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Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
Helix Dawn vs Plank Firm: which firm mattress should you buy?
Type: HybridFirmness: FirmHeight: 11.5"Sizes: 8Sleep trial: 100 nightsWarranty: LifetimeSale price: from $1,099 at Helix Type: Memory foamFirmness: Firm, Extra FirmHeight: 10"Sizes: 14Sleep trial: 120 nightsWarranty: LifetimeSale price: from $561.75 at Plank It's the battle of the firm mattresses, as we pit the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm against each other. If you need the enhanced support of a firm bed, this guide explores if the Helix Dawn or Plank Firm mattress is right for you. Our sleep experts have spent combined months sleeping on the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm and we rate them among the best mattresses we've tested. As well as a firm feel, the two share a mid-range price point and a supportive build that suits back and stomach sleepers. Here we're comparing the support, comfort and price of the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm mattresses to help you decide which of our favorite firm mattresses suits your sleep needs. It's a close head to head between the Helix Dawn and Plank, with both ranking among the best mattresses in a box we've tested. Below, we'll give a full rundown of how these mattresses stack up but here's a quick overview. The Dawn is a hybrid design and like the best hybrid mattresses we've tested it delivers support via its spring base. In our Helix Dawn Mattress review we praised its gentle contouring and responsive feel: our tester could move around without losing support (not that they needed to toss and turn to get comfortable.) The Plank Firm is an all-foam mattress and without any springs, it uses a dense foam core for firm support all-round. It's just as firm as you expect from a bed named the 'plank'. Particularly on the Extra Firm side because did we mention? It's a double sided mattress. Firm on one side, Extra Firm on the other, we liked both in our Plank Firm Mattress review but while the Firm side is the crowd pleaser, the niche appeal of the Extra Firm impressed our testers. The Helix Dawn and Plank Firm Mattress are mid-range mattresses and cost around $1,000 for a queen. The Helix Dawn is slightly pricier with a queen $1,099 in the standard Helix Mattress sale but as a queen Plank Firm typically sells for $999, there's not much in it. Both brands offer deals throughout the year — look out for 20% off at Helix and 25% off at Plank — but good timing can help you save more. Around peak sales days, such as Black Friday and Memorial Day, Helix has a tendency to boost the sale to 25%, while Plank offers 30% off on special occasions. The DreamCloud Premier mattress and the CopperFlex Hybrid Pro mattress also fit in this price range. We think the Dawn and Plank offer competitive value. You get a limited lifetime warranty with both the Helix Dawn and Plank but the Plank does have a slightly better trial period: 120 nights, compared to 100. However, it's worth remembering the Plank is a double-sided mattress, so you almost have two beds to test out during that sleep trial. Helix Dawn Mattress: twin was $998.66 now $729.03 at Helix SleepYou can always save 20% at Helix but right now is the time to buy as you can score 27% off with our code TOMS27. This reduces a queen from $1,332 to $972 which is the best mattress sale we think you're going to get. Plank Firm Mattress: twin was $749 now $561.75 at PlankAs a double-sided and extra firm mattress, the Plank Firm is a niche entry to the sleep market and we think the mid-range price is a good deal. In the standard sale a queen is $999 (was $1,332). We have seen 30% off in recent weeks reducing a queen to $932 but we think it might be a while before that deal reappears. The Helix Dawn and Plank Firm mattresses share a firm feel and we'll explore what that's like to sleep on below. For now, we're focusing on how they achieve this firmness. When it comes to design, these mattresses couldn't be more different. To be fair, the Plank Firm is different to most mattresses. While we rank it among the best memory foam mattresses we've tested, it doesn't have the traditional build we'd expect from an all-foam bed. First, it's double-sided. Flipped one way, the Plank is Firm. Flipped the other, it's Extra Firm. To create this, the Plank Firm features a dense six-inch support core that sits in the middle of the mattress. This is largely responsible for the feel of the mattress and on the Extra firm side, it's topped only by .75" of foam. On the Firm side there's a bit more padding: two more inches of foam, plus the .75" of the quilted cover. The Helix Dawn is a hybrid mattress and unlike the Plank, it sticks to tradition. Four foam layers, including a layer of latex-alternative dynamic foam and two layers of firm response foam, sit on top of a spring base with a final layer of base foam for durability. We've tested both the Helix Dawn and Plank Firm mattresses and we consider them among the best mattresses for stomach sleepers you can buy online. Mattresses for stomach sleepers are typically firm with plenty of support. Stomach sleeping places the back at an awkward angle but a firm mattress keeps the spine straight to limit twisting and prevent pain. The Helix Dawn is a classic stomach sleeper mattress: firm with ample support from a spring base. Our testers agreed it was an 8 out of 10 on the mattress firmness scale, 10 indicating rock hard. We found the upper foam layers contoured gently around the body to prevent pressure build up, impressing our back sleeping testers. Side sleeping was also comfortable on the Dawn, mostly in short bursts. Dedicated side sleepers should consider a softer mattress, such as the Helix Midnight Mattress, which has more cushioning at the shoulders. Our lead tester spent multiple weeks sleeping on both sides of the Plank Firm to build up a full picture of the comfort. Across our testing panel, one thing immediately stood out when lying on the Extra Firm side: it's really firm. While it shouldn't be a surprise, we were taken aback by the hard feel, rating it 9 out of 10. But it took only a few minutes for the back and stomach sleepers to appreciate how supportive it is. Side sleepers, however, should avoid the Extra Firm side. There's not enough cushioning at the pressure points, resulting in aching arms and hips. The Firm side does have more cushioning, partly due to the added foam but also because the looser quilting gives more bounce to sink into. This side is better for side sleepers although as with the Dawn, mostly in short bursts. Like the Dawn, we rated the Firm side 8 out of 10 for firmness. Our lead tester is a stomach sleeper and while she loved the Extra Firm side sometimes it pressed too hard against the stomach. For example, after a late dinner. The Extra Firm side divided our testers with some (primarily the side sleepers) unable to find comfort. The Firm is more of a crowd pleaser. Overheating can disrupt sleep but for the most part, both the Dawn and the Plank remain a neutral temperature overnight. Our testers did feel the beds could, on warm nights, trap some heat, with the problem more pronounced in the Plank Firm. We think this will only impact hot sleepers and both Helix and Plank offer a GlacioTex cover upgrade. GlacioTex is used in many top cooling mattresses so we recommend the add-on if you experience night sweats or hot flashes. Hybrid mattresses tend to have better edge support than their all-foam equivalents and with reinforced springs on the lengthwise sides, the Helix Dawn is sturdy at the edges (if a little weak at the corners.) The Plank, however, surprised us with its firm feel from corner to corner: we awarded edge support full marks. Both mattresses also have good motion isolation, although the Plank just takes the win (those thick foams deaden movement.) But if you share a bed, both mattresses should minimize disruption from a restless partner. ✅ You prefer a traditional feel: With tall springs and a bouncy response foam, the Helix Dawn moves when you move for consistent support and comfort. A more traditional innerspring feel than the all-foam Plank. ✅ You want to customize the bed: The Helix Dawn comes with optional cooling and support add ons, plus Helix Luxe and Elite upgrades. The Plank Firm does have some optional upgrades but not as many as the Dawn. (You can see how the Dawn performs against an upgraded model in our Helix Dawn vs Dusk Luxe mattress head to head.) ✅ You're a combination sleeper: We found the Dawn comfortable in most sleep positions, even if dedicated side sleepers might want a few more layers of cushioning, making it a good choice for those who move around in the night. ✅ You can never find a firm mattress that's firm enough: If you like the feel of Japanese floor mattresses and find standard beds never provide the support you need, the Plank Firm delivers reliable, consistent firmness. ✅ Your comfort needs change: Double sided mattresses, like the Plank, are best for those who need different support levels on different nights. For example, those with reoccurring injuries or occasional bed sharers. ✅ You like the added support of strong edges: The Dawn has good edge support but the Plank Firm is exceptional. You can sit and press against the side of the mattress without it sinking beneath you, making it easier to get in and out of bed.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Why was India's strike on Pakistan called Operation Sindoor?
He Lifeng, a longtime associate of Chinese President Xi Jinping, is set to lead high-level trade discussions with the United States on Saturday in Switzerland. The Chinese vice premier, who has gradually earned a reputation among international investors as a capable troubleshooter, will meet US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer amid escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, news agency Reuters reported. Over recent weeks, the US and China have imposed steep tariffs exceeding 100 per cent on each other's imports. While President Donald Trump has publicly called on Xi to discuss a potential agreement, observers believe any meaningful progress will depend on He, who manages Beijing's economic and trade policies with Washington, the news report said. From party loyalist to effective operator In interviews with Reuters, 13 foreign investors and diplomats who interacted with He over the past year described a notable transformation in the 70-year-old. Initially seen as a rigid party official with limited English skills and a tendency to stick to scripted remarks, He is now viewed as more self-assured and pragmatic. 'He has impressed them with his ability to get things done,' one US businessperson told Reuters, referencing the positive impression He left during a major business forum in Beijing last month. According to a review of his public engagements, He Lifeng has held over 60 meetings with foreign officials and executives in the past year — up from 45 in the 12 months after he became vice premier in March 2023. His wide-ranging influence includes oversight of China's financial sector, regulatory frameworks, and trade policy.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
‘Disappointing' blow for Irish students amid J1 visa appointment ban as fresh ‘delete' social media warning issued
THOUSANDS of Irish young people fresh face J1 delay issues after a major crackdown on embassy interviews. Thousands of students from Ireland flock to The States to work every summer on the visa. However, a new crackdown from US President The directive will also impact students hoping to study abroad as foreign exchange students on the M or F visas. US secretary of state Marco Rubio instructed foreign embassies via a cable to stop taking new appointments amid a plan to expand the social media vetting of foreign students. Appointments already scheduled will be allowed to proceed but Ireland will now be unable to offer further embassy appointments as part of the interview process. READ MORE IN TRAVEL This means students who already have secured visas or appointments for this summer will be mostly unaffected. However, those who had yet to secure their visa may face delays of days or weeks. Speaking to He told RTE: "We understand there's some students out there that may feel concerned about the potential delays Most read in News Travel "We want to assure that those students who have already scheduled their interviews shouldn't be affected" We fled America for one of Europe's cheapest places - our monthly expenses for 2 fell to $1.5k & we 'don't need a visa' "And the most of you who have already begun the process as well will more than likely see it through." "For those who are applying in the coming days it's important to be aware there might be some delays and we encourage them to remain patient and stay in close contact with their local provider and to keep the conversation going as they progress." He added: "There's a lot of student that are eager to go across on their J1s. "Once again we have to remind them if they're apply for their visa their social media accounts and their travel documentation, to be very truthful and honest when it comes to this and protect themselves where they can. "Overall it's going to be disappointing for some students." Around 5,000 Irish students avail of the J1 visa each year to spend their summer in the Multiple warnings have been issued to those hoping to travel over the The USI previously warned: "While activism is a vital part of student life and a right that should be protected, it is important that students fully understand the possible consequences for their visa status, including the risk of deportation, and take steps to safeguard their participation in such activities." FRESH ACTIVITY WARNINGS And Michael Doorley owner of SAYIT Travel has said speaking to students already in America the majority have not encountered difficulties while passing through immigration. However, he is still warning students they may need to "delete" certain social media activity. He told RTE: "We're in touch with them everyday, the students who are already out there. It's really just be careful with your phone and your social media. "If they have history on their mobile phones of social activity that wouldn't please the American situation just delete. "And don't start using your phone while you're in America on social media activity that wouldn't comply with american policy worldwide at the minute." 1 Some students may miss out Credit: Getty Images
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Straits Times
Scholars from China flock to Malaysia
(From left) Ms Zhang, Ms Xing and Ms He exploring George Town during their free time. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK GEORGE TOWN, Penang - Attracted by affordability, academic freedom and cultural familiarity, lecturers and researchers from China are drawn to Malaysia to further their scholarly pursuits. Over 2,300 of them are working on their PhD research at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang. They now make up the majority of foreign nationalities in USM's student population, along with over 3,700 others from China pursuing their master's and bachelor's degrees at the education institution, a sign that pursuing tertiary studies in Malaysia has become a popular option. While the PhD candidates expressed satisfaction at being able to work on their research topics in Malaysia, they lamented how their tertiary degrees are 'valued less' than those from Singapore or Hong Kong. Ms Lola He Ying Lei, 40, said: 'In some parts of China, a PhD from Malaysia is seen as less prestigious than a mid-tier Chinese university. Some Chinese universities even reject the PhDs from South-East Asian universities of those applying for teaching jobs. 'Some in China view Singapore's qualification as higher than other countries in the region. They think Malaysia is an underdeveloped country,' she said. However, Ms He noted that this misconception tends to fade rapidly for those who visit Malaysia. She is researching constructive journalism comparisons between China and Malaysia in news related to higher education institutions and noted that academic freedom in Malaysia was considerably greater. 'In sensitive disciplines like journalism, PhD candidates in China face strict ideological constraints and we must align our research with the supervisor's direction. 'But at USM, our supervisors encourage us to explore and let our scholarly research evolve,' said the mother of two from Harbin in north-east China, 400km from the Russian border. Ms He expressed hope that the strengthening of Malaysia-China relations, along with the rising number of tourists and students from China, would lead to a shift in the perception of Malaysia within her home country. Ms Sharon Zhang Jing Lun, 32, is also revelling in her USM experience, pointing out that research freedom was often restrictive in China. 'At USM, the lecturers lend supportive supervision and flexible research environments that contrast with the rigid system in our country,' she said. As a journalism lecturer in China, she gave up trying to secure a PhD candidacy in her homeland after being told to wait two or three years to even be considered. She said in USM, the process was straightforward, and upon arriving, she found Malaysia to be culturally similar and felt right at home. Ms Zhang, from Shanxi province, is doing a comparative study on China and Malaysia's media efforts in the control and prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ms Xing Zhang, 33, an art expert from Shanxi, who is here to research the development and application of Pingyao lacquerware for tourist souvenir models, found affordability to be a key factor in choosing USM. 'The cost of studying is comparable to that in China; however, the living expenses in Malaysia are more financially manageable,' she said. Ms Xing described acceptance as a PhD candidate in China to be 'extremely competitive' and professors there often took only one or two students per year. The three individuals noted that socially, when interacting with Malaysia's ethnic Chinese community, they perceive a distinct difference from the Chinese in China, particularly in terms of Mandarin accent and intonation. 'I can understand their Mandarin, but if I talk too fast, the Malaysian Chinese will not understand me,' Ms Xing said. USM disclosed that there are 2,302 PhD candidates from China on campus currently, and their main research areas are management, education, architecture and tourism, arts and design, and language and translation. Another 2,469 are pursuing master's degrees in the management, arts, communication and language fields. A further 1,294 undergraduates from China are pursuing bachelor's degrees in management, computer science, applied statistics and English for professionals at USM. USM's Associate Professor Dr Nik Norma Nik Hasan from the School of Communication observed that the influx of China's students to Malaysia began after 2020. 'Between 2016 and 2019, we would see only two to three Chinese pursuing master's and PhD studies,' she said, adding that on campus now, the numbers from China surpassed all other foreign nationalities. Assoc Prof Nik Norma said she had several conversations with them about choosing Malaysia, and the most interesting response was that the students trusted their agents in China to advise them on which countries to choose for specific degrees. 'Their agents are very influential,' she added. USM vice-chancellor Professor Abdul Rahman Mohamed said USM's global recognition and rankings were a major appeal. He said USM was ranked 18th in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings (1st in Malaysia and South-east Asia) and 146th in QS World University Rankings. 'USM is the only Malaysian university holding the Accelerated Programme for Excellence title and one of the five research- intensive universities in the country,' he said. Prof Abdul Rahman said almost all courses at USM are taught in English, cutting down language barriers for China's students. 'Tuition fees and living costs are significantly lower than in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. 'Our multicultural nation makes it easy for China's students to feel at home,' he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Chinese scholars flock to Malaysia
Affordable education and cultural ties fuel academic migration GEORGE TOWN: Attracted by affordability, academic freedom and cultural familiarity, lecturers and researchers from China are drawn to Malaysia to further their scholarly pursuits. Over 2,300 of them are working on their PhD research at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). They now make up the majority of foreign nationalities in USM's student population, along with over 3,700 others from China pursuing their master's and bachelor's degrees at USM, a sign that pursuing tertiary studies in Malaysia has become a popular option. While the PhD candidates expressed satisfaction at being able to work on their research topics in Malaysia, they lamented how their tertiary degrees are 'valued less' than those from Singapore or Hong Kong. Lola He Ying Lei, 40, said: 'In some parts of China, a PhD from Malaysia is seen as less prestigious than a mid-tier Chinese university. Some Chinese universities even reject the PhDs from South-East Asian universities of those applying for teaching jobs. 'Some in China view Singapore's qualification as higher than other countries in the region. They think Malaysia is an underdeveloped country,' she said. However, He noted that this misconception tends to fade rapidly for those who visit Malaysia. She is researching constructive journalism comparisons between China and Malaysia in news related to higher education institutions and noted that academic freedom in Malaysia was considerably greater. 'In sensitive disciplines like journalism, PhD candidates in China face strict ideological constraints and we must align our research with the supervisor's direction. 'But at USM, our supervisors encourage us to explore and let our scholarly research evolve,' said the mother of two from Harbin in northeast China, 400km from the Russian border. He expressed hope that the strengthening of Malaysia-China relations, along with the rising number of tourists and students from China, would lead to a shift in the perception of Malaysia within her home country. Sharon Zhang Jing Lun, 32, is also revelling in her USM experience, pointing out that research freedom was often restrictive in China. 'At USM, the lecturers lend supportive supervision and flexible research environments that contrast with the rigid system in our country,' she said. As a journalism lecturer in China, she gave up trying to secure a PhD candidacy in her homeland after being told to wait two or three years to even be considered. She said in USM, the process was straightforward, and upon arriving, she found Malaysia to be culturally similar and felt right at home. Zhang, from Shanxi province, is doing a comparative study on China and Malaysia's media efforts in the control and prevention of the Covid-19 pandemic. Xing Zhang, 33, an art expert from Shanxi, who is here to research the development and application of Pingyao lacquerware for tourist souvenir models, found affordability to be a key factor in choosing USM. 'The cost of studying is comparable to that in China; however, the living expenses in Malaysia are more financially manageable,' she said. Xing described acceptance as a PhD candidate in China to be 'extremely competitive' and professors there often took only one or two students per year. The three individuals noted that socially, when interacting with Malaysia's ethnic Chinese community, they perceive a distinct difference from the Chinese in China, particularly in terms of Mandarin accent and intonation. 'I can understand their Mandarin, but if I talk too fast, the Malaysian Chinese will not understand me,' Xing said. USM disclosed that there are 2,302 PhD candidates from China on campus currently, and their main research areas are management, education, architecture and tourism, arts and design, and language and translation. Another 2,469 are pursuing master's degrees in the management, arts, communication and language fields. A further 1,294 undergraduates from China are pursuing bachelor's degrees in management, computer science, applied statistics and English for professionals at USM. USM's Assoc Prof Dr Nik Norma Nik Hasan from the School of Communication observed that the influx of China's students to Malaysia began after 2020. 'Between 2016 and 2019, we would see only two to three Chinese pursuing master's and PhD studies,' she said, adding that on campus now, the numbers from China surpassed all other foreign nationalities. Assoc Prof Norma said she had several conversations with them about choosing Malaysia, and the most interesting response was that the students trusted their agents in China to advise them on which countries to choose for specific degrees. 'Their agents are very influential,' she added. USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said USM's global recognition and rankings were a major appeal. 'We are ranked 18th in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings (1st in Malaysia and South-East Asia) and 146th in QS World University Rankings. 'USM is the only Malaysian university holding the Accelerated Programme for Excellence title and one of the five research- intensive universities in the country,' he said. Prof Abdul Rahman said almost all courses at USM are taught in English, cutting down language barriers for China's students. 'Tuition fees and living costs are significantly lower than in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. 'Our multicultural nation makes it easy for China's students to feel at home,' he said.
