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Layla Hybrid

Best king size mattress for side sleepers

$200 off Hybrid Mattress + 2 FREE Pillows

$1,440 at Target

Casper Original

Best king size mattress in a box

up to $600 off mattresses

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When you crawl into bed after a long day, the last thing you want is to feel compressed. It’s not relaxing or conducive to getting a good night’s rest. The best way to avoid this is by investing in the best king-size mattress for your space. Whether you go for a king-size mattress, a California king or one of those split king mattresses with dual adjustable bases, these bigger beds will make the best use of your space.

My team and I have tested more than 100 mattresses, more than the average person will in a lifetime. The best king-size mattress below were chosen because of their accommodating features (especially for couples), fair prices, quality constructions and more. Whether you’re looking to upgrade to a king bed, or you need to swap out your current mattress for something more modern, our list of the best king-size mattress models likely has a good match for you. 

What is the best king mattress overall? 

The best king-size mattress overall should check several boxes. It should be accommodating for a wide range of sleeping positions, body types and have solid edge support and motion isolation for couples who share a bed. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress fits the bill to a tee. Plus, it offers a really good value. 

Video: Best king mattress for 2023

Watch CNET Video Producer Owen Poole review the best king mattresses for 2023.

Read more: Best California King Mattresses for 2023

Best king size mattresses of 2023

Type Hybrid mattressFirmness 3 firmness levels | Soft: Medium-soft to soft or 2 | Medium: Medium to medium-soft or 4 | Firm: Medium-firm or 7Trial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warranty Price

Like

• Suits all sleeping positions because of its three firmness options
• Hybrid construction suits all body types
• Great bang for your buck

Don’t like

• You’ll have to spend an extra $300 if you wanted the optional pillow top

Kinging off our best king size mattress review is the Brooklyn Bedding Signature mattress. It fits the bill for your average sleeper looking for a quality king bed that won’t cost an arm and a leg. What really impressed me about this one, even though this is a high quality hybrid mattress, it costs less than the foam Casper. That’s pretty uncommon since hybrid beds are typically more expensive than all-foam ones, so it offers a really great value. 

It’s offered in three different firmness levels, giving you the option to cater exactly to your primary sleeping position. It’s suitable for all sleepers from back, stomach, side and combination. I really liked the firm option because it sat around a medium-firm, and I’m a stomach sleeper who needs that additional support. However, side sleepers may want to consider the medium or soft model instead for more plushness. 

Brooklyn Bedding Signature also has a hybrid construction containing almost 1,000 pocketed coils, making it durable and supportive enough for any body type from petite to heavy. As a plus for couples looking for the best king-size mattress, the outer perimeter of the coils are designed to be extra supportive and strong for enhanced edge support. If you’re looking for a quality king bed at a very reasonable price, this is a great pick.

Read our Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid review.

Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid

Type Hybrid mattressFirmness 3 firmness levels | Plush Soft: Medium or 5 | Luxury Firm: Medium-firm or 7 | Firm: 9/10 or firmTrial 360 nightsWarranty Lifetime warranty Price

Like

• Dual-coil design makes the mattress ultra supportive (and good for all body types)
• Multiple firmness options available for different sleeping positions

Don’t like

• It doesn’t have the greatest motion isolation
• You’ll have to pay a $99 fee if you want to return it

The Saatva mattress is a luxury bed with an ultra supportive design that you don’t get from every online mattress. It reminds me of a mattress that would be inside a fancy hotel. Unlike many beds, it boasts two innerspring layers; One layer is a system of extra strong dual coils and another is a thinner layer of pocketed coils for additional support and improved motion isolation. 

The middle portion of the Saatva mattress also has “Lumbar Zone Technology,” or a series of wires that add extra support for the memory foam to keep your spine properly aligned. Combined with its firmer profile options, the Saatva ends up being a durable, supportive and firm mattress. Although, the thick and fluffy pillow top does make it feel more plush and pressure relieving. 

The Luxury Plush model falls more around a medium, while Luxury Firm and Firm are around a medium-firm and firm on the scale. The firm and medium-firm Saatva mattresses are some of the best king-size mattress models if you’re looking for a luxury bed at a fair price. The only knock is that this mattress has more motion transfer than the others because of the multiple coil layers, so if you sleep with someone who moves around during the night, there’s a good chance you’re going to feel it. Read more in our full Saatva mattress review. 

Saatva Classic

Like

• One of the most affordable hybrid beds on the market
• Suits back, stomach and combination sleepers
• Accommodating for all body types

Don’t like

• A little too firm for side sleepers

You may not be familiar with Allswell, but you’re likely familiar with its parent company Walmart. As its entrance to the bed in a box game, Walmart introduced the affordable Allswell mattress. It’s a hybrid mattress made with both foam and coils, and hybrid beds tend to be a little more expensive than your average bed. However, the Allswell mattress is a good hybrid mattress for the price of a low-budget foam mattress, giving it a well-deserved spot on this best king bed list. 

Inside is a simple construction with a foam base layer, 6-inch thick pocketed coil system and a poly foam top layer. It is quick to respond to pressure and you sit more on top of the bed than you do inside. If you’re a combination sleeper, this is music to your ears because it doesn’t give resistance like memory foam does when you switch positions. Also, thanks to its hybrid construction, it’s suitable for all body types. Though, its a tad on the firm side and best for back, stomach and combo sleepers.

In short, the Allswell mattress is a generally accommodating mattress that sells for a great price. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a quality king mattress that’s as wallet-friendly. Read more in our Allswell mattress review. 

The Allswell Luxe 12″ Bed in a Box Hybrid Mattress, Queen

Type Memory foam mattressFirmness 5 or mediumTrial 365 nightsWarranty Forever warranty Price

Like

• Good for combination, back and stomach sleepers
• Strong memory foam feel for people who like hugging, contouring memory foam

Don’t like

• Might not be supportive enough for sleepers over 230 pounds

The Nectar Premier mattress is the replacement for the mattress company’s upper-level model called Nectar Lush. It has a thick memory foam construction, giving it a relieving and slow-responding memory foam feel. It takes a few seconds for your body to activate the foam, but once it does, the memory foam slowly contours around your curves and nestles you into the bed. It’s the best king-size bed for people who want the traditional memory foam feel you can find in a Tempur-Pedic mattress at a more wallet-friendly price. 

This Nectar mattress is also entirely made out of foam, so you won’t get that bouncy and responsive feel that hybrid beds can provide. Inside the bed’s gel memory foam comfort layer is a phase-change material that helps keep your temperature neutral, unlike old memory foam beds that are notorious for retaining heat. For even more cooling abilities, you can also take a look at the Nectar Premier Copper model. 

I think Nectar Premier falls around a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making this king mattress suitable for most sleeping positions, especially back or stomach sleepers. If you’re a side sleeper under 150 pounds, however, it might not be soft enough for what you need. The memory foam nature of this mattress will also give some resistance to combination sleepers who switch positions during the night. Read more in our full Nectar Premier mattress review. 

Editor’s note: The US Product Safety Commission recently issued a recall for Nectar Premier king- and queen-size mattresses manufactured on Sept. 24, 2021. Look for a model number CHILL and Prototype ID:ECS2003RHCH on a tag on the bottom of your mattress to find out if yours has been recalled. We have reached out to Nectar for comment and will update the story if they respond. 

Nectar Premier

Like

• Ideal firmness level for back and stomach sleepers, and people with back pain
• Accommodates all body types
• Celliant-infused cover helps promote deeper rest

Don’t like

• It’s probably too firm for most side sleepers

The Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid is one of the best king mattress picks for people with back pain because of its accommodating features, extra bells and whistles and affordable price. People with back pain typically are most comfortable on beds with a medium-firm profile, and ample pressure relief to properly support the spine without being too firm. The AS2 Hybrid mattress fits that bill, and its advanced pocketed coil layer with firm edge support reinforcements makes it even more supportive and helps prevent against sagging.

Within the bed’s comfort layers you can find Amerisleep’s special Bio-Pur memory foam and Affinity Transition layer. The Bio-Pur has an open-cell structure so it’s more breathable than your typical memory foam and really contours around the curves of your body, giving you a big foamy hug. The Affinity layer, however, provides a firmer more supportive feel for additional back support. 

Last but definitely not least is Amerisleep AS2 Hybrid’s Celliant-infused cover. The special fabric absorbs your body heat and transfers it back to your body as infrared energy. It’s purpose is to help boost circulation, assist in the body’s recovery process and leave you feeling more refreshed in the morning. Only a handful of mattresses have this tech, such as the Bear Original mattress. For more info on the cover and the AS2 Hybrid, check out our full Amerisleep mattress review. 

Type Flippable hybrid mattressFirmness Firm: 5 or medium | Soft: 3 or medium-softTrial 120 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warranty Price

Like

• Flippable design allows for two firmness levels in one bed
• Great pick for side sleepers who want a plush, light and airy feel
• Is suitable for all body types

Don’t like

• Heavy back and stomach sleepers will likely think it’s too soft

In a sea of bed-in-a-box mattresses, brands have to add a little sauce to their designs to make them stand out. The Layla Hybrid is unlike most other hybrid mattresses because it comes with a two-in-one deal. What I mean is that it’s flippable, and you can sleep on each side of the mattress comfortably. The memory foam inside the Layla Hybrid is really pleasant. It’s more light and airy than the typical dense, hugging memory foam I’m used to. It feels like you’re laying on a big fluffy pillow that supports your back.

The soft side is perfect for side sleepers who want an ultralight yet plush feel. I rate it around a medium-soft or a 3 out of 10 on the firmness scale. On the flip side, the firm profile of Layla isn’t a true firm. It’s more like a medium to medium-firm or a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale. This makes it a good choice for most sleeping positions, but I also think it’s a good pick for heavy side sleepers who want a soft feel with extra support. 

In the center of the Layla Hybrid is a system of strong pocketed coils that act as the support layer. The edges of the coils have even stronger, dual-coil design to make the perimeter of the mattress more supportive. The comfort layers of the soft side are made of two thick foam slabs including copper-infused memory foam to help regulate temperature. The firm side is made with the same materials, but firmer and thinner so you get a more supportive feel. 

Read our Layla Hybrid review.

Layla Hybrid

Type Poly foam mattressFirmness 6 out of 10 or mediumTrial 100 nightsWarranty 10-year limited warrantyPrice scale $$ Price

Like

• Medium firmness level accommodates all sleeping positions
• Zoned construction isn’t often found in foam mattresses

Don’t like

• Its all-foam construction may not accommodate sleepers over 230 pounds

For the best king size mattress that skips the hoopla and offers an affordable value, the Casper Original is a great entry-level option and could also be considered the best king-size foam mattress. It’s incredibly accommodating, comfortable and arguably the most popular bed-in-a-box mattress on the market. It has a simple three-layer construction that boasts a zoned support design, meaning it’s firmer under your back where you need additional support, and pressure-relieving under your shoulders and trunk where your body needs pressure relief. 

It’s not slow-responding like memory foam mattresses are. Instead, this bed responds quickly to pressure and I’d describe it as a basic, neutral feel; Like standard foam you might pull out from the cushions of your favorite comfy couch. The firmness level is also really accommodating, I’d rate it around a medium or 5 or 6 on the firmness scale. This makes it ideal for any sleeping positions from back, side, stomach, to combination.

The one downside about this bed is that it’s probably not ideal for people over 230 pounds, but there are plenty of Casper hybrid mattresses, however, that offer support, durability and the same signature Casper feel. There’s a reason why it’s so popular — when you lay on it, most people will agree that it’s a comfy bed.

Read our Casper Original review.

Casper Original

up to $600 off mattresses

Other mattresses we’ve tested

Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe: Many mattresses make embellished claims about their cooling abilities, but the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe actually works. With multiple cooling enforcements including cooling foam, Titan Cool technology and a cooling cover. With three firmness levels to choose from and a strong hybrid construction, it’s a versatile mattress that works for any sleeping position and body type.

Purple mattress: There aren’t many mattresses out there like the Purple. It’s made with a special gel-like material the brand calls its GelFlex Grid. It’s squishy and firm at the same time, offering a nice balance of support and pressure relief. It has a medium firmness level that suits all sleeping positions.

How we test king size mattresses

CNET editors pick the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may get a commission. 

Testing a king mattress is similar to how we test most of our mattresses, and we pay attention to a handful of important factors. 

• Firmness: The measure of how firm or soft a mattress feels is an important factor in deciding if a bed is suitable for you or not. Firmness, a lot of the time, indicates how pressure relieving or how supportive a mattress feels. Side sleepers usually like a softer mattress because it offers more give, therefore, more pressure relief around the hips and shoulder areas. Back and stomach sleepers, on the other hand, tend to sleep better on firm beds that keep the spine properly supported. We test firmness by using our judgment and deliberating amongst team members. It’s easier to test firmness when you have 100 different mattresses to compare it to.
• Construction and features: We take a close look at the construction of a mattress, which is a good tell on how it feels and how supportive it is for certain body types. We also consider any extra or special feature a mattress might have to stand out from the rest of the competition. Is it cooling? Does it have a special cover made with Celliant fabric or cashmere? Does it have an extra durable construction? We take all of this into consideration when testing mattresses and delegating best list picks. 
• Performance: This refers to motion isolation, temperature regulation and edge support abilities. How well does a mattress perform when we put it to the test? We test motion isolation by having couples judge how it sleeps, or placing a glass of water at the end of the bed to see how much it shakes when we move. Edge support is tested by laying on the sides, bouncing and checking how sturdy it feels. Personal experience is also how we test temperature, with the help of a thermometer gun. 
• Feel: Feel is a separate topic from firmness. This refers to how a mattress’ materials are perceived. Is it dense and morphy like memory foam, neutral and soft like neutral-foam, or supple and bouncy like latex foam? We like to describe the feel as best we can since you’re unable to feel it through your computer screen. 

Read more on how we test mattresses.

What to look for in a king mattress

When looking for the best mattress, you should take in some key considerations. You should follow the same guidelines when looking for a king-size bed, with a few key considerations. 

• Hybrid vs. foam: The more you weigh, the more supportive your mattress should be. Hybrid beds are best for all body types, including those over 230 pounds, while foam beds are most ideal for people under 230 pounds. 
• Firmness is a key indicator for how accommodating a bed will be. One of the first things to think about while looking for the best king mattress is firmness. Are you a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper? Side sleepers typically need softer mattresses, while back and stomach sleepers benefit from a firmer mattress, because having a firm bed will help support the spine, decreasing back pain. Medium beds right in the middle are perfect for combination sleepers. 
• Key features like cooling tech, edge support reinforcements and Celliant covers can help you decide if a bed fits your lifestyle and circumstances. Strong edge support is great for couples who share a mattress, while beds with Celliant covers are perfect for people with active lifestyles. 
• Price matters when looking for a king bed. The bigger the bed the more expensive it is. King beds are often more than $1,000, but there are budget options like Allswell to consider if you’re looking for maximum savings. 

Check out our size guide to compare mattress sizes. And if you’re looking to upgrade your whole sleep setup, we have suggestions for sheets, pillows and other sleep essentials. 

Who is a king mattress best for?

Not everyone needs a king-size bed, but it is mighty convenient and comfortable during these situations:

• Couples who want more space than a queen size offers
• Taller people who don’t want to feel cramped (queen beds are about 6.6 feet long)
• Sleepers who share a bed with their kids (king beds are wider than California king beds)

King and California king mattresses are the most popular of the king variety, but there are a host of beds that are technically classified as king. Here’s an overview of the different types of king beds if you’re looking for something a little different. 

King-size mattress FAQs