Buying a mattress should be a moment for celebration, because who doesn’t like to buy new stuff? However, buying a new bed can turn out to be quite a hassle, because people sometimes lack the information that refers to what type of construction and characteristics are best suited for their sleeping habits and body shape/weight.
Today we’re going to go over a mattress model that comes from one of our most favorite brands: Helix. What we love about Helix isn’t necessarily the fact that they make the best mattresses in the world, but the concept around which they’ve built their business: a model that’s looking to understand more about the sleeper before shoving some random bed down their throat.
About Helix
Helix is a mattress brand that makes a statement. That’s because they are looking to deliver a customized bedding experience based on a quiz that can help determine what type of sleeper you are, what your body’s characteristics are, and pair you with the most comfortable mattress in their line-up.
The company may only have been founded in 2015, but Kristian Von Rickenbach, Jerry Lin, and Adam Tishman have strived to create a rapidly-growing brand of mattresses that delivers the quality of sleep people struggle to achieve. Based in New York, the company was born from the desire of three students who found it almost impossible to shop for the right kind of mattress at the time.
What started off as a USA-based company has now expanded its selling network to Canada since January 2016, and now delivers high-quality foam, innerspring, and latex mattresses to anyone who is interested in a tailor sleeping experience.
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Shipping, Unboxing, and Offgassing
All of the Helix mattresses are shipped in a box, which means that the mattresses are compressed and roll-packed. When you remove the mattress from the box, you will have to carefully remove the plastic that covers it, making sure you don’t cut through the mattress with scissors or a box cutter.
After having removed the plastic, simply unfold the mattress, and give it at least 24 hours for it to return to its original size. You may notice a slight off-gassing when you open the mattress, but it’s nothing that won’t fade in maximum one day.
That’s because the mattress is designed using certified foam that doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. Normally, you won’t have to air out your mattress overnight, but it might have that specific foam smell. If you feel the scent is at all bothersome, you can leave the mattress in a well-ventilated room for the night and use it the next day.
Initial Impressions
The Helix Plus is a very sexy mattress. The white cover almost feels like it’s shining when you first look at it. Despite it being made from polyester, the cover has a very smooth feel to it. As a bonus, it’s also quite breathable, which is not always something you expect to get from polyester.
If you want, you can order the UltraCool cover when you make your Helix Plus
purchase. This one is made with phase change material, which is a great feature to have if you’re a hot sleeper and could benefit from a cover that draws heat away from the body.
Construction
One thing is for sure, the Helix Plus is designed for heavy sleepers. It is made with high-density materials and has an additional layer that’s meant to support heavyweight sleepers. If most of the mattresses in the Helix line measure 10 inches in height, this one sports a total of 12 inches.
Going beneath the cover, you will find:
- A layer of Helix’s Dynamic Foam, which has a very latex-like feel, with a nice bounce to it. It is also really great at heart dissipation, contributing to the breathability factor of the mattress.
- A layer of memory foam that’s infused with gel, to further enhance the coolness of the mattress.
- A transition layer that connects the comfort layers and the core of the mattress, made from polyfoam.
- The support of the mattress, which lies in a layer of individually wrapped coils. This layer has a reinforced perimeter made from coils that are more resistant to compression, leading to superior edge support.
- A base layer made from high-density polyfoam.
Features and Benefits
Now that we’ve got your attention with some basic facts about what this mattress can do, let’s learn more about what makes the Plus a good mattress. First of all, it’s one of the few models on the market designed for people who are tall and plus-sized. If all the other Helix mattresses measure 10 inches in height, this one brings forward and extra support layer, bringing the mattress up to a solid 12 inches.
It has a medium to firm feel, despite the fact that it uses memory foam in its upper layers. The foam is designed to be similar to latex, which is one of the most durable and supportive types of materials used to make mattresses. That means that you won’t sink inside the surface of the mattress even if you have some extra pounds.
The hybrid designs of the mattress and the many heat-dissipating measures added make the Plus one of the most breathable mattresses money can buy. It is also a product designed with reinforced edge support, which prevents mattress compression and allows you to enjoy every square inch of the bed’s surface.
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Firmness & Size Options
On a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being the firmest mattress out there, the Helix Plus is about a 7, which makes it a rather firm mattress. That’s exactly how a mattress for heavyweight sleepers should be: with plenty of back support.
As far as sizing is concerned, you can get this mattress is every size ranging from Twin to Cal King. If you want to know specifically what the measurements of each mattress are, you have:
- King: 76 x 80 inches
- California King: 72 x 84 inches
- Queen: 60 x 80 inches
- Full: 54 x 75 inches
- Twin XL: 39 x 80 inches
- Twin: 39 x 75 inches
Heat Transfer
Definitely one of the strongest points about this mattress is its heat retention. That’s because the construction of the mattress was designed in such a way as to think about what cooling elements a bed can have, and added them to the overall design. With the Helix Plus, you get:
- A polyester cover that draws heat away from the body.
- A comfort layer made from latex-like foam, which is excellent as dispersing body heat.
- A contour layer with a gel infusion that absorbs heat and keeps it away from your body.
- A layer of innerspring that leaves plenty of free space for air circulation.
Durability
The first hint that tells you the Helix Plus is built to last is the high-density materials that are used in its construction. Made with 3.75 and 4.0 PCF densities, your mattress will take a VERY long time before it actually starts to sag (which is inevitable at some point, otherwise a mattress would last 50 years).
Normally, we don’t have high expectations when it comes to mattresses made out of foam which, despite their ultimate comfort and great body contouring, eventually takes the shape of your body a little too much and starts sagging immediately. The high density of the foam used in the case of the Plus makes it feel more like a latex mattress and less like foam.
Maintenance, Protection, Care & Warranty
Caring for your mattress the right way is a great means to ensure a longer lifespan. While the cover of your Helix Plus mattress can be spot cleaned, it can’t be removed. That leaves you with two choices: you can either be super careful with spills and stains, or you can buy Helix’s mattress protector, which costs $90 for a Queen-size mattress (the price of the protector will vary depending on the size of your mattress).
Aside from the fact that you get 10 years’ worth of warranty with your Plus mattress, there is also the 100 nights of free sleep trial to look forward to. The concept is very simple: from the moment you get your mattress, you can sleep on it for a maximum of 100 nights before you decide if you want to keep it or ask for a refund. However, Helix does require that you test their mattress for at least 30 nights before making a final decision.
Cost
Despite it having so many quality materials, the Helix Plus is not, by any means, an expensive mattress. Prices start off at $600 for a Twin-sized bed and go all the way up to $1,290 for a California King one. Those interested in buying the standard Queen size will have to pay $1,090.
Helix also offers a financial plan for those who don’t have that kind of money to spend all at once. If you pay for your bed in full within 12 months, you won’t have to pay any extra interest. Their website offers all the details about how you too can be eligible for the Klarna Credit plan.
Reviews and Feedback
The Helix Plus mattress has received plenty of praise from people who decided to give this mattress a chance. People claimed they were skeptical about buying an online mattress but ultimately ended up being really happy with how the shipment turned out.
As far as the actual mattress itself is concerned, buyers have reported that is indeed a high-quality bed. Even people who have returned it because they didn’t feel the mattresses offered enough support for their body weight claimed that they believe the materials are well-chosen, and the mattress is very well built.
Who We Recommend Helix Plus For
One of the most awesome things about the Helix Plusmattress is that it caters to different kinds of sleepers. You might appreciate this mattress if you:
- Tend to sleep very hot, and would like it if your mattress had more than just one measure of keeping you cool throughout the night.
- If you’re a heavyweight sleeper that has tried different mattresses and all of them ended up sagging and not offering support.
- Back sleepers who need a firm mattress to keep their spine aligned.
You may want to read: Purple Mattress vs Helix Sleep: The Pros and Cons
Our Final Verdict
Overall, the Helix Plus is one of the most conveniently-priced and comfortable mattresses for people who are interested in sleeping cool, but also for those who weight a few extra pounds. The additional two-inch layer that’s exclusive to this Helix model is designed to bring extra support to the table.
The mattress is a champion at motion transfer, which means that there will be a minimal disturbance when one sleeping partner tosses and turns, or when they get in and out of bed. The fact that the mattresses use high-density materials is another aspect that vouches for its durability because there will be less sagging in time compared to mattresses made with low-density foam.
The reinforced coils provide excellent edge support, which makes the Plus a mattress with a reinforced perimeter. This translates into less compression when you sit or rollover to the edge of the bed, making this a wise choice for couples who want to enjoy every little square inch of their mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a mattress cover needed?
You can spot clean the cover, but you can’t remove them, so it’s best if you also buy a Helix Mattress Protector.
How does the returns process work?
You are required to use the mattress for at least 30 nights before initiating a return, but no longer than 100 nights. You can contact Helix for a return.
Where can these mattresses be shipped?
Helix will ship the Nightfall mattress in all 50 US states, but also to most of Canada (excluded territories are Nanavut, Yukon and Northwest Territories).
Is the loft adjustable?
The Nightfall mattress sports 12 inches in height, and it has 2 extra inches of loft compared to the standard Helix models that are only 10 inches in height.
What type of sleeper is this mattress best suited for?
The Helix Nightfall is the perfect mattress for people who are overweight, tall, or for those who prefer a firmer mattress that could help keep their spine aligned. It’s construction also makes it suitable for people who sleep hot and experience thermal discomfort at night.