The 11 Best King Mattresses of 2023

After gathering valuable insight from Dr. Downs about what people should be looking for in a king-sized mattress, we tested a handful of mattresses from great brands and scoured numerous customer reviews to offer our picks for the best mattresses for a wide array of needs. Our choice for the best overall is the Tuft and Needle Mint Mattress , a mattress that’s as appealing to back sleepers as it is to side sleepers, is exceptionally breathable and has a removable cover. Read on to see our choices for the best king-size mattresses below.

If you’re tired of feeling cramped into a bed that’s not spacious enough, it may be time to upgrade to a king-sized mattress. With 16 extra inches of width compared to a queen , a king mattress is great for bigger sleepers, as well as couples who want additional space. “A king certainly gives someone plenty of room to be comfortable, if space permits,” says chiropractor Dr. Adam Downs of Albuquerque Alternative Health.

Best Overall

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress

4.8

Nordstrom

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Our Ratings

• Comfort

  5

  /5

• Value

  5

  /5

• Unboxing

  5

  /5

• Warranty

  4

  /5

Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress Provides Comfort & Support

What We Like

• Removable and washable cover

• Breathable open-cell foam

• Temperature-regulating gel and graphite

• Free shipping and returns

What We Don’t Like

• No handles

• Off-gassing smell

For a king mattress that checks all of the boxes, it’s hard to beat Tuft and Needle’s Mint. With adaptive foam that’s designed to contour to your own body and a medium firmness feel, this mattress is as good for side sleepers as it is for back sleepers. Four unique layers are uniquely designed to offer benefits, including breathability, pressure relief, and added edge support.

Our tester, a side sleeper, particularly enjoyed how the mattress offered pressure relief in the shoulders, hips, and back. Unlike other memory foam mattresses, the Mint didn’t skimp on breathability due to its use of ceramic and cooling gel, heat-wicking graphite, and breathable Adaptive foam. As our tester explains, “The Mint slept wonderfully cool and offered excellent cushioning. I’m a side and stomach sleeper, and my husband is a side and back sleeper—the mattress comfortably supported all three.”

The breathability, the multi-position sleep capability, and a 2-inch layer of foam that aids in eliminating motion transfer combine to make the Mint a dream for couples. One drawback with this mattress is it has no handles, which can make moving it a bit of a hassle. But unlike other options on our list, it does feature a removable cover so you can clean it with ease.

Price at time of publish: $2,295

Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11.5 inches

The Spruce / Stacey L. Nash

Best in a Box

Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

4.8

Helix

View On Helix

Our Ratings

• Comfort

  4.5

  /5

• Support

  5

  /5

• Value

  5

  /5

• Unboxing

  3

  /5

• Warranty

  5

  /5

Hassle-free Purchase: Helix Midnight LUXE Mattress

What We Like

• Zoned lumbar support

• Cooling, breathable Tencel cover

• Enhanced contouring and pressure point relief

• Includes free pillows

What We Don’t Like

• Heavy for moving and making bed

• Limited warranty

The exceptional quality of the Helix Midnight Luxe is only outdone by the convenience of it arriving at your door in a packaged box. In terms of comfort, the memory foam is specifically designed to aid in pressure point relief on the hips and shoulders, which Helix says is perfect for side sleepers. Our tester, a side sleeper, and her husband, a back sleeper, both found the mattress to work perfectly for them: “The Midnight LUXE can accommodate different preferences and sleeping positions. We both woke up feeling refreshed.” That’s a result of the medium-firmness designed with couples in mind.

While other memory foam mattresses can be less breathable, the Helix Midnight Luxe features a choice between a breathable Tencel cover for additional airflow and a GlacioTex Cooling cover designed to pull heat away from your body. Our tester opted for the Tencel and said this helped keep her cool, even on hotter nights.

One potential drawback of this mattress is the heavier weight in a king size. Our tester felt it could be a bit challenging to make with sheets. This was by no means a deal-breaker (the mattress still earned a 4.8 out of 5 from our reviewer), but it’s worth considering.

Price at time of publish: $2,155

Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 13.5 inches

The Spruce / Katie Begley

Best Split

Saatva Classic Mattress

4.2

Saatva

View On Saatva

Our Ratings

• Comfort

  4.7

  /5

• Support

  5

  /5

• Sleep Quality

  4

  /5

• Value

  5

  /5

• Unboxing

  5

  /5

Luxurious Comfort: Saatva Classic Mattress Review

What We Like

• Three firmness levels

• Three-inch pillowtop

• Durable, responsive dual coil innersprings

• Lifetime warranty

What We Don’t Like

• Fee for returns

• Not great with movement isolation

If you and your partner just cannot seem to agree on a single mattress for both of your needs, consider Saatva’s Classic Mattress in the less-common split California King size. Due to its split nature, you and your partner can each choose a firmness level from the plush soft, luxury firm, and firm, options available. Additionally, the 11.5-inch thick mattress is compatible with adjustable bases, should you both need even more individual attention.

Our tester appreciated the edge support this split king mattress provides, which is the result of high-density foam rails that line the pocketed coils. As someone who sleeps close to her bed’s edge, she felt secure throughout the entire night. She chose the plush soft option and found it to be very effective at alleviating the aches and pains caused by her previous mattress, saying, “After a month, I was fully hooked on the Saatva. It was just as soft and comfortable when I slept on my back as when I slept on my side as if it knew just how to adapt to my varying sleeping positions.”

While Saatva does offer a 365-night trial, there is a $99 return fee should you decide the mattress isn’t right for you. The brand has established itself in the last decade as not only offering a premiere mattress, but also a premiere service. Unlike many other modern mattress brands, Saatva doesn’t come in a box; instead, it’s delivered directly to your bedroom. Our tester appreciated this element of the Saatva experience, as it prevented her from having to wait for the mattress to expand fully.

Price at time of publish: $2,120

Material: Memory foam, steel coils, cotton | Firmness: Plush soft, luxury firm, firm | Thickness: 11.5 inches

The Spruce / Lindsay Boyers

Best Memory Foam

Casper Original Mattress

4.8

Wayfair

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View On Wayfair

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Our Ratings

• Comfort

  5

  /5

• Support

  4.5

  /5

• Sleep Quality

  5

  /5

• Value

  4.5

  /5

A “Cloud-Like Sleeping Experience”: Casper Original Mattress Review

What We Like

• CertiPUR-US certified

• AirScape perforations for all-night cooling

• Three ergonomic zones for pressure relief and spinal alignment

• Highly breathable

What We Don’t Like

• Too soft for some

• Off-gassing odor

Our tester tells us that although the Original Casper Mattress is softer than other mattresses, it still provides great support. That’s the result of three unique zones inside this king-sized mattress, all of which are designed to keep your spine aligned. The mattress features a softer foam around the shoulders and a firmer foam under the hips, waist, and lower back, resulting in what our tester refers to as a “good balance of cushion and firmness.” 

In terms of cooling, the memory foam is dotted with thousands of perforations, called Casper’s AirScape system, which offers body heat a place to escape. Our tester enjoyed the attention to cooling features as well as the fact that the foam used by Casper is CertiPUR-US certified, meaning that it’s tested for low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions. 

One drawback our tester did mention with this mattress is it features a bit of an off-gassing odor. However, this odor does dissipate over time. And for this much value at under $1,500, that brief, mild odor is a worthwhile compromise.

Price at time of publish: $1,695

Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11 inches

The Spruce / Katie Begley

Here Are the Best Memory Foam Mattresses for a Good Night’s Sleep

Best Air Mattress

SoundAsleep Products Dream Series Air Mattress with ComfortCoil Technology & Internal High Capacity Pump

4.2

Amazon

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Our Ratings

• Setup

  2.5

  /5

• Design

  4.5

  /5

• Effectiveness

  3

  /5

• Comfort

  5

  /5

• Durability

  5

  /5

SoundAsleep Dream Series Air Mattress Review

What We Like

• Durable materials

• Inflates in under six minutes

• High weight limit

What We Don’t Like

• Pricey

• Strong vinyl smell

If you’re in the market for a new king air mattress, it’s going to be hard to beat the Dream Series Air Mattress by SoundAsleep. Thanks to its impressive 40 individual air coils, our tester found this mattress maintains its air level well. She tells us the pump makes setup easy; just plug it in, turn the switch, and within about four minutes, the mattress should be fully inflated. In terms of durability, it’s made with eco-friendly PVC, which helps to make it puncture-resistant. This air mattress also has a weight limit of just under 500 pounds, making it a stronger option than many others. Our tester also appreciated that it didn’t require frequent adjusting: “When my husband and I slept on it, the mattress stretched a bit, but it retained its shape. We didn’t have to re-inflate. In fact, we even felt the need to deflate it a bit for a softer, cozier feel.”

While it is a bit pricier than many other air mattresses on the market, the attention to detail and overall quality make the Dream Series worth the money. Our own reviewer gave it a 4.2 out of 5, and on Amazon, it boasts a 4.4 out of 5-star rating. 

Price at time of publish: $132

Material: PVC | Firmness: Firm (adjustable) | Thickness: 18 inches

The Spruce / Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis

The 14 Best Hybrid Mattresses of 2023

Best under $500

Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam King Mattress

Amazon

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Zinus Memory Foam 12-Inch Green Tea Twin Mattress Review

What We Like

• Very affordable

• Four thickness options

• Washable cover

• Infused to reduce odor and bacteria

What We Don’t Like

• Difficult to move

• Takes time to expand

In terms of bang for your buck, it’s hard to beat Zinus’ Green Tea Memory Foam mattress. The CertiPUR US Certified foam offers pressure relief throughout the entire mattress, as well as exceptional edge support. As its name indicates, this mattress features green tea extract, a feature designed to keep your mattress fresh. Additionally, ActivCharcoal particles help to absorb moisture, a feature our tester loved to keep her young son in a safe and healthy environment.

One drawback noted by our tester was that this mattress takes a few days to fully expand and is a bit cumbersome to move. But, with no noticeable deterioration or indentations over the trial period, as well as a ten-year warranty, she felt peace of mind that this mattress would last for quite some time.

Price at time of publish: $539

Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches

Best for Couples

Purple Mattress

4.8

Purple 

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View On Purple

Our Ratings

• Comfort

  3.8

  /5

• Support

  4.5

  /5

• Value

  4

  /5

• Unboxing

  3

  /5

• Warranty

  4

  /5

Purple Mattress Review

What We Like

• Wide range of sizes available

• Very breathable

• Eliminates motion transfer

What We Don’t Like

• Poor edge support

• Not great for stomach sleepers

If you sleep with a partner and are sick of them disturbing you in the night by getting out of bed or rolling around, Purple’s Original Mattress is built with you in mind. Our testers noted this mattress not only eliminated motion transfer but was also very quiet as well. That’s the result of the Purple GelFlex Grid, a hyper-elastic polymer that not only contours to your body but also aids in preventing movement from impacting the rest of the mattress. Our testers also found the Purple Original to work wonderfully for back and side sleepers, offering just the right amount of cushioning and conformity.

Our testers felt one place where this mattress fell a bit short was with edge support. A sleeper who prefers the edge of the bed said they felt like they may fall off. However, that didn’t stop this bed from still receiving a total of 4.8 out of 5 overall.

Price at time of publish: $1,799

Material: Polyurethane foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 9.25 inches

The 11 Best Mattresses in a Box of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Organic

Earthfoam Organic Mattress

EarthFoam

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What We Like

• All-natural and organic materials

• Multiple firmness options

• Pressure-absorbing foam

• Breathable cotton and wool

What We Don’t Like

• No free shipping to Hawaii and Alaska

• Can take some time to break in

For a king-size mattress that’s organic and natural, Earthfoam’s Organic Mattress is one of the best. It features rubber that’s produced by organic farmers in Sri Lanka (who the brand created a fair trade network to work with). The mattress is also made of organic wool from New Zealand sheep and soft organic cotton. Every element is fixated on extreme attention to organic detail. The resilient foam offers excellent pressure absorption while returning to its original shape the moment you stand up. Additionally, the foam’s density makes it a great option for all sizes and shapes, and it’s naturally breathable, so you won’t wake up hot. 

The firmer nature of this mattress is designed to keep your joints and spine in a supported position to prevent back pain. In addition to the organic materials, the versatility is another detail we love. If you look at customer reviews, there are 5 stars from stomach, back, and side sleepers alike. 

One drawback with this mattress is it can take some getting used to, especially for those who are used to a less firm mattress. However, once you adapt, you’ll likely find you sleep better overall.

Price at time of publish: $1,499

Material: Rubber, wool, cotton | Firmness: Medium firm | Thickness: 8.5 inches

The 9 Best Organic Sheets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best for Side Sleepers

Nectar 12 Inch King Mattress Medium Firm

4.2

City Mattress

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View On Citymattress.com

View On Nectarsleep.com

Our Ratings

• Comfort

  3.4

  /5

• Support

  4

  /5

• Value

  3.5

  /5

What We Like

• Choice of hybrid and memory foam

• Heat-wicking cover

• Dynamic, responsive foam layer

• Forever warranty

What We Don’t Like

• Not great for stomach sleepers

• Off-gassing odor

Featuring five individual layers designed with your comfort in mind, Nectar’s Memory Foam Mattress is a winner. Specifically, the dynamic response layer is particularly useful for side sleepers because it promotes spinal alignment. Above that, 2 inches of CertiPUR-US Certified foam offers pressure-relieving support. To top it all off, the cover features heat-absorbent polyurethane fibers, so you can enjoy a cool night of sleep. 

While this king-sized mattress is great for side and back sleepers, some stomach sleepers didn’t find it to work for them. But with a 4.7 out of 5-star rating with over 50,000 reviews, this mattress definitely receives more praise than not. Plus, a 365-night trial and forever warranty should offer some insight into how sure Nectar is of its product.

Price at time of publish: $999

Material: Memory foam, gel memory foam | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 12 inches

Best under $1,000

Bear Original Mattress

4.7

Bear

View On Bear

Our Ratings

• Comfort

  5

  /5

• Support

  5

  /5

• Value

  5

  /5

What We Like

• CertiPUR-US and Greenguard Gold certified

• Cooling gel-infused memory foam

• Adapts to all sleep positions

• Choice between foam and hybrid

What We Don’t Like

• Too firm for some

• No handles for moving

A king-sized mattress is a whole lot of mattress—so when you can find one that’s high-quality, comfortable, and available for under $1,000, it should really pique your interest. Bear’s Original Mattress meets these key hallmarks, and it offers you choices, too. It’s available in both an all-foam model and a hybrid. Both are great, but we like the foam mattress because it offers four layers designed to make the mattress last, keep you cool, and relieve pressure points. The firmness is more of a medium-firm feel, which is why this mattress is good for both side and back sleepers alike. 

Customers particularly like this king mattress for its intersection of quality and price. Plus, the conforming comfort layers are designed to offer support where it’s needed by filling in spaces along your back and the rest of your body.

One drawback with this mattress is some found it to be a bit firm for their needs. However, a risk-free 120-night trial offers ample time to see if it’s a good fit for your needs. Plus, if you look on the website, there’s no shortage of customers who praise Bear for exceptional customer service should you have any issues.

Price at time of publish: $874

Material: Memory foam | Firmness: Medium-firm  | Thickness: 10 inches

Best for Back Pain

My Green Mattress Natural Escape

My Green Mattress

View On Mygreenmattress.com

What We Like

• GOLS-certified organic latex

• Lumbar-supportive pocketed innersprings

• Made in a family-owned factory

• Hand button tufting

What We Don’t Like

• Break-in period needed

• Too firm for some

Dr. Downs generally recommends “a mattress that’s firm enough to support the spine but soft enough that it’s comfortable.” In my testing, My Green Mattress’ Natural Escape offers exactly that. Aside from the GOLS-certified latex, which provides conforming comfort, there are pocketed coil innersprings that provide pressure point relief. In the past, I would wake up with a sore back, but that’s not an issue with the Natural Escape. Instead, I feel cradled even when moving from my back to my side during the night. 

I will note, however, that there’s a slight break-in period with this mattress. It was very mild, but it just took some getting used to. Within two weeks, I found it to be great, and I was getting fantastic sleep. Additionally, knowing that my mattress is made with sustainable and organic latex, organic cotton, and organic wool, also helps me sleep more peacefully. Plus, the button tufting is done by hand, which not only ensures durability but also creates a nice finished product I know I can trust.

Price at time of publish: $2,299

Material: Latex, cotton, wool | Firmness: Medium | Thickness: 11 inches