California King mattresses (72" X 84") are 4" narrower than standard King-size beds, and 4" longer. This makes the California King size ideal for taller individuals and people whose cat or dog likes to curl up at the foot of the bed. However, since they aren't as wide, you'll be closer to your partner when sharing a California King. Of course, California King-size mattresses are more expensive than smaller mattresses, so you'll want to be sure you invest in the right model. Here are some things to consider when choosing a king-size mattress using our lab testing and scores:
- Support and pressure relief: These are important for spine alignment and comfort. Look for a score of at least 7.5 for your sleeping position and your partner's.
- Motion Isolation: California King-size beds aren't as wide as standard King-size mattresses, so you'll be closer to your partner, making movements more noticeable. If you sleep lightly, look for a score of at least 8.0.
- Cooling: Mattresses with a cooling score of at least 7.0 will keep most people comfortable. If you're a hot sleeper, you'll want a higher score of 8.0, especially if you sleep with a partner.
- Edge Support: Sturdy edges help make the mattress feel wider, which is especially important for couples sharing a California King. Look for a score of 7.5 or more for good edge support.
- Longevity: If you plan to spend extra on a bigger mattress, you'll want it to last. The most durable mattresses only include good-quality foam and have a longevity score of at least 7.5. You can avoid models that only include low-quality materials by looking for scores of at least 6.5.
We've tested more than 55 mattresses, and below you'll find our recommendations for the best California King mattresses. We test Queen-size mattresses, but expect the feel to be the same across sizes as long as the construction is the same. Our mattress size guide can help you visualize the difference between mattress sizes. We also recommend other sizes, including standard king, queen, and full-size mattresses.
We've tested over 55 mattresses. We purchase each unit independently from major retailers, just like you, to keep our reviews free of manufacturer influence. Each mattress undergoes the same tests to measure objective data on characteristics like firmness, cooling, and motion isolation, so you can easily compare results. Since we buy all our mattresses, we can tear them down layer by layer and isolate the mechanical properties of every component: quilted tops, foams, coils, and any special materials.
Want to learn more about how we operate? Check out our About Us page.
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Best California King Mattress
Firmness LevelFirm (60 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxNoSide Sleeping7.4Back Sleeping7.6Stomach Sleeping7.7Longevity8.3Cooling8.6Motion Dissipation7.8See all our test resultsEdge Support9.1The Saatva Latex Hybrid is the best California King mattress that we've tested. This Firm mattress offers a durable design, impressive overall performance, and works for a range of body types and sleeping positions. It's a good option for most back and stomach sleepers, with at least decent support regardless of your weight. Meanwhile, its contouring latex comfort layer provides good pressure relief for average-weight and heavier side sleepers. However, lighter side sleepers will want a plusher option.
Its sturdy edges let you sleep near the edge of the bed without risking sliding off the mattress, which is a plus for a California King mattress, given its narrower design compared to a standard King. It's cooling enough for hot sleepers, especially if you usually feel overheated later in the night. The comfort layer is made of high-density latex. It's the only foam layer in the mattress, helping it resist forming impressions for longer than mattresses with lower-quality foam. The good motion isolation ensures you don't feel every small movement your partner makes. However, you will feel it when someone gets into bed or changes sleeping positions, and motion dissipates quite slowly, so the mattress may bounce or wobble with movement. If you or your partner sleeps lightly, it's not ideal.
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Best California King Mattress For Back/Stomach Sleeping
Firmness LevelFirm (130 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxNoSide Sleeping5.0Back Sleeping8.0Stomach Sleeping8.9Longevity8.6Cooling8.1Motion Dissipation9.0See all our test resultsEdge Support9.9If you're a dedicated back or stomach sleeper, you might prefer the Sleep On Latex Hybrid. While the Saatva Latex Hybrid is suitable for many back and stomach sleepers, this Extra-Firm model offers even better support, particularly for people in the heavier weight category. If you always sleep on your back or stomach, you may prefer it, since it'll do an even better job of keeping your spine aligned. Like the Saatva, it's a very durable option, with a high-density latex comfort layer that will resist forming impressions and help it maintain its fantastic support performance. You won't feel hugged by the springy, firm sleeping surface, so it's ideal for people who feel constricted by enveloping mattresses. On the other hand, it doesn't allow much sinking and won't provide enough pressure relief for side sleepers.
This mattress is an excellent option for couples sharing a California King-size bed, with incredible motion isolation that lets you feel only the biggest movements, like your partner rolling over. Even then, you'll only feel movements near the source and very briefly. The edges are also very sturdy, which makes the bed feel wider and more spacious. It also offers impressive cooling, making it suitable for hot sleepers. However, this mattress feels warmer than the Saatva when you first get into bed, so if you sleep hot and need to feel refreshed as you're falling asleep, it's not the best option.
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Best California King Mattress For Side Sleeping
Firmness LevelMedium (44 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxYesSide Sleeping8.2Back Sleeping7.4Stomach Sleeping7.2Longevity6.8Cooling8.2Motion Dissipation8.2See all our test resultsEdge Support9.0If you sleep on your side, consider the Helix Midnight Luxe 2025 instead. This mattress's plusher feel makes it suitable for most side sleepers, and its good motion isolation and edge support make it suitable for couples looking for a California King. Its much softer comfort layers let you sink in significantly, which helps relieve pressure on your arm and shoulder when you sleep on your side and gives it a more enveloping, hugging feel. The flipside is that it doesn't offer the same level of support as the Sleep On Latex Hybrid, making it less appealing if you always sleep on your back or stomach. Still, it offers satisfactory support for most people and works for combination sleepers as well as dedicated side sleepers.
It's a good option if you share the bed with a partner or pet, since it offers great motion isolation. While you'll feel more movements overall compared to the Sleep On Latex, you'll mostly feel movements near the source, not all over the mattress. The mattress's sturdy edges allow you to comfortably sit or sleep on the side of the bed as well. It's also suitable for hot sleepers. It feels cooler than the previous pick when you first get into bed, so it's a good option if you often feel overheated as you're falling asleep. It holds onto more heat overnight, however, so it's less ideal if heat usually bothers you later on in the night. Also, it's not as durable as the previous picks. Some layers of good-quality foam will help it resist forming permanent indentations, but it'll likely show signs of wear sooner than the previous picks.
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Best California King Mattress For Couples
Firmness LevelMedium (47 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxYesSide Sleeping7.2Back Sleeping7.1Stomach Sleeping7.0Longevity7.6Cooling7.3Motion Dissipation8.2See all our test resultsEdge Support8.5The Big Fig Mattress is worth considering if you sleep with a partner and need a versatile, durable mattress. This Medium mattress's layers of good and high-quality foam make it more durable than the Helix Midnight Luxe 2025, which is a plus if you're investing in a California King-size bed. It's best suited for average-weight and heavier side sleepers and lighter back/stomach sleepers, but offers adequate support regardless of weight, so it's a good option for average-weight and heavier people who spend part of the night back or stomach sleeping as well.
Its impressive motion isolation also helps make it a great option for couples. You won't feel your partner's every move, and motion stays localized, so it's not felt all over the mattress. That said, bigger movements, like someone getting into bed, can make the mattress wobble for a moment, which might disturb you if you sleep lightly. Its excellent edge support makes the sleeping surface feel a little bigger and provides a sturdy surface for getting in and out of bed. Unfortunately, it's not ideal for hot sleepers, although it dissipates heat efficiently enough to keep most people comfortable.
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Best All-Foam California King Mattress
Firmness LevelMedium (46 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxYesSide Sleeping7.9Back Sleeping7.7Stomach Sleeping7.6Longevity6.3Cooling8.4Motion Dissipation9.0See all our test resultsEdge Support8.4The Tuft and Needle Mint is worth considering if you're looking for an all-foam mattress. While it's not as durable as previous picks like the Big Fig Mattress, its all-foam design offers much better motion isolation, and it performs well for a range of sleepers, making it a good California King-size option for single sleepers, couples, and guest rooms. This Medium model provides good support for most people, which is important for comfortable back and stomach sleeping. It's also suitable for most side sleepers, especially those who don't like to feel constricted. Its soft comfort layers let you sink in, providing solid pressure relief for your arm and shoulder, but don't mold closely around you or create a hugging sensation.
This all-foam mattress is also a great option if you sleep with a partner and you're concerned about the narrower width of California King beds compared to standard King-size mattresses. You won't feel most of your partner's movements, and even when you do, motion dissipates extremely quickly, making it less likely to bother you. However, it's not very bouncy, which makes it feel harder to move around on. Its sturdy edges give you a more comfortable sleeping space, and it offers great cooling when you first get into bed and throughout the night, making it suitable for hot sleepers.
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Best California King Mattress For Cooling
Firmness LevelMedium (45 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxYesSide Sleeping7.1Back Sleeping6.8Stomach Sleeping6.7Longevity7.4Cooling9.9Motion Dissipation8.3See all our test resultsEdge Support8.3If you're a hot sleeper looking for a California King-size bed, you might prefer the Purple RestorePlus Hybrid. While most of the previous picks are suitable for hot sleepers, if you haven't found a mattress cool enough for you, it's worth giving the Purple a try. This Medium hybrid model offers outstanding cooling, both when you first get into bed and throughout the night, making it suitable for the hottest sleepers. The downside is that it works for a narrower range of people compared to mattresses like the Tuft and Needle Mint. If you're in the average or heavier weight category, it's a comfortable option for side sleeping, but it isn't supportive enough for back/stomach sleep. On the other hand, it works well for lighter back/stomach sleepers but lacks pressure relief for side sleepers in that weight category.
This mattress's grid-shaped comfort layer provides pressure relief by molding closely to you, but you won't sink in much. It's also very responsive, so you won't feel stuck in place. It's also suitable if you're looking for a California King for you and a partner, since its strong motion isolation means you'll mostly feel bigger movements, and motion dissipates quickly, so it's only felt briefly. That said, if you sleep very lightly, it's worth noting that it doesn't isolate motion as well as the Tuft and Needle, so you're more likely to feel movement throughout the mattress. Also, you can feel the shape of the Gel-Flex Grid under the mattress cover, which may not be to everyone's liking.
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Best Budget California King Mattress
Firmness LevelMedium-Plush (39 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxYesSide Sleeping8.1Back Sleeping7.3Stomach Sleeping7.1Longevity6.7Cooling8.1Motion Dissipation9.4See all our test resultsEdge Support6.6If you're looking for a budget-friendly California King, consider the Silk & Snow Mattress. This mattress is available in California King for around $1,000, so it's a good option if you're a taller person looking for a longer mattress and don't want to spend high-end prices. This all-foam mattress offers much better pressure relief than the Purple RestorePlus Hybrid, making it a great option for side sleepers across weight categories. While it's not supportive enough for most dedicated back/stomach sleepers, it's a good option for lighter back or stomach sleepers.
This all-foam mattress is worth considering if you sleep lightly, since only the biggest movements are perceptible, like someone getting into or out of bed. Motion also dissipates very quickly, so bigger movements are only felt very briefly and aren't likely to wake you. However, it lacks the springiness of most hybrid mattresses, which makes it feel harder to move around on. While it offers adequate edge support, if you sleep with a partner and want to maximize comfortable sleeping space, you'll need a mattress with sturdier sides.
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Best Cheap California King Mattress
Firmness LevelMedium-Firm (54 Pa/mm)Bed-In-A-BoxYesSide Sleeping6.7Back Sleeping7.3Stomach Sleeping7.5Longevity6.0Cooling8.3Motion Dissipation8.8See all our test resultsEdge Support8.6If you're looking to spend as little as possible on a comfortable mattress, consider the Allswell Hybrid, which is available in California King for around $500 or less. This Medium-Firm hybrid doesn't offer as much pressure relief as the Silk & Snow Mattress, and it's less ideal for light side sleepers. However, it offers better support overall. Whatever your weight, it'll do a satisfactory job of keeping your spine aligned for back and stomach sleeping, so overall, it's suitable for most back/stomach and combination sleepers.
It offers a bouncy, non-enveloping feel, so it's easy to move around on and unlikely to make you feel stuck in place. Its excellent edge support is a plus for couples concerned about having enough room. Its motion isolation isn't as strong as the Silk & Snow mattress's, but it's still excellent, so unless you sleep very lightly, it'll allow you to sleep peacefully with a partner. However, it doesn't feel very cool when you first get into bed, so it's not ideal for hot sleepers who need to feel cool as they fall asleep. That said, it does a better job of cooling over eight hours, so it won't seem to get warmer and warmer all night. Unfortunately, as you might expect, it's not very durable, since it has only one layer of good-quality foam. This makes it prone to forming permanent indentations sooner than the more expensive mattresses recommended here.
Notable Mentions
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Novaform ComfortGrande Plus:
The Novaform ComfortGrande Plus is a budget-friendly memory foam mattress available at Costco (U.S.). It offers better support for heavier people than the Silk & Snow Mattress, making it a better option for back/stomach sleepers in that weight category. It offers similarly fantastic motion isolation but has worse cooling and isn't as suitable for hot sleepers.
See our review -
Casper Snow:
The Casper Snow is a high-end hybrid mattress with a remarkably versatile performance. It works for most body types and sleeping positions and offers better motion isolation than the Saatva Latex Hybrid. However, its very enveloping, slow-moving feel isn't for everyone, and its weak edge support is a downside for couples sharing a California King-size bed.
See our review
All Reviews
These recommendations reflect what we currently consider the best California King-size mattresses for most people. Alongside test results, we factor in visitor feedback, availability, and price.
Of course, the best mattress for you depends on your and your partner's sleeping positions, body types, and specific preferences, like cooling or motion dissipation. If you want to choose yourself, here's a list of all of our mattress reviews.