Nothing will impact the long-term quality of the sleep you get quite like the mattress you choose to have in your bedroom. Comfortable pillows will certainly help, and so too will a good fan or reliable air-conditioning unit that gets the room temperature to where you need it to be, but still, they are secondary considerations.
The moment you lie down on a mattress that does not suit your preferences, you will feel it immediately, and in all likelihood, sleep will prove elusive with that item.
This combo review piece and buyer’s guide should supply you with all the important information you will need to pick out which king size mattress is ideally suited for you. At the end of reading this article, it should be a breeze for you to find the mattress of your dreams.
Best King Size Mattress Comparison Table
| Product | Number of Layers | Firmness Description | CertiPUR-US Certification | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leesa | 3 | Firm | n/a | Check Price |
| Sleep Innovations Shiloh | 2 | Medium | n/a | Check Price |
| Tuft & Needle | n/a | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
| Best Price | 3 | Firm | Yes | Check Price |
| 2018 Classic Brands | 3 | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
| Live and Sleep Resort | 3 | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
| Perfect Cloud Elegance | 4 | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
| DynastyMattress | 4 | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
| Zinus Green Tea | 4 | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
| Signature Sleep | 2 | Firm | Yes | Check Price |
| Modway Aveline | n/a | Firm | Yes | Check Price |
| Swiss Ortho Sleep | 2 | n/a | n/a | Check Price |
Leesa – Great Model from Social Impact Manufacturer
One sure way to rob yourself of sleeping hours at night is to deprive your body of the support it needs. Few things are as difficult to deal with as a mattress that just doesn’t provide enough stability to cradle you. A soft mattress is fine, but anything that leans too far in that direction is going to affect your body adversely eventually.
The thing about this top layer is that it still gives way so you won’t feel like you’re leaning on stone, but it also produces this kind of bounce-back that targets the parts of the body that are usually affected by chronic pain. The foam layers do their jobs in that regard.
Unfortunately, this mattress has a tendency to soften a little too much over time. Its durability needs to be improved. At that point when softness becomes an issue, it may no longer prove to be useful for some people.
There are some additional benefits to getting the Leesa King Mattress. The manufacturers of the mattress have pledged to donate one mattress for every 10 they sell, plant one tree for each one they sell, and they also take the time to volunteer in their communities.
The quality of the mattress won’t improve because of the charity work the company is doing, but you may still find it easier to sleep at night knowing you did business with people who are giving back constantly.
Final Verdict
- It doesn’t matter how you like to sleep, this mattress will accommodate you.
- The mattress will need extra care or else it may get worn down and have its state of firmness change too quickly.
Sleep Innovations Shiloh – Great Temperature-Regulating System
You want freedom when you’re sleeping. You want to be able to lie down in any manner, facing in any direction, and still be confident that your body won’t be paying for doing so in the morning. It’s a reasonable ask, but to the disappointment of many, a lot of mattresses fail to provide that.
The Shiloh Mattress from Sleep Innovations excels in that area though. The memory foam is obviously there to meet the problem points of your body, but there’s a balanced feel to the mattress that is not prevalent among the market’s other offerings.
Pick a spot, any spot on the bed to sleep in, and you’ll do so with ease.
The manufacturers also made the top layer of the mattress out of SureTemp memory foam. SureTemp memory foam excels at regulating temperature all throughout the mattress. It’s going to prevent the spot you’re lying on from turning into a heatsink of sorts.
Included with the mattress is a soft poly-cotton blend cover. Feel free to keep this on your mattress, because even when it gets to the point where it starts to get funky, you can simply remove it, wash it, and put it back on to have it smell and look good as new.
Final Verdict
- Mattresses shouldn’t restrict you to any specified sleeping spots, and this one definitely doesn’t.
- It doesn’t get too hot or too cold, and that perfect if you’re sensitive to that stuff when you’re sleeping.
- It’s not a particularly soft mattress and that can prove to be an issue for some.
Tuft & Needle – Ideal for Summer
Memory foam is definitely the material of choice currently in the market, and judging by the way consumers have embraced it, the odds of it going away anytime soon are slim. It’s common practice in any market to copy or follow what the trend is, and that’s why it’s quite refreshing to see Tuft & Needle going in their own direction with their King Mattress.
Instead of using memory foam to create their mattress, the folks at Tuft & Needle have chosen to go with what they call Adaptive Foam. They promise a mattress that keeps you comfortable like memory foam without the annoying drawback that leads to heat being trapped together with you. Memory has been known to do that on occasion.
However, this mattress has shown a tendency to lose its firmness earlier than what you would want. The cooling is more than welcome, but the lack of durability is disappointing.
Also, manufacturers advise potential buyers to give this mattress some time to breathe when they first bring it inside their bedroom. The prescribed waiting period is three days.
By allowing the mattress to fully expand and breathe within its new surroundings for a few days, you should be able to experience how the Adaptive Foam truly feels on your body, and any unusual odors are expected to no longer be noticeable.
Final Verdict
- Tuft & Needle’s mattress is ideal for the summer.
- An odor accompanies the mattress for the first few days. It can be off-putting and may require you to hold off on using the mattress for a bit.
Best Price – Best Value for Money
Thus far, the mattresses that have been reviewed are on the pricier side, and to be honest, many of the other options available are also far from being easily affordable. However, it’s not an option to be without a mattress for an extended period of time.
As you might have expected though, the low price tag does come with what some may term as a catch.
While the mattress is nice and firm if you find the right spots to rest on, there are other points of it that are just way too soft. You may even find yourself sinking into the memory foam if you’re lying down for too long.
That’s due in part to the inclusion of the 2-inch super soft foam layer. It’s easy to see the logic behind why the designers opted to include the super-soft layer. With them using so much high-density foam, counterbalancing that with something that provides minimal resistance is good in theory.
In practice though, the super soft layer can be a bit much.
The softness can be a deal-breaker for many, but if you get used to the contours of the mattress, you can still enjoy restful nights.
Final Verdict
- The mattress does well to avoid placing undue pressure on your body.
- When you do sink into the mattress, you will feel that heat that people tend to complain about with memory foam.
2018 Classic Brands – Best Cool Gel Memory Foam
Warm days are growing hotter and longer, making it tougher for people to fall asleep because the heat can at times feel oppressive. A mattress that capably provides cooling can be a lifesaver during those nights and that’s what the 2018 Classic Brands King Mattress strives to be.
The downside of using that aerated cool gel is that the mattress itself is soft in the middle, and perhaps too much so for certain people. Firmness is usually a subjective matter, but in the case of this mattress, there’s really no getting away from that softness.
The inclusion of the foam base does a little to balance out the gel, but it’s not enough to prevent sinking.
Looks don’t matter that much when it comes to mattresses, but if you are someone who likes to have a stylish bedroom, you’ll probably appreciate the detailing that went into this product.
The side panels look sleek and give the mattress a more distinct appearance. They make the bed pop visually. Take a closer look at the fabric cover and you’ll also see that it is a product of fine craftsmanship.
Also, getting free stuff together with your purchase is always welcome. It’s great that the manufacturers decided to include memory foam pillows as freebies because they are actually useful and will enhance the level of comfort you’ll be able to enjoy on your new mattress.
Final Verdict
- People who struggle to sleep because it’s too warm will adore this mattress.
- Some off-putting odors may linger on the mattress early on.
Live and Sleep Resort – Great for Hot Climate
There’s a reason why the folks at Live and Sleep decided to name this mattress Resort Ultra. They wanted to evoke the feeling of sleeping on a bed inside a cottage located near a beach.
Sadly, the mattress won’t transport you to a sun-kissed white sand beach, but it can still provide more than adequate cooling for when the warmth of the sun becomes unbearable.
Similar to the mattress from Classic Brands, Live and Sleep’s offering opts to go with gel memory foam to achieve that improved cooling.
As you might have also guessed, issues that plague the entry above also affect the Resort Ultra. You really will have to choose whether you need cooling more or whether a firmer bed is what you prefer.
To further incentivize you into getting this mattress, you will be on the receiving end of a free queen-size pillow if you move ahead with your purchase. The pillow is soft, but not overly so, and it compliments the mattress quite well.
Final Verdict
- If you’ve found that the materials used in other mattresses are triggering your allergies, then you might want to give this one a try. It’s hypoallergenic, and that will ensure that you won’t be kept up by sneezing fits.
- Avoid staying in the middle of the mattress for too long or else you’ll be sinking into it.
Perfect Cloud Elegance – Great Versatility
Support is important in a mattress. You will spend countless hours lying down on one, and how your body reacts to the mattress will factor significantly into how you wake up each and every morning.
To that end, the designers at Perfect Cloud have created a mattress that seeks to provide you with the level of support you will need regardless of your preferred sleeping position or body type.
Some would argue that the mattress is actually a bit too firm and can seem like it provides too much resistance. That is something that does pop up especially when the mattress is still new, but that is a problem depending only on your preference.
Included with the mattress is a textile stretch knit cover. The best part about it is that it has a zipper. That zipper allows for easier removal and installation of the cover.
It can sometimes be so hard to put on a mattress cover after washing that many people will just hold off on doing that for as long as they can. The zipper is a minor addition, but it really does make a significant difference especially if you’ll be using this mattress for a long time.
Final Verdict
- People who have a tendency to move around when they are trying to sleep will appreciate this mattress.
- It’s best to avoid this one if you aren’t fond of firm mattresses.
DynastyMattress – Outstanding Durability
Certain people find it challenging to get any meaningful rest while lying down, or rather sinking into a bed that is too soft. It’s why firm mattresses will always have a place in the marketplace. The comfort provided by a firm mattress is distinct, and an item has to be designed specifically to offer it.
That’s what you can get from the King Size mattress from DynastyMattress. It’s definitely one of the firmer mattresses available anywhere and it will keep your body nice and level as you call it a night. The designers at DynastyMattress managed to achieve that higher level of firmness by filling up their product offering with high-density foam.
One issue with that high-density foam is that it tends to accumulate heat. The designers tried to balance that out by including Airflow foam, but it doesn’t do enough on particularly warm nights.
There’s nothing wrong with the people making the mattress focusing primarily on the provision of comfort.
Still, it’s hard to look at this item from DynastyMattress and maintain that good looks don’t add at least a little something. If you find that two mattresses are pretty even in terms of how well they keep you comfortable, wouldn’t you go for the one that will look better in your home?
Final Verdict
- This firm mattress has plenty of staying power.
- The added bit of design sets this mattress apart from many others currently on offer.
- You’ll probably want to sleep with the fan on high if you’re sleeping during the afternoon or anytime it’s hot, or else your sweat may permeate the mattress.
Zinus Green Tea – Best Memory Foam King Size Mattress
Layers are important in mattresses because they allow the person lying on top to feel varying levels of firmness. However, it’s not a given that a mattress with many layers will actually be able to do that. There are times when the different layers aren’t even discernible.
We’re glad to say that the Green Tea King Mattress doesn’t belong in that group.
Four layers are included in this mattress.
That blending of firmness levels is readily felt.
Maybe you’ll wish that the mattress is sometimes just a tad bit softer or just a little firmer, but you won’t really complain about what you’re experiencing.
The mattress does have a tendency to get too warm when the temperature is similarly elevated, but it’s nothing a stronger fan speed won’t fix.
The castor seed oil and green tea extract were also introduced to the mattress to prevent the emergence of some foul odors.
It is worth noting though that you yourself may smell a faint odor when you first get the mattress, though it’s nothing out of the ordinary for this kind of item.
Final Verdict
- It strikes that right balance between softness and firmness.
- Early on, you may notice a faint odor on this mattress especially if it’s being kept in a poorly-ventilated room.
Signature Sleep – Great Balance of Firmness and Softness
Another memory foam mattress that aims to get that balance of firmness and softness just right is the King Mattress from Signature Sleep. The two differ in terms of how they get to that point, however. Whereas, the Zinus mattress takes a multi-layered approach, the one from Signature Sleep aims to strike that balance by getting the ratio right.
Another layer could have helped bring the top and bottom layers together better, but what you have now is more than acceptable.
On warm days and nights, you’ll be thankful that the mattress comes with a cover made out of breathable fabric. It does well to prevent the heat from accumulating where you’re sleeping. The cover also feels soft to the touch and sometimes, you may not even feel a need to use a sheet over it.
You can’t remove the fabric cover though, so take extra care to keep it as clean as possible.
Final Verdict
- It features great weight distribution. No one part of your body will be subjected to excess pressure.
- If it’s going to be used a lot, sagging will ensue after a while.
Modway Aveline – Best King Size Mattress for Hot Climate
If you live in a part of the country where temperatures are routinely high and any bit of rain can result in that sticky feeling hanging in the air, sleeping can be tricky. Whether that can be described as hot and humid isn’t exactly conducive to a night of good sleep. The way to get around that problem is to find a mattress that offers superior cooling.
The Modway Aveline King Mattress can be described as a cooling mattress. The main reason why this mattress can provide easy cooling is its material composition. As you have likely deduced from this article, gel memory foam is being used quite a bit these days, but they typically make up thinner layers.
The folks at Modway decided to include a denser layer of gel memory foam and that makes this mattress better at providing cooling.
The stretch knit cover is removable and it does add some more softness to the equation.
Unlike many of the other mattresses currently available, the Aveline from Modway is ready to use within two to four hours, and if you let it expand for a day, it will already reach its maximum size. It’s a minor thing, but it’s still nice to have a mattress that doesn’t ask you to stay on standby for days before using it. If you need a replacement for your old mattress right away, that’s one more reason to get this item.
Final Verdict
- It will be tough to find a mattress that is better suited for the summer.
- Steer clear of this mattress if you have a tough time falling asleep on firm beds.
Swiss Ortho Sleep – Best Affordable King Size Mattress
Last but not least on this list of mattresses is the King Mattress from Swiss Ortho Sleep. It is also arguably the one that differs the most from the other products on this list because of how it is constructed.
Found inside this mattress are springs. Mattresses that make use of springs don’t really have the best reputation because people are wary of one of those coils puncturing the surface and making the rest of the mattress harder to sleep on.
Also, because the springs work in conjunction with memory foam, you get a nice bit of resistance and just enough give when you are lying on top of it.
The coils have been designed to be semi-firm. The designers went that route because they want the coils to still provide ample resistance, but not so much that they get worn down quickly.
This mattress is not quite as well-balanced as some of the other mattresses. The edges, in particular, have plenty of giving. As long as you use the middle of the bed the most though, that issue should not bother you that much.
Final Verdict
- Who knew a mattress made up of memory foam and springs could provide a nice mix of firmness and softness.
- You’ll need to find your favorite spot on the mattress and stay there because it is not well-balanced throughout.
Now that we’ve gone through the list of king size mattresses, it’s time to turn our attention to the different factors that must be taken into account before purchasing one.
Best King Size Mattress Buyer’s Guide
You may think that buying a mattress is a simple and straightforward task. You check how one feels, you measure if it’s the size you need, and voila, the selection process is over.
If only things really were that simple.
Certain innovations have changed the way mattresses work and there are also specific terminologies you need to grasp fully if you are going to find your ideal mattress.
Don’t worry though. This buyer’s guide should help set you on the path to finding the best king size mattress that will provide you with your preferred kind of comfort.
What Are the Types of Mattresses Available?
One way to classify mattresses is through their material composition, and yes, there are quite a few types you need to know about.
Airbeds
The best part of owning an airbed is that you can just adjust it whenever you feel like it. The Better Sleep Council adds that airbeds will typically even allow owners to adjust individual sides. A feature like that will come in handy if you are sharing the mattress.
Waterbeds
If you’ve never slept on top of a waterbed, you may have assumed that the water inside one just sloshes around all the time, causing the level of firmness to change constantly. Most waterbeds aren’t designed that way though, and they may surprise you with their firmness if you’ve never used one.
Latex Mattresses
Latex foam is significantly firmer than many of the new types of foam that have come out in recent years. A different type of foam has arguably become more popular than latex these days, but there’s still a place in the market for the mattresses made out of this material.
Innerspring Mattresses
The springs provide the form, the bounce, and the firmness to these mattresses, but they are usually cushioned at the top by some kind of foam. The bouncier innerspring mattresses can be tricky to move around on, but if you find a good one on the market, it can do wonders for your aches and pains.
Memory Foam Mattresses
These are the mattresses that you can now find all over the places, and they are valued for their ability to capture the curvature of your frame, resulting in greater comfort. Memory foam typically has more give, and that’s why it is often paired with a firmer type of foam.
Gel-Infused Mattresses
Cooling is what people value most from a gel-infused mattress. In order to prevent a gel-infused mattress from offering absolutely no resistance at all, manufacturers typically include some foam.
Hybrid Mattresses
The hybrids of the mattress world combine foam with some other kind of support material. The examples of hybrid mattresses you’ll find easiest to spot on the market are going to be spring-loaded beds that also make use of foam for added comfort.
Why Does the Mattress’ Level of Firmness Matter?
Throughout this article, you’ve read references to the firmness level of a mattress and may have been wondering why exactly that matters. The answer to that is quite is simple.
As laid out by Tuck.com, if you choose a mattress that is not compatible with you in terms of its level of firmness, then you are likely going to suffer discomfort of some kind. The discomfort may not manifest itself right away, but spend enough nights on an incompatible mattress, and you’re sure to run into problems.
What Are the Different Firmness Levels?
Very Soft
The very first firmness level is reserved for the softest mattresses. These are the ones that don’t offer much in the way of resistance. Lie on top of one and you’re likely to slowly sink, regardless of whether you’re positioned in the middle or one of the sides. These mattresses aren’t flooding the market per se, but you’ll be able to find one if you’re really determined to do so.
Soft
Next up are the mattresses that are still considered soft, but won’t swallow you up when you’re lying on them. If there are spots on your body that simply cannot withstand any pressure, this is the type of mattress you should look for. Softer mattresses may also be preferred by more kids because they may enjoy sinking into their beds.
Medium
When you go mattress shopping online, you are bound to run into numerous items that are said to feature a medium level of firmness, though some may also go with medium-soft, or medium-firm. In a way, a mattress with a medium level of firmness should be ideal.
If a medium-feel mattress is made the right way, it should do two things very well:
- It should be able to give enough leeway to your body to relieve pressure on areas that may be affected by chronic pain.
- It should also be firm enough that your entire body is kept on a level surface, preventing those instances where you may wake up with an arm or a leg barking at you.
Mattresses that straddle that line between being soft and being firm very well are hard to find, but you can at least take comfort in the fact that the majority of manufacturers are aiming to create that exact type of product.
Firm
In a firm mattress, most of the give is hardly noticeable, and it’s replaced by plenty of resistance. A firm mattress is what you may want to go for if you’re a bit older and already dealing with nagging aches and pains. After a long day at work, you just want to be able to lie down without being bothered by anything and a firm mattress will help you achieve that.
Very Firm
The moment you lie down on top of a very firm mattress, you will feel entirely no give. The only thing there that is designed to offer your body some type of cushion is the comfort layer, and that could be on the thinner side as well.
Much like the very soft mattresses, very firm mattresses are tougher to find because most people do not prefer their bed to be on this extreme side of the firmness scale. People suffering from an injury of some kind may find that a very firm mattress provides them with the type of level support they need.
Your Preferred Firmness Level May Depend on Your Preferred Sleeping Position
You may not immediately think that the way you prefer to sleep has any bearing on which firmness level you should look for in a mattress, but Tuck.com reminds you to take those things into consideration.
Back Sleepers
Chronic back pain can restrict your range of movement even when you’re just lying down, and when you do get moved around, pain usually follows. If you are affected by chronic back pain or just prefer to be on your back when sleeping, a firm mattress is better for you.
Side Sleepers
Lying down on your side means your weight is bearing down on one of your shoulders and one of your legs. That’s a lot of pressure you’re putting on body parts that are not exactly designed to bear that type of burden, and if you stay in that sleeping position, you’re likely to wake up in pain.
For Every Other Type of Sleeper
Many people don’t really have a preferred sleeping position, or maybe they do, but over the course of the night, they still toss and turn constantly. The constant moving of the body makes it difficult to determine which parts of your body will need the most help. That’s why a medium mattress is better for those who tend to move around a lot.
Firmness Level also Factors into Pricing
A somewhat surprising reason for why firmness level matters when choosing a mattress is because that factor affects pricing.
- Mattresses that are firm and provide little to no give are among the most inexpensive options available because they also make use of more affordable materials.
- Medium-feel mattresses usually feature a mix of some high-end materials and more economical materials so they are in the mid-range when it comes to pricing.
- If you’re thinking about getting a soft mattress, be ready to break out the big bucks because there are the ones that are usually filled with the priciest materials.
Is CertiPUR-US Certification Something I Should Look for When Selecting a Mattress?
Some of the mattresses reviewed earlier boasted about being CertiPUR-US certified, but what does that really mean? Is that something you should weigh heavily?
To answer those questions, it’s best to understand what the certification signifies.
According to CertiPUR-US, when you see their seal on a product, it means that the item in question has been deemed to contain foam that features no ozone depleters, formaldehyde, lead, mercury, heavy metals, phthalates that have been regulated by the Consumer Product Safety and Commission, as well as certain types of flame retardants – namely TDCPP, TCEP, and PBDEs.
Plus, the certification also means that the product in question features low volatile organic compound emissions. You will want a mattress that features low VOC emissions because that translates to having better air quality in the room you placed it in.
Crucially, CertiPUR-US does not actually certify the mattresses themselves. Instead, they certify flexible polyurethane foam. It’s the companies that make the foam that pass the seal of CertiPUR-US to the mattress companies who use their products.
Some Final Tips
The Better Sleep Council urges shoppers to employ the S.L.E.E.P. Test when buying a mattress.
That involves:
- Selecting a mattress
- Lying on it in the manner in which you usually sleep
- Evaluating how it supports your body and the kind of comfort it provides
- Educating yourself about the selected mattress and…
- Partners are also advised to try out the mattress together
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