The Best California King Mattress

King beds are great for those who like to spread out a little, but it’s only wider than a queen bed, not longer. If you’re more than a few inches over six-feet tall, you probably have noticed this similarity. That’s where a California king mattress comes in.

Surprisingly, a California king isn’t as wide as a standard King bed, although you may not notice the few inches you’re giving up. With California kings, it’s all about that extra four inches in length you get. A standard king mattress is 76-inches by 80-inches, while a California king will give you 72-inch by 84-inches. Not a huge difference, but when your feet reach all the way to the end of a standard mattress, it’s a welcome expansion. But if width matters, you’re better off with a standard king.

The addition of California king to the roster isn’t the only thing complicating mattress choices these days. At one time, mattresses were made up of coils and cushioning, later on adding a “pillow top” for extra softness. But innovators have brought us technologies like memory foam and gel that can enhance comfort without sacrificing support.

There are multiple types of mattress construction today. One is an innerspring mattress, which is the version people have slept on for decades. With an innerspring, you get a grid of coils that provide support and bounce, along with padding to keep you from sleeping on springs.

But today, you’ll often see what’s known as a hybrid mattress. These mattresses individually pocket each spring to support you while also keeping bounce at a minimum. This means if you’re sleeping with someone and that person rolls over, you won’t feel it as much as you would on a traditional mattress setup.

Then there are all-foam mattresses, which typically combine layers of foam to create a comfortable yet supportive sleeping surface. It’s important, with foam mattresses, to look at the number of layers, as well as whether they use memory foam, latex foam or another type, as each kind of foam provides a different type of experience. You’ll also find that some foam mattresses use gel in one form or another to keep you cool while you sleep.

• Before you start shopping for a mattress, think about what you need. If you have a bad back or other aches and pains, you’ll need support. A mattress that causes you to sink into the bed may only exacerbate your issues.
• You should also consider how you sleep. If you spend most of the night on your side, for instance, a mattress that conforms to your shape like one made from soft foam could work better for you. Stomach sleepers, on the other hand, will find a firmer mattress less suffocating.
• You’ll see bounce mentioned quite often with mattresses. There are pros and cons to having that extra bounce. A mattress with less spring can make you feel as though your movements are limited. However, if you sleep with someone else, that bounciness can become a nuisance, with the bed shaking every time the other person moves.
• Foam offers more cushioning than springs with padding, but it comes with a downside. Foam can tend to increase your body heat, making you uncomfortable while you sleep. For that reason, many manufacturers use gel to cool things off.
• If you’re ordering your mattress online, keep in mind that some mattresses need time to unpack. Those that come in a box have to be removed and left to gradually decompress over the hours, and sometimes days, that follows.
• Online mattresses also may release some chemicals after being unpacked. This is known as off-gassing and is common in manufactured products like memory foam. Some people find the chemical smell while this is happening unpleasant, so you may want to unpack your mattress in a well-ventilated room. Open some windows when you can and allow a couple of days before setting your mattress up and covering it with bedding.
• Keep in mind that different mattresses have varying thicknesses. If you’re buying a California king bed for the first time, you’ll probably need to purchase sheets to accommodate the new length, but also keep in mind that your fitted sheets will need to be made to fit the thickness of the mattress you choose.
• Also keep in mind that other items you currently use, like blankets, duvets and comforters, might not accommodate the longer build of a California king bed and replace those if necessary.
• Although California king mattresses can be pricey, you can find lower-priced online mattresses if you aren’t picky about comfort levels. If you’re buying a mattress for a dorm room or first apartment, this is a great way to save money.
• Durability is important in a mattress, but keep in mind that for optimum comfort, experts recommend replacing your mattress every 10 years.
• Some mattresses have covers you can remove and wash. If yours doesn’t come with one, you can separately purchase a mattress cover that will help you maintain a hygienic environment.
• You probably won’t have to move your mattress very often but consider how difficult your mattress will be to maneuver if you rearrange your furnishings or relocate on a fairly frequent basis.
• Some mattresses specialize in emitting a subtle scent, such as green tea. If you prefer to fill your home with pleasant smells, this may be a good option for you.