The 9 Different King Size Beds: Comparison Guide [+ Chart]

8. Alberta King

Dimensions: 96-by-96 inches

The Alberta king is the second largest king size mattress, measuring a full foot shorter and narrower than the Alaskan king. Measuring 8-by-8 feet, the Alberta king bed can accommodate the equivalent of three adults with legroom to spare — perfect for co-sleeping families with pets.

Alberta kings can fit in slightly smaller bedrooms than an Alaskan king. If your family needs more space in bed but you don’t want your bedroom to feel cramped, an Alberta king may be a great compromise.

9. Alaskan King

Dimensions: 108-by-108 inches

Named after the largest state in the U.S., the Alaskan king bed is the biggest king bed size, measuring 9-by-9 feet. Couples who co-sleep with multiple kids and pets may consider an Alaskan king mattress to comfortably accommodate the whole family.

Alaskan kings come with a higher price point than most other mattress sizes regardless of material, quality, and manufacturer. You can also expect to pay more for Alaskan king bases and bedding due to the uncommon size.

If you’re interested in an Alaskan king bed, make sure you measure the dimensions of your bedroom first to ensure the oversized mattress will fit. 

Considerations for Choosing Between the Different Size King Beds

If you’re deciding between king size bed variations, you may not know which size is best for you. Ultimately, the mattress size you choose depends on your personal preferences and unique sleep needs.

Be sure to consider recommended room sizes and maximum occupancy to ensure you sleep comfortably, and consider the following factors.

Number of Sleepers

The easiest factor to consider before choosing a bed size is how many people (and pets) will sleep in your bed. For most couples without a co-sleeping arrangement, the sky’s the limit — most king size mattresses provide plenty of space for couples to spread out.

Couples who co-sleep with one or more children or pets may be more limited in what mattress sizes work best. Co-sleeping families with multiple kids may prefer wider beds, while couples with a large dog or two may need a longer mattress. Check mattress measurements to ensure the bed size you choose meets your needs.

Individual Preferences

When choosing a mattress, size isn’t the only factor that matters. If you buy a standard mattress size, you may have more firmness and material options to consider because they’re more common. For couples with drastically different preferences, a split king or split California king mattress may be a great solution to keep you both comfortable.

Comfort features may vary across different king size beds as well. If you want a mattress that keeps you cool, offers targeted pressure point relief, and isolates motion, you may not be able to find these features in specialty sizes.

Room Size

Most mattresses have a minimum recommended room size to ensure a comfortable fit, but the ideal room size is often significantly larger than the mattress dimensions to ensure you can easily move around the bed. 

The average American bedroom measures 14-by-16 feet, which can accommodate most king size mattresses. If you’re not sure whether an oversized mattress will fit in your bedroom, a general rule of thumb is to allow at least 3 feet of space between each side of your mattress and the wall. This recommendation doesn’t account for doors, windows, or furniture, so make sure you consider the size and contents of your bedroom before making your decision.

Availability

Standard size mattresses like kings and California kings are much easier to find than most oversized mattresses. If you decide on a standard size mattress, you’ll have more variety to choose from as far as materials and comfort features go.

Larger mattresses are rarer, with fewer manufacturers offering these oversized beds, and the larger the mattress, the higher the price point. Shopping for oversized bedding means you’ll have fewer choices of color, pattern, material, and feel, so if you’re particular about your bed sheets, a non-standard size may not be the best fit. 

Similarly, your options may be limited for bed frames and other bases. You’ll rarely find an adjustable base for oversized mattresses due to weight limits and functionality restrictions; those who enjoy high-tech features may prefer a standard mattress size that is compatible with adjustable bases.

Budget

Bigger mattress sizes tend to have a higher price tag, and this is especially true for non-standard mattresses you have to custom order. Determining how much you should spend on a mattress depends largely on your preferences for comfort and personal space.

If you value specific features like cooling and exceptional pressure point relief, you may have a higher budget to ensure you get a mattress with those features. For couples who want to co-sleep with kids and pets, investing in a larger mattress may be worthwhile.

Sleep Like Royalty With Purple

If you’re considering a king bed and wondering what size bed you should get, the correct decision depends largely on what you want out of a new mattress. Your sleep needs take priority, so try to choose a mattress that provides the space, comfort, and special features you need most.

While Purple does not carry all the different king size beds, Purple mattresses are available in standard king, California king, and split king sizes. The GelFlex® Grid in every Purple mattress offers a sleep experience unlike any other, keeping you cooler and relieving pressure points for maximum comfort and support.

Luxurious Cooling Comfort

Experience the instantly adaptive GelFlex® Grid and sleep up to 4x cooler with soothing pressure relief.

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