Queen vs. California King — What’s the Difference?

While both queen and California king mattresses are popular for couples, the queen size may be too small for some. A queen is 12 inches narrower and 4 inches shorter than a California king mattress (also called a “Cal king”).

Both queen and California king beds differ greatly in size, price, and functionality. When choosing the best mattress, consider the space available in your room, your budget, and whether you’ll sleep alone or share the bed with a partner.

What is a Queen Size Mattress?

A queen mattress measures 60 inches by 80 inches. It provides sufficient space for single sleepers to stretch out and sleep comfortably. They don’t have to worry about rolling off the bed while tossing and turning. The queen size is the best mattress for single sleepers.

Though queen size beds can accommodate couples, it may not be comfortable for those who prefer their personal sleeping space. A queen bed allows only 30 inches by 80 inches of space for each sleeper.

A queen bed is best suited for guest rooms or smaller master bedrooms.

Benefits

• Spacious enough for single sleepers
• Couples can share the bed too
• Doesn’t need as much space as a California king

Drawbacks

• May not be comfortable for all couples

Queen size hybrid mattresses can cost a significant amount due to the mix of high-quality materials they contain. Our top recommendation for an affordable queen hybrid mattress is the Vaya Hybrid, a mattress that’s carefully constructed to meet the different needs of various sleep styles.

The top foam layer eases pressure relief across the body in any position. Vaya designed the foam to feel more responsive than traditional memory foam, with a lightweight structure to promote breathability.

The support core consists of two layers, a set of pocketed coils on a firm foam base. By wrapping the coils inside the hybrid, the bed avoids the pitfall of a traditional innerspring mattress and limits motion transfer. This feature increases the comfort of two people sharing the mattress.

One advantage of the Vaya Hybrid is the coils’ edge support. This is beneficial for sleepers with a condition like arthritis because it helps them move out of bed in the morning. These coils rest on a foam base that gives the coils a firm base to bounce off from, promoting a sag-free structure.

Shoppers who are looking for a new queen mattress on a restricted budget can also consider the hybrid’s pure foam counterpart, the original Vaya Mattress. This simple, two-layered mattress model supports all sleeping positions, making it excellent for couples who want to share a bed.

The purchase of a Vaya Hybrid includes a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

What is a California King Size Mattress?

A California king mattress measures 72 inches by 84 inches. Cal king is the longest bed among all standard sizes. A California king bed is 4 inches longer and 4 inches narrower than a regular king, which is also called the Eastern king. The extra-long Cal king size beds are perfect for tall people.

Since the Cal king bed was first manufactured by a Los Angeles mattress merchant after World War II, the name of the state stayed with this bed size. A Cal king is also known as the Western king, because of its origin in the West coast state.

Cal king sizes are better suited to taller couples. Compared to a queen, a Cal king bed allows 6 inches of extra space to each sleeper. You can also find split versions of the Cal king mattress, which is rare for queen sizes.

A split Cal king mattress is a regular Cal king size split in half, allowing each sleeper to opt for different firmness levels on their side of the bed. The split versions are good for adjustable bases too. You can elevate your head and feet according to your preference, without bothering your partner.

A California king size bed is big enough to comfortably accommodate children if they want to sleep with their parents on some nights. These big beds are a good fit for larger master bedrooms.

Benefits

• Comfortable for tall sleepers
• Spacious enough for couples
• May accommodate children as well
• The split option allows for individual customization

Drawbacks

• Too big to fit in smaller bedrooms

When two sleepers share a mattress, heat-sharing can become an issue. If too much heat is absorbed by the mattress, it can cause the surface to feel overly warm and disturb a partner’s rest. For a cool night’s rest on a California king bed, we recommend the Zoma Mattress.

The Zoma Mattress contains three foam layers, all wrapped in a soft and breathable AirCloth cover to promote airflow for minimal heat retention.

The first foam layer is gel-infused memory foam, the gels mixed in to increase the bed’s heat dispersion. The gel memory foam also features triangular cutouts in the head and foot of the mattress, designed to increase pressure relief in these areas. As a bonus, the cutouts can also help air flow more freely through the bed.

Next is the transition layer, Reactiv™ foam. This material is designed to mimic latex’s buoyancy, increasing the mattress’s overall responsiveness. With Reactiv™ foam, it’s easy to move across the surface and avoid sinking too far into bed.

The base layers Support+ foam, designed to promote a sag-free structure. Thanks to Support+ foam, the mattress can stand strong even after years of nightly use.

The bouncy counterpart to the Zoma Mattress is the Zoma Hybrid, a model that also features cooling gel memory and Reactiv™ layer but pairs them with a set of pocketed coils.

The Zoma Mattress ships free and comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

Difference Between Queen and California King Size Mattress

A queen is the most popular mattress size among all standard sizes. As many as 47 percent of Americans buy queen size mattresses, while only 6 percent opt for the Cal king size. The queen bed’s popularity can be attributed to its versatility. It’s a great option for single sleepers and an excellent mattress for couples as well.

Even though a California king is better than a queen for couples, space constraints often make it difficult to buy a Cal king size mattress.

Other Standard Sizes

If the queen or the California king size mattresses don’t suit your needs, you can choose from the other standard mattress sizes. Space management is crucial while deciding on the size of your new bed.

Ideally, you should leave 2 to 3 feet of space on all three sides (except for the side against the wall). There should be enough room for walking around the bed after placing your mattress and considering the space taken up by furniture such as floor lamps, side tables, and dresser. A decluttered room boosts sleep quality.

Apart from the queen and California king, there are four other standard sizes commonly available online and in most mattress stores. They are twin, twin XL, full, and king.

Twin Size Mattress

Twin size mattresses measure 38 inches by 75 inches. They are a compact size mattress perfect for children. A single adult can also sleep on a twin mattress. But it may not provide enough space for combination sleepers, who keep changing sleeping positions through the night.

Twin XL Size Mattress

Twin XL size mattress measures 38 inches by 80 inches. It’s 5 inches longer than the twin. The extra length of the twin XL mattress comes in handy for tall sleepers. Twin XL sizes are perfect for growing teenagers as well.

Like twin beds, twin XL beds are also common in children’s rooms. Both twin and twin XL sizes are bunk bed compatible. Bunk beds are an excellent option for families with more than one child. It allows optimal space utilization, leaving more play areas in children’s rooms.

The extra-long twin XL beds are better than twin beds for adults. Twin XL beds are also used in college dorms, shared adult bedrooms, smaller bedrooms, and studio apartments.

Full Size Mattress

Full size mattresses measure 54 inches by 75 inches. They are also called double beds, but ironically they are not comfortable for two adult sleepers. A full mattress is 6 inches narrower and 5 inches shorter than a queen bed.

Though a full size bed is 16 inches wider than a twin and twin XL, it is 5 inches shorter than a twin XL. A full size mattress is wide enough for an adult and a child to sleep comfortably. Full beds are commonly found in smaller bedrooms and studio apartments where space is limited.

King Size Mattress

The standard king size mattress measures 76 inches by 80 inches. They are the widest in all standard size mattresses. The extra width in king beds is ideal for couples who enjoy their personal sleeping space.

It allows 38 inches by 80 inches of space for each sleeper, the exact size of a twin XL mattress. Two twin XL mattresses placed side by side make a king size mattress. In fact, a split king size mattress includes two twin XL mattresses.

Children can comfortably sleep with their parents on a king size bed if they don’t feel like sleeping in their rooms. King beds are best suited for larger master bedrooms.

Saving on Larger Mattresses

Queen and California king size mattresses, along with regular king beds, can often cost a considerable amount. Taking advantage of mattress sales throughout the year can help you save hundreds of dollars. These sales include:

• Memorial Day Mattress Sales
• 4th of July Mattress Sales
• Labor Day Mattress Sales
• Columbus Day Mattress Sales
• Black Friday Mattress Sales
• Cyber Monday Mattress Sales

When it comes to online vs. traditional mattress stores, we recommend shopping online for greater savings. Mattress showrooms and brick-and-mortar stores usually have more costs to cover and tend to mark up mattresses to meet these costs.

The best online mattresses not only have a low price but also include a lengthy, thorough warranty and sleep trial.

SEE ALSO: The Best Place to Buy a Mattress & 7 In-Store Myths

FAQs

Which one is better: Cal king or king?

The answer to this question depends on your needs. A California king has 4 inches of extra legroom than a king, making the California king size a better option for tall people. But area wise a king bed (6080 inches) is bigger than a California king bed (6048 inches). A king size mattress is 4 inches wider and 4 inches shorter than a Cal king. If you have more people sleeping on the bed, the wider king size is better for you.

Do two twin XL mattresses make a California King?

No. Two twin XL size mattresses placed side by side will make a king size mattress. A king size mattress measures 76 inches by 80 inches, and a twin XL measures 38 inches by 80 inches (the exact half of a king). Two twin XL beds placed side by side will be broader and shorter than a California king.

Can you use king size sheets on a California king bed?

No, fitted sheets meant for a king size mattress will not fit a California king size because it’s 4 inches longer than a king. California king is a common standard size. It shouldn’t be difficult to find size compatible sheets.

Is there a California queen size bed?

A California queen size bed measures 60 inches by 84 inches. Unlike California king, California queen is not a standard size. Few mattress manufacturers may have the California queen size mattress. It’s best to research online about where they can be found. Since California queen is not commonly available in mattress stores, finding compatible fitted sheets can be difficult.

Can a queen size mattress be more expensive than a California king size mattress?

Typically a queen size mattress is less expensive than a California king size mattress because it’s smaller than a California king. But mattress prices also depend on material quality and special features, like zoned support or cooling gel. Natural materials like latex, organic cotton, and wool drive up the price. A queen bed of a certain brand can be more expensive than a California king of a different mattress brand, due to differences in features.

Conclusion

If you are sleeping alone, it’s better to opt for a queen size bed, leaving room for furniture and walking around. Cal king beds take up too much space in your room. But they are a better option than a queen if you are sharing the bed with a partner and have enough space in your room.