So, you’ve decided that it’s time to replace your mattress – and that a king is the right size for you. After a little research, you also learn about the tons of benefits of adjustable bases. As you browse some mattress and adjustable base options during a casual scouting trip to the local mattress store, the salesperson mentions a split king mattress / split king adjustable bed. Despite the larger price tag, your interest is officially piqued.
Is a split king adjustable bed worth it? What are the pros and cons? Who is a good candidate for a split king, and is a split king mattress a good fit for me? On behalf of our team of mattress experts, we’re glad you asked! Join us for a thoughtful and educational discussion on the pros and cons of split king beds, and whether or not a split king bed is right for you!
[Editor’s Note:Don’t miss our answers to the most common split king questions and concerns, including “What is a split king?” and questions about measurements, sheets, and compatibility.]
Pros & Cons: Is a Split King Adjustable Bed Worth It?
First, let’s start with a quick review of the pros and cons of split king beds to see if a split king is the right fit for you. While it’s true that some of these pros are available with a regular adjustable base, only a split king adjustable bed will provide the full range of benefits below.
Split King Pros:
- Individual adjustment and personalization for both sides of the bed
- Not only can each side be adjusted separately, but you can choose two different mattresses with different feels or comfort levels to accommodate different sleep preferences and positions
- Provides almost complete motion isolation, so your movement won’t disturb your sleep partner
- Lifting the head, feet, or both (in a “zero gravity” setting for instance), can treat a number of health issues and sleep disorders. Benefits range from treatment of snoring and sleep apnea, to better circulation, to reducing GERD and acid reflux symptoms, to spinal decompression and management of neck, back and nerve pain like sciatica
- For those with mobility challenges, adjustable beds make it much easier to get in/out of bed
- Transforms your bed into a more functional space by making it easier and more convenient to sit up and read, watch TV, or work from the comfort of your bed – once again, without disturbing your bedmate
- Will fit inside most existing king beds
Split King Cons:
- It’s true that split king beds are typically more expensive than a regular king mattress and foundation. As a result, a split king adjustable bed is definitely an investment
- With certain mattresses (particularly innerspring mattress designs), split king beds can be very stiff in the center of the bed. The superior edge support of an innerspring mattress can be a serious drawback as it feels like there’s a ridge running down the middle of the mattress. This can be a huge issue if you’re a bed hog or middle-of-the-bed snuggler
- Split kings are not safe or recommended for those who co-sleep with their kids or ideal for those with pets that like to sleep in the middle of the bed
- Customers will need to change out their fitted sheets to be split king compatible (2X twin XL size)
Some Extra Considerations
One perceived drawback is the fear that a split mattress can drift apart and that sleepers can fall into the crack. This is largely due to outdated split mattress designs and customer anxieties. In short, split kings made these days have features to keep the mattress together, which make it nearly impossible to fall between a split mattress. As a result, we do not consider this a true con beyond the fact that we cannot recommend split kings for those sleeping with small children or small pets.
Another thing to consider is whether you’re upgrading to a split king from a full or queen where you slept on one side or another by necessity. If you’re unsure about how much you’ll really use the center of the mattress, think back to a past hotel stay where you had a king mattress. Did you and your spouse keep to your individual sides, or sprawl out into the middle of the bed? Be sure to keep this in mind.
Okay, But Is a Split King Bed a Good Fit for Me?
For most people, we truly believe the pros far outweigh the cons. If you’re one of them, yes, we’d absolutely tell you that a split king adjustable bed is worth it! The ability to personalize your mattress separate from your sleep partner’s – while still having all the health benefits of an adjustable base – can be an absolute game-changer.
However, we understand that most shoppers don’t have an unlimited budget. We also understand that a great many people love sleeping in the middle of the bed. Or they have kids or pets that do. The only instance where we 100% recommend against a split king is when co-sleeping with kids and small pets out of an abundance of caution.
For everyone else concerned with the cons above, the answer is murkier. For instance, most sleepers with foam mattresses don’t tend to notice any extra stiffness in the center of their split king. As long as you make an informed mattress choice, you likely have nothing to worry about.
Lastly, for those with budget concerns, Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet offers flexible, customizable financing for qualified buyers, as well as several other payment and lease-to-own plans. Additionally, we always have a number of closeout mattresses, beds or adjustable bases on hand at our Acworth showroom and Douglasville mattress store. So, don’t be afraid to call us and see what we have available!
Don’t Forget to Claim Your Free Mattress Buyer’s Guide!
For more helpful information to guide you along your mattress discovery journey, don’t miss out on our free, downloadable mattress buyer’s guide. Whether you shop with us or elsewhere, we’d love to help!
Finally, whether you’re convinced a split king adjustable bed is a great fit for you or not, we still have something for you. With six furniture and mattress stores across metro Atlanta and North Georgia, we have one of the widest selections of mattress brands and models in Georgia, including split king beds and adjustable bases from brands like Tempur-Pedic, Sealy, Purple, Nectar, DreamCloud, and Stearns & Foster. See you soon!