I tested the Helix Midnight's slighter softer sibling to see if it could top the best-selling bed's side sleeper appeal — here's what I think after sleeping on it for a month

Helix Sunset mattress: Review in brief

Like the best-selling Midnight range, the Helix Sunset has been crafted specifically for side sleepers. The key difference is that it's slightly softer, aimed at lighter-weight side sleepers who want a mattress they can sink into. It's safe to say the Helix Sunset mattress exceeded all of my expectations — and then some.

As a side sleeper who prefers a cushioned sleep, I knew I would enjoy this bed to some degree. Especially as it's made by the same brand behind one of the best mattresses of the year, the Helix Midnight Luxe. But I was still impressed by the blend of plush pressure relief and support.

In my experience, soft beds can sag and provide little support, but the Helix Sunset didn’t fall victim to that. The bed offered just enough cushioning to hug the curves of my body without sacrificing pressure relief.

During testing, I was trying a new sport (calisthenics) that left me feeling sore almost every single day. I could physically feel the difference in support each night compared to my previous mattress, which was on the firmer side, and I felt like I slept deeper and recovered faster because of it. If I went to sleep with my back aching, I woke up pain free. That’s a huge plus for this mattress in my book.

I previously tested the Casper One Mattress and fell in love with the firmer feel. While I still maintain my original opinion, the Helix Sunset is my new favorite. For a dedicated side sleeper looking for support and pressure relief, I don't think I could find a better mattress than this one.

My partner, with whom I share a bed, also loved the support and cushioning it offered.

We are both side sleepers with a soft spot for beds that offer plenty of cushioning, so we both loved the Helix Sunset from the get-go. My bedroom configuration requires the mattress to be pushed up against the wall, but climbing into bed each night (sometimes over my sleeping partner) was no big deal because of the solid edge support.

People with mobility issues who want a soft sleep but may be hesitant to try this bed due to a lack of firmness around the edges shouldn’t be worried. Gripping and/or stepping on the edge of this mattress was steady and easy to do.

However, I did find that the motion isolation of this mattress was somewhat lacking compared to other beds I've slept on, especially compared to the Casper One Mattress, an all-foam bed that dampens motion effectively.

When my partner woke up early for work while sleeping on that mattress, I didn’t stir. On the Helix Sunset, however, I did wake up each time they got in and out of bed. The poor motion isolation was also confirmed in my testing, which I go into in further detail below.

For sleepers like myself who value comfort and pressure relief, the Helix Sunset is worth the splurge. Even though it's part of Helix's more affordable Core collection, a queen sits in the upper mid-price range at $1,478.66 at full MSRP. However, regular Helix mattress sales means you'll get anywhere between 20% and 25% off at any given time (that can be bumped up to 27% during major holiday events), which means you could pay as 'low' as $1,079.42 for a queen.

The 120-night trial period isn't the best out there, but there is an easy return/exchange process and a limited lifetime warranty, all of which make this mattress a no-brainer purchase in my book.

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Helix Sunset mattress review: Price and trial

• An upper mid-range mattress when at full price, but sales range between 20% and 25% off
• During major holidays the code TOMS27 will knock 27% off
• Comes with a 120-day trial, free delivery and a limited lifetime warranty

Helix is known for luxurious, high-quality hybrid beds, and that means you're not going to be paying budget prices.

The Helix Sunset is part of the brand's most affordable 'Core' collection, but that's perhaps best viewed as relative to their other premium mattresses. We'd say it's upper mid-range at full price, with a twin at $998.66 MSRP, while a queen at full MSRP costs $1,478.66.

However, regular 20% off sales (which you can keep track of in our Helix mattress sales guide) mean you're unlikely to pay full cost for this bed, and that knocks it down to a mid-range purchase.

Here are the prices for the Helix Sunset at full MSRP:

• Twin MSRP: $998.66
• Twin XL MSRP: $1,118.66
• Full MSRP: $1,248
• Queen MSRP: $1,478.66
• King MSRP: $1,861.33
• Short Queen MSRP: $1,478.66
• RV King MSRP: $1,861.33

If you want to take advantage of the biggest savings, it's best to wait for major holidays like Black Friday or the extended Memorial Day mattress sales which offer 25% off.

Right now, though, you can still get 27% off all sizes of the Helix Sunset with our code TOMS27. You just need to enter the code at checkout to get this additional saving, which, although still an investment, brings the cost of a queen Helix Sunset down to a much more reasonable $1,079.43.

With your purchase, you'll get a 120-night, free mattress-in-a-box delivery and a limited lifetime warranty. You can opt for an in-home delivery and old mattress removal service (also known as white glove delivery), which starts at $219 and availability depends on your location.

These benefits are decent, but brands such as Saatva and DreamCloud offer a full year trial period to test out your new mattress. You also get white glove delivery included with brands like Saatva (again!) and Tempur-Pedic (on selected mattresses).

Score: 4/5

Helix Sunset mattress review: Design

• Breathable knit cover with optional GlacioTex Cooling Cover upgrade
• Comfort layers of gel memory foam and high density foam, plus two layers of responsive foam designed for side sleepers
• Up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils with reinforced edges provide extra support

At 11.5" tall, the Helix Sunset is shorter than the Helix Sunset Luxe, the brand's more luxurious version of this bed, which stands at 13.5".

While the height of the Sunset isn’t the best for side sleeping (which generally requires a mattress height between 12 and 14 inches for optimal sleep quality), the seven layers of construction (including the cover) more than make up the difference.

The Helix Sunset comes with a breathable knit cover as standard, which is the version I tested, but you can opt for a GlacioTex Cooling Cover, though that costs extra.

Below that is a cushioning comfort layer made of gel memory foam, followed by a layer of Helix's SupremeSupport 2.5, an ultra high density memory foam that's designed for "cradling comfort."

Beneath that are two layers specifically designed for side sleepers: A Firmness Layer made of custom Helix Premium Responsive foam to prevent too much sinking, and a Side Sleeper Support Layer (also Helix Premium Responsive foam) which offers support on key pressure points in the body.

Next would be the additional ErgoAlign Contour layer, if you choose to pay for that upgrade. It's extra-firm foam that's positioned below the hip region, designed to keep the lower back from sagging, and therefore provide relief from pain in that area. I personally found the standard version of the Sunset did a great job of supporting my back, but if recurrent back pain is an issue, it could be worth the additional $249.27 for a queen at full MSRP.

Beneath is a more support from a layer of up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils, which are reinforced at the edges (these coils also help air flow through the mattress), and finally, the bottom of the mattress, a base layer made of dense foam for durability.

Helix Sunset mattress review: Comfort and support

• Sport left me achy and stiff, but I woke pain-free and restored
• Marshmallow soft yet still supportive
• Best for devout side sleepers and lighter weight back sleepers

From a comfort perspective, this mattress is one of the best I’ve ever slept on. Both myself and my partner (who is 100 lbs heavier than me) felt like the Helix Sunset cradled our bodies perfectly during sleep, providing both a plush feel that also eased pressure on our joints.

On a scale of 1 to 10 going from softest to firmest, Helix rate the Sunset at a 3, though I would rate the Helix Sunset as as very slight firmer at a 4.

It reminded me a bit of Goldilocks and her porridge: It wasn’t too hard, wasn’t too soft, but was just right for sleep.

One of the best aspects of the Helix Sunset is its resistance to sinkage, which is a problem I’ve run into with other mattresses that are on the softer side.

I felt supported each night during sleep and loved waking up more refreshed than when I went to sleep.

I'm a side sleeper and am always looking for support for my knees and hips. While I typically sleep with a pillow between my legs to ease tension on my joints, I didn't feel the need to do that every night on the Helix Sunset. The support of the mattress was enough to not need my pillow each night.

I'm not often a stomach sleeper, but when I did sleep in this position, I noticed a little discomfort due to my back dipping into the mattress. Because of this, I don't think this is the best bed for stomach sleepers, but I'd recommend for committed side sleepers.

Score: 4/5

Helix Sunset mattress review: Delivery and set up

• Vacuumed compressed, rolled and packed in a box for fast shipping direct to your door
• Minimal off-gassing when unboxed
• Ready to sleep on within an hour

Buying a mattress and arranging delivery is always a bit of a chore. However, as one of the best mattress in a box brands, the Helix is vacuum compressed, rolled, packed into a box and delivered direct to your door.

So far so good. However, when the Helix Sunset arrived at my home, I struggled to haul it up my second-story walk up by myself. The queen-sized mattress is 100 lbs — not an insignificant weight for someone to maneuver alone. As a hybrid mattress, I found the Helix Sunset to be heavier than the other all-foam mattresses I’ve had delivered, which was my only major issue with this delivery.

After struggling to maneuver the box, set up went smoothly. The mattress expands rapidly once the airtight plastic is removed, so I did feel like it was a bit of a race against the clock to get everything unpacked in a timely manner.

But I was pleasantly surprised by the minimal off gassing. Most mattresses I’ve had delivered need at least a day or two of airing out to get rid of that quintessential mattress smell, but I barely noticed any off gassing from the Helix Sunset.

Score: 4/5

Helix Sunset mattress review: Performance

• Strong support around the edge means you can make use of every inch
• Sleeps temperature neutral, but cooling upgrades available for very hot sleepers
• Excellent pressure relief but slow moving foams can feel restrictive

Besides sleeping on the mattress for at least three weeks, I also tested the Helix Sunset in three categories: motion isolation, temperature control, and edge support. Here’s what I found.

Motion isolation

Motion isolation is how much a mattress prevents movement from spreading across the entire sleeping area. Many couples who share a bed complain about feeling their partner toss and turn at night, so if that’s you, pay attention to motion isolation testing.

Testing with a 50 lbs weight and a wine glass, I dropped the weight five times onto the bed near the wine glass. The glass was 32" in down and 12 in across from the left side of the bed, to mimic where a person might sleep. The weight was the same distance from the edge on the right side of the bed, where a second person would typically sleep.

I dropped the weight from 2 feet above the mattress to simulate someone sitting on and standing up from the mattress. Each of the five times the test was conducted, the glass tipped over. That reflects what my boyfriend and I found while sleeping on the Sunset; when the movement occurs, that motion travels across the surface of the bed.

On a subjective note, I feel that this bed isn’t the best option for couples where one partner moves frequently or the other is a restless sleeper. As a light sleeper, I woke up each time my partner got in and out of bed, and I was always aware when they moved. My partner said they felt the same about me, even though we have a 100 lbs weight difference.

Score: 2.5 out of 5

Temperature control

I tested this mattress during late March and April, and given that I live in the Midwest, it was still fairly cold outside, so I wasn’t too concerned with temperature regulation or heat retention during sleep.

However, I was pleased by the way the mattress did not retain much heat during sleep or testing. My partner runs hot, and usually when they leave the bed, they leave a warm spot behind. That wasn’t the case on the Helix Sunset.

This temperature neutral sleep feel is largely down to the Sunset's breathable design. It boasts up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils for support, but they also help promote airflow through the mattress. It's also wrapped in a breathable knit cover, which helps wick away moisture and keep temperatures naturally regulated.

To further test temperature control, I laid on the Helix Sunset for 15 minutes, noting the temperature in my room, and evaluated the space left by my body after getting up.

After the testing period, the spot my body had been was slightly warm, but not hot. I also ran this test with my partner, who runs warm, and we saw the same results for them. I would say this bed is neutral from a cooling perspective.

While my boyfriend and I slept comfortably on the Sunset, there is a GlacioTex pillow top cooling upgrade option for very hot sleepers for an extra $373.34 for a queen at full MSRP.

Score: 3.5 out of 5

Edge support

Edge support is a term to describe how sturdy a mattress is around its perimeter. It's an important feature for anyone, especially for couples who might need to sleep right up to the bed's edge, or anyone who needs to sit before standing.

Having slept on the Sunset, I knew that its edge support was excellent. But I still wanted to confirm that by testing it objectively. Placing the same 50 lb weight I used to evaluate motion isolation at the edge of the bed resulted in very minimal dipping.

I dropped the weight 30" down and 3" across from the edge of the bed. Doing this test resulted in the edge of the mattress dipping no more than half an inch; I was surprised by how firm the edge of the mattress was. Leaving the weight on the edge of the bed for over five minutes resulted in slightly more sinkage, but no more than an inch.

And I noticed this in practice when I climbed in and out of bed. The Helix Sunset did not dip significantly under my hands or feet, and I could easily sit stably putting on socks or lotion before bed with no sinkage.

My partner and I could also sleep on the very edges of the bed without having to worry about rolling off, so bed sharers who don't like to snooze too close to each other would likely enjoy sleeping on this mattress.

Score: 4 out of 5

Helix Sunset mattress: Customer reviews

• 4.7 out of 5 stars from approx 2,000 reviews
• Customers like the softness and comfort, and praise the mattress for easing aches and pains
• A small number of reviewers would have liked the mattress to feel even softer

At the time of writing this review, the Helix Sunset mattress has just under 2,000 reviews with a 4.7 out of 5 star rating on the brand's website.

While most users appreciated the plush feel of the Helix Sunset, some did find the mattress to be not as soft as they would have preferred. In general, most did find the bed to ease aches and pains like I did.

Many reviewers commented specifically about appreciating the lack of sinkage without having to sacrifice cushion. One even mentioned the feel of the cover itself, noting how soft it was to the touch.

A few critical reviewers were disappointed by what they perceived to be a too firm mattress. While I would rate this bed on the soft side, firmness is subjective, so some may have interpreted a lack of sinkage to equal a firmer bed.

Helix Sunset Mattress review: Should you buy it?

Who should buy it and why?

✅Those with hip or back pain: The Helix Sunset left me feeling supported all night long, waking up to no aches, pains, or tension in my body.

✅Lighter weight side sleepers: Despite the softness of this bed, I didn't dip into the mattress, and my testing supported this. I was cushioned without feeling like I was being pulled down.

✅Those with mobility issues: During testing, I could sleep, sit, and use the edge of the bed for support getting on and off the mattress without it dipping more than an inch downward.

Best time to buy: The Helix Sunset is regularly discounted by 20%, but you can expect to see bigger savings around major holidays, so it can be wise to hold out until then for 25% off, or even 27% off with a Tom's Guide discount code (reserved for major holidays).

Returns and exchanges: Helix offers a 120-night sleep trial. If at the end of the trail you don’t like the Sunset mattress, you have the option of returning or exchanging the bed for a mattress of equal or greater value (paying the difference).

Who shouldn't buy it and why?

❌You prefer a sinking feeling: Those who appreciate the "quicksand-y" feeling of sinking into a soft memory foam mattress will be disappointed in this bed.

❌You exclusively sleep on your stomach: Sleeping on my stomach was the one position that wasn't especially comfortable and left me feeling a bit of pressure on my lower back.

❌Restless bed-sharers: Motion traveled easily across this mattress, whether that was when my partner was in the bed or when I was conduction motion isolation testing.

Helix Sunset Mattress: Is it worth it?

After sleeping on the Helix Sunset for over a month now, I can confidently say that I love it. If I had purchased this mattress with my own money, I would never think of returning or exchanging.

The Helix Sunset definitely sits on the lower end of luxury mattress market in term of price, but it’s not particularly budget-friendly either. For that, I’d recommend the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress.

It’s one of our recommendations for side sleepers and is just under $500. You won’t get the same perks — such as multiple support layers and firm edges — at that price point though, so I do think the Helix Sunset is worth the money if you’re willing to be in a mid-range budget.

Pairs well with…

Brooklinen All-Season Down Comforter (twin/twin XL): was $299 now $224.25 at Brooklinen

Selecting one of the best comforters can help immensely with temperature regulation, and I recommend the Brooklinen All Season Down Comforter for this. Not only is it comfortable, but it keeps sleepers cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Our tester also described it as having a “cloud-like feel.” That’s something that lovers of soft beds will appreciate.

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Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus 3pcSheet Set (twin): was $145 now $123.50 at Amazon

If you're worried about heat retention, the Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus Sheet Set can help wick away sweat at night. With Tencel Lyocell Fibers known for its cooling abilities, this sheet set will get you through even the hottest summer nights. It is a splurge at $145, but is worth it if you want to take extra precautions against overheating.

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Nest Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow: $124 at Nest Bedding

Dedicated side sleepers should check out the Nest Bedding Easy Breather Side Sleeper Pillow that is designed specifically to fit into the curve of your shoulder and neck to alleviate tension. You can also customize the size of the loft, which is a bonus.

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