CNET's key takeaways
- Amazon and Helix have it on sale for $374, which is $125 off the original retail price of $499.
- It's a comfortable, Band-Aid solution until my next big mattress purchase.
- But it's pricier than other mattress toppers. The Nest Bedding Cooling Topper is $100 less, for example.
I hate my current mattress. It's too firm. But with the abundance of mattress choices you can buy today I'm feeling overwhelmed with too many options. With such a large purchase, I worry I'll make the wrong choice again.
As a way to buy myself more time, I've been sleeping on this ErgoAlign Mattress Topper by Helix for the last few months. Even though mattress toppers aren't meant to be a long-term solution to my problems, I love this one so much I may take my time with my decision. It's on the pricier end of mattress toppers, though -- up to $500 at regular price. CNET's best mattress topper, the Nest Bedding Cooling Topper, costs $100 to $150 less. But you can often find it on sale. The queen size right now is $125 off.
While I'm ready to pay a pretty penny for my next mattress upgrade, I just need more time to make a decision.
These large stretchy straps help secure this topper in place -- no sliding.
My experience with the Helix ErgoAlign mattress topper
My first impression was one of surprise. The last time I slept on a mattress topper, it was one of those cheaper $50 foam toppers. I didn't expect the topper to be as comfortable as it was.
It arrived in a vacuum wrapping. Once opened, it expanded immediately -- no waiting. I was struck by how the material did not have a chemical smell to it that we sometimes get from mattress toppers or beds in a box. I ordered the king size, so it was a bit heavy to lift onto the bed with effort but doable for one person. I laid it right on top of my current mattress and used the attached straps to secure it in place so it didn't slide around.
I slept on this for 60 days, and I find that I relax and fall asleep faster, I wake up less frequently for no reason (it's a mom thing), and my hips and shoulders aren't achy at wake up as they were before.
The specs
- GlacioTex cooling cover
- Three support zonesfor the spine, midsection and shoulders
- Sturdy corner straps to keep topper in place
- Free shipping in the US
- Thickness: 3 inches
- Retail price: $499
- Sale price: $374 at Amazon and at Helix
- Available sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king
- 100-night sleep trial
- One-year limited warranty
- Materials: Top cover, 50/50 blend of polyester and polyethylene. Interior, copper gel memory foam and high-density foam
- Made in the US
These large stretchy straps help secure this topper in place even for deep and tall mattress types. The material is waterproof.
CNET's buying advice
Overall, my experience with this mattress topper is ultra positive. It's one of the more expensive mattress toppers available, but at $374, it buys me another year or two of time before I make my next big mattress decision.
For $400, you could skip the topper and buy a brand-new mattress. The Ashley Home Signature Design and the Rolanstar are both less than $350 right now. But for a long-term, king-size mattress with the level of support I'm looking for, I'm probably going to spend between $1,000 and $2,000 from a premium brand. For now, I find this mattress topper so comfortable, I may just take my sweet time deciding.
If you're like me and seeking a Band-Aid solution to your current mattress situation and you want hip and shoulder support, you will be happy with the Helix ErgoAlign.
If price is your sticking point, CNET's sleep experts tested dozens of other mattress toppers that we love and are much cheaper. The most comparable mattress topper we tested is the Layla Memory Foam Topper, our best foam mattress topper for side sleepers. The Layla uses a similar copper gel-infused foam, adding buoyancy and contouring support as the Helix ErgoAlign but for $250 -- $100 to $150 less. A good budget pick for a new mattress topper is the Linenspa Memory Foam Topper for $60.
If you're ready to make your next mattress decision, see CNET's picks for all types of mattresses by sleep type.
