Best California King Size Mattress (2023): Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

Many couples start with a queen size mattress. In fact, queens are some of the most popular beds on the market. But over time, a queen size can begin to feel confining. Maybe your children like to climb into bed with you on Saturday mornings, or your partner tends to toss and turn more frequently. When you both start to feel cramped, it may be time to upgrade to a king size mattress.

Once you’re ready to upgrade, you will need to decide between a standard king and a California king. Both sizes are suitable for most couples—even with your children snuggled in the middle. When compared to a standard king, a California king has 4 more vertical inches, but is 4 inches shorter horizontally. But, depending on your height, sleep position, and the size of your bedroom, a California king mattress may be the best option for you.

This article will cover the pros and cons of a larger mattress, and introduce you to some of the best California king beds on the market.

Best California King Size Mattresses

Your body type and sleep habits determine the mattress firmness you find most comfortable. At Amerisleep, they understand this and have created a line of 5 different memory foam mattresses and 3 hybrid mattresses to accommodate every comfort need.

Our favorite Amerisleep mattress is the AS3 because it has a medium comfort level—making it ideal for most sleep positions.

The cover of the AS3 features a lightweight fabric—designed to improve airflow and heat retention. This cover is also removable and machine washable, so it is easy to keep your mattress clean.

Beneath this cover, the AS3 features Bio-Pur® foam, a plant-based memory foam that is healthier and more comfortable than traditional memory foam. To make this layer, Amerisleep replaces a portion of the petroleum-based oils with plant-based oil—creating a foam that is safer for you and the planet. Plus, this foam has more breathability and responsiveness than poly-foam or traditional memory foam.

Beneath this layer is Amerisleep’s Affinity with HIVE® transition layer, zoned to provide a balance of comfort and support. Around the neck and back, HIVE® delivers more stability, but near the hips and shoulders, it allows for more compression and cushioning. HIVE® also prevents excessive sinking, so your spine stays aligned no matter what sleep position you take.

Supporting both the Bio-Pur® and HIVE® layers is Amerisleep support foam, Bio-Core®. This base ensures the mattress keeps its shape and does not develop sagging or indentations.

The AS3 comes with a 100-night sleep trial that allows you to test out the mattress. Amerisleep wants you to be happy with your new bed and will provide a full refund if the mattress is not right for you. Each Amerisleep mattress also comes with a 20-year warranty to cover any manufacturing defects.

The layers of the Zoma Mattress ensures each curve of the body is supported, and the spine remains in a healthy, neutral position. When our hips, shoulders, and spine are aligned during sleep, we are less likely to experience morning aches and pains.

The Zoma Mattress includes three advanced layers to promote a healthy, comfortable sleep position. The comfort layer features memory foam with Triangulex™ technology—this technology provides hundreds of triangular cutouts positioned to give cushioning near sensitive areas such as the hips and shoulders.

Next, is their Reactiv™ layer—a highly responsive foam that moves and contours to your body as you change positions. This layer helps to keep the spine straight by preventing sinking. Zoma’s Support+ foam makes up the base of this mattress—it increases durability and ensures the layers above remain stable.

Zoma includes a 100-night sleep trial with their mattress—allowing you plenty of time to become accustomed to the bed. They also offer a 10-year warranty.

Zoma’s most recent addition to their product lineup is their 12-inch hybrid mattress. Like their classic memory foam model, the hybrid mattress features restorative support for a pain-free morning. The Zoma Hybrid has four layers, wrapped in a breathable AirCloth cover.

The top layer of memory foam contains hundreds of triangular cutouts to improve the bed’s contouring in the head, shoulders, and legs. No more waking up with headaches, stiff shoulders, or sore legs.

A transition layer of Reactiv™ foam limits sinkage, preventing you from feeling stuck in bed. Reactiv™ increases the mattress’s response time, enabling it to quickly snap back into shape.

The bed is supported by pocketed coils that limit motion transfer and muffle any squeaks or creaks. A foam base underneath the coils keeps the mattress stable and structured.

You’ll have plenty of time to try out your new Zoma Hybrid with a 100-night sleep trial. Zoma also provides a 10-year warranty on all of their mattresses.

Vaya is a highly rated online mattress brand available on Amazon. Their goal is to provide a safe, comfortable, and supportive bed at an affordable price.

The Vaya Mattress contains two layers—a soft comfort foam layer and a supportive, durable base. The comfort layer features a plush, hypoallergenic memory foam that hugs the body for pressure-free support. Unlike traditional memory foam, Vaya foam has a slight bounce, so you never feel stuck or experience excessive sinking with this mattress. Plus, Vaya foam is also more breathable than most memory foams, and the soft, lightweight cover helps improve airflow around the surface of the bed.

Beneath this layer is a high-density foam that maintains the shape and structure of the mattress and prevents sinking. Both of these foam layers have a CertiPUR-US® certification—ensuring the bed is safe to bring indoors.

The Vaya Mattress is safe to use on most bed frames, including slatted frames and adjustable bases. A 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty also come with each Vaya mattress.

Purple® is a popular online mattress brand featuring their unique hyper-elastic polymer grid in each mattress. In their Hybrid Premier mattress, they combine the Purple Grid™, 2 layers of poly-foam, and a base of innerspring coils.

The Purple Grid™ is a highly responsive mattress that cradles you with pressure-free support. No matter your body type, this grid will hug each curve of the body and ensure a weightless sleep. When purchasing this mattress, you have the option of selecting either 3 or 4 inches of the Purple Grid™. 4 inches is an excellent option for heavy sleepers and back sleepers since it will provide more responsiveness and cushioning.

Beneath the Purple Grid™ is a thin layer of poly-foam and a base of individually wrapped spring coils. The coil base is zoned for each area of the body and helps the mattress maintain its structure and durability.

With each of their mattresses, Purple® offers a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

The Bear Pro is designed with hot sleepers in mind. This bed features a gel memory foam and a Celliant® cover for maximum temperature control. Plus, the medium firmness of this mattress is suitable for most sleep positions.

At 12 inches high, this mattress has four layers—a copper-infused memory foam, gel-infused memory foam, a responsive layer, and a high-density foam support base. The copper infusion in the top layer improves the breathability of this layer. Since copper is a natural heat conductor, body heat is able to pass through this layer quickly. Copper is also naturally anti-fungal and antibacterial—creating a cleaner sleep surface.

The gel foam in the second layer helps with cooling by absorbing heat, while the responsive layer prevents sinking and ensures that you stay lifted on the mattress. Supporting all three layers is a high-density support foam designed for support and durability.

The Bear Pro Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

The Nolah Signature is different from most foam mattresses because it is flippable. Both sides of this bed offer a different firmness—allowing sleepers to try both options and choose what works best for them.

The cover of the Nolah Signature is made of breathable, unbleached, organic cotton. Beneath this cover is 2.5 inches of cooling AirFoam™ that provides a medium-soft firmness on one side of this mattress. This layer is supported by a layer of latex foam to improve responsiveness and prevent sinking.

The other side of this bed contains 1 inch of firm AirFoam™ to give sleepers a firmer, more supportive comfort level. Between both layers is a high-density foam that provides a sturdy base no matter which side you choose.

A 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty come with each Nolah mattress.

What is a California King?

Now that you’re familiar with some of the best California king mattresses on the market, let’s take a look at the dimensions of this mattress.

A California king size mattress, (also called a “Western King”), is similar to a standard king size. A standard king measures 80 inches by 76 inches, while a California king measures 84 inches by 72 inches—giving the standard king more width (4 inches) and the Cal king mattress more length (4 inches). Standard kings also have a slightly larger surface area than a Cal king size—standard kings have 6080 square inches, while California kings have 6048 square inches.

King Size Mattress Variations

Besides a standard king and a California king, there are 4 other king size mattresses—each with different measurements. To help you understand the difference between each mattress size and how it compares to a Cal king, we have included an overview below.

Is a California King Right For You?

You know a California king mattress is 84 inches by 72 inches, but what does that mean in terms of your sleep experience? We provide more clarity on these questions below.

Body Type

A California king bed is ideal for those 6 feet tall and up. The extra length of this size establishes a mattress for taller people that gives more legroom and prevents feet from dangling off the end of the bed.

Most couples typically find a Cal king bed comfortable and spacious. With 72 inches of width, these beds provide plenty of room for couples to spread out or for children to climb into bed with you.

Larger couples who need more upper body room, or couples who just prefer more separation, may prefer a standard king size bed since it does offer 4 more inches of width than the Cal king.

Bedroom Size

The standard U.S. bedroom is 11 inches by 12 inches—this size room is not suited for a king mattress or a California king mattress because it doesn’t leave enough room to walk comfortably around the bed.

At least 2 feet of space should be available on all 3 sides of the bed to make movement in the room comfortable. Therefore, master bedrooms are much more suited to a king or Cal king.

Master bedrooms measure 14 inches by 16 inches and will need a bed large enough to fill out the room comfortably. Plus, you will have plenty of room to maneuver around the bed in a master suite.

However, not all bedrooms will have these standard dimensions. In those cases, it is best to measure for yourself and decide which mattress size will be the best fit. If the room is more narrow—a Cal king will likely work best. If the room is wider—you may want to opt for a standard king size bed.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a California King Mattress

A California king size mattress comes with several benefits.

These mattresses….

• Fit well into larger bedrooms
• Offer taller sleepers more legroom
• Allow couples to spread out
• Create a more luxurious sleep experience

However, they do have a few drawbacks.

With a California king…

• It may be harder to find accessories—such as bed frames, sheets, and bedding
• Accessories may be more expensive than those for a standard king
• Moving the mattress may be difficult since it’s heavy and may not fit through all doorways
• Standard size bedrooms may be too small for the mattress to fit comfortably

Other Things to Consider

As you can see from the mattresses outlined in this article, California king beds feature several different firmness levels, layers, and materials. To help you make the most informed choice possible, we’ve broken down the most common variations.

Firmness Options and Sleeping Positions

When it comes to mattress firmness, it is essential to select the one that feels most comfortable to you, but also one that will work well with your body type and sleep position. When shopping for the best mattress, you will notice most beds have a firmness ranking from 1 to 10—1 being the softest and 10 being the firmest. We have included a quick overview of the firmness scale below.

• 1 to 2 (Soft): This firmness is suitable for side sleepers and lightweight sleepers who need more cushioning around the hips and shoulders. Lightweight sleepers will not find adequate contouring with a firmer mattress because they will not sink enough, but a soft mattress is ideal for lighter sleepers.
• 3 to 4 (Medium-soft): These beds are also excellent for lightweight sleepers and side sleepers. With a bit more firmness, side sleepers will experience contouring and support without excessive sinking.
• 5 (Medium): Medium mattresses are a great option for most sleep positions—including side sleepers, back sleepers, and combination sleepers. A medium mattress cradles the curves of the body no matter what position you take. Plus, it is responsive enough to prevent sinking for both side and back sleepers. These beds also work well for couples with different sleep positions.
• 6 to 7 (Medium-firm): A medium-firm mattress works well for back and stomach sleepers since it will cushion joints but also prevent sinking and spinal misalignment. If you’re looking for the best mattress for back pain, choose a medium-firm bed. These mattresses also prevent heavier sleepers from feeling “stuck” in the bed or from sinking too far.
• 8 to 10 (Firm): This firmness is a good choice for back and stomach sleepers, as well as heavy sleepers. These mattresses keep the chest lifted when stomach sleeping—alleviating strain on the neck and back. It also keeps the hips lifted when back sleeping—ensuring a neutral spine.

Mattress Layers and Types

You may be wondering—what is a mattress type? The materials that make up the various layers of a mattress determine its type. The kind of bed you select will affect the support and overall comfort you experience.

Here are 4 of the most common mattress types:

Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses provide superior comfort and contouring to help you experience a weightless sleep. Unlike most mattress materials, this foam offers pressure relief and support—allowing your aching muscles adequate time to repair. Memory foam beds can help all sleepers find a more comfortable nighttime position, but those who suffer from back pain can find tremendous relief with these beds.

However, not all memory foam is created equal. Traditional memory foam tends to be very soft—causing sleepers to sink and throw their spine out of alignment. Most memory foams may also trap body heat—causing sleepers to wake up during the night due to overheating.

When shopping for a memory foam bed, it is best to opt for a plant-based foam. This type of foam is non-toxic and safer for you to rest on. Plus, it is more breathable and more responsive than most memory foams.

Latex Foam Mattresses

Latex foam has a comfort level similar to memory foam. But the elasticity of latex creates a mattress with slightly more bounce. Although this foam doesn’t provide the deep compression that memory foam does, those who like to feel more lifted on the mattress may prefer a latex bed.

Latex foam is also natural and eco-friendly—creating a clean and non-toxic sleep surface. Plus, latex is naturally resistant to bacteria, viruses, and dust mites, so they are ideal for those with allergies, asthma, or nighttime congestion.

Hybrid Mattresses

For those looking for a mattress with the contouring of memory foam but the bounce of an innerspring bed, a hybrid mattress may be the best option. These beds have 2 to 3 inches of foam—either memory or latex foam—in the comfort layer. But the base layer of a hybrid mattress features wrapped steel coils. In many mattresses, these coil systems will be balanced—softer near the hips and shoulders, but firmer near the neck and back.

Innerspring Mattresses

Innerspring mattresses feature a support base of steel spring coils, similar to a hybrid. However, innerspring mattresses don’t have a thick layer of foam on top. Most of these beds have a top layer made of cotton or wool. Although some spring coil beds may feature foam, the foam layer is usually thinner and not thick enough to protect sleepers from pressure points.

Innerspring beds are popular in the U.S., primarily because they are so affordable. But these beds do not provide the same amount of contouring as memory foam or latex foam. Plus, it is easier for dust and dirt to become trapped inside the spring coil system—causing them to break down quickly and create breathing problems for sleepers.

Price

Most California king size mattresses are priced the same as standard king-size mattresses—these beds cost anywhere from $850 to $3,000.

However, because king size mattresses are more popular, accessories for these beds tend to be less expensive than Cal king accessories. If you are considering a California king, be sure to price bed frames, sheets, mattress protectors, and comforters to be sure they fit well within your budget.

You can also save on California king size beds and accessories by shopping online mattresses. Web-based mattress brands offer their beds at lower prices because they have fewer overhead costs.

Warranty and Sleep Trial

It may take around 2 to 3 weeks to become accustomed to a new mattress. But when shopping inside a mattress store, you only have a few minutes to test out a bed—this is not enough time to be sure it’s right for you.

To allow you more time to try out the mattress, many mattress in a box brands offer a sleep trial period that enables you to test out the mattress at home. Most sleep trials last between 30 and 90 days.

Because defects do happen, a good warranty is essential. Most companies offer a warranty of at least 10-years. Anything longer than this will likely be prorated—this means customers will be responsible for paying a portion of the repairs or replacement costs if something goes wrong with the mattress after the first 10 years.

When considering a warranty, it is helpful to keep in mind that warranty length does not always reflect the life of the mattress. Most innerspring mattresses last only 5 to 6 years, while hybrid beds, and memory foam and latex foam mattresses will last between 10 and 12 years.

FAQs

What is the best California king mattress?

Everybody has different sleep needs, so it’s hard to say what the “best” California king mattress is. When choosing a comfy bed, consider your sleep style, body type, and preference for firmness.

With that, though, many sleepers love medium memory foam mattresses because they’re comfortable for the majority of sleepers.

How much does a California king mattress cost?

The price of a California king mattress ranges depending on the materials and features in the bed. On average, you can expect to spend anywhere between $1500 to $2000.

Are there bigger mattresses than California Kings?

There are mattresses larger than California kings, these are referred to as oversized beds. Texas king, Wyoming king, and Alaska king are all three ultra-big beds that top the Cal king in terms of sleeping space. However, oversized beds are hard to find, so you’ll need to purchase these from a specialty retailer.

Who are California king beds recommended for?

California kings are a variation of the king designed for taller sleepers (those over 6 feet). The extra legroom these mattresses provide prevents taller sleepers’ feet from dangling over the edge of the bed.

If you’re not over 6 feet tall, you’ll probably enjoy a standard king better for its additional wiggle room.

Is a Cal king the same as two twin mattresses?

No. However, a split-king is the same as two twin XL mattresses placed side by side. There is no way to make a split Cal king by combining two standard sized beds, these mattresses are specially made.

Conclusion

If you or your spouse is on the taller side and requires more legroom to get completely comfortable—a California king mattress is sure to provide adequate space. These beds also provide enough width to allow sleepers to sleep soundly without being forced to the edge of the mattress.

Larger mattresses do come with a higher price tag, but there is tremendous value in being able to get a good night’s sleep. If the size of your bedroom will accommodate a California king, the additional length may be just what you need for better rest. As you shop, use our guidelines above to determine the best mattress type and firmness level that is right for you.