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.
DSC04237 Edit

Helix Midnight Mattress

DSC04237 Edit
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

Product Details

Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Sleep Trial
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$

Our Recommendation

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 Sleepers
This bed’s strong support is ideal for back sleepers because it helps keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Side Sleepers
This bed offers pressure relief at both the shoulders and hips, making it a great fit for side sleepers.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.5 /5
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

TEMPUR-LuxeAdapt Mattress

tempur
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

Product Details

Material
Foam
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Sleep Trial
90 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping
Free shipping
Price
$$$$$$

Our Recommendation

We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Joint Pain
This bed offers the needed pressure relief to help alleviate joint pain.
Hip Pain
This bed should be comfortable for anyone struggling with hip pain since it contours the hips and keeps them supported.
Back Pain
This bed is a good match for anyone struggling with back pain, as it cushions the lumbar region and has enough support to keep the spine neutrally aligned.
Seniors
This bed is perfect for senior sleepers, as it provides them support and easy mobility.

Financing Options

Financing options are available for this mattress.

Average Customer Rating
4.6 /5
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.