King vs California King mattress − what's the difference and which will suit you best?

As I save up to buy a new bed, I'm considering the pros and cons of King vs California King mattresses. I could just about squeeze a King mattress into my bedroom and still have space to position furniture and move around in the mornings. Then again, my bedroom is longer than it is wide, so I think I'd appreciate the extra length a California King has to offer.

The differences between King vs California King beds are subtle yet significant. Which mattress is best for you depends on your height, your sleep style, and how often you tend to toss and turn in bed, as well as the size of your budget and your bedroom.

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I believe that the best mattress is the bed that matches your sleep style and meets the constraints of your space for a reasonable price. I know that a few inches either way can make a big difference to your sleep quality, as well as the look and feel of your bedroom. So, to help you make up your mind, I've outlined the pros and cons of King vs California King mattresses.

King vs California King – pros + cons

I asked Arin Schultz, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Naturepedic, to chime in with his thoughts and feelings as to which mattress size suits which sort of sleeper. I've even picked out a few of my favorite beds in each size to save you time and money.

What's the difference between King vs California King mattresses?

Before we begin, it always helps to define our terms. I've drawn up a table to summarize the key similarities and differences between King vs California King mattresses.

There's a common misconception that California King beds are bigger than King beds. I prefer to think of the California King as a variant on the classic King: bigger in some ways, but not in others.

According to our mattress size chart, a California King is four inches narrower and four inches taller than a King mattress. That means a California King mattress has a slightly smaller surface area (6,048 square inches) than a King mattress (6,080 square inches).

That's the general rule, though exact numbers may vary between brands. Before you buy a mattress, I recommend you measure the space in your bedroom and double-check your dimensions on the mattress site.

What are the pros of a King mattress?

I asked Arin Schultz, VP of Sales and Marketing at Naturepedic, what he likes best about King beds. According to Arin, it's all about the space to sprawl. 'A King mattress gives you more width, offering each person about 38 inches of personal space,' explains Arin. 'This is great for couples who want more personal space side-by-side and anyone who prioritizes width over length.' If you know you tend to toss and turn in your sleep, or you regularly share a bed with a pet or partner, then a King mattress affords some extra breathing space.

Arin Schultz

Arin leads the Sales and Marketing team at Naturepedic, an award-winning organic mattress brand.

Long and wide, a King mattress would work well with your main bedroom ideas: it's the best way to make the most of the floor space, and it will quickly become the center of the room. You could easily fit an entire family, pets and all, on a King bed for lazy weekend lie-ins.

This next point is a little more practical, but a King mattress is one of the standard sizes you'll find across all the big brands, where a California King size is a little more specialist. That makes it much easier to invest in the best bedding in the right size for your mattress.

I've scoured the sites of the best places to buy a mattress to bring you the best King beds. Each mattress is tried and tested by an H&G sleep expert for comfort; support (especially around the edges); motion isolation; and weight bearing capacity.

What are the cons of a King mattress?

If you or your partner is more than six feet tall, you might feel a little bit cramped in a King mattress. Ideally, you want your mattress to be minimum six inches taller than you are, so that your feet don't hang off the end of the bed. Measuring 80 inches lengthways, a King mattress just about abides by this rule, but a California King would give you more space.

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: a King bed is big, heavy, and awkward to maneuver. Lifting, flipping, or carrying a King bed is a two-person activity. If you move frequently, or you're planning on moving soon, I suggest you shop for a King mattress with sturdy straps on either side to make maneuvers a little bit easier.

What are the pros of a California King mattress?

Arin says that 'a California King provides about 36 inches of width per person.' That's not quite as much space as a classic King, but there's still plenty of room for tossing and turning. What the California King mattress lacks in horizontal space, it more than makes up for in vertical space: Arin says that those 'four extra inches in length make it perfect for taller people who need that extra legroom.'

Along a similar line of thinking, California King beds are better for longer, narrower rooms, though they'd still make a serious statement in a master bedroom. Since a California King mattress isn't quite as wide as a classic King, you get more floor space to play with. You'll find it that much easier to nestle a nightstand on either side of the bed.

These are a few of my favorite California King mattresses for shoppers with big budgets and bigger bedrooms. Like I said, dimensions may vary from brand to brand, so I suggest you make your measurements and check them thoroughly before you buy a mattress.

What are the cons of a California King mattress?

First, there's the extra cost to consider. 'Some manufacturers charge a little more for a California King because it is a specialized size and not as high in demand,' explains Arin. At first glance, the price gap might seem negligible: we're talking a couple of hundred dollars, when you're likely already spending thousands to get such a big bed. Still, factor in the costs of a bigger bed frame and California King-size bedding, and the cost soon shoots up.

There's also the matter of availability. 'King mattresses are more commonly available because they're the most popular size for master bedrooms,' says Arin: 'you'll find a wide selection in most stores and online. California Kings, while still available, aren't as common and might require a bit more searching, especially if you're set on a specific style or brand.'

Final thoughts

Perhaps you're at the very start of your mattress buying journey and you're still considering the pros and cons of each size. To help you make your mind up, I've written similar features concerning Queen vs Full and Queen vs King beds.

Perhaps you're at the very start of your mattress buying journey and you're still considering the pros and cons of each size. To help you make your mind up, I've written similar features concerning Queen vs Full and Queen vs King beds.