Sleeping on an uncomfortable or worn-out mattress can lead to a host of issues, ranging from poor sleep to back pain. However, finding a replacement mattress, especially for side sleepers, can feel like a gamble.
Helix was the most awarded mattress brand of 2021. The brand made the Helix Twilight Luxe mattress to help side sleepers specifically. We wanted to find out if the Helix Twilight Luxe could help us get a good night’s sleep, so we put it to the test. Here’s what we discovered.
Our tester usually sleeps either on their back or on their side. They were interested in trying a firmer mattress that would offer better support.
Unboxing the Helix Twilight Luxe will likely require an extra hand since it’s quite heavy. It arrived packed in a box about four times smaller than the tester’s bed frame. It also comes in a lot of plastic that needs to be cut open to let the mattress inflate.
We were surprised and impressed by how quickly the Helix Twilight Luxe expanded. Within two hours, the Twilight Luxe looked just like a mattress in a store.
The Helix Twilight Luxe is a firm mattress that’s ideal for side and back sleepers thanks to its zoned lumbar support coils and memory foam for pressure point relief. The mattress offers firm support that molds comfortably around your body.
Along with its layers of memory foam and wrapped coils, shoppers can choose between two cooling cover options. One is made from breathable Tencel to help wick away moisture. The other is made of GlacioTex fabric, which is made with fibers with high thermal conductivity to cool off your body quickly. Both covers feature premium quilting and are hypoallergenic.
Helix offers a 15-year limited warranty on the Twilight Luxe mattress and a one-year limited warranty on the pillows. The Twilight Luxe also comes with a 100-night trial period, giving you more than three months to decide if the mattress is right for you.
The Helix Twilight Luxe costs $1,899 and can be purchased from Helix.
To set up the Helix Twilight Luxe, slide the rolled-up mattress out of the box and pull on the plastic tab to unroll the mattress and separate it from its packaging. Once you’ve placed your mattress on your bed frame, use scissors to carefully cut away the remaining plastic layer. Give the mattress at least half an hour to expand before you try laying on it.
It was comfortable to sleep on within eight hours, but our tester didn’t feel like the Twilight Luxe was fully expanded until another night had passed. Similarly, the included pillows needed almost a full week to inflate completely.
The Helix Twilight Luxe is a tall mattress — 14 inches tall compared to the brand’s standard 12-inch height. Our tester appreciated how much easier the added height and edge support made getting into and out of bed. The increased height also seemed to provide better airflow, which helped our tester feel cooler while sleeping.
Our tester was also impressed by the Twilight Luxe’s firmness, and the sturdy yet lightweight pressure it gave the entire body, even when laying on their side. They noticed a difference in how their joints felt thanks to the memory foam’s pressure point relief. During testing, they never felt like they had to toss and turn to find a comfortable position. Our tester woke up some mornings feeling like they hadn’t moved from the position they’d fallen asleep in.
The Helix Twilight Luxe is fairly easy to set up, but the size of the mattress can make it challenging to unroll if you’re working alone. You’ll also have to make sure you have enough floor space to complete the initial unrolling step before moving the Helix Twilight Luxe onto your bed. Along with taking several hours to fully expand, some users have reported the mattress arriving with a chemical smell that took a while to dissipate.
While the Twilight Luxe is a firm mattress according to Helix’s scale, it may not provide enough support depending on your sleeping preferences, especially if you aren’t used to memory foam mattresses. It also doesn’t isolate motion very well, which means it can be disruptive with a partner who tosses and turns.
The Helix Twilight Luxe is a great mattress for a side sleeper who has struggled to find a comfortable sleeping position on other mattresses. It’s also a good choice for someone interested in memory foam mattresses but who is concerned about keeping cool. With breathable, cooling top layers and innovative support coils, the Helix Twilight Luxe is a great choice for anyone looking for a firm, supportive mattress.
Casper Sleep Wave Hybrid Mattress
This hybrid mattress features soft foam around the upper body so it’s soft on pressure points, while firmer foam near the lower body provides more support. Layers of cooling gel and ventilated foam help maintain a comfortable temperature. The mattress comes with a 100-night trial period.
Sold by Amazon
This luxurious hybrid innerspring mattress features five layers of high-density foam and recycled steel coils for just the right level of support. With a breathable organic cotton cover and good airflow, this mattress helps both hot and cold sleepers to sleep comfortably.
Sold by Saatva
Another good pick for side or back sleepers, this memory foam mattress features five layers for cooling, stability and comfort. The quilted cotton top layer helps keep sleepers cool. It also works well for beds with adjustable bases.
Sold by Nectar
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Laura Duerr writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.