Purple vs. Helix Mattress Comparison

Comparing Helix & Purple Mattresses

For years, Helix Sleep and Purple Mattress have made names for themselves as 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 coils, while Purple uses a unique grid material for pressure relief.

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 Helix Dusk model versus the original Purple Mattress.

Key Differences 

• The Purple is slightly firmer than the Helix Dusk on our firmness scale, making it the better mattress for stomach sleepers.
• The Purple Grid technology in the Purple Mattress promotes airflow, making it the preferred option for hot sleepers.
• The Helix incorporates both foam and coils in its design, while the Purple is mostly memory foam

Key Similarities

• Both mattresses come with generous 100-night sleep trial periods and 10-year limited warranties.
• Both mattresses are affordable and great for budget shoppers. For similar options, see the best affordable mattresses.
• Some back or stomach sleepers can find comfort in either mattress.

Who is the Helix Mattress Best For? 

Best For…

• Back and stomach sleepers who need to stay aligned and elevated on their mattress
• Sleepers who need edge support to remain supported even when sitting or lying on the edge of their bed
• Shoppers on a budget, who should appreciate the great value of the Helix line

May Not be Best For…

• Side sleepers who need an ultra-cushioned surface to keep their sensitive joints happy
• People who want pure memory foam mattresses instead of the bouncy, responsive feel of the hybrid Helix line

Read our full Helix mattress review to learn more! 

Who is the Purple Mattress Best For?

Best For…

• Hot sleepers who need the breathability of the open-air Purple Grid comfort layer
• Sleepers with hip and shoulder pain craving pressure relief and comfort
• Sleepers who enjoy a “floating” feeling and desire the unique feel of Purple’s Hyper-Elastic Polymer Grid

Not Best For…

• People who prefer traditional memory foam and don’t want the bouncy, rubbery sensation of the Purple mattress
• Heavyweight sleepers, who are better suited to a mattress with a supportive spring comfort layer

Read our full Purple mattress review or Purple Mattress Comparison to learn more! 

Deciding Between Helix & Purple 

Firmness / Feel

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 rated a 6.5/10 on our firmness scale. The Helix Dusk is a bit softer, at a 6/10 rating. Both mattresses should work well for back and side sleepers, but the Purple Mattress should work a bit better for stomach sleepers.

Motion Isolation

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.

Edge Support

Over time, the edges of your mattress may lose some of their firmness, making it more difficult to get in and out of bed. 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.

Pressure Relief 

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 the mattresses to contour with your body and reduce pressure on areas such as your hips, shoulders, and neck. Each mattress will provide a slightly different contouring feel: The top foam layer of the Helix gives a balanced foam cradle, while the top layer of the Purple provides pressure relief directly on pressure points. 

Spine Alignment 

Keeping your spine aligned is key to promoting proper posture and reducing body aches and pains. Because the Purple Mattress and the Helix Dusk are situated at such a similar firmness level, they’ll be able to promote spinal alignment and prevent back pain in similar sleepers: primarily back sleepers and side sleepers, but also some stomach sleepers. For more mattresses that protect the spine and provide pressure relief, see our picks for the best mattress for back sleepers.

Durability 

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 each brand offers a 10-year warranty on their mattresses. However, the Helix Dusk’s hybrid design and enhanced edge support means that this mattress should retain its firmness and shape for a slightly longer period.

Temperature 

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, which features another Helix mattress.

Helix Mattress Construction

Compared to the Purple Mattress, the Helix Dusk delivers a more classic innerspring feel: perfect for those who sleep hot and want a high-quality hybrid mattress. Individually wrapped coils make up the base layer of the bed, then several layers of memory foam top off the construction. The medium-firm feel of the Helix Dusk makes it a good fit for back and side sleepers. 

Purple Mattress Construction

Purple offers a feel that sets it apart from almost any other bed on the market. Atop its foam base layer and additional foam transition layer, the bed uses a layer of its proprietary Purple Grid material. The Purple Grid offers breathability and responsiveness, which is great for both hot sleepers and combination sleepers who move around often at night. To top it all off, the Purple cover is a breathable and flexible cover that doesn’t impede the press-relieving capabilities of the Purple Grid.

Sizing & Price Comparisons 

See Purple Mattress Coupons & Helix Mattress Coupons.

Shipping and Returns

Helix

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 U.S., 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. 

Helix includes a 100-night trial period with the purchase of a Helix Dusk mattress. Still, Helix Sleep requires that you allow for a 30-night break-in period before you can initiate a return. After that period is over, you can contact their customer support center to begin the Helix process. Helix also offers a 10-year warranty for the Helix Dusk. For more, see our Helix mattress warranty breakdown.

Purple

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 service includes delivery to your home, setting up your new mattress, removing your old mattress, and disposing of any packing materials.

Purple offers 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. After receiving your new Purple mattress, you’ll have 100 days to return it for a full refund. Still, Purple requires a 21-night “break in period” before returning the mattress. You’ll also receive a 10-year warranty with the purchase of your mattress. 

For more, see our Purple mattress warranty breakdown.

More Helix Mattresses

See our full Helix Dawn mattress review for more information.

See our full Helix mattress reviews for more information.

More Purple Mattresses

See our full Purple Hybrid Mattress Review to learn more.

See our full Purple Hybrid Premier mattress review for more details.

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

• Helix vs. Casper
• Helix vs. Leesa
• Helix vs. Tuft & Needle
• Purple vs. Layla
• Purple vs. Amerisleep
• Purple vs. Casper
• Purple vs. Leesa
• Purple vs. Bear
• Purple vs. GhostBed
• Purple vs. Puffy
• Purple vs. Lull
• Purple vs. Tempur-Pedic
• Purple vs. Saatva
• Purple vs. Nectar
• Purple vs. Tuft & Needle

Our Helix vs. Purple Final Review 

The Purple Mattress and the Helix Dusk are both exemplary mattresses with their own set of pros and cons. If you’re looking for a breathable mattress with a unique feel, the Purple could be a great fit for you. If you want a more traditional-feeling mattress with more bounce, the Helix Dusk could be the perfect choice. Either way, you can’t go wrong with the 100-night sleep trials and 10-year warranties offered by each mattress brand.