Nectar vs. Helix Mattress Comparison for 2024

Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer

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In This Article

We help you decide between two of the most popular online mattresses, Nectar and Helix.

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Our Nectar vs. Helix Mattress comparison looks at two brands with competing philosophies on marketing their products. Helix Sleep uses a quiz to help their customers find their ideal bed among an assortment of great hybrid options. Nectar’s memory foam construction has become one of the most recognizable names in the bed-in-a-box industry, but does the hype surrounding this bed compete with the customization that the other brand offers?

In this review, we’ll discuss the features and specifications of Nectar’s flagship model, the Nectar Memory Foam, against Helix’s Dusk model to help you pick one that suits you better.

Comparing Firmness, Support & Feel

Firmness

Nectar scores 6.5 on our firmness scale, which looks at beds on a scale of 1 to 10, with a 10 being the firmest. On the other side of this comparison, the Helix Dusk scores at a 6.
With both of these mattresses falling in the medium-firm range, they’re accommodating for the largest range of sleepers. When mattress shopping, you’ll find that the majority of beds tend to fall within this range.

Support

Support is crucial for all sleepers. Nectar and Helix provide support in different ways; the Nectar utilizes dense poly foam, whereas the Dusk relies on coils to keep the sleeper lifted. The Helix Dusk may be slightly better for some sleepers because it has coils, which are known to provide enhanced support.

However, the Nectar ranks well for support, so even though it doesn’t contain coils, you shouldn’t discount it in this category.

Feel

The Helix has a plush cover that’s gentle on your skin and breathable. If you choose the GlacioTex cover, you’ll notice the mattress is cool to the touch throughout the night. The first foam layer feels like latex, allowing quick response as you move on the bed.

Nectar has a cover quilted to a layer of gel memory foam which prevents the bed’s surface from overheating. Although it doesn’t feel cool to the touch, it shouldn’t allow any heat to build up either.

Comparing Sinkage and Bounce

The Nectar flagship model has a slow response, as do many memory foam mattresses. On the other hand, the Helix Dusk has more bounce, which means it has a quicker response to the sleeper’s movements.

This Nectar has contouring memory materials that slowly ease you into a deep hug, relieving pressure points in the process. As this is an all-foam bed, it has little to no bounce but stays firm enough that repositioning sleepers can easily move around. The Helix cradles your curves just as well but bounces back quicker.

Comparing Motion Transfer

You know all about motion isolation – or the lack of it – if you’ve ever slept in a cheap hotel where you can feel your partner’s every movement as they toss and turn next to you. On the upside, most bedding manufacturers have found a solution to this annoying problem.

Nectar is an excellent choice for reducing motion transfer, as the memory foam is built to absorb motion, preventing it from ever crossing the surface. While Helix has coils, these are not like the coils of olden times. These coils are individually pocketed and separated from the others to anchor motion to the spot.

Comparing Cooling

The Helix Dusk may be a better option for hot sleepers due to its hybrid bed construction. Hybrids are often cooler than all-foam beds because the coils offer extra airflow in the bed’s center. In addition, the Dusk comes with a breathable cover, and there’s an option to get a GlacioTex cooling cover for enhanced cooling.

On the other hand, the Nectar has gel memory foam that helps dissipate your body heat evenly so that the foam construction doesn’t heat up. This bed also has a breathable cover to further enhance cooling.

Comparing Construction (Materials & Quality)

Nectar Construction

The Nectar’s construction starts with a breathable cover that features a poly-blend fabric sewn into gel memory foam. This allows currents of air to freely flow through the fabric, wicking heat and moisture away from you as your rest, so you can sleep cool. This cover helps guard 12 inches of foam materials beneath.

• The top foam is 2 inches of memory foam. As your body’s heat transfers to the bed, the gel in this material spreads surface temperature away from your figure. This material comfortably contours your shape, diminishing nagging pressure and strain.
• The middle foam is a soft, premium foam. At 3 inches thick, this layer fosters facilitated transitioning as your figure gently eases into the thicker foundation of the bed.
• The bottom layer is 7 inches tall and is made with a standard conventional foam to provide a durable base.

Helix Construction

The Helix Dusk is a hybrid mattress, using a latex alternative and coil support system. The company ships it to customers’ homes compressed inside of a box.

This bed boasts a Soft Touch cover that should provide a smooth surface on top. This bed is 12 inches tall with 4 layers beneath the cover.

• The comfort layer is furnished with a 2-inch Helix Dynamic Foam. This material responds like latex for facilitated movement but has been mixed with conforming polyfoam to relieve pressure.
• The transition layer uses a high-grade poly foam that is 1 inch thick. This material is designed to adapt to the sleeper’s anatomy for added pressure relief.
• The coil unit has 8 inches of individually-wrapped coils. This design helps to minimize motion transfer while supporting the sleeper.
  The base layer uses a 1-inch DuraDense Foam. This helps protect the mattress and supports the coils above it.

Comparing Company Policies

• Warranty – Nectar offers a forever warranty while Helix’s warranty is 10 years long. 
• Shipping – Nectar ships this memory foam mattress within the USA. They also offer optional White Glove delivery. Helix ships their hybrid within the USA and Canada. Explore more mattresses in a box here.
• Trial Period – Helix gives you 100 nights to test this hybrid, while Nectar offers a 365-night trial for customers to decide if it’s the right choice for them. 
• Returns – Both Nectar and Helix accept returns, offering a full refund if you return the mattresses within the trial period. However, both brands require you to keep the beds for at least 30 days.
• Price – Helix is more expensive than Nectar, regardless of the size you choose.