How do you begin to sort through the hundreds of different mattress options available today when you’re ready to replace your existing mattress or furnish a new space? It can be a hassle to sort through the various options – springs or foam, latex or cotton, etc. And then there are models that are hybrids. On top of that, you have to concern yourself with your personal sleep habits and needs, as well as the cost of a new mattress. No one wants to spend a fortune unnecessarily.
One way to get a better idea of what’s available is to compare some of the best mattresses you can order side by side to view the difference in particular options and features. For example, if you take a somewhat specialized option and compare it to something that can be slightly customized for a similar purpose, you may find that there’s something lacking in one that the other provides.
Take into consideration the Avocado mattress and the Helix mattress. While at first, they may seem to have little in common, you’ll find that an analysis of their build – especially since they are both hybrid mattresses – reveals similarities while also pinpointing issues that one may resolve for you while the other may not. Take a look at a side by side comparison to see which might be better suited to your needs.
Breakdown of the Avocado Mattress
Construction of the Avocado Mattress
Taking a look at the construction and features of the Avocado mattress can really help you better understand why this particular product comes so highly recommended to so many people, regardless of the type of sleeper you are. Its 13-inch thickness makes it luxurious but doesn’t interfere with using standard sheet sets, which is nice.
Cover
If you’re environmentally conscious, you’ll love that the Avocado mattress is completely green. The natural wool fiber of the cover is imported from New Zealand, and to avoid any chemicals such as glue that compromise the organic nature of the product, the cover is attached securely and beautifully with hand-tufted buttons. The anchors of this work are clearly visible on the bottom of the mattress, and the careful attachment aids in securing all the layers in place. The pillowy softness of this cover is also very breathable, so you stay cooler and dryer, even on the hottest nights of the year.
Wool has natural moisture wicking properties that can help alleviate the effects of night sweats on comfortability. It’s also excellent at dispersing heat in general to create a cooler sleep environment for you overall. This all assists with keeping the area cleaner and more hygienic with fewer washes required as well.
One of the interesting things about organic materials is the ‘unfinished’ appearance, which shows through in the fact that the wool cover isn’t bleached a bright, pristine white. It gives great character and also helps hide any discoloration over time. Still, you should always opt for a mattress protector to keep your investment safe.
Dunlop Latex Layers
Not all latex is created equal, and some, such as Talalay latex, is created with a number of chemicals and additives used in the manufacturing process. This is where the organic nature of the entire Avocado bed comes into play. Instead, this mattress uses only 100% natural Dunlop latex that is eco-INSTITUT certified to be completely chemical free. It’s actually sourced and tapped directly from the latex tree and completely natural. This is the material that makes up the next two layers of the Avocado bed.
These two layers are a total of 4 inches thick, with the top 2 inches being soft and the next 2 inches being of a more medium firmness. Why the difference? The top layer of Dunlop latex is soft to allow some give, so that your body begins to contour the mattress to its shape. It is more responsive than firmer materials and creates that initial comfort when you lie down. The next two inches of medium firmness latex offer the support you need to keep you from sinking in too deeply and causing issues with motion or the ability to stay aligned. The point is to relieve pressure from joints and muscles in the right amounts while also ensuring you have spinal alignment to avoid further pain or health issues, giving you the perfect sleep position, regardless of what direction you sleep.
Unlike some foam and latex mattresses, these two layers in the Avocado mattress help to reduce motion control. Easing into the softer latex and then having the underlying support negates much of the motion transfer that can disturb a sleep partner, so neither of you has to be bothered when the other rolls over or gets up during the night.
Coil Layer
Beneath the latex, you’ll find the 8 inches of coils that make the Avocado mattress a hybrid model. The innerspring unit is comprised of recycled steel, adhering to the environmentally friendly factor. The Premium Quantum Edge® Elite Combi-Zone® unit is created with a reinforced perimeter and has three distinct zones that offer strategic support and comfort that help relieve pressure points and keep you better aligned through the night. Your shoulders and hips receive additional, softer support, with firmer support between in the lumbar region to reduce stress on your back and joints. In addition, the springs are configured so that the mattress retains a great deal of air flow and breathability, continuing in the effort of creating a cool, comfortable sleep space.
The configuration of the coils in the Avocado mattress does a good job of helping to manage daily joint, muscle, and nerve pain and soreness that would otherwise be problematic. While the mattress works best for back and side sleepers, even stomach sleepers can benefit from the construction.
Final Latex Layer
On the bottom of the Avocado mattress, you’ll find one more 1-inch layer of 100% natural Dunlop latex. This layer is a great deal firmer than the top 2 layers you sleep on and is used to pull together the base of the mattress, so you have a smooth, flat finish that is the perfect all around mattress.
Firmness of the Avocado Mattress
On a scale of 1 to 10 (plush to firm), the Avocado mattress ranks fairly high, with a consensus of about 7.5. However, this doesn’t mean that those who prefer a plush mattress should negate it as a good option, especially if you suffer from back or joint pain. The best course of action is to give it a chance and get a feel for the way it sleeps for a few nights, breaking it in and letting your body acclimate to the new experience. You’ll likely find that the firmness assists greatly with your pain and makes you feel ‘taller’ or stronger based on better spinal alignment and relief of pressure points. If you are, however, a true fan of plush beds, this is probably not the mattress for you. However, if you try it for several nights and don’t decide you absolutely love it, the 30-day return policy makes it risk free, so it doesn’t hurt to try, and it may even help.
Feel of an Avocado Mattress
The hybrid nature of the Avocado mattress gives it a little bit of a bounce like a traditional spring mattress but also the comfort of rolling and conforming to your body like memory foam and latex. That can be great for many reasons, especially if you and your sleep partner are looking for a bit of a compromise.
In addition, the firmness of the Avocado mattress has other benefits, including extremely good edge support. That means that, whether you like to cuddle close to your sleep partner or roll so that you hang over the edge, you’ll have a consistent, even surface and never feel like you’re going to roll off the edge of the bed.
Some mattresses just don’t have the structure to support heavier individuals, but that’s not the case with this mattress. With its firm support and well constructed springs and latex hybrid design, it is entirely capable of lasting and performing just as well for heavier individuals, giving it an advantage over the competition.
Even with over 1,100 coils – individually wrapped – in a queen mattress, the Avocado mattress maintains great air flow and breathability. It’s constructed in such a way that every aspect of it leads to a cooler sleep space, meaning you don’t have to worry about overheating or excessive sweating. Even if you don’t stay completely dry through the night, the wool cover helps with moisture wicking to assure you’re still comfortable.
Unique Features – Avocado Mattress
Completely Natural and Organic
Many products on the market make a claim of being all natural or organic. With the Avocado mattress, you get the real deal. The Dunlop latex and wool are all natural, with no chemicals or dyes used that add chemicals, and even the steel used for the coils is recycled to be environmentally friendly. The bed is even constructed by natural means, without the use of glue that adds chemicals, so you can feel certain you aren’t taking any risks or adding to the carbon footprint.
3-Zone Comfort
While some mattresses may have adjustable firmness to relieve pressure, the Avocado mattress already has built in zones that hit the right pressure points with the right amount of support. The coil springs are separated into three zones specifically for your shoulders, back, and hips, so that you are perfectly aligned as you sleep through the night and have better overall health.
Breakdown of the Helix Mattress
Construction of the Helix Mattress
The Helix mattress is a bit of a different animal entirely, since you have the opportunity to have it somewhat customized to your personal needs prior to ordering. The questionnaire takes into consideration feel, support, temperature, and point elasticity to create a more unique design for your needs, meaning that each mattress could be slightly different.
Cover for Mattress
One thing that holds true for all Helix mattress orders is the layers used, starting with a very thin, soft cover that has a subtle pattern of dots. This layer is 100% polyester and remains cool through the night to give you an immediate amount of relief from the gathering of body heat that could interrupt your sleep. The cover has blue side panels that are firmer than the top and offer more protection for your mattress. However, the cover is white on top, so it’s still recommended that you purchase a mattress protector to keep all parts of the bed pristine throughout the lifespan.
Three Layers – Mix and Match
Here is where the Helix mattress gets tricky. There are three basic layers to the mattress but depending on your answers to the questionnaire – which should be as honest as possible so that your mattress is constructed the way you need it to meet your needs – those layers will vary in thickness and order. You’ll have, in some order, a proprietary Helix dynamic foam, pocketed microcoils, and the high-grade poly foam base.
Proprietary Helix Dynamic Foam
What exactly goes into the formula for this layer is, as it states, proprietary, but the company has worked to offer a layer that has the best properties of both latex and memory foam. This layer reacts to your weight much like latex, with a quick bounce back after you remove pressure, and it disburses heat well, keeping you cooler like latex. However, like memory foam, it is ideal for controlling motion transfer, and it contours perfectly to help support your form while you sleep. Of course, this is speaking from a standpoint where this is your top layer. It may be placed differently, depending on your answers to the questions, and thickness can vary, but performance will be the same.
Microcoils
The layer of microcoils is also subject to change position and can be between 2 and 4 inches, depending on your needs. This layer adds pressure point relief and support for spinal alignment, with a sturdier, firmer construction than the proprietary foam. In some cases, this layer will be placed above the foam, very likely depending on the temperature control you require or even the bounce you like in your mattress. Helix doesn’t explain its answers but uses a distinct algorithm to make its determination for you.
Poly Foam Base
The thickness of the base, which is a dense poly foam used as a foundation for the rest of the Helix mattress construction, is also variable, and while it is not explicitly expressed, this seems to be related to the firmness needs of the consumer. This is typically the bottom layer, as it is what the rest of the mattress is built on, and its high quality and reliable in its design, giving the mattress a great starting point.
Firmness of a Helix Mattress
When you complete the sleep quiz that helps determine the configuration of your Helix mattress, you’ll see what recommendation is made for firmness of your mattress. This is a dynamic part of the Helix design, changing with your needs, so there is no way to calculate a particular level of firmness. However, the ratings they give seem to be on par with the typical scale, as a version that was described as ‘slightly firm’ rated about a 6.5 – 7 on the scale of 1 to 10.
Feel of a Helix Mattress
Because ‘feel’ is another component considered for personalization, there are only so many ways to measure it overall for the Helix mattress, since it’s literally determined by the thickness and placement of the middle layers.
However, as a general rule, the Helix mattress easily accommodates sleepers of all kinds, whether, back, side or stomach, without issue. You may find that the edge support on this mattress isn’t as firm as some competitors. If you enjoy sleeping near the edge of the bed or even hanging a limb off the side, you might not be as comfortable on a Helix mattress.
While the dynamic but hybrid design of the Helix mattress does offer a certain amount of bounce like a traditional coil mattress, this doesn’t become a problem with motion transfer. In fact, with the way the bed is constructed, you’d have a hard time ever knowing that your sleep partner had rolled over, much less gotten up and down during the night.
When it comes to temperature control, this is taken into consideration in the quiz you fill out, so you can express if you tend to sleep hot, and the Helix mattress can be adjusted to accommodate your needs. In most cases, it seems that this mattress sleeps quite cool and avoids gathering body heat or exacerbating night sweats.
Unique Features – Helix Mattress
Customization
While a number of manufacturers may offer mattresses in varying levels of firmness, they don’t create a customized mattress order based on particular individual consumer needs. The Helix method of having you complete a questionnaire to customize your sleep experience offers an additional layer of assurance that you’ll fall in love with your mattress and get a better night’s sleep.
Dual Zone or Blended Design
One unique element of the Helix mattress is that, if you have a sleep partner, you can opt to have the two sides of the bed created separately to achieve the perfect sleep for each of you, or you can create a blended design that uses the Helix algorithm to create a perfect compromise of the two needs that works for both of you across the entire mattress. According to the manufacturer, most choose the blended option and are quite pleased with the results but having the choice can make a big difference in overall satisfaction with the results.
Which One to Get?
Avocado Mattress
With the Avocado mattress, you are hard pressed to find another manufacturer that adheres so completely to an environmentally conscious effort, using all organic, natural, and recycled products to build their mattress. In addition, the construction of the mattress itself is unique, with the blend of a slight bounce from traditional mattresses and the ease and comfort of all-natural latex creating a great compromise, as well as offering the perfect contour for spinal alignment and pressure point relief.
You don’t have to worry about sleeping hot, between the natural moisture wicking of the wool top, the heat disbursement of the all-natural latex, and the way the coils are configured to create air flow and breathability through all layers of the mattress. The thickness of the mattress itself, at 13 inches, is luxurious but doesn’t require the hassle of buying specialized sheets with deep pockets. If you’re looking for a firm mattress with excellent support that alleviates a great deal of muscle, nerve, and joint pain, you may pay a small premium for the Avocado mattress but it’s well worth the slightly added expense to make you comfortable.
Helix Mattress
A hybrid built on a foundation of customization to individual consumer needs based on an assessment quiz, the Helix mattress is a great way to compromise between a ready to order mattress and the need to assure that special needs you have are met. You get the slight bounce of a traditional mattress, the contoured support of a memory foam mattress, and the luxurious nature and heat disbursing properties of latex all in one.
The customized configuration keeps in mind the feel you prefer, the firmness you need, and changes the order and thickness of layers to assure you get all the aspects of the perfect bed without you ever having to step foot in a store and test it out. The quality construction is reassuring, and knowing that, if you fail to fall in love with the bed, it’s donated (since it’s a proprietary design just for you that can’t be restocked), both offer reassurance that you’re making a great purchase.
If you’re looking for quality and customization with a price tag you can afford and the ease of ordering online, as well as an option to share or split the design with your sleep partner, you can’t go wrong with the Helix mattress.
Avocado vs Helix Mattress Comparison
| Avocado | Helix | |
|---|---|---|
| Layers Used | 5 layers
|
3 customized layers
|
| Height | 13.5 inches | 10 inches |
| Firmness | Firm | Customizable |
| Motion Transfer | Minimal | Minimal |
| Breathability | High breathability | Average breathability |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10 year full, 25 year limited | 10 year, limited |
| Pricing (Queen) | $1,399.00 USD | $995.00 USD |
| Shipping | Free across the US | Free across the US |
Conclusion
Now that you can see where the Avocado and Helix mattresses are incredibly different in nature, you can be more certain what you need in a mattress and which of these models offers you the most applicable solution to your needs. And those needs are all valid, whatever they are, so you should always look for the best product to match your list of qualifications.
Don’t stop with researching just a few mattresses. Check out all your options and learn the terminology so you better understand descriptions and can pick and choose what you need to make you comfortable. When you find mattresses that are closely aligned with what you’ve pinpointed as essential, try comparing the two to see which is more suitable. Always increase your knowledge as much as possible before making a decision and use side by side reviews like this one to make final decisions. After all, sleep is the most important aspect to health, and if you aren’t sleeping well, you aren’t living well.