Does the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper deliver on its cooling claims? Here's my honest review

Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper | Was $498.66, now $374 at Helix Sleep

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Although I'm not actively looking for a new mattress, I have been curious about the various high-end mattress topper advertisements that hit my inbox or pop up on my social media feeds.

In particular, claims of cooling fabrics caught my eye. As a middle-aged woman, I'm prone to hot flashes and night sweats. I've tried a few basic cooling sheets and comforters but none have made much of a difference.

So, when I was given the chance to test the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper, I was immediately intrigued. The top layer is made from GlacioTex, which promises to provide thermoregulation all night long. As a sleeper with herniated lumbar discs, I'm also looking for a mattress topper to ease my lower back pain. Now, a few months into testing, I'm pleased to report that the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper is one of the best mattress toppers we've ever tried.

Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper – my honest review

Before writing this review, I tested the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper for 30 nights, welcoming feedback from my husband. During the test period, I would frequently walk into the bedroom to find one of our four kids lounging on the bed. They repeatedly told me it was the comfiest spot in the house and asked if they could keep the topper after our review period. Unfortunately for them, my husband and I decided to keep using it indefinitely.

Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper Specifications

Who would the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper suit?

• All sleep positions: on a mattress firmness scale of 1 to 10, I'd give the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper a 7 or a 7.5. This medium-firm feel provides just the right amount of support for aching joints, while still feeling soft and luxurious.
• All weathers: I tested the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper through a season of wild weather in my city, with temperatures ranging from chilly to downright muggy. I believe the Helix ErgoAlign makes good on its cooling claims. While some foam bedding can retain heat, the top GlacioTex layer negates that issue all night long. I felt warm and cozy on chilly nights, but never woke up drenched in sweat. It’s a perfect compromise.
• Sleepers with back pain: given the ErgoAlign name, it makes sense that this topper is a great choice for those with lower back pain. This topper has three different firmness zones, with the firmest section in the middle for optimum lumbar support. It’s a great option to upgrade a subpar mattress for sleepers with back issues.
• Couples: While some mattress toppers can slide around and create issues with edge support, the Helix ErgoAlign works well for couples. Firm edges mean sleepers can use the entire surface of the bed, and stay-put straps help to keep your mattress topper from sliding.

What's it like to sleep on the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper?

• Pressure relief (4/5): as a combination sleeper, I switch between sleep positions in the night. I tend to alternate between my back and my side and I've found that the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper is comfortable in either position. There is a relaxing feeling of sinking into the bed, but the underlying support provided by two layers of foam with varying densities strikes that perfect balance.
• Thermoregulation (5/5): it's all too common for mattress toppers to make cooling claims, so I'll admit I didn't have high expectations for the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper. I need cooling now more than ever: since I turned 40, I regularly wake up drenched in sweat. Your average foam mattress topper only makes me hotter, but I was immediately pleased with the Helix ErgoAlign. The first morning I woke up cool and comfortable for the first time in months. During the first 30 days of testing, I still had three mornings where I woke up overheated, but that frequency is drastically reduced. I'd put the Helix ErgoAlign up there with the best cooling mattress toppers.

• Motion isolation (4/5): to test the levels of motion transfer through the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper, I filled a wine glass with water and set it in the center of the topper. Then, I took a dumbbell and placed it on the topper, moving incrementally closer to the glass. The theory is, the more the glass moves, and the more water spills, the worse the motion isolation, but we didn't have any spills. Between a rainy afternoon spent side-by-side reading with my tween daughter and a few nights where our 6-year-old crawled in between us due to a bad dream, we found the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper provided excellent motion isolation.
• Edge support (5/5): my biggest complaint with other mattress toppers we’ve tried (all at significantly lower price points) is that they slide around. They fail to line up with the edges of the actual mattress and collapse around the sides, leaving us huddling in the center of the bed until we can straighten the topper out again the next morning. We had none of those issues with the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper. It stayed put well, though we did need to buy fitted sheets designed for a thicker mattress to make it work. The edges hold up great, too. I was able to hang off the edge of the bed to read quietly at night without disturbing my husband, or rolling off the edge of the bed onto the floor.
• Delivery (5/5): the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper arrived in a vacuum-packed box that was quite heavy. Due to the delivery service leaving it near the curb, I had to heave it into the house without help upon first arrival. It’s heavy, but manageable for one person. I would suggest opening the mattress topper in the room you intend to use it in, as it becomes a bit unwieldy once unfurled. Once my husband returned home, we easily set it on top of our queen platform bed with an innerspring mattress. There was some off-gassing as the topper plumped up to its full thickness, but we were able to sleep on it that same night.

Should I buy the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper?

Performance-wise, I have few complaints about the Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper. It lives up to the company’s claims and is a great way to get a better night’s sleep without purchasing a whole new mattress. If your current mattress is in decent shape but could use an added layer of comfort and cooling, the ErgoAlign topper will meet your needs at about half the price of a full orthopedic mattress.

With that said, if you're seeing signs that you're sleeping on a bad mattress, it probably makes more sense to buy a new mattress. If you're in doubt, we've weighed up the pros and cons of a mattress topper vs new mattress.

If you're planning to buy a Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper, don't forget to sign up for their email list to receive discount codes that make their products more affordable. You might be able to save some money in the mattress sales.

Helix ErgoAlign Mattress Topper | Was $498.66, now $374 at Helix Sleep

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How we test mattress toppers

We assess each mattress topper for pressure relief, thermoregulation, motion isolation, and edge support for a minimum of 30 days before we write our reviews. To test pressure relief, we lay in a variety of positions to assess how the topper feels when sleeping on our back, side, or stomach. To test thermoregulation, I kept track of how I felt each morning in a note in my phone: did I wake up sweaty and clammy, or cool and comfortable?

In order to assess motion isolation, I lay on the topper with another person as we both moved around, simulating tossing and turning. I also kept track of how often my partner’s movements woke me up during the night in the same note where I tracked thermoregulation. To gather some more data, I also filled a wine glass with water and placed a hand weight next to it to assess how much compressing one part of the topper affects other areas: does the wine glass tip over? If it does, that's a sign of poor motion isolation, which might prove problematic for couples.

To assess edge support, I sat on the edge of the bed in various positions to test how the edge held up. Does it compress so far that you are sliding off the bed? I also used a hand weight to demonstrate edge support and took note of my observations while using the bed.

Finally, I look at other verified customer reviews to see if there are common issues, complaints, or praise for the product. I examine the delivery process, warranty, and length of sleep trial to provide consumers with all of the information they need to make an informed purchase. I also candidly discuss price: we, at Homes & Gardens know consumers want to find high-quality products at an accessible price point. To learn more about how we test mattress toppers, you can consult our expert guide.