Helix Sunset 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 Sunset	Average
Overall Score	9.16	8.55
Price (Queen)	$1,099	$1,500 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	10	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	3.04″	2.18″
Sinkage – Feel	Extremely Deep	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.4	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	8.51 m/s²	8.66 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	9.30″	9.14″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	8.1	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	4.50″	4.00″
Edge Support – Lying	Good	Good
Sex – Score	8.5	8.3
Pressure Relief – Score	10	8.7
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.5″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	12.5″	12.2″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.1	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	7 days	7 days
Company – Score	9.7	8.6
Trial	100 nights	169 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	41% have lifetime warranties, average of other 59% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Helix Sunset Different?

The Helix Sunset is a 12.5″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance level that is higher than average and a price tag that is lower than average—a savings of $400 or 26% off the cost of the average hybrid mattress.

Advantages

In addition to having a lower sticker price, the Helix Sunset also has better cooling performance, slightly less motion transfer than average, and a better sex score as well. This mattress has fantastic pressure relief, a 10/10 in our tests, which is amazing given the mattress’s low price (26% less than the average hybrid).

Neutral Factors

This mattress has extremely deep sinkage and a moderate level of bounce. If you are confident that you want a soft feel with deeper hug, the Sunset could be the right pick for you.

In addition, it has a near-average response time, which is a bit of a neutral factor since it is neither better nor worse than the average.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of the Helix Sunset include slightly worse edge support when seated directly at the edge of the mattress as well as a shorter trial period. The Helix Sunset offers a 100-night trial period, where the average is 169 nights.

The Helix Sunset has outstanding cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

To the contrary, the surface of the mattress remained notably cool. Our Sunset mattress included the optional cooling cover, which Helix calls Glaciotex.

This cover is incredibly high performance, being among the best cooling covers I’ve tested to date.

It gives the mattress a cool-to-the-touch feel and maintains that cooler feel for the duration of our cooling tests.

• 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

Beyond the cool cover, we have high-performance foams that breathe well and a pocketed coil unit bringing more air into the mattress.

This combination of material and design choices allows the Helix Sunset (when equipped with the cooling cover) to earn a 10 out of 10 cooling performance score. Without the cooling cover the score would likely be a 9 out of 10 (which is the same score that all other 2025 Helix core mattresses we’ve tested have earned).

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 89.8° F. This is 0.1° less than the average of 89.9° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 5.4° from minutes 0 to 1, which is 0.7° cooler than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.7°.

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 outstanding.

The Helix Sunset has extremely deep sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 3.04″. This is 0.86″ more sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.18″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The mattress creates a balanced body contouring hug, despite the deeper-than-average sinkage level.

Heavier parts of the body do sink down to a greater depth, especially midsection and butt. Lighter parts of the body aren’t sinking down as deeply.

Many times softer mattresses, especially those with substantial memory foam layers, can create an excessive hug to the point that it’s more difficult to move around on the mattress.

On the Sunset mattress, the mix of memory foam, poly foam, and coils, alongside the euro top quilted cover, creates a more balanced, less-polarizing feel that many different types of sleepers can enjoy.

The Helix Sunset has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 8.51 m/s². This is 2% less motion transfer than the average of 8.67 m/s². The Sunset mattress is a bit of a mixed bag for motion transfer.

On the positive side, the 1.75” of memory foam, thick quilted cover, and softer feel are all helping to absorb energy and disperse motion. However, we also have a deeper sinkage level, which means it’s easier to come into greater contact with the pocketed coil unit, which will generate more motion.

It’s for this reason that bounce is slightly higher than average, which is also adding a little extra motion.

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

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.14 seconds. After 0.14 seconds, we see motion notably decline and by 0.93 seconds we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy.

While the motion intensity was about average, motion duration was longer than average, most likely the result of the deeper level of sinkage.

All that to say, while motion isn’t the best we’ve seen from the Helix lineup, it’s still about average and should be a non-issue for most sleepers.

The Helix Sunset has a fast material response. In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.4 seconds, which is 0.02 seconds faster than the average of 0.42 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 0.09 seconds faster than the average of 0.99 seconds.

Mattresses with the fastest response times are able to mostly recover within 0.2 seconds and fully recover within 0.3 seconds. Suffice to say, Helix Sunset isn’t at that level, but it’s also not slow either.

Certainly, the 1.75” of memory foam layers are slowing down the total material response time. This memory foam simply takes a moment or two to recover to its original shape after it’s been compressed.

In addition, the extremely deep sinkage level means the mattress is compressed to greater depths, which means it has further to recover to get back to its original shape and height.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

All that said, the majority of the material layers are poly foam and coils, all of which are all springing back to shape effectively instantly. For those sleepers who love the soft feel, I expect this level of material responsiveness will be perfectly fine.

The Helix Sunset has a moderate level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 9.30″. This is 0.16″ more bounce than the average of 9.14″, based on all of our tests to date.

As was the case with motion transfer, we have material and design choices that are both helping to increase and decrease bounce. The thick all-foam comfort layer, 1.75” of memory foam, and robust euro top cover are all absorbing a great deal of bounce.

However, the extremely deep sinkage level allows the body to come into greater contact with the coil unit, which returns more bounce. As a result, we see a total level of bounce slightly higher than average.

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

Bounce at this level is going to be sufficient for most sleepers. It’s not so low as to have a significant negative impact on sex, while also aiding in ease of movement.

But it’s not so high as to create undue motion transfer. Overall, I’m pleased with this level of bounce and expect it will be a non-issue for most sleepers.

The Helix Sunset has good sitting edge support and good lying edge support. In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 4.50″.

This is 0.49″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 4.01″, based on all of our tests to date.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was good in all sleeping positions. While both lying and sitting edge support were good, it’s clear they do not rise to the excellent or outstanding level.

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

Softer mattresses often struggle with edge support, as the extra sinkage can weaken support along the edges. That is essentially what we see here with the Sunset.

Notably, the mattress is equipped with two rows of reinforced edge support coils. These coils are only on the left and right sides of the mattress and are not present at the foot or head of the mattress.

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

These coils are absolutely helping to improve edge support. Even so, they aren’t miracle workers and when considered alongside the soft feel and extremely deep sinkage you end up with a level of edge support that is good, but not incredible.

The Helix Sunset has good sex performance. First up, let’s talk through what the Sunset does best. Noise was minimal and both pressure relief and cooling earned perfect scores.

Where the mattress lost a few amorous activity points is in edge support and bounce. We measured sitting edge support sinkage at 4.50”.

This is a good bit worse than average and means that the usable surface area of the mattress just isn’t as large, due to the edge support being less than great (especially along the head and foot of the mattress).

Bounce is in a similar position, measuring at a slightly higher level than average. Even so, when it comes to bounce more is almost always better and ideally, I want to see 10” or higher. Nevertheless, it feels really hard to complain too much about the sex score.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	8.3	High
Edge Support	20%	8.1	Good
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	10	Outstanding
Cooling	5%	10	Outstanding

Soft mattresses often really struggle with sex performance due deeper sinkage, thicker comfort layers, and a softer feel.

However, that’s not what we saw with the Sunset. This mattress earned a highly respectable score, especially considering its soft feel.

The Helix Sunset has an outstanding level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no pressure points on my body. The Sunset is incredibly comfortable.

The mattress is equipped with 4.5″ of comfort material, which is 0.36″ more comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.14″, based on all of our tests to date.

As a reminder, our Sunset included the optional Glaciotex cooling pillow top. Not only does this cover improve cooling, but it also adds an extra inch of high-performance foam within the improved euro top cover.

This extra material makes a substantial difference in terms of pressure relief and comfort (without it the score would likely drop to a 9 out of 10). Beyond simply having a thicker comfort layer, the quality of the materials is excellent also, especially considering this price.

Each layer, both foam and coil, looks and feels high quality both on the body and in-hand. Foam densities range from 1.5 to 2.4 PCF. PCF is a measure of density.

Higher-density foams last longer, sag less, and are generally more comfortable. Ideally, I want to see at least one comfort layer between a 3-4 PCF, but we don’t see that here with the Sunset.

Even so, it’s hard to complain too much given the price point. In our pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.66. A PSI of 2.0 is a high-pressure point and we came nowhere near that level.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.11	0.64

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.07	0.66

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.08	0.56

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

The Helix Sunset had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 7 days. This is 0.4 days longer than the average smell duration of 6.6 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 101+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 169 nights, 69 nights more than Helix offers.

The Helix Sunset is available in a single firmness, 4 out of 10, with a soft feel.

This firmness is ideally suited to the needs of side sleepers.

Support on the Helix Sunset is excellent. During our tests, I felt well supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress is equipped with a 8.0″ support layer. This is 0.07″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.93″, based on all of our tests to date.

The coil unit looks and feels high-quality. In addition, it’s also equipped with reinforced coils along the left and right sides of the mattress, which help to improve edge support.

The big support factor to consider on the Helix Sunset is the softness and sinkage depth. The combination of 4 out of 10 soft feel firmness and extremely deep sinkage makes this mattress best suited for side sleepers.

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	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Maybe	Yes	Maybe
250-300 lbs.	No	Yes	No

The deeper sinkage makes this mattress not a great fit for most back and stomach sleepers, as the sinkage depth will simply fail to create sufficient support.

Lastly, this mattress does not use zonal support (zoned layers are usually tuned to create more support and less sinkage in the middle of the mattress).

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident that most side sleepers will find support on the Helix Sunset is excellent. However, I would recommend that most back and stomach sleepers avoid this mattress, unless you are certain you prefer deeper sinkage and a soft feel.

Design

The Helix Sunset is a 12.5″ hybrid mattress that comes in a single firmness option—Soft. This mattress is a part of Helix’s standard Core Collection, the most budget-friendly lineup of mattresses offered by Helix.

There are three main collections within the Helix lineup. There is the Core Collection, the Luxe Collection, and the Elite Collection. There is also a Helix Plus mattress for heavier-weighted sleepers (which has a Core, Luxe, and Elite version within it).

Materials

The Helix Sunset is 12.5″ thick and contains a combination of different foam types with a pocketed coil support base. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

• 2.0” quilted cover
• 1.0” poly foam
• 0.75” poly foam
• 0.75” poly foam
• 8.0” pocketed coils

The table below shows a more detailed look at the exact specifications of the materials used in the Helix Sunset, according to the manufacturer.

Thickness	Layer Type	Density
0.75″	Gel Memory Foam	1.8 PCF
1.0″	Gel Memory Foam	2.4 PCF
0.75″	Poly Foam	1.8 PCF
0.75″	Poly Foam	1.5 PCF
8.0″	Pocketed Coils	N/A
0.25″	Support Foam	N/A

There are some discrepancies in how Helix measures materials and how materials were measured in the NapLap Studio.

Notably, the version we tested with the Glaciotex cover is 12.5″. Without the optional cooling cover the mattress is only 11.5″.

The Cover

The Helix Sunset has a thin cover with a 0.75″ gel memory foam quilted into the cover. It is breathable and has a simple design. This mattress also has the option to upgrade to a cooling cover, coined by the name “GlacioTex Cooling Pillow Top” on Helix’s website.

This upgraded cover does improve cooling performance, as we’ve seen across our tests, but it also adds extra cost. The cooling cover has a pillow top design and adds an additional $299 to the total price.

For reference, the Helix Sunset we tested had the standard cover and earned a cooling score of 9/10. Other Helix mattresses that we’ve tested with the GlacioTex cooling cover (ie: Helix Midnight Luxe) earned a cooling score of 10/10 with the advanced cover.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is 4.5″ thick and made of a few different types of foam. At the top, we see a 1.0″ gel memory foam (blue) followed by a 0.75″ poly foam (gray). The third foam within the comfort layer is a 0.75″ poly foam (blue).

Although they look similar, the two bottom poly foams are slightly different. The gray foam has a density of 1.8 PCF, and the bottom blue foam has a slightly lower density of only 1.5 PCF.

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 a supportive foam that helps to reinforce support along the mid-section, thereby allowing less sinkage in the middle of the mattress.

I will say, this layer is quite firm and will not be right for all sleepers. We’ve already heard from some of our readers / viewers who purchased this optional foam upgrade that it made their mattress way too firm, creating an uncomfortable support dynamic.

However, if you really struggle with discomfort caused by too much sinkage in the middle of your mattress, then adding this layer can help. This optional layer costs an additional $199 and is available in the Core and Luxe versions (it comes standard with all Elite mattresses and it’s far less polarizing in the Elite mattress).

The Support Layer

The support layer is 8″ thick and made entirely of individually encased pocketed coils. Each of these coils can move independently, which allows for better pressure relief overall.

If you’re looking for zoned coils and even better pressure relief, you may want to make the jump up to the Sunset Luxe. The Sunset Luxe uses zoned coils, which can provide more pushback for the midsection, helping to improve support.

Product Evolution

The Helix Sunset has undergone a series of changes over the years, but NapLab has been around for multiple iterations, continuing to test the newest version of this mattress.

Earlier versions of the Helix Sunset hybrid show slightly different materials but retained a consistent firmness and similar feel.

In addition, in 2025, Helix redesigned its entire lineup (including the Sunset model). 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 PCF foam that’s included on all Luxe models and a new 7.0 PCF foam on Elite models

Here’s a comparison of the 2021-2024 version compared to the current version (which launched April 2025).

Check the table below for a side-by-side comparison of the 2 Helix Sunset versions we’ve tested thus far.

Specs	2021-2024 Version	2025 Version
Overall Score	8.76	9.16
Thickness	12.0″	12.5″
Firmness	Soft (4)	Soft (4)
Cover	Thin Cover or Cooling Cover	Thin Cover or Cooling Cover
Comfort Layer	2.0″ Memory Foam 1.0″ Poly Foam	2.0″ Quilted Cover 1.00” Poly Foam 0.75” Poly Foam 0.75” Poly Foam
Support Layer	8.0″ Pocketed Coils 1.0″ Support Foam	8.0” Pocketed Coils

The new 2025 version of the Helix Sunset is a significant improvement over the original version. Cooling, motion transfer, sex, and pressure relief all earned better scores.

To be fair, our version of the Sunset included the optional cooling cover, which helped the mattress earn an even better cooling and pressure relief score. That said, even without this optional cooling cover the Sunset would still earn an excellent and improved score over the previous design.

Overall, I’m pleased with the new version of the Sunset. It is a notable improve over the previous design.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Helix Sunset is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated soft hybrid mattresses for high-performing alternatives you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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