Side-sleeper desperate for high quality mattress

Mattress Talk Needs & Personal Preferences
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On a 4th mattress trial, and so confused by the various messaging online, in-stores, etc. Some say stay away from bed-in-a-box, others say stay away from in-store “s” brands… I’m at a loss. I just want a decent mattress that is going to last a bit.

Here’s some context: I’m female, 150lbs, side sleeper, and my husband is male, 200 lbs, combo sleeper. So far we’ve tried the Saatva classic (too bouncy), Avocado eco-organic (fine but a bit too firm), Nectar Luxe memory foam (we had a nectar before and thought this would still be for us, and I think we’re just no longer all memory foam people); and now we’re on the Helix midnight elite, which is also too firm and giving me horrendous shoulder and back pain. I’m realizing I need a slightly more soft mattress than I thought.

I’m just so overwhelmed by all of the reviews, opinions, etc. I am wondering if you could offer an opinion on a few quality brands that are known to hold up pretty well, and potentially some mattresses that might work best for shoulder, hips, and lower back pressure relief.

Thank you!

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If the mattress is a king, why not switch the midnight elite insert for a split comfort insert with a twin xl sunset or moonlight for you and a midnight for your hubby.

Generally shoulder pain should not be from the mattress, but more likely you pillow. The new Helix Elite is a pretty good mattress likely the best of all the ones you have tried so far

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Thanks for the reply-- we’re just not sold on Helix altogether, especially now that I’ve done such a deep dive into TMU and these forums. I’m now considering a DXL hybrid soft (I talked to someone there and based on my profile that’s what they recommended) or the Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe. I’ve seen many good things about both, and I have a feeling either would end up being a good fit, but I’m curious if you have a POV as to which might be the better option in terms of longevity. My gut says to try DXL first because their return policy is more flexible (no fee), but I am pretty exhausted by these trials and really would like the next one to be the last. Thanks for your help!

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Hi, just wanted to chime in because my husband and I have been in a similar situation.

The hardest thing for me is when the shoulder area is too firm, and the hip area as well - just cannot sleep at all. Does not matter what type/height pillow I use. We tried the Midnight in all 3 levels at our local store and found it too firm/responsive for us. So we ordered the Sunset Luxe. I looked at the Elite version but the 1st round of microcoils are under a pretty thin layer of foam and I was concerned I would feel them, that it would give too much pushback. So I went with the Luxe.

The Sunset is still firmer than anticipated, but it did soften some over time. It also slept a bit cooler than many. It does not feel like a memory foam mattress. We slept on it for 2 months. My biggest issue with it is I just can’t handle the quilting on top - I can feel every rise and fall and that is just not comfy - my nerves are just crazy sensitive. The base-level Sunset doesn’t have quilting but it also doesn’t have the enhanced lumbar support, which I felt like we’d want. The ideal scenario is our shoulder and hip sinking in gently and softly, and our ribcage/lower back being supported and not drooping too much.

Overall though even with the quilting, it was better than the Casper SnowMax for us. And with the majority of mattresses having quilting, I’m guessing there are tons of people who are fine with it! It does feel very well-made.

Good luck to you. I know it can be super overwhelming. Really hope you find the right setup!

PS we are now testing the SleepScience iFlip Napa that came with an adjustable base (bought from Costco.com). We’re only a few nights in so can’t give a full report. We’re sleeping on the soft side which actually felt less memory-foam-like than the medium-firm side. It’s still breaking in so it’s a little firm but after a few nights already a bit better. We will see!!

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Just keep in mind, the new core Helix Line with the without the quilting, now comes available with the lumbar supporting ergo align layer as an option. This became as a new option as of April of 2025. So it may have been a solution to your problem.

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Good to know, thank you!

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Thank you both!! Here’s where we’re at:

First of all: I mispoke before. We originally had the twilight, and then had them send us the midnight. We’ve been sleeping on the midnight for about 2 weeks now, and it is definitely comfortable. I can actually sleep pretty well on it which is a huge relief after months of really inconsistent sleep.

Here are my lingering concerns/questions.

  • It is SO tall (16") so much so that we’d need to buy new sheets if we kept it, because ours are slipping off, and it’s a bit annoying to have to hop up a bit to sit on the edge of the bed.
  • On occasion, it can sleep just a little hot, so I’m worried about the summer (we’re in Boston area).
  • I’ve seen concerns about Helixes sagging or having issues shortly after the trial expires.
  • The price. It was $3,300 after a discount and I’m struggling with if I want to pay that price tag.

I only found this website and forum after we purchased the Helix Elite, and have looked into some of the trusted partners like Brooklyn Bedding, DLX, and Engineered Sleep. What I’m curious about is if I can get a similar feel to the midnight elite from one of these companies for a lower price-point and higher quality or longevity.

Please let me know your thoughts! Much appreciated!

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Hi kmk,

If you purchased the new version of the Helix Elite, with the new improved ergoalign layer, with the single layer of microcoils. The new fabric and modified design, places the Helix Elite in a solid position. If you were not aware, if you wanted to modify the comfort layer, most independent authorized dealers, like Yawnder.com can order the Elite with split internal comfort and swap them out at home so you dont have to send the entire mattress back.

The best sheets for that helix, if they make a color you like, is the DreamFit cotton sheets. They make an Egyptian, Pima, LongStaple and Percale Cotton.

These sheets will not come off the mattress, ever. The only way they will come off is if you take them off manually. They are the best fitting sheets I have seen. The only issue I have with them is they only come in 5 colors. Otherwise they gaurantee them not to pill, they wash great when you follow the instructions, and the Pima cotton are super soft. I got 3 sets myself, Egyptian for my mattress, which is 13.25" plus the 3" Wool Topper and 2" Perfectly Snug Smart topper. So with over 18" of thickness, they fit snug and dont slip off.
I got my MiL Pima and my daughter and SiL 100% LongStaple as the LS is best for someone who perspires and typically get perspiration stains on their mattress. I do here their percale is a bit thin.

If you were not aware, Brooklyn Bedding and Helix are sister companies.

Regarding your question about finding something that feels like the Midnight Elite, that really comes down to personal preference. A lot of mattresses can feel similar at first. For instance, the DLX Premier Hybrid has a comparable feel to the S&F Luxe Estate and the BR Black number series, which can run you $6–7k. The DLX, based on my own experience and feedback from folks both here and on Reddit, just outperforms both in terms of quality and longevity. Engineered Sleep falls into that same tier, approaching it with a slightly different design, but ES also manages to outshine those big legacy brands.

If you end up moving on from the Helix—which is honestly a solid mattress—you wouldn’t be disappointed with the comfort and versatility of either @DLX or @EngineeredSleep. No matter which way you go, it’s really important to give your mattress a full month, ideally up to three, to see if it’s truly a fit for you.

Maverick

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Thanks for the mention, @Maverick and thanks for considering DLX @kmk!

It sounds like you’ve been on quite the journey and I completely get it. Mattress shopping today feels like navigating a maze of conflicting advice. You’re not alone.

It’s always tricky to say whether one mattress will match another exactly. Just like it’s hard to say someone else makes a hybrid mattress quite like ours. In general terms, we can offer something comparable, but it’s tough to make a 14" mattress feel like a 16", just as it’s tough to make a 12" feel like a 14". As a general rule and not always, but often the taller the mattress, the more cushioning it tends to offer.

Matching the feel of a specific mattress is also tough. There are so many variables like foam type, fabric, upholstery style, etc. that can change the experience. For some people, just changing the fabric or simply the quilt pattern can completely alter how a mattress feels and how they sleep, while others might not notice any difference at all. Everyone is different.

If you truly love a specific mattress or it feels close enough, it’s usually best to stick with it. But if you’ve tried a few and found several almost comfortable, or if your last one just wore out, then something like ours might be a good fit.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds like you’re on your fourth or fifth mattress and located in the Boston area. If so, I might suggest checking out a couple of solid “local” manufacturers like Gardner Mattress or Portland Mattress Makers or Verlo out in Danvers. They typically make high-quality mattresses themselves, and I believe they deliver in the Boston area. Plus, I can’t say for sure, but some may offer the option to pick up the mattress and adjust it. However, you should check with them if they offer it and about logistics, as you might be without a mattress for a few days while they make the adjustment.

I know this is a big investment and frustrating. What we’ve learned over the years is that perfection might not exist. Even my own mattress feels amazing one week, and then suddenly I’m tossing and turning or sleeping hot. Sometimes the mattress isn’t the problem, it’s just life, stress, or our ever-changing bodies.

And that brings me to one last thing: as we get older, our bodies become less forgiving. I used to sleep on anything—floors, couches, you name it. Now? One night on a saggy hotel bed and I’m sore for days. So even if you tracked down that perfect mattress from 10 or 20 years ago, there’s a good chance it wouldn’t feel quite the same now. Our bodies change and what worked perfectly before might not be the right fit anymore. Ah, the joys of getting older.

Wishing you the best of luck on your mattress search. Hang in there! It can be a frustrating process, but you’re asking all the right questions. Hope you find something that works great for both of you and gives you many nights of restful sleep

If you’re up for it, it might be worth visiting those folks in the Boston area who actually make the mattresses themselves.

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Totally get where you’re coming from — sounds like the Midnight Elite is giving you better sleep, but those concerns are valid.

Yes, 16" is tall, and if it’s a hassle with sheets or bed height, that’s a real quality-of-life issue. Also, heat retention can be a downside in summer, especially with plush comfort layers.

For the $3,300 price, you can absolutely find similar or better quality for less. Brands like:

  • Brooklyn Bedding Aurora Luxe (Medium) – Cooler sleep, strong build, way more affordable.
  • DLX Premier or Luxe Hybrid – Built for durability with quality materials and strong edge support.
  • Engineered Sleep custom options – Great reputation for value and personal service, and you can match the feel you like.

If the Midnight Elite feels great but you’re unsure long term, it might be worth trying one of these with better pricing and similar comfort. You don’t have to sacrifice feel for quality and savings.

Let me know if you want pillow recs too — the right one can really boost comfort without changing the mattress.

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