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Last Updated March 13, 2024
Have you recently come across the term "Eastern king bed"? Wondering what type of king-size bed that is? Well, you'd be surprised to know that the Eastern king-size bed and the standard king-size bed are both the same! That's right! Eastern king mattresses measure 76 inches wide and 80 inches long, the same size as standard king mattresses.
So why is it called an "Eastern king bed" instead of just a standard "king bed"? If the "Eastern" king bed exists, are there also "Northern", "Southern", and "Western" king beds? Don't fret, dear reader! We've got you covered with this in-depth guide to Eastern king beds.
Key Takeaways:
The Eastern king-size mattress, otherwise known as just a regular king mattress, is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. Improving upon many of the other standard mattress sizes, such as twin, full, and queen, Eastern king-size beds offer a spacious abode for an average family of four to co-sleep.
The name "Eastern" king bed was devised to separate it from the other popular option at the time - the California king bed, aka the "Western" king bed.
As World War II was left behind in the rearview mirror, houses in the US were becoming larger and larger. To satiate the needs of these huge spaces, big bed sizes were needed. Subsequently, California king mattresses started gaining popularity among the masses, especially on the west coast.
Capturing the 'big bed' trend in the mattress industry and offering an alternative to the California kings, the Eastern king beds were introduced. As they went against the narrower build of Cal king beds to instead offer more width, Eastern king beds were adopted more and more across the industry.
Later on, as they became a standard mattress size in the country, the "Eastern" was removed from the name for simplicity's sake.
While there are no "Northern" or "Southern" king-size beds (as far as we know), there are "Western" king-size beds. You might be familiar with them by their other name - California King Mattress. Yep, the Western king-size mattress is the California king-size mattress, which is 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. We'll discuss more about them in the next section.
Eastern king-size mattresses have many rival variants besides Cal king mattresses, all of which we discuss below -
The key difference between Eastern King and Western King mattresses is the length. The California King is 4 inches longer than the Eastern King, making it a better choice for taller individuals who need more legroom. However, the Eastern King is 4 inches wider, which may be preferred by those who want more sleeping space.
A split king-size mattress shares the same length and width as a standard king mattress, but is split in the middle. It is essentially two twin XL mattresses put together to make co-sleeping easier for couples. Each side of a split king mattress can be adjusted to how the sleeper likes it, thereby combining personal space with personal comfort. Split king mattresses are also great at motion isolation.
The Wyoming King mattress is 8 inches wider and 4 inches longer than a standard king-size mattress, offering a bit more room for a good night's sleep. The name "Wyoming King", as you might've guessed, comes from the state of Wyoming, USA.
The Texas King bed size is also known as the athletic king, super king, or grand king bed size. Though only 4 inches wider, they are 18 inches longer than an Eastern/standard king mattress, making them ideal for very tall sleepers, like athletes.
The king of oversized mattresses, i.e., the Alaskan king mattress, is much, much larger than the traditional king mattress, making it suitable for those who want an exceptionally roomy sleeping area. Being 32 inches wide and 28 inches longer than a traditional king-size bed, Alaskan kings are able to fit up to four adults comfortably!
Related Article: - Wyoming King vs. Alaskan King vs. Texas King
Other standard mattress sizes include twin, twin XL, full, and queen. All of them are smaller mattress sizes compared to the Eastern king mattress size.
The twin-size bed measures 38 inches wide and 75 inches long, making it best suited for a thin single sleeper or a small child.
The twin XL bed measures 38 inches wide and 80 inches long, 5 inches longer than a standard twin bed, making it ideal for taller single sleepers or growing teenagers.
The full-size bed measures 54 inches wide and 75 inches long. It offers enough space for an average single sleeper to stretch out comfortably.
The queen bed size measures 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. Aside from being more than spacious enough for single sleepers, queen beds are also a great budget option for couples.
All of the above sizes are smaller than the traditional king mattress (76-inch by 80-inch). Though king beds provide more space, they are also expensive to maintain. For instance, to comfortably accommodate a king-size mattress, something like a master bedroom is required. Furthermore, king-size mattresses require a bed frame/bedding accessories with almost the same dimensions, which are more expensive.
Here are reasons why you should and shouldn't choose an Eastern king mattress -
Ample Sleeping Space: Eastern king mattresses offer a generous sleeping area with 76 inches of width. They are a great pick for couples who want to move around during the night without bumping into each other often.
Suits Taller Individuals: The 80 inches of length offered by an Eastern king mattress provides added legroom for taller individuals above 6 feet.
Spaciousness: If you have a large bedroom with ample floor space, an Eastern king mattress can create a luxurious sleeping environment that fits the aesthetic.
Versatility for Co-Sleeping: An Eastern king mattress can usually accommodate parents with children/pets who want to share the bed.
Limited Bedroom Space: If your bedroom is on the smaller side, an Eastern king mattress may dominate the space, leaving little room for walking/furniture placement.
Bedding Accessories: Finding suitable bedding accessories for an Eastern king mattress is usually expensive. Accessories like box springs and bed frames need to match the size of the Eastern king bed, thereby increasing in cost.
Cost: Eastern king mattresses can be costly, mainly due to their larger dimensions, which require more materials to make. The cost of sustaining an Eastern king bed could be higher as well.
Solo Sleepers: For single sleepers who don't necessarily require a larger bed, an Eastern king may be unnecessary. It can take up more room than needed without providing many benefits in return.
Choosing the right mattress goes beyond just glossing over the various mattress size difference offered by retailers. A primary factor to consider is the mattress type you choose. Latex, memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses all offer something unique for different sleeper types and sleeping positions.
For instance, a side sleeper may be better suited to the cushioning offered by latex or memory foam mattresses. Back and stomach sleepers, however, may require the more firm support offered by innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
Related Article: - What is the Best Mattress for a Quality Night's Sleep?
An Eastern King-size bed, also known as just a regular king bed, is a larger mattress size that measures 76 inches wide and 80 inches long.
A regular king bed and an Easter king bed are one and the same, with dimensions of 76-inch by 80-inch. The "Eastern" king bed is just another name for the standard king bed.
The California king mattress (72-inch by 84-inch) is better if you are tall and desire more legroom. The Eastern king mattress (76-inch by 80-inch) is better if you'd rather have more surface areas to move around in.
Eastern King-size sheets, also known as King-size sheets, are designed to fit a mattress that measures 76 inches wide and 80 inches long.
To accommodate an Eastern King-size bed, you should have at least a 12 x 10 square foot bedroom space. We'd recommend a 12 x 12 square foot bedroom if possible, as it allows for more spacious freedom.
Related blog posts:
1. Mattress Sizes Chart and Bed Dimensions Guide
3. Twin Vs Twin XL Mattress Size Comparison
4. A Detailed Guide on Full vs. Queen Size Mattresses: Which One Should You Sleep On?
5. Twin vs. Full vs. Queen Mattress Size Comparison
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.
