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Comparing an Alaskan King and a California King bed is basically comparing an oversized mattress and a standard-sized mattress. One is much smaller and more like other commonly found mattress sizes, while the other is huge and hard to find! Here you can find a size comparison between the California King vs Alaskan king, the pros and cons of each one, and how to make a choice that’s best for you.
California King vs Alaskan King Size Comparison
A California King bed (also known as Western King) is 84 inches tall and 72 inches wide. Alaskan King bed dimensions are 108 by 108 inches.
The size difference is huge – we’re talking about the Alaskan King-size mattress being dozens of inches wider and taller than the Cali King. In fact, the Alaskan King size makes a California King bed look like a baby, even though Cali King is the largest of the standard mattress sizes.
Alaskan King mattresses fall into the category of oversized mattresses. These mattresses aren’t the ones you can easily find in regular mattress stores or on the websites of popular manufacturers. Rare companies make oversized beds and you often have to make an order first and wait for the mattress to be manufactured. Alaskan King is one of the biggest of the biggest mattresses – it’s definitely the longest, but there are a couple of sizes that are wider than the Alaskan.
California King is narrower and longer than the actual King size. Its surface area of 6,048 square inches makes it suitable for a tall couple who likes to sprawl out or co-sleeps with a child. California King beds fit well in rooms of at least 12 ft by 12 ft. See our guide to Alaskan king vs. king-sized mattresses for more details.
Alaskan King is square-shaped and has a surface area of 11,664 square inches. An entire family can sleep on this bed – parents, children, and pets. The absolute minimum room size for this bed is 16 ft. by 16 ft.
Alaskan King or California King: Which Is Best?
Both sizes are great for tall sleepers, so we’ll rule that out when looking at the pros and cons of each.
Alaskan King Pros
- Looks great in large bedrooms
- Can host a family with more than two children and several pets
- Provides more than enough space for each person to sleep comfortably
Alaskan King Cons
- Families who get this bed might only use it for a few years until the kids are too old for co-sleeping
- Expensive and hard-to-find sheets; expensive frame
California King Pros
- Accessories easily found in any mattress store (sheets, toppers…)
- Offers more than enough space for couples and just enough if they have one or two children
- Much less expensive than the Alaskan King
California King Cons
- Can’t accommodate large families
- Apart from the extra length, doesn’t offer anything more than a Standard King – in fact, it might be too narrow for people who are used to King width
How to Choose Between an Alaskan King and a California King Mattress
First, make sure that you fully understand the dimensions of both sizes. Get a measuring tape and outline the sizes with washi tape on the floor, just so you can get an idea. Once you do so, the answer might become apparent right away.
If you’re still unsure which one to go for, you should consider three factors – bedroom size, price, and the number of sleepers.
Bedroom Size
You could go with a California King mattress for most bedrooms – the minimum room size for this mattress should be about 12′ by 12′. The Saatva Classic mattress is our favorite Cal king-sized brand. Bear in mind that you should leave about two feet on each side of the mattress so that each person has enough space to get up.
As for the Alaskan King mattresses, they should be placed in large rooms. The minimum room size is about 16′ by 16′, but Alaskan King beds are even better in larger bedrooms. If you want a bed to take up most of your room size, then I guess it’s OK to place an Alaskan King into a tiny room. The problem with this is that you won’t have much space for other furniture.
Price
California King mattresses are far more affordable – they go as low as $800 and reach up to about $3,500 for more luxurious models. Alaskan King ranges from $2,000 to $7,000. The cost of a mattress depends on the mattress type and the quality of the materials.
The most expensive California King is pricier than the cheapest Alaskan King bed. Big beds are big investments, and with these two sizes, you’ll also have to include prices of bed frames. Ideally, you shouldn’t get the cheapest option without thoroughly examining it – and the same goes for the most expensive ones. Sometimes they’re just not worth it.
Who Will Be Sleeping on The Mattress?
A California King-size mattress can take two adults who co-sleep with their child (or two small kids). There’s also room for pets.
An Alaskan King Bed size provides extra space for everyone. Co-sleeping families can enjoy plenty of personal space – Alaskan King can host up to four adults; or two adults and two to three kids as well as pets.
There’s more to choosing a mattress size than these three factors. You might opt for a completely different size when you do all the calculations. Who knows, you might even find that you actually need a mattress wider than an Alaskan King, such as the oversized Family XL, or something smaller, such as a King or Queen-sized bed. Read our guide to Texas King vs. California king mattresses to compare the Cal king another oversized mattress.
FAQs
The Alaskan King is the biggest of the “King” mattresses. Other King sizes include:
– Standard King – 76″ x 80″
– Split King – 76″ x 80″
– California King – 72″ x 84″
– Wyoming King – 76″ x 80″
– Texas King – 80″ x 98″
– Alaskan King – 108″ x 108″
There are two oversized mattress sizes that are wider than an Alaskan king bed, but they aren’t longer. The Family L bed is 120″ wide and 80″ long, while the Family XL is a whopping 144″ wide and 84″ long.
Alaskan King is designed to offer plenty of sleeping space to all family members. The idea is that everyone can sprawl – including pets – on this oversized bed. It’s a good choice for big families, especially if the parents are well-off. An Alaskan King mattress is the right bed size for large master bedrooms and looks great in luxurious homes. Their square shape is peculiar, but the most likely reason for that is – luxury.
No. California King is among the biggest of the standard bed options. It is 4″ longer than a Standard King and 4″ narrower. So we could say that California King mattresses and Standard King mattresses take the first place. The actual biggest bed size is Family XL.
Conclusion
It’s hard to choose a clear winner between the Alaskan King and California King bed because of the huge difference in size, and thus in price and purpose.
The Alaskan King bed is one of the biggest oversized mattresses and is designed to look luxurious and host a large family, whereas a California King is one of the common mattress sizes made mainly for tall couples, but kids can also join them.
Both bed sizes look stylish, with the Alaskan being more luxurious. California King mattresses are typically more affordable, take up less space, and are easier to find. Alaskan King mattresses are among the largest mattress sizes out there and fit well in large bedrooms. Your bed choice should fit your budget and accommodate your needs.
Next step: Read our guide to split California king mattresses. If you decide that a Cal king is right for you but you want the ability to customize each side of the mattress, then this is the best option for you. We tested each brand on the list for durability, comfort, and quality. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to get a great night’s sleep.
With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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