If your little one is ready for their first “big kid” bed, you may be wondering where to start your search. When it comes to the best mattress for kids, a flippable hybrid design can increase the longevity and durability of the product, as you’re essentially getting two beds for the price of one. One of our favorites is the Helix Kids mattress, which features two firmness levels — a firmer side for younger children and a softer side for older kids.
Over the past three years, I’ve worked with a team of fellow certified sleep science coaches and expert testers to assess over 500 mattresses and 150 sleep products. Since Mattress Clarity’s founding, we’ve helped more than 35,000 sleepers find their perfect bed. When evaluating kids mattresses, I checked in with our Chief Medical Advisor, Dr. Raj Dagupta, MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM, to ensure our recommendations are accurate from a medical perspective.
When evaluating the Helix Kids in our studio, we found it to be a long-lasting, durable mattress. From the toddler years to the beginnings of puberty, this bed offers enough support and comfort to accommodate children, no matter what phase they’re going through.
With a flippable design, water-repellant cover, and springs in the center, the Helix Kids mattress is one of the best beds for children on the market. We were particularly impressed by its sturdy edges and pressure relief, the latter of which can be tough to find in a kids’ bed.
Helix Kids Mattress Performance: My Overall Rating
When I tested the Helix Kids mattress in our Mattress Clarity studio, I followed a rigorous methodology, which Dr. Dasgupta helped develop. He says, “Sleep is essential across all stages of life, especially in the early years and as we get older. Anything we can do to help with the quality of sleep can lead to a better performance in school…and, being nicer to parents.”
With help from our kid tester Conrad, both sides of the mattress were evaluated for its construction, firmness, edge support, cooling, and compatibility with different types of sleepers. Additionally, 10-year-old Conrad assessed the 8 & Up side for pressure relief.
When we tallied up the scores, both sides of this bed earned an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Below, I’ve broken down each side of the bed by testing category. To learn more about each test, simply hover the cursor over each score.
I Recommend the Helix Kids For…
- The microbe shield and water-repellent mattress cover are great for kids prone to bed wetting.
- The firmer side places the child’s spine into the ideal, neutral position to ensure proper posture every night.
- The soft side provides solid temperature regulation, which can help prevent growing children from overheating as they experience hormonal changes.
I Don’t Recommend the Helix Kids For…
- Children younger than 2 who may still require an enclosed crib to prevent falling off the bed or getting up at night.
- The firmer side doesn’t provide a ton of cooling, which may not be ideal for people living in warmer climates.
- If your child is seeking a hug-like sensation from their mattress, they won’t experience deep sinkage and body contouring on the Helix Kids.
How Firm is the Helix Kids Mattress?
When discussing mattress firmness, it’s important to remember that it’s a subjective factor. How a mattress feels to an individual is mainly dependent on their body type, sleeping position, and personal sleep preferences. Additionally, firmness in a kids’ mattress can be more challenging to pin down, as we adult testers weigh more than the average child.
To provide the most accurate firmness assessment, we asked multiple testers of different body types to try the mattress in three different sleeping positions — side, back, and stomach. Each tester rates the firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest. We consider a score of 6.5 out of 10 to represent a true medium-firm feel.
When we averaged the firmness ratings from each tester, the Helix Kids mattress lands at a 6.5 out of 10 for the 8 & Up side, which means it has a touch of softness while still offering firm support. The 2 to 7 side was noticeably firmer and was rated a 7.5 out of 10.
According to Dr. Dasgupta, children ages 3 to 7 should have a firm to medium-firm bed that helps promote proper posture, while kids 8 to12 may prefer a softer and more cushioned bed. Once kids reach 12, they may develop their own firmness and feel preferences.
When I tried the 8 & Up side, I found it compatible with all three sleeping positions. This side has a softer layer of foam up top, which helps contour the hip and shoulder joints. Yet, the firmer middle layer of high-density foam keeps the sleeper’s hips from dipping beneath the shoulders, which can help prevent back pain.
I then flipped the bed to the 2 to 7 side, which provides a solid, firm feel. Regardless of my sleeping position, I felt more “on” the bed than “in” the bed. For younger sleepers, this firmness is ideal for keeping the body neutrally aligned. Support is more important than pressure relief for young sleepers, but the layer of foam adds an additional level of comfort. However, it may be too firm for some side sleeping kids older than 8.
How Well Did the Helix Kids Perform?
To see how the Helix Kids compares to the average mattress we test, check out the table below.
| Test | “8 & Up” Side | “2 to 7″ Side | Average |
| Firmness | 6.5/10 – Medium-Firm | 7/10 – Firm | 6.7/10 – Medium-Firm |
| Side Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Back Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Stomach Sleeper Comfort | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Pressure Relief | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.9 |
| Edge Support | 4.8/5 | 5/5 | 4.1 |
| Cooling | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3.8 |
| Noise | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5 |
| Trial Period | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4.2 |
| Warranty | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.6 |
| Unboxing & Moving | 5/5 | 5.5 | 4.3 |
| Off-gassing | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4.2 |
How Does the Helix Kids Feel for Different Body Types and Sleeping Positions?
Your weight determines how far you’ll sink into a mattress, which can affect your overall comfort. For example, what a lightweight sleeper considers “firm” may be too soft to a heavy sleeper who doesn’t find as much support.
While most children are classified as lightweight sleepers (less than 130 pounds), some adults purchase kids’ mattresses for guest rooms, dorm beds, and RVs. While this bed is a great choice for kids, it may not be the right fit for some adults. Below, I’ve broken down each type of sleeper by weight and sleeping position. Additionally, I asked our in-house kid tester, Conrad, for his personal assessment.
“8 & Up” Side
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Unpleasant | Unpleasant |
“2 to 7” Side
| Sleeper Weight | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers |
| Light (under 130 lbs) | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Average (130-230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Good | Unpleasant |
| Heavy (over 230 lbs) | Unpleasant | Unpleasant | Unpleasant |
Average-weight Tester – 5’9”, 140 lbs
“The 2 to 7 side is way too firm for the average adult. It’s best on my back, but I prefer the 8 & Up side because it provides more cushioning at my joints, especially my shoulders,” said our in-house sleep expert.
Lightweight Tester – 5’5”, 129 lbs
I acted as our lightweight adult tester when we evaluated the Helix Kids. Overall, I thought the 8 & Up side offered better contouring and overall comfort. I enjoyed the firm support I got from the 2 to 7 side when lying on my back and stomach, but it wasn’t pressure-relieving enough on my side.
Kid Tester – 4’10”, 80 lbs, 10 Years Old
“I like the mattress more on my back than on my side. It feels medium-firm to me because it’s not too firm and is still a little soft,” said 10-year-old tester Conrad.
Helix Kids In-Depth Test Results
Pressure Relief
Pressure relief refers to how well a mattress is able to cushion and contour the body’s most sensitive areas, as well as how evenly it distributes the sleeper’s weight. While younger kids may not have a strong preference for their bed, older kids may express stronger options when it comes to the “cuddle factor” and enjoy a bit more softness.
We asked 10-year-old Conrad to lie on a pressure mat, which we placed on top of the Helix Kids mattress (on the “8 & Up” side). This specialized mat can sense where pressure is growing and translate the results into a graphic using thermal imaging. Areas on the body displayed in blue and green indicate good pressure relief, while red and yellow areas indicate a rise in pressure.
First, Conrad lay in the back sleeping position. As you can see on the pressure map, his entire body comes up blue, which is precisely what we want to see. Since there are no red hot spots of rising pressure, the Helix Kids is doing an excellent job of evenly distributing Conrad’s weight.
He gave back-sleeping a solid 4-star rating and said, “It’s comfortable, and I really like the way it feels. I could probably take a nap right now.”
When he rolled over on his side, the pressure map lit up red around Conrad’s hips. Just from switching sleeping positions, his average pressure in pounds per square inch (PSI) went from 10.3 to 14.6. Both the red hot spot and the increase in PSI indicate that Conrad was experiencing more pressure than ideal when side sleeping.
Conrad confirmed some slight discomfort, rating side sleeping 3 stars. He said, “I like it more on my back, but it’s still comfortable. My hips are sinking in some.”
On the “2 to 7” side, which is firmer, Conrad ended up giving the same ratings for back- and side-sleeping: a 3 and a 4, respectively.
Edge Support
When I was a child, falling out of bed was a big stressor. I used to line up pillows next to my bed just in case I rolled out. If I had had a bed with proper edge support, this likely wouldn’t have been as big of a fear.
The Helix Kids mattress is only offered in Twin or Full sizes, so a supportive perimeter is crucial. Since there’s not as much room to spread out, keeping these edges sturdy is key to avoiding taking a tumble.
We evaluate edge support using two objective tests. Starting with the 8 & Up side, I first sat directly on the edge of the bed with my feet on the floor. While the top layer of memory foam slightly compressed, I remained lifted and secure. I gave it a 4.5 for its seated edge support. Then, I lay directly on the edge in each sleeping position. No matter how close to the edge I was, I felt even support across the entire bed, so I rated the edge support while lying down 5 stars.
I then rounded out the edge support test by placing a 45-pound weighted plate directly on the edge of the bed and measuring how many inches the bed sank. The Helix Kids went from 8 inches tall to 7 inches, resulting in only 1 inch of sinkage, earning 5 stars for this test.
Next, I flipped the bed over to the 2 to 7 side and performed the same tests. I thought the support met the gold-star standard. If you’re a parent, you’d be able to sit down on the edge to read a story without feeling like you’ll bottom out. Whether I was sitting or lying down, I never felt at risk of falling off the bed, so I rated these tests 5 stars each.
The 2 to 7 side had even less sinkage when I placed the 45-pound weight on the edge. With less than 0.5 inches of sinkage, the support is rock solid, earning another perfect 5-star rating.
Cooling
If you’re a hot sleeper, you understand the struggle of waking up drenched in your own sweat. You’re not alone — nearly 12% of school-aged children were reported to have frequent night sweats. According to Dr. Dasgupta, cooler temperatures can lead to better sleep in general, so we recommend finding a bed with breathable materials, such as gel memory foam that draws heat away from the body.
When it comes to children, Dr. Dasgupta went on to say, “Anything we can do to help with the quality of sleep can lead to better performance in school and being nicer to parents.”
To determine just how cool the Helix Kids is, I used a thermal gun to measure the initial temperature of the mattress before anyone had touched it. Then, I lay down for five minutes, resting and observing my body temperature. Finally, I re-recorded the temperature of the mattress and calculated how many degrees it warmed up.
While neither side of the Helix Kids was particularly cool to the touch, the Tencel cover felt breathable and temperature-neutral. When I performed the thermal gun test on the 8 & Up side, I thought my internal temperature remained constant, and I never felt like I was overheating. This side went from 75.2 degrees to 82.7 degrees, which is a 7.5-degree increase and earns 4 stars for this test..
On the 2 to 7 side, I could feel myself heating up a bit more. While it wasn’t initially warm, I could definitely feel a temperature difference where my body was compared to the untouched areas. The bed went from 67.6 degrees to 79.5 degrees, which is an 11.9-degree difference. This difference means the bed has 3-star cooling abilities, so children prone to overheating may be more comfortable on a cooling mattress.
Overall, the Helix Kids doesn’t provide the coolest sleeping surface. However, you can alleviate this issue by adding a cooling mattress topper or cooling sheets.
Noise
Hybrid mattresses can sometimes create noise, either from squeaky springs or air being released from the foam. However, whether I jumped on the bed or simply moved around on it, the Helix Kids mattress stayed completely silent, earning 5 stars for noise. If your child tends to toss and turn, they won’t be awakened by squeaking coils or crumpling foams.
Helix Kids Customer Experience Scores
After we completed all the mattress tests, I took a look at Helix’s company policies. Below, I’ll break down what I found in the fine print.
Trial Period
If you’re concerned you won’t love the Helix Kids when it arrives at your home, allow me to put your worries at ease. Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial period, so your little one or you should have plenty of time to sleep on the bed before fully committing. Once you’ve owned the mattress for 30 days, you can initiate a return, as long as you’re still within the 100-night trial period.
Keep in mind, 100 nights isn’t the lengthiest trial we’ve seen across mattress brands, so it only earns 3.5 stars. If you need more time to decide on the perfect bed, I recommend looking for mattresses that offer a full 365-night sleep trial.
Warranty
Just like with adult mattresses, a kid’s bed should be built to last. Since this bed is flippable, you should, in theory, be able to use it throughout most of your child’s elementary school years. Luckily, Helix offers a limited lifetime warranty, which earns 4.5 stars. This means Helix is confident in the bed’s ability to stand the test of time and remain supportive for many years to come.
Unboxing and Moving
When I unboxed the Helix Kids, I had no issue sliding it out of the box and unrolling the plastic. The mattress is exceptionally lightweight, so I was able to complete the process by myself in less than five minutes. While Helix offers white glove delivery, I think most able-bodied adults will be able to set the bed up without assistance.
Readiness After Unboxing
Some bed-in-a-box mattresses take multiple hours, or even days, to fully expand. However, as soon as I punctured the plastic layer, the Helix Kids immediately puffed up. I gave the bed an hour to rest before lying down and performing these tests, so you should be able to sleep on the bed the same night it arrives.
Off-gassing
When I unwrapped the Helix Kids, I noticed a chemical scent coming from the bed. While a bit unpleasant, this is an entirely normal process called off-gassing. As the mattress expands, it releases trapped air from the factory. The smell should dissipate within a few hours, but if it’s bothersome, you can allow the mattress to air out for a few days in a well-ventilated room.
Helix Kids Mattress Construction
To evaluate the Helix Kids mattress materials, I used a box cutter to slice a hole in the side and examine the layers. Read on to learn what I found inside this hybrid mattress.
Mattress Height
The Helix Kids mattress is offered in two sizes: 8-inch and 6-inch. I tested the 8-inch model, which is best for standard bed frames. The 6-inch mattress has a lower profile, which makes it ideal for bunk beds.
Materials
If you’re concerned about fiberglass in your child’s bed, you can rest easy. This mattress is fiberglass-free, which has been verified by third-party companies. I’m especially impressed by the GREENGUARD Gold certification, which ensures the absence of heavy metals, harmful chemicals, and other ozone-depleting substances.
Layers
The Helix Kids mattress is composed of two foam layers, a layer of pocketed coils, two fire barriers, and a soft cover. The cover is not only made from soft Tencel, which is a highly breathable material, but it’s also antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and treated with a water-repellent finish.
When the 2 to 7 side is face up, the bed begins with a fiberglass-free fiber barrier directly beneath the cover. Next up is a firm layer of dense foam, which rests upon a 6-inch layer of coils. This innerspring layer is reinforced around the edges, which helps the bed earn a perfect edge support rating. Beneath the coils is another layer of softer foam, which becomes the top layer when the bed is flipped. A final layer of fire retardant completes the bed.
How To Try and Buy The Helix Kids Mattress
The Helix Kids mattress can be purchased online via Helix’s website You’ll get free shipping directly to your door, as well as a 100-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty. Additionally, Helix has mattresses in stores and brick-and-mortar retailers across the United States.
You can find a Helix showroom near you on the store locator section of its official site. Keep in mind, not every store has the same inventory, and some locations may not carry the Kids model.
Helix Kids Prices & Sizes
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ x 8″ | $748.80 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ x 8″ | $998.80 |
How The Helix Kids Compares
While Helix makes an awesome kids’ bed, many other popular mattress brands offer their own children’s model. Let’s briefly compare the Helix Kids to two popular online kids mattresses.
- Brooklyn Bedding Kids – Best for Young Sleepers
- Nectar Kids – Flippable Memory Foam Mattress
Helix Kids vs. Brooklyn Bedding Kids
While the Helix Kids mattress has a flippable design, the Brooklyn Bedding Kids bed has a simpler construction. Made from two layers of foam, this bed has a 6-inch profile and an exceptionally firm feel. Our testers rated this bed an 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale, making it not only firmer than the Helix Kids but firmer than most mattresses we’ve tested.
Since this bed is firmer than average, we found it ideal for children younger than 7. These sleepers benefit the most from a solid sleeping surface that keeps their spine aligned. While not necessarily the best pick for side sleepers, we found good support in the back sleeping position and excellent comfort on our stomachs.
Overall, the BB Kids mattress had a solid performance during testing, earning an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. While it’s more supportive than pressure-relieving, the support extends from edge to edge. With a 4.6-star rating for edge support, your child is unlikely to fall out of bed if they get too close to the edge. I was also impressed with the bed’s 5-star rating for off-gassing, as it’s pretty rare to find a bed-in-a-box that doesn’t emit a slight stench.
Helix Kids vs. Nectar Kids
If you like the idea of a flippable mattress but prefer an all-foam design, you may be a great candidate for the Nectar Kids mattress. The mattress is made from two layers — a thick, firm layer of high-density polyfoam and a softer layer of foam. You can choose between two firmness options. When the soft side is up, this bed still has a medium-firm feel that’s slightly firmer than average, falling at a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. When it’s flipped, the bed is much firmer and feels more like an 8 out of 10.
Since this bed offers firmer support, it’s a great match for kids, as it promotes proper spinal alignment regardless of what side you sleep on. While older kids may prefer the softer side, back, and stomach sleepers should feel comfortable on either side. For side sleeping specifically, the softer side may be ideal, as it offers more pressure relief at the hips and shoulders.
Overall, the Nectar kids had an impressive average rating of 4.8 stars. While the edge support wasn’t quite perfect, earning 4.7 stars on the firm side and 4.3 stars on the soft side, these are still excellent results and indicate a sturdy perimeter. We also found better cooling from both sides of the Nectar mattress, which earned 4.5 stars on the thermal gun test.
Helix Kids Mattress FAQs
Is Helix a good mattress for kids?
Yes, the Helix Kids is a good option for kids aged two and older. For kids younger than 7, we recommend the firmer side, which promotes proper posture and spinal alignment throughout the night. For children 8 and older, simply flip the mattress over for a slightly plusher experience.
Is the Helix Kids mattress waterproof?
The mattress cover has a water-repellent finish, which helps protect the bed against stains and accidents. However, you can always add a waterproof mattress protector for kids prone to bed wetting.
Does the Helix Kids need a box spring?
No, Helix does not recommend using a traditional box spring with this mattress. The brand recommends pairing this mattress with a solid platform bed or slatted foundation with wide slats no more than 5.5 inches apart.
Is the Helix Kids mattress flippable?
Yes. This bed features a side for kids aged 2 to 7, and a side for kids 8 and older. The side for younger kids is firmer, offering ideal spinal alignment in all three sleeping positions. The side of older children has an additional comfort layer, which helps cushion the hips and shoulders on growing bodies.
Sources
- So HK, Li AM, Au CT, Zhang J, Lau J, Fok TF, Wing YK. Night sweats in children: prevalence and associated factors. Arch Dis Child. 2012 May;97(5):470-3. doi: 10.1136/adc.2010.199638. Epub 2011 Mar 22. PMID: 21427123.
