The Helix Sunset is the softest model in the Helix brand’s line of hybrid mattresses. That line includes mattresses that are designed to suit virtually every type of sleeper, but the Helix Sunset itself is a bit more polarizing due to its extra-plush feel.
Is the Helix Sunset mattress right for you? Read on for our detailed Helix Sunset mattress review to find out! We’ll assess this mattress’s firmness, feel, construction, and performance and share who’s most likely to feel comfortable while sleeping on this bed (and who might not). We’ll also pit the Helix Sunset against two of its main competitors.
The Helix Sunset is one of the company's softest models and provides excellent pressure relief for side sleepers. Click the button to save up to $200 and get 2 free pillows.
Helix Sunset Mattress Overview
As noted above, the Helix Sunset is a particularly soft bed, which means it will be better suited to some kinds of sleepers than others. Here’s a quick overview of who might feel right at home on the Helix Sunset and who might need to keep looking for their perfect mattress match.
Who Might Like The Helix Sunset?
- Side sleepers who enjoy tons of pressure relief
- Lighter-weight back sleepers
- Folks who prefer a softer mattress
Who Might Not Like The Helix Sunset?
- Stomach sleepers, who won’t get enough support
- Heavier-weight back sleepers
- People who enjoy a firmer mattress
Make sure to read our full Helix mattress review to learn about the other models.
Helix Sunset Mattress Firmness And Feel
Whenever you’re in the market for a new mattress, it’s critical to consider firmness and feel. These factors have a big impact on whether a given mattress is well matched to your preferred sleep position and other sleep needs. So let’s kick off the in-depth portion of this review by taking a look at the Helix Sunset’s firmness and feel!
How Firm Is The Helix Sunset?
We ranked the Helix Sunset around 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale. The industry standard for average firmness is 6.5/10, so this suggests the Helix Sunset is softer than average. This makes sense when you consider that this mattress is the softest model in the Helix lineup.
Firmness is a bit subjective, so depending on your body weight and preferences you might label this mattress a touch firmer or softer. But it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone will find this to be a notably soft mattress.
Sleeping On The Helix Sunset
Because the Helix Sunset is very soft, it didn’t feel supportive enough for back sleeping. Our hips sank into the mattress and tugged the spine out of alignment.
We found the Helix Sunset to be a fantastic match for side sleeping. The soft mattress cushions the shoulder and hip (which are common pressure points for side sleepers), and we felt very comfortable in this position. In fact, we felt so good that we’ve included the Helix Sunset on our roundup of best mattresses for hip pain. For another good soft option from Helix, take a look at the Helix Moonlight.
Given that the Helix Sunset didn’t feel supportive enough while back sleeping, it probably won’t come as a surprise that this mattress is also not supportive enough for stomach sleepers. Our hips bowed into the mattress, which threw the spine out of alignment. See the Helix Dawn and Helix Twilight for some firmer options.
What Does The Helix Sunset Feel Like?
The Helix Sunset boasts a balanced foam feel with a very soft, plush top. The plush comfort layer allows sleepers to sink into the mattress for pressure relief and creates a slow-moving response to pressure.
Average Weight Sleepers – 130lbs – 230lbs
Most average-weight back sleepers will find that the Helix Sunset is not supportive enough in this position (although it’s possible that some folks on the lightest end of the spectrum could feel okay here). Average-weight side sleepers, however, are in for a real treat: They should enjoy plenty of pressure relief and shouldn’t feel jammed up around the shoulder or hip. Meanwhile, average-weight stomach sleepers will need to look for a more supportive mattress for stomach sleepers.
Heavyweight Sleepers – Over 230lbs
Heavyweight back sleepers are unlikely to obtain adequate support on the Helix Sunset. Heavyweight side sleepers who weigh less than 300 pounds should enjoy plenty of pressure relief. Side sleepers who weigh more than that might press through the mattress’s comfort layers into the firmer support layers underneath, so they might want to seek out a dedicated mattress for heavy people. The Helix Sunset is not supportive enough for heavyweight stomach sleepers.
Lightweight Sleepers – Under 130lbs
Because their lighter-weight means they’re unlikely to press through the mattress’s comfort layers, lightweight back sleepers might be able to obtain adequate support on the Helix Sunset. This mattress is a great match for lightweight side sleepers, who should enjoy loads of pressure relief around the shoulder and hip. Due to its soft nature, the Helix Sunset is not supportive enough for lightweight stomach sleepers.
RELATED: Best Soft Mattress 2020
Helix Sunset Mattress Construction
By now you have a good sense of what it feels like to sleep on top of the Helix Sunset with different body weights and in different positions. Now, let’s take a look at this bed’s innards! We’ll review the Helix Sunset’s construction layer by layer and share how different materials impact performance.
Cover
The Helix Sunset features a Soft Touch Design cover that’s very breathable. True to its name, this material is also very soft to the touch.
Comfort Layers
The primary comfort layer on the Helix Sunset is composed of the brand’s Memory Plus Foam, a pressure-relieving material with a slow-moving feel. Underneath the top layer of Memory Plus Foam, there’s a transition layer made of Helix Dynamic foam—a latex-foam alternative that’s a touch firmer, bouncier, and more supportive.
Support Layer
As with the other models in Helix’s line, the Helix Sunset’s support layer is made up of individually-wrapped coils. These coils rest on top of a sturdy base foam that lends structure and support to the mattress overall.
Mattress Height
The Helix Sunset stands at 12” tall.
Helix Sunset Mattress Size Options And Price
To see the most up-to-date size and pricing information for the Helix Sunset mattress, check out the chart below!
| Size | Dimensions | Price |
| Twin | 38″ x 75″ x 12″ | $600 |
| Twin XL | 38″ x 80″ x 12″ | $700 |
| Full | 54″ x 75″ x 12″ | $850 |
| Queen | 60″ x 80″ x 12″ | $999 |
| King | 76″ x 80″ x 12″ | $1349 |
| California King | 72″ x 84″ x 12″ | $1349 |
Make sure to look at our Helix coupons page to get the best deal on the Sunset.
The Helix Sunset is one of the company's softest models and provides excellent pressure relief for side sleepers. Click the button to save up to $200 and get 2 free pillows.
Helix Sunset Mattress Performance
This far into the review, you know quite a bit about the Helix Sunset’s firmness, feel, and construction. But there are still some key factors to consider about this mattress. We put the Helix Sunset through a range of tests with regards to temperature regulation, motion transfer, edge support, and more. Let’s see how this bed performed!
Sleeping Hot Or Cold
The Helix Sunset shouldn’t trap much heat thanks to its breathable cover and coils, which allow for airflow through the whole mattress. If you’re still worried about overheating, consider upgrading to Helix’s Luxe model, which boasts even more design features for sleeping cool.
Motion Transfer
Even though the Helix Sunset has coils, which are known for transferring motion across a mattress, this bed actually does a great job of minimizing motion transfer. That’s thanks to the thick memory foam comfort layer, which absorbs movement. This could be a great mattress for couples who don’t want to disturb each other in the night.
Edge Support
While the Helix Sunset is a very soft mattress, we still encountered solid edge support on this bed. The support layer’s coils helped us feel secure while sitting and lying down near the edges of this mattress.
Durability
The Helix Sunset boasts high-density foams and long-lasting coils, which should make this a very durable mattress.
Off-Gassing
We did observe some initial off-gassing from the Helix Sunset. This should dissipate within a few days.
Noise
At the time of this review, we observed just a bit of noise from the Helix Sunset’s coils. It’s possible this noise might become more pronounced as time goes on.
Sex
A good mattress for sex enables partners to change positions easily. While the Helix Sunset has a slower-moving feel, couples shouldn’t feel stuck in this mattress. It could be a decent option for sex.
Company Policies
It’s always a good idea to read the fine print when buying a mattress. Don’t strain your eyes because we have all the information right here.
Warranty Info
The Helix Sunset comes with a 10-year limited warranty. This covers all manufacturing defects and is void if you use the incorrect frame of foundation or otherwise mistreat the mattress.
Sleep Trial
You have 100 nights to decide whether the Helix Sunset is the right fit for you or not.
Return Policy
Helix asks that you try the mattress for 30 nights before you return your Helix Sunsetmattress. If between 30 and 100 nights, you don’t think the mattress is a good fit, you can return it for a full refund. Just schedule with the company, and they will pick up the Helix Sunset mattress for you.
How Does The Helix Sunset Compare To Other Mattresses?
If you’re considering the Helix Sunset, then you’ve probably come across other online mattresses as well. It’s always helpful to comparison shop, because this helps you get a sense of all your options and lets you feel more confident in your final choice. To make things easier on you, we’ve created a mini comparison shopping zone below. Here, we’ll look at how the Helix Sunset compares to two of its biggest bed-in-a-box competitors: the Nectar and the original Purple mattress.
To see how Helix stacks up against other brands, check out our other Helix comparisons.
Helix Vs Nectar
When it comes to their constructions, the Helix Sunset and Nectar are notably different. The Helix Sunset is a hybrid mattress that layers foams over individually-wrapped coils, while the Nectar is an all-foam mattress that incorporates memory foam into its comfort layers.
Even though they’re constructed differently, the Helix Sunset and Nectar mattresses have similar feels. They both incorporate memory foam in their top layers, which means they’re pressure-relieving and a bit slow-moving.
When it comes to durability, the Helix Sunset and Nectar are pretty close. But the Helix might win out thanks to the inclusion of long-lasting coils.
In spite of their similar feels, these beds differ significantly in terms of firmness. We ranked the Helix Sunset at a very soft 5.5/10, while the Nectar features more of an average firmness at 6.5/10. Because of this, the Helix Sunset is likely to have a plusher feel overall and could offer more pressure relief.
These beds are also a bit different when it comes to price. A Queen-size Helix Sunset costs around $999, while the Nectar is a bit more expensive at $1,198 for the same size.
Who Should Get The Helix Sunset?
- Hot sleepers who need a mattress that sleeps cool
- Folks who want to save money
Who Should Get The Nectar?
- People who prefer an all-foam mattress
Need to know more about the Nectar? Check out our in-depth Nectar mattress review!
Helix Vs Purple
The Helix Sunset and the original Purple vary dramatically when it comes to their constructions. The Helix Sunset layers multiple foams over individually-wrapped coils, while the Purple’s comfort layer features the brand’s unique hyper-elastic gel polymer grid.
Because they’re constructed from very different materials, it’s probably not surprising that the Helix Sunset and the Purple have very different feels. The Helix Sunset has a classic memory foam hybrid feel, while the Purple features a unique, gel-like feel that is simultaneously squishy and firm.
When it comes to durability, these are both long-lasting mattresses. But thanks to the exceptionally durable grid in the Purple, this mattress will probably be the more durable of the two.
In addition to different feels, these mattresses also feature very different firmnesses. The Helix Sunset is very soft at around 5.5/10, while we ranked the Purple around average firmness at 6.5/10.
If price is an important piece of the puzzle for you, then it’s worth noting that the Helix Sunset costs less than the Purple. A Queen-size Helix Sunset starts around $999, while the same size Purple starts around $1,149.
Who Should Get The Helix Sunset?
- Side sleepers, who need plenty of pressure relief
- Fans of a traditional mattress feel
Who Should Get The Purple?
- Hot sleepers who want a temperature-neutral mattress
- Folks who want an exceptionally durable mattress
Learn more about the original Purple in our comprehensive Purple mattress review.
Our Helix Sunset Mattress Ratings
Interested in seeing the final Helix Sunset score? Well, we’ve got all our ratings right here plus the final tally!
Helix Sunset Mattress FAQs
Still have questions? We’ve got answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Helix Sunset mattress!
How long will the Helix Sunset mattress last?
The Helix Sunset is a durable hybrid mattress that should last for approximately 7 to 10 years.
Do you need a box spring with the Helix Sunset mattress?
Nope! It’s not necessary to use a box spring with the Helix Sunset. It’s perfectly fine to place this mattress directly on top of a bed frame or base.
Can you flip a Helix Sunset mattress?
No, you cannot flip a Helix Sunset mattress. Flipping this mattress would result in sleeping on the hard support coils as opposed to the softer comfort layers on top.
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