Saatva vs. Helix | Who Makes the Better Mattress?
Every mattress maker promises a great night’s sleep. But in my experience, only a few of them actually deliver. Among the winners are Saatva and Helix, two innovative mattress brands that offer the kind of comfort you dream about.
Both Saatva vs. Helix manufacture and sell a variety of high-quality mattresses suitable for every type of sleeper. What’s more, both brands make it easy to find the right match for your body type and sleeping position.
Simply take the homepage quiz on either website, and it’ll pair you with a new mattress that feels like it was made just for you!
While I love both of these companies, each one does have its pros and cons.
In this Helix vs. Saatva mattress brand comparison, we’ll look at the primary differences between each brand’s pricing, firmness levels, and motion isolation. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly where to go to secure the best mattress for your bedroom.
Price Range: | $1,099-$1,949 | $999 – $2,995 |
Firmness Options: | Soft (3), Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8) | Soft (3), Medium (5), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8) |
Mattress Sizes Available: | Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king | Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, split king, Cal king |
Who’s It’s Best For: | Side sleepers Couples with different firmness preferences People who move around in their sleep Combination sleepers | Side, back, and stomach sleepers Couples with different firmness preferences People with back pain |
Standout Features: | Standard pillow top provides additional pressure relief Tencel cover wicks away moisture Top layer of Memory foam followed by polyfoam transition layers for contour and cushion | Euro top provides pressure relief where you need it most Lumbar Zone® Technology encourages healthy spinal alignment Dual-coil base is durable, responsive, and promotes easy airflow for temperature regulation |
Sleep Trial & Warranty | 100-night sleep trial period and a minimum 10-year warranty | 365-night sleep trial period and a lifetime warranty |
About Helix
Helix Sleep is the brainchild of two Big Apple entrepreneurs who decided enough was enough. The mattress industry was broken, and they were going to fix it. After much deliberation, the dynamic duo decided on a mattress-in-a-box business model, with mattresses handmade in the USA, rolled and vacuum-sealed for easy transport, and then delivered straight to your doorstep. In 2015, the pair launched the official website, and Helix Sleep was born.
After several years and thousands of mattresses sold, the company has grown into one of the biggest brands in the industry. It’s grown so big that Helix now offers six main series mattresses, perfect for all types of sleepers! There’s the Sunset, the Moonlight, the Midnight, the Dusk, the Twilight, and the Dawn. Each of these models also has a Luxe upgrade option with additional features. These features include zoned lumbar support (great for back sleepers and combination sleepers), a quilted pillow-top, a higher profile, and a longer warranty.
Although all six Helix mattresses are unique, with their own mix of materials and features, they also share a lot in common. For instance, every mattress features Helix’s innovative wrapped coil support system. This support system not only reduces motion transfer across the sleep surface; it also adds bounce, reduces sinkage, and improves edge support.
On top of that, every mattress features a combination of Memory Plus Foam and/or Helix Dynamic Foam. The former is a close-conforming memory foam comfort layer, while the latter is a poly foam engineered for latex-like responsiveness. These both provide a difference you can feel, while ensuring excellent durability backed by a 10-year warranty.
If you’re unsure what type of mattress you want — or where you land on the 1-10 firmness scale — no problem. Helix offers a streamlined quiz that recommends the perfect model for you. Depending on your responses, it will pair you with one of Helix’s six classic or hybrid mattresses, a children’s mattress, or even the Helix Plus (a plus-size mattress demonstrating Helix’s commitment to inclusivity).
Helix Pros
- Large selection
- Convenient online platform
- Handmade in the USA
- 100-day sleep trial
- Free shipping in the United States (fees may apply in Canada)
- 10-year warranty for base models and a 15-year warranty for Luxe models
- Luxe designs for all body types and sleeping positions
- Specialty mattresses for children and plus-size individuals
Helix Cons
- Off-gassing odor from VOCs
- Compressed and vacuum-sealed in a box
- 30-day required adjustment period before the mattress is eligible for return
- Array of choices can be overwhelming
About Saatva
Saatva is not a mattress in a box brand. It makes your mattress to order and ships it unrolled right to your house. If you prefer, the company’s reps will even bring it inside and remove your old model for you — all for a reasonable, inclusive price.
In terms of options, Saatva Mattresses offers nine main series models. My favorite among them is the Saatva Mattress Classic, a versatile innerspring mattress with three firmness options, including Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm. If you don’t know which to choose, consider the Saatva Classic with Luxury Firm padding. This combination features a supportive top layer that alleviates tension and has a Goldilocks plushness to it. As someone who rotates through sleeping positions, I can say it’s ideal for back sleepers, side sleepers, and stomach sleepers alike.
If you require extra support, I’d recommend increasing your budget ever-so-slightly and opting for the Latex Hybrid. This mattress pairs natural latex with individually pocketed coils supported by a base layer of poly foam. The pressure relief is tangible, with motion transfer and edge support you have to feel to believe. You could also consider the Memory Foam Hybrid model. This memory foam mattress features steel coils and a thick layer of viscoelastic polyurethane that eliminates nearly all pressure points and wipes out lower back pain.
Finally, I want to mention Saatva’s more inclusive options. First, there’s the HD, an innerspring mattress built for sleepers who weigh more than 300 pounds. And then there’s the Youth, a mattress that boasts a flippable innerspring designed for growing children.
No matter your decision, every Saatva mattress features a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover with an antimicrobial treatment. These covers aren’t just extraordinarily durable; they’re exceptionally safe and feature a lovely finish to complement the plush or firm mattress interior. Saatva offers a level of luxury you’ll love, and it only costs a little more than competing manufacturers (look out for regular coupons to score yourself a deal).
Saatva Pros
- Shop online
- Made to order in the USA
- Ships assembled, with no off-gassing
- Free white glove delivery and removal of old mattress
- Replacement option after two years & lifetime warranty
- 24/7/365 live customer support via phone, chat, and email
- Designs for all body types and sleeping positions
- Offers matching frames and accessories
Saatva Cons
- Expensive
- Poor motion isolation
- Softest option isn’t exceptionally soft
- Returns come with a $99 restocking fee for gas and labor