Saatva HD vs. Helix Plus – Which Is Best for You?

If someone is a larger person, they probably have had trouble finding a mattress that is durable and provides enough support for their body. Luckily, there are mattresses made just for bigger people, and we’ll be going over two of the most popular in this  Saatva HD vs Helix PLUS mattress comparison. This mattress comparison will go over the construction of both mattresses in depth and then highlight the main similarities and differences between the two mattresses to help consumers make a more informed purchasing decision. Make sure to check out some other popular comparisons of mattresses for heavyweight people like Saatva HD vs WinkBeds Plus and Big Fig vs Helix PLUS before making a final purchase decision.

Saatva HD vs. Helix Plus

Product

Firmness

Score

Product

Saatva HD Mattress

Firmness

Firm: 8/10

Score

4.6 / 5

Check Price

Read Saatva HD Mattress Review

Product

Helix Plus Mattress

Firmness

Firm: 7.5/10

Score

4.3 / 5

Check Price

Read Helix Plus Mattress Review

Note: Helix renamed the Helix Nightfall to the Helix Plus.

Key Similarities

• Both mattresses are made specifically for larger people and both feature a hybrid construction that mixes premium foams with steel support coils. They are actually two of the best mattresses for heavy people.
• Both mattresses should be breathable mattresses that should sleep cool throughout the night and that are also very durable options too.

Key Differences

• The Saatva HD is taller than the Helix PLUS, as well a firmer overall.
• The feel is a bit different, because the Saatva HD features a pillow-top, while the Helix PLUS does not.
• The Saatva HD is a more luxurious mattress than the Helix PLUS, and it is more expensive than the Helix PLUS.

Saatva HD Construction

• The Saatva HD is 15.5″ tall and consists of five separate layers if the quilting layer is included.
• The cover is made of organic cotton, tufted and quilted with comfort foam to add additional softness and pressure relief to the mattress.
• The top also contains Guardin, a treatment that is antimicrobial.
• Then there is a layer of ventilated, zoned Talalay latex foam, which is bouncy, responsive, and durable. While this is not a full latex mattress, it will still be responsive.
• Below this is a layer of memory foam to provide additional pressure relief and contouring.
• Next, there is a layer of support foam that acts as a transition layer between the comfort and support layers.
• In the support layer, there are 12.5 gauge tempered steel coils, which are very supportive, durable, and breathable.

Helix PLUS Construction

• The Helix PLUS is 11.25” tall. 
• You can choose between a Tencel cover and GlacioTex™ Cooling Pillow Top.
• The first layer is Ultra Dense High-Grade Helix Responsive Foam which is supportive and high-density.
• Then, there is a layer of Helix Dynamic Foam, which is a latex-foam hybrid that is soft and responsive.
• Next, you’ll find TitanCore steel coils, which are very supportive, durable, and breathable.
• Finally, there is a layer of DuraDense foam that the steel support coils can rest on.

Construction Differences and Notes

• Both the Saatva HD and Helix PLUS are made to support heavier people. The Saatva HD contains zoned latex, high-density foams, and supportive, zoned coils, while the Helix PLUS also contains high-density foams and supportive coils.
• The Saatva HD contains zoning in its latex layer and coil layer, meaning the mattress is actually firmer in certain areas and softer in others. This should give heavier people the extra support they need for those areas.
• While they are both hybrid mattresses, their specific constructions will give these mattresses a different feel. The Saatva HD has more of a hotel mattress feel with a pillow-top.
• Both mattresses should be very breathable, because the coils on both mattresses should promote airflow. In addition, they both feature breathable comfort layers. Neither should be trapping too much heat or sleeping hot at all.
• Both mattresses should be quite durable, but the Saatva HD should be the more durable mattress out of the two. It contains more premium materials and simply features a higher end construction, so it should be the longer-lasting mattress.

RELATED: Best Mattress That Won’t Sag 2024

Firmness and Feel Differences

In terms of firmness, the Saatva HD was an 8/10 and the Helix PLUS was a 7/10. I will note that I am 230 lb, and these mattresses are rated for much heavier weights. If someone is larger than I am, they could press further into the mattresses and have a different experience. Here is how it felt while sleeping on the Saatva HD:

• While lying on my back, I feel very well supported on the Saatva HD. My hips sink into the pillow-top, and I also feel the zoning in the latex and coils layers providing extra support.
• Moving to my side, I am feeling a bit of pressure on my shoulders and hips, but it is still a decent match for side sleeping.
• When I lie on my stomach, the mattress is firm enough for me. My hips don’t bow in, and I feel like I am in proper, neutral alignment.

Here is how it felt sleeping on the Helix PLUS:

• Starting on my back, I am getting some nice support, because the top foam conforms to the curves of my body and presses up into my lumbar area.
• While side sleeping, I feel some serious firmness on my shoulders and hips. I am pressing through the comfort layer and hitting the support layers beneath.
• When I am on my stomach, I feel well supported. My hips don’t bow in at all, and I also feel in good alignment on the Helix PLUS.

The Saatva HD has a hotel mattress feel with a pillow-top. You get some plushness on top, and then you get down to the bouncy latex layer. The Helix PLUS has no pillow-top and has more of a balanced foam feel on top, and then you hit the coils beneath that. Both mattresses are quite responsive, so people shouldn’t get the feeling of getting stuck. RELATED: Best Mattress for Back Sleepers Now, see what I thought of the Helix PLUS’s firmness and feel from the video below.

Motion Transfer

If someone sleeps with a partner, it’s worth thinking about how well their mattress will handle motion transfer. If they lie down and their partner moves around on the other side, will they feel that motion transfer to their side of the bed? To test out the motion transfer of these mattresses, I placed a glass of water on top and then pressed into the other areas of the mattress. I saw less disturbance on the Saatva HD. It is not quite as bouncy as the Helix PLUS and isolates motion better than the Helix PLUS. This makes me think it should be the best mattress for couples. See how well the Saatva HD handles motion transfer in the video below. Now, compare this to the motion transfer of Helix PLUS in the video below.

Edge Support

Those who sleep with a partner or just want to utilize the full surface area of their mattress should consider edge support. When you sit or lie down near the edge of your mattress, will you feel secure or more like you are going to roll or fall off? Between these two mattresses, the Saatva HD features better edge support. It does not collapse when I sit near the edge, and I feel very secure while lying near the edge. You can see the edge support differences in the photos below.

Pick Saatva HD If …

• You are a much heavier person- While both these mattresses are made with larger people in mind, the Saatva HD should be able to handle even heavier weights. It is rated to support people between 300 and 500 lb. Having tried out both mattresses, I can say this is definitely the more supportive mattress.
• You are looking for a durable, luxury mattress- The Saatva HD features some very durable materials such as Talalay latex and tempered steel coils. Because of this, the Saatva HD is a luxury mattress that should be a very good long-term investment.
• You like a pillow-top mattress- If you like the soft plushness of a pillow-top, the Saatva HD should be the right choice for you. The top cover is tufted and quilted with a comfort foam, so you get a cloud-like experience on top of the mattress.
• You prefer a firmer mattress- Between these two mattresses, the Saatva HD is definitely the firmer option. If you want a mattress that offers more support and is firmer overall, the Saatva HD should be the way to go.

Pick Helix PLUS If …

• You are a larger person but weigh under 300 lb- If you are large, but not in the 300- to 500-pound weight range, the Helix PLUS should work for you. It can handle that amount of weight and will save you some money as well.
• You are looking for a more affordable mattress- The Helix PLUS costs much less than the Saatva HD. If you think both mattresses could work for you, choosing the Helix PLUS could save you some money up front, although the Saatva HD is a still a great mattress for the money you pay.
• You prefer a mattress with a balanced hybrid feel- While both of these mattresses are hybrids, the Saatva HD features a pillow-top, and the Helix PLUS does not. The PLUS is a better match for those who want a bouncier foam hybrid experience.
• You want a softer mattress- While it is very supportive, the Helix PLUS is the softer of these two mattresses. You definitely get to sink further into the mattress, so if you want a little more give and softness, go with the Helix PLUS.

Overall

All in all, it shouldn’t be too difficult to choose between the Saatva HD and Helix PLUS, because the differences are pretty noticeable. The Saatva HD is a better option for those who want a luxury, durable mattress, while the Helix PLUS is a better choice for those who like a balanced foam feel and want to save some money up front. Please leave any questions about the Saatva HD or Helix PLUS in the comments below.