TOP 7 Best California King Mattresses in 2021

Best for Allergy-Prone Sleepers — AS3 by Amerisleep

Best for Motion Isolation — Puffy

Another mattress I would love you to learn about is the Zoma. What makes it one of the best Cal King mattresses is its smart construction. The Zoma comes with a zoned comfort layer, which results in high comfort levels and proper spinal alignment. And that, in its turn, leads to tension-free rest. And here’s the coolest part - because the top layer is so adaptive, it works equally well in different scenarios. For example, my wife and I have different sleeping styles, but we both felt proper weight distribution when testing the Zoma mattress.

Now, you might also appreciate the fact that this mattress is very reasonably priced. Therefore, even if you opt for a larger Cal King, you won’t have to strain your budget. Having said that, I would also like to mention that the Zoma’s price tag does not affect its quality. This mattress feels rather robust and should last you for a long time.

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 Mattresses 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. 

• Room measurements and bed frame size.

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.

• Space around the bed.

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.

• Terms of the trial period and the 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.

• Motion transfer (for partnered sleep). 

Since California King is slightly narrower than standard King, this mattress size would offer less sleeping space for partnered sleepers. And when two users sleep closer to each other, they are more likely to feel each other’s movements. That’s why it might be a good idea to check out California King mattresses that do not transfer shock from motion that much. 

Memory foam models are the best in terms of motion isolation, which is why they are favored by couples. Polyfoam might also do the trick, even though it’s a bit more resilient. Users may also want to consider hybrid mattresses, but only the models that come with extra-thick comfort layers (foam, preferably).

• Bedding accessories. 

Shoppers need to keep in mind that a California King mattress would require special bedsheets and other accessories. This might mean extra expenses, especially for those users who are upgrading from a Queen or a King to California King. Therefore, when planning their shopping budget, users need to account for the accessories as well.

• Firmness level. 

This aspect is extremely important, as the firmness of the mattress can affect two things: comfort and back health. A good mattress has to allow for just enough sinkage for the protruding body parts while keeping the spine neutral and properly aligned. That’s why shoppers should pick the mattress firmness in accordance with their sleeping style and body weight. 

For average side sleepers, softer mattresses are a better choice. Back sleepers are recommended to give their preference to medium models. And stomach sleepers usually feel the best sleeping on firm mattresses. For petite individuals (less than 130 pounds), it may be a good idea to go one step softer for each sleep position to prevent painful pressure points. And for heavier users (more than 230 pounds), it’s better to pick slightly firmer mattresses for each sleeping style to get adequate support.

• Cooling.

A neutral sleep environment is one of those factors that can contribute greatly to one’s sleep quality. And it’s especially important for partnered sleepers sharing a California King mattress. This size is narrower than King, which means partners are going to sleep closer to each other. Naturally, they will be likely to feel warmer because of that.

To achieve cooling during the night, shoppers may want to consider breathable mattresses such as innerspring or hybrid models. Latex can also work for hot sleepers. This material does not envelop the body that much and thus, does not trap heat.

As for memory foam fans, they need to be careful. It might be a good idea to choose gel-infused or open-cell foam. The former can draw the excess heat away and lock it inside the gel particles. As for open-cell foam, it has small air channels and allows for improved air circulation during the night. As a result, this foam type is more breathable and sleeps cooler.

• Durability.

California King is one of the largest standard sizes available. Naturally, mattresses in this size cost more. To protect such an investment, shoppers are advised to pick models that use quality materials. 

If it’s foam, it has to be dense. Low-density models tend to start sagging much sooner.

For hybrid mattresses, it’s crucial to pay attention to the coil gauge. A lower gauge number would mean thicker coils that will be likelier to last longer.

Latex mattresses are usually the most durable ones. This is why they can be very expensive.

As for innerspring mattresses, they usually have the shortest lifespan compared to other types.

• Edge support. 

Because California King is narrower than regular King, it offers a bit less sleeping space.

This can sometimes be an issue for couples who require more space between them (for instance, those who enjoy sleeping like starfish). Limited space width-wise can also be problematic for larger partnered sleepers who occupy more of the sleeping surface.

Whatever the case is, a California King mattress that has strong edges can offer more space. 

Now, innerspring models are famous for their reliable edge support. Hybrid mattresses also perform very well in this scenario.

As for foam and latex mattresses, they usually have weak edges, which means they offer even less sleeping space. Firmer models may deliver slightly stronger edge support, but firm mattresses don’t work for all sleepers.

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!