A king-sized mattress is the best choice for couples who want maximum personal sleeping space but still be able to sleep together. To ensure that the king-size mattress will fit nicely into your bedroom, it is always a good idea to check your room dimensions. Also, think about how you are going to move the mattress into your bedroom. 

For example, you would want to measure the corridors, doors and stairwells that the mattress will need to fit through. Alternatively, your delivery service where applicable may be able to advise you on moving your new king mattress into your bedroom. 

In 2019 alone, a ton of new mattress brands have emerged in the market and they all sell great king size mattresses. No doubt, choosing the best king mattress can be a trouble. Fortunately, this brief guide should give you a rough idea on how to determine the right king mattress that works for you.

King Bed Dimensions

The king-size mattress dimensions are 76 inches wide by approximately 80 inches long – about 16 inches wider than a queen. This is the closest a couple can come to having as much personal space (38 inches) as each would have on a twin bed. In fact, two twin extra-long beds pushed together are about the same size as a king, an option that can offer a flexible arrangement for a guest room.

There are a few variants of King beds, here are their dimensions. 

Standard King 80 inches length 76 inches width 5-20 inches depth
Split King          80 inches length 79 inches width 5-20 inches depth
California King 84 inches length 72 inches width 5-20 inches depth

Factors to consider when buying a King Mattress

Thickness

Mattress height varies on different brands. Entry-level choices tend to be much thinner and simpler in their design. On the contrary, luxury brands that have more complicated comfort layers and support systems will be thicker. 

Durability

I can’t stress on this enough, just because a mattress comes with a bank-breaking price tag, it doesn’t mean that the mattress is a good quality mattress. Some materials will naturally wear our faster than others, depending on how they were formulated and placed. 

You would want to look out for latex materials if you want a very durable mattress. Innerspring mattresses though traditional, does a great job in terms of durability as well. 

Adaptability 

Choosing a king mattress with a universal feel that can adapt to changing bodies or differing preferences is key. If a bed can accommodate your changing size or sleep positions, it will definitely enhance its long-term value. 

Firmness

All good king mattresses should contain a good balance of comfort and support. King mattresses with enhanced support systems may feel firmer than beds with enhanced comfort. If you are heavier or you suffer from back pain, it is best advised that you go with an enhanced supportive king mattress which will be slightly firmer. 

Comfort

Pressure relief a key determining factor when it comes to comfort and is delivered by softer materials at the top of the mattress that conforms to your curves. Besides that, sinkage also plays a big role in delivering a comforting experience. A bed with a deeper hug will often offer more pressure relief, so if you/your partner suffer from sore joints, you might want to consider getting a king mattress that has greater sinkage. 

Spine Alignment

If your body sinks more in some areas than in others, you might not be experiencing optimal spine alignment. If lying on your king bed feels curved, you probably experience discomfort on your back when you wake up. So it is always important to consider the spine alignment features of your king bed. 

Motion Transfer

King beds that cannot absorb movements are something you don’t want. When purchasing a king bed, it is probably because you are sleeping with a partner, if you or your partner tend to change positions a lot during sleep, it is ideal for you to get a king bed that isolates motion so you and your partner’s sleep aren’t interrupted. In terms of motion transfer, you might want to look for memory foam mattresses as they are known to provide exceptional motion isolation. 

How much should you spend on your king mattress?

Don’t get confused here. More money does not mean better quality. If you think that some of these online options are somehow worse than in-store ones, you are badly mistaken. Stores tend to inflate the prices as much as 1000%.

There are many online options you can choose from ranging from $700 to $2200. A good king mattress that doesn’t break the bank and still give you and your partner a great sleeping experience should cost between $700-$1500 (Innerspring/Memory foam). Hybrid and Latex mattresses come at a higher price tag, a decent latex/hybrid king mattress will start at $1500 onwards and can go up to $3000.