King vs. Queen Mattress: What’s the Difference?

Looking to upgrade your mattress but can’t decide between a queen vs. a king size bed? There are pros and cons of each size, but the choice depends on two key things—your sleep needs and the size of the room.

Buying a mattress is an investment and determining the mattress size you need seems like an easy decision. However, while researching mattresses online, you’ve probably come across all of the different size options and may find yourself confused. Whether you’re shopping online or visiting one our BedMart store locations, our highly trained Sleep Experts will help you find your perfect mattress size.

To help you make an informed decision, our team of sleep experts are sharing a comprehensive size comparison which includes the features and benefits of queen and king mattresses. If you’re wondering if the extra size between a king vs. queen bed is worth it, you should think about these things:

Queen Size Mattresses

Standard queen size mattresses are 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. At 6” wider and 4” longer than a full, the queen size is the most common mattress for couples because of the extra personal space it provides sleepers while comfortably fitting inside most rooms. It can also be a great option for single sleepers looking for a bit more stretching room.

Pros

• Great for couples
• Great for guest rooms
• Great for smaller bedrooms so you can have more space around the bed
• More cost friendly, without sacrificing on quality

Cons

• For couples, a 60” wide queen mattress provides each sleeper with only 30” of space. This is slightly bigger than the width of a crib mattress, so couples may need to sleep closer together
• For larger couples, it can lack the space needed for each sleeper to move around without disturbing their partner
• Not ideal for more than two sleepers
• Might seem too small in larger rooms

King Size Mattresses

The standard size for a king mattress is 76 inches wide by 80 inches long. Depending on where you’re from, you may see King sizes referred to as a Standard King or an Eastern King, but they’re the same dimensions. King size mattresses are the same length as a queen but are 16” wider than a queen, allowing each sleeper 26% more surface space at night. The added width can reduce partner disturbances and are great for people who have kids and/or pets joining them in bed.

Pros

• Allows for greater space and comfort for each sleeper
• Great for people who are larger in size
• More space for stretching out
• Great for larger bedrooms, such as master bedrooms
• Great for families with smaller children or pets who might co-sleep

Cons

• Can be a larger investment
• Can take up a larger amount of space
• Heavier to move around–typically not practical for smaller homes or apartments

How Do I Know If a King vs Queen Will Work For My Room

Take Measurements

Before deciding between queen vs. king, make sure you measure your space to make sure you have room for the mattress. Your room size will help you figure out what will actually fit into the space and still allow you room to walk around and place other furniture pieces.

Mock Up a Floor Plan

After you take measurements, make a floor plan of all the furniture pieces you plan on having in your room. This will help you make sure you are using your space efficiently before you start moving pieces around. Make sure you have a clear path to your bed, door, and closet. The space allotted around your bed should be set based on your comfort preference. If you have a smaller room, a king bed might leave less room for other furniture. While if you have a larger room with a queen bed, you will have room for more furnishings. Spend time thinking about your room size and how you want to prioritize the space, either for sleeping or for furniture, as you decide between a queen vs. king mattress.

Which Mattress Size is Best For Me?

There are pros and cons to both queen and king mattresses. It really comes down to what you want your bedroom to look like and how much space you need for sleeping. If you are on a budget, queen mattresses are a good option. However, there are some affordable king options available, too. Our team of sleep experts are here to help you find the best mattress options for your needs and budget. We will help you through the entire shopping process online or in-store.