Helix and Casper are two of the most popular online mattress brands—so if you’re looking for a bed-in-a-box, chances are these names have come up. Both brands offer high-quality mattresses suited to a variety of sleepers, so how do you choose between them?
You can start by reading our in-depth comparison! Here, we’ll review the hybrid Helix Midnight (the brand’s most popular model) alongside the original, all-foam Casper mattress. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from firmness and feel to construction and performance. By the end of this review, you should know for certain whether the Helix Midnight or the Casper is right for you. So let’s dive in!
Helix Midnight vs. Casper
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Helix And Casper Mattress Overview
The Helix Midnight and the original Casper are both popular online mattresses, but they’re better suited to different types of sleepers. Here’s a quick look at who might prefer the Helix Midnight and who’s more likely to want the Casper.
Who Should Get The Helix Midnight?
- Hot sleepers who need a mattress that sleeps cool
- Heavier people, who need an extra-supportive mattress
- Folks who want a mattress with a slow-moving feel on top
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight is the brand’s most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Who Should Get The Casper?
- Back sleepers who need more lumbar support
- Folks who like a more responsive feel on top
Casper Original Mattress
Material
Foam
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
“From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night.”
Paul, Casper customerCasper Original Mattress
Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.
Material
Foam
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
“From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night.”
Paul, Casper customerCasper Original Mattress
Casper mattresses work well for all sleeping positions, thanks to its unique zoned support system.
Material
Foam
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year limited warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers.Back Pain
This bed is perfect for anyone suffering from back pain.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
“From the delivery of the box to the magical unfolding of the king size mattress to the first time laying on the bed, all smiles here! I have traveled for work for years, often sleeping on different beds at different hotels night after night.”
Paul, Casper customerHelix Vs Casper Mattress Video Comparison
Get up close and personal with the Helix Midnight and Casper mattresses in our in-depth video review! Our reviewer, Marten, will assess each bed’s construction and share his experiences with sleeping in all positions on each mattress.
Similarities Between The Helix Midnight And Casper?
Even though these mattresses are made by different brands, they have quite a few things in common.
- They both come from popular mattress companies
- Both mattresses come with great customer service terms
- They both feature memory foam in their construction
- They’re approximately the same firmness
- Both of them have a fairly balanced foam feel
Key Differences Between The Helix And Casper?
While the Helix Midnight and the Casper have several similarities, they differ from each other in a few notable ways.
- The Helix Midnight has coils, while the Casper does not
- The Helix Midnight is more breathable than the Casper
- The Casper features a zoned construction, while the Helix Midnight does not
- At full price, the Helix Midnight is more affordable than the Casper
Firmness And Feel Differences (Including Firmness Rating)
When you’re trying to decide between two (or more) mattresses, two of the most important factors to consider are firmness and feel. These factors will tell you a lot about whether a particular mattress is well-suited to your personal sleep preferences, including your chosen sleep position(s). So let’s take a look at the firmness and feel on the Helix Midnight and the Casper!
How Firm Are The Helix And Casper Mattresses?
We ranked both the Helix Midnight and the Casper around a 7 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The industry standard for medium firmness is 6.5/10, so this suggests both mattresses are a touch firmer than medium-firm.
That said, firmness is a bit subjective. Heavier-weight folks might feel that both of these mattresses are firmer, while lighter-weight sleepers will probably find each mattress a bit softer.
Sleeping On the Helix And Casper Mattresses
We spent time with both mattresses and really got to try them out in all three sleeping positions. Read on to see exactly what our experience was like.
Helix Midnight
We felt great while back sleeping on the Helix Midnight. The combination of coils and memory foam offered a pleasant balance of spinal support and comfort.
We felt okay while side sleeping on the Helix Midnight, but it might feel a touch too firm for folks who spend all night in this position. One possible exception? Lighter-weight folks will probably feel more pressure relief while side sleeping on this mattress, because they’re less likely to press through the comfort layer into the firmer support layer underneath.
The Helix Midnight did not feel supportive enough for stomach sleeping. Folks who spend all night on their stomach will want to look for a more supportive mattress for stomach sleepers.
Casper
As with the Helix Midnight, we felt great while back sleeping on the Casper. Our hips sank in just a bit for some pressure relief, but not so far that they pulled the spine out of alignment. Meanwhile, the Zoned Support system offered great lumbar support.
We felt okay but not great while side sleeping on the Casper. As with the Helix Midnight, lighter-weight sleepers might experience more pressure relief in this position.
We felt relatively well supported while stomach sleeping on the Casper. However, strict stomach sleepers who spend all night in this position will likely prefer a firmer mattress.
What Do The Helix And Nectar Mattresses Feel Like?
The Helix Midnight has a balanced, somewhat slow-moving foam feel on top. Meanwhile, the coils in the support layer add bounciness and support.
The Casper has a balanced, more responsive foam feel on top. Even though it’s all-foam, it’s fairly bouncy and responsive.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130lbs – 230lbs
Average-weight back sleepers should enjoy a balance of spinal support and comfort on the Helix Midnight. Side sleepers in this weight category could find that the Helix Midnight can go either way: Some folks will find adequate pressure relief, while people who prefer a plusher feel will probably think the mattress feels too firm. The Helix Midnight is probably not supportive enough for average-weight stomach sleepers.
The Casper offers a blend of comfort and support (especially great lumbar support) to average-weight back sleepers. Much like the Helix Midnight, the Casper might suit some average-weight side sleepers but could feel too firm to others. Thanks to its Zoned Support system, which offers extra support near the middle of the mattress, the Casper is a better match for average-weight stomach sleepers.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs
Heavyweight back sleepers who weigh close to 230 pounds should enjoy a balance of comfort and support on the Helix Midnight. Folks who weigh much more than that will probably want a more supportive mattress overall, such as the Helix PLUS. The Helix Midnight will probably feel too firm for heavyweight side sleepers. At the same time, it’s probably not supportive enough for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
The Casper is much like the Helix Midnight in this category. Heavyweight back sleepers who weigh close to 230 pounds should enjoy a balance of pressure relief and spinal support, but folks who weigh more will probably want to look for a more supportive mattress for heavy people. The Casper will probably feel too firm for heavyweight side sleepers and not supportive enough for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs
The Helix Midnight should be a decent match for most lightweight sleepers. It gives lightweight back sleepers a blend of pressure relief and spinal support, offers decent pressure relief to lightweight side sleepers, and should be supportive enough for most lightweight stomach sleepers.
The Casper might be even better suited to lightweight sleepers of all stripes. It blends comfort and support for lightweight back sleepers, provides decent pressure relief to lightweight side sleepers (perhaps a touch better than the Helix Midnight), and offers adequate support to lightweight stomach sleepers thanks to its Zoned Support system.
Mattress Construction Differences
Now that you know what it feels like to sleep on top of the Helix Midnight and the Casper, let’s take a closer look beneath the surface. We’ll compare each mattress’s construction layer by layer and assess how their varied construction elements influence performance.
Cover
The Helix Midnight comes with a Breathe Knit cover that’s stretchy, very breathable, and allows for airflow through the surface of the mattress. If you want to sleep even cooler, you can opt for a GlacioTex™ Cooling Pillow Top.
The Casper features a thin, breathable cover that’s partially made from recycled bottles.
Comfort Layers
The Helix Midnight’s primary comfort layer is made of Memory Plus Foam, a proprietary blend from the Helix brand. This material has some of the slow-moving feel that memory foam is known for. Beneath the Memory Plus Foam layer, there are two layers of Helix Responsive Foam. These layers add some bounce to the top of the mattress and helps ensure that sleepers don’t feel stuck in the memory foam.
The Casper’s top comfort layer is made from the brand’s proprietary and breathable Airscape foam, which is perforated to allow for airflow. This layer is simultaneously plush and responsive. Beneath the Airscape foam is the Casper’s main distinguishing feature: its Zoned Support system. This layer consists of memory foam that is firmer near the head and foot of the mattress (for extra support while back and stomach sleeping) and softer near the head and foot (for pressure relief).
Support Layer
The Helix Midnight’s support layer is made from individually-wrapped coils, which add bounce and support to the mattress overall. The individually wrapped construction also helps minimize motion transfer across the mattress. These coils rest on a layer of dense base foam.
The Casper’s support layer is comprised of a high-density base foam that adds support and structure to the whole mattress.
Mattress Height
The Helix Midnight is 12” tall, while the Casper is just a touch shorter at 11”.
Helix And Casper Mattress Size Options And Price
To see the most up-to-date size and pricing info for the Helix Midnight and Casper mattresses, check out the charts below!
Helix Midnight
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 |
Casper
Size | Dimensions | Price |
Twin | 39″ x 75″ | $895.00 |
Twin XL | 39″ x 80″ | $995.00 |
Full | 53″ x 75″ | $1195.00 |
Queen | 60″ x 80″ | $1295.00 |
King | 76″ x 80″ | $1695.00 |
California King | 72″ x 84″ | $1695.00 |
Make sure to read our other Helix mattress comparisons and Casper mattress comparisons like Helix vs Leesa and Casper vs Nectar.
Helix And Casper Performance Differences
Wowza, look at you go! You now have an understanding of the firmness, feel, and construction of both the Helix Midnight and Casper. To round out this review, let’s take a look at some other important performance indicators. We put both mattresses through a range of tests to assess their temperature regulation, edge support, motion transfer, and more. Let’s see how they stack up!
Sleeping Hot Or Cold
The Helix Midnight is the winner here. Its coils allow for plenty of airflow, even in the deepest layers of the mattress.
Motion Transfer
This is a close one, but the Helix Midnight ekes out a win. The memory foam in the top comfort layer does a great job of absorbing motion and minimizing movement across the surface of the mattress. This could make it a decent mattress for couples.
Edge Support
The Helix Midnight scores another win. Thanks largely to the coils in this bed’s support layer, we felt more secure while sitting and lying down near the edge.
Durability
This one is almost too close to call. Both the Helix Midnight and the Casper should be durable mattresses, and they both come with a 10-year warranty. It’s possible the Helix Midnight might last a touch longer thanks to the extra-durable coils.
Off-Gassing
We observed a bit of off-gassing from both the Helix Midnight and the Casper. This should dissipate within a few days.
Noise
At the time of writing this comparison, we didn’t observe any notable noise from either mattress. That said, it’s possible the Helix Midnight’s coils could start to squeak a bit over the long-term.
Sex
We called this one a tie! When folks hunt for a mattress for sex, they’re usually looking for a bed that makes it easy to change positions. Both the Helix Midnight and the Casper are responsive mattresses, so partners shouldn’t feel stuck in either bed.
Warranty Info
Both of these mattresses come with the same warranty terms. The Helix Midnight comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty, and the same goes for the Casper.
Helix vs Casper FAQs
Which bed is firmer between the Helix and the Casper?
Both the Helix Midnight and the Casper come in at about a 7/10 on our firmness scale, which is slightly firmer than medium-firm, however, firmness is subjective, and some may feel like this mattress is softer or firmer than others.
Can I sleep on my Helix mattress or Casper mattress right away?
Both the Helix and the Casper mattress have a bit of off-gassing, which is normal for bed-in-a-box mattresses, however, Casper asserts that you can sleep on your new mattress right away, while Helix recommends waiting a few hours.
Are Helix or Casper mattresses flippable?
The Helix or Casper mattresses aren’t meant to be flippable, but if you’re looking for one, take a look at our roundup of the best flippable mattresses.