Alaskan King vs California King: Which Bed Size is Best for You?

A comfortable and spacious bed is all we need for sound sleep. Whether you sleep alone or co-sleep with kids and pets, a perfect-sized bed provides all the comfort. A king bed is the best option if you want a spacious bed. However, the primary concern for most of the homeowners is to select the right type and style of king bed. There are multiple options for the king bed, which may tend to confuse you, such as the Alaskan king bed and California king bed. In this blog, we discuss Alaskan king beds and California beds, as these are some of the biggest bed sizes available in the market. We also discuss the factors you should consider when choosing between the two.

What is an Alaskan King Bed?

The Alaskan bed has been named after the largest state in the U.S., Alaska. The dimensions of these beds are 108 by 108 inches. Alaskan king beds are perfect for families who want to sleep with kids, pets, and a spouse. This is because the bigger size of the bed gives immense comfort and personal space to accommodate all in one bed. One of the advantages is that there’s no need to buy multiple beds for kids, which helps save money. The other pros and cons are as follows:

Pros of Alaskan Bed

• Alaskan king beds give more space to couples, kids, and pets to sleep together in their own personal space.

• It allows comfortable co-sleeping with kids and pets. It also gives space to sprawl.

• It helps save money because you don’t need multiple beds. One bed is enough for all.

Cons of Alaskan Bed

• Alaskan king beds are not suitable for small size homes. It needs more floor space to fit in. It can’t fit into a standard-size bedroom; hence, it’s not preferred by many homeowners who have limited floor space. The bedroom size should be at least 16 by 16 feet to fit an Alaskan bed.

• It is costly, but the cost gets adjusted as it accommodates pets and kids on one bed, which negates the need to buy more beds.

• Beds, pillows, and other items will cost additionally. Another issue with this bed is that bedding is not readily available. Rather, you will have to get custom-made bedding, which costs more.

• More people are needed to move Alaskan beds from one place to another. The transportation cost is also high. It needs helping hands to shift the bed from one place to another.

What is a California Bed?

California beds are spacious beds, just like Alaskan beds, but smaller than Alaskan beds. The dimensions of the California beds are 84 inches by 72 inches, which makes it suitable for taller people. There are many other pros and cons of these beds, which are discussed below:

Pros of California Beds

• California beds are available at an affordable price, which enables many people to buy them.

• It is easy to find the bedding for California beds. Hence, customization is not required, which helps save money.

• It is a perfect choice for couples because there’s enough space for couples to sleep comfortably.

• It can fit into a standard-size bedroom.

Cons of California Beds

• It cannot accommodate kids and pets, unlike Alaskan beds, so if your kids or pets have a habit of sleeping with you, this is not the bed for your family.

• California beds have more length and less width.

Alaskan King Bed vs California King Bed

Factors to Consider When Choosing Between an Alaskan King Bed and a California King Bed

Dimension of the Bedroom

The room size heavily impacts the decision of selecting the type of bed. It’s important to take the exact measurements of the room before deciding to buy a California or Alaskan king bed. This is because the room should be big enough to accommodate the bed while leaving some space for nightstands, dressers, and wardrobes. Also, ensure there’s enough space left to move around in the room. Free space is essential in the room, especially for claustrophobic (fear of closed space) people. If the room is large, opt for an Alaskan king, and if the room is of standard size, a California king bed is the right choice.

Number of People Sleeping on the Bed

Make an assessment of the number of people who will sleep on the bed. If you have kids and pets who sleep with you, an Alaskan bed is the ideal option, as there’s enough space for all to sleep comfortably.  Whereas California bed is best suited for couples.

Availability of Bedding

When selecting the bed, keep in mind the availability of bedding. This is because, for Alaskan beds, you may have to get bedding customized because bedding is not readily available. On the other hand, for California beds, bedding is readily available in online and offline stores. Customized bedding means higher expense; hence, make the choice accordingly.

Personal Choice

Personal preference is of utmost importance. All other factors are undoubtedly essential, but personal choice is a factor you should never ignore. Prioritize your sleep comfort, the environment you look for, and whether co-sleeping is enjoyable or not. All these factors should be considered.

Budget

Lastly, consider budget as an important factor because irrespective of the room size, availability of bedding, or number of people to sleep on the bed, it all depends on whether it falls within the budget. For example, an Alaskan bed can cost more as compared to a California bed, so check if it falls within the stipulated budget.

The Body Type

The body type also affects the choice of bed. The Alaskan king bed is ideal for tall and even plus-sized couples who need more space to sprawl out. Whereas California beds are suited for tall people who need more legroom. However, California beds are not suitable for plus-sized couples as it is not wide enough.

Ease of Shopping

If your priority is an easy shopping experience, then opt for California King, as it is readily available. Whereas Alaskan beds need to be customized. Even the bedding for Alaskans has to be customized because it’s not readily available in online or offline stores, unlike California beds.

Conclusion

Selecting the bed is a task that needs a balanced approach. There should be a perfect balance between functionality and the aesthetic. The bed should serve a practical function and also look good. Also, consider the factors discussed in this article before concluding to buy the bed.