California King vs. Queen Mattress Size

California king and queen-size mattresses are the larger variants of mattresses that are best for couples and small families. Queen size is excellent for single adult sleepers as well as couples, but it is not for small families. On the other hand, the California king is so broad that it can accommodate a family of 3 and a pet without running out of space. But the cal king can be too big for a single sleeper and can induce feelings of loneliness when people sleep alone.

We will start exploring the two mattresses, starting with their size differences.

Cal king vs queen : size differences

The table lists the vital differences between the two large-size mattresses.

Which mattress is the better one: California king or queen?

Now we will move on to the comparative study of the two mattresses, California king vs. queen, and present a gist of their pros and cons.

Why is it called California king?

After World War 2, when the US emerged as the international superpower and people’s lives began to flourish, Americans started buying properties in California. A clever west-coast based mattress manufacturer thought that most California houses were big enough to have master bedrooms that could accommodate a 6 ft by 7 ft bed - that’s when California king beds started to be manufactured.

The name is derived from the place of origin - California. Since California is on the west coast, the Cal king bed is also called the Western King, while the standard king-size mattress is called the Eastern king.

PROS OF CALIFORNIA KING-SIZE

• Best mattress for couples who like space and for a small family that likes to snuggle
• So much leg space
• Couples can sleep together without cramping
• Great for people in the height range of 6 ft 4 inches - 6 ft 8 inches

CONS OF CALIFORNIA KING-SIZE

• It is not very readily available in all places across the US
• Duvet covers, pillows, sheets, and other bedding are challenging to find
• It is heavy and tiring to move when needed
• Queen Size

Queen Size

At 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, the queen mattress is just perfect for single sleepers. They get a lot of space to move around, and if another person joins them - maybe a friend, partner, or spouse, even then, adding another person to the sleeping arrangement will not cramp the space. So, the Queen mattress is the smallest size that fits two sleepers nicely.

PROS OF QUEEN SIZE

• Best mattress for single sleepers
• You will not complain about leg space
• Snuggly bed for couples
• Duvet covers, pillows, sheets, and other bedding are almost always in stock.
• Great for people in the height range of 6 ft - 6ft 4 inches

CONS OF QUEEN SIZE

• Expensive than smaller variants
• It’s not easy to move around due to the sheer size.

What do you need to know before buying a big mattress size?

Before investing in big mattress sizes, these are the primary factors you need to consider:

Budget

The California king-size mattress has a larger surface area than the queen mattress - it is approximately 1104 sq inches bigger than the queen size. A larger surface area means more materials are used to manufacture a single piece of Cal king mattress as compared to the queen mattress.

All king mattresses are bigger than the queen, so their prices are also on the higher side. Surely enough, if you want to go for even more specialized options like split mattresses, latex mattress, memory foam mattresses, or cooling mattresses, then the price of a Cal king mattress will again be higher than a queen.

However, the price of a mattress depends on the brand as well. Some brands can manufacture budget mattresses that won’t disappoint you but may have a shorter lifespan. Ideally, you can easily get a queen or a king mattress within $1000 if you are on a budget; if money is not worrying you, then you can get a good quality mattress within $2000 and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Room space

Queen mattresses require less room than any variant of king-size mattresses. Ideally, the recommended room size for a queen mattress is 10 x 10 ft, and that of a California king mattress is 12 x 12 feet.

But why is it so? We can fit a mattress in any room as long as the room is bigger than the mattress itself. That’s correct, but then again, you want your bedroom to have a couple of pieces of furniture and a bit of space to walk about, right?

It is best to keep at least 3 feet of space around your bed - this is enough space to ensure you can install furniture in any spot around the bed, or if you change the aesthetic in the future, you can go with a different style and thickness as well.

Or if you have a small room space and the bed is stacked against a wall, keep the minimum recommended gap between the bed and the adjacent walls, and you will not stub your toe every time you try to walk around the bed.

Bed frame

Bed sizes are generally bigger than the mattress itself - we have to factor in the thickness and sturdiness of the frame, as the bed frame is the supporting pillar of the mattress and your weight.

All varieties of mattresses you see are made to fit their unique bed sizes, that’s a given. But in some special cases, the beds are made in a way that they are thicker than a traditional bed to fit the same mattress.

E.g., twin and twin XL beds that are installed in children’s rooms and college dorms can sometimes be installed in dorm beds.

You all have seen dorm beds, right?  They are double-tiered beds that accommodate two kids, each kid on each level. The dorm beds are thicker than traditional beds as they have to support greater mass.

Is the mattress moveable?

While choosing a mattress, know that the mattress will be there with you for at least a decade. So, if you are someone who shifts places frequently, make sure that the next house you rent has a bedroom as big or bigger than your current one; otherwise, fitting a mattress that is a tad bit too big for your room will be inconvenient.

Lugging a heavy mattress around can be tiring, and you will expose the mattress to wear and tear, due to which it will disintegrate sooner than you expected it to. So, if you have a steady house, our advice will be to pick a room and keep the mattress in the space you have chosen without moving it too often.

Body types: Height and weight

Large mattresses made with natural latex or foam latex, such as the queen and king latex mattress, are great for supporting a wide range of body weights.

People within the height range of 6 to 6 ft 4 inches will get quality sleep on a queen-size mattress, with a lot of legroom to spare. But if you are as tall as the next NBA player, then the California king mattress should be your choice - the California king is great for people in the range of 6 ft 4 inches to 6 ft 8 inches.

How many sleepers?

A queen size bed is great for single adults who like the space. It is also one of the best mattress for couples as it is the smallest size of mattress where two people can sleep together. But, even then, space can get cramped in the middle of the night - disrupting quality sleep.

Choosing between a California king vs. queen mattress should not be hard if you are hard-pressed for space and budget. But if they are not your primary constraints, our blog will help you sieve the buyer’s dilemma and buy the mattress of your dreams!

Related blog posts:

1. Mattress Sizes and Bed Dimensions

2. Kids Mattress Sizes

3. Twin vs. Twin XL Mattress

4. King vs. California King Mattress

5. Twin vs. Full vs. Queen Mattress

Disclaimer: What is said in this article has been referenced from multiple sources and is intended only for educational and informational purposes. Please note that no content in this article is a substitute for professional advice from a qualified doctor or healthcare provider. Always consult an experienced doctor with any concerns you may have regarding a health condition or treatment, and never disregard any medical suggestions or delay in seeking treatment because of something you read here.