Best California King Mattresses for 2024
Are you longing for a longer mattress? Our sleep experts tested the best California king mattresses to help you find the right one.
What to consider
Firmness
Sleeping position
Feel
Construction
Body type
Performance
Company policies
Our Picks
The difference between a California king-size bed and a king-size bed is that a king is a little wider, while a California king has some extra length on the bottom. To be specific, a king bed measures 76 by 80 inches, and a California king bed measures 72 by 84 inches.
If you're extra tall, sleep with dogs at your feet or just want some extra foot room in general, you might want to consider getting a California king mattress. Whatever your reason, we put a ton of mattresses to the test to find the best California king mattress to fit your needs.
My team and I have tested over 200 different mattresses, giving us a large pool to pick from when selecting the best California king mattresses. We paid extra close attention to supportive constructions for couples, accommodating firmness levels, feel and overall value when making our choices. Regardless of what mattress type you're looking for -- a memory foam mattress, an innerspring mattress or a hybrid mattress, whether soft or firm -- here are the best California king mattress options we've found.
(All prices listed are the regular, nonsale list price and reflect the costs of California king size mattresses.)
Video: Best California king mattresses for 2024
Watch CNET video producer Owen Poole review the best California king size mattresses for 2024.
What's the best California king mattress overall?
If you want a comfortable, supportive and long-lasting bed, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature is one of our go-to recommendations. It has a strong hybrid construction made with foam and over 1,000 coils, multiple firmness levels to choose from and a neutral-foam feel that most people will find enjoyable. Plus, it offers great value for what you're getting.
Read more: Best Bed Sheets for Every Type of Sleeper
Best California king mattresses in 2024
Brooklyn Bedding Signature
Best overall California king mattress
Layla Hybrid
Best California king mattress for side sleepers
Saatva Classic
Best firm California king mattress
Nectar Hybrid
Best California king memory foam mattress
Avocado Green
Best organic California king bed
Helix Plus
Best California king bed for heavy people
Allswell mattress
Best California king bed under $1,000
Other mattresses we've tested
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.
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.
How we test
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.
The difference between a king vs. California king mattress
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.
Why you should buy a California king mattress
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.
California king mattress FAQs
Is a California king bed worth the extra money?
A California king bed will be worth the money if you have a lot of extra space in your bedroom, are a big and tall individual or want a mattress that offers more space for your furry friends. California king beds are narrower than a standard king but are longer to allow for more leg and foot room.
How much does a California king bed cost?
Many California king mattresses will cost you around $1,200 to $1,600, especially if you're looking for a premium bed. Luxury California king mattresses are known to retail for $1,800 or more, but you can also find a budget California king mattress like Allswell for under $500.
Which bed is better, king or California king?
If you have animals that sleep on the bottom of your mattress, you're over 6 feet, 5 inches (or taller) or you just want the extra leg space, a California king is a good option because it offers more length than your standard king bed. If you expect your kiddos to be snuggling up next to you in bed, you might want a wider standard king bed to fit all your loved ones. It's worth noting that brands often price their king and California king beds the same, so you usually don't end up paying more for one or the other.