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.
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.
A California king mattress can be an excellent option if you’re extra tall, sleep with dogs at your feet or just want some extra foot room in general. The key 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. Whatever your reason, we put a ton of mattresses to the test to find the best California king mattress to help you sleep comfortably.
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, the Brooklyn Bedding Signature offers great value for what you’re getting.
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.
8 /10
SCORE
Firmness
Soft: (3) Medium: (5) Medium firm: (7)
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
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.
8.5 /10
SCORE
Type
flippable hybrid mattress
Firmness
Medium to medium firm: (6)
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
pillow top. All of this also works well for larger mattresses like the Cal king. Read more for our full Saatva mattress review.
” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Sleepers can choose between three firmness options ~ Dual-coil construction makes it extra durable and supportive ~ Suits all body types” dislike=”~ Might be too firm for strict side sleepers ~ It’s an expensive online mattress” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”edbc724b-1c0b-4b8c-8b90-51af460aaf8a”,”label”:”Saatva Classic”,”slug”:”saatva-classic”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:null,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”edbc724b-1c0b-4b8c-8b90-51af460aaf8a”,”slug”:”saatva-classic”,”name”:”Saatva Classic”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1721185436392}” overridecredit=”Jonathan Gomez/CNET” overridecaption=”
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.
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 mattress models, taking what people loved about the original Nectar memory foam mattress and making it more durable and supportive.
7.9 /10
SCORE
Type
memory foam mattress
Warranty
forever warranty
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.
In addition to using organic materials, Avocado sources its wool from its own co-owned Indian wool farm, where more than 200,000 sheep roam freely across 40 organic hectares. If you’d prefer a vegan mattress without wool of any kind, Avocado also makes the same mattress in a vegan variety, which also comes in a California king. The company also grows and processes its own organic Dunlop latex. Each mattress is handcrafted in its California factory, where the company bypasses the use of toxic glues by implementing a traditional hand-tufting technique. If that’s not enough, their mattresses are all tested to ensure low emissions, guaranteeing that they meet air quality standards.
If you need a firm mattress to support a larger or taller body, the Avocado Green in California king size is a great choice. You can also buy the pillow-topper for $500 which softens up the feel to a medium-firm. It’s an ideal firmer mattress for back and stomach sleepers, as well as those with back pain. A little extra space lengthwise gives the healing body plenty of room to do its thing. Read more at our full Avocado mattress review.
” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ It’s backed by a significant number of certifications ~ Made with eco-friendly and sustainable materials ~ Good for back, stomach and combination sleepers” dislike=”~ It’s a bit too firm for side sleepers ~ Like other organic products, it’s on the expensive side” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”3d04eb59-e35a-4df9-8913-65d61337a0bd”,”label”:”Avocado Green”,”slug”:”avocado-green”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:null,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”3d04eb59-e35a-4df9-8913-65d61337a0bd”,”slug”:”avocado-green”,”name”:”Avocado Green”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1721185435510}” overridecredit=”Jonathan Gomez/CNET” overridecaption=”
7 or medium-firm with the pillow top (9 or firm without)
Warranty
25-year limited warranty
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.
Providing excellent pressure relief, the Helix Plus Cal king mattress offers just enough give to maintain support while letting the sleeper get cozy in the contours of the memory foam. This mattress also offers fantastic motion transfer, so you may not even notice your sleeping partner getting in and out of bed.
The California king size of the Helix Plus contains all the extra support, higher density foam and conveniently low motion transfer of the smaller versions, providing a longer mattress and the width of a spacious king. For any bigger or taller folks who may sleep better with a little more space between them, this size is ideal. Read more in our full Helix mattress review.
” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Good option for back, stomach and combination sleepers ~ It has a strong hybrid construction ergonomically designed for support ~ It has a good value” dislike=”~ Not worth the money for people who weigh under 150 pounds ~ Heavier side sleepers may want a softer bed” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”be9c856e-a1fa-408b-b4db-4b2d6d1db895″,”label”:”Helix Plus”,”slug”:”helix-plus”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:null,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”be9c856e-a1fa-408b-b4db-4b2d6d1db895″,”slug”:”helix-plus”,”name”:”Helix Plus”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1721185436084}” overridecredit=”Jonathan Gomez/CNET” overridecaption=”
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.
” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ It’s one of the most affordable hybrid beds on the market ~ Durable and supportive for all body types ~ Ideal for back, stomach and combination sleepers” dislike=”~ Side sleepers will probably find it too firm” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”09575ddc-4d3a-4c30-a11d-d82686991dc6″,”label”:”Allswell”,”slug”:”allswell”,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:””,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Series”,”objectType”:”content_product_series”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”09575ddc-4d3a-4c30-a11d-d82686991dc6″,”slug”:”allswell”,”name”:”Allswell”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1721185436247}” overridecredit=”Dillon Payne/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”b7bc9a20-6186-49d0-b30d-3ae4ac47e3b3″,”alt”:”A close up of the affordable Allswell Hybrid mattress on top of a bed frame”,”caption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Jonathan Gomez/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”A close up of the affordable Allswell Hybrid mattress on top of a bed frame”,”imageFilename”:”dsc08377.jpg”,”imageWidth”:7952,”imageHeight”:5304,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-10-12″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”fopkiw1ybeqveee”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__ef8fa84c-04cf-40ea-9ffb-8b6da1173b48″ index=”7″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv90,mattress” productpromo=”true” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Dillon Payne/CNET”>
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.
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.
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 framework 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.
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.
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.
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.
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