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 vs Purple Mattress Comparison
Comparing Helix & Purple Mattresses
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.
Differences
- The Helix Dusk is slightly firmer than the Purple, making the Dusk the best mattress for stomach sleepers and back sleepers, while the latter is better for combination sleepers.
- The Purple Grid technology in the Purple Mattress promotes airflow, making it a preferred option for hot sleepers.
- The Helix incorporates both foam and coils in its design while the Purple is 100% memory foam, making it the best mattress for side sleepers
Similarities
- Both mattresses come with generous 100-night trial periods and 10-year limited warranties.
- Both mattresses are affordable and great for budget shoppers.
- Back or stomach sleepers can find comfort in either mattress.
Helix Dusk
The Helix Dusk is a hybrid mattress made for back and stomach sleepers who want a little extra cushioning. The Dusk comes with a soft top layer for cradling, while the coils and medium-firmness provide the support needed for spinal alignment.
Score
4.7
/
5.0
Firmness
6
Trial period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Who is the Helix Mattress Best For?
Best For…
- Back and stomach sleepers
- Sleepers who need edge support
- Budget shoppers
May Not be Best For…
- Side sleepers
- People who want pure memory foam mattresses
Read our full Helix mattress review to learn more!
Purple Mattress
The Purple mattress is perfect for value-seekers who prefer a temperature-neutral mattress with a floating feel, thanks to its special 2" Purple Grid and dual-layered comfort foam.
Score
4.8
/
5.0
Firmness
5
Trial period
100 nights
Warranty
10 year limited warranty
Who is the Purple Mattress Best For?
Best For…
- Side sleepers
- Hot sleepers
- Sleepers with hip and shoulder pain
- Sleepers who enjoy a “floating” feeling
May Not be Best For…
- People who prefer traditional memory foam
- Sleepers with larger builds
Read our full Purple mattress review 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 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.
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 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.
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 them to contour with your body and reduce pressure on areas such as your hips, shoulders, and neck by keeping the spine aligned.
Spine Alignment
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.
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 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.
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 that features another Helix brand mattress.
Helix vs. Purple Mattress Construction
| 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” |
Shipping and Returns for Helix & Purple
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.
More Helix Mattresses
Helix Dawn
The Helix Dawn is designed for stomach and back sleepers, providing firm support while protecting the spine. With little give and less pressure relief than softer mattresses, the Helix Dawn makes it easy to move around on the mattress.
See our full Helix Dawn mattress review for more information.
Helix Sunset
The Helix Sunset mattress feels softer while still promoting pressure relief, making this a great option for side sleepers.
Helix Twilight
The Helix Twilight mattress is specifically engineered for sleepers who need a firmer sleep surface. A hybrid mattress featuring coils for support and memory foam for cradling, the Twilight combines lumbar support with cushioning that's good for back, stomach and heavyweight sleepers.
See our full Helix mattress reviews for more information.
More Purple Mattresses
Purple Hybrid
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.
Purple Hybrid Premier
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.
Haven’t made a decision yet? Check out these other comparisons:
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 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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