Hi experts,
I am doing some first time shopping for a mattress and thought I had finally narrowed it down after going to countless showrooms and spending way too much time on the mattress subreddit. I’m a side sleeper with mild scoliosis, stand at 5’10", and weigh 150 lbs. I was about to pull the trigger on the Helix Midnight Elite after trying it in a showroom but then I saw some reports that their quality and longevity has really declined since they were bought by some wall street firm.
Does anyone have more info on this, and is it still recommended?
Thanks for any and all info.
Hi matir,
Welcome to the MattressUnderGround and becoming a new MUGster!
When selecting a mattress, especially with specific needs like being a side sleeper with mild scoliosis, the quality and longevity of the mattress are crucial.
The Helix Midnight Elite is a popular choice for side sleepers due to its medium firmness and pressure relief features. It typically includes multiple foam layers designed to offer support and comfort, which can be beneficial for spinal alignment—a key consideration for someone with scoliosis.
The major benefit of the Helix Elite series is the ability to swap comfort layers and replace it with any other layer from the series (that option may only be available from independent authorized dealers).
One of the many challenges companies face when merging with former competitors is maintaining consistency and the same level of quality in their materials. However, a significant benefit of mergers is the reduction of duplicated costs. For instance, certain components are shared across product lines. All spring support systems, for example, are used across various product lines. The Plank Luxe, Titan Series, and Helix Plus lines all utilize the same 13.5-gauge coil support spring system.
As a side sleeper with your body profile, the midnight level firmness is about right for you. The reality is there are a bucket full of options for your body profile and PPP’s (personal preferences, posture and alignment, and pressure relief requirements).
Given the fact that the Helix is not a latex mattress, companies like @DLX and @EngineeredSleep and @TheCleanBedroom offer options that offer more innovative options in the same or more favorable price range without latex (if that is your preference). The Helix Elite Series appears to be their answer to the BeautyRest Black, S&F and some other more luxury S brand offerings, but with more favorable pricing. If you delve into the reviews online, there is more evidence that the S brands have showed the decline you mention over the past 20 years, and it is no coincidence most of the S brands have seen their share of mergers and consolidation, with similar construction components stretching across brand lines.
For the larger players in the industry, the drive to stay competitive, relevant, and shareholder-friendly often involves cutting costs and boosting profits. On the other hand, smaller quality-focused companies that prioritize maintaining high standards benefit from positive word-of-mouth, which helps them remain competitive.
Whether a company merges with a publicly traded conglomerate, wall street management company or another competitor, how they focus their production and maintain quality control is what to look for.
One of the main protections consumers have is the availability of mattress trials, their focus on the 4R’s (refund, restocking, return policies and reputation/reviews) that should be part of the due diligence that each consumer employs while in pursuit of their perfect mattress match.
No one can tell you how comfortable you will feel on a mattress as it is a very personalized experience.
Good luck on your decision.
Maverick
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Thanks for the advice!
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