Kingsdown Prime Parkman Review

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Kingsdown Prime Parkman	Average
Overall Score	7.70	8.52
Price (Queen)	$1,249	$965 (Coil only)
Cooling – Score	8.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	1.61″	2.16″
Sinkage – Feel	Very Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	7.2	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	11.23 m/s²	8.74 m/s²
Response Time – Score	10	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.3 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	10.97″	9.28″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.2	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.50″	4.04″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	9.0	8.4
Pressure Relief – Score	6.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	2.5″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	12″	12.1″
Off-Gassing – Score	5.6	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	16 days	7 days
Company – Score	7.2	8.6
Trial	100 nights	179 nights
Warranty	10 years	24% have lifetime warranties, average of other 76% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Kingsdown Prime Parkman Different?

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman is a 12″ coil mattress with below-average overall performance score and a price that is more expensive than average.

Advantages

The Kingsdown Prime has a very fast material response time and great edge support, both for sitting and lying. This mattress also has a great sex score, making it a popular choice among couples.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has very minimal sinkage and moderate levels of bounce. Both of these factors are a bit preferential as different sleepers may have different preferences regarding mattress feel.

Disadvantages

The Kingsdown Prime mattress has slightly worse cooling than average and higher levels of heat retention. Motion transfer levels are also high—28% more than average. Pressure relief is significantly lower than average. This mattress only has a 2.5″ comfort layer, while the average comfort layer thickness is is 4.1″.

Off-gassing is also another disadvantage to consider. This mattress takes 16 days to fully off-gas. This is over 2X longer than the 7-day average duration.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has good cooling. During our tests, I felt a slight level of heat retention around my body. The mattress uses a traditional quilted cover that’s 1.5” thick and a 1.0” poly foam layer for comfort.

The foams retained more heat than average and also appear to struggle more with breathability. That said, this level of cooling performance isn’t bad by any stretch, only that it could be better.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 91.1° F. This is 1.3° more than the average of 89.8° F, based on all of our tests to date.

While I wasn’t thrilled to see a higher than average max temp, I was pleased with the 0 to 1 minute temperature decline. After getting off the mattress, the temp declined by 7.1° from minutes 0 to 1, which is 2.5° better than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.6°.

Being that the max temp was higher than average, that temp decline isn’t as impressive as it otherwise would be if the max temp was lower, but it’s still a silver lining to the total cooling dynamic.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is good.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has very minimal sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 1.61″.

This is 0.55″ less sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.16″, based on all of our tests to date. The mattress creates a floating feeling where sleepers lie more “on” the mattress as opposed to sinking down “in” the mattress.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

There is virtually no body contouring and no body hug. Overall, I found the mattress feels incredibly cheap. The foam sounds crunchy, dry, and hard, even from the outside.

This type of a sound is typically only seen on old mattresses near the end of their life. To see it on a brand new mattress is incredibly concerning.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has a moderate level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 11.23 m/s². This is 28% more motion transfer than the average of 8.74 m/s².

This mattress has many design and material factors creating the conditions for higher motion transfer. First, we have only 2.5” of comfort materials. This is considerably less thick than the average comfort layer thickness.

In addition, the foams are highly responsive poly foam that look and feel low quality. Both of these attributes mean we see less energy dispersion. Lastly, bounce is notably higher than average.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.21 seconds. We then see a secondary spike from 0.57 to 0.65 seconds.

Motion remains spiky thereafter and it’s not until 1.30 seconds that we return to near zero levels of energy.

Both the motion intensity and motion duration are considerably worse than average. The thinner than average comfort layer, poly foam, foam quality, high bounce, and firm feel are all contributing to the higher motion.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has an extremely fast material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds, which is 0.23 seconds faster than the average of 0.43 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.3 seconds, which is 0.67 seconds faster than the average of 0.97 seconds. This is tied for 1st with a number of other highly responsive mattresses we’ve tested.

The combination of firm feel, minimal sinkage, limited foam, and only poly foam comfort layers, creates the right material conditions to create essentially instant material responsiveness. The fast response speed ensures you’ll never feel stuck in the mattress and it’s easy to move around on.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.97″. This is 1.69″ more bounce than the average of 9.28″, based on all of our tests to date.

When we consider the material design of the Prime Parkman, it’s easy to see why we have such a high level of bounce. This 12.0” mattress includes only 2.5” of comfort materials that sit atop a 7.5” pocketed coil base.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

The limited foam means there is less material capable of slowing down the high degree of bounce generated by the coil layer.

When you combine these factors with the firm feel and minimal sinkage, it’s able to easily deliver a higher than average level of bounce. The high bounce is great for ease of movement and sex performance, but it’s also a significant reason for the higher motion transfer.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has excellent sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.50″. This is 0.54″ less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.04″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

Lying edge support was equally as impressive. While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was excellent in all sleeping positions.

The Prime Parkman sitting and lying edge support performance benefits greatly from a combination of the firm feel and minimal sinkage created by the mattress at large.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

These performance attributes both work to create a more supportive mattress in general. In addition, the mattress is equipped with one row of reinforced coils that run along the entire perimeter of the mattress.

Those coils, in addition to the firm feel and limited sinkage, are helping to create fantastic edge support for both sitting and lying.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has excellent sex performance. On the positive side, bounce is very high, edge support is excellent, and cooling is good enough. Bounce and edge support are by far the two most critical factors to help enhance amorous activities.

The firmer feel and limited sinkage on the Prime Parkman create a high degree of support and pushback, which helps to enable a higher than average level of bounce.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.4	Very High
Edge Support	20%	9.4	Excellent
Noise	5%	6.0	High
Pressure Relief	5%	6.0	Mediocre
Cooling	5%	8.0	Good

In addition, these same performance attributes, in combination with the reinforced edge support coils, create robust edge support. On the negative side, pressure relief is mediocre and noise is high.

Weirdly, the foam layers on the Kingsdown simply create a higher degree of noise. If you’re inclined to have a more surreptitious dance without pants, this increased noise could be problematic.

All that said, and despite its shortcomings with respect to noise and pressure relief, the Kingsdown still earns an excellent sex score overall in large part due to the high bounce and robust edge support.

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has a mediocre level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt notable pressure points on my body. More generally speaking, I found the mattress to not be particularly comfortable.

The mattress is equipped with 2.5″ of comfort material, which is 1.64″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.14″, based on all of our tests to date.

The foams look and feel lower quality. In addition, the foams sound crunchy, which is usually something you don’t see in foams until they are near the end of their life.

As foams dry out, they get more crunchy sounding, which also typically accompanies a decreased comfort and pressure relief. The fact that these foams already sound this crunchy and dried out is incredibly concerning.

The pressure relief experience on the mattress is simply incredibly disappointing. Mattresses that are firm and have more of a floating feel can absolutely create good pressure relief. However, it’s considerably harder to create that balanced combination.

In my view, the Prime Parkman fails to deliver adequate pressure relief through a combination of poor material quality and poor comfort design. When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be mediocre.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.14	0.72

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.10	0.50

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.10	1.10

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 16 days.

This is 9.5 days longer than the average smell duration of 6.5 days. For sleepers who are sensitive to strong smells, this may be a bigger factor than others.

Kingsdown mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and 10-year warranty. Shipping is free, but if you end up wanting to return the mattress, returns cost $150, which is deducted from your refund.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	10%	8.0	10 years
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	6.0	$150
Trust	50%	7.0	Fair
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Most of these company terms are pretty weak, honestly. The trial is 79 nights shorter than average and the warranty is shorter as well. Among 96 brands tested to date, 75% of them provide an average of a 13-year warranty. And the other 25% offer lifetime warranties for their products.

Lastly, let’s talk returns. At $150, this is the second-highest return fee we’ve seen (only surpassed by Tempurpedic and Sealy at a whopping $175 fee.)

Comparing 311 mattresses tested to date, 82.6% of those mattresses offer free returns. Of the 54 cited mattresses that charge for returns, 46 mattresses had return fees of under $100.

The Kingdown Prime Parkman has a firm feel, 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

As mentioned above, we measured very minimal sinkage and minimal body contour. If you’re looking for anything south of a firm feel, the Parkman isn’t for you.

Support on the Kingsdown Prime Parkman is fair. During our tests, I felt that the mattress had plenty of support. However, I also felt that the mattress significantly lacked sufficient pressure relief.

For a mattress to feel supportive, it needs to create both adequate comfort and support. The lack of comfort and pressure relief on the Kingsdown means I couldn’t comfortably lie in the same position for any extended period of time.

As we discuss in our pressure relief tests, the combination of poor material quality, firm feel, and minimal sinkage creates less than great comfort, which has a negative impact on the total support dynamic.

The mattress is equipped with a 9.5″ support layer. This is 1.62″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.88″, based on all of our tests to date. Ultimately, the firmness of the mattress is the greatest limiting factor on whether you’ll feel well supported.

With a firm feel, this mattress is best suited to back and stomach sleepers and not a good fit for most side sleepers.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Back Sleepers
Under 150 lbs.	Maybe	No	Maybe
150-250 lbs.	Yes	No	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	No	Yes

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident most sleepers will find support on the Kingsdown Prime Parkman is fair.

Design

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman is a 12″ coil mattress with a firm feel. It’s designed at a price point that is slightly above average. Although the performance struggles in many areas, not all design aspects of the Prime Parkman are bad.

Materials

There are four layers that make up the Kingsdown Prime Parkman, including a mix of foam and pocketed coils. From top to bottom, the layers are listed below:

• 1.5” quilted cover
• 1.0” poly foam
• 7.5” pocketed coils
• 2.0” support foam

The Cover

The Kingsdown Prime Parkman has a 1.5″ quilted cover. According to the manufacturer, it’s a cooling cover, but as we saw in the cooling tests, we didn’t see better cooling performance because of the cover.

The cover did not have any type of notable cooling feel during our tests.

The sides are basic and don’t include handles. With a mattress at this price point, I would have liked to have seen a little more advanced design.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is 1.0″ thick and extremely basic. For reference, the average comfort layer is 4.1″ thick.

Including the 1.5″ quilter cover, the Kingsdown is still only 2.5″ thick. This is still nearly 40% thinner than average and really contributes to the poor pressure relief of this mattress.

The Support Layer

The support layer includes a 7.5” layer of pocketed coils, with reinforced coils at the edges for better support. At the very base, there is a 2.0” support foam that acts as the foundational support for the mattress.

Product Evolution

While it’s hard to find the exact launch date of the Kingsdown Prime Parkman, I can say, there are visible records of the mattress in 2024. It appears to be a newer mattress, with no notable changes made to the mattress since the time it was launched and now.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Kingsdown Prime Parkman is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated mattresses for other firm alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Kingsdown Prime Parkman mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.