Getting enough sleep is one of the most important ingredients of a happy life. We spend a third of our lives in bed, and a good night’s sleep largely depends on your mattress choice.
You can easily find a wide variety of sizes and mattresses on the market. The tricky question is how to decide which one is the right fit for you.
There are two main types of beds and mattresses in the US—queen and king. Both are very popular, so people often get confused about which one is better. How do queen and king beds compare? What are the exact differences between them? What are their pros and cons?
In this article, we will discuss all the important questions about king and queen size beds. And hopefully, by the end of it, you’ll know which one is right for you.
Queen Mattress
Queen mattresses are one of the most popular mattresses in the US. These mattresses enjoy widespread popularity and take 32% of all mattress purchases market share.
A queen bed is narrower than a king, but the length is the same. Queen beds are slightly smaller than king beds and perfect for smaller bedrooms.
Queen beds are 60 inches wide and 80 inches long. If you’ll be sharing your bed with a partner, it’ll come up to 30 inches width per person. The height of the bed depends on the mattress you choose.
Queen mattresses are offered in a wide range of materials, such as foam, latex, and other types. But one of the main advantages of queen mattresses is their popularity. This means that you can easily find different linens for your queen bed.
Room Recommendations
In order to fit a queen size bed and mattress, your bedroom should be at least 10×10 feet in size. That’s slightly bigger than a traditional bedroom. And if that’s is not possible, you might have to remove as much of other furniture as you can to make the room more spacious.
Price
Queen mattresses vary in price. The price range starts from $350 and can go up to $4000 and more. The price depends on manufacturer, materials and other characteristics such as size, height, and durability.
The major types of queen mattresses are foam, innerspring, latex, and hybrid. The average prices for each of the types are as follows: foam – $1,038, innerspring – $1,044, latex – $1,971 and hybrid – $2,077.
Pros & Cons of Queen Mattresses
The main benefits of queen mattresses are:
- Because queen mattresses are very popular, you will easily find a variety of different types of mattresses, linens, and beddings for your bed.
- Queen mattresses are cheaper than king mattresses.
- Queen mattresses are lighter than king mattresses. This makes transportation and set up slightly easier.
On the other hand, queen mattresses have some disadvantages:
- Queen mattresses might be too small for very spacious bedrooms
- Queen mattresses are often too short for tall people. A sleeper with a height of 6’4” might struggle to find a comfortable position without their feet sticking out.
Read more about the best queen size mattress.
King Mattress
King size beds are 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. If you’ll share your bed, that’ll allow 38 inches in width per person. As you can see, a king size bed is quite a bit larger than a queen. That’s why king beds tend to be the best fit for large master bedrooms.
King beds are ideal for couples who like to occupy a lot of space while sleeping. They’re also suitable for those who sleep together with kids or pets. If you sleep alone, you might get lost within the mattress. For single sleepers, a queen mattress might be a better option.
Room Recommendations
Experts say that the ideal room size for a king bed should be between 10 x 12 and 13 x 13 feet in size. Anything smaller will not allow enough space for the king bed and the room will feel cluttered. And sleeping in a cramped room is the last thing you want.
It is recommended to leave at least 2 feet of empty space around your bed. That will allow you some breathing space and, in turn, let you rest more peacefully.
Price
Same as with the queen beds, prices of king beds vary from cheap to expensive. But it’s important to note that king mattresses are approximately $100 to $500 more expensive than queen mattresses.
The overall price of a king mattress depends on durability, materials, a number of layers, manufacturing process and other aspects. It can cost anything from $400 to $5000 and more.
Pros & Cons of King Mattresses
The positive aspect of king sizes beds are:
- King size beds are comfortably spacious.
- Perfectly suitable for couples.
- A large choice of different sizes, shapes, and styles.
But they also have some negative points:
- They tend to be more expensive when compared to queen beds.
- They are heavy and not easy to transport or set up.
- King beds are more suitable for larger homes, rather than small apartments.
So is King or Queen size better?
Both king and queen beds have their pros and cons. And they’re both common choices in the US. However, queen size mattresses are slightly more popular and as they fit in smaller rooms.
Before buying a new mattress, consider your room space, sleeping preferences and how many people will sleep in the bed. If you have a smaller bedroom, you should choose a queen size bed. But if you can allow yourself a spacious bedroom, go for the King bed instead. Nonetheless, the final decision should be based on your personal situation and preference.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.