How to Choose the Best King Size Mattress?
Table of Contents
Top Best King-size Mattresses Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good King-size Mattress?
The king-sized mattress, as the name indicates, is an unusually large and comfortable mattress. It’s larger than the regular twin mattresses and the queen-sized mattresses. And, of course, these mattresses are much more expensive. It’s specially designed for couples and people who suffer from allergies, back pain or joint problems. In this guide, we’ll tell you the specifics of the king-sized mattress and how to choose the best one for you at the first attempt.
Top 8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a King-size Mattress
1. The Size of the King-Size Mattress
The king-size mattress is an extra-large double mattress. However, the standard dimensions for a king-size mattress are: 193cm (76″) width and 203cm (80″) length. That’s at least 40cm wider than a standard queen size mattress.
The sizes of king size mattresses in selected countries are as follows:
- USA and Australia: 183cm x 203cm
- Canada: 193 x 202cm
- New Zealand: 165 x 203cm
- France, Germany, China: 180 x 200cm
- Italy: 193 x 203cm
- UK: 150 x 200cm
- Japan: 170 x 195cm
- India: 183 x 215cm
As you can see, there are varying sizes according to regions, provinces, states, and countries. There can also be varying sizes according to the brand and model. So, you may choose to take advantage of this if you have different body type or sleeping habit which may require longer or wider king size mattresses.
2. Choice Between King Size or Super King Size
As we’ve seen, the king-sized mattress has different size variants, depending on the country. In virtually every country of the world, there are the standard king-sized and the super king-sized mattresses. The latter usually have longer and/or wider size compared to the former.
Standard King Size Mattress
203cm is the measurement in length for the standard king-sized mattress. However, the mattress must be at least 10 cm longer than the size of the tallest sleeper. So opt for a 203 cm king-sized mattress if you and your partner measure up to 6 feet. Anyway, keep in mind that your mattress must meet your needs and your sleep habits!
Super King Size Mattress
The length of the super king size can reach up to 213cm. Meanwhile, If you are (very) tall, about 6 feet 6″, then you have to go for the super king size with a longer dimension. Don’t forget to choose an oversized duvet that will cover you all night. A 240 x 260 cm duvet will give you absolute comfort!
3. The Composition of the Mattress
The Ticking
This is a strong fabric, usually made of cotton or linen, wrapped around the entire mattress. Available in several materials, it, alongside the filling, conditions the quality of reception of the mattress. The woolen ticks, retaining heat, are used for the winter sides of the mattresses. Meanwhile, the cotton or linen-based materials are used for the summer sides because they are more breathable.
The Filling
This term designates the quantity and quality of the materials that surround the suspensions. The filling can be wool, cotton or silk. Also, it contributes to the quality of the reception.
The Suspension
This is the heart of the mattress. It is the main material that makes it up (latex, springs, foam or a mixture of the three!) The suspension helps support the mattress.
4. Suspension Technologies: Foam, Spring, or Latex Mattress
The appreciation of a king size mattress is a subjective feeling. No technology on the market, whether it is foam, springs or latex can be judged to be better than the other. According to the needs of each user, here is a summary of their level of capacity on each criterion.
Foam Mattress
The foam mattresses are mainly made of artificial materials and usually come at an attractive cost. They’re made to undergo different processes in their technology of suspensions for varying levels of comfort. They have several levels of firmness, depending on the type of foam.
The foam mattress technologies are:
- Polyether mattress foam: This is an entry-level foam. It is recommended for extra beds only.
- Polyurethane mattress foam: This is great for comfortable sleeping, but it does not support humidity.
- High resilience foam: This has superior foam quality, providing extreme softness.
- Memory foam: With a layer between 2cm and 5cm, memory foam is a real sleeping luxury for perfect support of the spine. Note that there are shape memory polymers that can be integrated into a foam, spring, or even latex mattress.
Note: There are foam mattresses of the flexible density of 25 kg/m3, medium, and firm density of 60 kg/m3. A dense foam mattress means there are more materials, so the mattress will easily return to its original shape. Conversely, the less dense foam will collapse more quickly, and the body will hollow out the mattress.
Spring Mattress
The spring technology is commonly used in king size mattresses. The spring mattress offers excellent ventilation and perfect sleeping independence. However, it is important to study the number and type of springs offered to determine the desired quality.
The spring mattress technologies are:
- Biconical springs mattress: They are shaped like an hourglass. They provide softness at the ends, with a certain pressure in the center of the mattress. We can call it an entry-level or mid-range technology.
- Multi-coil springs mattress: These are intertwined springs linked by a single steel wire knitted in spirals. In addition to the good ventilation provided by these springs, they are nevertheless less efficient on sleeping independence. It is a mid-range/high-end technology.
- Pocket springs mattress: With these, each spring is wrapped in a bag. They offer excellent sleeping independence, increased ventilation and extended service life. It is a high-end technology that dominates the market today.
Note: The support the spring technology has depends on the number of springs. It can be balanced, firm or semi-firm depending on the desired comfort. The more springs per square meter, the more firm the mattress will be. Finally know that one or more comfort foams between the springs and the ticking protect you from the springs and will influence the reception (which can be enveloping, soft, and/or invigorating).
Latex Mattress
Choosing a latex king size mattress will ensure absolute comfort. This is thanks to its design in honeycomb sheets (therefore very airy), its surprising adaptability to each user’s morphology, and also its natural and light suspension. Located under the mattress cover, the latex reception layer provides a harmonious welcome. It also pleasantly regulates the temperature thanks to its micro-perforation technology.
Latex is an expensive natural material harvested from the sap of the rubber tree. With the new innovations, it is possible to have for yourself a more accessible synthetic latex mattress. Made with hypoallergenic materials mixed with the insertion of dimpled sheets, the latex promises maximum ventilation and evacuation of moisture.
We recommend it for people with allergies or who are prone to night sweats. High-end and high-density latex mattresses are between 50 kg/m3 and 85 kg/m3. They have excellent support for the body and back. One of its strengths is that it always returns to its shape, and it has higher longevity.
5. The Bedroom Space You Have
If you want a king-size bed, the first question to ask is: do I really have the space to accommodate it? It is essential to adapt your bedding to your space so as not to remove cupboards, bedside tables, and dressing tables.
For a room of 16 m2, you can comfortably install your 180cm king size bed without having to resell your furniture! And do you have a room of more than 18 m2? Then you can let yourself be tempted by the absolute comfort of the 200+ cm king size mattresses.
6. What’s Your BMI?
This is one of the essential points: your morphology should always define the choice of your mattress. Indeed, if you are a great sportsman, you may not be sure that you will find all the necessary comfort in just any regular mattress, even in some king-sized types. Since your sleep is essential, your mattress must, therefore, be adapted to your body type. Therefore, the mattress must adapt to your body mass index (BMI), the ratio between your weight and your height. The important thing is to keep your spine aligned and ensure complete muscle relaxation.
- High BMI: The higher your BMI, the more comfort should be increased. If this is the case, choose a firm mattress with a soft filling.
- Low BMI: On the contrary, if your BMI is low, prefer memory foam mattresses.
7. The Density of the Mattress
Expressed in kg/m3, the density should be determined by the combination of your weight and height. The taller you are, the greater the density will be necessary to ensure good support. However, do not go below 25 kg/m3 in order to obtain an optimal mattress. In fact, if you choose a density that is too flexible, you may have a ‘sinking’ sleeping experience, and it is not recommended for the back. Conversely, if your mattress is too firm, the pressure points will be uncomfortable, which will be bad for blood circulation.
On the market, you’ll find the following specifics:
- Flexible support: from 65 to 75 kg/m3 for two people of around 50 kg each.
- Strong support: from 75 to 85 kg/m3 for two people weighing approximately 70 kg each.
- Very firm support: more than 85 kg/m3 for two people of around 100 kg each.
8. The Thickness of the Mattress
The thickness of the mattress is the result of the technology that composes it. Thus, an 18 cm memory foam mattress will be no less qualitative than a 20 cm spring mattress. In other words, the thickness does not guarantee the quality of the support.
- Below 20cm: Mattresses below 20 cm are mattresses recommended to have extra bedding. They will sag faster because of their thinness.
- 25cm thickness: Mattresses between 20-25 cm are usually spring mattresses. They are thicker because the springs are more voluminous. If they have winter and summer faces, this may also contribute to the thickness.
- 27-30cm thickness: The trend of the moment which is found in hospitality and luxury homes, the 27-30cm-thick king-sized mattresses are hotel-grade mattresses. In other words, they are products of equivalent quality to everything found in hotels. However, remember to look at the materials that make up the mattress. Otherwise, you will notice its rapid deterioration over the years.
Conclusion
A king size mattress offers optimal comfort because it can adapt to all body types (human heights, weights and body conditions). However, the king-size mattresses offered on the market are not made of the same material.
For a comfortable sleeping time, check the support technologies, density, and thickness (20-25cm at least), firmness and resilience (ability to return to shape). Don’t forget to choose the size according to your body weights and heights.
Finally, take note of the standard size in your country. This lets you know beforehand the space you’ll need in the bedroom or if you have to go for it or the super king size.
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