Helix Dawn vs Helix Dusk Luxe: which mattress for back and stomach sleepers is right for you?

Tom's Guide

2 days ago

Type: HybridFirmness: FirmHeight: 11.5"Sizes: 8Sleep trial: 100 nightsWarranty: LifetimeSale price: from $1,099 at Helix
Type: HybridFirmness: Medium / Medium-firmHeight: 13.5"Sizes: 8Sleep trial: 100 nightsWarranty: LifetimeSale price: from $1,899 at Helix
The Helix line-up features a mattress for every sleep style: the Dawn and Dusk Luxe come from the back and stomach sleeper collection. If you lie prone or supine and need a new bed, these mattresses should be at the top of your list.
So is the Helix Dawn or the Dusk Luxe mattress right for you? We've put them to the test and after our rigorous review process it was the incredible support that stood out in both beds, comparable to the best mattresses for all sleep styles.
Below we'll be weighing up the price, design, comfort and performance of the Dawn and Dusk Luxe to decide which you should buy in the mattress sales.
Some of the best mattresses in a box we've tested have come from Helix and that includes the Dawn and Dusk Luxe we're pitting against each other here. Our full comparison is below, but here are the headlines if you're short on time.
Both the Dawn and Dusk Luxe mattresses have been designed to appeal to stomach and back sleepers. Both also feature a comparable build, with the foam and springs combo you'll find in the best hybrid mattresses.
Despite that, these mattresses have some significant differences, particularly in feel and comfort. Here we'll be digging deeper into those characteristics.
Our Helix Dawn mattress review team agreed this bed is all about firm support. The flat surface has minimal sink to keep the body lifted from head to toe.
Our Helix Dusk Luxe mattress review team, on the other hand, found this bed a touch softer and much more cushioned (but still hugely supportive.) It's also more luxurious and, no coincidence, more expensive.
The Dawn and the Dusk Luxe are both made by Helix Sleep so they have a lot in common. When it comes to benefits, they're identical: both mattresses come with a 100-night sleep trial and a limited lifetime warranty.
Both are also subject to the same Helix mattress sales... most of the time.
The standard Helix sale takes 20% off all mattresses, including both the Dawn and the Dusk Luxe. But on rare occasions, Helix boosts the sale to 25% and even 27% off. Again, this typically applies sitewide.
But sometimes Luxe and Elite mattresses (like the Dusk Luxe) come with perks the Core mattresses (like the Dawn) miss out on. For example, over Memorial Day 2025, if you opted Luxe or Elite, you got a free bedding gift, something excluded from Core purchases.
When it comes to price, the difference is more significant. The Dawn is part of the mid-range Core collection and typically sells for $1,099 a queen. It's a close competitor of the Plank Firm mattress and the DreamCloud Premier Hybrid.
But the Dusk Luxe comes from the upgraded Luxe collection at Helix. In the standard sale, a queen Dusk Luxe sells for around $1,899, similar to the premium Saatva Classic mattress and the Purple Plus mattress.
Helix Dawn Mattress: twin was $998.66 now $729.03 at HelixThe Core collection from Helix features mid-range mattresses for all sleep styles, including the firm Dawn for back and stomach sleeping. There's normally 20% off but for a limited time you can use code TOMS27 for a 27% saving, reducing a queen to $972.30 (was $1,332.)
Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress: twin was $1,436 now $1,048.28 at HelixHelix's Luxe mattress line-up is more luxurious than its Core collection and more expensive. You'll often get a Dusk Luxe for $1,899 in the 20% off sale but in the extended Memorial Day deal you can use code TOMS27 to save 27% and reduce a queen to $1,732,54 (was $2,373.33.) And you'll get a free bedding bundle as well.
There are some basic similarities to the design of the Helix Dawn and the Helix Dusk Luxe, beyond the distinctive colored stripe of Helix branding.
Let's start at the base, as both mattresses sit on a layer of DuraDense foam to provide stability.
From here, things diverge. As hybrid mattresses both feature a coil base made with individually wrapped springs, to enhance support while reducing motion transfer.
But the Dusk Luxe builds on this support with stronger coils around the entire perimeter of the mattress and across the central third. The Dawn is only reinforced at the lengthwise sides.
Next are the foams. The Dawn features four layers of foams: two firm response foams, topped by a latex-style dynamic foam (the best organic mattresses use latex foam to create buoyant pressure relief.) It's finished with a layer of gel memory foam for targeted relief.
You'll find a similar construction on the Dusk Luxe but with softer foams. The two response layers have a medium feel while the dynamic foam is replaced with an adaptive foam for more pressure relief. The Dusk Luxe is also topped with a gel memory foam.
In addition, the Dusk Luxe features a quilted pillow top, while the Dawn has a flatter cover.
Helix creates mattresses for sleep styles. For example, the Helix Midnight Luxe is designed for side sleepers and this targeted comfort landed it the top spot among the best mattresses for side sleepers we've tested.
The Dawn and Dusk Luxe are both designed for back and stomach sleepers, so we expect them to excel in one area in particular: lumbar support. The best mattresses for stomach sleepers support the lower back to prevent the hips from sinking into the bed, as this causes the spine to twist uncomfortably.
Both the Dawn and Dusk Luxe perform strongly in this aspect, although they take different approaches.
The Dawn is a firm mattress; we rated it 8 out of 10 on the firmness scale (10 indicating rock hard.) Like the best firm mattresses it keeps the body lifted, while the layer of dynamic response foam bounces into place whenever you move to ensure you never miss out on support.
The Dusk Luxe is softer then the Dawn (we rated it medium-firm) but that doesn't result in the sink of soft beds. You lie on top of the dense cushioning and the zoned lumbar support holds your lower back up — the reinforced coils coming into effect.
While the Dusk Luxe features multiple memory foam layers and a quilted pillow top, it doesn't hug the body (you should consider one of the best memory foam mattresses, if that's what you're after.)
But you can feel this cushioning, primarily at the shoulders and hips. That means side sleepers, particularly those with a heavier build, should find some comfort on the Dusk Luxe.
The Dawn, on the other hand, sacrifices cushioning for firmness. While you can feel the foams yielding beneath pressure points, there's not much contouring. Lie on your side and you might find your shoulder aches by morning.
Neither the Dawn or the Dusk Luxe rank among our favorite cooling mattresses but both largely retain a neutral temperature when sleeping.
However, our testers found both mattresses could hold onto warmth during particularly hot nights.
Hot sleepers should consider the cooling upgrades offered by Helix. The Dawn comes with an optional GlacioTex pillow top, while you can add a cooling cover or a cooling cover plus heat wicking CoolForce bands to the Dusk Luxe.
In terms of motion isolation, it's impossible to choose between the two. Both do a good job at absorbing movement. Bed sharers shouldn't be disturbed by tossing and turning.
We expected the Dusk Luxe to come out on top when it comes to edge support, as it features reinforcement around the perimeter (the Dawn is only reinforced lengthwise.)
However, the quilted cushioning of the Dusk Luxe means when you sit on the side there is a slight sinking sensation. The firm feel of the Dawn offers good support all round — another category we'd call a draw.
✅ You have a smaller budget: The Helix Dawn is excellent value for money. If you have a mid-range budget, this bed delivers full-body support and a reliable, high-quality finish.
✅ You want a flat finish: While you can upgrade to a quilted pillow top, the standard Dawn comes with a flat top to ensure even support and comfort from head to toe.
✅ You value firm support: Stomach and back sleepers often prefer a firm mattress to keep the entire spine supported. The firm Dawn holds the entire body in alignment to minimize aches and pain.
✅ You want cushioning at the hips and shoulders: With multiple layers of memory foam and a quilted pillow top, the Dusk Luxe has better pressure relief than the Dawn — you can feel it most at the hips and shoulders.
✅ You spend some of the night sleeping on your side: While we wouldn't recommend this mattress for most dedicated side sleepers, combination sleepers will appreciate the support (when back or front lying) and the cushioning (when you're on your side.)
✅ You like a luxurious finish: As a Luxe model, the Helix Dusk Luxe is a step up from the Core collection when it comes to look and finish. It's also taller, creating an indulgent feel.