King Size v Super King Size - What's the Difference?

What’s the difference between a king-size and super kingsize mattress?

There are a few key differences between a king-size and super king-size mattress which need to be considered before making your final choice of mattress. Given that most retailers only allow you to return a mattress if it’s faulty it is worthwhile doing your homework now on the best mattress choice rather than just guessing.

Size

The first, which is the most obvious, is size.

There’s a 30cm difference in width between a king size and a super kingsize—the length of a large office ruler.

If you’re unsure whether your bedroom can fit a king or super kingsize bed, then read our guide to the minimum bedroom sizes for mattresses here.

Access

The next important thing is to work out the access for the mattress to be delivered to the bedroom. If you have tight stairwells, 180-degree bends or tight access, this may curtail your plans for a one-piece mattress. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a super king or king size; you just need to pick and zip and link model, which is in two halves.

Sleeping Preferences

Are you a sleeper who sleeps on the edge? Someone who never ventures into the centre of the mattress? If so, then a super king-size mattress may be the wrong option. The central part of a super king mattress can create issues with settlement if sleepers never move into the centre. This is because all the mattress use is limited to the edges. Naturally, the unused part of the bed never gets any action, so to speak.

If this sounds like you and you still want a super king, then choose a zip and link option that can be fully turned so you’re using both sides of each part of the mattress.

Monthly Mattress care and maintenance

To get the most out of your mattress and to satisfy the guarantee criteria of looking after the bed, you are going to need to turn it each month and rotate it.

For a super king-size mattress, this can be a real pain. They can weigh upwards of 80kg, and a quality handmade model will be packed with natural fibre fillings and calico-encased pocket springs. This is not a task that one person can undertake, so you will need two people.

However, using a zip and link configuration is easily accessible by one person and makes mattress turning and rotating a breeze! So consider that before jumping for a one-piece super king-size mattress!

What is the mattress size difference?

There is a 30cm difference in width between a king and super kingsize mattress. They have the exact same length of 180cm.

Benefits of a kingsize mattress

• Enough room for two adults to sleep soundly without bashing into each other
• Accommodates a wide range of sleeping positions
• Welcomes a variety of bodyweight, shapes and heights, unlike a double mattress

Drawbacks of a kingsize mattress

• For very active sleepers, they can feel a bit small if you move a lot during the night
• In very large bedrooms, they may look out of proportion
• They can’t fit into many double-sized bedrooms
• Not all bedframes can accommodate a one-piece kingsize

Benefits of a super kingsize mattress

• You have enough space to roll over twice before meeting each other
• Accommodates any sleeping position, whether vertical, horizontal, starfish or other!
• Enables children and pets to join you in the bedroom

Drawbacks of a super kingsize mattress

• Access issues cause many one-piece mattress deliveries to fail
• The central part of the bed may not get any use and may form a ridge
• Bedding can be unwieldy and hard to get on
• You can feel distant from your partner
• Most bedrooms can’t fit a super king with enough breathing space