Choosing the right mattress size is crucial for a good night’s sleep. While a king size bed offers ample space for couples, some sleepers crave even more room. Enter the Alaskan king bed, the undisputed champion of king sizes. But what exactly is an Alaskan king bed, and how does it stack up against a standard king? This guide will delve into a detailed Alaskan King Bed Compared To King mattress analysis, helping you determine if supersizing your sleep is the right move for you.
Unpacking the Alaskan King Bed
Dimensions: 108 inches wide x 108 inches long
The Alaskan king bed, named after the vast state of Alaska, is truly the monarch of mattress sizes. Boasting dimensions of 9 feet by 9 feet, it offers a sprawling 81 square feet of surface area. This makes it the largest king size bed available, dwarfing even other oversized mattresses, with the exception of custom family beds.
Due to its immense size, the Alaskan king is not a common find in standard mattress stores. Those seeking this ultimate king bed experience will likely need to special order their mattress and accompanying accessories.
The Allure of an Alaskan King Bed: Key Benefits
Why would someone consider a mattress of such epic proportions? The Alaskan king bed offers several compelling advantages, particularly for specific sleeping arrangements and lifestyles:
-
Supreme Co-Sleeping Space: The primary draw of the Alaskan king is its ability to comfortably accommodate multiple sleepers. It’s ideal for families who regularly co-sleep with children, offering enough room for parents and several kids without feeling cramped.
-
Generous Weight Capacity: Larger mattresses are typically built to handle greater weight. An Alaskan king bed boasts a higher mattress weight limit, making it suitable for multiple adults, heavier individuals, or a combination thereof.
-
Pet-Friendly Foot Room: For pet owners who share their bed, the Alaskan king provides extended length at the foot of the bed. This dedicated pet zone allows furry companions to sleep comfortably without encroaching on human space.
-
Bedroom Proportion in Grand Spaces: In generously sized bedrooms where a standard king might appear undersized, an Alaskan king bed can establish better visual balance and fill the space more appropriately, creating a luxurious and well-proportioned aesthetic.
While the Alaskan king offers undeniable benefits, it’s crucial to weigh the pros against the cons before making such a significant purchase.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ideal for families who co-sleep | Higher cost due to larger size |
| Ample space for larger individuals or tall sleepers | Limited availability; often requires custom orders |
| Fills large bedrooms effectively | Demands a very spacious bedroom |
| Luxurious feel and appearance | Bedding and accessories are difficult to find |
| Transportation can be challenging |
Alaskan King Bed Size Compared to Other King Sizes
Oversized mattresses, including the Alaskan king, are generally classified as any bed larger than a California king. These mattresses are typically made-to-order, meaning they are rarely stocked in standard retail stores.
The following table provides a clear Alaskan king bed compared to king size breakdown, alongside other oversized options, highlighting dimensional differences:
| California King | Standard King | Wyoming King | Texas King | Alberta King | Alaskan King | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 84 inches | 80 inches | 84 inches | 98 inches | 96 inches | 108 inches |
| Width | 72 inches | 76 inches | 84 inches | 80 inches | 96 inches | 108 inches |
| Surface Area | 6,049 sq in (42 sq ft) | 6,080 sq in (42.22 sq ft) | 7,056 sq in (49 sq ft) | 7,840 sq in (54.44 sq ft) | 9,216 sq in (64 sq ft) | 11,664 sq in (81 sq ft) |
| Occupancy | 2 adults (under 7’) | 2 adults (under 6’8”) | 2 adults & 1 child | 2 adults & pets | 2 adults, 2 children & pets | Up to 4 adults & pets |
| Ideal Room Size | 12×14 feet | 12×12 feet | 14×14 feet | 15×13 feet | 15×15 feet | 16×16 feet |
| Mattress Shape | Rectangle | Rectangle | Square | Rectangle | Square | Square |
| Price | $$$ | $$ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$$ | $$$$$ |
Alaskan King Compared to California King
California King: 84 inches long x 72 inches wide
While both California king and standard king beds offer similar surface areas, the California king is longer and narrower, while the standard king is wider and slightly shorter. Comparing Alaskan king vs California king, the Alaskan king emerges as significantly larger. It boasts 24 extra inches in length and a substantial 36 extra inches in width compared to a California king, nearly doubling the overall surface area.
Alaskan King Compared to Standard King
Standard King: 80 inches long x 76 inches wide
In the Alaskan king bed compared to king bed debate, the size difference is dramatic. The Alaskan king outmeasures a standard king by a considerable margin. It is 32 inches wider and 28 inches longer, consuming almost twice the floor space.
While a standard king often provides ample space for couples, the Alaskan king caters to those needing significantly more room, such as co-sleeping families or those who simply desire maximum personal sleeping space.
Alaskan King Compared to Wyoming King
Wyoming King: 84 inches long x 84 inches wide
The Wyoming king offers a square shape, measuring 84 inches by 84 inches. While both Wyoming and Alaskan kings are square, the Alaskan king is the larger of the two. The Alaskan king is 2 feet longer and 2 feet wider than a Wyoming king, making it a more expansive option for co-sleeping arrangements or individuals desiring unparalleled space.
Alaskan King Compared to Texas King
Texas King: 98 inches long x 80 inches wide
The Texas king is longer than a standard king but narrower than an Alaskan king. While larger than both standard and California kings, the Texas king is still dwarfed by the Alaskan king. The Alaskan king provides an additional 10 inches of length and a significant 18 inches of width compared to a Texas king.
The Texas king is suitable for taller individuals and couples, but the Alaskan king is designed to accommodate even larger groups, potentially sleeping up to four adults comfortably.
Alaskan King Compared to Alberta King
Alberta King: 96 inches long x 96 inches wide
The Alberta king, also sometimes called a Vermont king, is the second-largest king size bed, falling just short of the Alaskan king. However, the Alaskan king still surpasses the Alberta king in size, offering a full foot more in both length and width. While an Alberta king is exceptionally large, the Alaskan king provides an even more spacious sleeping surface.
Alaskan King Compared to Family Beds
Family Beds: Varying Dimensions
Family beds represent the truly colossal end of the mattress spectrum, exceeding even the Alaskan king in some dimensions. While Alaskan kings are the largest within the “king” category, family beds, available in medium, large, and XL sizes, are specifically designed for very large co-sleeping families.
Although not as long as the Alaskan king, XL family beds can be wider and offer more overall surface area. However, family beds are even more specialized and less readily available than Alaskan kings, often requiring extensive custom ordering.
Key Considerations Before Investing in an Alaskan King Bed
Before committing to an Alaskan king bed, carefully evaluate these crucial factors to ensure it aligns with your needs and lifestyle:
Occupancy Needs
The Alaskan king bed is purpose-built for scenarios requiring maximum sleeping capacity. It excels for couples who co-sleep with multiple children, pet-filled households, or those anticipating the need for several adults to share the bed regularly. However, for couples without children or pets who simply desire a spacious bed, a standard king or even a California king might suffice and be more practical.
Bedroom Dimensions
The sheer size of an Alaskan king bed demands a substantial bedroom. While the average primary bedroom is around 15 feet by 15 feet, this is barely adequate for an Alaskan king. Placing an Alaskan king in such a room would leave minimal space for movement and other bedroom furniture. An ideal room size for an Alaskan king bed starts at 16 feet by 16 feet (256 square feet) to allow comfortable movement around the bed and accommodate accompanying furniture.
Firmness Preferences
Mattress firmness is subjective, but it becomes a more critical consideration in shared beds. For co-sleeping with infants, a firm mattress is generally recommended for safety. Finding a wide range of firmness options in Alaskan king sizes may be more challenging compared to standard sizes. Couples with significantly different firmness preferences might consider split king options for greater customization, although split Alaskan kings are even rarer.
Availability and Customization
Alaskan king beds are not readily available. They are considered specialty items, primarily ordered online or through custom mattress manufacturers. Finding matching accessories like bed frames, sheets, and comforters in Alaskan king sizes will also require specialized sourcing, often involving custom orders.
Mattress Type Options
The variety of mattress types available in Alaskan king size may be limited compared to standard sizes. While you might find foam, latex, and hybrid options, the selection within each type may be narrower. Foam is a common material for Alaskan kings, offering contouring comfort, while latex provides breathability and responsiveness. Hybrid options combine support and comfort layers, but availability can be less consistent.
Transportation Logistics
Moving an Alaskan king bed is a significant undertaking. These mattresses are heavy and unwieldy. While some may be constructed in multiple pieces to aid in transport, this is not always the case. Carefully measure doorways and hallways to ensure the mattress can physically fit into your home before purchasing. Future moves will also require careful planning and potentially professional movers due to the mattress’s size and weight.
Price Point
The cost of an Alaskan king bed reflects its size and specialized nature. Expect to invest at least $3,000 for an Alaskan king mattress, with prices potentially reaching upwards of $15,000 or more depending on materials, construction, and brand. Like all mattress sizes, price varies based on quality, features, and brand reputation.
Embrace King Size Comfort with Purple (Standard King!)
The Alaskan king bed is undeniably the most expansive king size mattress, providing unparalleled space for large families or those desiring maximum room. However, its size, cost, and logistical challenges make it a niche choice. For most couples, a standard king size bed offers a luxurious and practical balance of space and convenience.
When choosing a new mattress, prioritize your individual and shared sleep needs and bedroom dimensions. While Purple does not currently offer Alaskan king beds, our king, California king, and split king mattresses feature the innovative GelFlex® Grid, delivering exceptional pressure relief, cooling comfort, and adaptive support for a truly restful night’s sleep.
Experience King Size Sleep with Purple
Purple king size mattresses are engineered for optimal comfort, providing the support and pressure relief you need to wake up feeling refreshed.
Shop King Mattresses
In This Article: Alaskan King Bed Compared to King
