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King-size mattresses are widely regarded as the ultimate statement of bedroom luxury, but queen-size mattresses are just as long and can be just as comfortable. King beds are much wider than queen beds, but they are also more expensive and can make smaller bedrooms feel cramped. There are situations where buying a king bed would be a great idea, and there are situations where saving a bit of money and purchasing a queen bed would probably make more sense. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both sizes.
King and Queen Mattress Dimensions
Many people believe that king beds are bigger than queen beds in every way, but they're not. Both mattress sizes are 80 inches long, but king beds are much wider. A queen mattress is 60 inches or 5 feet wide, which provides two adults with plenty of room to sleep comfortably. A king mattress is 76 inches or 6 feet, 4 inches wide, and that is big enough for two large adults who like to spread out when they sleep. There are also California king beds that are 4 inches longer than standard king beds.
Height and Preferred Sleeping Position
Your height and preferred sleeping position will determine how much mattress you will need to get a comfortable night’s sleep. Queen and king beds are both 80 inches or 6 feet, 8 inches long, but you may want to opt for the extra 4 inches of length provided by a California king if you or your partner are tall. A queen mattress will probably be more than wide enough to meet your needs if you and your partner are side sleepers. If you or your partner are back or stomach sleepers or move around a lot during the night, you may appreciate the additional width of a king bed.
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Sleeping Partners
Sharing our beds with young children or pets can lower our stress levels and improve our sleep, but our little ones and furry friends take up a lot of valuable bed real estate. If you routinely share your bed with a child or pet as well as your partner, the added space provided by a king-size mattress could be a blessing.
Price
Larger mattresses are more expensive because more materials are needed to make them and they cost more to transport. A king bed may only be 16 inches wider than a queen bed, but its surface area is almost a third larger. That extra 9 square feet or so of space makes king mattresses several hundred dollars more expensive than queen mattresses, and choosing a king bed will also mean paying more for sheet sets, blankets and duvets. Do you need a box spring as well as a mattress? If the answer to that question is yes, you will probably pay more if you choose a king bed.
Bedroom Size
Large beds can overwhelm small bedrooms and make them seem even smaller. To feel comfortable and avoid painful accidents, make sure that there are at least 24 inches of space between the edge of your mattress and the closest wall or piece of furniture. This pretty much rules out a king bed unless your bedroom is at least 10 feet wide. Even then, a king bed would be a pretty tight fit if you have a dresser or armor. If you really want to sleep on a king mattress but your bedroom is on the small side, under-bed storage could be a real game-changer.
Shop All Mattress SizesTransportation
A queen mattress will fit in a minivan or SUV if the third row of seats is folded down, but you will need a full-sized pickup truck or panel van if you want to move a king bed. Large mattresses are also heavier and more difficult to get through doorways and around tight corners. If you move frequently, you may be happier with a queen bed.
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Picking the Right Mattress
The bed you sleep on has a profound influence on how well you sleep and how refreshed you feel when you wake up. King and queen beds can both provide a relaxing and peaceful night’s sleep, but choosing between them can be difficult. If you have a large bedroom, sleep on your stomach or back and like to have plenty of space, a king bed could be a good choice. If your bedroom is small and you sleep on your side, a queen bed would probably be a better option.