Helix vs. Tuft & Needle Mattress Comparison

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September 13, 2023

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If you’re looking for a new mattress, you want to know what exactly you’re getting into. Read this comparison between Helix and Tuft & Needle to find out what to look for, and how to judge the quality of a mattress.

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Helix vs. Tuft and Needle Overview

The Helix Midnight is a medium-firm hybrid mattress with pressure-relieving memory foam that creates a close, conforming feel. The Tuft & Needle Original is made entirely from proprietary foams that have a medium-firm feel.

Side sleepers, hot sleepers, and those weighing more than 230 lbs should opt for the Helix, while budget shoppers, lightweight stomach sleepers, and people who want a firmer feel will likely prefer the T&N mattress.

Helix is best for…	Tuft and Needle is best for…
Side sleepers	Firm mattress fans
Couples	Shoppers on a budget
Hot sleepers	Back and lightweight stomach sleepers

Who Should Choose the Helix Mattress?

Side sleepers: Helix designed the Midnight mattress for side sleepers. Ultra-conforming memory foam along the top layer cradles the side body while the coils below support the spine. The gentle support and generous cushion are excellent for side sleeping.
Couples: The Helix Midnight is one of the few beds that earned high marks in the Mattress Nerd lab for all body types and sleeping positions. As such, the Midnight works well for partners who have different sleep habits and body sizes. In fact, we included the Helix Midnight Luxe (an upgraded version of the Midnight) in our list of best mattresses for couples.
Hot sleepers: The Helix Midnight boasts 8” of breathable innerspring coils, creating air circulation that sweeps away stored body heat so that you don’t wake up hot and sweaty.

Who Should Choose the Tuft and Needle Mattress?

Firm mattress fans: The T&N is firmer than your average mattress. It’s supportive for an all-foam bed, particularly for lightweight and average-weight sleepers.
Shoppers on a budget: The T&N Original is one of the most affordable all-foam beds offered by a leading bed-in-a-box mattress retailer. A Queen size costs only $895.
Back and lightweight stomach sleepers: The T&N’s surface is lightly contouring, which is ideal for comfort, and it has the firmness and support required by back sleepers.

Helix vs. Tuft and Needle: Top Similarities

Excellent motion isolation: Both mattresses performed well in our motion transfer tests, which means they help couples achieve better sleep.
Great for back sleepers: Both beds suit back sleepers thanks to moderate body contouring and exceptional support.
Similar buying experience: Helix Sleep and Tuft & Needle are bed-in-a-box mattress brands, so your new bed ships to you compressed into a medium-sized box. Both provide free shipping, risk-free home trial periods, and 10-year mattress warranties.

Helix vs. Tuft and Needle: Top Differences

Pressure relief: The Helix Midnight is softer and more pressure-relieving than the T&N mattress. Most side sleepers prefer the Helix thanks to greater cushioning at their pressure points while the T&N may not offer as much sinkage, but it has more than enough pressure relief for back sleepers and lightweight stomach sleepers.
Temperature regulation: The Helix sleeps a little cooler because its thick coil layer doesn’t store as much body heat as T&N’s support foam.
Feel: The Helix has a memory foam top layer and supportive coil support system that give it a softer, springier feel. In contrast, the T&N is made with two firmer layers of foam, so it has a denser feel that keeps you “on top” of the mattress.
Plus-size support: The Helix supports all body types, while the T&N is best for people weighing less than 230 lbs.

Helix vs. Tuft and Needle: Firmness & Feel Differences

Tuft & Needle mattress — Tuft & Needle Mattress

Firmness level is one of the most important features when shopping for a new mattress.

What’s the Firmness of the Helix & Tuft and Needle Mattresses?

The Helix Midnight and the Tuft & Needle Original are medium-firm mattresses, but the T&N is firmer while the Helix offers greater pressure relief. The Helix supports all body types, although weights will register firmness levels differently: lightweight folks feel mattresses to be a bit firmer, while heavyweight people tend to feel more hugged on mattresses than lightweight sleepers. The T&N is best for people weighing less than 230 lbs because it’s made solely with foam and has only one comfort layer, it’s not durable or firm enough for most heavyweight people (> 230 lbs) and stomach sleepers over 130 lbs.

What do the Helix & Tuft and Needle Mattresses Feel Like?

What’s It Like to Sleep on the Helix & Tuft and Needle Mattresses?

The Helix vs. Tuft and Needle Mattresses By Body Type

The 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

Tuft and Needle Performance By Body Type & Sleeping Position:

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

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

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

The Helix offers a great balance of comfort and support for average-weight people. Starting from back sleepers who did not feel any pressure while lying on their backs, testers reported no lower back arching when they were positioned on their stomachs for stomach sleepers. For side sleepers, the pressure reader only found minimal pressure buildup in the shoulders during in-lab testing. Although combination sleepers might find it difficult to change positions throughout the night due to the memory foam top layer that slows the bed down when it comes to responsiveness.

The T&N is a good mattress for back sleepers under 230 lbs. Average-weight people should experience light cradling of the spine without excessive dipping at the hips. Side sleepers should experience sufficient pressure relief near their hips and shoulders. Unfortunately, it is too soft for stomach sleepers as they need a firmer mattress with sturdy support. It has a proprietary polyfoam top layer that adjusts quickly, making it excellent for tossing and turning with ease. It may not be the most responsive mattress we’ve ever tested, but it will suffice for the average combination sleepers.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

The Helix works just fine for heavyweight back sleepers, but Helix has a bed designed especially for these folks: the Helix Plus. For stomach sleepers, they might experience too much hip sinkage. Instead, they should check out mattresses for stomach sleepers, including the Helix Dusk or Helix Dawn. Fortunately, the Helix is designed for all side sleepers, regardless of their weight. However, this may not be for combination sleepers since it could be hard for them to change positions due to the memory foam top layer.

The T&N may not be for heavyweight back sleepers as you’ll get much better support on a firmer mattress with sturdier materials like innerspring coils. It’s also not supportive enough for heavyweight side sleepers. The Tuft & Needle’s medium-firm feel may be too soft for stomach sleepers as they need firmer support. The same with combination sleepers, who tosses and turns around, this could work as an average mattress.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

The Helix provides extensive comfort and support for our lightweight back sleepers as it proves to relieve pressure the same way that it resulted in no lower back arching for stomach sleepers. The bed’s contouring also promotes lateral spinal alignment for side sleepers. On the other hand, it may be difficult for combination sleepers to feel relief as the memory foam slows the bed’s movement.

The T&N is perfect for lightweight back sleepers as it provides spine support without being too hard on the hips. However, it could be a little too firm for side sleepers who experience the fewest aches and pains on softer mattresses. Luckily for stomach sleepers, the mattress’ medium firm-feel suits them best, together with combination sleepers who alternate between their back and stomach.

Differences In Mattress Construction

helix midnight mattress construction — Helix Midnight mattress construction

The Tuft & Needle is an entry-level all-foam bed made from two foam layers. The top layer of proprietary polyfoam combines the slight bounce of latex with a firm foam feel. While there is some cushion, expect a floating “on” the surface experience. The lower foam layer is durable and dense, providing excellent motion isolation. At just 10” thick, the T&N is best for lightweight and average-weight people.

XYZ Mattress Materials	T&N Mattress Materials
”Soft Touch Design” Mattress Cover	Knit Mattress Cover
”Memory Plus Foam” Comfort Layer	Adaptive Foam Comfort Layer (3″)
Polyfoam Transition Layer	High-Density Polyfoam Base Layer (7”)
Individually Wrapped Coils	N/A
”DuraDense” Foam

Cover

The Helix cover feels soft to the touch and has a slight stretch and it’s optimized for airflow to help keep you cool at night. On the other hand, the T&N offers a durable and comfortable white knit with breathable fabric for a cozy, temperature-neutral sleeping experience.

Comfort Layers

Beneath the cover is a 2” layer of Helix’s proprietary Memory Plus Foam, which has a medium firmness designed to relieve pressure on the joints such as the shoulders and the hips. T&N Adaptive Foam is an open-cell foam, meaning there are plenty of air pockets to facilitate airflow with gentle contouring around our bodies, but without the deep “hugging” feel of memory foam. With cooling ceramic gel beads and graphite, this top layer supports a cool night’s sleep.

Support Layers

The Helix features hundreds of individually wrapped coils cradling your body and providing added support sporting a reinforced perimeter for added edge support, which is great for couples who like to spread out along the edges of the bed. The T&N has a sturdy foam base that creates a firmer feel the further you sink into the mattress reducing motion transfer, which is important for those who sleep with a child, pet, or partner.

Helix vs. Tuft and Needle Pricing

Size	Helix Prices	Tuft and Needle Prices
Twin	$	$
Twin XL	$	$
Full	$	$
Queen	$	$
King	$	$
California King	$	$

For exclusive discounts on both beds, see our Helix mattress coupons and Tuft and Needle mattress coupons.

Helix vs. Tuft and Needle Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Temperature

The best cooling mattresses are those with lots of breathability. The coils in the Helix allow copious airflow, while the foam layers in the T&N are more prone to trap body heat as the night goes on. Predictably, we think that the Helix sleeps cooler than the T&N, though it’s unlikely that the average person will overheat on either bed.

Motion Transfer

As an all-foam mattress, the Tuft & Needle is less likely than the Helix Midnight to transfer movement from one side of the mattress to the other. With that said, both beds offer above-average motion isolation, so while you might feel a slight jiggle if you sleep with someone else, it probably won’t be enough to wake you up.

Edge Support

Sturdy edge support matters if you’re someone who spends time sitting on your mattress’s edge, whether that’s to visit, read, or put on shoes. Also, some people who share their mattress require a comfortable edge to sleep along—particularly when your partner’s a bed hog.

In our in-house testing for edge support, the Helix Midnight outperformed the T&N. Not only did our experts feel secure lying along the edge, but they felt stable when sitting there, too. In comparison, the T&N was acceptably comfortable for spreading out, but it didn’t offer a stable sitting surface.

Pressure Relief

The Helix Midnight’s surface has a doughy, pressure-relieving feel that’s great for side sleepers and people with joint pain. In comparison, the T&N isn’t very soft. So while the T&N does have a decent level of cushion for firm mattress fans, people needing excellent pressure relief should go with the Helix.

Pain Relief

Healthy nighttime posture is a mattress feature that influences how well you sleep and how your body feels in the morning. To find a mattress that supports your spine, you should consider how you sleep along with your body type.

Stomach sleepers need something with firm support to keep the hips lifted, back sleepers need a combination of contouring and support, and side sleepers need extra cushion without too much sagging. And because heavier folks put more weight onto a bed, you typically need a firmer mattress the more you weigh. Similarly, lighter people usually prefer softer beds.

For side sleepers, the Helix’s softer comfort layer and supportive coils are better for spine alignment than the T&N. Stomach sleepers typically experience better alignment on firmer mattresses like T&N, although neither bed is a top pick for heavy stomach sleepers. Back sleepers will have a good sleeping posture on either bed.

Durability

No mattress lasts forever. Over time, the foams along the surface soften and coils may become noisy or less supportive. But while you shouldn’t expect a new bed to last your lifetime, chances are you’d like at least five to 10years.

We expect the Helix Midnight to last seven to 10 years, and the T&N to last around six years. The Helix Midnight is slightly more durable thanks to the strength of its steel coil support layer. Both mattresses are covered by warranties against defects like premature sagging.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties

Helix

Helix Sleep offers free shipping to customers throughout the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska which comes with a 100-night sleep trial period. Once you set up your new mattress, it can take a day or two to lose any off-gassing odor and fully expand.

The Helix mattress warranty lasts for ten years and covers defects including faulty materials or body impressions deeper than 1”.

Tuft and Needle

The T&N offers free shipping to customers living in the contiguous U.S. ($150–$200 fee for shipments to Hawaii or Alaska) which comes with a 100-night trial period.The Tuft & Needle mattress warranty lasts for ten years and covers defects including faulty materials or body impressions deeper than 0.75”.

More Mattresses to Consider

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

Our Final Take

The Helix Midnight’s hybrid design and softer feel better support hot sleepers, people who toss and turn, side sleepers, and heavyweight folks. If you want something firmer, spend part of the night on your stomach, or are on a budget, the Tuft & Needle is your best option. Both beds come with a risk-free trial period, so you can sleep on your new mattress before fully committing.

Helix & Tuft and Needle FAQs

Is a Tuft and Needle mattress firm or soft?

The Tuft & Needle Original falls at a 6/10 on the firmness scale, giving it a true medium-firm feel. It’s made with T&N Adaptive foam, which gives the mattress a responsiveness that creates a “floating” effect. In other words, you won’t feel stuck in the mattress.

How long do Helix mattresses last?

As a hybrid mattress, we expect the Midnight to have a lifespan of 7–8 years. Pocketed coils are generally a durable material, but memory foam may develop body impressions after years of use. If your mattress develops any material defects, consult the Helix mattress warranty to see if you’re eligible for a replacement.

Can you put a Helix mattress on top of a box spring?

No need for a box spring since The Helix has individually wrapped coils for support which cradle your body and provide added support. The Helix Midnight also has a reinforced perimeter for added edge support, which is great for couples who like to spread out along the edges of the bed.