Helix vs Tempur-Pedic: Which Should You Get?

We receive free products to review and participate in affiliate programs, where we are compensated for items purchased through links from our site. See our disclosure page for more information.

Helix and Tempur-Pedic are two different companies that have success with different philosophies and business models. As Helix has grown in popularity since its launch a couple of years ago, people wonder how it compares to Tempur-Pedic and its line of mattresses.   I’ll go over those differences in this mattress comparison and help you make a more informed decision. Make sure to check out our other popular Helix vs Tempur-Pedic comparisons like Helix vs Tuft and Needle and Tempur-Pedic vs Nectar. Helix vs Tempur-Pedic Related: Best Cooling Mattresses

Helix vs. Tempur-Pedic: Top Similarities

Helix vs. Tempur-Pedic: Key Differences

  • Helix sells online-only, while Tempur-Pedic mainly sells through retail stores
  • Helix sells one mattress, which is customizable; Tempur-Pedic has a full line of mattress catered to different feels and firmness levels
  • The key component of the Tempur-Pedic mattress comfort layers is memory foam, while Helix uses microcoils and a specialty polyfoam
  • The foam used in the Helix is faster-responding than the foam used in the Tempur-Pedic mattresses (with the possible exception of the Flex collection)
  • Helix sells its mattress for less than any of the Tempur-Pedic mattresses

Construction and Feel Difference

The biggest difference in feel comes from Tempur-Pedic using memory foam in its comfort layer versus Helix using a specialty “dynamic” polyfoam and microcoils in its comfort layer.  With Tempur-Pedic, people will slowly sink into the mattress.  If people move around, the foam takes a bit of time to re-adapt to their new position.  With Helix, the foam moves around immediately, and folks have a more “on-the-mattress” feel. Which feel is better really just comes down to one’s personal preference. RELATED: Which is the best Tempurpedic mattress?

Choose Helix If:

  • You Don’t Know Exactly What You Want– If someone isn’t sure the feel or firmness that they want, then the customization test Helix puts them through can take care of all the work for them.
  • You Want A Split Mattress– If someone sleeps with a partner who has very different preferences than they do, then the split option Helix provides can be a great choice for them.
  • You Want A More Responsive Mattress– The use of specialty “dynamic” foam makes the Helix more responsive and fast-moving than Tempur-Pedic mattresses
  • You Are On A Budget– Helix’s online-only business model allows them to price their mattress at a much lower level than any of the Tempur-Pedic mattresses.  If someone is on a budget, they can probably get a little more value from Helix for this reason.

Helix Midnight Mattress

the Helix Midnight mattress sits on a bed frame

The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review

Helix Midnight Mattress

the Helix Midnight mattress sits on a bed frame

The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review
the Helix Midnight mattress sits on a bed frame

Helix Midnight Mattress

The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.

Clarity Score 4.1/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Hybrid

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

100 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type couples
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
MC sleeper type back sleepers
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
MC sleeper type side sleepers
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5/5
Watch Our Video Review
Get the Highest Discount Available on Helix HERE

Choose Tempur-Pedic If:

  • You Want A Slower-Moving Memory Foam Feel– Tempur-Pedic is known for its memory foam feel, so if that is what people are looking for, it’s definitely the way to go.
  • You Want To Try The Mattress Out Ahead Of Time– It’s difficult to know what the Helix will feel like because it’s completely customized to each individual.  With Tempur-Pedic, people can go to a store and get a good sense of how they will like it.
  • You Want To Buy From A Long-Established Company– Tempur-Pedic has been around for decades.  This means people can benefit from thousands of reviews of people who have had their mattress for years.

TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Mattress

tempur luxeadapt

The TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt collection is right in the middle of the five series of beds and is considered the most advanced. The LuxeAdapt mattresses come in two different comfort levels: Soft and Firm.

Clarity Score 3.9/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

90 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
MC sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review

TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Mattress

tempur luxeadapt

The TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt collection is right in the middle of the five series of beds and is considered the most advanced. The LuxeAdapt mattresses come in two different comfort levels: Soft and Firm.

Clarity Score 3.9/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

90 nights

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
MC sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review
tempur luxeadapt

TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Mattress

The TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt collection is right in the middle of the five series of beds and is considered the most advanced. The LuxeAdapt mattresses come in two different comfort levels: Soft and Firm.

Clarity Score 3.9/5
MC Brand Icon MattressMaterial

Material

Foam

MC Brand Icon PropertyFirmness

Firmness

Multiple firmness options

MC Brand Icon PropertyTrialPeriod

Trial Period

90 nights

MC Brand Icon MattressWarranty

Warranty

10-year warranty

MC Brand Icon PropertyShipping

Shipping Method

Free shipping

MC Brand Icon PropertyPrice

Price Range

$$$$$$

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:

MC sleeper type seniors
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.
MC sleeper type joint pain
Joint Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from joint pain.
MC sleeper type hip pain
Hip Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from hip pain.
MC sleeper type back pain
Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6/5
Watch Our Video Review
See all Tempur-Pedic Models HERE

Both Options Are Good for Couples

Tempur-Pedic mattresses are good for couples because the memory foam does a great job of isolating motion.  That means when someone’s partner moves around, they typically won’t be able to feel it. Helix is a great option for couples because people can customize each side of the bed.  That means if someone and their partner have very different preferences, they won’t have a problem because they can just customize each side of the bed to their individual needs.

Price and Value

Tempur-Pedic mainly sells its mattresses through retail stores.  Helix sells directly online, and as a result cuts out the middleman in the process and is able to price its product much lower.  For this reason, one could argue that they get more value from the Helix mattress (it has made our best mattress list). RELATED: Best Mattress For The Money

Overall

Both are great companies that present very different options.  The differences should be clear, so take a look through what I’ve written and hopefully people will be able to make a good decision.

Subscribe to Mattress Clarity!

Get special coupons, discounts, and giveaways!

Joe Auer

Joe Auer

Founder/Managing Editor

About Author

Joe is the founder of Mattress Clarity and has been reviewing mattresses and other sleep products for more than five years. Joe knows a lot about mattresses, having tested more than 100 personally. Through his experience, he has developed a straightforward and practical approach to making mattress recommendations.

Joe does not believe there is one best mattress for everyone and that a more tailored approach is often the most helpful to mattress shoppers. He tries to make clear what types of sleepers a particular mattress would be good for. He also notes what considerations people should make when looking at a particular type of bed.

His extensive knowledge of mattresses, and the mattress industry, has garnered him some media attention. He’s been interviewed and featured in several online publications, including Inc.om, Business Insider, New York Magazine, Huffington Post, and Forbes.

Thanks to his expertise, Joe has tested countless approaches to improving his own sleep quality. He has two top sleep tips that he’s benefitted from personally. He limits his caffeine consumption to 100 mg a day and meditates for 15 minutes daily.

Joe has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA from Columbia University, where he studied entrepreneurship.

When he isn’t reviewing mattresses, Joe loves to play classical piano, read fiction and non-fiction, and travel.