Helix Sunset Mattress Review

Written by Marten Carlson, Lead Reviewer and Certified Sleep Science Coach

Methodology

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches have reviewed 600+ mattresses and accessories for over seven years using proprietary analysis and hands-on testing. We assess each bed for support, cooling, firmness, pressure relief and more.
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In This Review

I’ll explain what it was like to sleep on the Helix Sunset mattress and go over the bed’s firmness, feel, cooling capabilities, pricing and more.

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The Helix Sunset is the softest model in Helix’s line of hybrid mattresses. That line includes mattresses that are designed to suit virtually every type of sleeper, but the Helix Sunset itself is a bit more polarizing due to its extra-plush feel.

Is the Helix Sunset mattress right for you? To help you find out, I personally tested this mattress and assessed its firmness, feel, construction and more. Read my full unbiased Helix Sunset mattress review to learn more.

Editor’s Note: The Helix Sunset mattress is available in Core, Luxe and Elite models. We reviewed the Core Helix Sunset Mattress without the GlacioTex™ cover or pillowtop.

Helix Sunset Mattress Overview

Helix sells six different types of mattresses, and each one is available in the Core, Luxe and Elite lines. For this review, I’ll focus specifically on the Core model of the Helix Sunset. Take a look at our Helix mattress reviews to learn about the other models.

As noted above, the Helix Sunset is a particularly soft bed, which means it is better suited to some kinds of sleepers more than others. Here’s a quick overview of who might feel right at home on the Helix Sunset and who might need to keep looking for their perfect mattress match.

Pros of the Helix Sunset

• It’s great for side sleepers who need tons of pressure relief. This mattress feels particularly plush, and it helps alleviate pain along shoulders and hips.
• Lightweight back sleepers should get the comfort and support they need on the Helix Sunset mattress.
• The Helix Sunset made our list of the best soft mattresses, so if this is what you prefer, it’s a good option.

Cons of the Helix Sunset

• Stomach sleepers won’t get enough support on the Helix Sunset mattress. In this sleeping position, you will likely feel your hips sinking into the surface of the mattress, which can crane your back out of alignment and cause pain.
• It’s not supportive enough for heavyweight back sleepers. If you weigh more than 230 lb and rest on your back, you may want to consider the Helix Dawn mattress instead.
• People who enjoy firm mattress won’t like the Helix Sunset. Take a look at our list of the best firm mattresses for some other options.

Overall Rating

Our team of Certified Sleep Science Coaches personally test each mattress in categories such as materials, comfort, cooling, and support. Hover over the icons to learn more about these different topics, or scroll down for a more detailed analysis on each one.

Mattress Performance Ratings

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Helix Sunset Mattress Firmness And Feel

Whenever you’re in the market for a new mattress, it’s critical to consider firmness and feel. These factors have a big impact on whether a given mattress is well matched to your preferred sleep position and other sleep needs. So let’s kick off the in-depth portion of this review by taking a look at the Helix Sunset’s firmness and feel.

How Firm Is The Helix Sunset?

The Helix Sunset mattress feels like a 5.5/10 on the firmness scale. The industry standard for average firmness is 6.5/10, so this means the Helix Sunset is softer than average.

Firmness is a bit subjective, so depending on your body weight and preferences, you might label this mattress a touch firmer or softer. But it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone will find this to be a notably soft mattress.

Sleeping On The Helix Sunset

Because the Helix Sunset is very soft, I didn’t get enough lumbar support whenever I slept on my back. My hips sank into the mattress and tugged my spine out of alignment.

The Helix Sunset felt great whenever I slept on my side. The soft foam layers cushioned my shoulder and hip, and I didn’t feel any joint pain. In fact, this mattress is so pressure-relieving, I named it one of the best mattresses for hip pain.

The Helix Sunset didn’t feel supportive enough while back sleeping, and it also was not supportive enough while stomach sleeping. Of all the sleeping positions, stomach sleepers need the firmest mattress to keep their hips in line with their shoulders. On the Helix Sunset, my hips bowed into the mattress, which threw my spine out of alignment. If you want a firmer mattress, you may want to consider the Helix Twilight.

What Does The Helix Sunset Feel Like?

The Helix Sunset has a balanced foam feel. The plush comfort layer allows sleepers to sink into the mattress, while the coils at the bottom prevent sleepers from “bottoming out.”

Sleeper Weight	Back Sleepers	Side Sleepers	Stomach Sleepers
Lightweight (Under 130 lb)	Excellent	Excellent	Fair
Average (130 – 230 lb)	Bad	Excellent	Bad
Heavyweight (Over 230 lb)	Bad	Fair	Bad

Helix Sunset Mattress Construction

By now you should have good sense of what it feels like to sleep on top of the Helix Sunset. Now, let’s take a look at this bed’s construction. I’ll review the Helix Sunset layer-by-layer and share how different materials impact performance.

Cover

The Helix Sunset features a Breathe Knit cover that feels stretchy and breathable. If you want the surface of the mattress to feel cool to the touch, you can get a GlacioTex™ pillow top, which makes the mattress feel particularly cool and plush.

Comfort Layers

In the first comfort layer, you’ll find a layer of Copper Gel Memory Foam, a cooling material that helps dissipate body heat and relieve pain along pressure points. Beneath that sits a layer of Helix Responsive Foam, a soft material that contours the body. Another layer of Helix Responsive Foam sits underneath. This acs as a transition layer and helps prevent sleepers from “bottoming out” on the mattress.

Support Layer

The Helix Sunset’s support layer is made up of individually-wrapped coils. These coils rest on top of a sturdy DuraDense Foam that lends structure and support to the mattress overall.

Mattress Height

The Helix Sunset stands at 12” tall.

Helix Sunset Mattress Size Options And Price

To see the most up-to-date size and pricing information for the Helix Sunset mattress, check out the chart below.

Size	Dimensions	Price
Twin	38″ x 75″	$936.30
Twin XL	38″ x 80″	$1061.30
Full	54″ x 75″	$1248.80
Queen	60″ x 80″	$1373.80
King	76″ x 80″	$1748.80
California King	72″ x 84″	$1748.80

Make sure to look at our Helix coupons page to get the best deal on the Sunset.

Helix Sunset Mattress

The Helix Sunset is the company’s softest model and is a great fit for side sleepers.

Save 20% sitewide + 2 FREE pillows with any mattress ($150+ value)

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Mattress Clarity Score

4.10 / 5.0

Helix Sunset Mattress Performance

This far into the review, you know quite a bit about the Helix Sunset’s firmness, feel and construction. But there are still some key factors to consider about this mattress. I put the Helix Sunset through a range of tests to assess its temperature regulation, motion transfer, edge support and more. Let’s see how this bed performed.

Sleeping Hot Or Cold

The Helix Sunset mattress doesn’t trap body heat, thanks to its breathable coils and gel-infused foam. However, if you’re still worried about overheating, consider adding the GlacioTex™ Cooling Pillow Top. This material feels cool to the touch.

Motion Transfer

Even though the Helix Sunset has coils, this bed minimizes motion transfer. That’s thanks to the thick memory foam comfort layer, which absorbs movement. This could be a great mattress for couples who are concerned about disturbing each other during the night.

Edge Support

While the Helix Sunset is a very soft mattress, it has solid edge support. The support layer’s coils helped me feel secure while sitting and lying down near the edge of the bed.

Durability

The Helix Sunset boasts high-density foams and long-lasting coils, which should make this a very durable mattress. I expect it to last between seven and 10 years.

Off-Gassing

I did observe some initial off-gassing from the Helix Sunset, but the chemical smell dissipated after two days.

Noise

When I rolled around on this mattress, I heard some faint squeaking sounds. It wasn’t loud enough to wake me up at night, but it could annoy people who are light sleepers.

Sex

A good mattress for sex enables partners to change positions easily. While the Helix Sunset has a slow-moving feel, couples shouldn’t feel stuck in this mattress thanks to its coils. It could be a decent option for sex.

Company Policies

It’s always a good idea to read the fine print when buying a mattress. Here’s a quick overview of Helix’s company polices.

Warranty Info

The Helix Sunset comes with a 10-year limited warranty. This covers all manufacturing defects and is void if you use the incorrect frame of foundation or otherwise mistreat the mattress.

Sleep Trial

You have 100 nights to decide whether the Helix Sunset is the right fit for you.

Return Policy

Helix asks that you try the mattress for 30 nights before you return it. If between 30 and 100 nights, you don’t think the mattress is a good fit, you can return it for a full refund. Just schedule with the company, and they will pick up the Helix Sunset mattress for you.

How Does The Helix Sunset Compare To Other Mattresses?

If you’re considering the Helix Sunset, then you’ve probably come across other online mattresses as well. It’s always helpful to comparison shop, because this helps you get a sense of all your options and lets you feel more confident in your final choice. To make things easier on you, I’ll compare the Helix Sunset to two other popular mattresses: Nectar and Purple.

To see how Helix stacks up against other brands, check out our other Helix comparisons such as Helix vs Tempur-Pedic and Helix vs Casper.

Helix vs Nectar

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Helix Sunset Mattress

Firmness

Soft: 5.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Helix Sunset Mattress Review

Product

Nectar Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Nectar Mattress Review

When it comes to their constructions, the Helix Sunset and Nectar are notably different. The Helix Sunset is a hybrid mattress that layers foams over individually-wrapped coils, while the Nectar is an all-foam mattress that incorporates memory foam into its comfort layers.

Even though they’re constructed differently, the Helix Sunset and Nectar mattresses feel similar. They both incorporate memory foam in their top layers, which means they’re pressure-relieving and slow-moving. However, these beds differ significantly in terms of firmness. We ranked the Helix Sunset at a very soft 5.5/10, while the Nectar has a classic medium-firm feel of 6.5/10. Because of this, the Helix Sunset is offers more pressure relief.

Who Should Get The Helix Sunset?	Who Should Get The Nectar?
Hot sleepers who need a mattress that sleeps cool	People who prefer all-foam mattresses
Side sleepers	People who want to save money

Need to know more about the Nectar? Check out our in-depth Nectar mattress review.

Helix vs Purple

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Helix Sunset Mattress

Firmness

Soft: 5.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Helix Sunset Mattress Review

Product

Purple Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Purple Mattress Review

The Helix Sunset and the original Purple vary dramatically when it comes to their constructions. The Helix Sunset layers multiple foams over individually-wrapped coils, while the Purple’s comfort layer features the brand’s unique hyper-elastic gel polymer grid.

Because they’re constructed from very different materials, it’s probably not surprising that the Helix Sunset and the Purple feel very different. The Helix Sunset has a classic memory foam hybrid feel, while the Purple has a unique, gel-like feel that is simultaneously squishy and firm. These mattresses also have different firmness levels. The Helix Sunset is very soft, while the Purple is medium-firm.

Who Should Get The Helix Sunset?	Who Should Get The Purple?
Side sleepers who need plenty of pressure relief	Hot sleepers who want a temperature-neutral mattress
Fans of a traditional mattress feel	Folks who want an exceptionally durable mattress

Learn more in my comprehensive Purple mattress review.

Final Thoughts

The Helix Sunset is a soft mattress that works well for many side sleepers. This mattress has a plush, slow-moving feel, and there are many customization options available. It’s not supportive enough for back sleepers, stomach sleepers or heavyweight people.

FAQs

How long will the Helix Sunset mattress last?

The Helix Sunset is a durable hybrid mattress that should last between seven and 10 years.

Do you need a box spring with the Helix Sunset mattress?

No, it’s not necessary to place the Helix Sunset mattress on top of a box spring. It’s perfectly fine to place this mattress directly on top of a bed frame or base.

Can you flip a Helix Sunset mattress?

No, you cannot flip a Helix Sunset mattress. Flipping this mattress would result in sleeping on the hard support coils as opposed to the softer comfort layers on top.