Helix Dawn Luxe Review

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In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Helix Dawn Luxe	Average
Overall Score	8.97	8.53
Price (Queen)	$1,899	$1,432 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.54″	2.17″
Sinkage – Feel	Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.4	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	8.59 m/s²	8.70 m/s²
Response Time – Score	8.6	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.4 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.9 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	9.53″	9.22″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.6	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.75″	4.02″
Edge Support – Lying	Outstanding	Good
Sex – Score	8.7	8.3
Pressure Relief – Score	9.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.5″	4.2″
Mattress Thickness	13.5″	12.1″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.9	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	4 days	7 days
Company – Score	9.7	8.6
Trial	100 nights	176 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	39% have lifetime warranties, average of other 61% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Helix Dawn Luxe Different?

The Helix Dawn Luxe is a 13.5″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance level that is higher than average and a price that is also slightly higher than average—32% more than the average hybrid mattress or $465 more than average for a queen mattress.

Advantages

Advantages of the Dawn Luxe include better cooling performance, lower levels of motion transfer, and faster off-gassing (4 days compared to the 7-day average).

Edge support is also better than average, with only 3.75″ of sinkage when seated at the edge and outstanding support when lying. It’s great for couples, with a higher sex score than average.

Lastly, this mattress is thicker than average (13.5″ thick compared to a 12.1″ average) and has a thicker comfort layer as well (4.5″ compared to 4.2″ average).

Neutral Factors

This mattress has deep sinkage, 17% deeper than the average mattress. It also has moderate levels of bounce, only 3% deeper than average.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of the Dawn Luxe would include a shorter trial period, only 100 nights compared to 176-night average) and the higher price tag.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body. The mattress breathed well and the surface did not heat up.

The mattress uses a proven hybrid design with high quality memory and poly foam. The pocketed coil unit brings airflow into the mattress and is simply a layer that cannot easily retain heat. The foams do retain some heat, but not enough to feel warm or hot. Notably, we tested the Dawn Luxe without the optional cooling cover.

• Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
• Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
• Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes

Even without the cover, cooling performance was solid. We’ve tested the cooling cover on other Helix models, including the Helix Midnight Luxe (see our review here). During those tests, the cooling performance rises from the Excellent to the Outstanding level. So if cooling is critical for you, it’s worth considering adding the cooling cover.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 90.3° F. This is 0.5° more than the average of 89.8° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress the temperature declined by 5.2° from minutes 0 to 1, which is 0.6° cooler than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.6°.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is excellent.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has deep sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.54″. This is 0.37″ more sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.17″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The mattress creates a balanced feel and does not have a notable body contouring hug. While the mattress does have less sinkage, it avoids creating any type of a “floating” feel, where the body lies more “on” the mattress as opposed to “in” the mattress.

Many times firm mattresses can struggle to achieve this balance, as often firm mattresses create a notable floating sensation on the mattress, which can create pressure points for many sleepers.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has a firm feel, but the quilted cover still provides plenty of comfort and pressure relief. Overall, I’m pleased with the comfort dynamic.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 8.59 m/s². This is 2% less motion transfer than the average of 8.73 m/s². I was quite surprised at the relatively low level of motion.

Typically, firm mattresses have more bounce and more motion. While the bounce level was higher than average, the Dawn Luxe also managed to create below-average motion transfer.

Certainly, the combined 4.5” comfort layer is helping to reduce motion. However, I do think most of the heavy lifting is coming from the 3.5 PCF 1.0” poly foam layer.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

Higher-density poly and memory foams do a great job at absorbing and dispersing energy. In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.15 seconds.

Motion drops off thereafter, with a smaller secondary spike from 0.51 to 0.65 seconds. While the motion intensity is quite low, motion duration persists for notably longer than average. It’s not until 1.59 seconds that we return to near-zero levels of energy.

The motion duration is more typical of what we expect from firm mattresses. Certainly, we would have liked to have seen a shorter motion duration, but when we consider the below-average motion peaks it’s really hard to complain too much here. Overall, motion transfer is well managed on the Helix Dawn Luxe.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has a fast material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.4 seconds, which is 0.03 seconds faster than the average of 0.43 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.9 seconds, which is 0.08 seconds faster than the average of 0.98 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

While the response speeds aren’t quite instant, they aren’t slow by any stretch either. The mattress is able to quickly recover back to its original shape. The faster-than-average response facilitates ease of movement and prevents any type of a “stuck” feeling.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has a moderate level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 9.53″. This is 0.30″ more bounce than the average of 9.23″, based on all of our tests to date.

This higher-than-average level of bounce is exactly what we expect from a firm mattress. Firm mattresses typically create more pushback and more resistance, which leads to more bounce. That higher level of bounce helps improve ease of movement and is especially beneficial for sex performance.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

At 9.53” the Dawn Luxe has a bounce range right in the sweet spot that maximizes the benefits of sex and ease of movement while remaining low enough to not significantly negatively impact motion transfer.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has excellent sitting edge support and outstanding lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.75″. This is 0.27″ less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.02″, based on all of our tests to date. Lying edge support was also impressive.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was outstanding in all sleeping positions. The Dawn Luxe uses two rows of reinforced edge support coils.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

These coils run along the entire perimeter of the mattress. In addition, the mattress also creates a firm feel, which gives an improved level of support and rigidity to that mattress as a whole.

When you combine the firm feel with the reinforced edge coils we have the right conditions for fantastic edge support.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has good sex performance. On the positive side, noise is minimal, while cooling, pressure relief and edge support are all excellent. At just 3.75” of sitting edge sinkage, the Dawn Luxe has an edge that is fully supportive.

This robust edge helps by extending the sexable surface area of the mattress. The Dawn Luxe really doesn’t have any major negatives with sex, but we do have bounce, which is good, but not amazing either. The level of bounce was just slightly higher than average, which is enough to earn a good score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	8.4	High
Edge Support	20%	9.1	Excellent
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.0	Excellent
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

Nevertheless, when it comes to bounce, more is always better and we absolutely would have liked to have seen a higher bounce.

In any case, for most couples, this level of sex performance will be more than good enough, and likewise, bounce should be sufficient. The Dawn Luxe earns a notably better-than-average sex score compared to all mattresses we’ve tested to date.

The Helix Dawn Luxe has an excellent level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no significant pressure points on my body.

The mattress is equipped with 4.5″ of comfort material, which is 0.33″ more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.17″, based on all of our tests to date.

I was quite surprised at just how good pressure relief is on the Dawn Luxe. Often, firm mattresses can struggle to create sufficient sinkage and comfort to alleviate pressure points.

However, that wasn’t the case here. The thicker-than-average comfort layer, quality foams, and robust euro top are able to deliver tons of comfort.

Certainly, the 1.0” poly foam layer in the core is a big factor in helping to deliver pressure relief. This is a 3.5 PCF (pounds per cubic feet) density foam.

This foam is incredibly comfortable and feels great both on the body and in hand. In addition, the higher density will help the mattress resist sagging and body impressions, giving me greater confidence in the longevity of the mattress.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.12	0.68

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.09	0.48

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.08	0.73

In our pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.73, which is well below the 2.0 PSI high pressure point threshold we want to avoid.

When I consider our objective pressure maps, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be excellent.

The Helix Dawn Luxe had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 4 days. This is 2.5 days shorter than the average smell duration of 6.5 days.

Helix mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	10%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	10	Outstanding
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing 98+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 176 nights, 76 nights more than Helix offers.

The Helix Dawn Luxe is available in a single firmness, 8 out of 10, firm feel.

A firm feel certainly won’t be ideal for every sleeper, but more pushback and denser materials can be beneficial for heavier weighted sleepers and back or stomach sleepers.

Support on the Helix Dawn Luxe is excellent. During our tests, I felt fully supported in all sleeping positions.

The mattress is equipped with a 9.0″ support layer. This is 1.09″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.91″, based on all of our tests to date.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	No	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Beyond the thicker-than-average support layer, the comfort layer is also thicker than average, high quality, and includes a notably dense 3.5 PCF poly foam. To create great support a mattress needs to have sufficient support and comfort materials.

The Dawn Luxe achieves both of those material requirements. That said, Dawn Luxe isn’t for everyone. This is a firm mattress with an 8 out of 10 firmness.

At that firmness range, it’s best suited to the needs of stomach and back sleepers, in addition to some heavier-weighted sleepers. Most side sleepers, especially lighter-weight side sleepers, should avoid this mattress, as it simply creates too much firmness to allow side sleepers to achieve a neutral spinal alignment.

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident most sleepers will find support on the Helix Dawn Luxe is excellent.

Design

The Helix Dawn Luxe is a 13.5″ hybrid mattress that comes in a single firmness option—Firm, 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

Being a Luxe model, the Dawn Luxe falls in the mid-range price tier within the Helix collection.

For a more budget-friendly option that skips the plush cover, check out the Helix Dawn (standard) or for a more luxury model, opt for the Helix Dawn Elite, a 15″ high-profile mattress with all the bells and whistles.

Materials

The Helix Dawn Luxe is 13.5″ thick and contains a combination of different foam types and a coil base. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

• 1.5” quilted cover
• 1.0” poly foam
• 2.0” poly foam
• 8.0” pocketed coils
• 1.0” support foam

The Cover

The Helix Dawn Luxe has a 1.5″ quilted cover that uses a breathable Tencel fabric. There is a diamond-stitching pattern that gives the mattress a luxurious look and a pillow-top gusset design on the side.

The Tencel cover comes standard, but you can also opt for an advanced cooling cover (GlacioTex), which is designed with a cool-to-the-touch feel to pull heat away from the body while sleeping.

This mattress has 4 handles, which helps for rotating or transporting the mattress.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is 4.5″ thick and made of memory foam and poly foam. The top layer is a 1.0” poly foam (gray foam), which helps provide that initial contour and sinkage.

Meanwhile, the secondary layer, a 2.0” poly foam (white) acts more as a transitional layer for support as sleepers ease into the coils below.

Helix also offers an optional support layer that you can add, the ErgoAlign support layer. This layer is designed to support spinal alignment, especially along the midsection.

This layer sits directly below the cover and is designed as an ultra-dense foam that helps to retain spinal alignment, especially beneath your hips, bottom, and lower back.

I will say, this layer is incredibly firm and will not be right for all sleepers. However if you really struggle with back pain caused by the mattress sinking down too far, adding this layer can help support your midsection.

This optional layer costs an additional $199 and is available in the Core, Luxe, or Elite collections within the Helix lineup.

The Support Layer

The support layer is 9.0″ thick and made of an 8.0″ pocketed coil base followed by a 1.0″ support foam base. These coils feature zoned lumbar support and are individually encased to move independently from each other.

Product Evolution

Helix as a brand launched in 2015 with a handful of mattresses that sleepers selected based on the results of an on-site quiz. In 2020, the brand shifted from “custom mattresses” into the three collections we know today, the Core collection, Luxe collection, and Elite collection.

In 2025, Helix added the option of ErgoAlign support foam as well as the optional graphite cooling ribbons. These two features can help customize and advance any mattresses, regardless of what collection it falls under.

For example, you can add the cooling ribbons and ErgoAlign foam to the Helix Dawn (core collection), the Luxe version, or the Elite version.

In addition, in 2025 Helix redesinged their entire lineup. Here are the major changes from the redesign:

• Aesthetic changes on the covers
• Improved cooling cover (optional on Core and Luxe models, comes standard with all Elite models)
• Slightly different layer stack for foams
• Different / new / updated foams, most notably a new 3.5-4.0 memory / poly foam that’s included on all Luxe models

Other Mattresses to Consider

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Helix Dawn Luxe mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.