Best California King Mattresses for 2024

The CNET Sleep editors use their knowledge from their extensive mattress testing experience to curate our bedding best lists. They collectively have rolled around on 100-plus beds and are considered experts on the subject. With all the mattresses our editors have tested, some quality beds aren't able to make the cut, but we still think they deserve some credit. 

Tuft & Needle mattress: If you want a large California king mattress but you're more of a budget-conscious shopper, the Tuft & Needle Essential mattress is a great option. It's only two layers and is a simple bed without any extra bells and whistles. It is a comfortable and accommodating bed for just about any sleeping position. It feels like your favorite soft couch, it's made with a neutral foam that's quicker to respond to pressure than memory foam is. Tuft & Needle is also one of the most prominent online mattress brands, so its beds are popular for a reason. 

Tuft & Needle Essential mattress See at Tuft & Needle

Layla mattress: This is the original predecessor to the Layla Hybrid mattress above. It omits the pocketed coil layer found in the hybrid, but it's a little cheaper and more affordable. This model is best for people who weigh under 230 pounds and who like the memory foam feel of Layla without the extra cost of the hybrid design. It's flippable, so you get one firm side and one soft side. It's also made with copper-infused memory foam, making it sleep cooler than the standard material. 

Layla mattress See at Layla

CNET editors select the products and services we write about based on editorial merit. When you buy through our links, we may receive a commission. Read more about how we test mattresses.

Contrary to popular belief, California king mattresses are just longer than king mattresses, not wider. While standard king mattresses are 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, California kings are 72 inches wide by 84 inches long. Knowing the difference between the two helps you make better-informed shopping choices and ensures no unwelcome surprises. Remember, California king mattresses are all about length.

A California king mattress is the best choice if you're on the taller side, say 6-foot-3 and above. With a California king-size mattress, you can stretch your legs and never stress about having too many decorative pillows up top. The California king bed frame also has the optimal dimensions if you have a particularly long and narrow or rectangular-shaped room. You get all the perks and grandeur of a luxuriously large and comfortable bed without sacrificing a set of nightstands.

The California king mattress and bed frame work best in rooms with dimensions of at least 12 feet by 12 feet. If you're more concerned with having a wider bed than a longer one (like if you have a partner who loves to wiggle), a standard king mattress is probably the best mattress type for you.