supportive and comfortable.
• Sleepers with back pain: They should be a good match for Titan Plus’ firmness. It’s a good way to give them optimal spinal support.

Who Should Avoid the Titan Plus

• Side sleepers: This is a firm mattress, and even heavy side sleepers will probably need a softer bed with more pressure relief.

Think the Titan Plus is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Titan Plus mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for heavy sleepers.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best California King for Couples

Expert Opinion

California kings are a wonderful size for couples because they provide lots of legroom and easily fit two sleepers. The best mattresses for couples are also cooling, durable, and good at isolating motion. We think the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid checks these boxes. It has a breathable cover and comfort layer, as well as coils for airflow. These coils add to this bed’s durability. Lastly, it performed well on our motion isolation test, where we drop several different steel balls onto the mattress and measure their vibrations. The Signature Hybrid showed little to no movement rippling across its surface, so you and your partner shouldn’t feel each other tossing and turning at night.

What our tester says: “I also like that this mattress offers an ‘on-top-of-the-bed,’ plush feel. I think it’s a great choice for combination sleepers who need a mattress that makes it easy to change positions at night. I’d highly recommend considering the Signature Hybrid if you switch positions frequently throughout the night.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is Best for

• All sleeping positions: The Signature Hybrid comes in three different firmness levels. We think the Soft is the best fit for side sleepers, the Medium is the best fit for back sleepers, and the Firm is the best fit for stomach sleepers.
• Combination sleepers: The springs give the Signature Hybrid a somewhat responsive feel, and should make it easy for combo sleepers to switch positions.
• Hot sleepers: As we said, this mattress excels at cooling. This doesn’t just make it a good bed for couples, but also for hot sleepers.

Who Should Avoid the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

• Sleepers looking for something luxurious: The simple construction may not appeal to those searching for a luxury mattress. If they want a pillow top, cashmere cover, or some other high-end feature, they should look at our page for the best luxury mattresses.

Think the Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for couples.

Nolah Natural – Best Organic California King Mattress

Expert Opinion

When we lay down at night, we don’t always think about what we’re laying on. With the Nolah Natural, you can rest assured that your California king is eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and free of harmful substances. Its organic wool and cotton cover is GOTS certified. All-natural Talalay latex creates a bouncy yet pressure-relieving comfort layer. And at the bottom, the coils are made from recycled steel.

What our tester says: “I really like this bed for back and side sleepers, or combination sleepers who sleep between the two positions. They should be able to easily move around and feel comfortable.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Nolah Natural is Best for

• Back sleepers and side sleepers: The latex foam provides pressure relief, and is also supportive enough to keep the spine neutrally aligned for these folks.
• Hot sleepers: The Talalay latex is a naturally cooling material to begin with, but the Nolah Natural features ventilated latex. This, combined with coils for airflow, makes it a good option for hot sleepers.
• Sleepers with back pain: It’s a solid choice for back pain since the comfort layers cushion the hips and lower back without sacrificing support.

Who Should Avoid the Nolah Natural

• Stomach sleepers: They’ll probably want a bed that has more firmness and support than what they’ll find here.

Think the Nolah Natural is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Nolah Natural mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best organic mattresses.

WinkBed – Best California King for Back Pain 

Expert Opinion

The best California king for back pain needs to have a balance of comfort and support. That way, the hips and lumbar region are cushioned and elevated at the same time. This promotes good spinal alignment. We think the WinkBed does a fantastic job at this, as it has an extra-tall layer of coils that offer a ton of support. When we tested it out, we felt elevated and neutrally aligned. We also rolled a pressure map across the bed, which shows us how much pressure the mattress puts on certain areas of the body. The graphics showed us little to no pressure at the lumbar region — further proof that this is an excellent mattress for anyone dealing with back pain.

What our tester says: “If you like the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress, the WinkBed could work for you. It has a traditional, supportive feel. I’d also recommend it to folks who suffer from lower back pain.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the WinkBed is Best for

• All sleeping positions: The WinkBed comes in several different firmnesses (Softer, Luxury Firm, Firmer), allowing it to cater to a wide variety of sleepers. We recommend the Softer for side sleepers, Luxury Firm for back sleepers, and Firmer for stomach sleepers.
• Heavy sleepers: If you have a larger body type and are over 250 pounds, you should check out the WinkBed Plus — the brand’s model made just for heavy sleepers. Just know that it’s a bit more expensive than the other models.
• Hot sleepers: A Tencel cover, gel-infused foams, and breathable coils make this bed wonderful for hot sleepers.

Who Should Avoid the WinkBed

• Fans of memory foam: The WinkBed has a traditional innerspring feel that places you more on top of the mattress than in it. So if you love the soft and slow sinkage of memory foam, it probably isn’t for you.

Think the WinkBed is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full WinkBed mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for back pain.

Leesa – Best California King for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

The Leesa should be a natural choice for any back-sleeping fans of the California king. When lying down on it, we felt pressure relief on the lumbar region and support at the hips. This tells us that it should do a nice job keeping the spine neutrally aligned — no small feat for an all-foam mattress. We were surprised at how bouncy, responsive, and supportive it was. 

What our tester says: “If you like an all-foam bed with some bounce, this is a great option. It’s unusual for all-foam beds to be as responsive as the Leesa. You should be able to have some nice sinkage but also be able to move around on it easily.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Leesa is Best for

• Some couples: The Leesa does have fairly high motion transfer, but as long as you and your partner aren’t light sleepers, you should appreciate the mattress’ cooling capabilities (its breathable foams help it keep a low temperature) and responsiveness, the latter of which makes the bed good for sex.
• Combination sleepers: The mattress’ responsiveness makes for easy mobility, which combo sleepers need.
• Seniors: Likewise, older people need a mattress that makes it easy to get in and out of bed. They’ll find this in the Leesa.

Who Should Avoid the Leesa

• Stomach sleepers: These folks usually aren’t too comfortable on an all-foam mattress and probably won’t get the support they need on the Leesa.

Think the Leesa is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Leesa mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best mattresses for back sleepers.

Bear – Best California King Foam Mattress

Expert Opinion

Foam mattresses get a bad reputation for trapping heat and for sagging prematurely. This shouldn’t be a problem for the Bear, a stellar all-foam California king. We found its Celliant cover to be cool to the touch as soon as we laid down, plus the memory foam of the comfort layer is infused with graphite cooling gel. And with high-density support foam at the bottom of the mattress, you can expect this bed to last you longer in comparison to other all-foam beds.

What our tester says: “I really appreciate the firm and responsive feel of the Bear mattress. Its combination of support and pressure relief makes it a great option for back sleepers struggling with back pain.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Bear is Best for

• Back sleepers: They should fare especially well on the Bear, getting a little bit of contouring for their lumbar region from the foam while still being supported from below.
• Athletes: The Bear actually designs their beds for active folks, with the Celliant helping them cool down after a workout. It’s also believed by some to absorb your body’s energy, then redirect it back to you for blood flow and recovery.
• Combination sleepers: The Bear’s bounce and responsiveness should make it easy for these folks to switch positions with ease.

Who Should Avoid the Bear

• Stomach sleepers and side sleepers: Strict stomach sleepers and strict side sleepers may not like how this bed has a balanced feel, rather than being super-soft or super-firm.

Think the Bear is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Bear mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best memory foam mattresses.

Layla – Best Flippable California King Mattress

Expert Opinion

Finding a flippable California king is a true rarity, but the Layla offers just that — a dual-sided bed with a one-of-a-kind versatility. It features a “Soft” and a “Firm” side, so you can choose what matches your needs and preferences. We found the Soft side to be about a 5.5 out of 10 on our mattress firmness scale and the Firm side to be about a 7.5 out of 10.

What our tester says: “The Layla is a memory foam mattress with the classic memory foam feel that many sleepers love. This bed features a lot of the material, so epitomizes its characteristic sinkage and contouring hug.” – Senior product editor Bridget Chapman

Who the Layla is Best for

• Side sleepers: The Soft side is great for side sleepers, who require lots of plush pressure relief.
• Stomach sleepers: People who sleep in this position press into the mattress more than side sleepers and back sleepers, so they usually need more firmness and support. As such, they should be most comfortable on the Firm side. Back sleepers may enjoy this side, too.
• Couples: The all-foam construction of the Layla excels at isolating motion, so couples aren’t likely to disturb each other with their movements.

Who Should Avoid the Layla

• Heavy sleepers: Larger folks who are over 250 pounds might not get the requisite support on the Layla. They’d be better off with something that has a layer of springs. 

Think the Layla is the mattress for you? Click here for our best deal or check out our full Layla mattress review. Still not sold? Take a look at some of the other best flippable mattresses.

What Is a California King Mattress?

Mattress	Size	Average Price	What It’s Good For
Standard King	76” x 80”	$1,700	Couples, those who want more width
California King	72” x 84”	$1,700	Tall sleepers, those wanting a narrower bed
Wyoming King	84” x 84”	$3,000	Couples, tall sleepers, families, those looking to fill up a large room
Texas King	80” x 98”	$4,000	Couples, families, those wanting lots of width, those looking to fill up a large room
Alaskan King	108” x 108”	$5,000	Couples, tall sleepers, families, those looking to fill up a large room

Read: California King vs King Bed

Benefits of California King Mattresses

Couples

While a standard king has four more inches of width, the California king provides plenty of room for couples. It’s still 12 inches wider than the standard queen mattress. So, there’s more than enough space to move around and change sleeping positions without feeling like you’re disturbing your partner.

Tall sleepers

The standard king is four inches wider than a California king, but the California king is four inches longer. If you’re a tall sleeper who wants extra legroom, a California king is a stellar option.

Disadvantages of a California King

Budget Shoppers

The bigger the mattress, the higher the price tag. Keep in mind that a California king is 72 inches wide and 84 inches long, whereas a standard queen (typically priced around $1,500) is 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. For some of the best priced options, take a look at our roundup for the best cheap mattresses.

What Qualifies as a “Cheap Mattress?”

We typically consider a cheap mattress to be around $1,000 or less for a queen size. Although a lower price tag can sometimes equate to lower quality, some of our favorite mattresses fall into the “cheap” category and are great, quality options.

Those Seeking a Wider Mattress

The California king is built to be a bit narrower (four inches narrower than a standard king). If it’s important to you to have the extra space, you might want to consider a standard king or Alaskan king bed.

California King Mattress Materials

Memory Foam

Memory foam is known for its slow-moving feel and pressure-relieving abilities. The foam provides unmatched comfort and cushioning. While it may not be the most cooling material, manufacturers often include gel infusions or ventilation within the foam to combat this. Foam is also more prone to sagging, so look for a model with a high-density base.

Who It’s Best For:

• Side sleepers
• Those with joint pain
• Those wanting a hugging, contouring feel

Innerspring

What memory foam lacks, the innerspring mattress makes up for in its sturdy construction. It has a thinner comfort layer, so those looking for extreme pressure relief should opt for memory foam or hybrid models. However, the innerspring’s coils provide durability and breathability like no other. This is a great option for those searching for incredible support.

Who it’s Best For:

• Heavy sleepers
• Stomach sleepers
• Hot sleepers

Hybrid

Known as the best of both worlds, hybrid beds provide the plush comfort of a memory foam mattress, as well as the durable support of an innerspring. They are often good options for cooling. Many of them tend to give a balanced feel, but you can find hybrids on the softer and firmer sides of the scale as well.

Who It’s Best For:

• Back sleepers
• Those with back pain
• Seniors

Latex

Latex beds are eco-friendly options. While they tend to have higher price tags, the material quality is outstanding. Latex is naturally cooling, so if you sleep especially hot, this construction is for you. This material provides a responsive and bouncy feel. 

Who It’s Best For:

• Hot sleepers
• Eco-conscious shoppers
• Combination sleepers

California King Firmness

The mattress industry measures mattress firmness on a scale of 1–10, with 1 being the softest option, and 10 being the firmest option. The best firmness for you depends on your sleeping position and body type. 

Sleeping Position

Side sleeping: These folks often require a softer mattress built for lots of pressure relief. That way, pressure points at the shoulders and hips are cradled and you won’t wake up with joint pain in the morning. 

Stomach sleeping: It’s crucial for stomach sleepers to have a bed that keeps the body elevated and the spine in proper alignment. If the hips bow, the back gets thrown out of alignment. That’s why it’s best to go for a firmer, supportive mattress that won’t let the body sink. 

Back sleeping: Because a balance of comfort and support is paramount for back sleepers, many look for a mattress that lies in the middle of the firmness scale. It’s important to have the hips lifted but also cushioned for maximum comfort and proper alignment.

Combination sleeping: If you switch sleeping positions throughout the night, you’ll find it easiest to move on a responsive, or bouncy, mattress.

Our Recommendations for Combo Sleepers

Most innerspring, latex, and hybrid mattresses are great for combination sleepers since they tend to be bouncy and easy to move around on. Some memory foam mattresses include poly foam or supportive transition layers that prevent you from getting stuck in the softer foam comfort layers.

Body Type

Lightweight sleepers: Folks under 130 pounds tend to do best on softer mattresses. Since they don’t compress through the layers easily, a softer construction tends to provide enough sturdiness and support. 

Average-weight sleepers: Those between 130 and 230 pounds should fare well on a medium-firm mattress that provides a balance of comfort and support. 

Heavyweight sleepers: People over 230 pounds should opt for a firmer, more supportive mattress. They are more apt to press through the mattress layers. So, they’ll need a more durable option.

A Note From Sleepopolis

Keep in mind that your body type should be considered along with your sleeping position. A lightweight stomach sleeper won’t need as firm of a mattress as a heavyweight stomach sleeper, who requires lots of support.

California King Mattress Considerations

Motion Isolation

A mattress specializing in motion isolation, or a mattress with lower motion transfer, is one that traps movement. This is important for couples or those who sleep with a pet. On a bed with poor motion isolation or high motion transfer, light sleepers may be disturbed by their partner’s tossing and turning at night. Foam mattresses or beds with thick comfort layers particularly excel at motion isolation.

Cooling

Hot sleepers will want to consider investing in a cooling mattress, especially if cooling accessories (toppers, pillows, sheets) aren’t doing the job. Hybrid, innerspring, and latex mattresses tend to have impressive cooling properties. Foam mattresses are known for trapping heat, but gel infusions or ventilated foams can solve this problem. 

Durability

Innerspring, hybrid, and latex mattresses are known for their durable constructions. However, high-quality foam mattresses can last quite a long time, especially if they have excellent materials or dense foam foundations. Remember that in many cases, you get what you pay for. Check out our roundup for the Best Mattresses that Won’t Sag for our favorite durable options.

How to Make Your California King Bed Extra Comfortable

Adjustable Frame

Consider purchasing an adjustable frame to take the royalty of a California king to another level. These frames often come with lots of luxurious features, such as massage settings. Adjustable beds are also great for pinpointing the perfect elevation for you and your sleep needs.

Sheets

When you crawl into bed after a full day, the last thing you want is to feel scratchy sheets or poke through a hole in the fabric. The best sheets go a long way, and it’s important to invest in a set that matches your needs and preferences. Some sheets are cooling, others insulating; some are silky while others offer a crisp feel. The choice is yours!

Pillows

The wrong pillow can cause extreme discomfort and throw off your head and neck alignment. It’s important to find the best pillow for your sleep position and comfort needs. They come in a variety of shapes and materials. Some specialize in cooling, others are adjustable, and there are some designed to assist with neck and shoulder pain.

Mattress Topper or Pad

Mattress toppers and mattress pads are fantastic and cost-effective ways to increase the comfort of your mattress. Luckily, you can find many of these products in the California king size.

A mattress topper is meant to adjust the firmness of your mattress. Depending on the product, it can make your bed softer or firmer. They come in a range of thicknesses and constructions, so you can decide what’s best for your needs.

A mattress pad is typically thicker than a mattress topper and is only used for smaller firmness adjustments. However, they can have elements similar to a mattress protector, such as waterproofing abilities.

Buying a California King Bed

Warranty

A warranty protects the customer and allows them to return a defective mattress or a damaged mattress upon delivery. You’ll want a mattress warranty of at least 10 years, since a mattress warranty reflects a company’s certainty of a quality product. Pay attention to the fine print on warranties, since each company is different.

Sleep Trial

Sleep trials, with most lasting at least 100 nights, provide time for you to test out a mattress. Use this sleep trial wisely, making sure that your new purchase suits your sleeping position, body type, and overall preferences.

Coupons

While you can find huge sales around the holidays, there is a place for exclusive deals year-round: the Sleepopolis coupon page.

FAQs

Which bed is better, king or California king?

It depends what you value most: length or width. The California king is four inches longer than the standard king, whereas the standard king is four inches wider. For tall sleepers, we recommend the California king, and for couples, we recommend the standard king.

How much should I pay for a California king mattress?

You should expect to pay around $1,700 for a quality California king mattress. A super cheap mattress may not provide you with a durable construction. A super expensive mattress may not offer you any more than a luxury mattress that’s a few hundred dollars less.

Can I put a king mattress on a California king frame?

If you’re able to replace the standard king rails with California king rails, then this is perfectly acceptable. Standard kings and California kings are different sizes, so if you don’t have the right rails, it won’t fit the mattress properly.

How We Chose These Mattresses

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches has reviewed more than 220 products in our mattress lab, running each one through tests such as pressure-mapping and measuring motion transfer with a seismometer. From there, we give every bed an overall score based on materials, comfort, support, cooling, and edge support. We also factor in brand performance with categories such as value and warranty.

When determining the best California king mattresses, we focused primarily on cooling and value. Since California king beds are used frequently by couples, we wanted to make sure our selections could prevent the buildup of body heat. On top of that, we wanted options that won’t empty out your wallet. All of the beds here scored at least a 4 out of 5 on cooling and value. Click here to learn more about our methodology.

Best California King Mattresses 2023

Lauren Hapgood

Staff Writer

About Author

Lauren is on the editorial team and is a Certified Sleep Coach at Sleepopolis, where she researches the best mattresses for all types of sleepers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Washington. When Lauren isn’t keeping readers updated on the best sleep products, you can find her playing guitar, going for a run, or reading classic novels.

Sleeper Type

Back Sleeper