Written by Joe Auer, Founder
Purple and Helix are two popular online-only companies that bring different things to the table. Purple has a unique and innovative comfort layer, while Helix has an innovative process that customizes the mattress based on someone’s preferences and characteristics. Let’s decide which one is right for you in the Purple vs Helix mattress comparison.
Purple vs. Helix
Compare the Purple and Helix mattresses below to see which may be best for you!Product
Firmness
Score
Purple vs. Helix
Compare the Purple and Helix mattresses below to see which may be best for you!
Product
Helix Midnight MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 7/10Score
Purple Vs Helix Overview
The Purple and Helix mattresses both features a poly foam base layer. They’re both resilient and bouncy and are a great choice for hot sleepers. However, there are some differences between these two mattresses as well.
| Who Should Get the Purple mattress? | Who Should Get the Helix mattress? |
| Hot sleepers looking for a cooling mattress | Those who tend to sleep hot at night |
| Side sleepers | Couples |
| Back sleepers | Those who want multiple firmness options |
Key Similarities
Let’s look at the similarities between the Purple and Helix mattresses.
- Both have a similar business model and value proposition
- Both have a similar poly foam base layer
- Both mattresses are resilient and bouncy
- Both mattresses do a great job of cooling throughout the night
Key Differences
Now onto the exciting part, the differences between the Purple and Helix mattresses.
- Purple uses a hyper-elastic polymer gel in the comfort layer, while Helix uses poly foam and microcoils
- Purple has a firm but pressure-relieving feel, while the Helix feel will vary depending on the answers to the customization quiz
- With Helix, people can customize two sides of the bed for couples
Purple Construction
The picture below gives people an overall sense of the Purple mattress layers. Here’s a breakdown of all the layers:
- The top layer is 2 inches of hyper-elastic polymer. This material is supportive until it reaches a certain pressure threshold, at which point it collapses. This means that people get support where they need it and pressure relief where they need it. I also think it makes the mattress feel firm yet pressure-relieving at the same time. It’s a highly durable material (more so than foam alternatives) and is completely temperature neutral.
- The middle layer is 3.5 inches of 1.8 lb. density transition poly foam. It is meant to provide a smooth transition from the comfort layer to the firm base layer.
- The base layer is 4 inches of 2.0 lb. density poly foam.
Purple Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Purple Mattress
Purple is an innovative mattress that is a great fit for all three sleeping positions and doesn’t sleep hot.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Mattress Construction
The Helix construction will differ depending on the answers to their customization quiz. Â The mattress should be 10 inches in total thickness. Â The layers could consist of the following materials
- Helix Dynamic Foam – This is a proprietary foam to Helix. Â It has many latex-like qualities. Â It is breathable, fairly springy, and has good pressure relief
- Individually-wrapped Coils – Individually-wrapped coils help with pressure relief, conforming ability, breathability, and motion transfer
Again, the layers will depend on the answers to the quiz. The firmness and densities of the foams will vary.
Helix Midnight Mattress
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight is the brand's most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Midnight Mattress
The Helix Midnight is the brand's most popular model. It has a balance of comfort and support and should be an excellent match for back sleepers.
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Medium-firm: 7/10
Trial Period
100 nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Couples
This bed has great motion isolation so you will not feel your partner tossing and turning at night.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight and average weight side sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Firmness and Feel Differences
The Purple feels firm yet pressure-relieving at the same time. That is because when enough pressure is applied to the gel layer, it will collapse. It will therefore feel firm until the gel collapses, at which point people shouldn’t feel any pressure. The one caveat here is that if someone doesn’t weigh enough, they might not activate the collapsing of the gel. Additionally, the Purple Grid provided plenty of support and decent pressure relief, making it a good option for average- and heavyweight side and back sleepers.
The Helix feel will be different depending on the answers to the customization quiz. It can be extra soft or firm depending on someone’s preferences and characteristics.
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Motion Transfer Differences
Both mattresses do pretty well with motion transfer. I would maybe give Purple the slight edge in this matchup. That is because the gel is in a grid format where the little pieces of the grid act independently of one another.
Which Should You Pick?
- If you weigh 125 lbs. or more and sleep just on your side, I think you would do better with the Purple because you’ll get some better pressure relief
- If you are really unsure what you want, the Helix might be a great choice because of the customization options
- If you want something completely temperature neutral, Purple is a great pick
- If you sleep with a partner with very different preferences, Helix is a great choice
Purple vs Helix FAQs
Is Helix or Purple better?
Both mattresses are great choices. Helix will be better for those shopping for a mattress with a partner while hot sleepers will love the Purple mattress.
Is Purple actually good?
Purple creates high-quality mattresses, especially for side and back sleepers.
Is Helix a good mattress?
Helix also produces high quality mattresses. Since there are multiple firmness options, Helix mattresses are a great choice for couples.
