Measuring up at 72 x 84 inches, a California King mattress is exceptionally large and able to offer a lot of space and comfort for the sleeper. Choosing a California King bed is a great choice if you want to enjoy high-quality sleep and really be able to stretch out and roll around with ease, but it’s vital to choose the best California King mattress to go along with your bed frame in order to enjoy the best night’s sleep.
There are a lot of different factors to think about when buying a California King mattress. The materials used to make up the mattress, as well as its firmness, thickness, weight, cover material, and other features are all essential factors to think about. When drawing up this list of the best California King mattresses, we considered all of these factors and looked at a lot of different user and critical California King mattress reviews in order to present you with a wide and varied selection of highly-rated mattress models to consider.
We looked at manufacturers’ sites, as well as going in-depth on all the specifications and details of each mattress we reviewed. Below, you’ll see a comparison table with our favorite California King mattresses in order, with the highest-rated mattress at the top of the table. After that, you’ll be able to find some in-depth reviews of each mattress to learn more about them, followed by a detailed buying guide telling you all you need to look out for when shopping for your next mattress.
More features: SleepCalm motion isolation technology; proprietary lumbar layer; Extra-Edge support; 120-night trial
The WinkBed is a premium product. It does have a hefty price, but once you learn more about its features, you’ll be convinced it’s a solid investment.
The WinkBed has quite a few layers. They include pocket coils for supreme support. However, if you’re worried about pocket coils, don’t be as there are plenty other layers for added comfort. There are two layers of PCF polyfoam, in different thicknesses. This material will mold to your body, cradling every vertebrae in your back for ultimate support. There are also micro coils that are encased in foam pockets.
With the WinkBed, you can choose from soft, luxury firm, firmer, and plus. The first three of these options include a cotton lumbar pad for further back support.
Covering these many layers is a cover made out of TENCEL material. This material allows you to sleep cool, thanks to its immense breathability format. Even in the hottest months of summer, you will stay cool and comfortable. However, some do find that this mattress is a bit too cold in winter months, so you might want to invest in some flannel sheets to warm you up.
One final, amazing aspect of the WinkBed is that it comes with a lifetime warranty. That’s right; you can make this investment and know that if there are any issues, the company will help you out. Furthermore, there is a 120-night trial available.
More features: 1,032 individually encased Ascension X coils; cooling properties; 120-night trial
Get ready for a restful night of sleep. If you’re constantly tossing and turning, then a new mattress can help you get ready for the next day ahead of you. The Brooklyn Sedona is a hybrid type of mattress that uses both coils and foams to get you the sleep you deserve.
Inside this mattress are multiple layers that all work together for amazing results. While there is a layer of coils, they are individually encased and won’t be poking into you. There are then a further three layers of foam, all with individual properties that work together to support you.
There is a layer of hyper-dense memory foam for amazing, solid support.
Then, there is another layer of gel-infused memory foam. The gel helps to keep you cool by promoting air flow. If you’ve ever woken up in a state of sweat, you know how important it is to keep cool at night.
Finally, there is another layer of comfort foam. This cradles your entire body, ensuring there are no pressure points on your back and spine. You don’t want to wake up feeling like your body sore, and this layer will prevent that feeling.
The Brooklyn Sedona comes with a nice, 10-year limited warranty. While good, it isn’t as good as some other models. 10 years should be fine, but there are other products on this list that come with lifetime guarantees, so it is something to think about.
However, the Brooklyn Sedona does have a 120-night trial period, which is quite nice.
Coming from one of the best brands in the business, the Layla Sleep Memory Foam Mattress is definitely one of the very best memory foam mattresses you can find in the Cal King size. It comes at a high price, but the quality and comfort of this mattress, as well as the impressive benefits it can provide to the average sleeper, do more than enough to justify the cost.
The first thing that stands out about this mattress is its stylish, two-tone design, but that black and white look isn’t just for aesthetics; it symbolizes the “flippable firmness” feature of this particular mattress. The Layla actually has different firmness ratings on each side, letting you flip it over to find the one that works best for you, and this really helps to make it a highly versatile mattress that can work for all kinds of sleeper.
Made from top-quality foams and designed to the highest standard, this Cal King mattress brings a lot to the table. It has an excellent cooling effect, thanks in part to the highly breathable cover, and it provides enough comfort and support to please almost anyone. There is a little bit of an odor at first, but this should fade away within a week or two.
More features: cooling properties; Celliant fabric for better muscle recovery
The Bear Pro company is a family-run operation, and their commitment to solid construction and quality is evident in their products. This Bear Pro mattress will leave you feeling refreshed, relaxed, and ready to start the day.
The mattress has multiple layers to meet all your sleep needs. It has 1.5 inches of gel-infused memory foam so that your entire body is cradled, without any hard spots. There will be no muscle aches when you wake up.
There is also a 1-inch layer of copper-infused polyfoam that allows for both breathability and stability.
Surrounding all these layers is a cover made out of Celliant fabric. This technology actually aids in the recovery of muscles. If you are a person who regularly works out, sleeping on this Bear Pro mattress might actually help your muscles recover after a strenuous workout.
One more amazing attribute of the Bear Pro mattress is that the maximum airflow and construction means the mattress will have a cool feel to it. For those that sleep hot, or just can’t get comfortable in hot summer months, this will be a welcome reprieve.
Like a lot of premium mattresses, the Bear Pro is a bit expensive. However, the company actually offers a payment plan. You do need to qualify, but once you do, you can pay just a fraction of the price each month. This is a really nice option. Everyone deserves a good night sleep, and with the payment plan, everyone can afford one.
More features: flippable mattress; 18-month home trial; GOL’s certified latex
The Idle Latex is a hybrid mattress, meaning it has both coils and foam layers. Together, it gives you the support you need while you sleep, while also ensuring there are no pressure points on your body.
There are many layers within this mattress. There are 6-inch coils, which are pocketed so there’s no risk of springs breaking through. As well, there is a layer of latex for firm support that is also breathable and cooling. The top layer is made out of natural wool quilting, for a luxurious feeling. You’ll definitely sleep well on this mattress.
A nice feature of the Idle Latex mattress is that you can flip it. You can choose the same or different firmness levels on the sides, and being able to flip the mattress allows you to extend the lifespan, which will save you money in the long run.
While most mattress companies offer 3-month sleep trials, the Idle company actually gives you 18 months to try it out. That’s almost incomparable. 18 months means you can try the mattress out through all the seasons of the year and more. Many people find that while a latex foam mattress keeps you cool in the summer, it can keep you too cold in the winter. This trial period means you won’t have to guess if the mattress will be fine for different seasons.
If you’re looking for a California King mattress set, complete with some of the best California King mattress pillows, the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress could be just what you need. This high-quality gel memory foam mattress comes complete with two free pillows. Nectar is generally regarded as one of the top names in the memory foam world, making use of eco-friendly materials and techniques to craft high-quality mattress you can love.
This mattress continues Nectar’s traditions and commitment to quality. Made from medical grade memory foam and transition foam, as well as a base layer of support foam, it offers a lot of comfort and coziness, while also offering a strong layer of medium-firm support for those with backaches or problems.
This mattress works very nicely for side, back, and stomach sleepers, so it’s a very versatile model. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty and an extended 180-night sleep trial, letting you test it out for nearly six months. It does lack a little bounce and resilience, and the edge support could be better, but these are minor flaws in an otherwise impeccable California King mattress.
More features: flippable firmness; can be used on any type of bed frame; 120-night trial
The Nolah Signature Mattress is an all-foam product that is made to fully support you while you’re busy in dreamland.
This mattress is actually quite unique in that you can flip the mattress, depending on how firm you want it to be. Most foam mattresses do not have the ability to be flipped. With the Nolah, however, not only can it be flipped, but it encourages you to do so.
Many people purchase mattresses without really knowing how firm they want them to be. You might have an idea of what works for you, but it can take months before realizing that it’s just not working. With the Nolah Signature Mattress, you get a medium-soft side and a medium-firm side. You can try out the side you think will work best, and if you’re not quite getting the sleep you want, you can simply flip the mattress and try out the other side.
This takes away the whole issue of having to return a mattress and purchase a new one, which is very inconvenient.
To produce the different firmness levels, the Nolah Signature Mattress has one side with 2.5 inches of polyfoam and one side with 1 inch of polyfoam. In between are 7 inches of base foam which gives enough support for either side.
Unfortunately, the Nolah Signature Mattress is a bit pricey. However, it does offer you a way to save a bit of money. While your purchase comes with a 120-night trial, you can opt out of this feature and save money off the total price. It’s a bit of a risk, but the two different sides means you’re more likely to enjoy this mattress.
Last but not least, we come to the Live and Sleep Luxury Memory Foam Mattress. Measuring up at 12 inches in thickness and constructed from a mixture of support foam, memory foam, and gel foam for cooling, this California King mattress has a lot of plus points, starting with its relatively low price which helps to make it one of the most affordable options on our list.
If you struggle with back pain or sleep on your back, the Live and Sleep Luxury Memory Foam Mattress is definitely one of the best options to consider. It offers great support and firmness for those who need it. Some might even call it a little too firm, but you can always in one of the best pillow top mattress pad for California King to add a little softness if needed.
This mattress, like so many memory foam mattresses, struggles a little in terms of edge support and bounce, but it performs very well in most other areas. It’s a comfortable and cozy mattress at a very reasonable price, fully CertiPUR-US certified and even coming with a free queen size pillow as a nice little bonus.
Now that we’ve looked at some of the best Cal King mattress options you might be interested in purchasing. Let’s take a closer look at what you should be looking out for when actually shopping for your next mattress. There are a lot of different factors to think about when purchasing a mattress, and some might be more important to you than others.
When buying your California King mattress, there are several important factors and features to think about, including everything from firmness to materials.
Firmness denotes how soft or firm the mattress is, with many of the most popular mattresses rated as Medium or Medium-firm. Those looking for additional firmness, as seen in the Live and Sleep Luxury Memory Foam Mattress, might want extra support for spinal alignment or back pain relief, whereas those who favor a softer mattress might prefer the comfort it provides. Some Cal King mattresses, like the Layla Sleep Memory Foam Mattress, actually offer different firmness levels that you can adjust at home.
The layering of a mattress concerns how it is put together. Most mattress will feature at least two, but often three or four layers of material. It’s a wise move to look for a top layer of cooling gel, as seen in the Brentwood Home Cypress Bamboo Gel Mattress, to give that cooling effect many people crave. Other mattresses, like the Purple California King Mattress, feature unique and exclusive materials to offer different levels of comfort and support.
The height or thickness of a mattress denotes how many inches it raises to when fully inflated. The Tuft & Needle Original Mattress, for instance, measures up at 10 inches, whereas the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress is a 12-inch mattress. More height doesn’t always mean more comfort or support, but taller mattresses make more of a style statement in a bedroom.
The cover of the mattress can be made from a variety of materials. This is the part of the mattress in direct contact with your skin, so many people prefer a soft and cozy material here, like the blend seen in the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress. Others will favor covers that focus entirely on cooling, like the ThermoGel-infused cover of the Layla Sleep Memory Foam Mattress.
Another significant factor to think about when shopping for your next mattress is how much it’s going to cost. Mattresses can vary from as low as a couple of hundred dollars up to $1,000+, so there’s a massive gap between the cheapest and the most expensive one, and it’s important to note that more expensive mattresses aren’t always automatically better than their cheaper counterparts. The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, for example, is available at a very low price and offers a lot of great value and advantages over some more expensive models. Be sure to work out your budget accordingly and choose a mattress that really works for you in terms of price, as well as comfort.
Overall, the Purple California King Mattress stood out as our favorite California King mattress. The unique hyper-elastic polymer construction of this mattress allows it to offer the soft feel of a memory foam mattress, but with more support and firmness, making it a real winner in every category.
Next up in our list of the best California King mattress models is the Tuft & Needle Original Mattress. Made from high-quality adaptive foam, this mattress is a dream option for those who favor a little extra firmness or need that added layer of support for their back.
Finally, the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress rounds out our top three California King mattresses. Available at a fraction of the price of many of the other models on our list, the Zinus is a big winner in terms of value and affordability. It’s also very comfortable and smells great thanks to the green tea infusion.
