When it comes to the bedroom, is bigger always better?
If you’re talking mattresses, then the answer is a resounding yes. A soft yet supportive surface topped with cloud-like duvets and pillows and finished with high thread count linen - who wouldn’t want as much as possible of that?
While a double is perfectly serviceable for those who sleep alone as well as for those with sharing, they can tend to run on the smaller side - especially if one of you is a wriggler.
In fact, a nationwide study from Silentnight reveals that half of us lose two hours of sleep every night thanks to a partner’s frustrating sleep habits. The study showed that 4 in 10 women lie awake while their partner tosses and turns, and more than half of couples argue about night-time restlessness.
One could argue that they would be less annoying if you simply had the space to turn away from them completely. Plus, there’s more room to bring apology breakfasts-in-bed or enjoy late night pizza picnics.
How big is a king size bed?
A king is ideal for taller sleepers (folks around 6ft 2”), measuring 150 x 200cm. Compare this to a double at 135 x 190cm and you’ll see the extra few centimetres make a world of difference.
On the other end of the pendulum, one side of a 180 x 200cm superking is practically in a different time zone to the other and makes changing bed linen even more of an ordeal than it already is.
The happy middle? A king-size bed.
What are the benefits of the king-size bed?
Having extra room to stretch out isn’t just a comfort thing; it’s better for your health too. More space allows blood to flow unrestricted as you sleep, and puts less pressure on joints, leaving you feeling fully refreshed in the morning.
It also offers a greater level of storage space underneath, whether you’re sleeping on an ottoman storage bed or a frame that allows for storage bags or drawers to slide under.
And as long as your bedroom can handle the dimensions, a king bed becomes a stunning centrepiece that you’ll want to jump onto at every glance.
When it comes to UK mattress sizes, practically every British brand and manufacturer makes them in standard Single (90 x 190cm), Double (135 x 190cm), King (150 x 200cm) and Superking (180 x 200cm) dimensions. Some may even offer EU sizes while American brands naturally have US sizing available too.
Below, we’ve rounded up a list of the best mattresses with prices specifically for king sizes.
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Emma Original Hybrid - King
Breathable and moisture-wicking, Emma’s award winning mattress is an excellent choice for superb support. Built on a base of supportive HRX foam, there are layers of extra tall springs that further boost support (while also helping that air to keep circulating), visco-elastic memory foam to relieve pressure and breathable foam as well as gel-like open-pored foam that’s air-aiding and moisture-wicking to boot. You’ll wake feeling refreshed, energised and ready to seize the day.
Buy now £564.50, Emma
Simba Hybrid Luxe Mattress - King Size
Bringing together the best of both worlds in 10 delightfully luxe layers, Simba’s plush mattress will provide sweet relief to anyone feeling the achy effects of sitting all day by a WFH desk on an ill-fitting chair.
It uses 6,000 titanium Aerocoil springs set over three layers with slices of open-cell foam, bamboo wool and high definition edge support layers in between to create a comfortable layer on which to snooze through eight hours a night.
All layers sit on a zoned Simba-pure support base, giving your limbs and joints support from the foundation up. In terms of mattress tension, it’s firm but not hard.
Foam can often make you overheat, especially if you’re a hot sleeper to start with, but Simba has engineered the layers to allow for air flow throughout so sweaty mornings are a thing of the past. Free delivery.
Buy now £1324.95, Simba
Signature Crystal 3000 Pocket Sprung Orthopaedic Natural Fillings Mattress - king
It’s a myth that being green is wildly expensive. When it comes to a budget option for a natural bed, Happy Beds is ready to put a smile on your face with this Signature Crystal option. Packed with natural fibres (including cashmere), 3000 pocket springs work to keep your back supported all through the night. A wool-enriched top layer helps to keep you warm in the winter and breathable during the warmer months.
Buy now £409.99, Happy Beds
TEMPUR Sensation Luxe Memory Foam Mattress, Firm Tension, King Size
There’s nothing worse than waking up before your alarm, but it’s even more infuriating if it’s a result of your partner getting up first. Stay asleep for longer thanks to Tempur’s mattress which isolates movement so that you’re not disturbed by anyone else. The memory foam layers cushion tired limbs giving them a chance to recover from the trials of the day, while the brand’s Dynamic Support Technology offers full body support throughout your downtime.
The QuickRefresh cover is a removable one too, so you can unzip it and sling it in the washing machine when it needs it. Comes with a 10-year guarantee.
Buy now £2649.00, John Lewis
Una Eco Mattress Delux - UK King
There are seven zones of support on this all-natural mattress which stands 24cm high. From the organic wool and cotton cover to the adjustable layers (you can pick and mix the perfect compilation for you) to superior support, every element has been carefully considered to ensure your sweetest dreams yet.
Una also offers a 100-night trial to help you get a real feel for your new bed. If you’re not totally in love with it, you can claim back a full refund.
Buy now £1494.00, Una Mattress
Silentnight Eco Comfort Pocket 1200 Mattress - king
This full recyclable medium-firm mattress is part of Silentnight’s new eco-friendly collection, and it doesn’t skimp one bit on luxury. For starters, there’s a layer of Mirapocket zoned springs that adapt and support your weight. The polyester cover is made from recycled plastic bottles, processed into high performance moisture-wicking fabric.
Buy now £699.00, Silentnight
OTTY Aura Hybrid Mattress
With 70:30 ratio of foam to springs, Otty's Aura mattress strikes the right balance between comfort and support. The mattress arrives in a box, making it much easier to manoeuvre over to the bed frame before unrolling it over the slats. The thinner design, 27cm tall, means that it will be suitable for slatted designs but you won't feel a thing laying on it thanks to the 1000 pocket springs managing and distributing weight evenly. Delivery even includes the disposal of your old mattress, so there's nothing more to do than lay back and start dreaming.
Buy now £382.49, OTTY
Eve Sleep Premium Hybrid Mattress - king
Marrying the best of spring and foam, eve’s premium hybrid is engineered to bring relief to anyone with back pain for the dreamiest sleep ever. There are more than 1,500 pocket springs and five layers of foam to help you drift off and wake up feeling recharged.
The foam layers offer immediate pressure relief and will leave you feeling like you’re weightless atop a cloud - heaven, in other words. The mattress isolates motion too, so you won’t wake when your partner does.
The top cover is embedded with silver to keep the mattress antibacterial and antimicrobial, so everything stays healthy, clean and fresh for longer.
Buy now £1449.00, Eve Sleep
Silentnight Miracoil Geltex Mattress - King Size
Standing 31cm high, this mattress from Silentnight offers a medium-to-firm level of comfort. Under the soft knit cover is a 4cm layer of Geltex for comfort followed by a Miracoil support system and an open cell structure that allows for air flow, keeping everything feeling breathable. Free delivery is available on the mattresses too.
Buy now £719.00, Silentnight
Nectar Mattress
A highly supportive mattress from British brand Nectar, this design has been made with five layers to support, relieve pressure and keep you cool until the morning.
Cooling without losing its cosiness is a difficult thing to achieve, but Nectar manages it thanks to a temperature-sensitive polymer that provides a cooling effect that increases in line with the temperature so you're always at the right level.
Particularly comfortable for back sleepers, the bottom levels are made with a seven-zone supportive base and a positioning base material to keep it stable and supported on any kind of bed frame, including slats.
Buy now £1299.00, Nectar
