The best king-size mattresses of 2024, tested and reviewed by CNET’s sleep experts

Our sleep experts have been testing mattresses, bedding, and accessories for years (some have been tested for up to eight years). At this point, we’ve tested more than 300 mattresses from dozens of brands, from big names like purple and Tempur with your hands For more specialized companies such as Sono and Airwave.

Our team consists of bed testers of different weights, types, lengths, genders and sleeping preferences, which helps us provide a comprehensive evaluation of each mattress from multiple perspectives. Many mattresses are tested for long periods ranging from a A month or two Up to Five years.

We test king size mattresses just like we do any other bed. When our new mattress arrives Test facilityIt undergoes rigorous practical tests by each of our experts. We analyze specific characteristics, including firmness, feel, temperature, motion isolation, edge support and other special features a mattress may have.

Firmness

Hardness is rated numerically on a scale from 1 (firmest) to 10 (firmest), and we use industry terms such as soft or medium hardness to describe it. Our entire team takes turns evaluating and rating the firmness of each mattress, allowing us to make suggestions about which sleeping position and body type it will work best for. After subjectively analyzing the firmness, we let the unique Mattress Smasher 9000 do its job and gave us an objective firmness score.

feel

Another subjective element we review is the feel of the mattress separate from its firmness. Does it feel lively and responsive when you lie on it? Is it easy to switch positions? Or does the dense memory foam form around our bodies and maintain our shape for a period of time? Is the mattress soft and plush? Pillow top feelOr is it more neutral? Can we feel any files or zoned support? We do our best to describe exactly what it feels like to lie on each bed to help you decide if it’s right for you without you having to test it yourself.

Read more: Why is the foam in your mattress important?

temperature

Reviewing temperature can be difficult when considering each sleeper’s personal preferences and the fact that many mattress brands overestimate the size of their beds. Cooling capabilities. When we test and review mattresses, we detail how hot or cold the mattress is. Many external factors play a role here (such as climate, environment, bedding, pajamas, etc.), so we test beds in temperature-controlled rooms without sheets or bedding. Using our extensive knowledge and experience, we analyze its construction and materials and explain how they affect temperature.

Motion isolation

Motion isolation is a term we use to describe how well a mattress suppresses movement across its surface. It’s an especially important feature for light sleepers or those who share a bed with a partner or pets. We test motion isolation capabilities by having one expert lie down on a bed while another flops and changes position. The second method is to place a cup of water on the edge, then roll it toward and away from it to see if the cup turns over or falls.

Edge support

Edge support is usually not as important for king size mattresses as it is for smaller sizes like queen or twin. Regardless, testing the edge support allows us to evaluate how well it retains its structure and support around the perimeter. We sit and lie on the edge to see how the bed responds. Does he give in and give the feeling that we will take off, or is he strong and supportive? We also tap the edges with our fists to notice how much the edge compresses under pressure.

Special features

Some brands include special features in their mattresses, such as cooling tops for hot sleepers or customized support for those with back pain. We test and review these additional features and determine which type of sleeper will benefit most.