Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review: A comfortable and supportive bed for back sleepers

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

I think of myself as extremely picky when it comes to the best mattress for my needs. But when I find the right one, before I plan to spend the rest of eternity in my bed, I'll tell everyone my opinion about it. 

I very much value my sleep, and as Business Insider's senior home editor, I've become a sleep expert over the years thanks to my experience with all sorts of sleep products, from bedding to mattresses. However, my history of lower back pain can make me leery about the break-in period that can come with trying a new mattress, making me extremely selective about the models I wind up trying. Even the comfiest hotel beds on vacation can leave me waking up stiff. 

Following a two-night stay with a Helix Dusk Luxe hybrid mattress for a press trip, during which I didn't wake up with any aches or pain, I knew I needed to try it for longer to see where it stood among the best mattresses. 

I tested the Helix Dusk Luxe alongside a number of optional upgrades, namely the GlacioTex Cooling Cover and an ErgoAlign Layer, a segment of ultra-dense foam beneath the midsection that provides additional support and pressure and is recommended to those with a history of lower back pain. After three months with this bed, I'll detail what I loved and who this bed will best suit. 

Design 

Helix offers numerous hybrid mattresses across its three collections: Core, Luxe, and Elite, with soft, medium, and firm mattresses and separate models oriented for side, back, stomach, and plus-size sleepers. In all, I think I've counted 25 options. Helix doesn't actually keep these mattresses on hand, rather, each is made to order. To help whittle it down to the best mattress for you, I suggest you try their Mattress Quiz, which asks questions about your age, weight, height, sleep position, and whether you overheat or wake up in pain, among other questions. As a back sleeper looking for a medium-firm mattress, the Dusk seemed like a natural pairing — from there, it was choosing the collection, with the Luxe being the perfect middle option. 

The Helix Dusk Luxe is a hybrid mattress with six different layers. The first is a built-in pillowtop. Under that are three layers of responsive and cradling foam, followed by individually wrapped pocket coils, which provide lumbar and edge support. A final foam base layer offers durability. 

The mattress is available with two cover options: the standard quilted breathable Tencel cover or the upgraded GlacioTex cooling cover (which will add another $199 to the price of the mattress). For an extra fee, you can also choose the ErgoAlign layer, which is integrated into the top comfort layer to provide zoned support. This ultra-dense foam sits at midsection while the bottom and top sections follow the natural contours of your body. 

All of the foams used are CertiPUR-US certified. After a tour of Helix's factory and operations earlier this year to see how mattresses are made, I was even more impressed to learn that they oversee the entire foam production process in house, and are able to create an array of densities to suit various needs. 

Helix offers the Dusk mattress in other configurations, including its base Dusk and the Dusk Elite. The core Dusk is made with five layers and skips the pillow-top design, extra lumbar support, and has a differing foam makeup. Made up of nine sumptuous layers, the 16-inch Dusk Elite automatically features the GlacioTex cooling cover and incorporates its most advanced support system with thousands of individually wrapped steel coils, including two microcoil layers. I was very tempted to try the most luxurious offering but wary about needing deep-pocketed sheets. 

Helix mattresses are also compatible with adjustable bases, which is the foundation I ultimately placed the mattress on. When the head portion is elevated, I noticed the mattress fabric cover pucker at the crease, but it doesn't affect the feel of the mattress and goes back into place when the bed is flat again. 

Our review of Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress

Setup

The Helix mattress arrived in a cardboard box that definitely took a hit during transit and was opened by the time it arrived at my door. Watching the delivery driver attempt to lug this 120-pound mattress up to my second-story apartment was also a sorry sight. The mattress itself was unscathed. Instead of dragging the damaged box, I rolled the vacuum-sealed mattress into my bedroom. Taking scissors, I gently sliced through the plastic, and the mattress started to unfurl. You'll have to act fast because the mattress expands quickly. It seemed to achieve its full shape right away, but I let it air out for about three hours before giving it a test lay. I noticed the slightest odor of that "new mattress smell" that dissipated by bedtime. 

Two free pillows are also contained within the packaging. I unpacked those, too. They're quite thin and honestly, nothing to write home about after trying many of the best pillows. 

If you're not up for setting up your own mattress, Helix also offers in-home delivery and mattress removal, starting at $129. At checkout, you can see if this option services your ZIP code and add-on your desired services. 

Comfort and Support

As a predominantly back and sometimes side sleeper, I was curious as to how the Dusk Luxe would support my needs. I'm also recovering from a herniated disc and sciatica, so support and waking up pain-free are truly top of my mind. 

Among its medium-firm mattresses, Helix offers a mattress for side sleepers (the Midnight) and one for back and stomach sleepers. Since my back sleeping was more important for me, the Dusk Luxe seemed to be my best match. I'm happy to report that the recommendation was good.

The mattress has been comforting since night one, and I rarely ever wake up with back pain. When I do choose to lay on my side, I can feel some pressure build up around my shoulder and hips, but it's not uncomfortable. It also isn't plush or cradling, if that's the sensation you crave. This mattress is a true medium-firm, and despite the pillow-top layer, you will more or less sit on top of the mattress as opposed to sink. This is why it's great for back and stomach sleepers. 

I downloaded the Mattress Checker app, to see how well my spine stayed aligned when on my side. My deviation angle was measured at 2.2 degrees; anything under 6 degrees is considered good.

Heat dissipation

I don't necessarily struggle with overheating at night, but I sure can appreciate a mattress that doesn't get hot spots. The Helix Dusk Luxe had none and kept me comfortable throughout my summer testing period. 

I opted for the GlacioTex upgrade, which I'm sure aided in its cooling abilities. I also used a waterproof mattress protector with the same fabric. The cool-to-the-touch fabric is made from fibers with a high thermal conductivity that quickly pulls heat away from your body. 

We test a mattress' cooling properties by measuring the surface temperature with an infrared thermometer before getting into bed, immediately after the next morning, and two minutes later. I typically keep my AC around 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and that is exactly the initial temperature I was dealing with. When I woke up, the mattress measured, on average, 88 degrees. Two minutes later, it would plummet down to about 81 degrees, which was pretty close to the initial. This is not quite the double-digit ranges that come from my colleague James, who pioneered our cooling tests for how we test mattresses and found that 12 degrees is the median temperature drop. However, I attribute this to the fact that my bedroom stays on the warmer side. 

The Helix Dusk Luxe has proven to be a great option for hot sleepers. 

Edge support

My harshest critique of this mattress is the edge support. I like to sit on the edge of my bed to put on shoes, and good edge support makes getting in and out of bed feel more secure. Good edge support also helps maximize every square inch of surface sleeping area, which is essential for when my 15-pound dog thinks my side of the bed is his side of the bed too. 

I took a measuring stick, sat on the side of the bed, and measured how much the mattress sinks. The Helix Dusk Luxe sunk between 3 and 3.5 inches. I noticed the pillowtop layer start to buckle as weight goes near the edges. Good edge support would be considered sinking under 3 inches.  

It was not ideal to roll to the very edge. Another test to measure edge support is to lay on the very edge of the mattress and roll on your side until you feel like you are ready to roll off. I'd say I got to an 80-degree angle before I needed to steady myself. 

My experience with edge support was the weakest part of my experience with the Helix Dusk Luxe; I'd label it as average or slightly below at best. 

Motion isolation

Motion isolation is crucial for couples because they don't want to be bothered by others' movements throughout the night. The Helix Dusk Luxe exhibited good motion isolation. 

I sleep alone and I don't frequently have to deal with motion isolation, so I'm quite aware of it when someone else is in the bed with me. Subjectively, I invited a friend to move around on the bed with me. Perhaps, I'm the princess in the pea, but I felt her movements, even though she wasn't disturbed by me. The bed has good bounce, which could suggest it's a good option for sex as well. 

To evaluate motion isolation, I dropped a 15-pound weight five times around an unopened soda can to see if it remained upright. While the can wobbled a teensy bit, it stayed upright each time. The puffy quilted design of the cover also contains many peaks and valleys, so it was even more impressive that the can stayed put. 

To settle my thoughts on motion isolation, a vibrometer that produces numbers on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale can help provide definite answers. I used two apps to compare results, and between throwing a weight and hurling myself onto the bed, the vibrometers hit an average of seven when nearby and four when on the other side of the bed. Most mattresses fall between six and eight on the scale, with a higher score meaning higher intensity vibrations and worse motion isolation.

Trial period and warranty

Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial for all of its mattresses. If you do find this isn't the mattress for you, you can contact customer service to return it for a full refund. Helix requires you to sleep on the mattress for at least 30 days, known as the break-in period, before accepting a return. If your issue is that your selected mattress is too firm or soft, Helix will also help troubleshoot your concerns by sending a free mattress topper. Simply contact customer service. 

Every Luxe mattress comes with a 15-year warranty that covers visible indentations greater than 1.5 inches, physical flaws like cracks in the foam or spring material to split or crack, or manufacturing defects. The warranty only applies to the original owner, the bed must have been on a supportive foundation, and the cover must not have been removed. 

Cons to consider

My biggest concern with the mattress, as mentioned above, is the edge support. While it does have reinforced edges, I'd like to feel more supported when on the very edge of the bed. 

Side sleepers, especially lightweight ones, may also find this bed too firm for their needs. Keep in mind, though, that this bed is not marketed to appeal to side sleepers. Side sleepers who want a medium feel will want to consider the Midnight Luxe. The Dusk Luxe was fine to lay on my side for a short bit to scroll through on my phone, but I could imagine myself feeling pressure building in my shoulders and hips if I stayed too long in one position. 

Finally, I'm a big advocate of popping into showrooms to try a mattress before buying. I also like to get a sense of all the mattress options. Sadly, Helix has limited showroom availability, but you can see if there is a partner retailer near you, most of which are independent. 

What are your alternatives?

For back and stomach sleepers curious about Helix, the brand also offers the soft Moonlight Luxe and the firm Dawn Luxe mattresses. If you're a side sleeper after a medium mattress, the Midnight Luxe is another very popular option. There's also deciding among the Core and Elite collections to consider, which are Helix's basic and most luxurious offerings, with differences around thickness, edge support, cooling, and support. 

The best mattress overall from our testing is the Leesa Sapira hybrid mattress, which is actually made in the same factory as the Helix mattresses, and slightly less expensive than most Helix Luxe mattresses. The Leesa Sapira may just be the trifecta of mattresses, with a medium firmness that can appeal to all sleep types, a breathable design, excellent motion isolation, and edge support. 

I also recommend the Saatva Classic Mattress, which is available in three firmness options. The Luxury Firm version is great for back sleepers like myself. It's extremely breathable, thanks to a cotton cover, and has some of the best edge support I've experienced, though motion isolation could be improved. It's also quite notable that it comes with a yearlong trial and a lifetime warranty. This mattress is priced comparably to Helix Luxe mattresses. 

I previously slept on the Casper Wave Hybrid, now discontinued, and enjoyed how it supported my spine and kept me cool. I've had the chance to lay on its successor, the Casper Snow MAX, which skews medium-plush to best suit side sleepers looking for more of a cradling and cushy bed and has special technology to actively cool you. 

For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best mattresses.

The bottom line

From night one, the Helix Dusk Luxe was a comfortable addition to my bedroom, keeping me cool, comfortable, and supported. The Helix Dusk Luxe mattress is a great mid-priced option for back and stomach sleepers, hot sleepers, couples, and those with back pain. Strict side sleepers might seek out something a little more cradling, but if you're a combination sleeper like me, you'll still do well. Its motion isolation proved excellent, though edge support could be reinforced. I also appreciate Helix's lenient sleep trial, fully made-in-America design, and optional upgrades to tailor this mattress to your needs.