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Article updated on May 23, 2024 at 10:00 AM PDT

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.

Our Experts

Written by 
McKenzie Dillon
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
McKenzie Dillon Writer
McKenzie, a Certified Sleep Science Coach and proclaimed mattress expert, has been writing sleep content in the wellness space for over four years. After earning her certification from the Spencer Institute and dedicating hundreds of hours to sleep research, she has extensive knowledge on the topic and how to improve your quality of rest. Having more experience with lying on mattresses than most, McKenzie has reviewed over 150 beds and a variety of different sleep products including pillows, mattress toppers and sheets. McKenzie has also been a guest on multiple radio shows including WGN Chicago as a sleep expert and contributed sleep advice to over 50 different websites.
Expertise Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach, Bachelor of English.
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With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews.

What to consider

Firmness

A firm mattress will offer more support while a soft mattress will be more pressure relieving. Medium mattresses fall in the sweet spot right in between. The right firmness level for you depends on your sleeping position.

Sleeping position

Side sleepers should consider a medium to soft mattress that cradles the hips and shoulders. Back and stomach sleepers should consider a medium to firm mattress that keeps the spine in a straight alignment. Switch between positions? A medium firmness level can accommodate all sleeping positions.

Feel

Coils and latex foam give a bed more bounce, while memory foam and poly foam make a bed feel more cushy and pressure relieving. The feel of your mattress will depend on the types of materials it has on the inside.

Construction

There are essentially two mattress types, hybrid and all-foam. Hybrid mattresses are constructed with steel coils and foam, but all-foam mattresses are just as their name implies.

Body type

Hybrid mattresses tend to be best for people who want extra support and durability. Sleepers over 230 pounds in particular should consider a hybrid over an all-foam mattress because it’s more supportive, durable and long-lasting.

Performance

Motion isolation, edge support and temperature are important features for couples or people who sleep hot to consider. Hot sleepers should consider a mattress that boasts special cooling features. Couples want minimal motion transfer and a strong, supportive bed perimeter.

Company policies

All online brands offer a free trial, free shipping and a warranty, but some brands are more generous with their policies than others.

Our Picks

$1,599 at Brooklyn Bedding
brooklyn-bedding-signature.jpg
Best overall California king mattress
Brooklyn Bedding Signature
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$1,899 at Layla
layla-hybrid.jpg
Best California king mattress for side sleepers
Layla Hybrid
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$200 off + 2 free pillows
View details
$2,595 at Saatva
saatva-classic.jpg
Best firm California king mattress
Saatva Classic
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$1,399 at Nectar
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Best California king memory foam mattress
Nectar Hybrid
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$2,699 at Avocado
avocado-green.jpg
Best organic California king bed
Avocado Green
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$1,882 at Helix
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Best California king bed for heavy people
Helix Plus
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20% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with code:
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$357 at Walmart
A close up of the affordable Allswell Hybrid mattress on top of a bed frame
Best California king bed under $1,000
Allswell mattress
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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

Our take -  When deciding on the best California king mattress overall, I wanted to pick a mattress suitable for singles, couples, all body types, most sleeping positions and most budgets. The Brooklyn Bedding Signature fits that bill to a tee and is more affordable than most competitors. Brooklyn Bedding manufactures its own mattresses, eliminating the need for a middleman, which allows it to sell you a mattress for less than the other big brands. You can get this quality California king bed for under $1,200 when you catch this mattress during a promo.
Type
hybrid mattress
Firmness
Soft: (3) Medium: (5) Medium firm: (7)
Trial
120 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
$1,599 at Brooklyn Bedding
Compare

Layla Hybrid

Best California king mattress for side sleepers

Our take -  The Layla Hybrid tops our list as the best California king mattress for side sleepers, mainly because this king bed is conveniently flippable, with a softer and firmer side to choose from. The soft side is extra plush and pressure relieving, perfect for any side sleeper who wants a cushiony feel. The firm side isn't super firm. It's around a six out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it great for most sleeping positions. I also think heavier side sleepers will like the firm end because it'll feel like a soft mattress with a good balance of support. 
Type
flippable hybrid mattress
Firmness
Medium to medium firm: (6)
Trial
120 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
$200 off + 2 free pillows
$1,899 at Layla
Compare

Saatva Classic

Best firm California king mattress

Our take -  The Saatva Classic is a supportive mattress with a combination of contouring latex foam, supportive innerspring coils and special lumbar technology that makes it great for back and stomach sleepers. The Luxury Firm model of this mattress is a solid medium-firm and its dual-coil construction is a unique feature that makes the Saatva bed incredibly supportive. As such, it's one of the best California king mattress models you can buy. 
Read full review
Type
hybrid mattress
Firmness
Medium: (5)
Trial
365 nights
Warranty
lifetime warranty
$2,595 at Saatva
Compare

Nectar Hybrid

Best California king memory foam mattress

Our take - Nectar is a reputable bed-in-a-box brand that helped popularize the movement along with mattress bigwigs like Casper and Purple. The brand recently came out with its hybrid models, taking what people loved about the original Nectar memory foam mattress and making it more durable and supportive.
Type
memory foam mattress
Firmness
medium-firm
Trial
365 nights
Warranty
forever warranty
$1,399 at Nectar
Compare

Avocado Green

Best organic California king bed

Our take -  Having enjoyed a hands-on test of the Avocado Green mattress, I can say from experience that it's a joy to sleep on. On top of being highly comfy, especially for back, stomach and heavy sleepers, this Cal king mattress is also eco-friendly -- Avocado's mattresses are made of organic wool, cotton and latex.
Read full review
Type
latex hybrid
Firmness
7 or medium-firm with the pillow top (9 or firm without)
Trial
365 nights
Warranty
25-year limited warranty
$2,699 at Avocado
Compare

Helix Plus

Best California king bed for heavy people

Our take - The Helix Plus is designed to offer a firmer mattress with extra support and comfort for those with larger- or taller-than-average bodies, making it an ideal plus-size mattress in the California king size. It also makes a great fit for just about all sleepers, regardless of size or sleep position preference. As long as the 7-to-8 firmness level rating doesn't bother you (it's a medium to firm feel), this mattress is likely to be a superb match.
Read full review
Type
hybrid mattress
Firmness
Medium firm: (7)
Trial
100 nights
Warranty
15-year limited warranty
20% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with code:
$1,882 at Helix
Compare

Allswell mattress

Best California king bed under $1,000

Our take -  The bigger the mattress size, the more you have to pay when it comes to buying a new bed. If you're in search of the best California king mattress that fits a more wallet-friendly budget, Allswell is a hybrid bed that offers a good bed for your buck. It's made by Walmart, which is known for its price-friendly products, and you can get a California king-size mattress for under $500.
Read full review
Type
hybrid mattress
Firmness
Medium to medium firm: (6)
Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
$357 at Walmart
Compare

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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.