{"id":14777,"date":"2020-12-08T22:31:43","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T05:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthybeat.com\/?p=14777"},"modified":"2023-09-25T14:46:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-25T21:46:28","slug":"king-vs-queen-mattress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthybeat.com\/sleep\/king-vs-queen-mattress\/","title":{"rendered":"King vs. Queen Mattress"},"content":{"rendered":"

Of all the different mattress sizes<\/a>, the king and the queen are probably the most commonly utilized by couples. Though both of these beds can provide sufficient sleeping surface for two people, they\u2019re different enough that they come with some pretty divergent advantages and drawbacks.<\/p>\n

The much larger king is a more comfortable option for couples who like to spread out, but it\u2019s heavy, hard to move, and expensive. Meanwhile, the smaller queen is cheaper and easier to relocate, but it doesn\u2019t provide a lot of wiggle room for two sleepers. Below, we\u2019ll go through the dimensions of both mattress sizes, their pros and cons, and who should consider which.<\/p>\n

King Size Mattress<\/h2>\n

The regular or Eastern king is the largest standard-size bed on the market. Anything bigger is considered oversized. At 76 by 80 inches, the king mattress boasts a total surface area of 6,080 inches\u2014giving each partner the same amount of sleeping space they\u2019d get if they each sprawled out on a twin XL.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons of a King Size Mattress<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/h4>\n

King size beds have more wiggle room than queens. The twin XL has the minimum width for most adults to sleep comfortably. So the same width as two of them side by side can offer couples plenty of room to stretch out and change positions without encroaching on their partner\u2019s sleeping space.<\/p>\n

By the same token, standard kings are also better for multiple sleepers. So if you have small children who like to crawl into bed with you in the middle of the night, a king size mattress will be much more accommodating than a queen.<\/p>\n

If your bedroom is on the larger side, a king bed frame can be a good option to fill out extra space. Queens might leave a large master bedroom looking empty and unfurnished, requiring you to stuff more seating or storage into the room to make it feel complete. With all the extra space they take up, kings can help eliminate your need for more furnishings.<\/p>\n

If one or both partners have highly divergent personal preferences for sleep (i.e. you prefer different materials or firmnesses), split kings are easy to set up. All you have to do is get a king sized bed frame and twin XL mattresses, which will fit in your frame just like a regular king mattress. This allows you not only to have separate materials and firmnesses but also makes it possible to use a split adjustable base.<\/p>\n

Cons<\/h4>\n

The dimensions of a king mattress make it tough to get through doors and around corners, so moving them can be difficult. King mattresses also tend to weigh a ton, especially memory foam and latex ones, making them even more cumbersome to hassle with. Due to their dimensions, kings also take up a lot of space in your bedroom\u2014a king may not even fit in some rooms, and even if you manage to squeeze it in, it can make smaller rooms feel cramped or prevent the addition of other furnishings.<\/p>\n

Maybe the worst drawback of the king is its price tag. Not only can you expect to pay a lot more for the king bed itself, but its accessories are also much more expensive than queen accessories. You\u2019ll need king sized pillows instead of standard ones, and you\u2019ll need much larger sheets and comforter sets. Needless to say, the cost of these items can add up pretty fast.<\/p>\n

Ideal Room Dimensions for a King Bed<\/h3>\n

The general rule is you need no less than 2 feet of clearance around 3 sides of your bed. That way, you have enough room to get in and out of bed and walk around your bedroom. Since king beds are 6.3 by 6.6 feet, that means you need a bedroom of at least 10 feet wide and 9 feet long to fit a king. However, this bare minimum often isn\u2019t enough for a bed, night tables, a dresser, and other furniture. For this reason, a bedroom of 12 by 10 feet or more is usually best.<\/p>\n

King Mattress Cost<\/h3>\n

You can always expect to pay more for a king than a queen mattress. Generally, jumping from a queen to a king will tack $200 to $500 onto the price tag, though it can sometimes be higher. Some king mattresses can run up to $5,000, but there\u2019s really no reason to pay this much. On the other hand, if you pay less than $1,000 for a king, you probably aren\u2019t getting a good product. Between $1,000 to $2,500 is a reasonable price for a high-quality king size mattress.<\/p>\n

Queen Size Mattress<\/h2>\n

At 60 by 80 inches, the queen mattress is considerably smaller than the king. Though it\u2019s exactly the same length, it\u2019s a full 16 inches narrower. Some couples may not miss the extra width, as the queen still offers a full 30 inches of sleeping surface per person, but others might find only 30 inches lacking.<\/p>\n

Pros and Cons of a Queen Size Mattress<\/h3>\n

Pros<\/h4>\n

If you’re on a tight budget, a queen is probably a better option than a larger mattress size like a king or California king<\/a>. Both queen beds and accessories are way cheaper than their king counterparts. Not only is the queen mattress itself much less costly, but you don\u2019t need giant sheets and a giant comforter nor extra-long king pillows, which could wind up saving you hundreds of dollars.<\/p>\n

Queens don\u2019t suck up all the space in a room, meaning they work for most room sizes. They\u2019re a good choice for guest rooms, kids\u2019 rooms, or master bedrooms with limited space. They\u2019re also really great if you have a large master but you want to put a lot of other furniture in it. Their smaller size also makes queens way easier to move than kings, so they\u2019re often a better option for people who relocate a lot and don\u2019t want to deal with having to find helpers to move a bigger bed.<\/p>\n

Queen beds are a roomier option for single sleepers who are either on the taller side or move around a lot while they sleep. Stepping up from the 54 by 75-inch full size mattress to the queen size bed<\/a> can often give sleepers who fall into one or both of those categories a better night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n

Cons<\/h4>\n

Queen size beds don\u2019t leave couples a lot of wiggle room, so if one of you likes to roll around during the night or needs a lot of space to achieve your optimum sleep position, a queen probably won’t provide enough space for you. Queen mattresses also won\u2019t accommodate more than two sleepers, meaning small children won\u2019t have room to crawl into bed with their parents if they want to.<\/p>\n

Queens can also leave large rooms looking unfurnished. Since they\u2019re only five feet wide, they can leave a lot of empty space in bedrooms with a width of greater than 10 feet. If you want your bedroom to look full, you might have to buy more furniture to make up for the queen\u2019s smaller size.<\/p>\n

Ideal Room Dimensions for a Queen Bed<\/h3>\n

Queens can fit in much smaller rooms than king mattresses; so, if you have a tiny apartment, or the rooms in your house just aren\u2019t all that big, a queen mattress might be the best choice for you. No matter what mattress size you choose, you should still keep 2 feet of clearance around your bed; but since queens are much narrower than kings, they can fit in rooms as small as 8 by 9 feet.<\/p>\n

Queen Mattress Cost<\/h3>\n

Queens are a lot more budget-friendly than kings, and it\u2019s not that difficult to find a quality queen for under $1,000, especially if the store or manufacturer is having a sale. Look for a queen with a non-sale price tag of between $700 and $1,500.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n

What\u2019s the best mattress material?<\/h3>\n

The type of mattress material you prefer depends on what you\u2019re looking to get out of your bed and your sleep experience. If you like that feeling of being cradled by your bed after a long day, memory foam might be up your alley. If you\u2019re a hot sleeper, the improved air circulation of a hybrid mattress might be better suited to your needs. If you like the feel of foam, but want something entirely organic, natural latex could be your best bet. No matter what material you choose, it\u2019s important to buy a bed with a trial period long enough for you to get used to sleeping on it (no less than 90 days). That way, you\u2019ll know for sure whether you truly found the best mattress.<\/p>\n

Do they make a split queen?<\/h3>\n

Technically, you can get two mattresses that are 30 by 80 inches apiece to make a split queen mattress, but it won\u2019t be easy. A lot of manufacturers simply don\u2019t make mattresses that narrow, meaning you might have to hunt around awhile to find a reputable company and a quality product, or you might even have to have your split queen mattresses custom made. If you have a small space and still really need the split mattress setup, it might be worth it, but most of the time it\u2019s easier to just go with a split king.<\/p>\n

Is there only one kind of queen mattress?<\/h3>\n

Since there are multiple different types of king size mattresses, like the California king or the Wyoming king, it only makes sense there would be different types of queen mattresses, too. Aside from the standard queen, you also have the Olympic queen and the California queen. At 66 by 80 inches, the Olympic queen offers an extra 6 inches of width over the standard queen. And just like the California king bed, the California queen is the standard queen width with an additional 4 inches of length, making its dimensions 60 by 84 inches.<\/p>\n

Which size is more commonly used by couples?<\/h3>\n

The queen is the most popular size overall, including for couples. It\u2019s large enough to comfortably accommodate two sleepers (most of the time). Since it\u2019s cheaper, easier to move, and more compact than the king, it proves a more attractive option to many couples who can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to deal with the expense and inconvenience of the king’s additional space.<\/p>\n

How do we know which size is right for us as a couple?<\/h3>\n

That really depends on your preferences as a couple. When choosing a bed for two people, remember your size needs are about more than just each partner\u2019s body size. For instance, a couple of side sleepers who don\u2019t change positions or get up during the night can probably sleep quite comfortably on a queen, even if one of them is big or tall. But if one or both of you likes to roll around during sleep, or you sleep in a position that takes up a lot of space (like sprawled out on your stomach), you may need to consider a king.<\/p>\n

If this is your first bed-buying experience as partners, the trial period is all the more important. Making sure your purchase is backed by a money-back guarantee of at least 90 days will give you both a chance to figure out your sleep needs as well as get accustomed to your new mattress. Just make sure the trial period explicitly states you can return your mattress for a full refund for any reason.<\/p>\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n

Both queen and king sizes can offer you a good night\u2019s sleep, depending on your needs. While queens are the most popular choice in bed size, they may not be for you if you roll around a lot while you sleep or have small children who like to share your space with you. On the flip side, if you relocate a lot or just don\u2019t have a ton of space in your bedroom, kings may be just too big. Whatever new bed you choose, make sure all of its components come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee so you can return them if they don\u2019t work for you.<\/p>\n