Written by Olivera Jancikin, Content Writer
We all want the best for our kids, so it’s no surprise you’re looking for the best kids’ mattresses out there. This Helix model is among the top options as it includes a water-repellant cover, a flippable design, antimicrobial coating, and more. The flippable design with dual firmness levels makes it work for many kids who can continue using it for years, making the investment worth it.
Will it work for your child? It takes a bit of investigation, and we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll discuss all you need to know about the Helix Kids mattress, including important details on its construction, support, overall design, pros, and cons. While our team tested this bed first-hand, we’ll also cover what real parents who’ve bought this mattress for their kids have to say about it.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Use code SPRING20 and save 20% off sitewide + 2 free pillows with mattress purchase
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Who We Recommend the Helix Kids For:
- Young children – The Helix Kids mattress is a good option for kids as young as three years old. As such, it makes for a perfect first “big bed” when your child is ready to leave the crib or stop co-sleeping with you.
- Pre-teens – The flippable design gives you two firmness options. The softer side is designed to provide more pressure relief, and this side is meant for older children between 8 and 12 years old.
- Value shoppers – Although the Helix Kids can be considered pricey, there’s a lot of value here. The mattress has a construction tailored toward kids that can last until their pre-teen years. This means you wouldn’t have to buy a new bed for a while.
Who We Don’t Recommend the Helix Kids For:
- Budget shoppers – Helix is not the cheapest brand out there, so it came as no surprise that their kids’ bed is $700 to $1,000, depending on the size you choose. Find more budget options on our list of the best cheap mattresses.
- Teens – Even if your kid fits one of the sizes offered, we don’t think the Helix Kids is a good option for children older than the age of 12. Instead, you can visit our list of the best mattresses for teens.
- Memory foam fans – If your kid is a big fan of your memory foam bed, they might not like how the Helix Kids mattress feels. This bed has coils and lacks that slow-moving memory foam feel.
Customer Reviews of the Helix Kids Mattress
On the Helix website, this mattress is rated 4.3 out of 5 stars. The Helix Kids mattress provides customizable comfort for young customers, but some customers may find the initial setup process slightly complex.
Testing the Helix Kids Mattress
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
We test mattresses to evaluate how they feel in different sleeping positions. We also use different tools and methods to test for cooling, motion isolation, pressure relief, edge support, and bounce. When it comes to kids’ mattresses, we keep this same testing process. However, we also like to consider what parents who’ve bought the product feel about its performance and whether their kid had a positive experience with it, which is why we’ve included feedback from customer reviews as well.
To learn more about our testing methodology, visit our product review process page.
Firmness & Feel
Firmness Scale: 6.5/10 (softer side) and 8/10 (firmer side)
Please remember that firmness is a subjective characteristic and your body type will dictate how you experience a bed. A heavier person whose weight can more easily push through softer comfort and support layers might experience a bed as softer than a lightweight person. The way you are shaped could also play a role here. Consider your weight, shape, and size when evaluating firmness scores.
The Helix Kids mattress has two firmness options with its flippable design that has one side softer and the other firmer. This is an excellent design idea that gives a kids’ mattress more use since it can last your child from the age of 3 to the age of 12. At Sleep Advisor, we rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is the softest and 10 is the firmest.
We rated the softer side of the Helix Kids mattress a 6.5 out of 10 based on our firmness scale. The firmer side meant for younger kids falls at an 8 out of 10.
How Does It Feel?
As mentioned above, we found that this bed felt more like a standard innerspring mattress. Between the different sides, the firmer side felt like a true firm, while the softer side felt more like a standard medium-firm bed. You’ll likely notice the coils immediately as you lie on the firm side since there’s a thinner comfort layer with this end facing up.
Sleeping Positions for Different Body Types
The Helix Kids mattress is designed to support up to 500 pounds, which will be more than enough to accommodate a child.
Young Children (Ages 3-7)
The firmer side of the Helix Kids is meant for younger kids who need more support and not as much pressure relief. This side should feel like a true firm. In general, we recommend sticking with this side regardless of their sleep position.
Older Children (Ages 8-12)
The softer side is meant for older kids who need a bit more pressure relief because they’re heavier and have broader shoulders. This side allows a bit more sinkage for pressure points while still doing a good job of keeping the body in alignment in multiple sleep positions.
Pressure Relief
4/5
The Helix Kids has two sides, one of which is softer than the other. The softer side is meant for older kids who weigh more and are more likely to need pressure relief than younger children.
The firmer side might be too firm to relieve pressure, but don’t hesitate to try both sides to see which one suits your kid the most. If they are younger than eight years old but often struggle with pressure buildup, it might help to try with the softer side, even though it’s meant for older kids.
According to some parents’ reviews of this bed, their kids fall asleep faster and seem to be getting better quality sleep with the Helix Kids.
Learn More: Best Flippable Mattress
Is the Helix Kids Mattress Good for Pain Relief?
While we often think of adults as the ones who need pain relief from a mattress, this can be beneficial for kids as well. For example, kids who regularly play sports or have a chronic pain condition might need this from their mattress.
We think kids who experience pain could benefit from the Helix Kids mattress, as this bed combines support and pressure relief, particularly on the softer side. That said, where your child has pain can influence the side they might prefer sleeping on.
Back Pain
If your kid struggles with back pain, we recommend trying either side. In some cases, the firmer side might feel better, while also may like the added cushioning of the softer side.
Hip Pain
Hip pain can make it difficult for your child to sleep on the side, which is why it might be better to sleep on the softer side of the Helix Kids mattress. This side is a bit more contouring, which should help relieve pain and pressure.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can be even more painful for side sleepers because the pressure buildup can easily make things worse. Kids with shoulder pain are likely better off sleeping on the softer side, allowing a bit more sinkage.
Explore more pain-related mattresses:
Support
5/5
We think the Helix Kids mattress should be a good option for support on either side. Even the softer side is still a medium-firm feel, so your child shouldn’t sink too much. This is an innerspring bed, and the coils do a good job of keeping the spine in a healthy alignment.
Parent customers reported that their kids love the soft and comfortable feel, but they still feel the firm support that keeps the body in a healthy posture.
Motion Transfer
4/5
We found that this mattress does a good job of isolating motion for what it is. This is a good thing if your child co-sleeps with their little brother or sister at times or if they like sleeping with their pet. However, if they’re a particularly light sleeper, you might want an all-foam bed that isolates motion better.
One customer reported they read stories in bed with their kids and pets, getting up as soon as the kids fall asleep. The motion doesn’t wake up the sleeping kids, so that’s a plus.
Temperature Regulation / Cooling
4/5
This mattress has everything you need for fresh and cool sleeping. The first thing is the Tencel cover that remains cool throughout the night, preventing your kid from overheating and sweating. On top of that, the coils are perfect for breathability and airflow because they allow the air to pass through instead of staying trapped inside the mattress.
Bounce
4/5
The Helix Kids is an innerspring mattress, so there should be plenty of buoyancy from the coils. It’s on the firmer side, so the foams bounce back into shape rather quickly. This should make it easy for your child to switch positions and get in and out of bed. Even with the bounce, try not to let them jump on the bed since it can cause the bed to deteriorate more quickly.
Edge Support
4/5
The Helix Kids mattress showed good edge support when lying and sitting near the edge of the bed. The mattress has reinforced edges, which means it’s stronger around the perimeter to prevent it from collapsing under weight. This feature is helpful if your kid likes sleeping near the edge or if they sit on their bed during the day.
However, one thing to point out is that some customers reported that the edges never inflated. In this case, it’s possible to get a replacement because the mattress is under warranty.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Preference-Based Features
Water-Repellant Cover
It doesn’t get much better than a kids’ mattress with a water-repellant cover. Although most kids no longer use diapers by the time they get their own bed, it’s good to be safe. Plus, the water-repellant cover is good for the spills.
Flippable Design
The flippable design adds a lot of value to this mattress, but we recommend you get it for your youngest child. This way, your kid can grow into it, using both sides and getting the most out of the Helix Kids.
Odor-Fighting Microbe Shield
The water-repellent cover is treated with AEGIS® Microbe Shield, which fights odor-causing bacteria.
Construction: What’s Inside the Helix Kids?
Both sides of the Helix Kids mattress have a Tencel cover treated with an antimicrobial treatment. The mattress is 8 inches tall and is available in only two sizes, Twin and Full. The firmer side is meant for the youngest kids, whereas the softer side is meant for older kids who need more pressure relief. The following are the layers with the firm side up.
- The comfort layer is thinner on the firmer side. It’s made from high-density poly foam, so it should be more supportive than traditional memory foam.
- The support layer sits in the middle of the bed and features 5-inch high coils. This is the primary support unit that helps keep the body well-aligned for different sleep positions while also providing some buoyancy to the mattress.
- The base is a layer of gel memory foam that serves as the comfort layer when you flip the mattress to the soft side up. Memory foam creates more pressure relief for older kids who weigh more.
Unboxing & Off-Gassing
The Helix Kids is a bed-in-a-box mattress, so it should be relatively easy to set up. On top of that, it only comes in smaller sizes, making it that much easier to maneuver. Once it’s out of the box, it should take a little while to fully expand. This can take several hours, so make sure to give it enough time. Although the unpacking process is simple, the mattress is quite heavy, according to some parents.
Off-gassing is also normal since it’s a bed-in-a-box mattress. Many customers claimed the Helix Kids mattress had an unpleasant smell that took weeks to go away. We can understand why this is an issue, so the best thing to do here is to allow the mattress to vent for as long as needed.
Certifications
- Eco-Friendly Certifications – The Helix Kids mattress has a GREENGUARD Gold certification that reflects the product’s ability to meet some of the world’s most rigorous emissions standards.
- CertiPUR-US® certified – The foams in this bed are CertiPUR-US® certified. CertiPUR-US® is a third-party program that ensures the foams meet rigorous health and safety standards. This means they don’t contain harmful substances like ozone depleters, PBDEs, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. They should also have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
Coupons, Trials, Warranties, and Shipping
- Shipping – Shipping is free in the United States. There’s an extra fee of $250 for Canada.
- White Glove Delivery – Helix once offered white glove delivery, but this is no longer the case since COVID-19. Since then, they only offer an old mattress removal service to California residents in compliance with state laws.
- Trial – The Helix Kids mattress, like all other Helix models, comes with a 100-night trial, which we think should be enough time for most sleepers to test the bed.
- Warranty – This kids’ mattress comes with a 10-year warranty.
- Return Policy – Returns are free and easy, but you’re asked to keep the mattress for at least 30 days before returning it. Customer service seems to be pleasant and efficient, according to real customers of this brand.
Sizes & Prices
| Size | Dimensions (inches) | Price (w/o discount) |
| Twin | 38” x 75” x 8” | $748.80 |
| Full | 54” x 75” x 8” | $998.80 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helix Kids mattress non-toxic?
The Helix Kids mattress has CertiPUR-US®-certified foam layers that contain no PBDE flame retardants, heavy metals, mercury lead, ozone depleters, or formaldehyde. Plus, it contains a GREENGUARD Gold certification for low emissions. While it does have important health and safety certifications, this mattress does contain synthetic materials, so it’s not an organic or natural mattress. If you have concerns about this, we recommend checking out our list of organic mattresses.
Can adults sleep on the Helix Kids mattress?
If you look at the comfort layers of the Helix Kids mattress, you can probably assume why it wouldn’t be a good option for an adult. The 8-inch profile is likely too thin to provide any substantial support or comfort to adults. Some parents did test the Helix Kids, taking a nap or an entire night of sleep on it. They had good feedback, saying the experience was nice. However, we wouldn’t recommend you use this mattress for too long because it’s designed primarily for children.
How long will the Helix Kids last?
Generally, mattresses last seven to 10 years. The Helix Kids mattress is designed for kids aged 3 to 7 and 8 to 12 based on the design of each side. You might not get this much use out of a regular mattress, but the Helix Kids can be more long-lasting because it’s flippable. Overall, we think it should last perfectly fine throughout this period.
Helix Kids Mattress vs. Other Brands
Helix Kids Mattress vs. Saatva Youth Mattress
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Helix Kids MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
100 Nights
Product
Saatva Youth MattressFirmness
Medium-firm: 6.5/10Trial Period
365 nightsWho We Recommend the Helix Kids For
- Youngest kids
- Children with back pain
- Those after a thinner bed
Who We Recommend the Saatva Youth For
- Luxury shoppers
- Kids who love a bouncy bed
- Adults looking for a lifetime warranty
Do you think the Saatva Youth mattress might be better for your child? Check our full Saatva Youth review to learn more about this bed.
Helix Kids Mattress vs. Bear Cub Mattress
Product
Firmness
Trial Period
Product
Helix Kids MattressFirmness
Multiple firmness optionsTrial Period
100 NightsWho We Recommend the Helix Kids For
- Kids who need a water-repellant cover
- Those who need good edge support
- Back sleepers
Who We Recommend the Bear Cub For
- Kids who prefer more cradling
- Those who want color options
- Active children
Our Verdict
The Helix Kids is one of the best mattresses for kids if you’re after a balanced feel, a water-repellant cover, and a flippable design. Plus, it’s designed specifically for children. Your child can use this mattress from the age of three until they turn 12, which is a bang for the buck.
Although it’s on the pricey side, we think it’s worth looking into. Plus, it comes with a generous trial, giving your child time to test out how they like it.
This bed does come with a few potential drawbacks, one of which is that it still contains synthetic foams, though they are certified for safety. Some people might also prefer more size options or at least a Twin XL.
Based on our performance ratings, the Helix Kids mattress earned an overall score of 4.2 out of 5.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Trial Period
100 Nights
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Warranty
10-year warranty
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Warranty
10-year warranty
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Trial Period
100 Nights
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Helix Kids Mattress
Designed specifically for kids, this Helix bed features a flippable design and dual firmness levels
Material
Hybrid
Firmness
Multiple firmness options
Trial Period
100 Nights
Warranty
10-year warranty
Shipping Method
Free shipping
Price Range
$$$$$
We recommend this mattress for the following sleeper types:
Hot Sleepers
If you often overheat while you sleep, this mattress should help you stay cool.
Kids
This bed is perfect for young sleepers.
Back Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight back sleepers.
Side Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight side sleepers.
Stomach Sleeping
Ideal for lightweight stomach sleepers.Financing Options
Financing options are available for this mattress.
Olivera Jancikin
Content Writer
About Author
Olivera is a content writer for Sleep Advisor and is enthusiastic about sleep. She firmly believes in the benefits of daytime naps on top of getting a full 8-hour sleep at night.
Combination Sleeper