Love your partner but despair of their taste in mattresses? Before you retreat to separate bedrooms you might want to consider investing in a split king mattress. These clever 50/50 mattresses are split down the middle, meaning each side can have a totally different firmness, level of support and feel to the other.
Most of the best mattresses this year come in a split king size, so you should have plenty of choice if you feel this is the right solution for your sleeping needs. If your partner prefers a hard mattress and you’re more comfortable on something softer, to give just one example, a split king could be just the thing to prevent a sleep divorce.
With plenty of monthly mattress sales to pick from, you may well be able to pick up a discount but do be warned that split king mattresses can be expensive. However for many, they are worth the investment. Read on to find out everything you need to know about split king mattresses…
What is a split king mattress?
A split king mattress consists of two separate twin XL mattresses pushed together on a single bed base to make one king size mattress.
This means that, unlike a standard king mattress, a split king mattress can have different firmness levels on each side of the bed.
But because it’s essentially made up of two separate mattresses, a split king can be more expensive than a standard king size mattress.
What is the size of a split king mattress?
A split king mattress has the same dimensions overall as a king mattress at 76” wide and 80” long.
Remember that each individual mattress will be 38” wide, with the two together making up 76” across.
A split king is also not to be confused with the more elusive split queen mattress, which is made up of two mattresses measuring 30” wide by 80” long.
These combine to make a mattress that’s 60” wide by 80” long – the same size as a standard queen mattress. If you’re not sure which size would suit you best, take a look at our king size vs queen size mattress comparison for more advice.
Are split king mattresses worth it?
As with many things mattress related, there’s no absolute answer to this. If you sleep on your own or you and your partner both like the same type of bed, a split king mattress may well be a pointless and costly investment. But, for others, they’re a great choice for the following reasons:
They're great for couples with different sleep styles and body weights
Let’s say you’re a lightweight side sleeper, but your partner is a heavier weight stomach sleeper. It’s highly unlikely that you’ll find the same mattress comfortable.
You’ll be looking for plenty of cushioning and plushness to keep the pressure points at your shoulders, hips and knees supported. Whereas your partner will want a firm mattress that offers plenty of support, keeping the hips lifted and spine aligned.
In some cases, one of the best medium firm mattresses might provide a happy medium but, if you want a mattress that’s completely right for your individual sleeping style and body weight, a split king is the answer.
They stop your partner’s constant in-bed wriggling waking you up
If your partner is a restless sleeper, or works on a different schedule to you, you run the risk of their movements waking you up and disturbing you at night.
Many mattresses use special materials such as cushioning memory foam or individually wrapped springs to try and provide motion isolation (which prevents motion transferring across the bed) but these aren’t always effective.
And, if you’re a very light sleeper or your partner has a tendency to hurl themselves from side-to-side, even the best motion isolation isn’t going to stop you being disturbed.
A split king mattress means that you and your partner will be sleeping on entirely separate mattresses, completely cutting out the risk of any motion transfer.
They allow sleepers to pick a mattress to suit their body temperature
Many couples are often made up of a natural reptilian and a hot sleeper. And this can make it very hard to find a mattress that suits both parties.
One solution, of course, is to buy an electric blanket with dual controls. But this can still leave the hot sleeper feeling a bit clammy.
Instead, investing in a split king mattress means that the cold sleeper can keep their electric blanket, while a hot sleeper can invest in a cooling topper or heat-dissipating cover made from materials such as GlacioTex or Phase Change Material that are found in the best cooling mattresses.
- Read more: 5 signs that you need a split king mattress
Can you feel the crack in a split king mattress?
It’s not impossible to feel the gap between the two mattresses but unless you’re sleeping curled up with your partner, a split king does afford enough room for sleepers to spread out and avoid the join. There’s no danger of the mattresses sliding apart or separating enough for a gap to be really noticeable either.
You could choose to put a mattress topper over both mattresses to cushion the gap, although this could negate the whole reason for buying a split king in the first place.
Instead, we’d recommend making sure that you invest in a split king mattress that comes with a sleep trial of at least 100 nights so that you’ll have plenty of time to try it out and make sure it’s comfortable for your needs.
Can you use a split king mattress with adjustable beds?
A split king mattress and adjustable bed could be the perfect match for those looking to tailor their sleep environment to their own personal preferences.
An adjustable base that’s designed for a split king mattress will allow you to adjust the incline at the head and foot of the bed so that you’re sleeping in your optimum position. Some adjustable beds even allow you to adjust the lumbar region for more spinal support.
Adjustable beds can be raised or lowered via app, remote control or integrated buttons on the bed itself.
The smartest options, such as the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Ergo Smart Base, can also detect snoring, monitor your breathing and heart rate during sleep, and cradle your body in a zero-gravity position to reduce pain and pressure points.
What is the best split king mattress to buy?
Not all brands make a split king mattress and, of those that do, not all will offer different firmness options (meaning you’ll just get exactly the same mattress on each side).
So, if you are looking for a split king mattress to suit different sleeping styles and body weights, you’ll need to pick accordingly.
Our top recommendation is the Saatva Classic, which is also our top pick in our best mattress round up.
Should you switch to a split king mattress?
If you’re a very different build to your partner and you both have different sleeping styles, a split king mattress could allow you to go on sharing a bed without you both being miserable.
A split king will allow you to choose the perfect mattress to suit your individual firmness, support, comfort and pressure relief preferences, along with picking materials to keep you cool or warmer as required.
You will pay more for the privilege of a split king mattress as you’re essentially buying two beds but, for many, the positives will outweigh that extra cost.
Our biggest recommendation though would be to make sure you keep your eyes open for decent sales so that you can save as much money as possible in the process.
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