Helix Dawn Mattress Review

Written by Marten Carlson, Lead Mattress and Sleep Product Reviewer

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 give you a rundown of my experience with the Helix Dawn mattress. I cover my testing process, how it feels, firmness and help you decide if this is the bed for you.

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The Helix Dawn mattress is a supportive hybrid bed from the popular Helix brand. Due to its construction, this mattress will likely appeal to particular sleep styles and won’t be an appropriate match for other types of sleepers.

Not sure whether the Helix Dawn is well-suited to your sleep needs and preferences? Read on for my comprehensive, unbiased Helix Dawn mattress review! I’ll detail who might like the Helix Dawn (and who might not) and assess this mattress’s construction, firmness, feel, and performance.

Helix Dawn Mattress Overview

As noted above, this mattress is fairly polarizing. It’s especially well-suited to some sleepers, while it won’t be at all comfortable for others. Here’s a quick overview of who’s most likely to want the Helix Dawn mattress and who might prefer to keep looking for another bed.

Pros of the Helix Dawn

• This is one of Helix’s firmest mattresses. Stomach sleepers who need plenty of support to elevate their hips should enjoy this mattress.
• The Helix Dawn is also just a great mattress for those who want a mattress on the firmer side.
• Because this mattress is a hybrid with both foam and coils, it’ll feel more like an innerspring. If you prefer bouncy and responsive mattresses, this is a good choice.

Cons of the Helix Dawn

• This bed is going to be too firm for side sleepers. It won’t provide enough body contouring or pressure relief for shoulders and hips.
• As mentioned, this is a firm mattress. If you prefer a soft mattress, consider a different mattress.
• There is foam in the comfort layer, but it’s not going to have that slow-moving, sinking feeling that all-foam beds are known for.

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 Dawn Firmness And Feel

When I’m reviewing a mattress, I always consider its firmness and feel first. This will start to give you an idea of whether the Helix Dawn is the right mattress for you.

How Firm Is The Helix Dawn?

I ranked the Helix Dawn around a 7.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The industry standard for medium firmness is 6.5/10, so this suggests the Helix Dawn is quite firm. In fact, it’s the firmest mattress in the Helix line.

Note that firmness is a bit subjective, so you might rank this mattress a bit differently than I did. But it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone will find this mattress to be on the firm side.

Sleeping On The Helix Dawn

I felt great while back sleeping on the Helix Dawn. The firm nature of this mattress kept my spine well supported and aligned. One possible downside? I didn’t experience much pressure relief in this position, so back sleepers who enjoy some body contouring might find that this mattress feels too firm.

The Helix Dawn will almost certainly feel too firm for side sleepers, who are liable to experience significant pressure. My hip and shoulder felt jammed up, and I didn’t sleep comfortably in this position. Folks who spend the night on their side will want to look at a softer Helix model, such as the Helix Sunset or Helix Moonlight.

I found the Helix Dawn to be an excellent match for stomach sleeping. The firm, supportive nature of this mattress helped ensure that my hips stayed elevated and properly aligned with the spine.

RELATED: Best Firm Mattress

What Does The Helix Dawn Feel Like?

The hybrid Helix Dawn mattress boasts a firm, responsive, and supportive feel. The bed is quite bouncy thanks primarily to hundreds of individually wrapped coils in the support layer. The bouncy and responsive nature of this mattress makes it easy to move around and change positions. Below I’ve put a chart that describes how the Helix will feel for different body types and sleeping positions. Then, I’ll give a brief explanation below.

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

Is the Helix Dawn Good for Average Weight Sleepers (130 lb – 230 lb)?

• Average-weight back and side sleepers will likely find that the Helix Dawn mattress feels too firm and doesn’t offer enough pressure relief in these positions.
• Average-weight stomach sleepers should find this supportive mattress to be a pleasant match that promotes spinal alignment and keeps hips elevated.

Is the Helix Dawn Good for Heavyweight Sleepers (over 230 lb)?

• Heavyweight back sleepers who weigh closer to 230 pounds could enjoy adequate spinal support on the Helix Dawn. F
  • Folks who weigh significantly more than that might want to consider the more supportive Helix PLUS (which is designed specifically for heavy people).
• This mattress is too firm for heavyweight side sleepers. It won’t provide enough contouring or pressure relief.
• Heavyweight stomach sleepers who weigh closer to 230 pounds should enjoy sound support, while much heavier folks should take a gander at the Helix PLUS.

Is the Helix Dawn Good for Lightweight Sleepers (under 130 lb)?

• Lightweight back and side sleepers will almost certainly experience that the Helix Dawn feels too firm in these positions.
  • They can check out the Helix Dusk for something with a bit more give.
• The mattress could be a solid match for lightweight stomach sleepers, who will enjoy plenty of spinal support.

Helix Dawn Mattress

The Helix Dawn is one of the company’s firmest models. Because of this, it should be a supportive option for stomach sleepers.

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Mattress Clarity Score

4.10 / 5.0

RELATED: Helix Twilight Mattress Review

Helix Dawn Mattress Construction

Now that you have a sense of what it’s like to sleep on top of the Helix Dawn mattress, let’s take a look at what’s inside of it! I’ll review this mattress’s construction layer by layer and reveal how different materials influence performance and feel.

Cover

The Helix Dawn features your choice of a Breathe Knit or GlacioTex™ Cooling Pillow Top. Both will help with heat dissipation, but the GlacioTex™ will be the better option if you sleep extremely hot.

Comfort Layers

The Helix Dawn’s primary comfort layer is made from the Helix brand’s proprietary Helix Dynamic Foam, a latex-foam alternative that’s generally firm and responsive. Beneath the Helix Dynamic Foam, there is a thick layer of firm Helix Responsive Foam. This bouncy and supportive layer rests atop another layer of firm Helix Responsive Foam. This bottom layer also acts as a transition layer to prevent you from sinking too far into the mattress.

Support Layer

The Helix Dawn’s primary support layer is composed of hundreds of individually wrapped coils, which do a better job of minimizing motion transfer than coils that aren’t individually wrapped. The perimeter of this coil layer is reinforced to shore up the mattress’s edge support. Underneath the coils, there’s a layer of DuraDense base foam that provides structure and support for the mattress overall.

Mattress Height

The Helix Dawn mattress is 12” tall.

Helix Dawn Mattress Size Options And Price

To see the most up-to-date size and pricing options for the Helix Dawn mattress, check out the following chart.

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

For more information on the other models, make sure to read our full Helix mattress review.

Helix Dawn Mattress Performance

By now you should have a solid grasp of the Helix Dawn’s firmness, feel, and construction. But there are still a few key things you need to know about this mattress’s performance. I put the Helix Dawn through a range of tests to assess its performance when it comes to temperature regulation, motion transfer, edge support, and more. Let’s see how it did!

Sleeping Hot Or Cold

The Helix Dawn boasts several design elements that should minimize its chances of trapping heat: namely, a breathable cover, thin layers of foam, and a support layer made of coils, which allow for plenty of airflow through the mattress. If you’re still worried about overheating, consider upgrading to the brand’s Luxe model for even more cooling.

Motion Transfer

The foam layers and individually wrapped coils on the Helix Dawn work together to ensure this mattress handles motion transfer decently well (surprisingly well for a mattress that contains coils!). That said, because this is a bouncy mattress, it’s unlikely to minimize all movement transfer across the surface. Keep this in mind if you’re looking for a mattress for couples.

Edge Support

In my experience, the Helix Dawn offers decent edge support. The combination of supportive coils and the reinforced perimeter helped me feel secure while sitting and lying down near the edge of this mattress.

Durability

Thanks to the inclusion of high-density foams and coils, the Helix Dawn should be a longer-lasting mattress that won’t sag.

Off-Gassing

The Helix Dawn does come compressed in a box. So, there may be some off-gassing after its arrival. This isn’t anything bad. The smell is just a product of the packaging and compression process. This should dissipate within 24-48 hours. Just be sure to leave the bed in a well-ventilated area.

Noise

At the time of this review, I noticed just a bit of noise from the Helix Dawn. Because the mattress’s construction incorporates coils, it’s possible the bed might get squeakier as time goes on.

Sex

When people search for a mattress for sex, they’re typically looking for a bed that makes it easy to change positions. The Helix Dawn is bouncy and responsive, so it should fit the bill. It’s easy to move around on top of this mattress.

Helix Company Policies

If you’re interested in buying a Helix Dawn mattress, it’s important to understand the fine print.

Warranty

Every Helix mattress is covered by a 10-year warranty. This means if you have any issues with your mattress that are the result of a manufacturing flaw or defect and fall within the warranty’s terms, Helix will repair or replace your mattress.

Sleep Trial

The Helix Dawn mattress comes with a 100 night sleep trial, allowing plenty of time to decide if the mattress is the right fit for you.

Return Policy

If you decide you don’t love the Helix Dawn mattress after the 30 day break-in period, you may return the mattress and receive a full refund.

Common Helix Mattress Complaints

Each Helix mattress is designed for specific individuals. The Helix Dawn is a firmer mattress great for stomach sleepers. Many of the one-to-two-star reviews from customers complain that the Helix mattress isn’t the perfect fit for the individual’s sleeping habits. Before purchasing, you should take Helix’s Sleep Quiz to help determine the best Helix mattress for you and make sure you read up on comparisons to understand which is going to be the best fit.

How Does The Helix Dawn Compare To Other Mattresses?

There are so many mattress options to choose from these days, so the odds are good that you’re considering more than just the Helix Dawn in your quest for a new sleep surface. If you’re wondering how this mattress stacks up against its competitors, wonder no more! I’ve compared the Helix Dawn to two other popular online mattresses—the Nectar and the Purple—so you can see how the Helix Dawn fits into the bed-in-a-box ecosystem.

Also, don’t forget to check out all of our other Helix mattress comparisons.

Helix Vs Nectar

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Helix Dawn Mattress

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

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Read Helix Dawn Mattress Review

Product

Nectar Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 7/10

Score

4.3 / 5

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Read Nectar Mattress Review

The Helix Dawn and Nectar differ pretty dramatically when it comes to their construction. The Helix Dawn is a hybrid mattress that incorporates coils in the support layer and a touch of foam in its comfort layers, while the Nectar is an all-foam mattress with memory foam on top.

Thanks in large part to their construction differences, these beds have very different feels. The Helix Dawn has a bouncy and responsive hybrid feel, while the Nectar mattress has a slower-moving memory foam feel.

Even though these beds are constructed with different materials, they’re fairly similar in terms of durability. That said, the Helix might win out thanks to the inclusion of long-lasting coils.

These beds differ significantly when it comes to firmness. We ranked the Helix at a firm 7.5/10, while we ranked the Nectar at a medium-firm 6.5/10. The Helix is notably firmer than the Nectar.

These beds also differ a touch when it comes to price. A Queen-size version of the Helix Dawn costs around $1373.80, while the Nectar is more expensive at around $1099.00.

Who Should Get The Helix Dawn?	Who Should Get The Nectar?
Hot sleepers who need a mattress that sleeps cool	People who prefer a memory foam feel
Back and stomach sleepers who need support	Side sleepers who need more pressure relief

Learn more about the Nectar in our comprehensive Nectar mattress review.

Helix Vs Purple

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Helix Dawn Mattress

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Helix Dawn Mattress Review

Product

Purple Mattress

Firmness

Medium-firm: 6.5/10

Score

4.1 / 5

Check Price

Read Purple Mattress Review

Much like the Helix Dawn and Nectar mattresses, the Helix Dawn and Purple possess major differences when it comes to their construction. The Helix Dawn is a hybrid mattress that features foam in its comfort layers and coils in its support layer. Meanwhile, the Purple mattress boasts the brand’s unique hyper-elastic gel polymer grid (dubbed the Purple Grid) layered over firmer foam.

Not surprisingly, these construction differences translate into major differences in feel. The Helix Dawn creates a bouncy and responsive hybrid feel, while the Purple mattress boasts a unique gel feel that is simultaneously squishy and firm.

The materials in the Helix Dawn and Purple make both of these mattresses very durable. But the hyper-elastic gel polymer in the Purple is a uniquely long-lasting material that should make this the more durable of the two beds.

These beds differ significantly when it comes to firmness. We ranked the Purple around a 6.5/10 on the firmness scale (or right around medium-firm), while the Helix Dawn is notably firmer at 7.5/10.

These mattresses also differ when it comes to price. At full price, the Helix Dawn costs less than the Purple ($1373.80 versus $1499.00 for a Queen-size, respectively).

Who Should Get The Helix Dawn?	Who Should Get The Purple?
Stomach sleepers who need plenty of support	Heavier side sleepers
Fans of a traditional mattress construction	Hot sleepers

Read up on the Purple in our in-depth Purple mattress review.

Helix Dawn Mattress FAQs

How long will the Helix Dawn mattress last?

The Helix Dawn is a durable mattress that should last for approximately 7 to 10 years.

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

Nope! You do not need to use a box spring with the Helix Dawn mattress. It’s fine to place this mattress directly on top of a bed frame or other base.

Can you flip a Helix Dawn mattress?

No, you cannot flip a Helix Dawn mattress. Flipping this mattress would result in sleeping on the firm support layers instead of the bed’s comfort layers, which would create a very uncomfortable sleep surface.