Nectar vs Helix − which mattress brand is best on test?

Nectar and Helix are some of the biggest names in sleep. Both are box mattress brands, renowned for their range of memory foam and hybrid mattresses, as well as their quick, convenient delivery. To help you split the difference between the brands, I've set Nectar vs Helix head to head.

I wanted to test a similar mattress from each store, so I landed on the Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress and the Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress.

In the interests of comparison, we assess each mattress against the same criteria: pressure relief; thermoregulation; motion isolation; and edge support. We also consider the practical aspects of buying a mattress: the sleep trial; the warranty; and the details of delivery. Between the two, I think the Nectar Premier Hybrid is the best mattress, but you might find the Helix Dusk Luxe is a better match for your needs.

Nectar vs Helix − which mattress brand is best?

Before we begin, I'd like to introduce our two testers. Millie Hurst, our former Head of Solved, sampled the Nectar Premier Hybrid, while Alex Frost, one of our most prolific freelance mattress testers, tried the Helix Dusk Luxe. Don't worry if you encounter any unfamiliar terms: you can always cross-check them against my mattress jargon buster.

Nectar vs Helix − Head to head

Nectar vs Helix − Pressure relief

WINNER: Helix

Helix takes the victory for versatility. As a hybrid mattress, the Helix Dusk Luxe marries the contouring comfort and pressure relief of memory foam with the airflow and support of an innerspring to support all sleep positions. Good thing, too, since Alex and her husband have very different sleep styles. 'As a stomach sleeper, I need something sufficiently supportive to bear my weight and take some pressure off my joints,' says Alex. 'My husband is a back sleeper, so he likes a mattress with a bit of give. He appreciates the pressure relief he gets from the pillow-top.'

That's not to say that the Nectar Premier Hybrid is uncomfortable. 'On a mattress firmness scale of 1 to 10, Nectar rates their Premier Hybrid Mattress around a 6, but I'd say it's more like a 7,' says Millie. 'The surface of the mattress is firm enough to maintain proper spinal alignment and stop you sinking.' I'd say the Nectar Premier Hybrid is most suitable for back and stomach sleepers: side sleepers might prefer the medium feel of the Helix Dusk Luxe.

Nectar vs Helix − Thermoregulation

WINNER: Nectar

The Helix Dusk Luxe offers enhanced thermoregulation if you're willing to pay another $200 for the GlacioTex Cooling Cover, but the base model alone isn't particularly impressive. I recommend the Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress for hot sleepers. 'This hybrid mattress was noticeably more breathable than Nectar's memory foam models,' says Millie. 'Every time the coils compressed and depressed beneath my body weight, they pushed hot air down and out of the bed.'

Still, if you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, you should expand your search. Neither Helix nor Nectar make the best cooling mattress: that title belongs to the Tempur-Pedic ProAdapt Mattress.

Nectar vs Helix − Motion isolation

WINNER: Nectar

'Your average hybrid mattress has too much bounce to offer much in the way of motion isolation,' says Millie. 'The Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress is the exception to the rule. To measure the level of motion transfer, I filled a glass with water and set it in the middle of the mattress. Then, I asked my friend to climb onto the bed and walk around the mattress. The closer she came to the glass, the more it started to move, but she never spilled a drop of water. For a hybrid mattress, that's about as good as motion isolation gets.'

Alex found her motion isolation test was 'disappointing, but not surprising for a hybrid mattress with plenty of bounce. As soon as I applied any pressure around the glass with my hand, the glass began to topple and water threatened to spill over the sides. I wouldn't recommend the Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress to light sleepers, or anyone who shares a bed with their pet or partner.'

Nectar vs Helix − Edge support

WINNER: It's a tie

Neither mattress particularly excels in this area. 'Most mattresses with poor motion isolation also feature insufficient edge support,' explains Alex, 'and the Helix Dusk Luxe is no exception.' She could balance on the side of the bed to put on her socks and shoes, but she wouldn't choose to sleep on the side of the mattress (which is where, as a stomach sleeper, she'd find the most breathing space).

Millie had a similar experience over on the Nectar Premier Hybrid Mattress: 'I could perch on the edge of the mattress to apply lotion or tie my shoes without slipping straight off the side, but I wouldn't want to sleep on the very edge of the bed.' For a hybrid mattress with solid edge support at a similar price point, I recommend the WinkBed Luxury Hybrid Mattress.

Nectar vs Helix − Practical points

WINNER: Nectar

It's a close-run contest, and there isn't much to differentiate between the brands. Both Helix and Nectar offer limited lifetime mattress warranties, covering all the usual defects in materials and workmanship. As box mattress brands, both Helix and Nectar offer quick, convenient delivery to your door, although only Nectar offers free returns.

Where Helix offers a 100-night mattress sleep trial, Nectar offers a full 365 nights. That gives you a year to sample your Nectar mattress through all four seasons before you commit to your purchase.

Neither Nectar nor Helix are particularly sustainable mattress brands: these beds are filled with memory foam, rather than organic materials. If you're interested in the best organic mattress, I suggest you consult our designated buying guide.

Nectar vs Helix − Which should I buy?

Although the Nectar Premier Hybrid and the Helix Dusk Luxe are pretty evenly matched for performance, Nectar pulls ahead on points and offers better value for money. Listed for just $1,099 for a Queen, I'd put the Nectar Premier Hybrid up there with the best affordable mattresses on the market.

A Queen-sized Helix Dusk Luxe is almost $700 more expensive, and the motion isolation and edge support are markedly inferior to the Nectar mattress. Based on our test results, I'd save your money and shop the more affordable mattress.

How we test mattresses

As the resident Sleep Editor at Homes & Gardens, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best mattress. Together, we represent a wide range of sleep styles, body types, and ages, and we live right across the country. We sleep on each mattress for a minimum of one month before we write our reviews. This accounts for the time it takes to get used to a new mattress and gives an accurate indication of long-term performance.

We assess each mattress against the same criteria: pressure relief; thermoregulation; motion isolation; and edge support. To assess pressure relief, we lie on the mattress and switch between our front, back, and side, considering how comfortable and supportive the mattress feels in each position. To assess thermoregulation, we switch off our HVAC system to sleep through cold snaps and heat waves, making note of any nights where we wake up in a cold sweat.

To assess motion isolation, we fill a glass with water and set it in the center of the mattress. Then, we take a weight and place it on the mattress, moving incrementally closer to the glass. The more the glass moves, and the more water spills, the worse the motion isolation, and the less suitable the mattress might be for couples. To assess edge support, we sit on the side of the mattress and measure how far we sink. The further we fall, the worse the edge support, and the harder it might be to get into and out of bed, especially if you struggle with mobility.

We also consider the practical side of buying a mattress: the details of delivery; the length of the sleep trial; and the extent of the warranty. We like to compare our findings against verified customer reviews to get a better indication of long-term performance. Finally, we bring it all back to the price of the mattress to help you determine value for money.