Helix is a popular online mattress company with a range of models designed to accommodate the varying needs of different sleep styles. It makes sense in theory — most side sleepers benefit from a little more luxe cushioning than the average stomach sleeper, for example — but how does it hold up in practice? The Mattress Clarity team of sleep experts evaluated the Helix Dawn, a hybrid mattress marketed to back and stomach sleepers, to see if it does the job.
We’ve tested over 500 mattresses in the seven years our site has been up and running, and in that time, we’ve helped more than 40,000 people find the best mattress for their sleep style. We used that expertise and experience to carefully assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Helix Dawn so we can make definitive recommendations about the kinds of sleepers who might find it supportive and comfortable.
During testing, we found the Dawn to have a slightly firmer feel. But in a surprising twist, we also found it to be a little more comfortable for side sleeping than for back and stomach sleeping. Of course, this didn’t apply to all types of side sleepers. Keep reading to see what else we learned about the Dawn’s performance and that of other Helix models in this Helix mattress review.
Note: For our testing, we looked at two versions of the Helix Dawn: one from 2024, and one from 2025. The key difference between the two was the cover, which has a slightly tufted surface on the later model. The feel and general construction of the two beds were otherwise the same.
The Helix Dawn Hybrid is a firm, supportive mattress designed for back and stomach sleepers who like a cooler sleep surface with minimal sink in. Learn more in our video review.
Helix Dawn Mattress Performance: My Overall Rating
The Mattress Clarity testing methodology is designed to assess everything from construction and materials, to firmness level and feel, to performance and the overall buying experience. At the end of it all, the Dawn earned 4.0/5 stars. The 11.5-inch hybrid mattress performed as well as possible for responsiveness and impressed us with its edge support, but it fell quite short in motion isolation.
Combination sleepers, particularly those who sleep solo, are likely to find the Dawn a great fit. But anyone who shares their bed with a partner or pet may want to steer clear to avoid nighttime disruptions caused by its high motion transfer.
Hover over the test categories below for more detailed information, and scroll down to learn exactly how the Dawn Helix performed.
I Recommend the Helix Dawn For…
- Combination sleepers – There’s little to no sinkage on this hybrid, so it’s really easy to move from one position to another without feeling stuck. If you spend the night changing position, the Dawn could be a great fit.
- People with mobility issues – The sides of this mattress are nicely reinforced and make you feel really stable, and the bed as a whole has plenty of spring to assist you from seated to standing.
- Light and heavyweight back sleepers – While we found side sleeping most comfortable for the average-weight group, the Dawn has the right amount of firmness for both light and heavyweight back sleepers. The former group gets plenty of hip elevation, while the latter group likewise gains a nice amount of spinal alignment.
I Don’t Recommend the Helix Dawn For…
- Those in need of motion isolation – Movement ripples across the entire mattress, so light sleepers who share a bed will likely find themselves jostled awake all night long.
- Hot sleepers – While it is a hybrid, the base model has no cooling upgrades. People who regularly overheat at night should take note.
- People who are sensitive to scent – While we expected some degree of off-gassing from this bed-in-a-box, we found the odor really unpleasant.
How Firm is the Helix Dawn Mattress?
According to Helix, the Dawn Mattress is best suited to back and stomach sleepers and has a firmness rating of 8/10. The mattress industry uses a firmness scale from 1 to 10, with 1 indicating extreme softness and 10 indicating extreme firmness. We use the same firmness scale, but find it open to interpretation since body weight and sleep style both influence how soft or firm a particular mattress feels. Learn more with the Mattress Clarity firmness guide.
Mattress Clarity tester Kate Meier found the Dawn quite firm, though not as firm as advertised. She gave it a 7/10, or just above a medium-firm feel, when she tested it on her side and noted pretty decent contouring around the hips and shoulders. “I felt really well supported by the comfort layer, only noticing some slight sinking in my hips while I was on my side,” she said. Her take on firmness was the same when she moved to her back, but she wasn’t as comfortable. “I didn’t feel my lower back was as supported as I’d like for sleeping on my back,” she said. “I could feel some slight pressure in my lower back, and I think it’s because I don’t have enough contouring and support in the lumbar region.”
Kate had high hopes for the Helix mattress when she flipped to her stomach. “I thought this was going to be great for sleeping on my stomach, but it doesn’t feel as firm and supportive in my hips as I would have liked it to be,” she reported. “I could feel my hips sink too much when I was on my stomach, which created a strain in my lower back and poor spinal alignment. I wouldn’t recommend this for stomach sleepers.” She gave the Dawn a firmness score of 6.5/10 in this position.
How Well Did the Helix Dawn Perform?
Comparisons can help put individual scores into perspective. Here’s how the Helix Dawn performed compared to average scores from all the mattresses we’ve tested.
| Test | Performance | Average |
| Firmness | 7/10 – Firm | 6.7/10 – Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Good | Good |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Unpleasant | Good |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Unpleasant | Good |
| Pressure Relief | 3/5 | 3.9 |
| Edge Support | 4.6/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 3.5/5 | 3.8 |
| Motion Isolation | 2.7/5 | 3.9 |
| Response | 5/5 | 4.3 |
| Sinkage Depth | 2.5” | 3.12” |
| Sinkage Rating | Light | Moderate |
| Bounce Height | 19” | 17.89” |
| Bounce Rating | High | Moderate |
| Noise | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Sex | 4.5/5 | 4.3 |
| Trial Period | 3.5/5 | 4.2 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
| Unboxing & Moving | 3/5 | 4.3 |
How Does the Helix Dawn Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
Two sleepers can have a very different interpretation of the same mattress, and that’s often because they have different body types or sleep styles. We asked Mattress Clarity from varying weight classes to evaluate the Helix Dawn on their sides, stomachs, and backs.
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Unpleasant | Good | Good |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Good | Unpleasant | Unpleasant |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Good | Good |
Heavyweight Tester – Over 230 lbs
“This is a firm mattress, so I’m not sinking in, and I do feel pretty well-aligned,” said Matt Schickling.
Average-weight Tester – 130 to 230 lbs
“I felt really supported by both the comfort layer and support layer on my side,” said Kate Meier. “On my stomach, I didn’t feel as aligned.”
Lightweight Tester – Under 130 lbs
“Overall I feel pretty good on my back and the mattress is confirming to my body, causing good spinal alignment,” said our lightweight tester.
Helix Dawn In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
When you spend hours on a mattress, it absorbs pressure from different parts of your body. When the mattress does this well, it keeps joint and back pain at bay. But poor pressure relief actively contributes to aches and pains, which can directly interfere with a good night’s sleep. Again, this is a mattress feature that’s influenced by body weight and sleeping position. For the most well-rounded assessment of the Helix Dawn’s pressure point relief, we collected data from testers in all three weight classes. Overall, the mattress scored 3/5 in this category.
Our lightweight tester found the Helix mattress just a touch too firm on her side, which led to pressure in her shoulder. But on her back, she found more comfortable alignment.
Matt Schickling, one of our heavyweight sleepers, had a similar experience. “I have some pressure buildup in my shoulder and arm on the side I’m lying on,” he said. “I wouldn’t call it extreme or uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t recommend this for a heavy side sleeper.” On his back, he found the Helix Dawn a better fit. Matt says that’s typical of this type of firmer mattress, even when it isn’t specifically designed for heavy or plus-size sleepers. (These sleepers might want to check out the Helix Plus.) “This is a firm mattress, so I’m not sinking in, and I do feel pretty well-aligned,” he added.
Our medium-weight tester also did better on her back than her side. She found the Dawn far too firm when she tested it on her side and noted pressure throughout her entire body, most notably from her hips to her knee but also in the shoulder and chest. It was a little better on her back, and she found it more supportive in the shoulders and hips than she did in the low back. “It feels like there isn’t enough support in the middle,” she said.
Edge Support
Edge support is a reference to how stable a mattress feels along the sides compared to the center. Hybrid mattresses have a coil layer, so they tend to perform better in this category than their all-foam counterparts. Mattress Clarity tester Kate was impressed by the Dawn’s high-quality edge support along its sides, but not at the foot of the bed. That’s because the mattress has heavier-gauge pocketed coils on either side, not around the entire perimeter of the mattress. Kate scored the Dawn 4/5 for its edge support on the sides, but 2/5 for support at the foot of the bed.
“I’m short-ish (5′ 4″) and my feet don’t usually touch the ground doing edge tests,” said Kate. “They don’t touch the ground with this mattress, either, but I don’t feel like I’m slipping off the edge at all. There is enough sinkage to feel stable, but not so much that you get trapped.” But it was a different story when she sat at the end of the bed — and nearly fell off.
Beyond this subjective test, we also assessed edge support by stacking weighted plates on the side of the mattress and measuring the amount of sinkage. Our weight stacks represent different weight classes (light, medium, and heavy). The lightest stack sank 1.5 inches, the medium stack sank 2.5 inches, and the heavy stack sank 3 inches. That’s very minimal, indicating great edge support and earning the Dawn 5/5 stars across the board.
Cooling
Temperature regulation plays a big role in restful sleep, and a mattress can be a contributing factor—both positively and negatively. While hybrid mattresses promote airflow better than strictly memory foam mattresses because of the spacing of their pocketed coils, the Dawn doesn’t have any other cooling features. We gave it 3/5 after an objective measurement and a subjective assessment.
Kate Meier used a temperature gun to take an initial read of the Helix Dawn. Then she lay on it for seven minutes and tested it a second time. The mattress increased in temperature from 69.3 degrees to 78.6 degrees. The 9.3-degree change isn’t great, earning the bed a score of 3.5/5 stars.
“The fabric in the comfort layer of this Helix mattress is an indication that it’s not going to be great for cooling,” Kate said. While she says she wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable, it was clear to her that the Dawn didn’t feel as cool as other mattresses. She didn’t feel the bed directly heating up when she rested on it, but she could feel a temperature difference with her hand when she compared the spot she was lying on with the other side of the bed. For that reason, we’d advise hot sleepers to consider upgrading to the GlacioTex cooling cover or research hybrid mattresses with more cooling features.
Motion Isolation
Certain materials and constructions can make a mattress great at isolating movement—or pretty terrible. The Helix Dawn is part of the latter group. For couples, that can pose a big issue, especially if one of you is a light sleeper sensitive to motion transfer and the other prone to tossing and turning. This is where the Helix Dawn got its worst score, earning 2.7/5 stars.
Kate Meier conducted our first test. She placed a glass of water on one side of the bed and then got in and out of bed on the other side. “The glass itself moved significantly and the water had some ‘good legs,’ as they say in wine tasting,” she said. “It never spilled over the side, but there was aggressive movement when I got in the bed. It wasn’t quite as volatile when I got out.”
In the second test, she assessed the water glass as she switched sleeping positions from her back to her side. “I moved around a lot, and even with gentle movements, the glass and water rocked significantly,” she reported. “No water spilled out of the side, but the water was certainly scaling the walls of the glass like it wanted to get out of there.”
For the third test, another tester replaced the glass of water. Kate stayed on her side, eyes covered, and assessed the level of disturbance as her partner climbed in and out of bed and rolled around on the comfort layer. “You can feel a lot of motion transfer and just about every movement your partner makes on this bed,” she said. “Some movements, like getting in the bed, were more noticeable and caused more disruption than others. If you’re a light sleeper with a partner, you’ll probably wake up.”
Response
The response time in a mattress is a reference to how quickly the materials return to their original shape after the release of pressure. A quick response time is really important for combination sleepers because it keeps them from feeling stuck in the bed, which can be enough to disrupt their sleep. The Helix Dawn got a full 5/5 stars for responsiveness, so we think it’s a great fit for anyone who falls asleep in one position only to wake up in another.
Kate conducted the switch test, which is exactly what it sounds like—assessing how easily she was able to switch from her back to her side to her stomach and back again. “It’s incredibly easy to move from position to position on the bed’s ‘luxe response foam,’” she said. “There isn’t any one position where you significantly sink into the bed. This is definitely a bed where you’re ‘on’ it and not ‘in’ it. It’s also a pretty responsive bed, so you never feel stuck in one position and can easily move between them.”
Sinkage: Light
Tester Sosha Lewis assessed the Dawn’s sinkage with a 53-pound kettlebell. She placed it on the center of the bed and used a ruler to measure how far it sank. At 2.5 inches, it qualifies as light sinkage. That means most sleepers won’t experience deep contouring, but more of an uplifted sensation.
Bounce: High
The support coils in hybrid mattresses usually mean pretty good bounce, and that was the case here. Sosha dropped a weighted medicine ball from six feet up onto the Helix Dawn, then used a measuring stick to see how high it bounced. It soared a full 19 inches, which is really high. It’s another indication of the Dawn’s excellent bounce and why it’s so well suited to combination sleepers.
Noise
The Helix Dawn was a little noisier than we expected, but didn’t score poorly here. Our average-weight tester bounced up and down on the bed and pressed firmly into its top layers, and she heard a few different sounds in the process. “The mattress made a little crumpling noise as well as an air release noise when compressing the memory foam,” she said. On the other hand, she said these sounds were subtle. She gave the mattress 4/5 stars.
Sex
We average responsiveness, edge support, and noise scores to get a score for sex. The Helix Dawn did well with 4.5/5 stars. The best mattress for sex usually responds quickly, which makes it easy for partners to move around, and it has stable edges in case sexual activities move you away from the center of the bed. To avoid waking the neighbors, a good noise score is also important. The Dawn earned high scores in all of these categories, so we think it performs well in this category.
Adjustable Base Compatibility
Adjustable bases are popular, so we make a point of testing compatibility at our Mattress Clarity testing studio. The Helix Dawn fared reasonably well, with 3/5 stars. When we moved the base into different positions, the mattress didn’t conform well on its own, but it did better when it had the weight of a person on it. Still, there was minor gapping between the mattress and the base. The cover and uppermost layers are flexible enough to avoid scrunching, which keeps it pretty comfortable.
Helix Dawn Customer Experience Scores
So, what’s it like buying one of Helix models sight unseen? Here’s what you can expect from the company.
Trial Period
Helix’s website promises a 100-night sleep trial for its mattresses, which is pretty standard in the industry. It’s not as generous as 365 nights, which is offered by certain competitors, but it still gives you a little over three months to decide whether it’s the best mattress for your needs. That’s why we gave the Dawn 3.5/5 stars.
Warranty
The Helix Dawn has a limited lifetime warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship. But it sounds a little better than it really is. For the first 10 years, the company will repair or replace defective mattresses at no cost. After that timeframe, you won’t get a full refund—replacements come with a prorated charge that depends on the year in which the mattress is replaced. Still, we gave the mattress 4.5/5 stars for its warranty.
Unboxing and Moving
The Helix Dawn comes compressed and rolled inside a box. It’s compact, but a little unwieldy given its weight. “The box was easily over 100 pounds, so you would have to be willing to move that around yourself,” said our in-house tester. We gave the mattress 3/5 stars for this.
Off-gassing
It’s typical for bed-in-a-box mattresses with foam layers to off-gas, or emit a chemical odor. But our lightweight tester found this one pretty off-putting. “It has a very strong plastic chemical smell, which is normal with off-gassing, but there’s almost an undertone of a gasoline kind of smell,” she said. “I am used to mattresses that are vacuum-sealed to have that plastic smell, but this has a worse hint to it.”
Helix Dawn Construction
As part of our testing methodology, we consider construction and the presence or absence of high-quality materials. We also cut a section from the cover on the side of the mattress for a closer look at its individual layers.
Mattress Height & Weight
The Helix Dawn stands 11.5 inches. A queen size weighs 100 pounds.
Materials
This hybrid mattress is made with four polyfoam and memory foam layers and individually wrapped coils with a knit cover.
Layers
The base model of the Helix Dawn has a knit cover with no quilting sewn in and what the brand describes as a “luxe responsive foam” support layer.
Inside are three foam layers composed of memory foam, a latex-foam hybrid alternative for firmness and responsiveness, and another firm foam layer for more support. Individually wrapped coils offer the bulk of the support, and they’re reinforced on either side to beef up edge support and overall durability. A polyfoam layer at the base of the mattress adds structure and durability.
How to Try and Buy the Helix Dawn Mattress
All Helix mattresses are available for purchase at helixsleep.com. While the company began as an online retailer only, it has partnered with brick-and-mortar stores across the U.S. and Canada. Check out the company’s showroom partner feature to find a retailer near you.
Standard FedEx delivery is free, unless you live in Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada. White glove delivery is available for an additional $199.
Helix Dawn Prices & Sizes
| Size | Price |
| Twin | $999.00 |
| Twin XL | $1124.00 |
| Full | $1248.00 |
| Queen | $1332.00 |
| King | $1811.00 |
| California King | $1811.00 |
How The Helix Dawn Compares
- Saatva Classic – More Firmness Choices
- Nectar Classic Hybrid – More Affordable
- DreamCloud Original Mattress – More Luxurious
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Helix Dawn Mattress |
Saatva Classic |
Nectar Classic Hybrid |
DreamCloud Original Mattress |
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| Rating | ||||
| Firmness | Firm: 7.5/10 | Multiple firmness options | Soft: 5.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 |
| Material | Hybrid | Innerspring | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | |||
| Best For |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Couples |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
Side Sleepers,
Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers |
Back Sleepers,
Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers |
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Helix Dawn vs. Saatva Classic
The Saatva Classic tested very well, earning 4.6/5 stars. It’s a more luxurious model than the Helix Dawn, with three firmness options, zoned lumbar support, and better temperature regulation. The Classic bested the Dawn in edge support, pressure relief, and responsiveness, but both mattresses are really springy and performed equally poorly in motion isolation.
Premium materials tend to come with premium pricing, and that’s the case with the Saatva Classic. A queen-size mattress is $2,139 before discounts, compared to $1,332 before discounts for the Helix Dawn. If you’re a combination sleeper on a budget, the Dawn is the better buy. If you prefer stomach or back sleeping and you’re interested in more luxe upgrades, consider the Classic instead.
Helix Dawn vs. Nectar Classic Hybrid
Like the Helix Dawn, the Nectar Classic Hybrid is a base model. It’s quite a bit softer, with a firmness rating of 5.5/10, so it’s a better fit for dedicated side sleepers. It’s also a better choice for anyone in search of a mattress with high motion isolation without sacrificing responsiveness. It scored 4/5 stars in both categories. The Nectar sleeps a little cooler than the Helix mattress as well, but it doesn’t offer the same edge support.
Overall, the Nectar Classic Hybrid earned a higher average score than the Helix Dawn. It’s also quite a bit cheaper with a queen retailing for $799.
Helix Dawn vs. DreamCloud Classic Hybrid
The DreamCloud Classic Hybrid is surprisingly affordable given its luxurious upgrades, which include a cashmere-blend cover and pillow top. Still, a queen is priced at just $649. Our team was really impressed with its performance across the board and gave the DreamCloud a 4.6/5 stars. We think it’s a great fit for back sleepers and couples thanks to its firm feel and motion isolation.
Both beds offer excellent response and a firmer feel, but the Helix mattress came out slightly ahead on edge support.
Helix Dawn Mattress FAQs
Is Helix Dawn a good mattress?
The Helix Dawn could be a good mattress if you like a firmer feel or you’re a combination sleeper in search of a bed with lots of bounce.
What is the difference between Helix Dawn and Dawn Luxe?
The Helix Dawn is the brand’s base model. The Dawn Luxe offers enhanced lumbar support and a plush pillow top, so it’s an upgraded model.
What is the lifespan of a Helix mattress?
The Helix mattress can reasonably be expected to last seven to 10 years at least, though this depends greatly on the model. The Dawn’s hybrid construction makes it a little more durable, and you can expect a similar lifespan from the Helix Midnight, Helix Twilight, Helix Dusk, and Helix Sunset.
What is the firmness of Helix Dawn Elite?
The Helix Dawn Elite, one of the Helix Dawn’s upgraded luxe models, has a firmness rating of 8/10 and a 2-inch plush quilted pillow top.