Hi Damien,
Hope your search is going well. Just an observation as you search. When you get right down to it, mattresses made with better quality materials and thoughtful placement of layers is really what is going to make the difference from a good night’s sleep for 9-18 months vs 5-10 years or more of lasting comfort.
I am an enthusiastic fan of Brooklyn Bedding as I love my mattress and think it is simply great. I saw that you were looking at the Helix Elite. Helix makes genuinely nice mattresses as do their sister brands.
I am not a major fan of what I call gimmickry, like the grids, gels, and gratuitous micro coils. I am of the mindset, less is more, simple is better and a mattress is only as good as its weakest layer. Only put in the mattress what it needed to be comfortable for the individual user and move on. I understand this is an overly simplistic attitude, but with so many companies out there, particularly ones that are Trusted Members here at TMU, there is really something for everyone.
When companies stack the mattress 16, 18 inches high, I just must wonder what they are doing and why. There are some that will use two layers of supporting springs and coils, effectively making it so at least one set of support coils will be utilized in their primary support function, under whatever foams, natural materials and other comfort layers that may be inserted.
In this case the Helix Elite may be an example of this. Usually, a manufacturer will replace a pressure relieving memory foam layer (and it good at pressure relief), which can wear faster, sink more and possibly make you sleep hot if you are prone to that sort of thing. I would have preferred that Helix simply removed the memory foam from the comfort layer and doubled the size of the layer of micro coils from 0.5" to 1-1.5" to allow them to really be functional. I am sure they and others will disagree with me, as they designed the mattress and made it that way for a reason. Perhaps, it is I, who does not understand it. I just do not see the design as is, functioning in real time. I mean you have over 7" layers over the 3 zone support coils that might night see the light of day in supporting the sleeper.
Of course, this is just one person’s opinion, but my advice would be. If you know you want a hybrid or innerspring, that is fine, start there. Then select the appropriate material to surround that support layer, maybe a hi density foam transition layer, a layer or two of latex, or a combination of latex and/or your personal feel preference or wool/cotton/horsehair, (whatever your choice of comfort that will last), you could insert a layer of quality micro coils of at least 1" for directed pressure relief and a cover/panel to wrap it all up. If you want something very tall, in the 16" category, make it a flippable mattress, or add a modern box spring for height.
I am not trying to be critical of Helix’s Elite mattress, rather looking out for your long-lasting comfort.
Most of the trusted members here, as I peruse their websites and products, all seem to keep it simple. I call it “getting to the point.” Support, comfort, cover = a good night’s sleep.
I was very dismayed when searching for a mattress this last time around. All of the “national” brands you find in the box stores seem to be in a race to stack their mattresses to the ceiling with “stuff” and many of the reviews by individuals seem to reflect the failure of this practice in the way of premature sinking, sagging and other issues we did not seem to run into 40 years ago. The ones that constantly use upgraded, quality made, or sourced materials seem to get the highest individual marks.
As you deal with your shoulder issues, I would pay attention to how the mattresses edge support is provided. When you have very high-density perimeter foam encased coil mattresses, you may find that when you sleep close to the edge you may find too much pressure relative to the rest of the sleeping surface of the mattress. I will admit again another feature I am not a big fan of is foam edge support, so you can consider my opinion is admittedly biased. If you have shoulder issues and sleep near the edge of the mattress you don’t want that change in surface density to bother add extra pressure on your shoulder. Personally, I find edge to edge coils satisfactory for edge support, surface uniformity, predictability and longer lasting comfort.
I know it sounds a bit critical, but just be on the look out for some of these things in your journey to get the best fit for you mattress system needs. Only here to try and offer a bit of mattress wisdom.
Best of luck on finding your comfortable mattress.
Norm