Helix Dusk Mattress Review

Our impression: The Helix Dusk is a hybrid mattress with medium firmness, great for back and stomach sleepers, especially. Due to its ability to offer you great spinal alignment, the Dusk mattress is a good option for people who suffer from back pain.

Who Is the Dusk Mattress Best for?

Helix Dusk Highlights

What stands out:

• The Dusk has a medium firmness level that’s preferred by the average sleeper. The feel falls between sleeping “on” and “in” the mattress surface. 
• Helix’s Dynamic Foam combines the benefits of latex and foam for a responsive surface, excellent cushioning, and reliable support. 
• You can try the Dusk mattress for 100 nights, risk-free. 
• If you love the mattress but wish it were just a tad softer or firmer, Helix will send you a complimentary mattress topper.

Our Scores

We brought the Helix Dusk mattress into our lab and tested it against 14 different factors that are important while mattress shopping and your sleep experience. See how well this bed scored, and learn more about our review process.

⭐Total Score for the Dusk Mattress: 8.9/10⭐

Buying and Sleep Performance Highlights

✅ Pros

• Motion Transfer: People who sleep with a partner and those who are easily woken need a bed with great motion isolation. In both our human and wine tests, we were impressed with how little motion was transferred across the mattress
• Pressure Relief: We used a pressure map on both female and male testers to get a good idea how much the Dusk mattress relieves pressure. It excelled when they lay on their backs and stomachs, and was average for side sleepers.
• Durability: Helix constructs their mattresses with high-quality steel coils and foam, making sure the Dusk mattress will last as long as the lifespan guarantees.

❌ Cons

• Social Impact: Helix makes great mattresses, but they don’t have a social mission nor do they do much in the social impact world.
• Off-Gassing: Like any mattress with foam, the Dusk off-gasses for a few hours after you open it. This smell is normal; just be sure to air it out before you put on sheets and other bedding.

Edge Support

Edge support in a mattress is one of the most underrated mattress factors to look for; you don’t notice it until it’s not there. In order to see if the Helix Dusk has supportive edges, we use two tests in our lab: the shoe test and the lying test.

One of the most common ways the edge of your mattress supports you is when you sit there to get ready in the morning or before bed. We mimic this in the lab to see the amount of support we get. The foam sank just below where we sat but the coils held up firm.

Next, we lie on the edge of the mattress to see the support level: it was just as comfortable as lying in the middle of the bed. We unzipped the cover so you can see exactly how far the foam allows you to sink. Very supportive!

Responsiveness

The responsiveness of a mattress refers to both how easy it is to shift from one position to another and how quickly you can get comfortable in that new position. 

When we tested this on the Helix Dusk, we noticed that it was slightly difficult to shift positions thanks to the top layers of foam. However, it was very easy to get comfortable in each position.

Spinal Alignment

If your mattress provides good spinal alignment, it means your body is holding the proper posture as you sleep: this is great for your back. Because good back alignment means the foam is contouring to the natural curve of the spine, we test this looking at our spines while lying on our stomachs and backs.

When lying on our stomachs, we noticed our hips sank in deep enough to recreate the natural curve of the spine.

When we switched to the side, we were even more impressed. From the top of our necks to the base of our spines we saw an almost perfectly straight line, indicating awesome alignment for side sleepers.

 How Does the Mattress Feel?

The Dusk has a medium feel that rates at a 5–6 on the 1–10 firmness scale. The balance between give and support makes the Dusk ideal for the average sleeper.

Does It Support Your Sleep Position?

The Helix Dusk uses it’s great pressure relief and alignment and it’s true medium firmness to be a great mattress for all sleeping positions. This includes side sleepers, back sleepers, and stomach sleepers.

Combination sleepers who frequently change positions will enjoy how easy it is to get cozy in whatever positions they choose.

How Does It Regulate Temperature?

The Dusk mattress uses airflow for temperature regulation throughout the mattress. First, we have the mattress cover that is optimized for breathability. Then, we have the pocketed coils through the mattress that keeps air flowing.

However, this will not be the coolest mattress you’ll ever sleep on because of the thick foam layers over the coil system.

What Is the Weight Limit?

The Helix Dusk supports people who weigh up to 500 pounds, making it excellent for most body types. 

What Bed Frames Are Compatible?

The Dusk is best supported by firm and durable bases, including slatted bases, adjustable frames, and platform beds. It’s not designed to be used with box springs, unless a bunkie board is added for additional support.

Inner Layers

The Dusk is a hybrid mattress made from three foam layers and responsive pocketed coils. Here’s what makes up each layer of the Dusk.

Dusk Mattress Sizes, Dimensions, and Pricing

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

Unboxing the Mattress

The Dusk comes compressed in a tall box. It took us two minutes and 39 seconds to fully unbox and open the mattress. As you can see, we had some issues getting it out of the box—it was packed pretty tightly and it was very heavy.

The off-gassing smell was pretty average when compared to other hybrid mattresses; it went away in a couple of hours.

Helix Buying Info

Is this your first time shopping for an online bed-in-a-box mattress? Here’s what you can expect when you buy your new mattress from Helix. 

Getting It Delivered

Helix Dusk mattresses are made to order in factories in the United States. The standard shipping time is six to 10 days from the day you place your order, and shipping is free.* You won’t need to be home to sign for the package. 

*Current shipping times vary due to COVID-19. Check on Helix’s website or contact their customer service to learn when to expect your new mattress. 

Discover the Sleep Trial

The Helix Dusk mattress comes with an industry-standard, 100-night trial. The one caveat is that you must keep your mattress for at least 30 nights, which is considered the break-in period for a new bed. During this time, your body will adjust to the new materials. If you return your mattress between days 30 and 100, you’ll receive a full refund. 

Explore Your Warranty

The Helix Dusk comes with a 10-year limited warranty, the most common mattress warranty. During this time, defects in materials or workmanship are covered. This includes things like indentations greater than one inch and cracks in the foam. To submit a claim, reach out to Helix’s customer care team. 

Helix Customer Service

Here’s how you can contact Helix’s customer service representatives. 

• By phone when you schedule a call. 
• Via email when you submit an online form. 
• Through live chat at helixsleep.com during their business hours. 

Helix is open from 10am–6pm EST, Monday–Friday. 

Helix has been much harder to get in touch with than most other mattress companies. On their contact us page, they explain that they’re experiencing higher-than-normal requests, leading to delays in responses. Even when using the live chat feature we had to wait a few days for a response via email.  

Learn the Return Policy

No one wants to return a mattress, but if you find that your new bed isn’t what you’d hoped it would be, you should consider returning it. To return a Helix mattress, simply contact them during the trial period to initiate a return. They’ll help you find a local charity for mattress donation. Once the mattress has been donated, you’ll receive a full refund.

Should You Buy (Or Not Buy) the Dusk Mattress?

In this section, we’ll review everything mentioned in this review, so you can decide whether or not the Dusk is the mattress for you.

The Helix Dusk is a hybrid mattress designed to work best for back and stomach sleepers, but we found that it works for all sleeping positions. It has average cooling properties and relieves pressure well. When you buy this bed, you get the industry standard bonuses: a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. 

We think you’ll love it if

• You sleep with a partner.
• You are a back pain sufferer.
• You need a bed with good edge support.
• You’re looking for a reasonably priced hybrid bed.

We think you should look elsewhere if

• You’re looking for a memory foam bed.
• You sleep very hot.

Should you decide to look elsewhere, allow us to point you in the right direction. We recommend the GhostBed Luxe, which is a great cooling memory foam mattress.

See How Dusk Compares

Helix Dusk vs Other Hybrid Mattresses

The Helix Dusk hybrid is slightly softer than the average hybrid mattress without sacrificing support. The top layer of the Dusk is crafted from the proprietary Helix Dynamic foam, a material that has the pressure-relieving benefits of foam paired with the responsive feel and support of latex. Combined with the Dusk’s memory foam and innerspring layers and you have a mattress that marries cushion and support better than most hybrid beds. 

The Dusk vs Other Helix Mattresses

The Dusk vs the Standard Helix Mattress Collection

Helix’s line of original mattresses contains six hybrid models designed to support every type of sleeper, no matter your firmness preference, sleeping position, or body size. Here’s how the Dusk compares to the other mattresses in this line. 

• Dusk vs Sunset: The Helix Sunset is an ultra-plush hybrid made for side sleepers and the Dusk a medium mattress best for back and stomach sleepers. The Sunset allows the body to sink in, while the Dusk falls between sleeping “on” and “in” the mattress. Read our full Helix Sunset mattress review.
• Dusk vs Moonlight: The Helix Moonlight and Dusk mattresses are both best for people who spend most of the night on their stomachs or backs, but their firmness levels are different. The Moonlight is soft and the Dusk medium, making the Moonlight best for people who like a plush feel and the Dusk better for anyone who prefers a balance between give and support. Read our full Helix Moonlight mattress review.
• Dusk vs Midnight: The Helix Midnight and Dusk are each designed to offer a medium firmness level, great for the average sleeper. What sets them apart is that the Dusk boasts a balanced feel that contours the body while the Midnight provides optimal cushioning for pressure points. The Midnight is better for people who sleep on their sides and the Dusk for those who snooze on their backs and stomachs. Read our full Helix Midnight mattress review.
• Dusk vs Twilight: The Helix Twilight is a firm mattress with a memory foam top layer that cushions areas like the hips and shoulders. It’s one of the best beds for plus-size side sleepers. The Dusk is noticeably softer with a comfort layer that marries the responsiveness of latex with the cushion of foam. The Dusk’s balanced foam feel supports the average sleeper. Read our full Helix Twilight mattress review.
• Dusk vs Dawn: The Helix Dawn and Dusk beds both have the support and contouring that back and stomach sleepers need, but the Dusk’s medium firmness is softer than the Dawn’s firm feel. Go with the Dawn if you prefer to sleep “on” your mattress or the Dusk if you like the feeling of slightly sinking in. Read our full Helix Dawn mattress review.

Need some help deciding which of the Helix mattresses is best for you? Take Helix’s sleep quiz and you’ll be paired with the mattress that’s built with your needs in mind. 

The Dusk vs Helix Luxe Mattress Collection

The Dusk is one of the six standard Helix mattress models. Each standard Helix model comes in a high-quality Helix LUXE version. The LUXE mattresses have the same firmnesses as the originals and are built for the same sleep positions, but there are differences that make the LUXE a more lavish mattress. 

Here’s what the LUXE models have that they standard mattresses don’t. 

• A quilted pillow top: An opulent pillow top adds even more of a luxury mattress feel. 
• Zoned lumbar support: The pocketed coil layer in the LUXE collection is zoned, delivering extra support along the lumbar region and more cushion at the shoulders. 
• More foam layers: The LUXE mattresses have an additional foam layer for incredible comfort and pain relief. 
• Premium edges: While the standard beds do have a reinforced perimeter, the LUXE edges are slightly studier and more comfortable. 
• Tencel cover: A premium Tencel fabric boosts breathability, supporting an even cooler sleeping experience. 

Read More: Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress Review

The Dusk vs the Plus

The Helix Plus and Dusk mattresses each have a medium feel and hybrid design. The difference between the two is that the Plus is created specifically for heavier people. This means the materials used in the Plus are sturdier than the Dusk, and there’s even an added inch of cushion in the Plus. 

The Dusk vs the Birch

The Birch is Helix’s eco-friendly mattress. It’s made from all-natural materials including cotton, wool, latex, and steel coils. Its medium-firm feel is slightly firmer than the Dusk, and its materials sleep cooler. However, the Dusk is less expensive. To learn more, check out our Birch mattress review.

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Helix Dusk Mattress FAQs