Best King-Size Mattress of 2024 | Fortune Recommends Health (2024)

Good sleep can give you energy, sharpened focus, heightened immunity, and even protect you from chronic health conditions. ( 1 ) What better way to ensure a solid night’s rest than to set yourself up for success with a plush, supportive king-size mattress?

Choosing a new mattress can feel daunting, so we did all the legwork on determining the 10 top king-size mattresses for you. Our testers and experts examined product claims on firmness, motion isolation, pain relief, and more. We analyzed real customer reviews to bring you all the information you need in one place.
The right mattress can lessen aches, and as a long-time nurse with chronic back pain, I know firsthand the importance of choosing the right mattress for healing slumber. ( 2 ) Keep scrolling to find the best mattresses and prepare for some good nights of sleep.

Our picks for the best king mattresses

• Best overall: Nectar Memory Foam
• Best for couples: DreamCloud Premier
• Best for side sleepers: Helix Midnight
• Best for back pain: Emma Hybrid Comfort
• Best firm: Wink Bed Firm
• Most comfortable: Saatva Classic
• Best hybrid: Nolah Evolution
• Best cooling: Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid
• Best value: Brooklyn Bedding Signature
• Best for heavy people: Titan Mattress Titan Plus

Best overall king mattress: Nectar Memory Foam

Why we like Nectar Memory Foam as best overall

We chose the Nectar Foam King mattress as our best overall pick for its stellar reviews and top–notch features. According to post-purchase surveys, nine out of 10 buyers would recommend this mattress to their family and friends, and the same number said sleeping on their Nectar Foam dulled aches and pains.

As with other mattresses on our list, Nectar’s hybrid option has several layers, including individually wrapped coils, topped by different types of foam. If you start at the top, you’ll notice a breathable, quilted cooling cover. Once you lie down, you may feel the gel-infused memory foam and other layers contour to your every curve and sore spot. Pain and sleep fight a constant circular battle in which pain steals sleep, and the loss of sleep causes more pain. ( 3 ) But if your mattress can help ease that pain, your aches and snoozes have a good chance of improving.

Boasting 12 inches (five layers) of CertiPUR-US® foams, the Nectar Foam King has won several awards for not just back sleepers but stomach and side sleepers, too. They claim this mattress has minimal motion transfer, meaning you can flop around in your dreams without disturbing a sleeping partner.

Nectar’s NectarCool technology was designed to keep you sweat-free all night long. In fact, 87 website reviews mention the noticeable cooling action. Other reviews rave about its pressure point support and all the pain relief people have felt after a few nights of slumber on the Nectar Foam King. While some reviewers found it too hard and were unimpressed with the motion isolation, Nectar’s 365-day trial period and free returns make giving it a try about as low-risk as it comes.

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Best king size mattress for couples: DreamCloud Premier

Why we like DreamCloud Premier best for couples

Our testers loved the DreamCloud Premier for its firm upper foam layers, which provide plenty of support. Studies show people feel most comfortable and get the best sleep on medium-firm mattresses. This firmness can also keep your spine straighter than other options. ( 4 ) With a firmness score of seven out of ten, the DreamCloud fits the bill, paving the way for better sleep and happier couples.

DreamCloud built this mattress with eight layers of comfort. Sink into a breathable cashmere blend cushion top and three inches of gel memory foam to adapt to all your pressure points. A one-inch transition layer and eight inches of coils underneath support your back. The DreamCloud also has extra edge support. So, if you scoot away from your bed partner at night, you can rest on the edge without feeling like you’ll topple off.

Individually wrapped inner coils provide ultimate support. Our testers felt very minimal motion transfer. Less motion transfer means you have a higher chance of sleeping through your partner’s tosses and turns.

The DreamCloud may work best for back sleepers and lightweight to average stomach sleepers. Side sleepers may find it too firm. One tester woke up with a red spot on their shoulder after sleeping on their side. But unless you like to spoon all night long, couples may love the other benefits this option offers.

Temperature regulation makes a huge difference in sleep quality, and sometimes, it can be hard to stay cool when you share a bed. ( 5 ) DreamCloud’s creators designed this mattress for air flow. This can help you stay cool enough throughout the night. And hopefully, avoid waking up sweaty or uncomfortable.

With a lifetime warranty and a one-year trial period, the DreamCloud stays low-risk for value-minded shoppers.

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Best king size mattress for side sleepers: Helix Midnight

Why we like Helix Midnight as best for side sleepers

For anyone who loves sleeping on their side, the right or wrong mattress can make or break your night of sleep. On their sides, our product testers reported only slight pressure buildup at the shoulders and hips. Contouring foams cradle side-sleepers’ pressure points. When one tester curled up on the Helix Midnight for the first time, they felt a lot of stored back and hip pressure ease.

Our testers said back sleeping felt almost as comfortable as side sleeping on this mattress. They reported a little extra pressure around the lower back, hips, and ankles but still loved it.

The Helix Midnight rests between average-firm and soft. You may notice your hips sink slightly as you lay down. This mattress offers a nice mix of softness and firmness while supporting the joints.

Foam mattresses can lack edge support, and our tester said they felt like they might slip off when lying near the edge. But, sitting on the edge felt sturdy, and getting in and out of bed was easy—great for anyone with mobility issues.

Motion isolation only scored a 3.5 out of five possible points: We tested the tried-and-true wine glass method, and our tester felt like the glass may tip over at certain points. Although, the increased bounce made the bed very comfortable for switching positions.

The Helix Midnight doesn’t feel cool to the touch but will keep you cool while you sleep. With durable materials, this mattress has the potential to last a long time. Overall, our testers deemed this mattress a decent quality for the price.

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Best king size mattress for back pain: Emma Hybrid Comfort

Why we like Emma Hybrid Comfort best for back pain

We found the Emma Hybrid Comfort mattress the most supportive for back pain. Its firm feel and solid edge construction offer plenty of support anywhere on its surface. Its responsive Aeroflex springs and adaptive foam layers can soothe your back pain and lull you into dreamland.

Studies say medium-firm mattresses are most helpful for people with chronic back pain. ( 4 ) The team at Emma touts seven-zoned support to ergonomically position your entire body from head to legs. Their foam was designed to contour to the unique shape of each sleeper.

We found some positions very comfortable, but others…not so much. Our product tester found she liked stomach sleeping best on this mattress. Both back and stomach positions offered plenty of support for people of light and average weight. Sleepers who carry more pounds may find this option too soft.

When she slept on her side, she noticed a lot of pressure on her hip and shoulder, with some redness upon waking. She also felt the mattress as a whole was more firm than reported on Emma’s site. The Emma Hybrid Comfort delivered on motion isolation. Our tester barely felt it when someone tried jumping up and down beside her.

Stay cool all night with the cooling foam technology built into this mattress, offering plenty of airflow and fewer sweaty nights. Our tester reported some difficulty repositioning on the slightly unresponsive surface. They also heard plastic rustling when repositioning. But with a 365-day trial period and 10-year warranty, you have plenty of time to decide if you notice any deal breakers.

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Best firm king size mattress: Wink Bed Firm

Why we like Wink Bed Firm as best firm mattress

The Wink Bed Firm mattress offers plenty of support with an extra firm feel, solid edge support, and a mix of foam and coils. Soft mattresses can let your hips and shoulders sink too far, leading to poor back positioning and pain. ( 4 )

This mattress offers a combination of cushioning and our product tester felt plenty of lumbar support. We did find some increased pressure areas in the side-lying position, especially around the shoulders, neck, and hips.

A luxury mattress cover tops the Wink Bed Firm. Made from Tencel, a eucalyptus-based fabric, it wicks away moisture while you snooze. Our tester didn’t notice any notable cooling properties–hot sleepers may not love it. With a 4/5 score on motion isolation, this mattress holds its own on movement. You may feel a bed partner get up for a bathroom break, but most movement stays localized.

Regarding edge control, our tester felt they might slip off the side when they lay close to the edge. But sitting on the bedside felt sturdy, with only a half-inch of sinkage. This bed doesn’t have a lot of bounce, but we found it easy to change positions throughout the night.

With a 120-night sleep trial and a lifetime warranty, The Wink Bed Firm offers plenty of options if you don’t love the product. The mattress feels durable and soft, with a fairly good value for the price. Our tester slept very comfortably in this bed but suggests that those with joint pain go for something softer. The Wink Bed Firm may be a bit too firm for lightweight sleepers. But it should work for most average-weight people and is an excellent choice for heavy back sleepers.

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Most comfortable king size mattress: Saatva Classic

Why we like Saatva Classic as most comfortable

If you like the idea of sleeping on a cloud, the Saatva Classic will probably check most of your mattress wish list boxes. Our product tester found it very comfortable to lay on. They immediately noticed the zoned support that eased back pain. Saatva uses its Lumbar Zone® Active Spinal Wire technology to keep your back aligned in any position. ( 6 )

This mattress offers pressure relief and body contouring. Its sinkage is excellent for hips and offers good support everywhere else. The Saatva Classic may win the prize for “best edge support.” Our reviewer said even with half their body hanging off the edge at one point, they never felt they would fall off. With little to no sinkage, this mattress is easy to get on and off—great for those with mobility issues.

On top, this mattress sports a knit, breathable, and plush cover that feels airy and soft. It’s not cool to the touch, but our reviewer found the hypoallergenic organic cotton cover very pleasant and comfortable. Plush comfort comes at a price, and for the Saatva Classic, that price is motion isolation, which our tester rated at a 3 out of 5 points. With less motion isolation comes a better bounce, making repositioning a snap.

No matter your sleeping position, the Saatva Classic will cradle you all night long. Our tester reported very little pressure around the shoulders, hips, and knees, but they said it best supported their backs. This mattress also comes with a longer-than-average 365-night trial and a lifetime warranty.

This mattress feels very high quality with a plush, breathable cover, zoned support, lumbar active spinal wire, and hypoallergenic materials. It’s worth the price tag.

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Best king size hybrid mattress : Nolah Evolution

Why we like Nolah Evolution as best hybrid

We love the Nolah Evolution mattress as the best hybrid king-size mattress because of its plush top layer and full-body support. Our testers said it felt like sleeping on a hotel bed. It kept their spine perfectly straight throughout the night, regardless of sleep position. This mattress offers zoned AirFoam™ and its patented HDMax™ Tri-Zone™ coils for support wherever you need it.

The Nolah Evolution is rare and doesn’t sink when you sit or lie on the edge. Our testers also rated its cooling properties at a full five points, with noticeable temperature control. Nolah uses organic cotton plus ArcticTex ^TM to create a cover that pulls heat away from you. Its breathable AirFoam ^TM and AirBreath ^TM borders also allow plenty of air exchange.

Our testers reported that the Nolah Evolution absorbed a lot of motion. With good motion isolation, you have a better chance of sleeping undisturbed all night long. Often, this feature means it can feel hard to reposition, but our testers said they could move around the mattress easily.

When it comes to pressure relief, the Nolah doesn’t disappoint. Our tester felt a little shoulder pressure. But their hips and lower back felt great in any position. We give this mattress a gold star for combination sleepers. Our testers said they felt comfortable and supported in any position.

If your weight is on the lighter side, this mattress may feel very comfortable with lots of cushion. Our testers also said average sleepers should feel very supported and cozy. But heavy sleepers may notice a softer feel. If you sink too much into this mattress, Nolah offers a firmer option. While it may feel great initially, it may lose some firmness over time.

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Best cooling king size mattress : Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid

Why we like Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid as best cooling

The Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid offers an exceptional cooling sleep experience. Staying cool plays an important role in good sleep. As your body prepares for bed, your core temperature drops and it keeps falling as you sleep. ( 7 ) Your temperature can rise from warm blankets or a non-breathable sleeping surface. When that happens, it can interrupt a nice, deep sleep. ( 8 ) According to reviewers, you’ll stay cool all night on the Bear Mattress Hybrid Elite.

The plush, body-contouring surface of this mattress still offers plenty of support. Our product testers gave it a six out of 10 score on firmness. A little softer than a medium-firm option, the Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid may be “just right.” Our tester felt supported in every position and gave motion isolation a high score, too. During the wine glass test, the liquid barely moved. While our testers felt their bed partner moving at times, they noticed very little motion.

With such good motion isolation, this mattress doesn’t have much bounce, which may make it harder to change positions. We found the edge support solid and not much side sinkage–both lying and sitting. This makes the Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid a good option for anyone with mobility issues.

Our tester found back sleeping most comfortable on this mattress, with only a little pressure around their hips and lower back. Side-sleeping felt almost as good, with some small pressure around the joints. But they felt comfortable in any position, which makes the Bear Mattress Elite Hybrid a great option for combination sleepers. Lightweight and average-weight sleepers may prefer this softer mattress more than heavier sleepers. But Bear also offers a firm version to try. If you find you’d rather try another, you have 120 nights to decide and a lifetime warranty once you do.

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Best value king size mattress : Brooklyn Bedding Signature

Why we like Brooklyn Bedding Signature as best value

Do you feel the inflation pinch and investing in an expensive new mattress seems excessive? The Brooklyn Bedding Signature can let you in on comfortable, supportive sleep for much less than its competitors. At $1,599 with frequent sale offers, you can jump into comfort on this cheap mattress without breaking the bank.

The Brooklyn Bedding Signature feels soft and plush to the touch and gets a 6.5 out of 10 score on firmness. Our product testers say their bodies felt lifted and supported through the night, although it was a little firm for side-sleeping. This mattress offers good edge support both sitting and lying. The tester even tried hanging a leg over the side and still didn’t feel like they’d slide off.

Staying cool all night can sometimes be challenging. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature offers good cooling power, scoring 4.5 out of five. But the tester said they wouldn’t recommend it for a very hot sleeper. Motion isolation scored lower—our tester felt every movement from their bed partner. While this may bother some, the poor motion isolation does come with bounce benefits. Our tester found it easy to move around on this bed and change positions.

Proper body alignment and joint support are hallmarks of any good mattress choice. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature scored high in both side-lying and back-lying positions. All-night-side-sleepers may notice some pressure around their shoulders and hips. But Brooklyn also has softer models you can try. Plus, its 120-night trial period allows for some mattress auditions.

Our testers loved the handles on the mattress sides for easy lifting and praised the value, especially with frequent coupons available. Lightweight sleepers may find the Brooklyn Bedding Signature too firm, but our testers felt it would work well for most average-weight and heavy sleepers.

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Best king size mattress for heavy people : Titan Mattress Titan Plus

Why we like Titan Mattress Titan Plus as best for heavy people

If you carry some extra weight, your mattress choice can greatly affect your sleep quality and pain. Experts tell us that a medium–firm mattress can offer benefits to those regardless weight and BMI. ( 4 ) Our product testers rated the Titan Mattress Titan Plus at a 7.5 out of 10. Its soft, firm cover offered very little sinkage. They felt supported lying on the mattress—like their entire body was lifted.

The Titan Mattress Titan Plus also provides excellent edge support, both sitting at the side of the bed and lying near the edge. Many people who weigh more than average live with mobility issues ( 9 ), and the Titan’s sturdiness provides a solid base and more ease of movement.

Staying cool through the night helps you sleep better. ( 8 ) The Titan Plus claims several cooling features: a unique woven topper, gel-infused foam layers, and a coil system. Our tester felt decent cooling, but wouldn’t recommend it for very hot sleepers.

If you love bouncy mattresses, you’ll love the Titan Plus. Our tester found it springy, making it easy to change positions. However, this responsiveness translates to less-than-ideal motion isolation. Our tester felt their bed partner move around a lot.

Through our testing procedures, we found the Titan Plus should provide plenty of pressure relief for back sleeping. For people under 250 pounds, though, we saw a lot of pressure around the joints, so it may be too firm to sleep on your side. Our testers found this mattress provided good spinal alignment for stomach sleeping. If you feel unsure how well the Titan Plus will work for you, the company offers a 120-night trial to test it yourself.

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How we test mattresses

We like to give our readers a candid assessment of each mattress we test and recommend. Fortune tested, studied, and researched the king mattress options above to give you the most accurate, current information possible. Read our mattress testing methodology for more information.

Performance (sleep experience)—30%

A high-quality mattress should feel like it’s designed to provide you with the best sleep of your life. They should also deliver on the promise of a great sleep experience. Our sleep science experts assess various factors to reflect the functional aspects of the mattress as well as the user’s sleep experience. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Temperature regulation
• Motion isolation
• Edge support
• Technology

Comfort and support—30%

Alongside the sleep experience, comfort and support are just as important for a healthy and restful sleep. A high-quality mattress should assist in providing relief with certain aches and pains a user may experience when sleeping. It should also help users wake up feeling energized and rested. Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Firmness
• Pressure relief
• Spinal alignment support
• Customization

Value—20%

Assessing value involves a meticulous examination of several key factors that contribute to a mattress’s worth. A mattress that is priced just within reach of its target audience, yet surpasses competitors in terms of materials, performance, and support, presents a compelling value proposition. However value is not solely determined by the lowest price point. We also determine it by finding the balance between cost and the tangible benefits a mattress provides.

Customer experience—10%

Sometimes, the mattress can be great, but if the overall shopping experience wasn’t, that could easily put a sour taste in a user’s mouth about the mattress they just purchased. We put in the hours to determine how well the entire process of buying a mattress matches users’ expectations and what options are available when something goes wrong.

• Shipping
• Warranty
• Customer service
• Sleep trial

Health and safety—10%

It’s important to understand that a mattress is more than just a sleeping surface—it’s an environment where you spend a significant portion of your life. We meticulously assess critical aspects of mattresses that may directly impact your well-being and peace of mind.

Our factors in this rating include:

• Hypoallergenic materials
• Off-gassing and chemical exposure
• Safety certifications

What to consider when buying a king-size mattress

If you’re looking for a king size mattress to fit your personal sleep needs, you have much to consider. Medium-firm mattresses work well for back pain, and and firm mattresses can provide support for those regardless of weight or BMI. ( 4 ) If you share your bed, you may want to go with a mattress with good motion isolation and edge support so you don’t feel your partner move around and if you sleep with a bed-hog, you know the edge of the mattress won’t let you slide off.

If you sleep hot, look for a mattress with excellent cooling technology (typically coiled/hybrid models over full-foam). If you have back or joint pain, you may need to try out a few mattresses to find your sweet spot–firm enough to support your back but responsive enough to mold to your hips and shoulders. All the king mattresses on our list have a trial period, so you can try a couple before deciding on your perfect sleeping surface.

Who is a king-size mattress best for?

With all the luxurious space a king-size mattress offers, this size benefits just about everybody. Standard king-size beds typically measure 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. ( 10 ) If you sleep with a bed partner, those 76 inches may feel like a lifesaver.

Does a child (or three) join you at some point during the night? A king-size mattress gives you enough space for a pillow buffer against toddler kicks to the face. People with pets tend to love bigger mattresses, too. The less you have to fight over space, the better.

The main downside to this size is that all those inches have to fit into your bedroom or sleeping space. Some may not mind crawling directly onto their mattress from the bedroom door, but others may decide it’s too big for the room.

Types of king-size mattresses

You’ll quickly notice that most king mattresses are named after states…we’re not sure why. Here are all the types of king-size mattresses and their measurements: ( 4 )

• Regular/Standard King Mattress : 80 by 76 inches
• RV/Short King Mattress : 80 by 72 inches
• California King Mattress : 84 by 72 inches
• Texas King Mattress : 98 x 80 inches
• Wyoming King Mattress : 84 by 84 inches
• Vermont/Alberta King Mattress : 96 by 96 inches
• Alaskan King Mattress : 108 by 108 inches

Are you not sure which is right for you? Grab your measuring tape and see how a king-size mattress will fit in your bedroom.

King-size mattresses also come as all-foam or foam/coil hybrids. While full foam king-size mattresses may cost less from some suppliers, most of our testers noticed better support and cooling from hybrid mattresses.

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