The Helix Midnight and Casper Original are two of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses. We’ll spill details on the construction, firmness, and feel of these mattresses to help you decide between them.
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Casper vs. Helix Mattress Comparison
The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress designed for side sleepers and anyone who needs extra cushioning at their pressure points. The Casper Original is a memory foam mattress with Zoned Support foam that works for every sleeping position. While the Helix Midnight is better for hot sleepers and people who like to be hugged by their mattress, the Casper mattress outperforms the Helix Midnight for stomach sleepers and people with back pain.
In this Helix vs. Casper mattress comparison, we’re going to share with you all of the information that you need to determine which bed is right for you. This includes their similarities and differences, price points, and what it’s like to buy a mattress from each of these popular brands.
Helix Midnight vs. Casper Original
Key Differences
- Sleep position suitability: While Casper’s medium-firm feel and Zoned Support allows it to work for all sleeping positions, the Helix’s softer, more pressure-relieving surface is a better mattress for side sleepers and back sleepers.
- Feel: The Helix has a more hugging top layer while the Casper mattress feels more balanced, with slight contouring but no deep body cradle. Thanks to the springiness of the Helix’s coil layer, it’s also a bit bouncier than the all-foam Casper.
- Construction: The Casper is a 3-layer, all-foam mattress while the Helix is a 4-layer hybrid bed made from layers of foam and pocketed coils.
- Temperature regulation: Thanks to greater airflow through the Helix’s coil support system, the Helix Midnight sleeps cooler than the all-foam Casper mattress.
Key Similarities
- Superb motion isolation: Both beds have thick comfort layers that dampen motion transfer, helping couples sleep together with fewer interruptions.
- Best for lightweight and average-weight people: Both mattresses are best for people who weigh less than 230 lbs.
- Excellent pressure relief: Both the Casper and Helix deliver the extra cushioning that side sleepers need, easing pain at joints like the hips and shoulders.
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Who is the Helix Mattress Best For?
Best For…
- Side sleepers: The Helix Midnight mattress is designed for side sleepers who like a bed with medium firmness. The top memory foam layer of the mattress cradles the body, providing exceptional pressure relief for the shoulders and hips.
- Hot sleepers: The Helix Midnight boasts generous breathability thanks to innerspring coils, open-cell foam, and an airy mattress cover. The result is a bed that sleeps cooler than most mattresses, which is great for people who struggle with night sweats.
- Memory foam lovers: The Helix comfort layer is made from a 2” layer of body-conforming memory foam for a hugging feel that memory foam fans enjoy.
May Not be Best For…
- Stomach sleepers: The Helix Midnight has a relatively soft top layer that may cause poor spinal alignment when stomach sleeping, especially for people who weigh more than 130 lbs. See the best mattresses for stomach sleepers for better options.
- People who like to sleep “on” their mattress: The Helix’s cradling top layer isn’t the best fit for people who like to sleep “on” their bed rather than in it.
- Heavier sleepers: The Helix Midnight’s medium firmness and conforming top layer don’t provide the right level of support for heavyweight sleepers who weigh more than 230 lbs.
Read our full Helix mattress review to learn more.
Best for: people with back pain or body aches, every sleeping position, and couples and those who co-sleep. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. "From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."
Best for: people with back pain or body aches, every sleeping position, and couples and those who co-sleep. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. "From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."
Best for: people with back pain or body aches, every sleeping position, and couples and those who co-sleep. We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types: Financing options are available for this mattress. "From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night."
Casper Original Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Financing Options
Casper Original Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Financing Options
Casper Original Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Financing Options
Who the Casper Mattress is Best For
Best For…
- People with back pain or body aches: The Casper Original has an ergonomic transition layer that offers extra support to the body’s core and softer foam for the shoulders and feet. The balance between contouring and support provides both outstanding pressure relief and spinal alignment: wonderful for people with body pain.
- Every sleeping position: The Casper’s medium-firm feel and zoned support foam make a sleeping surface that supports back, stomach, side, and combination sleepers.
- Couples and those who co-sleep: Just like most all-foam beds, the Casper does a good job minimizing motion transfer and limiting sleep disruptions. The Casper is suitable for all sleeping positions, so couples who sleep in different positions (for instance, a side sleeper and a stomach sleeper) can each find comfort on the Casper. If you toss and turn at night, see the best mattresses for combination sleepers.
May Not be Best For…
- People who like to sleep “in” their mattress: Casper incorporates a top layer of responsive polyfoam and added support along the body’s core to limit the amount of sinkage that sleepers can experience. The feel is soft yet supportive, not the cradling feel of beds with thick memory foam comfort layers.
- Hot sleepers: The Original Casper isn’t the best bed for people who wake up hot and sweaty. While Casper utilizes perforated polyfoam along the top of the bed to mitigate heat retention, the mattress is not as breathable or cool as most hybrid or innerspring beds.
- Plus-size people: Casper’s all-foam construction doesn’t deliver sufficient support or durability for heavyweight sleepers. If you weigh over 230 lbs, check out our best mattresses for plus-size sleepers.
Read our full Casper mattress review to learn more.
Deciding Between Helix and Casper
Firmness / Feel
Mattress firmness is measured on a 1-10 firmness scale, with higher numbers yielding greater firmness. The Casper Original mattress falls at a 6/10, meaning it’s a medium-firm mattress. Medium-firm beds are said to be the universal firmness because it’s the feel that most sleepers prefer. The Helix Midnight is a medium firmness bed with a firmness that falls at a 5.5/10.
While the Helix and Casper have similar firmness levels, the way that they feel is noticeably different. The Helix mattress has a top layer of medium-firm memory foam that cradles the body for a hugging feel. Casper uses a polyfoam top layer that’s more responsive, which means the foam responds more quickly when you move.
The comfort layer of foam in the Casper mattress has more of a traditional pillow top feel rather than a memory foam cradle. Underneath this soft foam is Casper’s Zoned Support memory foam, which brings extra support to the body’s trunk and more contouring at the top third and bottom third of the mattress.
The Helix’s conforming feel brings wonderful pressure relief for side sleepers and a comforting hug for back sleepers who like a traditional memory foam feel. The spring support system underneath offers responsiveness so you won’t feel stuck.
Motion Isolation
Both the Helix and Casper mattresses do an excellent job stifling motion where it occurs, ensuring that it doesn’t spread to the other side of the mattress. Light sleepers who sleep with a partner, child, or pet sleep best on mattresses that dampen motion (like the Helix and Casper). While we believe both beds will work for most couples, the Helix spreads just a bit more motion because of its supportive layer of springy coils. If your primary concern is motion transfer, the Casper may be the better bed. See our picks for the best mattress for couples that isolate motion and accommodate two sleepers well.
Edge Support
Helix and Casper both excel at delivering sturdy and comfortable edges. Both beds allow couples to spread out and lie along the edges, and they’re each stable enough for people to use the perimeter for support while getting into or out of bed.
Pressure Relief
The Casper and Helix both deliver exceptional pressure relief, offering the cushiony feel and ample cradling loved by side sleepers and people with joint pain. Because the Casper mattress has a layer of plush polyfoam along the top and softer foam at the shoulders, it’s the best choice for lightweight folks who need cushioning. The Helix’s memory foam requires a bit more weight for maximal give, so it’s better for side sleepers who weigh more than 130 lbs. The Casper is a good mattress for back pain and for those who have sensitive areas along their spines, while the Helix provides a more general close conforming feel.
Spine Alignment
The Casper’s ergonomically-zoned support system provides superior spinal alignment compared to the Helix, at least for most sleepers. Casper’s added firmness at the body’s core helps keep stomach sleepers’ hips from sinking in too far, knocking the spine out of alignment. And its ultra-soft feel at the shoulders means lightweight side sleepers receive adequate cushioning to keep the spine aligned.
While the Casper is generally better for proper alignment—and with it, back pain relief—the Helix does a remarkable job supporting the spines of back sleepers and side sleepers who weigh more than 130 lbs. These people are likely to find good alignment on either mattress. If you wake up in pain, see the best mattresses for back pain.
Durability
Overall, our mattress testing team thinks the Helix mattress is more durable than the Casper. Thanks to the resilience of innerspring coils, the Helix is likely to last a year or two longer than the Casper mattress. However, both beds are made with high-quality materials and durable builds that mean they should last longer than the average bed. Expect around seven to 10 years of use from the Casper and nine to 11 years on the Helix.
Temperature
The Helix Midnight sleeps cooler than the Casper. Because the Casper is made from 100% foam, there isn’t the same level of breathability as there is on the hybrid Helix bed. While both beds sleep cool enough for the average sleeper, we’d recommend that hot sleepers opt for the Helix over the Casper. For other choices, see the best cooling mattresses.
The Helix Midnight is thicker than the average bed and made from layers of foam and innerspring coils. The top layer of the Helix is made from the brand’s proprietary Memory Plus Foam, a medium-firm memory foam that deeply contours to the body. Next is a thin layer of high-grade polyfoam that absorbs motion from the coils beneath and protects the body from sinking in too far. The support system boasts a thick 8” layer of individually-wrapped coils for targeted support.
Casper Mattress Construction
The Casper Original mattress is an all-foam bed with an average thickness. The top layer of Airscape Foam is plush for a soft feel, yet a bit more responsive than memory foam. This top comfort layer is hole-punched to promote breathability and cooler sleep. The second layer is Casper’s ergonomic support zone, which boasts firmer memory foam along the middle third of the bed and softer foam at the feet and shoulders. The final layer is a high-density foam that further dampens motion transfer and brings some stability to the edges.
Sizing & Price Comparisons
| Mattress Size | Helix Price | Casper Price |
| Twin | $600 | $595 |
| Twin XL | $700 | $695 |
| Full | $850 | $995 |
| Queen | $999 | $1,095 |
| King | $1,349 | $1,295 |
| Cal King | $1,349 | $1,295 |
See our Helix Mattress Coupons & Casper Mattress Coupons for the best price on a new mattress.
Shipping and Returns for Helix & Casper
Helix Sleep
Helix Sleep ships mattresses for free to all 50 states in the U.S., and the brand ships to parts of Canada for a fee. Helix manufactures beds to order, so the shipping time is a bit longer than average. Expect to receive your bed in roughly four to 15 business days.
Every new Helix mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial. In other words, from the date your new bed is dropped off on your doorstep, you have 100 nights to see how you like it. After a 30-day adjustment period, Helix offers full refunds during the trial period. And if you simply feel like the top layer is too soft or too firm, Helix will send you an additional comfort layer free of charge. If you decide to return your new mattress, Helix works with you to arrange a mattress pickup, so you don’t need to stuff it back into its box.
For customers who decide to keep their Helix mattress, it comes with a 10-year warranty. The warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship, including things like foam cracks or body indentations greater than 1” deep.
Casper Sleep
Mattresses ordered from casper.com ship to the contiguous U.S. and parts of Canada for free, with a fee for shipments to Alaska and Hawaii. Because Casper has warehouses located across the U.S. and Canada, you can expect your new mattress to arrive in around two to five business days.
Casper mattresses also come with a 100-night trial period that starts the day that you receive your new bed. However, Casper doesn’t make you wait 30 nights before deciding if the Casper is the best mattress for you. Instead, you may return your bed at any time during the trial period for a full refund. In that case, the brand will send a team to your door to pick up the used bed and take it to a charity or recycling center.
Every Casper mattress comes with an industry-standard 10-year limited warranty. It covers similar defects as the Helix Sleep warranty, including body impressions greater than 1” deep and flaws in the foam.
More Casper Mattresses
The Casper Wave Hybrid provides luxurious comfort at a higher price point than the Original Casper. The Wave Hybrid is softer and hugs the body more deeply, with even greater ergonomic support than the Original. The Casper Wave Hybrid provides luxurious comfort at a higher price point than the Original Casper. The Wave Hybrid is softer and hugs the body more deeply, with even greater ergonomic support than the Original. The Casper Wave Hybrid provides luxurious comfort at a higher price point than the Original Casper. The Wave Hybrid is softer and hugs the body more deeply, with even greater ergonomic support than the Original.
Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Casper Wave Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Read our full Casper Wave Hybrid mattress review to learn more.
The Casper Hybrid mattress is a hybrid version of the Casper Original, with the same Zoned Support comfort system but with innerspring coils instead of a foam base. The Casper Hybrid is a touch softer, cooler, and more responsive than the Original Casper. The Casper Hybrid mattress is a hybrid version of the Casper Original, with the same Zoned Support comfort system but with innerspring coils instead of a foam base. The Casper Hybrid is a touch softer, cooler, and more responsive than the Original Casper. The Casper Hybrid mattress is a hybrid version of the Casper Original, with the same Zoned Support comfort system but with innerspring coils instead of a foam base. The Casper Hybrid is a touch softer, cooler, and more responsive than the Original Casper.
Casper Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Casper Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Casper Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-soft: 5.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
See our full Casper Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.
The Casper Nova Hybrid is an ultra-plush bed designed for side sleepers who like a cloud-like sleeping surface. With multiple layers of ergonomic support foam, the Nova is one of the best beds for side sleepers with back pain. The Casper Nova Hybrid is an ultra-plush bed designed for side sleepers who like a cloud-like sleeping surface. With multiple layers of ergonomic support foam, the Nova is one of the best beds for side sleepers with back pain. The Casper Nova Hybrid is an ultra-plush bed designed for side sleepers who like a cloud-like sleeping surface. With multiple layers of ergonomic support foam, the Nova is one of the best beds for side sleepers with back pain.
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-soft: 4/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Medium-soft: 4/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Casper Nova Hybrid Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-soft: 4/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Read our full Casper Nova mattress review to learn more.
More Helix Mattresses
The Helix Midnight Luxe has a similar firmness as the original Midnight but includes Zoned Support coils and a plush pillow top. This higher-end Midnight version has a more opulent hugging feel and even greater lumbar support. The Helix Midnight Luxe has a similar firmness as the original Midnight but includes Zoned Support coils and a plush pillow top. This higher-end Midnight version has a more opulent hugging feel and even greater lumbar support. The Helix Midnight Luxe has a similar firmness as the original Midnight but includes Zoned Support coils and a plush pillow top. This higher-end Midnight version has a more opulent hugging feel and even greater lumbar support.
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review to learn more.
The Helix Plus is the only Helix mattress designed specifically for bigger bodies. With ultra-durable foams and coils and a firmer-than-average feel, this bed provides the level of support and pressure relief required by heavier folks of every sleeping position. The Helix Plus is the only Helix mattress designed specifically for bigger bodies. With ultra-durable foams and coils and a firmer-than-average feel, this bed provides the level of support and pressure relief required by heavier folks of every sleeping position. The Helix Plus is the only Helix mattress designed specifically for bigger bodies. With ultra-durable foams and coils and a firmer-than-average feel, this bed provides the level of support and pressure relief required by heavier folks of every sleeping position.
Helix Plus Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Warranty
15-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Helix Plus Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
15-year warranty
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Helix Plus Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Firm: 7.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
15-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
Read our full Helix Plus mattress review to learn more.
The Birch by Helix is an eco-friendly mattress designed with all-natural materials. This medium-firm mattress pairs wool, organic cotton, and latex for a cool and responsive sleeping surface. The Birch by Helix is an eco-friendly mattress designed with all-natural materials. This medium-firm mattress pairs wool, organic cotton, and latex for a cool and responsive sleeping surface. The Birch by Helix is an eco-friendly mattress designed with all-natural materials. This medium-firm mattress pairs wool, organic cotton, and latex for a cool and responsive sleeping surface.
Birch Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
25-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
Birch Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
25-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
Birch Mattress
Read Full Review
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
25-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
See our full Birch Mattress Review to learn more.
Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these comparisons:
Our Helix vs. Casper Final Review
The Helix Midnight marries a hugging memory foam feel (excellent for side sleepers) with responsive innerspring coils for a cool sleep, making it the best of these beds for hot sleepers who spend time on their sides. The Casper’s medium-firm feel and Zoned Support make it better for most stomach sleepers and people with neck or back pain.
