Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress — which supportive hybrid is right for your sleep?

Browsing for a new bed online? It probably won't be long before you're recommended a Helix or Saatva mattress. Our experienced sleep team has tested a variety of designs from these leading sleep brands but today, we're focusing on just two: the Helix Dawn vs the Saatva Classic mattress.

You'll find both the Dawn and Classic in our guide to the best mattresses you can buy online. Our testing panels were full of praise, describing the Dawn as a "dream for stomach sleepers" while the lead tester in our Saatva Classic review claimed it "revolutionized" her sleep.

But which one should you buy? In this guide we'll be comparing the price, build and feel of the Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress to decide which is the hybrid mattress for you.

Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress: Price & trial

• Dawn is a mid-range mattress from the Helix Core collection
• Saatva Classic is a luxury mattress with a premium price
• Both have lifetime warranties but Saatva's benefits are better overall

There's a significant price difference between the Helix Dawn and the Saatva Classic. The Dawn falls in the mid-range price bracket with a queen typically $1,099, while a queen Saatva Classic will often cost a premium $1,799. But the exact amount you spend depends on the current mattress sale.

In the year-round Helix mattress sale you can generally enjoy 20% off, reducing a queen Helix Dawn from $1,332 down to $1,099. However, Helix will often bump that discount to 25% or even 27% around peak sales days and holidays.

The Dawn is in good company in the mid-range price bracket, sitting alongside highly rated designs such as the Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Hybrid Pro mattress and the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid mattress.

Saatva mattress sales aren't quite as common as Helix deals but you never have to wait long for a discount. You can often save between $250 and $400 on a queen size Saatva Classic — although the biggest savings are reserved for special occasions such as Memorial Day and Black Friday.

At $2,099 MSRP for a queen the Classic is a premium mattress, sitting at a similar price to the organic luxury of the Avocado Green Mattress or the pressure relieving comfort of the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress.

Both brands offer a lifetime warranty but Saatva comes out on top in terms of benefits. But in fairness, Saatva beats most sleep brands here. While the Dawn has a 100-night sleep trial and the option to pay for white glove deliver, Saatva offers a 365-night trial and free white glove delivery; the best extras around.

Helix Dawn Mattress: twin was $998.66 now $749 at Helix
Helix's 4th of July sale is here and you can use code TOMS27 at checkout to save 27% on the Dawn mattress (alongside every bed in the Helix line-up.) This matches the discount we spotted during Memorial Day and Black Friday so we think it's the best price drop you'll get. Right now a queen is reduced from $1,332 to $972.36.

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Saatva Classic mattress: twin was $1,399 now $1,199 at Saatva
Although Saatva sales aren't the permanent discounts we see from some mattress brands a deal is never far away and you can typically enjoy $300 off a queen sized Saatva Classic, reducing it form an MSRP of $2,099 to $1,799. If there isn't a sale, we recommend holding tight and waiting for the next saving.

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Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress: Materials & design

• Dawn is a hybrid mattress with springs and multiple foam layers
• Classic is an innerspring hybrid with a quilted top and spring base
• Classic has two heights, Dawn has cooling and support upgrades

The Helix Dawn and Saatva Classic are both hybrid designs and they rate among the best hybrid mattresses we've tested. But while the basics are similar — spring and foam layers — beneath the covers are notable differences.

Let's start with the Dawn. Featuring six internal layers, beneath the cover sits gel foam for pressure relief, followed by a layer of responsive latex foam alternative. Next are two layers of response foam. These have a firm build and contribute greatly to the feel of the Dawn. Then comes the spring layer, reinforced along the lengthwise sides, while a final layer of foam aids durability.

The Helix Dawn mattress comes with two optional upgrades. First, you can switch the standard Tencel cover for a cooling GlacioTex cover. And second, you can add a layer of targeted support foam, known as the ErgoAlign layer.

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The Saatva Classic also uses springs and foams. However, the coil-heavy design means the feel of this bed is similar to traditional innerspring mattresses. But before we get to the coils, you'll find yourself lying on three inches of foam. You can opt for Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, or Firm foam, depending on your comfort needs.

Next comes Saatva's lumbar crown, a layer of gel foam that sits across the central third of the bed, intended to provide targeted support to the lower back. This is followed by two spring layers. The first features reinforced coils at the center (to enhance support) while the second adds to the durability of the mattress. A foam railing sits across the perimeter, to aid the edge strength.

There are no upgrades available for the Classic but you can choose between three feels and two heights (all for the same price.)

Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress: Support & comfort

• Dawn is a firm mattress designed for back and stomach sleepers
• Saatva comes in three firmness levels for all sleep needs
• Both offer support for the entire body

Like the best firm mattresses, Helix describes the Dawn mattress as having a supportive feel for back and stomach sleepers and our testing team agreed with that assessment. Mattress firmness is rated on a scale of one to 10, 10 indicating the hardest; both our team and Helix agree the Dawn is an 8.

That's not the firmest mattress we've tested (the Plank Firm mattress one ups it) but this is still a bed you lie on top of, rather than sinking into. And in our Helix Dawn mattress review it was the support that stood out.

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Our lead tester tends to lie on her front and has slept on some of the best mattresses for stomach sleepers — the Dawn easily slips into this category. Stomach sleepers can often experience back pain, particularly if the hips and lower back sink into the bed. The Dawn keeps the lumbar lifted, for fewer aches (the support is a feature back sleepers should also enjoy.)

Dense cushioning prevents pressure from building up at the hips when using the Dawn but side sleepers will need something softer — the Dawn can't be described as plush. The Helix Midnight mattress is a similarly priced alternative for side sleepers... but this is also where the Saatva Classic comes in.

It's not just that the Classic is one of the best mattresses for side sleepers. Thanks to its three feels, it's a mattress for almost everyone. We tested the Luxury Firm (rated 6.5) for our Saatva Classic mattress review and it impressed every member of our sleep team. Although, among our testers the lightest side sleeper would prefer Plush Soft and the stomach sleeper would consider Firm.

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Due to the dual-coil build, the Classic has a bouncy feel rather than a sink-in softness but the thick Euro top provides ample pressure relief. And despite all those springs, we found the motion isolation impressive. Our lead tester could share a bed without being bothered by their partner's movements (the Helix Dawn also pleased us here.)

But the Saatva Classic impressed us all round, particularly the lumbar support (we consider it among the best mattresses for easing back pain.) The edge support is another five-star feature as the sides are so strong we could lie, sit and press against them without feeling the mattress dip. The Dawn has also good support around the edge, particularly at the sides, but can't compare to the Saatva.

Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress: Temperature control

• Neither mattress features integrated cooling technology
• But you can add a GlacioTex cooling cover to the Dawn
• And the Saatva Classic maintains a neutral feel overnight

The body cools as we prepare for bed which is why hot weather can make it harder to drift off. The best cooling mattresses use everything from naturally breathable fabrics to high-tech active cooling to lower temperatures.

When comparing the temperature regulation of the standard Helix Dawn and Saatva Classic designs, the Classic comes out on top. It's not cooling but it does retain a neutral feel overnight, so you can sleep comfortably.

The Dawn also stays relatively neutral but on warm nights you might find it holds onto some heat. However, Helix does offer a cooling upgrade, with an optional GlacioTex cover available. This should give the Dawn a cool-to-the-touch feel, making it a potentially better choice for hot sleepers.

Helix Dawn vs Saatva Classic mattress: Which one should you buy?

But the Helix Dawn mattress if...

✅ You're on a budget: The Dawn is several hundred dollars cheaper than the Classic and the high quality, durable build makes it good value for money. If it's time to replace your bed but the budget is tight, we think this is a great choice.

✅ You're a stomach sleeper: The Classic is also good for front sleepers but the Dawn has been designed specifically for this position and it excels at supporting the hips.

✅ You want dedicated cooling features: In their standard designs, the Saatva Classic and Helix Dawn have comparable temperature control. But you can add a cooling cover to the Dawn, giving it the cooling edge.

Buy the Saatva Classic mattress if...

✅ You sleep on your side: Both the Plush Soft and Luxury Firm Classic mattress will suit side sleepers, with the superior cushioning of the Plush Soft is likely better for those with a smaller build.

✅ You need sturdy support at the side of the mattress: The edge support of the Classic is 5-star. If you have aching knees of limited mobility, the Classic will provide a sturdy base to push against when maneuvering in and out of bed.

✅ You want a mattress with a luxury feel: The Classic looks as sumptuous as it feels for a truly indulgent sleep set-up. (If you like the sound of the Dawn but you also want luxury, consider upgrading to the Helix Dawn Luxe mattress.)