Helix vs Tuft & Needle Mattress Comparison

Helix Sleep and Tuft & Needle are leading bed-in-a-box mattress brands that balance quality with affordability. In this review, we’re going to compare the original Tuft & Needle all-foam mattress with the flagship line of Helix hybrid mattresses. 

While these beds both work for every sleeping position, their makeup is quite different. As such, we recommend the Helix and Tuft & Needle mattresses for different people. Read on to see how these mattresses compare in construction, feel, price, and more. You can then choose the best mattress for your needs.

Overview Summary

The Tuft & Needle and Helix mattresses have more differences than they do similarities. Let’s take a look at how these two beds compare, including their similarities, differences, and highlights.

Both the Helix and Tuft & Needle are designed for side, back, and stomach sleepers. However, the Helix works better for those who prefer soft or firm beds. The Tuft & Needle is a medium-firm all-foam bed with a balanced feel ideal for the average sleeper. Helix’s line of hybrid mattresses ranges from soft to firm, with different makeups to suit specific needs. 

The T&N and Helix beds feel very different. While each of these beds feels like a combination of sleeping “on” and “on” a mattress, the Helix is springier and more responsive. It’s also cooler, has slightly more supportive edges, and isolates movements better. 

The Tuft & Needle has a distinct all-foam feel that cushions and support. It relieves pain at pressure points and supports proper spinal alignment better than the Helix mattress. 

Key Similarities:

• Both offer high-quality at competitive prices
• Both incorporate foam layers
• Both come with a 100-night sleep trial with free returns

Key Differences:

• Helix beds are hybrids while the Tuft & Needle is an all-foam mattress 
• The T&N mattress is more affordable
• The Helix is better for couples thanks to impressive motion isolation, edge support, and responsiveness
• Tuft & Needle does more for their community through volunteer hours, donations, and fundraising efforts

Mattress Sizes Side by Side

The Helix and Tuft & Needle mattresses come in the same standard sizes. The primary difference is that the Helix is 2” thicker than the T&N. The extra thickness makes the Helix a better fit for heavy sleepers. 

Learn more about mattress sizes.

Price Difference

The Helix is a budget-friendly hybrid mattress and the Tuft & Needle an affordable all-foam mattress. However, the Tuft & Needle is much less expensive than the Helix mattresses, with the queen-size bed costing around $400 less. 

Compare the Inside Layers

Compare Inside Construction

The Tuft & Needle mattress is a 2-layer polyurethane foam mattress designed with proprietary foam. The Helix is a 4-layer hybrid mattress made from polyfoam and memory foam layers, a pocketed coil support core, and a thin base layer of stabilizing polyfoam. 

The only similarity between the construction of the Helix and Tuft & Needle is that they each have a foam comfort layer as the top layer of the mattress. For the T&N mattress, this upper layer is a contouring polyfoam material called Adaptive foam. The Helix original line of mattresses uses 1 of 3 foams along the surface for individualized comfort. Some Helix beds have a memory foam top layer, while others have 1 of 2 polyfoam comfort layers. 

Because the T&N is just 2 layers, directly underneath the Adaptive foam comfort layer is a high-density support foam. The Helix, however, has a transitional foam layer separating the upper comfort layer and the innerspring support core. Just as in the upper comfort layer, Helix uses 1 of 3 different foams here for fine-tuned comfort. The result is a springier, more supportive mattress with similar cushion and pressure relief as the T&N.

Inside the Tuft & Needle Mattress

The Tuft & Needle mattress is a 2-layer foam mattress with a medium-firm feel. It’s not a memory foam mattress, but rather a polyfoam bed that balances contouring and adaptive support. Its foams are CertiPUR-US certified, protecting you from harmful chemicals.

Inside the Helix Mattress

The original line of Helix mattresses contains 6 mattresses designed to meet the needs of every sleeper, no matter their size, shape, or sleeping preferences. Their firmness levels range from plush to extra-firm. 

Each mattress has 2 foam layers atop a supportive base of innerspring coils and support foam. What makes each model different is the construction of the top 2 layers, with 1 of 3 foams used to accommodate unique needs.

Compare Personal Test Scores

We’ve tested the Helix and Tuft & Needle mattresses at our in-house mattress lab. Here’s how they performed side-by-side in areas that influence sleep quality and customer experience. 

Final Conclusion: Which Is the Best Mattress for Your Needs?

The Tuft & Needle and Helix mattresses are some of the best values we’ve come across. They each deliver high-quality construction at an affordable price point, making them both front-runners for cost-conscious consumers looking for a new mattress. When deciding between the two, you must consider your needs and preferences. 

The Helix line of hybrid mattresses work well for every sleeping position and body shape. Because the Helix comes in ultra-soft and extra-firm options, it’s better for sleepers who find the average mattress too firm or too soft. And with an extra 2” of thickness, the Helix is better for heavy sleepers. 

The flagship Tuft & Needle mattress is one of the highest performing budget mattresses that we’ve tested in the Mattress Advisor lab. It’s medium-firm feel makes it a great mattress for the average sleeper. For anyone who wants an all-foam mattress at a budget-friendly price, the T&N bed is an excellent option. 

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