King vs Queen Bed Size Mattress: What Is the Difference?
Written by Nectarsleep editorial team
Fact checked
Last Updated on Aug 16, 2022
Nectar Sleep Fact-checking Process and Editorial Standards:
At Nectar Sleep, our goal is to provide readers with information that not only meets the highest editorial standards but is also reliable, accurate, and free of bias. Our team of editors and sleep experts fact-check every article while ensuring that we only use reliable sources. We have zero-tolerance towards plagiarism and towards content written with the intent to mislead.
- We only use reputable sources like medical journals, government-backed research and reports, and academic sites while writing our guides and articles.
- Each article or guide that mentions a study or facts/figures has a bibliography of the citations and links to original articles that we have used. All scientific claims and information is backed by at least one reputable source.
- Some articles feature links to other articles within the Dreamcloud site. These links are provided to ease navigation and help you find relevant information about certain topics. These links are never cited as sources for scientific or medical data.
- All information that cannot be verified or is found to be inaccurate is removed by the editorial team or the medical experts who review each content piece before publishing.
- Plagiarism is against our policy and any writer or editor found violating the policy is terminated immediately, while we work to rectify the content at once.
A good night’s sleep impacts individuals' overall health and well-being, mood, productivity, and efficiency. Most people focus on choosing the right mattress, selecting the proper pillow, and creating the right environment to ensure an appropriate sleep. Sadly, they tend to overlook the vital factor of choosing the right bed, which is essential for getting good sleep.
Prospective buyers often face the dilemma of comparing king vs queen beds. Even you are stuck with the same question? Read further to know their differences.
Difference Between Queen and King Size Mattresses
When comparing the difference between a king vs queen bed, the first thing that comes to the mind of people is the difference in their sizes. King mattress is 16 inches wider than a queen mattress but both offer the same length. While a king measures 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, a queen measures 60 inches wide and 80 inches long.
Couples often need more wiggle room and hence prefer a king-size bed. Similarly, individuals who sleep alone but prefer to spread their limbs while sleeping may find the queen-size entirely appropriate. Queen beds are suitable for petite people, compact sleepers, or people with small bedrooms. Here is the comparison of a queen mattress with a king mattress to draw out the striking differences:
Queen and King Size Mattresses Comparison Chart
| Parameters | Queen Mattress | King Mattress |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 80 inches | 80 inches |
| Width | 60 inches | 76 inches |
| Surface Area | 4800 square inches | 6080 square inches |
| Price | $450-$2000 | $600-$2500 |
| Occupancy | 1 taller adult and a pet | 2 adults |
| Ideal for | Taller adults / Couples / People with fur-babies | Couples |
| Recommended Room Size | 10 feet by 14 feet | 13 feet by 13 feet |
What is a King Bed?
King beds are the best for those who love a majestic feel in their bedroom. And not just this but also love to co-sleep and have personal space for themselves. King beds definitely give you all the royal vibes but if forced in a smaller room can make it look all congested. Even though it comes with a platter full of pros; it has its own cons as well. Have a look at those before you end up buying it.
Pros
- They offer considerably greater sleeping surface
- They are an excellent choice for couples
Cons
- They are not easy to move around and handle
- They can make small bedrooms seem crowded
What is a Queen Bed?
Even though the king might have its presence and preference, a queen is no less. With its majestic demeanor; the queen is the most popular choice of couples. And why not? Afterall, it is compact, gives ample leg space, allows couples to have 30 inches of personal space each, snuggle and sleep together as well and fits in a comparatively smaller room as well. But, with all these benefits, it has certain drawbacks as well. Let’s have a look.
Pros
- Their compact size makes them suitable for small bedrooms
- They are ideal for people who sleep alone and move around a lot
Cons
- They offer less sleeping surface
- They are not ideal for people with restless sleeping partners
These pros and cons can make the process of choosing the right mattress size easier for buyers.
Factors to Consider When Deciding Between King or Queen Bed
Buyers need to consider various factors while deciding the best option between queen vs king bed. The most important factors are explained below and can be used as a guide for making a perfect purchase.
Comfort
The mattress's comfort level is one of the key considerations that buyers should focus on while deciding between queen and king beds. The more comfortable a mattress is, the more relaxing and snug sleep the individual enjoys.
Given the bigger size of king beds, they are considered a more comfortable choice for plus-sized individuals or people seeking more maneuverability while sleeping. Queen beds are better for people who sleep alone or are smaller in size.
Price
The cost is something buyers need to consider while drawing the king vs queen mattress comparison chart. People can find both king and queen beds with diverse price tags in the market, making it even more important to clearly understand the maximum amount they can spend.
In general, king-size beds are more expensive as compared to queen beds. For others, the added space of a king bed can make it worth the cost. This price difference is generally no more than a few hundred dollars and results from the fact that queen beds are significantly smaller than king-size beds. Where a queen can cost you anything between $450-$2000, a king (especially, of a premium range) can cost you anything between $600-$2500.
Size of the Room
The size of the bedroom also impacts the choice between queen or king bed quite considerably. Placing a king-size bed in a small room can leave little space for movement and make the room look crowded, while a queen bed may seem inadequate in a large bedroom.
The ideal size of the bedrooms for these particular mattresses should be considered. A queen is perfect for a room which measures a minimum of 10 feet by 14 feet; and a king goes well with a room measuring 13 feet by 13 feet. It would leave enough space around the bed for sleepers to lay down and get up comfortably.
Sleeping Partner
Keeping your partner's sleeping positions and preferences in mind is also essential for choosing the right bed. Generally, queen size is considered the best bed size for couples. However, it is not ideal for couples who want more space individually.
Family members prefer King-sized beds with small children or pets as these beds provide adequate space for the entire family. These beds are also suitable for those who want undisturbed sleep.
Sleeping Position
The sleep positions define how people place their bodies while sleeping. Different people prefer different sleep positions to maximize their comfort. The best sleeping position promotes proper body alignment along the spine. Buyers need to consider this fact while choosing suitable bed sizes.
People who sleep on their back or side often require more space and find the king beds more comfortable. However, people who sleep on their stomachs do not generally need much space, making the queen bed an ideal choice for them.
Body Dimensions of Sleepers
The body dimensions of the sleepers and their partners also play a critical role in choosing a bed. Investing in a king mattress is the right choice for people with an above-average height and a plus-sized body. A queen bed cannot accommodate their bulk entirely, which might cause them discomfort while sleeping.
A queen mattress is also not the right choice if even one of the partners is small in size while the other is above average. In most cases, bulky people need more space, making investing in a king-size bed a better option.
Movability of Sleepers
Countless people tend to change positions several times while sleeping. Several others prefer to sleep while sprawling across the entire sleeping surface. Queen beds may prove too small for such people and prevent them from enjoying a good sleep.
On the other hand, people whose movement during sleep is minimal may find the king-size beds too big and spacious. Queen size beds are also a better option for people who need more open space around their beds to ensure safe movement at night.
King Vs Queen Bed Size Variations
There are several different variations of the king and queen-size mattresses available in the market to match the diverse needs of buyers. Even though these variations may not directly impact the queen vs king mattress comparison, they help widen the buying options for interested individuals.
Split Queen Mattress
This bed comprises two individual mattresses of the same size and composition. The combined size of the two mattresses matches exactly that of a standard queen mattress. The separate mattresses ensure greater flexibility and comfort for individual sleepers.
Olympic Queen Mattress
These mattresses are slightly bigger than the traditional queen beds and measure 66” X 80”. They are the best choice for people seeking bed mattress sizes somewhere in the mid-range of king and queen beds.
Split King Mattress
These mattresses are made of twin mattresses with the same length as a standard king mattress but only half its width. They provide individual sleepers with greater freedom to sleep closer to their partner within their own space.
California King Mattress
This mattress is bigger than a king mattress and measures 72“x 84”. It is the best option for taller people as it provides ample space to accommodate them comfortably.
Split California King Mattress
This is the split version of the California king mattress and is suitable for people with more than above average height. Taller couples with different sleeping habits should invest in these mattresses.
RV Queen Mattress
These mattresses are slightly shorter than a regular queen mattress and measure 60”x75”. However, they are big enough to comfortably fit two average-sized adults.
RV King Mattress
The mattress sizes of RV king vary only slightly compared to a regular king bed. They are about 5” shorter and measure 72”x80” while still being long enough for tall people to sleep comfortably.
Texas King Mattress
These mattresses are the second largest in the category of oversized mattresses and measure 80”x98”. They are primarily suitable for tall people who crave extra leg-room.
Wyoming King Mattress
These are the smallest oversized mattresses and have a length and width of 84” X 84”. The 12” extra space of these beds makes them large enough to accommodate three adults or even a small family comfortably.
Alaskan King Mattress
This is the biggest of all types of mattresses available on the market and measures 108”x108”. It out measures the regular king-size mattress by a good 24” and can sleep a large family quite comfortably.
Conclusion
Both king and queen-size mattresses offer specific benefits that make them an excellent choice for people seeking the same. Apart from focusing on the pros and cons of a queen vs king mattress, buyers also need to carefully consider their sleeping habits and other factors discussed above to make the right choice.
