In a world where mattress shopping has become a nightmare because there are so many products to choose from, we need all the help we can get. You literally need dozens of hours of research and product comparison before you can truly narrow down your options to the top five most appealing mattresses. Even more, you need a deeper understanding of your sleeping habits, your pressure points, comfort, edge support, contouring, firmness, feel… So much to learn about, so little time.
A Closer Look
At first, there was the coil mattress. Then, we created memory foam and latex. Later on, coils mattresses became well-improved, that we now have innerspring units. And then, there was the hybrid mattress, a true wonder in its industry. Bringing out the best of multiple worlds, the hybrid mattress is a combination of all the qualities you want to see in a mattress, provided that the manufacturer understands which piece of this puzzle goes where. The more compatible these pieces are, the better the mattress is going to be.
Today, we’ve uncovered two of the best hybrid mattresses on the market. The DreamCloud can be described as “affordable luxury”. It’s a 15-inch beast that combines a coil system with different types of foam, and even a little bit of latex. The Helix mattress, on the other hand, has decided to take the mattress shopping experience and assistance to a whole new level. The minute you decide to browse their mattresses, you are invited to an online quiz, looking to gather information about your sleep. With this information, Helix can tell you exactly which of their mattress best suits your style, and that of your sleeping partner.
A Breakdown of the DreamCloud Mattress
Construction
Top Cover – Cashmere & Polyester Blend
There’s something very amazing about the construction of the DreamCloud mattress cover. The fine fibers contribute towards enhancing the comfort and the quality feel, which is noticeable the minute you lay your hand on it. Made through a thorough hand tufting process, the cover takes about two hours to stitch. Here’s the thing: when you purchase a mattress that has at least one fine detail as this one, it automatically adds more value to the product, and makes the sleeper feel like they’re part of an elite group of people who own a bed with such details.
First Layer – Three Layers of Thin Foam
Since the comfort zone of the DreamCloud mattress is a trio of three very fine layers that make way more sense when presented together, we’ve considered them as a single unit, for the sake of the argument. So, right underneath the cover, we have a combination of foam and latex, created to provide the best comfort for the sleeper. First, there’s a layer of gel-infused memory foam, added for extra breathability, which is great if you sleep hot. Then, there’s a layer of quilted memory foam, for added support. Last, but not least, this section has a layer of latex, adding cushioning and bounce.
Second Layer – Supporting Memory Foam
Between the comfort layer and the core of the mattress, every good bed will insert a transition layer. The DreamCloud mattress, on the other hand, has something a bit different in mind as far as the transition is concerned. Its layer is actually made from two separate ones. So, under the bouncy latex we spoke of earlier, lies some high-density memory foam, followed by another block of soft foam. These two are combined to do more than just transition between the coils and the comfort layer: they strengthen the support system of the mattress, making it easier to serve multiple sleeping positions.
Third Layer – Pocketed Coils with Edge Support
Since the DreamCloud is a hybrid mattress with an innerspring layer, we have to talk about how this benefits the construction of the mattress. The innerspring layer of the DreamCloud mattress is composed of several BestRest coils. They are divided into five support zones (this feature is later explained in this article), meaning they provide customized support, tailored for individual body parts. The coil system of this mattress manages to balance comfort and durability.
Fourth Layer – High-Density Polyfoam
Every good coil mattress has a solid foundation layer to protect the bed. It prevents the coils from ever touching the bed’s foundation, even after years of wear and tear, or under great pressure. The base layer of the DreamCloud mattress is made from high-density poly foam, so there’s nothing unusual to report. It’s pretty much what you’d expect from a product of this caliber.
Firmness
Because of how this mattress is constructed, it definitely falls into the medium firm category. On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 representing the firmest mattresses on the market, the DreamCloud mattress is about a 7.5.
Feel
We always feel obliged to mention that the firmness of the mattress relies heavily on how much you weight and what your favorite sleeping position is. Heavyweight people that sleep on the side will surely feel the DreamCloud mattress differently compared to lightweight people that sleep on their backs,
If you’re a back sleeper, the first thing you are going to notice is how the DreamCloud spreads the entire weight of your body across its surface. There’s the quality quilted cover that combines with the comfort system below, to take the shape of your body, but not too much as you make you sink into the mattress. Because it’s a pretty firm mattress, you will notice there’s a lot of lumbar support and very little pressure.
Rolling over to the side, you will begin to notice a little bit of pressure at the shoulders and hips. This is natural, considering that the mattress is pretty firm indeed. Even of the comfort and support layers do provide contouring, the mattress feels a bit too firm for side sleeping. Last, there’s the stomach position, which is considered the unhealthiest one of all. Because of its firmness, the DreamCloud is also a great choice for stomach sleepers, as this position typically implies that a lot of support is needed in the hips region, to prevent the spine from bending inwards and the sleeper exposing himself to back pains.
Unique Features
Five-Zoned Coils
One of the things that make the DreamCloud mattress stand out of the crowd is how its support system was designed. The surface of the mattress has created different support levels for five key body areas because our body parts need a different kind of support. This is done through the coil layer.
In not so many words, the mattress offers separate support for the heads, shoulders, hips, knees, and lower leg areas of your body. It’s natural for different parts of the body to weight differently, and create different kinds of pressure points where they press heavily against the mattress. This feature is best for people who carry a lot of weight, as lightweight sleepers most likely won’t feel any difference.
A Breakdown of the Helix Mattress
Construction
The construction presented below is the general outline for a Helix mattress. However, note that the construction and individual composition of the layers may vary a bit. That’s because, as you will soon find out, Helix sells its mattress in almost every firmness option possible, catering to the needs of a lot of sleepers.
Top Cover – Breathable Polyester Fabric
The cover of the Helix mattress is pretty uncommon to the industry. It can be removed for easy cleaning, but when you do so, you will notice an additional cover underneath the first one.
These two covers create a more comfortable sleeping environment, being more breathable. In addition, you can also choose Helix’s Ultra Cool Cover, made with phase changing material.
First Layer – Contouring Memory Foam
The comfort layer of Helix mattresses relies heavily on the firmness level chosen. If your sleep quiz shows that you need a softer mattress, the comfort layer of your Helix will adapt to your needs.
Second Layer – Transitional Polyfoam
As with every good mattress, the Helix has a transition layer between the comfort above and the coils below. Again, the firmness of this foam will depend on the results you get from your sleeping quiz.
Third Layer – Tiny Pocketed Coil System
The core of a Helix mattress is made with small pocketed coils. As you may know by now, this innerspring system has the benefit of support, combined with breathability and durability. The perimeter of this layer has been reinforced, in order to maximize edge support and allow the sleeper to move closer to the edge of the mattress without feeling too much compression.
Fourth Layer – High-Grade Polyfoam Base
The base of the Helix mattress is made with high-grade polyfoam, but the density will vary depending on the firmness level that fits you as you answered the initial sleeping quiz. Opting for a firmer mattress will automatically result in a thicker and denser base layer.
Firmness
The firmness of a Helix mattress is giving us a lot to talk about. That’s mostly because the mattress is precise as soft or as firm as you want it to be. Thanks to their sleep-habits quiz, Helix can determine which configuration is best for you and then recommend the best mattress to match your sleeping needs.
You have nine different firmness options to choose from, so we’re going to briefly go over the firmness and feel of each one in the subsection below.
Feel
Talking about the Helix mattress feel at this point feels pretty pointless because when you are allowed to have a mattress made exactly for your sleeping habits, it’s bound to feel great. Because they offer so many options for side sleepers, the Helix has little pressure points noticeable in this particular position.
As mentioned above, there are nine different mattress options, and here’s what you should know about each of them:
- Helix Sunset is great for side sleepers, with a soft feel.
- Helix Moonlight supports all sleeping positions but has a soft feel to it.
- Helix Midnight has a medium feel, and it provides good relief for side sleepers.
- Helix Dusk is similar to Midnight, but with good body contouring for all positions.
- Helix Twilight is a firm choice, with support for side sleepers.
- Helix Dawn is similar to Twilight, but with support for all sleeping positions.
- Helix Nightfall is the best option for people who weight more or are taller, with a medium feel and contouring for all sleeping positions.
- Helix Dual Balanced is firm on the side and soft on the other, being a good option for side sleepers.
- Helix Dual Extra is similar to the Dual Balanced model, only it supports all sleeping positions.
Unique Features
Mattress Customization
The greatest thing about the Helix brand is mattress is the fact that you can actually customize your bed. Even more, you get a lot of help in doing so. By answering a series of questions related to yourself, your sleeping habits and those of your partner, you will be advised on which mattress is the best choice for your particular situation. This is actually a very hassle-free option because having so many models to choose from is confusing to a lot of people.
Which to Choose?
The DreamCloud Mattress
If you’re a big fan of sleeping on your stomach, it’s pretty clear that the DreamCloud is going to make sure you don’t wake up with lower back pains. Because it pushes your hips upwards, it forced the spine to rest in its natural position. But it’s also a great option for back sleepers, especially because of its five different support zones. In other words, the mattress knows that your body parts have different weight and needs, and supports them individually.
The DreamCloud mattress is also the kind of product that feels luxurious but has an average cost. The hand-tufted cover is exquisite, not just because of the fine fibers and superior construction, but also because of its an of craftsmanship. The product is one of the best hybrid mattresses we’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing, as it combines the durability of the coil, the comfort of memory foam, and the bounciness and superior support of latex.
The Helix
Oh boy, there’s a lot to conclude here. It safe to say that Helix has a mattress in store for just any type of sleeper. Since you have the initial quiz that helps the manufacturer determine which configuration is best for you, you’re bound to find the right mattress in no time. You basically get to decide your firmness level, but there are way more benefits to a Helix mattress.
If you share your bed with a partner that would prefer a different firmness level to yours, you can opt for the dual-sided model, where one side of the bed is formed, while the other one is soft. This is a very ingenious move, as there are plenty of situations where the partners have to compromise to get a mattress right in between the firmness levels they individually prefer. Finding the perfect mattress is very hard, but Helix has made a lot of efforts to come close.
Dreamcloud Mattress Vs Helix Mattress Comparison
| The DreamCloud Mattress | The Helix Mattress | |
|---|---|---|
| Layers Used |
|
|
| Height | 15 inches | 10 inches |
| Firmness | Firm | Available in the firm, medium & soft |
| Motion Transfer | Good | Good |
| Breathability | Good | Good (especially with the Ultra Cool cover) |
| Trial Period | 365 nights | 100 Night Sleep Trial |
| Warranty | DreamCloud’s Everlong lifetime warranty | 10 Year Warranty |
| Pricing (Queen) | $1,399 | $920 |
| Shipping | Free shipping and free returns in the US. | Free shipping for the USA. $250 shipping fees for Canada. |
Bottom Line
One thing’s for sure: we’re glad we don’t have to make this choice for you. Both the DreamCloud and Helix mattresses are great examples of how a hybrid mattress can turn bedtime into Heaven. DreamCloud excels at providing excellent support for back sleepers, with five different zones tailored to the needs of our individual body parts. It’s a firm mattress that bound to please even the heaviest sleepers, because of how it cradles the body, without allowing it to sink too much into its superior layers.
The Helix brand is all about understanding exactly what you need and meeting you halfway. Thanks to the sleep quiz, their system will determine which is the option most compatible with your height, weight, sleeping positions, and those of your sleeping partner. No one can deny the fact that this is a great idea, as it helps people who have never shopped for a newer mattress, choose from a multitude of options.