Mattress Buying Guide 2026

The Mattress Buying Glossary

The Breathe Knit cover is offered as the default external cover on all of the mattresses in the Helix standard collection. The Breathe Knit cover is 98% polyester and 2% lycra, which provides some stretch in all directions. This cover is designed for optimal breathability and durability.

California King size mattress: What's the difference between a King mattress and a California King mattress? California King size bed is four inches longer than a Standard King size bed but four inches narrower, meaning these two mattress sizes don't share the same bed frame dimensions, as the California King will provide more leg room but fewer inches of space across the width of the bed for couples. The standard size of a California King bed measures 72 inches wide and 84 inches long. Keep in mind, if you're choosing either a California King size bed or a King mattress, be sure to accurately measure the dimensions of your bedroom, as you will need adequate room size to fit these larger mattress sizes. Learn More

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The CoolForce Layer is an innovative, deep cooling layer that moves heat away from you. We recommend the CoolForce Layer for anyone who sleeps warm and wants the absolute latest in mattress-cooling technology. Applied directly to your mattress’s upper foam, the CoolForce Layer is proven to pull heat away from the body and has been shown to keep you 4 degrees cooler for over 12 hours.

Copper Gel Memory Foam combines the medical and conductive properties of copper with the cooling relief of gel. It is designed to offer sleepers pressure relief and advanced comfort in all sleeping positions while also preventing microbial growth and the development of odors and stains in your mattress.

Copper Gel Memory Foam can be found in the following Helix mattress models: Sunset Luxe and Midnight Luxe.

DuraDense Foam is used in the base of every Helix mattress to provide additional support and durability underneath the individually wrapped coil system. This one-inch foam layer sits directly beneath the coil base and protects the coils from being exposed.

The ErgoAlign Layer is a zoned top layer in your mattress which features a segment of ultra-dense foam beneath your midsection to provide additional support and pressure relief where you need it, while the bottom and top sections follow the natural contours of your body. The result is an alignment structure ideal for reducing stress points and helping to provide a better night's sleep. The ErgoAlign Layer is available as an optional upgrade to all mattresses in the Luxe Collection.

Ergonomic Support refers to the ideal positioning of your hips, shoulders, and spine as you sleep. Each Helix mattress is tailored to specific sleep positions and firmness preferences, allowing you to find the mattress that will provide the optimal Ergonomic Support for your unique sleep style.

Fire Retardant refers to standard fabrics that have been treated with a special flame-retardant coating. Fire retardant fabrics will burn, but at a much slower rate than untreated standard fabrics. Flame retardancy is classified into three groups: flame retardant (FR), inherently flame retardant (IFR), and durably flame retardant (DFR). Fiberglass had traditionally been used to provide fire retardancy in mattresses but can be dangerous if exposed. At Helix, we do not use fiberglass in any mattress model.

Full size mattress: A Full size mattress can be a great choice for both single adults sleeping alone and couples sharing a bed. A Full mattress measures 54 inches wide and 75 inches in length. It's a good fit for tall people and individuals looking for extra sleeping space, which is why a full bed is one of the most common sizes people shop for. Learn More

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Gel Visco refers to a visco-elastic memory foam that includes gel components throughout the foam layer. The inclusion of gel inside the memory foam offers increased airflow to wick away moisture and excess heat to keep you cool while you sleep.

German Piping refers to the external sewing technique unique on the external cover of the Helix Down & Feather Pillow. The careful German Piping used to manufacture our Down & Feather Pillow provides a durable structure and soft, clean edges around the full perimeter.

GlacioTex is a premium textile offered by Helix to keep sleepers cooler than ever before. It is designed with a 50/50 blend of polyester and polyethylene and includes uses fibers with high thermal conductivity to allow heat to be quickly and effectively pulled away from your body while you sleep. Our GlacioTex cooling technology is available as an upgrade on most Helix mattresses and also as a standalone product in the GlacioTex Waterproof Mattress Protector.

Helix Dynamic Foam is a proprietary foam blend used in select Helix models to provide essential comfort and support. Helix Dynamic Foam is designed as a latex foam alternative and mimics the responsiveness of latex foam to keep sleepers from sinking too far into the surface of a mattress. It can be manufactured in soft, medium, and firm densities, depending on the mattress model you choose. Neither Helix Dynamic Foam nor any other Helix foams contain latex.

Helix Responsive Foam is a type of foam used in a handful of Helix mattress models, including the full Helix Luxe lineup. Unlike memory foam, High Grade Helix Responsive Foam has a responsive feel that allows it to absorb weight and snap back to shape quickly. This responsive feel helps cradle a sleeper's body and prevent sleepers, primarily in stomach and back sleeping positions, from sinking too far into the surface of the mattress. Helix Responsive Foam used in Helix mattresses is constructed with a higher density, measured in pounds per cubic foot, providing increased durability when compared with other designs.

IFD stands for Indentation Force Deflection and is a measurement for determining how soft or firm a foam layer will feel. IFD measures how many pounds per cubic foot it takes to compress a 4" tall foam sample by 25% of its overall height. Lower IFDs reflect a softer foam while higher IFDs reflect a firmer foam. Please note: IFD is often used interchangeably with ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) in the mattress industry but as a general rule, we stick with IFD to avoid confusion.

ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflection and is a measurement for determining how soft or firm a foam layer will feel. Please note: ILD is often used interchangeably with IFD (Indentation Force Deflection) in the mattress industry but as a general rule, we stick with IFD to avoid confusion.

King size mattress: A King size mattress is a significantly larger mattress that measures 16 inches (one and a half feet) wider than a Queen size mattress. For those with enough space to spare, King size beds are a common size for primary bedrooms, measuring 76 inches wide and 80 inches long. A King bed is perfect for couples, families with kids or pets (who are allowed to snuggle in bed), or simply anyone looking for extra length, width, and leg room in their mattress. Learn More

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Memory Plus Foam is constructed with a higher density, measured in pounds per cubic foot, providing increased durability when compared with other memory foam designs. Despite the higher foam density, Memory Plus Foam can be designed to achieve soft, medium, and firm feels, providing essential pressure relief for side sleepers.

Microcoils are used in all Helix Elite mattresses to provide luxurious comfort and support. These steel Microcoils sit between two layers of high density foam to cradle your body and ensure premium comfort, targeted pressure relief, and spinal alignment.

Odor-Fighting Antimicrobial Tech is a permanent fiber treatment used on the mattress cover of the Helix Kids Mattress. The treatment used, known as the AEGIS® Microbe Shield, is designed to combat odor-causing bacteria, but is safe for you, your kid, and the environment.

A Pillow Top is included on all Helix Luxe models to provide padding and plush comfort. The Pillow Top is 1 inch thick, made from a quilted foam, and is included as the top-most layer of your mattress. Please note: the Pillow Top is available in your choice of either a TENCEL™ fabric or our GlacioTex Cooling Cover on your Helix Luxe mattress.

Queen size mattress: Because of its expanded dimensions at 60 inches wide and 80 inches long, a Queen bed size is often considered an upgrade from a Full size bed. A Queen size mattress is ideal for couples and individuals looking for extra space in the bed if a Full size mattress isn't quite roomy enough. If you plan to share your bed, a Queen size bed may be the best mattress size for you. Learn More

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The Retainer Bar is a safety mechanism included with the Helix Adjustable Base. The Retainer Bar is attached at the foot of the Adjustable Base during the assembly process and holds your mattress in place as it is moved from a flat to upright position. We recommend leaving the Retainer Bar in place at all times.

RUCO®-DRY BIO NPE is used exclusively in the Helix Kids Mattress, RUCO®-DRY BIO NPE is an eco-friendly and plant-based durable water-repellent finish that protects the mattress from stains and water damage without impacting the fabric’s breathability and soft touch.

An RV Mattress is typically used in the sleeping quarters of an RV, camper, or mobile home. Because of the limited space in such vehicles, RV mattresses often have smaller dimensions than a standard in-home mattress.

Sleep System - At Helix, we believe deep, restful sleep means so much more than just feeling comfortable when you lie down. It includes being supported throughout the night and enjoying optimal temperature regulation while you sleep. Each element of your mattress, support base, and sleep accessories, comes together to provide a system that is designed to help you enjoy your best night's sleep.

Sleep Quiz - The Helix Sleep Quiz is our intuitive tool for matching shoppers to the best Helix mattress based on their unique sleep preferences. The quiz asks a series of quick questions to understand your sleep position, firmness preference, and more. In two minutes or less, you'll be recommended the Helix mattress that's best for you!

TENCEL™ is a breathable fabric used on the surface of Helix Luxe mattresses for a soft feel and increased airflow throughout the mattress. Sourced from wood-based fiber, TENCEL™ is typically blended with other fibers like cotton or polyester to provide premium cooling and a soft finish. TENCEL™ fibers are extracted from eucalyptus wood and produced to be more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk, and cooler than linen.

Thermoplastic Polyurethane, often referred to as TPU, is a textile that can be attached to fabrics and provide effective waterproofing while maintaining the durability and flexibility of the product. At Helix, we use a TPU layer beneath the surface of the Waterproof Mattress Protector to provide safe and effective waterproof protection for your mattress.

TitanCore Steel Coils: Our reinforced coil system, designed specifically to provide excellent support for heavier body weights. These individually wrapped, sturdy 8" coils are exclusively featured in the Helix Plus mattress and boast a thicker coil gauge that comfortably supports and cradles plus size sleepers in any sleeping position.

Twin size mattress: The standard mattress size for a Helix Twin mattress is 38 inches wide and 75 inches long. A Twin bed size is ideal for smaller rooms and single sleepers with limited space. Learn More

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Twin XL size mattress: A Twin XL mattress is 5 inches longer than a twin size bed. This Twin XL mattress measures 38 inches wide and 80 inches long. Oftentimes, a Twin XL bed is used in student college dorm rooms and guest rooms. Taller individuals may prefer a Twin XL size over a standard Twin size. Learn More

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Zoned Lumbar Support is included on all Helix Luxe mattress models as an upgrade feature to provide optimal hip and spine alignment. To create the Zoned Lumbar Support feature, we use rows of reinforced coils (approximately 14 inches wide) across the middle of the mattress, from side to side. This zone of reinforced coils ensures your hips stay elevated in all sleeping positions while enhancing the pressure relief you feel in your back and shoulders. Every Helix Luxe model also includes full perimeter reinforcement to provide durable edge support.

3 Chamber Design is used in the Helix Down & Feather Pillow. It consists of an inner core with a blend of 95% feather and 5% Responsibly Sourced Down. The two outer layers include Responsibly Sourced White Down, fully encasing the Feather core, and providing the perfect loft and a plush feel.