I’m about your weight and sleep on my side. I couldn’t do the helix midnight luxe, it was too soft. I had to get rid of it because after a few months it sagged horrendously and made my lower back hurt. It’s nice when you lay on it but loses its support over time. I’ve seen they made new models so no idea if they fixed it but I would stay away from helix
Hi! I bought an avocado luxury bed with the pillow top (not box top). It’s been painful to sleep on for about 50 days and is just starting to get better, though I’m suspecting that it doesn’t quite have enough support or pressure relief for me around the hip, I’m a 5’ 10 side sleeper that is 180lbs for context. I went and tried some beds and felt that the helix midnight luxe might be a great option, I also tried the tempurpedic luxe adapt medium hybrid, I was surprised that the helix midnight luxe actually felt better to me than the tempurpedic.
Anyways all this is to say two things.
1. Buying a bed is a pain and I’ve learned I should have done much more research before. Like visiting your site!
2. What are your personal thoughts on Tempurpedic vs Helix? They were both good, but the helix is a lot less and sort of makes me wonder what I might be missing.
I have an Avacado Luxury Pillowtop, the quality and presentation of the bed are great (I'd hope that from a $5200 dollar bed though), but personally I found it to be too soft to really feel like I can fully relax. I tried a green pillowtop and it seemed to be a little firmer, its interesting because I tried it at one showroom and it felt like a rock (maybe they hadn't fully broken it in) at another retailer though it felt more like a regular 6/10.
Personally I will always want to try out a bed before I buy it, I'm exchanging my Avocado for a Helix mattress (midnight luxe) and I only ordered it because a mattress store nearby had them and I got to demo it. I will say that the Avocado beds seem to take awhile to break in (mine is finally getting bearable 50 days in) I totally agree on the subject of the feel of latex being polarizing and after experiencing it I realized I prefer a memory foam hybrid over it.
I wonder if something like Helix would help drive traffic if theres not another retailer nearby. Forbes, Wired, and CNET have it in their top mattresses, with Forbes and Wired having it as their best overall pick for a mattress.
The supportiveness is why I went with the helix. It felt like not only was I supported, but all the pressure I normally have when sleeping was relieved as well. Breaking it in has been a little rough though as it’s stiff right now, which I assume will get better with time, I’m only a week in. The avocado just didn’t give me the same sense of deep relaxation as the helix did in the showroom.
it’s hard to tell what’s good. Lying on a bed for five minutes doesn’t mean much, and reviews can be all over the place. Since you sleep on your side and get shoulder pressure, look for a hybrid that supports your back but gives a bit under the shoulders.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a solid example. It uses zoned coils to keep your spine aligned and a pillow top that eases pressure without feeling soft. It also sleeps cool and comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which is rare for mattresses in that range.
The Bear Elite Hybrid has zoned coils, which can help with alignment, but the question is how effective the zoning really is when you’re moving between side and back positions. A lot of “zoned” beds only add firmer coils through the middle, which isn’t always enough if your lower back is sensitive. For side sleepers with back pain, I’d take a look at the Helix Midnight Luxe. It also uses a zoned coil system, but they give you the option to add an ErgoAlign foam layer that’s built specifically for lumbar support. That extra layer is what makes it stand out if you’re trying to actually address back pain long term.
With your weight the most important thing is a mattress with firm coils and dense foams, otherwise it’ll sag pretty quickly. The Helix Plus is made for bigger bodies and holds up well while still being comfortable. The Luxe version adds a bit more lumbar support and a top layer that can help with back pain.
Big Fig is also a solid choice, but I’d look at both before deciding. Helix also offers a long warranty, which gives some peace of mind.
Table of Questions and Answers. Original answer linked - Please upvote the original questions and answers. (I'm a bot.)
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Question | Answer | Link
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Your recommendation for a side sleeper pillow?|There are definitely a few I like: the Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow has an adjustable height (I like it super high and thick for side sleeping), and it also has a crescent shape to leave room for your shoulder. The Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow is what I actually sleep on at home. I'm a bigger guy, and it's supportive enough to keep my head supported and in good alignment with my neck and spine.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nyaui5h/)
Who really makes the best pillows?|I recommended a Coop Sleep Goods pillow above, and generally, that brand is my favorite. They aren't insanely expensive, and I've been impressed with pretty much all their models. And, many of the pillows are adjustable in height and loft, so they're a good fit for lots of different types of sleepers.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nyanqzr/)
What are the best sheets you found?|Out of the sheets I've tried, I've had good experiences with the Cozy Earth and Luxome products. They both offer breathable options for me as a hot sleeper, and they've been durable, even after multiple washes. I would check out the Luxome Luxury Sheet Set and the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nyawpgx/)
Do those cooling blankets really work? I have a cooling pillow from IKEA that I love but I want to try a blanket. If so what's the best one? I love to feel cool while I sleep.|Oh, great question. I'm a super hot sleeper myself, and I haven't really found a blanket that is actively cooling for me. I've found focusing on breathability and moisture-wicking features has been best. I've had good experiences with bamboo sheets and blankets, for example. Generally, when it comes to cooling, I see a lot of marketing speak that really doesn't do much for me when I'm sleeping super hot. But, again, something with bamboo and lighter weight has worked for me!|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybdp6h/)
I’m a side sleeper that constantly tosses and turns thru the night due to shoulder pain. I’ve tried the cube pillow, it doesn’t work. Options?|Yeah, I didn't have the best time with the Pillow Cube. I couldn't get comfortable on it! I commented on these two products above, but I like the Coop Sleep Goods Original Adjustable Pillow and the Brooklyn Bedding Latex Pillow.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybbzhv/)
Which kinds of sheets have that awesome crinkly, crunchy sound?|Ah, I love that sound too. Usually, you're going to get that with cotton sheets with a Percale weave. I've always liked the Parachute Percale Sheets and Boll & Branch as well.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nyb7mzd/)
Eight Sleep - legit or all influencer hype?|Great question. So, I tried the Eight Sleep Pod Pro a few years back. First off, as a hot sleeper, I was pretty impressed how cold the mattress could get. The cool water pumping through the top really made the top of the mattress super cold. And, the app was pretty easy to use to control the temperature, track my sleep, etc. At the same time, it just didn't feel too comfortable to me. I don't know if they've changed designs since, but I could feel the plastic tubing in the top cover. Again, these tubes are good at temperature regulation, but they are bumpy too. And, of course, there's the price... I think for super hot sleepers it might be worth it, but that price tag is pretty high. I personally wouldn't want to invest in it, even as a hot sleeper.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nyb83dh/)
What are the best cervical pillows?|I've tried a few that I like. The Cushion Lab Ergonomic Cervical Pillow is a nice one. I'm honestly a fan of the Tempur-Pedic pillows as well. The Tempur-Neck pillow I used at home for a while, and it helped with my neck pain as a side sleeper.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybap1m/)
What is the solution for a side sleeper with shoulder pain?|I've definitely dealt with this! I found that it really depended on both my pillow and my mattress. For your pillow, you'll want something loftier to keep your head elevated, and this can also put less pressure on your shoulder. At the same time, a softer mattress is going to be your friend. I'm a bigger guy, and I needed a thick memory foam layer to really relieve pressure on my shoulders and hips. Overall, a firmer, higher pillow plus a mattress with good pressure relief was what I needed.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybhrey/)
Bedframe that doesn’t squeak, any recommendations?|I really enjoyed the Thuma Bed Frame. It's put together with I think what's called Japanese Joinery, so there are no screws or bolts (the culprit to a lot of squeaky beds).|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybtb89/)
Have you tried the nodpod sleep mask?|Oh, I haven't! Adding it to my list.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybveel/)
Best mattress for lower back pain|There are a few mattresses that I've found to be good for this. First off, I liked the Helix Midnight Luxe. It's got a zoned design, so there's more support under the lumbar area. A lot of experts say this can help alleviate lower back pain, and I found it to work, too. You could also add an ErgoAlign layer for even more lumbar support. I also liked the Saatva Classic. It's also zoned for extra lumbar support, and you can choose from a few firmnesses. Medium-firm mattresses are usually best for people with lower back pain, so the Luxury Firm would be your best bet.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nybxdeu/)
How thick and soft do you like your pillows?|As a side sleeper, I like something thicker and firmer. I'm a big guy and have an insanely large head, so I've liked something that can really hold up my head. But, it really depends on your sleeping position. For back sleeping, you don't need something quite as thick or firm, and for stomach sleeping, the thinner the better. But, just speaking of preference, I've never liked a pillow that is too fluffy and lets my head sink in too much.|[Here](/r/AMA/comments/1q6u6p0/i_review_sleep_products_looking_for_accessories/nycwaxz/)
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