Saatva vs. Helix: Which Mattress Brand is Best for You?

Saatva testing and review

Score: 9.6 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Near-perfect material quality
• Sturdy edges
• Provides very good spinal alignment and pressure relief

Cons

• Expensive
• May retain heat

Features 

• Spinal alignment: 4.6 average out of 5 across all models tested
• Pressure relief: 4.6 average out of 5 across all models tested
• Trial period: 365 nights
• Warranty length: Lifetime

Read more in our in-depth Saatva mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

High-quality materials and strong edge support. Saatva received upper-tier marks for material quality across the beds we evaluated. The company uses several organic and natural components in its lineup, such as organic cotton and wool and organic latex. — which may benefit older adults with skin sensitivities. 

Our testers were impressed by Saatva’s sturdy edges, which received top-notch scores on average among the mattresses we tested. In our edge-support assessments, older adult testers sit and lie around the bed's perimeter to assess how stable they feel. For instance, Jerry, a 77-year-old tester, gave the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid a perfect rating when he sat on it, saying, “It feels firmer on the edge than in the middle and I don’t have to use my hands for support.” And 60-year-old tester Donna, who reclined close to the edge of the Saatva Latex Hybrid, said, “It’s very supportive and solid all the way to the edge. I don’t even feel like I’m near the edge.” A sturdy rim can be especially important for older adults with mobility or balance issues to help lower the risk of falling when getting in and out of bed.

Superb lumbar support and pressure relief. On average, the five Saatva models we tested earned admirable spinal alignment scores. Each comes with extra lumbar support in the center third of the mattress to help support the spine’s natural curve. In evaluating the Saatva Classic, one tester, 67-year-old Dana, said, “I feel good on my back and my spine feels great. The zoned support is doing wonders for my lower back.” And tester Jerry reported that the Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid provided good spinal alignment while he rested on his side. “My spine feels very well aligned in my position. I don’t feel any pressure building up.”

The Saatva mattresses also excelled at pressure relief. Tester Sandra, 76, also evaluated the Saatva Classic, and found that it eased the tension in her body while reclining on her back. “I feel very comfortable,” she said. “I have hip problems, and this is doing a great job relieving the pressure.”

Pricey and retains heat. Saatva mattresses are expensive. On average, the company earned unfavorable affordability scores, with its flagship option, the Saatva Classic, starting at $2,229 for an 11.5-inch-tall queen (the 14.5-inch-tall model costs an extra $20). For temperature regulation, Helix scored higher than Saatva. In our cooling gun testing, lab testers measure a bed's initial surface temperature and compare it with the temperature one minute after removing a heating pad. The faster the bed loses heat and the closer it returns to its initial temperature, the higher the cooling score. Saatva retained an average of 19.3 degrees across all its beds, compared to Helix’s 14.2 degrees.

If you’re a hot sleeper, choosing a bed that dissipates body heat — rather than retaining it — can help you sleep more comfortably. In that case, you might consider a Helix model or one featured in our roundup of the best cooling mattresses.

Helix testing and review

Score: 9.6 out of 10

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Pros and cons

Pros

• Satisfactory cooling
• Dampens movement
• Affordably priced

Cons

• So-so material scores
• Charges for white-glove delivery

Features 

• Spinal alignment: 4.3 average out of 5 across all models tested
• Pressure relief: 4.2 average out of 5 across all models tested
• Trial period: 365 nights
• Warranty length: Limited lifetime
• Read more in our in-depth Helix mattress review

Key takeaways from our testing

Helps dispel heat and limit motion transfer. Aside from the Helix Midnight Luxe, which received a poor cooling score, the Helix beds we evaluated excelled in our cooling gun test. The Helix Midnight performed exceptionally well, retaining only 6.8 degrees of heat and earning one of the best cooling scores of any mattress we’ve assessed. 

Helix beds also help limit motion transfer. On average, they earned decent marks for motion isolation. That means a partner’s tossing and turning may be less likely to wake light sleepers. Hybrid beds typically aren’t the best at isolating motion because they use metal coils, which tend to be bouncy and radiate movement rather than deaden it. But Helix hybrids are an exception, based on our testing. In our couples’ motion- isolation assessment of the Helix Dusk Luxe, tester Karin, 54, reported barely feeling any movement while she was blindfolded and a tester on the other side of the bed shifted positions. “The mattress is very bouncy, so it was surprising that I didn't feel the motion heavily,” she said, giving it a perfect rating for motion isolation.

Wallet-friendly. On average, Helix earned impressive affordability scores. The standard mattresses in its lowest-priced Core collection (except the Helix Plus and Birch Natural) cost just under $1,479 for a queen before factoring in the brand’s frequent sales, which often bring the price down to around $1,109. Several of our testers commented on the value of Helix’s beds. “This is definitely a good value for the quality. I expected [the price] to be way more,” said tester Donna, of the Helix Dawn. By comparison, the least-expensive Saatva model for adults is the Memory Foam Hybrid, which retails at $2,149 for a queen — almost $700 more than the Helix Midnight ($1,479).

Middling material quality and stricter customer guarantees. In our testing, Helix generally earned average marks for material quality. Though its mattresses are all UL GREENGUARD Gold-certified and the foams used in its products are CertiPUR-US-certified, the brand does not hold as many third-party certifications across its lineup as Saatva. 

While both companies offer lifetime warranties, Helix’s is limited. Under Helix’s warranty, any mattress deemed defective will be repaired or replaced at no cost to the owner for the first 10 years of ownership. After that, Helix will replace the mattress at a prorated percentage of the original bed’s current retail price. Saatva, meanwhile, will replace a defective mattress with a new one during the first two years of ownership and, starting in year three, will repair and re-cover it for its remaining life for a $149 processing fee. Additionally, Helix charges an extra fee for white-glove delivery services starting at $219, while Saatva automatically includes this service for no additional charge.

Saatva and Helix performances compared

This chart summarizes our test results for each mattress, comparing how Saatva and Helix performed across the key criteria that we evaluate for older adults. 

Note that for pressure relief and spinal support, testers rated each sleeping position (side, back and stomach) separately, and those scores have been averaged here.

Although there are a few outliers, Saatva generally earned higher marks for pressure relief and spinal alignment compared to Helix. Saatva also received better overall scores in our edge support tests. 

On the other hand, Helix outperformed Saatva in temperature regulation, and testers found Helix’s beds slightly bouncier. A higher bounce score can translate to less effort getting in and out of bed or changing positions since the bounce helps assist movement. The companies performed similarly in motion isolation.

How we test mattresses

We started our process by researching the market. Which Saatva and Helix mattresses are most popular and why? Which company has the best customer reviews — and are the reviews legitimate? What policies do they offer, including warranty, trial period and delivery services? We also consulted medical experts for professional insights regarding the best beds for various sleeping positions and health considerations.

To identify the beds’ strengths and weaknesses, our lab testers performed a series of controlled, objective tests to assess metrics like edge support, bounce and temperature regulation. We also recruited more than 15 independent testers ages 45 and older, with varying body types, sleep positions, health considerations and personal preferences, to provide their unbiased feedback.

Testers answered questions like: Does the mattress provide pressure relief? Is your spine supported and appropriately aligned in each sleeping position? Beds that excelled in our tests made our list. For more details, see our mattress testing methodology.

Who is Saatva best for?

Based on our test results, Saatva mattresses will likely appeal to people who prefer enhanced lumbar support and environmentally friendly materials.

Do you value more lumbar support?

Older adults with back pain or joint issues may appreciate a Saatva bed, given the company’s zoned lumbar support systems, which are designed to promote neutral spinal alignment and relieve pressure.

“Zoned support is great. Different parts of the mattress have firmer areas, like under the lumbar and hips, and softer spots so the shoulders have some give,” says Dr. Edward Scheid, a board-certified neurosurgeon and founder of NeuroSpine Plus, with multiple locations in New Jersey. “That’s especially important for anyone with herniated discs or sciatica,” he adds. 

Chiropractor Drew Voelsch, founder of Forza Chiropractic in Arlington Heights, Illinois, echoes this sentiment. “Sciatica and disc pain flare when the pelvis sags and the lower back bends for hours,” he says. A mattress with a firmer center helps keep the hips level with the shoulders to reduce pressure on the spinal disks, he explains. 

Though the Saatva beds we reviewed are endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, multiple experts we consulted said that should not be the only deciding factor. “An ACA stamp is nice, but it’s not the magic answer. In my practice, the people who sleep best are those whose mattress matches their body and how they actually sleep,” says Brandon Keys, a chiropractor and director of Ace Chiropractic in Scottsdale, Arizona. For older adults experiencing back, hip or neck pain, Keys suggests using the endorsement as a filter but ultimately letting comfort and a consultation with your health care provider be what helps you decide.

Do you prefer environmentally friendly materials?

Green-minded older adults and people with chemical sensitivities may appreciate Saatva, which uses natural, eco-friendly materials such as organic cotton covers and recycled steel coils in its mattresses. Third-party certifications for its mattress components include:

• CertiPUR-US: For foams low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and made without a host of hazardous substances, including heavy metals and formaldehyde
• Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): For organic fibers that meet rigorous environmental and social standards 
• OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100: For textiles that have passed safety tests for the presence of harmful substances
• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): For organic natural latex that is sustainably harvested from rubber trees
• UL GREENGUARD Gold: For materials that have undergone rigorous testing and meet strict indoor air quality standards
• Eco-INSTITUT: For mattresses that are low in pollutants and emissions

Do you need white-glove delivery?

Saatva’s complimentary white-glove service is a point to consider — especially for older adults who could use extra help setting up a new mattress and removing their old one. Saatva also offers an Extend protection plan for an additional $79.99 that covers accidental stains and damage not covered by the manufacturer's lifetime warranty. These factors make Saatva a strong option for older adults seeking a hassle-free mattress-buying experience.

Who is Helix best for?

Based on our test results, Helix mattresses will likely appeal to people who sleep hot, prefer a bouncy bed to help them move more easily and have a strict budget.

Do you sleep hot?

Older adults who tend to sleep warm or deal with hot flashes may find value in a Helix mattress. On average, the Helix beds we tested scored slightly better in our cooling gun test than the Saatva models we tested. 

Do you benefit from movement-assisting bounce?

A bouncy mattress (one with a high level of responsiveness) can make it easier to change positions or get in and out of bed, says Scheid, the spine surgeon in New Jersey. The Helix models we tested earned respectable bounce scores on average — almost 0.5 points higher on average than the Saatva models we tested.

Is your budget set in stone?

Helix mattresses are generally more affordable, with the standard models in the Core collection priced at $1,479 — around $750 less than the Saatva Classic. However, if you would like help setting up your new mattress and hauling away your old one, Helix charges an additional fee (starting at $219).

Comparing the costs of Saatva and Helix

Both companies offer a range of pricing options, but Helix’s starting prices are more affordable than Saatva’s, especially for its entry-level models in the Core collection. Here is an overview of their costs for the queen-size beds we tested, before factoring in any discounts or promotions:

• Saatva ranges from $2,149 for the Memory Foam Hybrid to $3,639 for the Rx, with an average retail price of about $2,791.
• Helix ranges from $1,479 for the Dawn and Midnight to $2,499 for the Midnight Luxe and Dusk Luxe. The average retail price is around $1,911, which is approximately $880 less than Saatva's average.

Depending on the bed you choose, certain features may impact pricing. For example, the Saatva Classic is available in two height options, 11.5 and 14.5 inches, with the latter costing $20 more. 

And if you’d like to include a GlacioTex Cooling Pillow Top or cover with a Helix mattress, there is an additional cost that depends on the model you purchase. 

Both companies run frequent sales, especially around holidays, that can reduce prices by hundreds of dollars. For example, we have seen the queen Saatva Classic, which retails for about $2,229, marked down to around $1,580, and the Helix Core collection queen-sized mattresses discounted from roughly $1479 to $1,109.

FAQs

Is Saatva or Helix better for older adults?

Both companies offer mattresses that may suit adults ages 50-plus. To determine the best fit, you should consider your personal sleep needs and what matters most to you. If having a solid edge to sit on or push off from while getting out of bed is important, then Saatva may be a better fit. If you are a hot sleeper seeking cooling relief, a Helix bed with a cooling cover may do the trick.

Does Saatva or Helix have a longer warranty?

Saatva offers a lifetime warranty called “Friends for Life.” This policy guarantees the mattress will be free of defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you own it. If a defect arises, Saatva will replace your mattress at no cost within the first two years and after that, repair and re-cover it for a fee. 

Helix offers a limited lifetime warranty that protects against defects in materials and workmanship when the mattress is used with proper support. For the first 10 years, defective mattresses are repaired or replaced at no cost. Starting in year 11, replacements are offered at prorated amounts. 

Is Saatva or Helix cheaper?

Helix is generally cheaper than Saatva, though this depends on the model and additional features or services that are selected. Helix’s most affordable beds (those in the Core collection) retail for about $1,480, making them about $670 less than Saatva’s least expensive adult mattress, the Memory Foam Hybrid, which retails for $2,149. However, keep in mind that Saatva includes white-glove delivery services in the price of its mattresses. With Helix, the cost of in-home setup or old mattress removal starts at $219.

Questions or feedback? Email us at AARPSmartPicks@aarp.org. 

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