Fact checked by Jonathan Eilenberg, CPE
Jonathan Eilenberg, CPE
Jonathan Eilenberg is a Certified Professional Ergonomist who is a Senior Ergonomics Engineer at Casper with over 6 years of experience in occupational injury prevention.
Split king beds allow two individuals to sleep comfortably and independently. However, they also can cost more than smaller mattresses like a queen bed, and can deter cuddling.
So you’re ready to invest in your dream mattress. If you’re browsing with a partner, you might assume that bigger is better — but design can be just as decisive as size when it comes to you both getting high-quality sleep.
Enter the split king bed.
Split king mattresses are spacious and adaptable, easily tailored to couples’ needs. Most everyone has their sleeping quirks and patterns, and the split king’s construction (a split down the middle) can help both bedmates get their nighttime needs met; however, they can also be costly and deter late-night cuddling.
That said, this mattress style comes with its own potential perks and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at this unique bed style and dive into split king bed pros and cons to help you decide whether it’s a double-winner for you both.
First, exactly what is a split king mattress? A split king bed has the same dimensions as a standard king-sized mattress: 76” (width) by 80” (length).1 The key difference lies in that “split:” Rather than one mattress, split kings have two adjoining twin XL mattresses that together form one larger one.2 Each separate mattress measures around 38” (width) by 80” (length).
Split king mattresses have several traits that set them apart:
Yes, split California king beds do exist. A split Cal king bed consists of two separate mattresses, each measuring approximately 36 inches wide by 84 inches long, which together form a standard California king size of 72 inches by 84 inches.
Most of the advantages of a split king-size bed fall under one umbrella: limitless possibility. So, if you and your partner have been struggling to get into a snooze groove, this mattress style will give you lots of room to find a solution that works for both of you.
Even the happiest of couples can have different preferences when it comes to the ergonomics of sleep. Springs, or memory foam? Mattress topper, or no topper?
Fortunately, split king mattresses give you two twin XL mattresses to outfit instead of one. This means that you and your counterpart can choose their own style according to preferences in firmness, materials, linens, and so on.
Beyond design, greater personalization can help support your well-being. Mattress needs can vary based on:
Many people struggle to get high-quality sleep when snuggling up to their partner every night. Split king mattresses are masters of what’s known as motion isolation: They reduce surface-wide feedback from stirrings made on the other side of the bed.
Getting a motion-isolation mattress may be a wise idea if:
Motion isolation properties aren’t limited to split king mattresses. The Casper Dream hybrid memory foam mattress — available from twin-sized to king and split king — has a hybrid construction that limits motion sensitivity between each side of the bed.
All told, the split king can be a life-saver for couples who struggle with sleep interruptions. In other words, what happens on one side of the bed stays on that side of the bed.
If you and your partner have different body weights, you may notice:
Because of their motion-isolating properties, split king mattresses may be more resilient than their cousins. This mattress style does an excellent job of distributing weight more evenly.
Ever lived in a cramped apartment? Then you probably know firsthand that moving wide-load furniture isn’t for the faint of heart (or most walk-up stairwells).
When it comes to how to move a mattress, split king beds are a breeze to transport because of how modular they are. If security deposits, mover costs, or other stressors are a concern for you, a split king mattress could be an ideal bedding solution.
While there are many benefits to a split king-size bed, it’s also important to weigh the potential downsides.
For some, sleeping is a high-contact sport. Many people find they sleep better when spooned or snuggled up close to their beloved.5
If you and your partner enjoy winding down in each other’s arms before sleeping, the quirks of a split king bed might take some negotiating. Some couples are annoyed by the split between mattresses, which can make it slightly more challenging to stay physically close.
That said, split king adjustable bed frames can promote your comfort by giving you maximum control. The Casper Adjustable Base Max lets you and your bedmate choose the position ideal for you: sleeping, reading, or checking your inbox while your partner sleeps in.
Two mattresses necessarily require more bedding:
Laundry loads may be double the size, and depending on your routine, it may require some planning to know who’s washed what, when. That said, with a little communication, plenty of couples find this isn’t a deal-breaker — it just requires staying flexible and getting into the groove of a new routine.
Because of their specialized, hybrid nature, split king beds can be costlier than two discrete twin XL beds. You may need to invest in two bed bases in addition to the mattress, which can drive up costs if you’re looking for a quality model.
While split king beds give the gift of motion isolation, they’re not built to manage noise. If your sleep sensitivity stems from your partner’s snores, sleep talk, or other sounds, there’s not much a split king bed can do to fix it.
Fortunately, there are many other creative ways to help manage the acoustics of your bedroom to help you both achieve high-quality sleep. You might try6:
If a split king bed sounds appealing but not quite right, don’t forget that they aren’t the only adaptable options. Hybrid mattresses from Casper offer a perfect marriage of comfort and support, with properties like motion isolation and customizable firmness.
Getting an adjustable bed base to complement your split mattress can also introduce more customizability. The Casper Adjustable Base Max lets you personalize your position so one of you can catnap while the other scrolls the latest headlines.
If you’re sold on the split king model, keep these recommendations in mind before you buy:
If temperature control is a concern for you, know that Casper split king mattresses are obsessively engineered to keep cool and breathable (an expert-approved factor in getting the best sleep possible).7
Split king beds can be divisive, but their potential to personalize make them well worth considering. If you’re searching for a sleep solution that’ll bring you and your bedmate together, you’ll never have to compromise when you choose Casper.
Whether you opt for the One affordable memory mattress (our best seller), the Hybrids, or the Maxes, each Casper mattress style comes in a split king option for couples claiming this style for their bedroom. Check out our rave reviews (all 110,000+ of them) and make bedtime something to look forward to.
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