Casper vs Helix Mattress Review

January 23, 2023

The Casper and Helix are both great choices for your next bed — they come as a mattress in a box and ship for free. But which mattress meets your specific needs? Compare the features, materials, and ratings of these two mattresses in our Casper vs Helix mattress review to help you decide.

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Casper vs Helix Side-by-Side Comparison

Casper Mattress Review

• Type: Memory Foam
• Firmness: Medium-Firm
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
• Price: $$
• MA Score: 9.1/10
• Customer Rating: 4.5/5

Read more in our Casper mattress review.

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Helix Mattress Review

• Type: Hybrid - foam combo with micro coils
• Firmness: Customizable
• Trial Period: 100 nights
• Warranty: 10-year limited warranty
• Price: $$
• MA Score: 8.9/10
• Customer Rating: 4.6/5

Find out more in our Helix mattress review.

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Highlights of Casper vs Helix

In this comparison, we tested out the Casper Original and Helix Midnight mattresses.

The Casper Mattress

• The mattress is capable of supporting all body types with 4 different memory foam layers, making the Casper a universal mattress that can accommodate a variety of sleep positions.
• With a perfect score in responsiveness, the Casper is supportive as well as bouncy. This is great for combination sleepers as the mattress adjusts to your body as you change positions.
• The Zoned Support comfort layer contours high-pressure areas such as the hips and shoulders offering added support.

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The Helix Mattress

• With 13 different mattress options and the Helix Color-MATCH system, Helix provides a personalized shopping experience based on your sleeping type, body type, and comfort preference.
• In addition to the customizable experience, the Helix scored high in motion transfer making it a great choice for couples. A high motion transfer score means the mattress is able to isolate motion so you will not get jostled around when your partner moves.
• With a near-perfect cooling score, the Helix mattress is a great option for those who tend to sleep hotter. The coiling system allows increased air circulation, which pulls heat away from the body.

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Compare Features and Materials

Casper Mattress	Helix Mattress
What’s inside: All foam mattress Open-cell foam: Top layer consists of breathable foam that helps circulate air for a cooler sleep Zoned support layer: Memory foam comfort layer with 3 ergonomic zones providing targeted support for spinal alignment Durable support foam: Base layer provides support and prevents sinking	What’s inside: Foam and coil system Helix soft-touch cover: Promotes airflow so you stay cool Memory foam comfort layer: Comfort layer provides pressure relief in hips and shoulders (Customizable) High-grade polyfoam transition layer: Offers support and cushion Pocket-coil body shape layer: Individually wrapped pocket-coils offer support, motion isolation, and edge support. Dense foam base layer: Dense memory foam provides durability and support
Scored best in: Responsiveness Edge Support Spine Alignment	Scored best in: Motion Transfer Edge Support Cooling

Size and Specs

Casper	Helix
Thickness: 10" Twin: 39” x 75” Twin XL:  39” x 80” Full: 54” x 75” Queen: 60” x 80” King: 76” x 80” Cal King: 72” x 84”	Thickness: 11" Twin: 39” x 75” Twin XL: 39” x 80” Full: 54” x 75”    Queen: 60” x 80” King:  76” x 80”   Cal King: 72” x 84”

Design

The Casper Original Mattress is constructed from a hybrid combination of various kinds of foam. The four-layer foam blend is designed to relieve pressure points, increase breathability, provide contouring and offer added support. Casper is continually testing its mattresses and listening to customer feedback to refine its design.

Specialized foam contours to the pressure points in the hips, shoulders, and core while still providing relief and support. The foam is made up of two layers - a softer foam and a firmer foam - allowing it to target those specific problem areas. In addition to the other durable foam layers, this makes Casper a well-balanced mattress that suites sleepers of all shapes and sizes.

While the Casper is a hybrid foam mattress, the Helix is a hybrid mattress constructed from various foam layers as well as a coil spring layer. Helix offers a plethora of mattress options to cater to all different shapes, sizes, sleep positions, and firmness levels. The major difference is found in the Comfort Layer. The Comfort Layer offers two foam options: Helix Memory Plus Foam or Helix Dynamic Foam. The Helix Memory Plus Foam contours to the body while providing enough support to keep your spine aligned without feeling too stiff. This option is great for side sleepers and those looking for a more traditional memory foam feel. The Dynamic Foam layer provides extra support with a slightly firmer feel and is great for back and stomach sleepers.

In addition to the customizable Comfort Layer, the Helix is composed of a soft cover layer and a polyfoam transitional layer that ensures sleepers get the right amount of support and comfort. The fourth layer — body shape layer — is made of individual coils that prop and support the body. Since the coils are individually wrapped, they allow air to flow through them and help keep the body cool throughout the night. This cooling system that makes the Helix a great choice for those who need a foam mattress that sleeps cooler.

Firmness

Mattress brands measure a mattress's firmness based on the comfort scale. Firmness is measured from 1 to 10 with one being the softest or most plush and 10 being the firmest.

The Helix Midnight, the brand’s most popular model, is a 6.5 on the firmness scale. Most people prefer a medium firm mattress, so this would make the Midnight a perfect choice. This firmness works well for side sleepers as it provides proper support while still contouring to the body. If you prefer a different firmness, Helix offers additional options. The Helix Moonlight and Helix Sunset both provide a plusher feel, while the Helix Twilight or Helix Dawn mattresses are firmer and provide that extra support needed for back and stomach sleepers.

While a mattress's firmness does vary slightly depending on an individual’s size and sleep position, the Casper scores an overall 6 on the firmness scale. This sleeps medium-firm, but still provides quality contouring and comfort thanks to its hybrid foam mattress design. The durable polyfoam layer provides added support and firmness, while the latex foam in the second layer gives the mattress some buoyancy and bounce providing superior pressure relief.

Motion Transfer

The Casper allows a good night’s sleep with minimal disturbance. Most foam mattresses tend to minimize motion transfer as the different foam layers absorb most movement. Even if your partner tends to toss and turn, you should sleep soundly. The Casper is a great option for light sleepers.

While the Helix has a coil layer, you should still have minimal motion transfer throughout the night. The other four layers of dense foam help to lessen any vibrations that may travel across the mattress. Since the coil sets are individually wrapped, motion is isolated when changing positions. With little to no partner disturbance, the Helix is a great choice for couples.

Edge Support

Edge support is an important factor to consider in your mattress purchase. This can give you a good idea of quality of construction and durability. The Casper provides phenomenal edge support and spinal alignment for side sleepers.

The Helix earned a nearly perfect score in edge support. The dense foam layers combined with the coil spring system provides excellent edge support. Helix reinforces the coils around the edge of the bed, so you can have full use of the bed whether you sleep in the middle or at the edge. This reinforced perimeter and dense foam give the Helix a durable feel and superior edge support.

Sleeping Cool

The Casper has been updated over the years to address heat control. The top cover is made of a breathable woven knit, while the foam layers have a firmer feel that limits sinking. This helps with airflow around the body. Additionally, the top layer is made of an open-cell foam that pulls heat from the body. All of these updates mean the latest Casper offers solid cooling. But it is an all foam mattress and will still sleep hotter than the Helix.

While foam mattresses sleep hotter, the Helix’s coil spring layer increases air circulation so air is able to escape between the individual coils. All Helix models have a soft-touch cover that increases breathability. In addition, Helix offers a cooling cover option that provides additional airflow and cooling features.

Delivery and Returns

Helix and Casper offer similar delivery and return policies. Both offer free delivery, come in a box, and offer a 100-night trial period. The Helix mattress arrives within 3-7 business days from the date of purchase. Most mattresses have a break-in period, so any returns may be made with a full refund between 30 to 100 nights of purchase. Helix will send a representative to pick up a returned mattress and deliver to a local charity.

Your Casper mattress will arrive 2-7 days after purchase. Casper offers in-home delivery as well as set-up options in the 48 contiguous states. If you choose in-home setup, a representative will schedule a 4-hour window for delivery and setup. They will take out of the box and discard any packaging. This service costs $100, except in New York and Los Angeles where it is $75. You can pay an extra $50 for removal of your old mattress.

Casper offers free returns and full refunds for any return in the first 100 nights. The customer support team will work with you to schedule a pick from a local charity or recycling center. 

FAQ about the Casper Mattress

1. How long can I keep my Casper mattress in the box?

   While there is no set time limit on how long you can store your mattress in the original packaging, it is recommended to remove it as soon as possible. If you must leave it in the box, make sure to remove it within two weeks so it will be in its best shape.

2. Is the Casper mattress eco-friendly?

   Casper uses foams that are CertiPUR-US Certified. They have met some of the most rigorous standards for emissions, content, performance, and durability.

3. What if I want to return my Casper mattress?

   You may return your Casper mattress any time during the 100-night trial period. To begin the return process, reach out to the customer support team. They will work with you to arrange pick-up through a local charity or recycling partner and refund you in full.

FAQ about the Helix Mattress

1. How does the Helix Color-MATCH System work?

   Complete the Helix Sleeping Quiz on the website and you will be matched with the best mattress to meet your sleep needs. Questions are related to sleep position, comfort preferences, and body type. From this data, Helix determines which mattress best matches your support, firmness, and pressure relief needs.

2. How much weight does the Helix mattress support?

   The Helix has a fairly high weight threshold. It can support up to 500lbs combined weight, and up to 350lbs for individual sleepers.

3. How does the 100-night trial period work?

   Once the mattress has been delivered, you have 100 nights to try it out. If you are not happy with your purchase, you may return the Helix mattress at no-cost. Begin the return process by contacting the customer service team and a representative will pick-up the mattress and donate it to a local charity.

Summary of Casper vs Helix

Mattress Advisor Score Breakdown

Casper	Helix
Shipping: 10 Trial Period: 9 Return Policy: 10 Warranty: 9 Set-up Test: 8 Motion Transfer Test: 8 Edge Support Test: 9.5 Pressure Relief Test: 8.5 Spinal Alignment Test: 9.5 Responsiveness Test: 10 Cooling Evaluation: 7 Durability Evaluation: 8 Customer Service Score: 9 Social Impact Score: 9 TOTAL SCORE: 9.1	Shipping: 10 Trial Period: 9 Return Policy: 10 Warranty: 9 Set-up Test: 8 Motion Transfer Test: 9 Edge Support Test: 9 Pressure Relief Test: 8 Spinal Alignment Test: 8.25 Responsiveness Test: 8.75 Cooling Evaluation: 9 Durability Evaluation: 9 Customer Service Score: 9 Social Impact Score: 5 TOTAL SCORE: 8.9

Casper Mattress Summary

With four different foam layers, the Casper provides a nice balance between the softness of memory foam and the firmness of a denser foam layer. The layers in the Casper work together to provide ultimate comfort and the needed support most sleepers require.

The Zoned Support layer helps alleviate pain in the hips and shoulders. Made up of two types of foam — a softer and a firmer foam — the zoned support will help with pain relief and provide proper support and alignment in the neck and core. This mattress is best for side sleepers in need of pressure relief. The Casper is a moderately priced foam mattress with a 10-year warranty and 100-night return policy. The Casper Original Mattress caters to a variety of sleepers and will provide restful night’s sleep for a few years.

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Helix Mattress Summary

The Helix is a hybrid mattress that offers a customizable buying experience. The combination of memory foam and a coil spring system offers the soft sinking feel of memory foam with the added support of the coil system. The individually wrapped coils allow airflow and breathability for a cooler sleeping experience that you do not normally get with a traditional memory foam mattress. If you need extra cooling, you may want to pay a little extra for the custom cooling cover.

Comparably priced with the Casper, Helix also offers a 10-year warranty and 100-night return policy. The custom design options and motion isolation coil system make the Helix suitable for couples and those looking for a little bit of everything in their mattress.

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About the Author Maureen Beard

Maureen is a health and wellness writer. Through her travels, she has become an expert at falling asleep on any type of mattress — or economy plane seat.