What Is A California King Mattress

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
28 min read

If you’re wondering, “What is a California king mattress?” know that it’s a bed that’s just a hair longer than a traditional king. Below, we’ll go into more detail about its measurements, at which point you’ll be able to decide if it’s the right size for you. The benefits and drawbacks of this mattress size are discussed in this article as well.

Do you want to know which beds meet the criteria for a California king size? If you’ve been persuaded to purchase a mattress of this size because of this article, research the best four brands.

What is a California king mattress?

The standard dimensions for a California king bed are 72 by 84 inches. It’s the same size as a combination of two twin XL mattresses.

The length to width ratio of a California king mattress is what sets it apart from a traditional King mattress, despite popular belief to the contrary. When compared to a traditional king mattress (76 inches wide by 80 inches long), a California king is shorter and narrower.

California King Size vs Standard King Size – Mattress Firm

If you’re over 6 feet tall or your bedroom is particularly narrow, a California king bed may be the best option.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 California king mattresses to get you started.

Everything To Know About California King Mattresses

What is a California king mattress?

A California king mattress is longer than a traditional king mattress but narrower. As a result, a California king mattress is wider (72 inches) and longer (84 inches) than a standard king mattress (80 inches). According to these calculations, a Cal king bed has a surface area of just 6,048 square inches, compared to the 6,080 square inches offered by a standard king mattress.

The California king size is now a common mattress size offered by many manufacturers. It is commonly sold at the same cost as the king-size bed. However, before placing an order, it’s a good idea to double-check the mattress’s dimensions to make sure you get the right one.

Why is it called a California king mattress?

The Los Angeles Times reports that a mattress salesman in Los Angeles has made the observation that California homes are spacious enough to accommodate an increase in the number of extra-large mattresses. So he made a 6-by-7-foot mattress, thinking that it would suit Californians’ tastes and preferences. The modern California King mattress was developed after WWII.

California king mattress pros

  • A California king mattress, which measures 80 inches in length, is ideal for those who are over six feet tall. It’s a good buy if you and your partner are both tall and the width of the Cal king mattress is sufficient for your needs. However, you still might permit yourpets to sleep in the bed with you, and the additional space at the foot end is perfect for them.
  • Everyone longs for a king-size bed, but few can actually accommodate one because of space constraints. In this scenario, If you’re limited on space, the California king mattress is the way to go. In addition, bedrooms that tend to have too much empty space can accommodate this size mattress.
  • The California king bed may not be the most user-friendly option for moving and transporting a bed, but it does reduce the overall width and depth of a standard king bed simplify gaining access to restricted areas due to its narrower width in comparison to a standard king bed. Some mattress materials can be folded for easy transport. However, please measure your home’s pathways before purchasing a bed, or consider purchasing a bed-in-a-box mattress.

California king cons

  • The California king mattress may be less widely available than the more common twin, king, and queen sizes, but it is becoming more widely available among these standard sizes.
  • Accessories and beddings for Cal king beds can be hard to come by due to their relative scarcity. Setting up a bed comfortably requires the right dimensions for the sheets, mattress, and other bedding components. Even though California king beds are slightly smaller than king beds, the accompanying accessories can easily cost as much as the bed itself.
  • The 72-inch width of the California king bed may be too little for couples sharing a bed or families with young children. However, if you and your partner are tired of sleeping on the same queen-size bed, the larger and more luxurious California king is the way to go. Also, a king mattress is a great investment if you have a large bedroom to begin with.

What Is A California King Bed Equivalent To?

The California king bed’s mattress counterpart is the split Cal king. If you put two mattresses next to each other, you’ll get the exact dimensions you need. When put together, they form a standard California king bed that is 36 inches wide and 84 inches long.

The benefits of a split California king over a regular Cal king have to do with portability and mattress sharing. It may feel strange to sleep in the middle of the bed, but if you’re sharing it with a partner, you can each customize your side to your liking. In addition, the California king can be disassembled into its component parts for easier transportation.

Can King Sheets Fit On A California King Bed?

A king-sized mattress will not fit on a California king bed, and vice versa. It won’t stay in place all night because it doesn’t fit properly. For the same reason, a mattress topper or bed frame designed for a traditional king-sized bed will not fit a California king-sized bed.

Here’s a more in-depth look at the differences between the California king and standard king mattress sizes.

What we decided
Our criteria for selecting the top California king mattresses included:

  • Materials. We made sure to include only the best hybrid and foam mattresses available in the size needed for California kings.
  • How and where you like to sleep. Since people have various sleeping habits and preferences, we shopped around for mattresses that would be suitable for a wide range of users.
  • Internal regulations. Because sleeping on a mattress is the best way to evaluate it, we only considered mattresses that offered long trial periods and easy returns. In addition, you can find the details of the warranty offered by each mattress on our list by visiting its respective website.
  • The openness and reliability of the business. Given the abundance of mattress manufacturers, we were careful to only endorse those with stellar reputations and open books.
  • Opinions from the buying public. To ensure that we only suggested the most highly rated mattresses, we pored over customer reviews and comments.

Pricing guide

  • $= under $1,000
  • $$ = $1,000–$2,000
  • $$$ = over $2,000

Best California King Mattresses, According to Healthline

Best overall California king mattress

Saatva Classic Mattress

Saatva Classic Mattress
  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height:11,5 or 14,5 centimeters

The Saatva Classic is a high-end hybrid innerspring mattress that has won numerous industry awards. Its goal is to cut back on back and hurting joints with a soft cushioned top for relaxation, and a core of individually wrapped coils for healthy spinal alignment.

In addition, you can select from two different heights and three different levels of firmness at no additional cost.

The Saatva classic, which is made in the USA, consistently receives glowing reviews from critics. If you like the feel of memory foam on your mattress, this genuine hybrid may not be the best choice for you. But you can find out for yourself with a risk-free 180-night trial at home.

Pros

  • Meant to alleviate discomfort in the spine and limbs.
  • Multiple height and firmness settings are available.
  • Includes a 180-night in-home evaluation.

Cons

  • Costs more than comparable options.
  • Unlike bed-in-a-box options, this one can’t be shipped flat.
  • Not for those looking for a bed made entirely of foam.

Put your feet up on the Saatva Classic Mattress today!

Best memory foam California king mattress

Casper Original Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: Inches: 11

The Casper Original Mattress is built with a simple design that works well for all sleeping positions.

It’s made up of three different types of foam. The first is perforated to increase airflow, the second is divided into three zones of varying firmness to promote proper spinal alignment, and the third eliminates the heaviness and sinkage common to memory foam beds.

Casper is one of the most popular bed-in-a-box options, and reviewers consistently praise the brand’s high level of convenience and pleasant sleep quality.

Pros

  • The firm enjoys an excellent reputation.
  • employs a simple “bed-in-a-box” design.
  • Fabricated to provide air flow, back support, and a soft landing.

Cons

  • Lacks the option to customize height or firmness.
  • Some people get too hot sleeping on memory foam.
  • Some people may not get enough support from an all-foam mattress.

Best California king mattress for side sleepers The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: Inches: 12

Nectar uses many layers of foam for their mattresses. Gel memory foam aids in temperature regulation, and adaptive foam gives you just enough give to keep from sinking into the mattress.

The combination of layers is great for relieving stress in the back, hips, and legs. Because of this, it’s a fantastic option for side sleepers.

Users who have slept on the Nectar mattress compare it to sleeping on air and say they feel significantly less pain in their joints and back. You can try Nectar without any commitment for an entire year.

Pros

  • Has been met with universal acclaim.
  • Sleeping on a mattress made of cooling foam might be more pleasant.
  • Free home trial for an entire year.

Cons

  • Without a doubt, firmness.
  • Some people may find the adaptive foam to be too springy.
  • Some people may not get enough support from an all-foam mattress.

Best California king mattress for couples The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 13 centimeters

The DreamCloud luxury hybrid mattress uses a combination of gel memory foam and individually wrapped coils to provide adaptive support for a variety of sleeping positions. If you sleep with a partner, a child, or a pet, you won’t be disturbed by their movements because the motion transfer is low.

King vs. California King: What's the Difference? - Amerisleep

This is a fantastic option if you and your partner need to find a middle ground between two very different mattress firmness preferences.

Pros

  • Developed to absorb little to no movement.
  • High-end firmness is ideal for many different types of sleepers.
  • Include a home trial period of 365 days.

Cons

  • Priced higher than some people can afford.
  • For those who prefer a softer mattress, the luxuriously firm feel may be too much.

Most comfortable California king mattress The WinkBed

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 1.35 meters

The WinkBed is a cross between a traditional pillow top and a memory foam mattress. It makes the mattress feel plush and pillowy without compromising on support.

Individually encased coils not only prevent the mattress from sagging but also provide targeted support. There are no extra fees for the mattress’s four varying degrees of firmness.

Many reviewers have mentioned how much better they sleep since switching to this mattress. If you order a mattress from WinkBeds and find that you don’t like the firmness you selected, you can easily return it and try a different one.

Pros

  • Comfort and pressure relief are guaranteed thanks to the gel-infused top.
  • Provides a range of firmness from soft to extra firm.
  • claims to have a simple procedure for making exchanges.

Cons

  • Costs a lot of money.
  • Weighs 145 pounds, making transportation a challenge.

Best value California king mattress Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

  • Price: $
  • Type: foam
  • Height: Inches: 10

No matter what your preferred sleeping position is, the two layers of Tuft & Needle’s proprietary foam in their Original Mattress will provide you with the pressure relief and support you need. In order to ensure a restful night’s sleep, the foam incorporates cooling gel beads and heat-absorbing graphite.

The affordable price and reliable support of the Tuft & Needle Original have been praised in many online reviews. Because it’s made entirely of foam, it’s also relatively inexpensive.

Pros

  • Offers reasonable pricing for the quality received.
  • Designed with cooling beads to ease discomfort during the night.
  • The comfort and ease of a bed-in-a-box design is undeniable.

Cons

  • Not everyone can get a good night’s sleep on an all-foam mattress.
  • The height and firmness were both fixed.
  • Not everyone would enjoy sleeping at a lower, thinner height.

Best split California king mattress Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: Height of a foot and a half

This California king mattress is made to be customized to your every need. You can get a bed with an adjustable base that lets you change the height, angle, and even the amount of firmness on each side.

However, you’ll need to speak with a customer service rep to split the cost of two twin XL mattresses and take advantage of the firmness option.

The exclusive TEMPUR foam used in the construction of the TEMPUR-ProAdapt mattress was originally designed for use in space suits.

It’s great for couples because each person can choose their preferred level of firmness on their own side of the bed.

Pros

  • Perfect for a variety of tastes in a relationship.
  • Contains a range of textures and densities.
  • Pressure points can be eased with the help of layers.

Cons

  • Potentially too hot for some people to sleep comfortably.
  • No box springs allowed.

Best California king mattress for back pain Avocado Green Mattress

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: 11-13 inch range

The Avocado Green Mattress is 100% organic, from the cover to the base. Luxurious touches of certified organic natural latex, wool, and cotton complement a zoned support system that provides additional back support and alleviation of pressure point pain.

More than a thousand individually wrapped steel coils provide superior weight distribution, motion isolation, spinal support, and body contouring in this mattress.

Reviewers are raving about how much they love this mattress and the Avocado Sleep team’s dedication to better rest.

Pros

  • 100% organic cotton fabric.
  • There are two levels of firmness to choose from.
  • Includes a free year of testing.

Cons

  • Costs a lot of money.
  • There is a fee to upgrade to a pillow top mattress.

Best latex California king mattress Nolah Natural

  • Price: $$
  • Type: hybrid
  • Height: Length of 11 inches

The Nolah Natural is a mattress that uses eco-friendly Talalay latex to keep sleepers free from allergies. Unlike memory foam, this material won’t make you feel like you’re sinking into it when you sit down. With a cotton cover, this could help the mattress breathe better.

The hybrid design of this mattress incorporates a layer of coils for added structure and durability. Spinal alignment, which can lead to less pain, is another goal of the strategically placed support zones.

The perfect amount of firmness, according to reviews, makes it feel like a dream.

Pros

  • Materials that are hypoallergenic and gentle on the environment.
  • Better pressure relief is praised by critics.
  • Boxed for your easiness of shipment.

Cons

  • It’s possible that some shoppers won’t find it affordable.
  • This is a dense mattress because of the latex.
  • People who like the cushiony feel of memory foam may find this to be too responsive.

Best cooling California king mattress GhostBed Luxe

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: foam
  • Height: A measurement of 13 inches

The GhostBed Luxe has temperature regulation built right in. The brand guarantees a cool and comfortable night’s sleep thanks to the use of breathable materials like gel memory foam. They also boast a layer of patent-pending “Ghost Ice,” which is designed to absorb excess body heat while you rest.

The mattress’s medium-plush texture makes it a good choice for those who prefer a softer bed.

The Luxe has received high marks for its breathable design and long-lasting cushioning.

Pros

  • Users say it maintains its coolness.
  • This mattress’s medium-plush texture works for a variety of sleepers.

Cons

  • Costs more than its counterparts.
  • Some people may have trouble falling asleep due to the low temperature.

How our top picks compare

Mattress Price Type Time of Trial
The Original Saatva Mattress $$ hybrid 360 days
Mattress Original Casper $$ foam The term “100 nights”
Mattress with Nectar Memory Foam $$ foam Nights: 365
The Superlative Hybrid Luxury Bed, DreamCloud $$ hybrid Nights: 365
Our New WinkBed $$ hybrid 360 mornings
The Original Mattress from Tuft & Needle $ foam 100 evenings
TEMPUR-ProAdapt from Tempur-Pedic $$$ foam 90 nights
Mattress, Avocado Green $$ hybrid Nights: 365
Natural Nolah $$ hybrid 360 mornings
Luxury GhostBed $$$ foam 1001 Nights

How to shop

There are a few more things to think about after deciding that a California king is the right size for you.

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There is no “best” mattress because each person has unique needs and preferences when it comes to how they feel most comfortable while sleeping. Consider:

  • Style of mattress. There are numerous mattress types available for California kings, including foam, innerspring, and hybrid models. What feels best to you is largely a matter of personal taste. A hybrid mattress combines the best features of both foam and innerspring mattresses, making it a good option if you’re still trying to decide which type you prefer.
  • Mattress effectiveness. There are a number of other factors to think about when purchasing a mattress, including firmness, motion isolation, temperature regulation, edge support, and off-gassing (new mattress smell). Find mattresses that have received high marks for the features that are most important to you.
  • Supplies for making a bed. Consider the construction of the mattress carefully. Certifications such as CertiPUR-US, GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) indicate the use of high-quality materials. Your mattress’s durability and lifespan are directly proportional to the quality of the materials used to construct it.
  • Warranty and free trial period. Finding the right mattress from reading product descriptions online can be difficult, and spending 30 minutes lying on a bed in a store isn’t always indicative of how it will perform over time. A good mattress should come with at least a 30-day in-home trial period. It’s also wise to read the fine print to familiarize yourself with the policy regarding refunds and exchanges.

Frequently asked questions

Who should buy a California king mattress?

A California king mattress is ideal for tall people because it is 4 inches longer than a traditional king. Those added inches will allow you to fully stretch out without your toes touching the floor.

If your pet prefers to sleep at your feet, a California king mattress is a great option. In addition, the reduced profile could work better in a variety of bedroom arrangements.

While both the California king and the traditional king are very spacious, the California king’s narrower width makes it a better choice for couples who prefer to sleep in close quarters.

It’s important to remember that it’s not just the mattress itself that’s expensive, but also the extras like a new set of sheets.

What’s the difference between a California king and a standard king mattress?

There is a significant size difference between a regular king mattress and a California king mattress.

California king mattresses are wider (72 inches) and narrower (84 inches) than standard king mattresses.

The California king is longer and narrower than a regular king, so if you want to make the switch, you’ll have to buy a new bed frame and sheets.

What’s a split California king?

Simply put, a split California king mattress consists of two regular twin mattresses joined together so that their combined dimensions match those of a standard California king.

If you and your partner share a bed but have different preferences in terms of firmness, temperature, or if one of you is a restless sleeper, the split California king might be the best option for you.

To further tailor your night’s sleep to your preferences, invest in an adjustable base. However, the split California king may not be the best option if you have a habit of rolling toward the middle of the bed.

Conclusion

What do you think? We explained that a California king mattress is a bed that is longer than a traditional king but narrower. It’s the best option for those who have a small bedroom, are tall, or have a pet in bed with them.

Feel free to ask any follow-up questions about this measurement you may have in the space provided.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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