Helix and Purple make some of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses available. We took a deep dive into these two brands, what sets them apart from each other, and which model is best based on your preferences.
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Helix and Purple make some of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattresses available. We took a deep dive into these two brands, what sets them apart from each other, and which model is best based on your preferences.
For years, Helix Sleep and Purple Mattress have made names for themselves as manufacturers some of the best bed-in-a-box mattresses. While both of these companies’ mattresses are designed to accommodate a wide variety of sleepers of all shapes and sizes, each comes with their own unique benefits and features. The primary difference between them is that Helix creates hybrid mattresses consisting of both foam and coil, while Purple has two distinct memory foam and hybrid options.
So which mattress is right for you? Read on to see our breakdown of both companies’ mattresses and find out which will best accommodate your sleep personality. In this review, we will primarily be focusing on the Hybrid Dusk model versus the Purple Mattress base model.
6
100 nights
10-year warranty
Read our full Helix mattress review to learn more!
5
100 nights
10 year limited warranty
Read our full Purple mattress review to learn more!
All mattresses are rated on a firmness scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the most firm. Typically, mattresses on the softer end of the spectrum are better suited for side sleepers because the mattress conforms to their hips and shoulders and allows for proper spinal alignment.
Firmer mattresses support your neck, shoulders, hips, legs, and feet, making them ideal for back or stomach sleepers, especially those with heavier frames. The Purple Mattress, with its memory foam construction, is on the medium-soft side of the firmness scale, allowing it to accommodate side sleepers. The Helix Dusk is on the medium-firm side and allows for stomach and back sleepers to reduce stress on their pressure points. If you’re set on a soft Helix mattress, try the Helix Moonlight.
If you toss and turn while you sleep, or if you tend to get up frequently, you might want to invest in a mattress with low motion transfer, especially if you share your bed with someone else. Motion isolation keeps movement on your side of the bed so it’s less likely that you’ll disturb your partner. The Helix Dusk and the Purple Mattress feature low motion transfer, making them both some of the best mattresses for couples.
Over time, the edges of your mattress may lose some of their firmness, making getting in and out of bed difficult. For the elderly or people with bad backs, having a mattress with edge support is a necessity.
The Helix Dusk’s firm, hybrid construction delivers outstanding edge support, and you won’t have to worry about the mattress losing its edge shape in the years to come. The Purple, while offering some edge support, may lose its shape if you spend a lot of time on the edge of the bed.
A good mattress relieves pressure on your body so that you don’t wake up with aches and pains every morning. In order to provide pressure relief, the Helix Dusk and the Purple incorporate memory foam into their design, allowing them to contour with your body and reduce pressure on areas such as your hips, shoulders, and neck by keeping the spine aligned.
Spinal alignment, like pressure relief, is a necessary quality you should consider when mattress shopping. Keeping your spine aligned is key to promoting proper posture and reducing body aches and pains. The Purple Mattress all-memory-foam construction allows for side sleepers to keep their spines aligned while the Helix Dusk’s hybrid design promotes spinal alignment for back or stomach sleepers. For more mattresses that protect the spine and provide pressure relief, see our picks for the best mattress for back sleepers.
You want a mattress that retains its shape and form for as long as possible. Helix and Purple have designed their products to last a long time, which is why they offer a 10-year warranty on their mattresses. However, the Helix Dusk’s hybrid design and enhanced edge support mean that this mattress will retain its firmness and shape for a slightly longer period.
The Helix Dusk and the Purple Mattress both incorporate various materials into their construction to keep sleepers cool throughout the night. The Purple Mattress has a slight edge because of its proprietary Purple Grid technology found in its comfort layer, which promotes airflow and draws heat away from your body. However, see our list of the best mattress for hot sleepers that features another Helix brand mattress.
Helix Dusk | Purple Mattress | |
Cover | Helix Soft Touch Design cover to promote airflow and keep the sleeper cool. | SoftFlex removable, breathable, hypoallergenic cover |
Comfort Layer | Helix Dynamic Foam contours to your body for supreme spinal alignment and comfort. | 2” hyper-elastic polymer known as the Purple Grid creates excellent support and pressure relief, no matter your sleeping position. The Purple Grid is also designed to increase airflow so you stay cool throughout the night. |
Transitional Layer | Memory Foam Plus delivers pressure relief and ergonomic support. | 3.5” additional polyfoam layer that distributes your weight evenly and keeps your body from sinking in. |
Support Layer | Hundreds of individually wrapped coils to reduce motion transfer and provide excellent edge support. | 4.0” polyfoam base layer to ensure the mattress retains its shape for a long time. |
Mattress Thickness | 10” | 9.5” |
The Helix Dusk is gently compressed and rolled into a box, which is shipped to you via FedEx Ground. All Helix mattresses come with free delivery anywhere within the continental United States, but Canadian shoppers need to pay a $250 fee per mattress as well as a Customs Tax.
It can take approximately three to seven business days between placing your order and receiving it, and when it arrives, FedEx will leave it outside your door or on the ground floor.
The Purple Mattress comes with free shipping for any of the 48 contiguous states, but for an additional fee, you can request White Glove In-Home Delivery. This includes delivery to your home, setting up your new mattress, removing your old mattress, and disposing of any packing materials.
Returning your Helix Dusk or Purple Mattress is simple. Both companies offer a 100-night trial period, starting from the day of delivery, to see if you like your new mattress. If you have any problems within that time frame, you can return your mattress hassle-free.
Helix Sleep requires that you allow for a 30-night break-in period before you can initiate a return, while Purple Mattress requires that you allow for 21 nights. After that period is over, you can contact their customer support center to authorize a return.
See our full Helix Dawn mattress review for more information.
The Helix Sunset mattress feels softer while still promoting pressure relief, making this a great option for side sleepers.
See our full Helix mattress reviews for more information.
The Purple Hybrid still utilizes the proprietary memory foam and Purple Grid construction as the base model, but it also incorporates a new layer of individually wrapped coils for added comfort and responsiveness.
See our full Purple Hybrid mattress review to learn more.
The Purple Hybrid Premier takes the Hybrid mattress one step further by allowing you to choose the thickness of the Purple Grid layer. You can select the 3” of adequate weightless support, or 4” of zero-gravity float.
See our full Purple Hybrid Premier mattress review for more details.
The Purple Mattress and the Helix Dusk are both exemplary mattresses with their own set of pros and cons. If you’re a side sleeper with problems keeping cool during the night, we recommend the Purple Mattress. For back or stomach sleepers who want excellent edge support, the Helix Dusk is the one for you. If you find yourself frequently changing positions, check out our recommendations for the best mattress for all sleeping positions.
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