Helix vs Nectar

Helix and Nectar are two of the most popular online mattress brands. Both companies offer high-quality beds at affordable prices shipped conveniently to your door.

However, there are some key differences between Helix and Nectar regarding materials, construction, policies, and overall feel.

This in-depth comparison will examine all aspects of the Helix and Nectar mattresses to help you determine which one may be the best choice for your sleep needs and preferences.

Helix Mattress Overview

Helix Sleep offers a range of hybrid mattresses that combine foam and coil layers. Their most popular model is the Helix Midnight.

Helix Midnight Construction

The Helix Midnight is 11.5” thick and made up of 4 layers:

• Top layer: 2” of memory foam for pressure relief
• Second layer: 2” of Helix’s proprietary transition foam for added comfort
• Third layer: 8” of pocketed support coils that provide bounce and airflow
• Bottom layer: 1” of durable polyfoam as the base

The coil layer gives the Midnight more responsiveness and edge support compared to an all-foam mattress. The foam layers provide contouring and cushioning.

Additional Helix Models

Helix also offers the softer Sunset Luxe, firmer Twilight Luxe, and more customizable options. But the Midnight is their best-selling model that works for most sleep positions.

Helix Policies

• 100-night sleep trial
• 10-year limited warranty
• Free shipping within the contiguous U.S.

Nectar Mattress Overview

The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress is an all-foam bed featuring 5 layers:

Nectar Mattress Construction

• Top: 1” of quilted gel memory foam for cooling and comfort
• Second layer: 1.5” of proprietary memory foam for pressure relief
• Third layer: 1.5” of transitional foam to prevent sinking in
• Fourth layer: 3” of adaptive hi-core memory foam for support
• Bottom: 5.25” of high-density base foam for stability

In total, the Nectar mattress is 12” thick. The multiple foam layers provide cushioning and minimize motion transfer.

Additional Nectar Models

Nectar also offers the Premier, a thicker mattress with enhanced pressure relief, and the Premier Copper, which adds copper-infused foam for cooling.

Nectar Policies

• 365-night sleep trial
• Forever warranty
• Free shipping and returns

Mattress Construction Comparison

The main difference in construction is that the Helix Midnight contains coils while the Nectar is entirely foam. But both utilize memory foam in their comfort layers to relieve contouring and pressure.

Layer Breakdowns

Helix Midnight

The Helix Midnight is 11.5″ thick and features 4 layers:

1. Comfort layer: 2″ of memory foam that cradles the body to relieve pressure points
2. Transitional layer: 2″ of Helix’s proprietary latex-like foam that provides a responsive feel and prevents excessive sinking into the mattress
3. Support layer: 8″ of pocketed coils that reinforce the structure, provide bounce, and allow airflow
4. Base layer: 1.5″ of durable high-density polyfoam that reinforces the edges and serves as the foundation

Nectar

The Nectar mattress is 12″ thick in total and is comprised of 5 all-foam layers:

1. Comfort layer: 1″ of quilted gel memory foam with phase change material to help dissipate heat
2. Pressure relief layer: 1.5″ of proprietary memory foam that slowly responds to cushion the body
3. Transition layer: 1.5″ of adaptive hi-core memory foam that provides support and prevents sinking into the lower layers
4. Support layer: 3″ of high-density polyfoam that reinforces the structure and prevents sagging
5. Base layer: 5.25″ of firm high-density polyfoam that gives shape, enhances durability, and reinforces the edges

Key Construction Takeaways

• The Helix Midnight’s hybrid design with the coil layer makes it more responsive, bouncy, and breathable compared to the all-foam Nectar.
• Nectar’s foam-only construction allows for closer body contouring and pressure relief with its memory foam layers.
• Helix has better edge support from the reinforced perimeter of the coil layer.
• Nectar offers superior motion isolation due to the dense memory foam absorbing more movement.

So in summary, the Helix Midnight strikes more of a balance with bounce from the coils and cushioning from the foam layers, while Nectar excels at minimizing motion transfer and providing classic memory foam comfort.

Firmness and Feel

The Helix Midnight vs Nectar mattress rate around a 5-6 on the 10-point firmness scale, putting them in the medium to medium-firm range. However, there are subtle differences in feel:

• The Helix has moderate contouring from the memory foam but also more bounce and pushback from the coil layer. This creates a balanced foam hybrid feel.
• The Nectar has a classic memory foam feel with deep hug and contouring. The multiple foam layers allow your body to sink in rather than sit on top slowly.
• Helix may work better for those who don’t like the “stuck” feeling that pure memory foam can cause. Nectar offers superior pressure relief for side sleepers.
• Helix excels at providing spinal alignment and support for back and stomach sleepers. Nectar cushions the shoulders and hips of side sleepers.

Motion Isolation

Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress absorbs movement and prevents it from transferring across the bed. This is important for couples to avoid disturbing your partner when changing positions at night.

The Nectar mattress performs very well at isolating motion due to the all-foam construction. The multiple memory and adaptive foam layers absorb movement and prevent transfer across the bed.

The Helix Midnight also does a good job at limiting motion transfer, thanks to the memory foam layer. However, there may be slightly more transfer detectable from the coil layer. Overall, both beds perform well for couples but Nectar has an edge.

Edge Support

Proper edge support allows you to sleep near the sides of the bed without excessive sinkage, making you feel like you may roll off. It also makes it easier to get in and out of bed.

The Helix Midnight’s hybrid design provides excellent edge support. The coil layer reinforces the edges to prevent sinkage when sitting near the perimeter.

Due to the all-foam construction, the Nectar mattress is more likely to compress along the edges. While it has reinforced edges, there is more potential for sinkage around the perimeter compared to the Helix.

Sleeping Cool

Temperature regulation and airflow are important considerations, especially for hot sleepers. Memory foam is known for trapping heat, so both companies use strategies to help with cooling. Nectar uses a quilted gel memory foam layer and a breathable Tencel cover to help dissipate heat. But memory foam naturally absorbs and traps body heat.

The Helix Midnight sleeps cooler overall, thanks to the coil layer that allows more airflow. It also has a breathable cover and foam layers for better heat dissipation. The Helix Midnight would likely be the better choice for those who sleep very hot.

Pricing and Sizing

The Helix Midnight and Nectar mattress have similar price points, with the Nectar being $100 to $250 cheaper on average:

Size	Helix Midnight	Nectar Mattress
Twin	$936	$599
Twin XL	$1,061	$769
Full	$1,249	$899
Queen	$1,374	$999
King	$1,749	$1,299
Cal King	$1,749	$1,299

Trial Period and Warranty

Nectar offers one of the longest sleep trials at 365 nights, allowing you to test out the mattress for up to a year.Helix has a more standard 100-night trial. This gives you over 3 months to evaluate the mattress.For the warranty:

• Nectar has a “forever warranty” that covers defects for as long as you own the mattress.
• Helix has a 10-year limited warranty covering defects in materials and manufacturing.

So Nectar provides better coverage long-term while Helix has industry-standard protection.

Helix vs Nectar Which Should You Choose?

Here is a quick summary of who might prefer each mattress: The Helix Midnight may be ideal for you if:

• You sleep hot and want better airflow and breathability
• You prefer some bounce and responsiveness vs. a sunk-in feel
• You are a back or stomach sleeper needing support
• You like a balanced foam hybrid feel

The Nectar may be the better choice if:

• You like a classic, slow-moving memory foam feel
• You sleep mostly on your side and need pressure relief
• You want superior motion isolation as a couple
• You prefer conforming and contouring from an all-foam bed

No mattress is one-size-fits-all, so consider your sleep position, preferences, and needs. And take advantage of risk-free trial periods to decide if Helix or Nectar is ideal for you.

Conclusion

Helix and Nectar both make high-quality, affordable mattresses. The Helix Midnight’s hybrid design offers excellent support and cooling. The Nectar provides unmatched pressure relief with its all-foam construction.

By comparing construction, policies, and performance, you can determine whether the Helix’s responsive coils or the Nectar’s body-contouring foam better match your ideal mattress. Either choice provides an outstanding sleep experience at an accessible price point.