Is the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress worth it for side sleepers? We tried it to find out

The Helix Sunset Luxe combines cushy foam comfort layers and a plush pillow-top with the support of up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils. Marketed as the brand's softest mattress for side sleepers, we went hands-on with the Sunset Luxe during our visit to 3Z Brands in Arizona to find out if it addresses their needs.

There are many similarities between the Sunset Luxe and the Midnight Luxe, which is our top recommendation for side sleepers in our guide to the best mattress of 2024 for all budgets. 

The main difference lies in the comfort layers – the Midnight Luxe features medium foams that won't compress as much. Otherwise, both mattresses have a six-layer construction with optional upgrades for cooling and back pain relief.

The Luxe Collection sits in the middle of Helix's range but they're premium-priced mattresses in the wider market. You'll find regular discounts for the Helix Sunset Luxe, but the strongest savings will likely be during the upcoming Black Friday mattress deals and sales. If you're contemplating buying a Helix Sunset Luxe mattress, read our hands-on review before hitting that 'buy now' button...

Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: Price & deals

• A premium-priced hybrid that sits in the middle of the Helix lineup
• Usually 20 to 30% off, with larger markdowns during holidays
• Includes a 100 night sleep trial and 15-year warranty 

The Helix Luxe line sits between the brand's entry-level Core Collection and the high-end Elite Collection. Among the wider mattress market, it's a premium option, even after regular Helix mattress sales, which often shave 20% to 30% off MSRP. (The largest discounts are usually reserved for major holidays.)

Right now, all sizes of the Helix Sunset Luxe are 27% off after our exclusive coupon, TOMS27. This brings the price of a queen-size Helix Sunset Luxe down to $1,732 (originally $2,373) and yields stronger savings than Helix's current 25% discount.

Here are the current MSRPs for the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress, along with the discounted prices after applying our exclusive promo code:

• Twin MSRP: $1,373 (on sale for $1,002)
• Twin XL MSRP: $1,623 (on sale for $1,184)
• Full MSRP: $1,998 (on sale for $1,458)
• Queen MSRP: $2,373 (on sale for $1,732)
• Short queen MSRP: $2,373 (on sale for $1,732)
• King MSRP: $2,873 (on sale for $2,097)
• California king MSRP: $2,873 (on sale for $2,097)
• RV king MSRP: $2,873 (on sale for $2,097)

Helix usually adds free accessories to sweeten the deal like pillows or sheets. The Sunset Luxe comes standard with a 100-night risk-free trial and a 15-year warranty. Doorstep shipping is included in the price, but depending on your delivery area, you may qualify for in-home setup and mattress removal for an extra fee. 

Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: Design

• Similar build to other mattresses in the Luxe lineup
• Softer foams on top of a layer of zoned coils
• Upgrades available for cooling and pain relief

The 13.5" Helix Sunset Luxe has six layers. The comfort layers consist of a quilted pillow-top wrapped in a breathable Tencel cover, a layer of soft Helix Responsive Foam, and a copper-infused memory foam layer for full-body contouring.

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

A layer of ergonomic transition foam gives way to a core of up to 1,000 individually wrapped coils, reinforced in the center to promote proper alignment and firmer around the perimeter for stable edges. Anchoring the mattress is a base layer of Helix DuraDense Foam.

There are a couple of optional upgrades. If you sleep warm, consider the cool-to-the-touch GlacioTex cover, which is designed to draw heat away from your body. You can also include an ErgoAlign top layer, which features a strip of ultra-dense foam in the center for additional lumbar support and softer foam elsewhere for pressure relief.

Instead of fiberglass, the Helix Sunset Luxe uses a fire-retardant barrier made from Rayon yarn. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified and made with CertiPUR-US foams, ensuring it’s safe for both your home and your health.

Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: Comfort

• Billed as a soft mattress, but our test model felt medium-firm
• Great for side sleeping, and we also liked it for back sleeping
• Despite a firmer-than-expected feel, it's too soft for stomach sleeping

The Helix Sunset Luxe is billed as a soft mattress for side sleepers, but I found it firmer than expected when I first lay on it. (For reference, I'm 5ft4in and around 145lbs.)  After a few moments, I felt the 'softness' of the plush pillow top and the upper foam layers, although there wasn't a profound sinkage.

Still, our testing group collectively rated our queen-size test model as medium-firm, around a 7/10 on the firmness scale. It's worth mentioning that this test model wasn't roll-packed, which might have impacted the overall feel since it didn't have to inflate back to size after being compressed. 

That said, I'm not complaining. I prefer a slightly firmer mattress to help with my occasional lower back pain. I found it comfortable for both side and back sleeping, but couldn't rest on my stomach without the urge to turn over.

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

The consensus among my fellow testers is that it's suitable for side and back sleepers who like a balance of softness and support, but it won't do enough to prevent the body lines of most stomach sleepers from twisting out of alignment.

To objectively test the pressure relief, we placed a 35lb weight at the center of the mattress (where the coils are firmer) and near the shoulder area. The center sank 2.75" while the top sank 3". That's consistent with the design of the Sunset Luxe's ergonomic coils. 

These results suggest that Helix Sunset Luxe offers plenty of pressure relief, which is essential for side sleepers to avoid discomfort in their shoulders, hips, and knees. While we didn't think it was 'cloud-like,' the surface felt plush, with the reinforced center providing sufficient support for the spine.

Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: Performance

• Strong edge support along the sides
• Very good motion isolation
• Should sleep temperature-neutral for most 

For this hands-on review, we followed our mattress methodology by evaluating the edge support, motion isolation, and temperature regulation of a queen-size Helix Sunset Luxe mattress (sans bedsheets). Here's what we discovered...

Edge support

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

To objectively gauge the reinforced edge support of the Helix Sunset Luxe, we placed a 35lb weight on the bottom corner and at the middle perimeter – two areas where people commonly sit on their beds. In both cases, we measured a 2.75" sinkage. That matches what we recorded at the center of the bed, which also features firmer coils.

How does this translate to real-world use? My fellow testers and I felt stable when sitting on the sides and didn't fear falling over when lying against the edges. We noticed slightly more compression when sitting on the corners, but we weren't unsteady. 

Based on our tests, we rate the edge support of the Helix Sunset Luxe above average. The reinforced perimeter coils will allow sleepers to comfortably occupy as much of the surface as possible. 

Motion isolation

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

(Image credit: Future at 3Z Brands Studios)

We tested the motion isolation of the Helix Sunset Elite by dropping an 18lb weight from 4" above the surface at various distances from an empty wine glass. 

The glass barely moved when we dropped the weight from 25" and 12" away to simulate getting in or out of bed and shifting positions, respectively. When we dropped the weight from 4" away to mimic severe restlessness, the glass fell over.

Our real-world tests produced similar results. My fellow testers and I were undisturbed when someone got in or out of bed and changed positions, but larger movements were harder for us to ignore

We think the Sunset Elite does an excellent job of limiting light to medium movement. Most co-sleepers should be able to share a bed without disruption.

Temperature regulation

The Helix Sunset Luxe comes with a moisture-wicking Tencel cover but for chronically hot sleepers, there's the option to upgrade to Helix’s GlacioTex cooling cover for an extra fee. For an idea of how the Sunset Luxe may perform in this area, read our Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review as both models feature a similar construction. (The Midnight Luxe received passing marks from us in this category.)

Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: User reviews

At the time of publication, the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress has a 4.4 out of 5 star rating from over 1,100 customer reviews. You can sort reviews by date, star rating, helpfulness, and whether the review includes photos or video. Some accounts indicate the preferences and sleep setup of the reviewer for additional context, too.

Unsurprisingly, many of the glowing reviews come from side sleepers who like the Sunset Luxe's balance of softness and support. Several people even claim that it's helped ease their aches and pains. 

A bulk of the negative reviews come from sleepers who were expecting a decidedly plush bed to sink into – but there is a segment of customers who found it too soft. Notably, some of the 5-star reviews note a firmer-than-advertised feel, yet they didn't consider it a detriment.

Should you buy the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress?

Buy the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress if...

✅ You're a side/back sleeper: The Sunset Luxe is geared toward side sleepers, but we think it's well-balanced for back sleeping, too. The pillow-top gives the bed some plushness without feeling like you're stuck so it's easy to switch positions. 

✅ Edge support is a priority: The reinforced coils surrounding the perimeter yield strong edges for sitting on and lying up against. The corners are comparatively less sturdy but we didn't feel like we'd fall off the bed when sitting on them.

✅ You share a bed with a partner or pet: We were satisfied with the Sunset Luxe's level of motion isolation – you're unlikely to notice your partner changing positions or your dog jumping off the bed. That said, proceed with caution if one of you is prone to severe restlessness. 

Don't buy the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress if...

❌ You're expecting a very soft bed: Helix calls the Sunset Luxe a soft mattress, but my fellow testers and I think it's medium to medium-firm with the pillow-top doing the bulk of the contouring. Judging by the customer reviews, we're not alone in thinking this so temper your expectations accordingly.

❌ You spend most of the night on your stomach: While we didn't find the Sunset Luxe as plush as advertised, it didn't quite support our hips well enough for stomach sleeping, either. Look at the Helix Dusk Luxe mattress instead if you want a softer mattress that's comfortable for front and back sleepers.

Helix Sunset Luxe mattress: The bottom line

We hesitate to call the Helix Sunset Luxe a truly soft mattress, but we also acknowledge that our test model may have felt slightly firmer than a mattress that's been roll-packed. 

Either way, we think the Sunset Luxe delivers excellent contouring and support for side and back sleepers. We also recommend it for couples thanks to its strong edge support and effective motion isolation. If you're torn between this and the Helix Midnight Luxe, choose the Sunset Luxe if you like a slightly plushier pillow-top.