Helix vs. Nectar Mattress Comparison

Helix Sleep has a wide variety of mattress options, but in this comparison, we’re focusing on their best-selling Helix Midnight—a hybrid mattress with a medium-firm feel and excellent pressure relief. Nectar’s original namesake mattress also offers good pressure relief in tandem with a medium-firm feel. As a memory foam mattress, it keeps motion transfer to a minimum.

We recommend the Midnight to couples, those looking for a budget-conscious mattress, and side sleepers of all body types. The Nectar is a good choice for back sleepers, average-weight side sleepers, and those who like the doughy, conforming feel of memory foam.

For more on how we review and rate mattresses, check out our testing methodology.

Nectar vs. Helix Hybrid Overview

The Nectar mattress is a medium-firm memory foam bed that provides a plush feel and deep pressure relief. The Helix mattress is a hybrid bed built with a combination of foam and coils that give it a more balanced, bouncy feel.

Nectar is best for…	Helix is best for…
Average-weight side sleepers	Side sleepers
Memory foam fans	Couples
Back sleepers	Value shoppers

Who Should Choose the Nectar Mattress?

• Average-weight side sleepers: The Nectar hits a sweet spot for average-weight side sleepers. These folks have enough weight to compress the memory foam comfort layers but will remain lifted enough to ensure a healthy spinal posture.
• Memory foam fans: The Nectar has a classic memory foam feel, thanks to two layers of memory foam at the top of the mattress.
• Back sleepers: Those who sleep on their back—the healthiest sleeping position for your spine, according to sleep scientists—get a comfy balance of support and cushioning on the Nectar. This is especially true for sleepers under 230 lbs. Heavyweight back sleepers should consult our best mattresses for back sleepers roundup.

Who Should Choose the Helix Mattress?

• Side sleepers: The Midnight showed little-to-no pressure buildup along the shoulders and hips of our lightweight and average-weight testers. We even put the Helix Midnight Luxe (the upgraded version of the Helix Midnight) on our best mattresses for side sleepers list.
• Couples: We noticed minimal motion transfer on the Midnight, which, when paired with its excellent edge support, makes the Midnight a great mattress for couples.
• Value shoppers: The Midnight is one of the lower-cost hybrid mattresses in the bed-in-a-box market, despite using top-notch materials and having a durable, comfy construction.

Nectar vs. Helix: Top Similarities 

• Motion isolation: With memory foam top layers, we’d be surprised if the Helix and Nectar didn’t isolate motion across the mattress surface. Fortunately, they both do a good job of minimizing motion transfer, and so are good mattresses for couples and light sleepers who share the bed.
• Ease of movement: The flip side to memory foam is that it’s slowing moving, and thus can make moving around a little difficult. You probably won’t feel stuck in either of these beds, but you’ll need to exert more energy to change positions.
• Pressure relief: The Helix and Nectar both scored above average for pressure relief. Their memory foam top layers contour closely to the curves of your body and keep your weight evenly distributed—not pooled under pressure points like your shoulders and hips.

Nectar vs. Helix: Top Differences 

• Temperature regulation: The Helix Midnight has a more breathable construction because of its coil base layer. There’s more opportunity for warm air to circulate out of the mattress, so it stays cooler (and prevents overheating) better than the all-foam Nectar.
• Body type compatibility: The Nectar mattress is best for average-weight or lightweight folks since foam is a little less supportive for those weighing over 300 lbs. The Helix can handle a little more weight since it has steel coils at its base.
• Variety: Helix Sleep offers more mattress options than Nectar, including different firmness levels and feels. Helix’s collection is made up entirely of hybrid mattresses, while Nectar’s consists of three memory foam models.

Nectar vs. Helix: Firmness & Feel Differences

These beds have about the same firmness level, but they’ll feel noticeably different when you lie down on them.

What’s the Firmness Of the Nectar vs. Helix Mattresses? 

The Helix Midnight and Nectar both have a medium-firm firmness level of 6/10 on a firmness scale of 1–10 firmness (where 10 is as firm as possible and 1 is the softest option). This is a good middle-of-the-road firmness that is sturdy enough to support most body types, but soft enough to feel cozy and cushion pressure points. Looking for firmer options? Check out our best firm mattresses.

What Do the Nectar vs. Helix Mattresses Feel Like?

Despite being about the same firmness level, you’ll feel a different sensation as you lay down on either bed. The Nectar is made entirely of foam, so it has a dense feel that starts out soft and gets progressively firmer and gives your body a gentle hug as you sink into the mattress. The Helix has 2″ of soft, conforming memory foam on top and responsive coils below. The combination of materials gives the Helix a balanced, more buoyant feel.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Nectar & Helix?

At Mattress Nerd, we use pressure mapping film to determine how well the mattress relieves stress from your joints and pressure points. A bed with “hot spots” on this map allows certain areas of the body to bear more weight than others, which could cause aches and pains. A bed with good pressure relief will distribute your weight more evenly across the length of the bed.

Both beds did an excellent job of relieving pressure for lightweight and average-weight sleepers, but heavier sleepers will sleep better on the Helix bed thanks to the bed’s reinforced steel coil support layers.

The Nectar’s foam layers are infused with gel to help it sleep cooler than your average memory foam bed. The hybrid construction of the Helix makes it sleep a little cooler since air can flow through the mattress to prevent body heat from building up overnight.

The Nectar & Helix Mattresses By Body Type

Nectar Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	3	3
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	2	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	2	2	3

Helix Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	4	5
Average-weight (130–230 lbs):	4	4	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	3	4

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

For average-weight back and side sleepers, both the Nectar and Helix Midnight mattresses scored well—whichever one works best for you will depend on whether you want a memory foam or hybrid feel.

Stomach sleepers may experience too much sinkage on the Nectar bed, but they should get the support they need on the Helix Midnight bed thanks to the mattress’s firm innerspring core.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

Sleepers who weigh over 230 lbs will likely experience too much sinkage to sleep comfortably on the Nectar mattress.

The Helix Midnight mattress is a good choice for side sleepers. Back and stomach sleepers over 300 lbs, however, should look into the Helix Plus, a mattress designed especially to support those with heavier body types.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

The Nectar mattress scored well for lightweight back sleepers but didn’t provide the best amount of pressure relief for side sleepers, or enough support for stomach sleepers. The Helix Midnight provides enough support and comfort for lightweight sleepers of all positions.

Differences In Mattress Construction 

Both the Nectar and Helix mattresses are 12″ high. The Nectar is made of a blend of gel-infused memory foam and traditional memory foam, while the Helix is built with a mix of memory foam, polyfoam, and innerspring coils.

Nectar Mattress Materials	Helix Midnight Mattress Materials
Quilted poly-blend cover	Soft touch design cover
Gel memory foam (2″)	Memory Plus Foam (2″)
Adaptive memory foam (4″)	High-grade polyfoam (1″)
High-density stay-stable base foam (6″)	Wrapped Coils (8″) + DuraDense Foam (1″)

Cover

Both of these beds come with soft and breathable covers that are designed to wick away moisture and keep you cool at night. The Nectar’s cover feels plush to the touch while Helix Midnight’s cover has a stretchy feel.

Comfort Layers

The top layer of the Nectar bed is thick, soft, and contouring with a traditional memory foam feel, plus the addition of heat-absorbing gel. The second comfort layer is memory foam designed to improve responsiveness and prevent feeling “stuck” in the foam. The Helix Midnight has two foam comfort layers. The Memory Plus Foam layer is the top layer, and it’s designed to respond to your movements while the transition layer of polyfoam underneath keeps you from bumping into the coil support system.

Support Layers

The Nectar mattress has a stable, high-density foam foundation that reinforces the edges of the bed while providing sturdy support to the two memory foam layers above it. The Helix Midnight has a two-layer support system. First, hundreds of individually wrapped coils provide springy support while they cradle your body and isolate motion. Underneath, a foam support layer adds a cushion between the bottom and the coil layer to add durability to the mattress.

Nectar vs. Helix Midnight Pricing

Be sure to check for specials and coupons.

Size	Nectar Prices	Helix Midnight Prices
Twin	$	$
Twin XL	$	$
Full	$	$
Queen	$	$
King	$	$
California King	$	$

For the best prices, see our Helix mattress coupons and Nectar mattress coupons.

Nectar vs. Helix Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Temperature

The Midnight and Nectar each have memory foam, which tends to trap heat, near the surface of the bed. Neither sleeps as cool as a latex mattress or innerspring mattress but the Midnight sleeps cooler between the two. The coil support layer allows for better airflow, which keeps warm air moving out of the mattress.

Motion Transfer

The Nectar earned a perfect 5/5 score for motion isolation. Memory foam is dense enough to absorb most movement before it has the chance to affect the rest of the mattress. The Helix Midnight also earned a near-perfect 4.5/5 score, probably due to the memory foam top layer and individual, not interconnected, coils. The bottom line is that you’re unlikely to be disrupted by the movements of your sleeping partner on either mattress.

Edge Support 

Mattresses with coils generally have sturdier edges than those made entirely of foam. That’s also the case with regard to the Helix and Nectar. We felt so well supported along the sides of the Helix Midnight that we gave it a perfect 5/5 score for edge support. The Nectar followed closely behind with an above-average 4/5 score. You should feel secure while lying or sitting along the sides of either bed.

Pressure Relief 

The Helix Midnight slightly outperformed the Nectar for pressure relief. Both beds offer enough cushion to keep the average sleeper ache-free in pressure point spots. However, if you have joint pain, like arthritis, the Midnight is the better option.

Pain Relief 

Whether a bed will relieve pain or not depends on whether the mattress provides the correct amount of support and comfort for your body type and sleep preference. Either bed could help ease pain for light or average-weight back and side sleepers, while stomach sleepers and heavyweight sleepers should opt for the Helix Midnight.

Durability 

Both of these mattresses should last you at least 6 years, but the Midnight will likely outlive the Nectar. That’s because foam degrades more quickly than steel coils. Keep in mind, both mattresses are covered by lengthy warranties if they develop permanent foam indentations over 1″ (for Helix) or 1.5″ (for Nectar).

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties

Nectar mattresses ship within the contiguous U.S. for free and to Alaska and Hawaii for $150. The mattress is compressed and rolled into a box. Helix mattresses ship free via FedEx Ground within the U.S. and Canadian shipping is available for a fee. They’re also shipped in a bed-in-a-box format.

Helix offers a 100-night trial period to test out the mattress at home, while Nectar gives you a full year. Both brands require that you give yourself 30 days to “wear in” before initiating a return.

The Nectar mattress comes with a “Forever Warranty” that is valid as long as you own the bed, and the Helix warranty lasts 10 years from when you purchase the mattress. Both mattress brands will reimburse shipping costs if you have to send the mattress back and it is proven to be defective.

Other Models Available

Our Final Take

Whether you choose the Nectar or the Helix Midnight, you’ll get a quality mattress at a competitive price. The Nectar is better for those who like the close, conforming feel of memory foam. It’s also a good choice for back sleepers and average-weight side sleepers. Stomach sleepers and side sleepers of diverse body types will get better pressure relief on the Helix Midnight. We also recommend the Midnight to hot sleepers looking for breathability.

Nectar & Helix FAQs

What’s the difference between the Nectar and Helix mattress?

Both the Nectar and Helix mattresses are medium-firm bed-in-a-box mattresses, but they each have a different construction. The Nectar is made of gel memory foam and feels plush to the touch, while the Helix is a hybrid bed with a more bouncy, buoyant feel.

Is the Nectar mattress firm enough?

The Nectar mattress is medium-firm, which provides enough support for most body types. The Nectar does have a memory foam feel that allows you to gently sink into the mattress, so those that need extra firmness, such as heavyweight and stomach sleepers may want to consider an innerspring or hybrid mattress like the Helix Midnight, or a bed with a firmer support level.

How easy is it to return a Helix mattress?

If you want to return your Helix mattress during the 100-night sleep trial period, you can simply reach out to Helix to arrange a mattress pickup. As long as you’ve tried it for a full 30 days, you can contact a Helix representative to arrange the return and the company will issue a full refund once it’s complete.

Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other reviews and comparisons: