Helix Dawn Mattress Review

In a nutshell: The Helix Dawn is an affordable mattress that is perfect for back and stomach sleepers who are after a firm sleeping experience. The Helix 100-night trial and 10-year warranty will ensure that you rest easy and without fear of risk.

Who Does the Helix Dawn Work For?

Helix Dawn Highlights

Why We Liked It:

• High-density foam layers and innerspring coils provide the extra support needed by back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and plus-size people. 
• Even though the Dawn is incredibly firm, thick foam layers and pocketed coils combine to deliver just the right amount of cushioning for firm mattress lovers. 
• Thanks to generous airflow through the coils and mattress cover, the Dawn is cool enough for hot sleepers. 
• If you find the Dawn too firm, Helix will send you a complimentary mattress topper for more cushion at your pressure points.

Helix Dawn Lab Performance

We put the Helix Dawn through our multi-staged testing process, which you can learn more about here.

⭐Total Score for the Helix Dawn Mattress: 8.8/10⭐

Dawn Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• Spine Alignment: If you sometimes find yourself waking up with back pain, then your mattress may not be keeping your spine aligned. Thankfully, the Helix Dawn does a great job of contouring to your back’s natural curve. 
• Durability: The Helix Dawn is nice and sturdy, so you shouldn’t have to worry about unwanted sags developing too early in your mattress’s lifespan. But if problems do arise that appear to be manufacturing errors, the Dawn is covered by a 10-year warranty. 
• Made in the USA: Helix products are made right in the USA. Check out our article on the benefits of buying a mattress made in the U.S. for more information.

❌ Cons

• Firmness: Back and stomach sleepers should love the high firmness of the Dawn, but side sleepers like myself may find it to be a bit too dense; it really depends on your preference. 
• Cooling: An 8/10 is an above average score for temperature regulation, but exceptionally hot sleepers may need something even more effective. Check out our article on the best cooling mattresses for hot sleepers for some recommendations. 
• Shipping: Helix mattresses are constructed upon order, which we personally love. It means that the mattress you receive won’t have been sitting around in a warehouse collecting dust, but it also means that it may take a bit longer than usual to arrive.

Motion Transfer

We put our mattresses through two tests to assess motion transfer performance: the wine test and the human motion test. The human motion test has two of us lying side-by-side. One of us is blindfolded while the other tosses around and gets in and out of bed. In the wine test we place a glass of vintage red on one side of the bed and roll around on the other. 

The Helix Dawn performed well in both! We could barely feel each other moving around and, most importantly, the wine did not spill. Don’t believe us? Check out the video below.

Pressure Relief

The Helix Dawn provided great pressure relief when we were on our backs and stomachs, but one of our testers noticed some uncomfortable pressure in his shoulders and hips when he was on his side. Take a look at the pressure map below. Lots of blue and green is a good thing, red means there is too much pressure.

Edge Support

Some people like to roll right up to the edge of the bed while they sleep, maybe even dangle an arm over the side. It’s important that these daredevils feel that the edge won’t sag underneath their weight and potentially drop them over the side. 

Being that this Dawn is quite firm, there was absolutely no sagging while we were lying on the edge of the bed. However, when we sat down to tie our shoes there was a slight sensation of slipping off.

 How’s the Firmness?

The Dawn is a firm mattress, with a firmness level that rates at an 8-9 on the 1-10 firmness scale. Although the bed is quite firm, there is a touch of cushion thanks to generous foam comfort layers.

What Sleeping Position is it Good For?

Combination sleepers should find the Dawn’s responsiveness ideal for shifting positions easily throughout the night, while stomach and back sleepers, who often prefer something a bit firmer, should appreciate this mattress as well.

Unfortunately, side sleepers may find that the Dawn does not allow sensitive areas like shoulders and hips to sink far enough into the mattress.

How Hot Does it Get?

Because of its hybrid build, the Dawn does a good job of promoting air flow which helps prevent the mattress from overheating. That said, very hot sleepers may still find that some of their body heat gets trapped in the dense foam layers.

What Body Types Does it Support?

The Dawn mattress can support people who weigh up to 500 lbs. Its high-density foams and durable coils provide an excellent bed for plus-size people and lighter people who love extra-firm mattresses. 

What Foundations are Compatible?

The Dawn is best supported by a firm, durable base. The best options include adjustable bed frames, platform frames, and slatted bases. You shouldn’t use the Dawn on top of a box spring unless you use a bunkie board in between for added support.

What is the Dawn Mattress Made of?

The Dawn is a 4-layer hybrid mattress that combines the pressure relief of a foam mattress and the responsive support of an innerspring bed. Let’s take a look at what’s inside.

Helix Dawn Measurements and Cost

*Prices do not reflect exclusive offers or Helix discounts. Click below to see the best price for the Helix Dawn mattress.

Dawn Unboxing

The Dawn took just under two minutes to unbox and setup, and the off-gassing odor was noticeable but not overwhelming.

Helix Company Info

Want to know what to expect when buying a new Helix mattress online? We’ll walk you through the process here.

Helix Delivery Info

Helix mattresses are handmade in the United States. They don’t sit in a warehouse, but are instead made upon order. What this means is that the shipping time takes longer than your average online mattress. The normal shipping time is 6-10 business days, and shipping is free.* 

*COVID-19 may impact your delivery date. Check on Helix’s website or contact their customer service for current estimated delivery times.

The Sleep Trial

You have 100 nights from the day you receive your new Dawn mattress to test it out in the comfort of your home. After 30 days, you’ll qualify for a full refund if you find that the Helix Dawn isn’t the right mattress for you. Just be sure to get in touch with Helix before your 100 nights are up to get the refund process started. 

If you love your new bed but wish it were just a touch softer, Helix offers a complimentary mattress topper to help you find the comfort you’re looking for.

The Warranty

The Helix Dawn mattress is backed by their 10-year limited warranty. This covers defects in materials or workmanship that aren’t expected from normal wear-and-tear. Contact Helix customer care to initiate a warranty claim.

Helix’s Customer Service 

Helix is available to answer your questions from 10am-6pm EST, Monday to Friday. Here are the ways that you can reach out. 

• Live chat: Visit helixsleep.com and click on the live chat button at the bottom right of the page. 
• Email: Fill out a form on Helix’s site to receive a response via email. 
• Phone: Schedule a call time and have a Helix representative give you a call. 

When we’ve contacted Helix, it’s taken a minimum of 3 days to receive a response. On their contact us page, Helix explains that they’ve been experiencing a high volume of sales and requests, leading to extended wait times. As a result, expect to wait a bit before your questions are answered.

The Return Policy

Helix has a generous return policy, offering free returns and full refunds during their 100-night sleep trial. Contact Helix customer service to initiate a refund. Once your request is processed, Helix will have a local charity come to your door to pick up the mattress. Once it’s been successfully donated, you can expect to see a refund.

Is it the Right Choice?

That depends largely on what you are looking for, firmness-wise. As far as very firm mattresses go, you can’t do much better than the Helix Dawn. It tested great in spine alignment, motion transfer, and edge support, and at $999 for a queen size it is quite affordable. 

If you are a side sleeper, or you simply want something a bit softer, then this probably isn;t going to be the right mattress for you. Check out our article on the best soft mattresses for some inspiration. 

See How Dawn Compares

Helix Dawn vs Other Hybrid Mattresses

The Dawn is one of the firmest and most durable hybrid mattresses around. Its feel and longevity are thanks to the high-density foams utilized in the top comfort layers as well as the bottom support layer. It’s also more affordable than the average hybrid.  

The Dawn vs the Standard Helix Mattress Collection

The standard Helix mattress line contains 6 hybrid mattresses built with different types of sleepers in mind. Various types of memory foam and polyfoam are paired with pocketed coils in a way that supports sleepers no matter their sleeping position, weight, or firmness preference. Let’s take a look at how the Dawn compares to the other Helix mattresses. 

• Dawn vs Sunset: The Helix Sunset is the softest bed in this mattress line and the Dawn the firmest. The Sunset’s incredible plushness and pressure relief is ideal for lightweight side sleepers and the Dawn’s firm feel for anyone who likes ultra-firm beds.  
• Dawn vs Moonlight: The Helix Moonlight is a soft mattress designed for back and side sleepers and the Dawn a firm mattress also best for these sleep positions. The Moonlight’s plush feel is perfect for people who like a cloudlike feel and the Dawn’s firm feel is ideal for anyone who finds most beds too soft. 
• Dawn vs Midnight: The Helix Midnight has a medium firmness with exceptional cushion, allowing you to sink into its comfort layers. The Dawn is a firm mattress that offers exceptional support. 
• Dawn vs Dusk: The Helix Dusk and Dawn offer excellent contouring and support that’s created for stomach and back sleepers. However, the Dawn is firmer than the medium firmness Dusk. Go with the Dusk for a balanced feel between give and support and the Dawn for firm support. 
• Dawn vs Twilight: The Helix Twilight has a similar firmness as the Dawn, but thanks to different comfort layer materials, the feel is different. The Twilight’s top layer is made from high-density memory foam for a firm yet marshmallow-y feel, while the Dawn utilizes high-density polyfoam for a more supportive feel. As such, the Twilight is better for heavy side sleepers and the Dawn for anyone who loves extra-firm mattresses.  

Not sure which of these beds is the right fit for you? Take Helix’s sleep quiz to find out. 

The Dawn vs Helix LUXE Mattress Collection

The Dawn is one of the 6 standard Helix mattress models. The Helix LUXE mattresses are simply the standard beds, but more luxurious. For instance, the Helix Dawn LUXE is also a firm mattress designed for back and stomach sleepers. Here’s what sets the LUXE models apart. 

• Pillow top: Only the LUXE mattresses have a luxury pillow top that makes you feel like you’re sleeping in a 5-star resort. 
• Cooling Tencel cover: Tencel is a natural fabric that’s incredibly breathable and moisture-wicking, better for hot sleepers. 
• Additional comfort layer: An extra foam layer ensures even greater support and pressure relief. 
• Zoned lumbar support: The innerspring coils of the LUXE mattresses are zoned, with softer coils at the shoulders and firmer coils along the body’s trunk. The result is superior body alignment and relief of aches and pains. 
• Extra-sturdy edges: While all Helix mattresses have reinforced edges for comfort along the entire mattress surface, the LUXE mattresses have even sturdier edges. 

The Dawn vs the Plus

The Helix Plus mattress had a medium feel and is designed specifically for heavy people. It’s incredibly durable and offers a balanced feel that’s preferred by the average sleeper. In comparison, the Dawn is much firmer and designed for firm mattress lovers of every body type. 

The Dawn vs the Birch

The Helix Birch is an eco-friendly medium-firm mattress. It’s made from cotton, wool, latex, and innerspring coils for a bed that’s supportive, contouring, responsive, and cool. The Dawn is firmer than the Birch and made with largely synthetic materials, such as memory foam and polyurethane foam. While the Dawn is more supportive, the Birch is cooler and better for side sleepers. Head over to our Birch mattress review for more information. 

Other Products Sold by Helix Sleep

Helix Dawn Mattress FAQs