TOP 6 Best California King Mattresses in 2021

Best for Motion Isolation — Puffy

What Are the Main Differences Between King and California King Mattresses?

That was a little bit of history, but now let’s get back to modern times now.

Today, California King mattress dimensions are 72” x 84”, which makes this size the longest available on the market to date. At the same time, the regular King measures 76” x 80” and is currently the widest mattress available (2).

If you have a King bed, there’s an easy way to imagine the approximate size of a Cal King one. Just take 4 inches off your King’s width and add it to the length instead.

Of course, the difference in dimensions has both advantages and drawbacks. Let me explain them below.

Pros and Cons of California King Mattress Explained

Both King and California King are excellent choices for couples. But the latter has one significant advantage: it is suited for people whose height is more than 6 feet. So, if you or your partner are considerably tall or you like to stretch out in your bed, the extra 4 inches of the mattress length may just be exactly what you need for a relaxing sleep.

Now, there’s a common misconception about the California King mattresses:

Some believe that since they are “irregular” in length, choosing bed sheets might become a serious problem.

This might have been an issue. Decades ago.

But today, manufacturers offer different types of sheets and other bedding items in various sizes, including the popular Cal King size.

To me, the only significant drawback of California King mattresses is that they have a less width for one person — 36’’ compared to 38’’ in the regular King bed — and surface area overall.

Here, let me do the math for you here:

For King, 76 x 80 equals 6,080 square inches of total area. And for Cal King, 72 x 84 equals 6,048 square inches of total area.

The gap might not seem so drastic, but in some cases, it can make a significant difference.

Now, regarding the price range, both King and California King are the most expensive options on the mattress market. Yet, I have found that most manufacturers have the same price for both of these sizes. Overall, for low-cost models, you’re looking at around $400, with prices reaching as high as $4,000 for top-rated options.

Shopping at a Store vs Shopping Online

For some people, shopping is a way to have a social time with family and friends, while others panic as soon as they hear the word.

Since a mattress is quite a significant investment that involves spending not only your hard-earned money but also your time, I decided to clarify the pros and cons of online and offline shopping to help you choose how best to make that investment.

So, with online shopping, you can:

• shop sitting in your pajamas from the privacy of your own home;
• read reviews and research available options to make an informed decision;
• “visit” a large number of stores within a short amount of time;
• do this at any time, even late at night, as online stores are never closed.

As a bonus, online shopping gives you access to a large number of promotions and discounts, especially if this is your first order.

But:

• you can’t test or feel the item you’re going to buy.
• if you want to buy pillows, blankets, toppers, and other bedding items along with the mattress, implying they all come from different online stores, you might end up spending some serious money on delivery;
• it’s harder to make sure that you’re buying an original product.

Do not forget that shops receive your email after you make an order, so don’t be surprised to get spammy emails flooding into your inbox.

Now, when buying a mattress offline or physically in stores, you can:

• talk with a consultant about the model you are interested in;
• test the product yourself without relying on random or even fake reviews;
• have an easy return process, as you will know exactly where to go for help.

But:

• it’s time and energy-consuming;
• the prices in retail stores are usually much higher;
• not all stores have a great range of items to choose from.

In general, the choice of the appropriate type of shopping depends on you and your personal preferences. For example, if you are already familiar with the manufacturer and only want to replace your mattress with a newer model, then making an online purchase can be an ideal option.

And if you are ready to spend time thoroughly testing the models presented at the stores, then offline/in-store shopping is what you need.

What to Consider When Shopping for a Cal King Mattress?

Now, before making your purchase, please consider the tips I have gathered for you below.

• Measure your room (and your bed frame).

This is a useful step whatever the size of your mattress. But as Cal king is the largest one and will take up quite a lot of space, I suggest that you measure twice.

The ideal room size would be 10 x 12 feet.

Shopping itself is quite a stressful thing, and the availability of discounts and hot deals might often make you feel the urgency to click the “Order” button right away. But that’s just a marketing move. So, calm down and take time to make sure your desired bed will fit into your bedroom.

• Leave enough room to move.

Just making measurements is, in fact, only half of the process. It is also important to analyze how much space will be left around the bed and make sure that the bed itself does not engulf the entire room. Leaving 25–30 inches of space on each side is considered optimal.

Now, don’t forget about the nightstands. Their size impacts the amount of space around the bed too. Note that you should also have a gap of at least 2 inches between the bed and the nightstand to separate the furnishing.

Now, if you get a one-piece California King bed, you should also consider how you will bring it into the room. Mattresses of such width cannot always fit through narrow staircases. Plus, they are usually rather heavy, so you might want to use the help of friends, relatives, or removalists. If it’s not possible, then consider buying a split California King mattress instead.

• Be sure to read the terms of the trial period and return policy.

Sometimes you buy a mattress, sleep on it for a few weeks, only to realize that it isn’t exactly what you wanted.

That’s where a sleep trial comes in.

Today, most online mattress companies offer a trial period during which you can return your new mattress and get a full refund if you’re not completely satisfied.

Each mattress company provides slightly different conditions (3), which is why it’s important to get familiar with the terms offered by the particular company you are considering.

Note that after the trial period is over, you can return a mattress or get it replaced only if it happens to be defective. This is called a warranty. Similar to trials and returns, a warranty also comes with particular rules and limitations, so it’s worth reading and understanding how it works.

FAQ

Conclusion

California King sized mattresses have quite a few features that should certainly be considered before you make a purchase. But my key piece of advice is this: Choose products from well-known brands that provide a trial period, allowing you to check whether the mattress is right for you. 

Above, I have collected the best models available in today’s market. And I’m sure at least one of them has appealed to you. As for me, I would choose the Saatva hybrid without doubting for a moment. This Cal King mattress has pretty much everything you might be looking for to sleep comfortably. It is supportive, temperature-neutral, good for pressure relief, and even works to help sleepers keep a neutral spine when lying down. Plus, there are multiple firmness options available, which means any user could find something that would work for them.

What about you? Which criteria are the most important for you when it comes to choosing a new mattress? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!