Shopping for a California King Mattress?
You are in the right place!
If you often feel uncomfortable while sleeping because your feet hang over your bed or if you find yourself sleeping in a curled-up position to take up less space, it is time to consider investing in a California king mattress.
Its size is perfect for couples, taller people, and even those with pets that love to snuggle with them and sleep beside them at night.
An excellent upgrade from a queen-sized bed, the California king mattress provides you and your partner with 36 inches of personal space, which is similar to the width of a twin mattress.
Moreover, California king mattresses offer an extra 4 inches of legroom, providing taller people with more space to stretch out and lay in bed more comfortably.
With hundreds of options out there, looking for the best California king mattress can be daunting, time-consuming, and, simply put, quite overwhelming. This is where we come in.
What's In This Buying Guide
In this guide, we share our top picks for California king mattresses, along with some essential factors that you should consider before making a purchase.
We also list the benefits of California king mattresses and how they differ from other mattress sizes.
Towards the end, we answer some frequently asked questions about California king mattresses so that you can easily choose the best mattress according to your needs.
The Best California King Mattresses
- Best for Side Sleepers: Saatva Classic Mattress
- Most Conforming: Puffy Mattress
- Pocket-friendly: Nectar Mattress
- Best Temperature Regulation: Layla Mattress
- Most Eco-friendly: Leesa Legend Mattress
| Award | Mattress type | Firmness | Height | Trial length | Warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Saatva Classic Mattress | Best for Side Sleepers | Innerspring | soft, medium firm, firm | 11.5-inches and 14.5-inches | 180-nights | 15-years |
Puffy Mattress | Most Conforming | Foam | Medium | 10-inches | 101-nights | Lifetime |
Nectar Mattress | Pocket-friendly | Foam | Medium | 12-inches | 365-nights | Forever |
Layla Mattress | Best Temperature Regulation | Hybrid | Soft and Firm | 13-inches | 120-nights | 10-years |
Leesa Legend Mattress | Most Eco-friendly | Hybrid | Medium | 12-inches | 100-night | 10 years |
1. Best for Side Sleepers: Saatva Classic Mattress
The Saatva Classic Mattress is a high-quality innerspring model that features a dual coil design and various customization options.
It is best for side sleepers as its pillow top helps alleviate the pressure on the hips and shoulders. Meanwhile, the foam and springs prevent their body from sagging by providing adequate support as they sleep in their preferred side sleeping position.
Pros
- Luxury innerspring mattress
- Ideal for people who sleep hot
- Breathable construction
- Three firmness and two height options
- Pressure point relief and plush, cushiony comfort
- Provides healthy spinal alignment
- Responsive dual coil design
- No sagging edges
- Enhanced back support
- 180-night trial period
- 15-year warranty
Cons
- It does not conform closely
Our review
The Saatva Classic mattress is constructed with a combination of materials, including polyfoam, fiberfill, pocketed coils, and memory foam, together with a support system of hourglass coils.
This mattress is available in two height options and three firmness options, allowing sleepers to choose an option they find suitable. The organic cotton cover that encases the sleep surface is not only soft to touch but also allows airflow into the mattress.
All three firmness levels of the Saatva Classic mattress have a Euro-top followed by two thin layers of memory foam and polyfoam that offer cushion as well as lumbar support.
Beneath the foam layer is the layer of individually pocketed mini-coils that deliver extra support while ensuring minimal motion transfer.
Designed with a dual coil system, the Saatva mattress provides excellent relief for users who face pressure build-up at night. This is particularly helpful for side sleepers as sleeping on the side tends to put pressure on the hips and shoulders.
This mattress is also ideal for people who feel hot during sleep because the coils are situated close to the sleeper. This helps promote airflow and maintain a cool sleep surface.
2. Most Conforming: Puffy Mattress
The Puffy foam mattress offers sleepers a soft, cushiony feel. It is ideal for people who enjoy sleeping on deeply contouring memory foam.
Its memory foam comfort layer envelopes the sleeper, giving them the sensation of being hugged by their mattress. Instead of sleeping on top of the Puffy, sleepers feel as if they are sleeping in it.
Pros
- Works with any surface or frame
- Designed for all types of sleepers
- 5-layer sleep system
- Hypoallergenic cover
- Optimized for temperature control
- A breathable gel cloud layer
- Delivers a perfect balance of comfort, cooling, and support
- Enhanced spinal alignment
- Stain-resistant cloud cover
- 101-night sleep trial
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not for heavy sleepers
Our Review
Made from gel-infused Cooling Cloud memory foam, the Puffy mattress cradles the body and provides a cushion. This gel-infused top comfort layer also helps reduce the heat trapped by the mattress.
The two inches of Cloud Climate transitional polyfoam beneath the memory foam layer provides both cushioning and support. These transition layers also help sleepers feel as if they are being hugged by the mattress while providing medium firmness so that users do not sink too deep into it.
Another advantage of transition layers is that they help reduce pressure points and promote spinal alignment. This is especially helpful for side sleepers as their hips and shoulders sink deeper into the mattress. The transition layers support the midsection, keeping the spine straight.
The 6-inch base layer of high-density polyfoam just below the transitional layer offers support in all sleeping positions. People weighing up to 230 pounds find the firmness of this mattress highly satisfying.
The Puffy mattress comes with a hypoallergenic cover designed to protect your mattress from dust, dust mites, and other allergens that can cause irritation while you sleep.
3. Pocket-friendly: Nectar Mattress
The Nectar mattress is an excellent solution for people who want an economical option that does not compromise on quality. Sleepers can enjoy the medium firmness of this mattress without the high-end price tag.
Pros
- 5-layer construction from premium materials
- Soft, breathable poly-blend cover
- A 3-inch layer of gel-infused memory foam
- It helps relieve pressure points to encourage better sleep alignment
- Minimal motion transfer
- 365-night trial period
Cons
- Not ideal for lightweight sleepers
Our Review
The Nectar mattress is constructed with a high-density base foam that deeply contours your body and isolates movement exceptionally well. With this mattress, you will not suffer from motion transfer, even if your partner tosses and turns during sleep.
Most foam mattresses are known to trap heat and sleep hot, but the top layer of the Nectar mattress is made from gel-infused memory foam that solves this problem quite effectively. Also, the non-slip cover of this mattress features heat wicking and cooling technology that makes it breathable and soft to touch.
Most users appreciate the medium firmness feel of this Nectar mattress. This all-foam mattress provides a great cradling feel without temperature issues.
If you want to enjoy the comfort of a large California king mattress without emptying your wallet, then the Nectar mattress is for you.
4. Best Temperature Regulation: Layla Mattress
From cooling capabilities to comfort to motion isolation, the Layla mattress is an excellent option with a hybrid construction for outstanding support. The copper-infused memory foam used in the comfort system of the Layla mattress provides excellent pressure relief and temperature regulation.
Pros
- Copper-infused memory foam
- Flippable firmness
- Individually wrapped coil system
- Excellent edge support
- Conforms to an adjustable base with ease
- Sleeps cooler and cleaner
- Ideal for all types of sleepers
- Sturdy handles to flip the mattress
- Breathable cover that zips off for easy cleaning
Cons
- Heavy; users may need help flipping it
- Expensive
Our Review
This unique flippable memory foam comes with two different firmness options. The soft side is great for people who prefer a little hug from their mattress, while the firm side offers increased support and less sinkage for a more traditional, firmer-feeling mattress.
Constructed with responsive layers of polyfoam, memory foam, and pocketed coils, this hybrid Layla mattress allows sleepers to experience the advantages of both an innerspring and foam mattress.
The soft and breathable cover of this mattress is made with viscose, polyester, and poly lycra. It also comes with a label that marks the firmness of each side. The vinyl handles on both sides of the mattress make it easier to flip it around when needed.
The soft side of the Layla mattress has a comfort system, which includes 2 inches of polyfoam and 2.5 inches of copper-infused memory foam.
This memory foam is thermally conductive, which means that it draws the heat away from the body, allowing you to sleep cool compared to traditional memory foam. Plus, copper has antimicrobial properties.
The firm side of the mattress includes 1.5 inches of Tri-Zone-Airflow polyfoam and a one-inch layer of copper-infused memory foam. This side provides more support and relieves pressure points.
5. Most Eco-friendly: Leesa Legend Mattress
The Leesa Legend Mattress stands out from the various options available because it uses recycled materials in both its support core and cover, as well as its advanced multi-material comfort system. This luxurious, environmentally-friendly mattress is great for your sleep as well as the planet.
Pros
- Luxury hybrid mattress
- Pocket springs for edge-to-edge support
- Offers medium-firm comfort
- Sustainable cover made from 100% organic cotton, Merino wool, and fiber from recycled water bottles
- Perfect for all sleep positions
- Excellent balance of contouring and bounce
Cons
- Heavy
Our Review
The Leesa Legend offers significant motion isolation and pressure relief without sacrificing temperature regulation, edge support, or bounce. With a medium feel, this mattress is suitable for all kinds of body sizes and sleeping positions.
This hybrid mattress comes with a soft and breathable cover made from a blend of multiple materials, including organic cotton, rayon, polyester, spandex, Merino wool, and Recycled PES, which is made from recycled plastic.
This is a huge selling point for eco-conscious people because each bed constructed helps to remove dozens of plastic bottles from the environment.
The Leesa Legend Mattress is made with a multi-layer comfort system. The one-inch top polyfoam layer has an aerated structure that facilitates airflow. Next, the one-inch memory foam layer relieves pressure and provides motion isolation.
The third layer is made with a mixture of polyfoam and micro-coils. This layer has softer polyfoam in the middle to support the spine and cushion the hips, but under the feet and head are bouncier micro-coils. This helps maintain responsiveness and edge support while providing spinal alignment.
The last layer of transition polyfoam decreases pressure on the support core, which consists of two components.
The individually-wrapped innerspring coils ensure less motion transfer while creating a more tailored feel. And the high-density base polyfoam helps maintain stability and cuts down on the noise made by the movement of the coils.
All these layers work together to give the Leesa Legend a medium-firm feel that sleepers find very comfortable.
What Is a California King Size Mattress?
A California king-size mattress is slightly different from a standard king size. It is the longest standard size available that measures 7 feet long and 6 feet wide. People who are 6 feet tall find it best to sleep on a California king mattress.
What is the Difference Between King and California King Sizes?
Most people confuse the sizes of California king and king mattresses. They typically assume that the California king is larger than a standard king mattress; however, this is not the case.
The California king mattress is actually only larger, not wider. Usually, these mattresses measure 84 inches by 72 inches, while king-size mattresses are 80 inches long and 76 inches wide. So, a California king mattress is 4 inches longer and 4 inches narrower than a standard king-size mattress.
The California king is a great option for tall people or for those who enjoy having a little more space lengthwise. Also, if your room is particularly narrow and long or rectangular-shaped, then a California king mattress will provide the right aesthetics.
A room with dimensions of at least 12 feet by 12 feet will be ideal for the California king mattress.
Although the bed frames and bedding for both sizes are readily available, the accessories of California king are a bit difficult to come by. Also, they cost a little more than standard king’s accessories.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using a California King Size Mattress
Benefits
Great Choice for Couples
A California king mattress is an excellent choice for couples, particularly those taller than 6 feet. The extra 4 inches of this mattress act as a bonus as they allow you to stretch without disturbing your partner, providing the essential ingredient needed for a relaxing sleep.
More Room for Single Sleepers
A California king mattress makes more sense for a single sleeper as a person does not need too much space from side to side, but more room from top to bottom is definitely welcome.
Ideal for Traditional Bedrooms
California king mattresses fit best in traditional-sized rooms as they are more rectangular and less square. Many bedrooms have two short sides and two long sides, which makes the other furniture in the room, like nightstands, fit a bit better than king-size beds.
Drawbacks
Hard to Find Accessories
Due to the irregular length of these mattresses, it can be hard to find bed sheets in the right size. However, many manufacturers nowadays offer different bedding items and sheets in various sizes, including the California king size. Plus, online shopping has made it easier to find your desired size.
Insufficient space
The truly significant drawback of California king mattresses is that they offer less width for one person. Couples looking for more space between themselves and their partners may find the king-size bed a better option.
Compared to a regular king-size bed which is 38 inches wide, the width of a California king is just 36 inches.
So, the total surface area of a king-sized bed is 76 x 80 square inches, which equals 6,080 square inches, whereas the total surface area of a California king mattress is 72 x 84 inches which equal 6,048 square inches.
What to look for in a California King Mattress?
If you are ready to invest in a new California king mattress, you should keep the following factors in mind:
Firmness
The firmness scale helps companies decide on the feel of a mattress. Is it soft, medium, or firm? The 1-10 firmness scale puts one as the softest while 10 denotes the firmest. Choosing the best firmness for you depends on your sleeping position and body weight.
The heavier your body is, the more it pushes down on the mattress. People with heavier weights should look for firmer mattresses that can withstand their weight. However, a softer mattress with extra supportive layers is also a good option as it prevents sinkage.
People under 130 pounds require a softer mattress to provide pressure relief as their bodies do not exert enough pressure for average mattresses to conform to their bodies.
Your preferred sleeping position determines the pressure relief and support you need from your mattress as it affects your spine’s placement. The wrong firmness level can strain your spine, which can result in neck and back pain.
Sleeping on your side offers a wide range of health benefits, including clearer airways and reduced pressure on the heart.
A mattress with a soft to medium feel is perfect for side sleepers as it allows them to take complete advantage of their favorite position. Choosing any other mattress may result in stiff hips and sore shoulders.
Sleeping on your back is the best position to ease or prevent back pain as your body weight is distributed evenly. A mattress with a medium-firm to firm feel designed with conforming materials to match the curves of your spine is best for back sleepers.
People who prefer to sleep on their stomachs are at the most significant risk of misaligning their spines. Experts recommend against stomach sleeping because when you sleep on your stomach, the weight of your abdomen causes the mattress to sink, which can throw your spine out of a neutral position.
However, if it is the only position where you can fall asleep comfortably, a firm mattress is ideal for preventing sinkage.
Layering
It is best to invest in a mattress with 3-4 layers, as having too many extra layers is not really necessary. A 3-layer mattress provides as much luxury, comfort, and support as an 8-layer mattress.
Mattresses with too many layers are typically a marketing gimmick and do not offer anything of value. You will be paying extra money for nothing. Also, there is the risk of too much heat retention because of all the layers.
On the other hand, a mattress with less than three layers is thinner and offers less durability and support.
Look for mattresses with distinct support, base section, and comfort to ensure a better and more fine-tuned sleeping experience as they respond better to your sleeping position and weight.
Height
The height of a mattress has nothing to do with its quality or durability. Aesthetic and personal preferences, along with your budget, are the deciding factors when it comes to the ideal mattress thickness.
You may find a thicker mattress preferable if you have a heavy body. Thinner mattresses tend to sink too low and may not be able to provide better pressure relief. Also, a thicker mattress requires less exertion to hoist yourself up from the bed.
Type
California king mattresses are typically available in foam, hybrid, and innerspring options. The type that you want for yourself depends on your preference.
However, if you are unsure about which type of mattress is best for you, a hybrid mattress can be a great choice as it consists of elements of innerspring and foam.
Understanding the pros and cons of each type will make it easier to choose a mattress that is best for you:
Memory Foam
These mattresses soften under pressure and heat, which allows them to conform to the body’s natural curves, helping to relieve pressure points. These mattresses are top-rated as they provide superior comfort by alleviating aching muscles.
There is less chance of waking up feeling sore as memory foam helps provide pressure relief in the heavier sections of the body like the hips and shoulders. Its excellent motion isolation helps limit the disturbance caused by your partner’s tossing and turning.
You will not only feel your partner’s movements but also not hear them as memory foam mattresses produce very little noise.
Traditional memory foam is known to trap heat and may cause you to wake up due to overheating. To address this issue, most manufacturers add cooling materials like graphite, gel, copper, and plant oils to help regulate body temperature.
Innerspring
Many people enjoy sleeping on innerspring mattresses as they are an excellent option for a cooling mattress. The coiled interior and its thin fabric sides allow air to easily flow through the bed and dispel body heat.
However, innerspring mattresses may not be the best choice if you are a chronic pain sufferer. Users commonly complain about insufficient pressure relief, especially as the bed gets old and its coils wear out.
Latex
Latex foam is a popular alternative to memory foam and offers a similar conforming feel, although it may feel a little firmer than memory foam.
Natural latex foam is also a more eco-friendly choice than memory foam. Manufacturers process rubber tree sap to produce natural latex. On the other hand, synthetic latex is not a green shopping option as it is made from chemical compounds.
However, natural latex mattresses are expensive and may not be suitable for all budgets. Some users find that latex mattresses provide great value for money as they typically last for a decade or so, while others may go for a more affordable option.
Hybrid
Hybrid mattresses combine the best features of foam and innerspring mattresses. The bottom coils deliver bouncy, breathable support, whereas the 3-inch-thick foam on top provides the malleability needed for outstanding pressure relief.
However, hybrid mattresses come with a hefty price tag. Made from high-quality materials, these mattresses typically cost more than other options available.
Materials
When choosing a mattress, it is vital to look for options made with high-quality materials like CertiPUR-US and certifications such as GOLS or GOTS, which indicates that the company has complied with the stringent standards for quality.
The better the material used in the construction, the more long-lasting your mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a significant size difference between a California king mattress and a king-size bed?
The actual size difference between a California king and a king-size is 4 inches. California king mattresses are 4 inches longer than a king-sized one. They measure 72 inches by 84 inches, whereas king mattresses are 4 inches wider than a California king and measure 76 inches by 80 inches.
Are two twin beds equal to a king-size bed?
Although two twin beds are equal in width to a king-size bed, they are shorter in length by 5 inches. However, the easy solution is to place two twin XL mattresses side by side. Combined, the two measure 80 inches in length, which is exactly the same as a king-size mattress.
Are king-size beds the largest size available?
An Alaskan king bed is the largest mattress available, which measures 108 inches by 108 inches. It is ideal for sleepers who want plenty of room to sleep comfortably. Also, taller individuals find the extra legroom that accompanies an Alaskan king bed quite convenient.
Why is a California king mattress called California king?
A California king mattress is called California king because it was invented in Los Angeles, California. Shortly after World War II, a mattress merchant in Los Angeles decided that Californians had big houses and lavish lifestyles to warrant a big bed that was 7 feet long and 6 feet wide.
Is a California king mattress different from a split California king mattress?
The split California king mattress has the exact dimensions as the California king mattress but with a split down the middle. It is perfect for couples who want an adjustable base.
There is hardly any motion transfer since a split bed is essentially two twin XL beds, and each partner has a separate mattress.
Final Verdict: What is the most popular California King mattress on the market today?
All the California king mattresses we have reviewed in this article offer excellent performance and great value for money.
However, for us, the Saatva Classic mattress is the best option for sleepers who want to enjoy the comfort of a high-end innerspring mattress without putting a burden on their budget. It is available in various options, which makes it ideal for both heavier and average sleepers.
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