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 your feet are constantly hanging over the edge of your mattress, your partner is sleeping just a little too close to you during the night, or you’re just someone who wants to feel like royalty, you might be on the search for the best California king mattress. These mattresses are significantly bigger than a queen bed, and obviously a full or twin, so they truly give a more luxurious sleeping experience to their users. Fortunately, our team of mattress testers here at Sleepopolis have scoured our favorite brands to see which ones are currently offering California king mattress, and in this roundup, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite 10 mattresses just for you.

Obviously, the size of your mattress isn’t the only thing that you’re probably considering when searching for a new bed. Don’t worry, it’s not the only thing we’re considering, either. We’ve put all of the mattresses on this list through a series of evaluations, including but not limited to a 15-minute rest test, a motion transfer test, and a pressure-map test. All of these tests help us to see exactly who these mattresses are best for, and our conclusions can be found down below in our pros and cons section for each mattress on this list.

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

Here at Sleepopolis, we think that the Helix Midnight might just be the king of California kings. As a part of Helix’s original line of hybrid mattresses (each with a different firmness), the Helix Midnight is a medium-firm bed that features plush memory foam layered over pocketed coils for a nice balance of pressure relief and support. The versatility of this mattress allows it to appeal to many different types of sleepers, including back, side, combination, and some stomach sleepers (usually if they’re lightweight).

But what’s the best part about this royal bed? A California king sized Helix Midnight comes in at around $1,700, which is a steal compared to some queen sized mattresses on the market right now. This price is also before any Sleepopolis sales or discounts that can be applied when purchasing from Helix.

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

What Customers Say

Customers on the Helix website love how versatile this mattress is. Many users talked about how difficult it is to find a mattress that fits both you and your partner’s preferred sleeping positions, but the Helix Midnight did just that. Its combination of support and cushioning allows it to work for the majority of sleeping positions.

Pros of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• Sleepers who suffer from shoulder pain should feel some relief after sleeping on the Helix Midnight. The cushioning in this mattress prevents stiffness around the joints, which helps these sleepers wake up without that achy pain around their shoulders.
• The Helix Midnight includes a Tencel cover that helps with temperature regulation, and as a hybrid mattress, the space between coils helps promote airflow throughout the bed. This is great news for hot sleepers or couples who have double the body heat under their covers.
• The Helix Midnight includes a support layer with individually wrapped coils. This gives this mattress an extra-bouncy and responsive feel, which is great for combination sleepers who need to be able to switch positions and move around easily on top of their mattress.

Cons of the Helix Midnight Mattress

• Heavier sleepers probably won’t be able to get the support they need from the Helix Midnight. These sleepers couls try out the Luxe version of this mattress instead, but we recommend they also take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for heavier sleepers to see some other options.

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 our roundup of the best mattresses of 2023.

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. We put this all-foam mattress through our pressure map test, which is where we lay a specialized mat across the mattress and then lie down in different positions to see how much pressure is exerted in each one. For the Nectar, every single sleeping positions light up blue and green, which equates to low pressure. This is great for anyone suffering with joint pain or arthritis, as they can still sleep in their preferred position without worrying about activating their pain.

In general, the Nectar includes an especially thick layer of memory foam on top of its construction that closely contours the pain points on our body, resulting in a lot of pressure relief. This extra foam also allows sleepers to really sink into the mattress’s layers, instead of feeling like they’re more “on top” of their mattress.

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

What Customers Say

Multiple reviews on the Nectar website came from heavier sleepers (those over 250 pounds). These comments all stated that their weight did not make any difference in the comfort of this mattress, and they had no problem with sinkage or sagging on the Nectar.

Pros of the Nectar Mattress

• With a score of 6 on our firmness scale, the Nectar is a softer mattress that gives off more of a cradled, sinking feel to the sleeper. This is great for side sleepers that need extra cushioning around their sensitive joints throughout the night.
• This mattress includes a cover made with heat-wicking technology. This helps keep hot sleepers from overheating during the night, and couples should appreciate the extra breathability and airflow.
• The Nectar is adept at isolating motion. This means that sleepers shouldn’t feel the tossing or turning of their partner during the night.

Cons of the Nectar Mattress

• The Nectar is most likely not going to be supportive enough for strict stomach sleepers. These sleepers need a mattress that is firm enough to keep their hips in line with their shoulders in order to promote a healthy spinal alignment. We recommend these folks take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for some firmer options.

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 our roundup of the 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. Plus, this is the brand’s most popular model for a reason — it lives up to its dreamy name.

The comfort layers included in the DreamCloud include gel memory foam, which not only helps to get rid of trapped body heat, but also has a slow responsive to pressure, helping to alleviate pain for sleepers with sensitive joints. At the same time, the DreamCloud also includes individually wrapped coils that add some bounce and support. To paraphrase, the DreamCloud really is the best of both worlds.

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

What Customers Say

The majority of the reviews on the DreamCloud website state how impressed they were with the price of this mattress. The total price for a California king DreamCloud mattress is $1,669, but with the constant deals on this website, many users stated that they got a California king for under $1,000.

Pros of the DreamCloud Mattress

• Combination sleepers should love the innerspring coils present in the DreamCloud. These coils help sleepers feel more lifted on the bed, instead of sinking into it. This is great for combo sleepers who need to be able to move around and switch positions easily on top of their mattress.
• The spaces between these coils also provides extra airflow to increase the breathability of this mattress (a big win for hot sleepers).
• Lightweight sleepers should rest comfortably on the DreamCloud, regardless of their sleeping position. Lightweight back and stomach sleepers should get the support they need, since this mattress will feel firmer to their frame. At the same time, lightweight side sleepers should still get enough pressure relief for their hips and shoulders.

Cons of the DreamCloud Mattress

• Strict side sleepers over 130 pounds might find that the DreamCloud is a little too firm for their liking. These sleepers need a soft mattress that provides extra pressure relief at the hips and shoulders. They might want to take a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers for some better options.

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 our roundup of the 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 (those over 250 pounds). Its support layer includes six inches of 961 TitanCaliber encased coils, followed by a thick layer of high-density base foam, which helps this mattress maintain its durability and keep it shape for longer.

In order to test the firmness of this mattress, we asked a colleague with a larger body type to try out some different sleeping positions on top of the Titan Plus. He found that the heavy-duty materials included in this mattress offered some body contouring without causing him to sink too far into the comfort layers. He gave the Titan Plus a 6.5 on our firmness scale, but if you have a smaller or average body type, keep in mind that this score will be higher for you — probably around a 7.5.

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

What Customers Say

Customers on the Brooklyn Bedding website love how durable and long-lasting the Titan Plus is. Some users even stated that they’ve had their Titan Plus for over three years, and it’s still just as comfortable as it was on the first day they got it.

Pros of the Titan Plus Mattress

• The firmness of this mattress makes it a great fit for combination sleepers. These sleepers should love the “on top” feel of the Titan Plus, which allows them to switch positions freely without getting stuck in their mattress’s layers.
• Sleepers who suffer with back pain should enjoy the Titan Plus because of how well it can evenly distribute their weight across the its surface. The firmness of this mattress helps to support the spine, while the top layer of foam fills in the space around the lumbar region.
• The flexible top layer included in the construction of the Titan Plus helps with motion isolation by stopping movement before it gets to the other side of the mattress. This is great for couples who don’t want to be disturbed during the night by their partner’s restlessness.

Cons of the Titan Plus Mattress

• As a bed made for heavier sleepers, it makes since that strict side sleepers will most likely not receive the pressure relief they need from the Titan Plus, especially around their hips and shoulders. These sleepers need the cushiony, sinking feel that comes from softer mattresses. If this sounds like you, we recommend taking a look at our roundup of the best mattresses for side sleepers.

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 our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy people.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid – Best California King for Couples

Expert Opinion

California kings are a wonderful mattress 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 California king Signature Hybrid checks these boxes. First of all, it includes a breathable cover and comfort layer, as well as coils for added airflow throughout the mattress. At the same time, these coils also add to the Signature Hybrid’s durability, as coils are much more supportive than foams usually are.

We also put the Signature Hybrid through our motion isolation test, where we drop three steel balls of varying weights onto the mattress and then measure how much movement occurred using a seismometer. The Signature Hybrid showed little to no movement rippling across its surface, which proves that you shouldn’t feel your partner getting out of bed or tossing and turning during the 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

What Customers Say

Multiple users on the Brooklyn Bedding website commented on how little movement they feel from their partner during the night. These reviews also praise the edge support of the Signature Hybrid, as it allows them to spread out on their mattress, which they were unable to do with their previous bed.

Pros of the Signature Hybrid Mattress

• Lightweight sleepers who primarily rest on their back or stomach should feel at home on the Signature Hybrid. This is because the hybrid nature of this mattress offers a good balance of pressure relief and support. The foams allow for sleepers to sink into the mattress around their joints, while still keeping their spine in a neutral alignment on the coils.
• Combination sleepers should appreciate the Signature Hybrid because, as a hybrid, its coils allow sleepers to easily move around on top of the mattress. This allows combo sleepers to switch positions as needed throughout the night.
• The bouncy and responsive nature of the Signature Hybrid makes it a great mattress for sex, as couples can easily move around and switch positions on top of this mattress.

Cons of the Signature Hybrid Mattress

• Sleepers who suffer from shoulder pain most likely won’t receive the pressure relief they need from the Signature Hybrid. During our pressure map test, the shoulder area lit up yellow, which signifies there are more pressure forming in that area. These sleepers might want to check out our roundup of the best mattresses for shoulder pain instead.

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 our roundup of the best mattresses for couples.

Nolah Natural – Best Organic California King Mattress

Expert Opinion

Most of us might not think about what we’re laying on when we go to bed at night. But for some customers, it might be their main concern. For these kinds of sleepers, we have the Nolah Natural. This California king is eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and free of harmful substances. It includes hypoallergenic materials like Talalay latex, and it only uses GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified wool and cotton. Even the metal coils used in the foundation of this mattress are created from recycled steel.

In terms of the overall feel of this mattress, it scored a 6 on our firmness scale. This means that the Nolah Natural is softer than the industry average for a medium-firm mattress — something to keep in mind if organic materials isn’t your only requirement when looking for your new bed.

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

What Customers Say

The majority of the comments on the Nolah website praise the quality materials of the Natural. However, these users also add that they were pleasantly surprised by the price of this mattress in comparison to all of the organic materials included in its construction.

Pros of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• Since the Nolah Natural includes both coils and latex, it is especially bouncy. This means it’s also a good mattress for sex because it’s more responsive to movement on top of its layers.
• Sleepers who suffer from back pain should love the cushy pressure relief that the Nolah Natural gives them. Our pressure map lit up completely blue during back sleeping, indicating that pain should be alleviated in this position.
• The Talalay latex and coils included in the construction of the Nolah Natural allow for added airflow. This helps with overall breathability and works to combat the buildup of body heat.

Cons of the Nolah Natural Mattress

• This is an especially soft mattress, so strict stomach sleepers will most likely want to opt for a firmer mattress that keeps their hips lifted in line with their shoulders, promoting a healthy spinal alignment. To find some better options, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers.

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 our roundup of the 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 sleeper‘s hips and lumbar region are both cushioned and elevated at the same time, which leads to a neutral 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. We even tested it out ourselves by taking a 15-minute power nap on top of the WinkBed. Throughout our nap, we felt elevated and neutrally aligned.

To further test the pressure relieving abilities of the WinkBed, we rolled a pressure map across this mattress. Pressure maps help to visually show us how much pressure the specific mattress is putting on certain areas of the body. For the WinkBed, the graphics showed 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

What Customers Say

We cannot overstate how many users commented on the WinkBed’s ability to relieve back pain. Scrolling through the reviews on the WinkBeds website, almost every user stated that they began waking up pain-free shortly after buying their WinkBed, with some having previously had back pain for nine years.

Pros of the WinkBed Mattress

• The WinkBed only uses CertiPUR-US Certified foams in its construction. Because of this, this mattress is free from harmful chemicals, heavy metals, and fiberglass.
• The reinforced edges included on the WinkBed created solid edge support for this mattress. This is great for couples who want to spread out and use the full surface area of their mattress without fear of sinkage or falling off near the sides.
• Lightweight sleepers should sleep well in all positions on the WinkBed. The slightly firm feel of this mattress combined with the softer Euro pillow top makes it sturdy enough for lightweight back and stomach sleepers, while also providing enough pressure relief for lightweight side sleepers.

Cons of the WinkBed Mattress

• 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 the mattress for you. Instead, check out our roundup of the best memory foam mattresses currently on the market.

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 our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain.

Leesa – Best California King for Back Sleepers

Expert Opinion

The Leesa is an all-foam mattress that provides pressure relief, as well as responsive support. This is great for back sleepers, who need that added support to make sure their spine stays in a neutral alignment throughout the night, but also want to make sure there’s enough contouring at the lumbar region. We tested out the latter trait with our pressure map, and saw that it lit up blue and green all along the back, equating to low pressure. This tells us that back sleepers shouldn’t feel much pressure forming around their lumbar region during the night.

In terms of the Leesa’s construction, this is a 10” tall mattress that includes three distinct layers: the cover, comfort layer, and foundation layer. The cover of the Leesa is made with twill weave, which is durable and wrinkle resistant. The comfort layer includes two inches of breathable foam on top of two inches of memory foam. The breathable foam is going to help with mitigating the heat trapping tendencies present in most all-foam beds. Finally, the foundation layer includes six more inches of supportive foam, which add to the durability of this mattress.

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

What Customers Say

Many users on the Leesa website actually talk more about their amazing customer service experience than they do their mattress. Multiple reviews stated that the customer service was quick and efficient, and they never felt like the employee was trying to pressure them into buying a more expensive mattress.

Pros of the Leesa Mattress

• The Leesa has a lot of responsiveness for a foam mattress, which makes it good for sex.
• This mattress is great for combination sleepers, especially if they’re looking for an all-foam bed. The responsiveness allows them to easily switch positions.
• The Leesa is a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers, as the California king size comes in at only $1,399 before discounts, which is a steal compared to other mattresses on the market.

Cons of the Leesa Mattress

• With a score of 5.5 on our firmness scale, the Leesa is definitely a softer mattress. Because of this, strict stomach sleepers might find that this bed doesn’t keep their hips in line with their shoulders, which can lead to back pain. We recommend these sleepers check out our roundup of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for some firmer options.

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 our roundup of the best mattresses for back sleepers.

Bear – Best California King Foam Mattress

Expert Opinion

Foam mattresses often get a bad reputation for trapping heat and sagging prematurely. However, this shouldn’t be a problem for the Bear, which we believe is a stellar all-foam California king. We found the Bear’s additional Celliant cover to be cool to the touch as soon as we laid down (however, this cover will add $130 to your overall total), and the memory foam included in the comfort layer of this mattress is infused with graphite cooling gel.

In addition to all these cool additions (get it?), the Bear also includes high-density support foam in its bottom foundation layer. This support foam is especially durable, so you count on this mattress lasting much longer than other all-foam beds currently on the market.

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

What Customers Say

Many of the customers on the Bear website bought this mattress for their children. All of these users said that this mattress was perfect for a growing kid, as it was extremely durable and long-lasting, and it helped relieve the tired muscles from their kid’s more active lifestyle.

Pros of the Bear Mattress

• The Bear does include some sinkage and contouring in its construction, but the majority of sleepers won’t feel like they’re sinking into this mattress. Instead, sleepers should feel like they’re more “on top” of the bed, making it easy to move around and switch positions. This should especially appeal to combination sleepers.
• The Bear offers an additional Celliant cover that you can choose to top your mattress with, that should keep sleepers stay cooler longer. Bear also states that this material promotes blood flow throughout the body, helping with athletic recovery. While Sleepopolis cannot confirm or deny this, we can confidently say that this cover is helpful for hot sleepers. However, this cover will add an additional $130 to your total purchase, so keep that in mind before clicking “buy.”
• The Bear received great motion transfer results, so couples shouldn’t be able to feel the movements of their partner throughout the night. This is due to the top layer of memory foam, which keeps movement from traveling across the top of the mattress.

Cons of the Bear Mattress

• Heavier sleepers may find that the Bear doesn’t give them the support that they need. These sleepers might want to opt for an innerspring mattress instead, which should give them added stability and durability. If this sounds like a better fit, check out our roundup of the best mattresses for heavy sleepers.

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 our roundup of the 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. This mattress features both a “Soft” and a “Firm” side, so you can choose what matches your needs and preferences. The Soft side scored a 5.5 on our firmness scale, making it softer than the industry standard for a medium-firm mattress. The Firm side of the Layla scored a 7.5 on the same scale, making it slightly firmer than the same industry average.

In terms of who should pick which side of this flippable mattress, that’s entirely up to you. But we believe that the Soft side of the Layla is a good choice for side sleepers who want to “sink” more into this mattress’s layers. If you’re more into that “on top” feel, you might want to opt for the Firm side of the Layla, as this side provides extra support and is better able to keep your hips in line with your shoulders to promote a healthy spinal alignment.

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

What Customers Say

Customers on Layla’s website love the ability to choose between the Firm side and Soft side. This gives users more control over their mattress, with some customers switching their side depending on the day.

Pros of the Layla Mattress

• Lightweight sleepers should feel comfortable sleeping on all positions on top of the Layla, as long as they make sure to flip the mattress to the preferred side for their body weight (with back and stomach sleepers using the firm side, and side sleepers using the soft side).
• Sleepers who suffer from back pain should find that the firm side of the Layla helps alleviate that pain. During our pressure map test, back sleeping lit up completely blue (equating to no pressure), proving that the Layla should provide the support these folks need to keep their spine in alignment
• The Layla received fantastic motion transfer results, so couples shouldn’t be able to feel each other move during the night. The top layer of memory foam on the Layla absorbs motion and directs it throughout the entirety of the bed, so no one side is feeling the movement of the other.

Cons of the Layla Mattress

• Combination sleepers will most likely want to find a mattress that’s more responsive overall. Most sleepers will “sink” too far into the Layla’s layers, making it difficult for combo sleepers to switch positions during the night. These sleepers might want to check out our roundup of the best mattresses for combination sleepers instead.

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 our roundup of the 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.

Above, you can see that the DreamCloud Premier Rest mattress scored a 6.5 on our firmness scale. This score is actually the industry standard for a medium-firm bed. If your mattress is scored higher than a 6.5, that means it is going to feel slightly firmer than average, while a score under 6.5 is going to feel slightly softer.

Typically, we recommend that side sleepers go for a softer mattress, while back and stomach sleepers go for a firmer mattress, with stomach sleepers especially needing this firmness to keep their hips in line with their shoulders throughout the night, promoting a healthy spinal alignment. However, every sleeper has their own preferences when it comes to the feel of their mattress, so make sure you take a look at what your mattress scores before buying.

California King Mattress Considerations

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.

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.

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