What Is an Alaskan King Bed? Size, Pros & Cons

Alaskan King beds are among the largest mattress sizes available, which offers a spacious and comfortable sleeping area. They are perfect for people who love having extra space. This includes families who love to cosleep, couples who want some extra room, or anyone looking for a comfortable and luxurious sleeping experience. The Alaskan King bed dimension measures 108 inches in both length and width, which gives it a perfect square shape.

With a total surface area of 81 square feet, it offers significantly more space than standard mattress sizes. These beds come with a mattress thickness ranging from 10 to 14 inches, which offers depth and comfort for a luxurious sleeping experience. Due to its bulky size, it is best suited for large bedrooms, such as master suites in spacious homes. These days, the Alaskan King bed is used more as a statement piece, which represents comfort and a high-end lifestyle.

What is the Size of an Alaskan King Bed?

The dimensions of an Alaskan king bed size measure 9 by 9 feet, for an incredible surface area of 81 square feet.  At the double width of a regular full-size mattress, the Alaskan King can fit at least three adults comfortably. As the largest king-sized mattress, surpassed only by the family bed, it takes its name from Alaska, the largest US state.

A standard king mattress measures 76 inches wide by 80 inches long, while a California King is 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. When compared, the Alaskan King bed is over 30 inches in width and 20 inches in length. Some companies also offer custom sizes of the bed, such as mini or biggie sizes.

Despite the California King’s 7-foot length, pillows often take up most of the head space, which can leave taller people with their feet hanging off the edge. In contrast, the Alaskan King bed offers more than 2 feet extra for the legs, even if you are more than 6 feet tall. The additional length also helps reduce pressure on the feet, especially when a duvet is tucked in securely at the foot of the bed.

Due to its oversized dimensions, the Alaskan king bed is quite rare and not usually found in standard retail stores. So, if you’re looking for an Alaskan king bed, you’ll need to place a custom order for the bed and its accessories.

What Are Some Pros and Cons of the Alaskan King Size Bed?

Here are some pros and cons of the Alaskan King bed -

Pros

• Rooms for separate blankets.

• It does not quickly wear away.

• More room for multiple people or pets.

• Perfect options to fill up a large bedroom.

• You can sleep with your family and pets as well.

• It is best for couples looking for a spacious bed and more personal space.

Cons

• Won’t fit in smaller rooms.

• Hard to find bedding and bed frames of their size.

• Moving the bed is labor-intensive as it requires a lot of people.

• They are bulky, which means they can overwhelm the standard room size.

• They are costly, and additional items, such as pillows, mattresses, etc., can add to the overall cost.

Why Should You Buy an Alaskan King Size Bed?

There are several reasons to buy an Alaskan King bed, such as -

Great Sleepover Experience

Families who prefer cosleeping find the Alaskan King bed the best fit. Parents who cosleep with their babies often experience a more consistent and better sleep cycle. It also boosts deeper intimacy and bonding amongst family members. Additionally, cosleeping has several health benefits, too, as it helps support the baby’s temperature and weight gain, and also regulates their breathing.

Extra Space

The Alaskan King bed offers more space for each person. Hence, you can enjoy the freedom without being interrupted or interrupting your partner. This is also best for couples with opposing schedules, which means you can get in and get out without disturbing your spouse. Though many opt for Queen bed size, King bed size is ruling because of its enormous space, which offers a better sleeping experience.

Enough Space to Spread Out

The best is a great option for taller people as well. These beds are 84 inches and are slightly narrower than a regular-sized bed. Hence, they can spread all over the bed and have better sleep.

Pets

Many homeowners love sharing their bed with their pets. Cosleeping with pets can help bond with them better and also ensure security and safety. Hence, it is important to ensure that the bed can accommodate all. The Alaskan King bed is the perfect choice for people with pets, as they are durable and can support chihuahuas and Saint Bernards, too.

These Beds Are Luxe

The Alaskan King bed is one of the most luxurious beds in the world, exuding elegance and sophistication. It makes the best use of the available space in the room, combining functionality and style. They are also great for luxury hotel rooms and high-end vacation rentals.

Essential Accessories For Your Alaskan King Bed

If you think the Alaskan King bed is the perfect addition to your room, it is important to select a sturdy and durable bed frame. Here are some other important accessories for your bed -

Bed Frames

Many manufacturers make Alaskan King Bed frames with multiple boxes for ample storage space. They are easy to assemble, but due to their heavy size, you may need additional help.

Mattresses

Mattresses for the Alaskan King size bed are usually measured 10 inches in height with a one-inch quilted foam cotton on top. They offer relief from hip and shoulder pain, keeping you comfortable. Additionally, there is no motion transfer, which means you can sleep easily.

Bedding

Bedding options for the Alaskan King bed include sheet sets, mattress pads, duvet inserts, and covers. High-end manufacturers make it from 100% Bamboo Lyocell, which offers a soothing and cooling experience while you sleep.

Alaskan King Vs California King Size Bed: A Brief Comparison

Alaskan King Bed Vs. Other Oversized Bed

The Alaskan King is the second-largest oversized bed available. Other large bed sizes include the Wyoming King, Texas King, and Albertan King. Just as Alaska is the largest state in the US, the Alaskan King claims the title of the largest among standard “king” size beds. Many oversized beds have a square layout, but the Texas King is known for its longer size, similar to the California King. The largest option, “Family” or “Family XL,” is 144 inches in width and 84 inches in length.

When deciding if an oversized bed will fit in your bedroom, it is important to consider more than just the size. You need to think about how much room you’ll need for a nightstand on either side of the bed - usually at least a couple of feet in addition to extra space so that the bed doesn’t sit flush against the table.

If you have a drawer nearby, you may need to leave at least 4 feet at the foot of the bed. Also, don’t forget to consider the bed frame and headboard. Here’s a quick comparison of the Alaskan King bed with other oversized beds -

What Should You Know Before Buying an Alaskan King Mattress?

Before buying an Alaskan King bed mattress, here are certain factors you must know -

• The first and foremost thing you must do is check your room thoroughly to ensure the bed will fit in and still leave sufficient space for furniture and other accessories.

• Measure the doorways, stairs, elevators, and any potential obstacles to ensure it can perfectly reach your bedroom.

• Always check with the retailer or manufacturers to confirm if the mattress will be delivered folded, compressed, or in multiple parts.

• Check with the manufacturer if they offer White Glove delivery, as flipping or rotating the mattress can be very difficult.

• Many companies have showrooms where you can experience the bed first-hand and see if it is a perfect fit for your room. Then, you can custom-order one from the manufacturers.

• You can expect to spend between $3,000 and $10,000 for the mattress, depending on its type and quality.

• The Alaskan King bed can be challenging to replace, so spending on the bed is worth it.

• When buying a regular mattress, consider checking the small print for sleep trials, warranty terms, and shipping policies.

• Also, remember that the Alaskan King bedsheets and bed frames aren’t widely available. So, buy the accessories from the manufacturer you have bought the bed mattress from.

Factors to Consider Before Buying an Alaskan King Bed

Here are some major factors to consider before you buy an Alaskan King Bed -

Occupancy

The Alaskan King Bed is perfect for parents who love to have their children or pets by their side. Also, it can accommodate multiple adults comfortably, without overwhelming the space.

Size of the Room

The Alaskan King bed requires a large bedroom (16 feet by 16 feet), enough to incorporate the bed and leave space in the room for walking and other furniture. If you have a room size of 15 feet by 15 feet, it will leave less than 3 feet on either side of the bed, which limits the space for nightstands and dressers.

Firmness

If you’re cosleeping with your infant or baby, you need a firm mattress to sleep on, as per the American Academy of Pediatrics. But finding the range of different firmness options for an Alaskan King Bed can be difficult. But if you and your partner have a different choice, you can opt for a split king for better sleeping.

Availability

The Alaskan King is a specialty mattress size that is hard to find in retail stores. In most cases, you may need to place an online order, often through a retailer that offers custom sizing for oversized mattresses. Also, finding accessories, such as mattress foundations, sheets, and comforters, can be equally challenging. They need to be custom-made and may require ordering from specialized suppliers.

Mattress Type

If you have a mattress preference, you may find it difficult to get the perfect Alaskan bed mattress. This is because these mattresses are not usually found in retail or convenience stores. Instead, they have to be custom-made, which makes the options limited.

• Foam: Foam is one of the most commonly used materials for mattresses. It offers pressure relief by contouring the body, although it may retain heat.

• Latex: Latex mattresses are rare but known for their breathability and slight bounce. They also offer a cooler and responsive sleep surface.

• Hybrid: Hybrid Alaskan King mattresses combine supportive base layers with comfort materials like foam or latex. It offers a balance of structure and comfort layers.

Transportation

An Alaskan king bed is heavy and weighs more than standard options, which makes it difficult to transport. Though some Alaskan king beds come in two or more pieces for easy movement, it is important to double-check if they fit your door, stairways, hallways, etc.

Price

Bigger mattresses always come with higher price tags. So, you can expect to spend around $3000 at minimum, which may increase with added accessories. Also, some Alaskan King bed costs over $15,000.