I Was Overwhelmed by Mattress Shopping. This $374 Mattress Topper Bought Me a Few More Comfortable Years

CNET’s key takeaways 

• The ErgoAlign Mattress Topper from Helix normally costs $499 but it’s on sale right now for $374 for the queen and $328 for the full size. 
• 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’m reaching the eight-year mark with my current mattress — it’s time to shop for a new one. But when I look around at the available mattress options, I get overwhelmed by the number of choices. I felt rushed into my last mattress purchase because I was moving and needed to make a quick decision on a budget. This time, I want to do it right and make the best mattress choice for my body and for my money. 

As a sleep-deprived working mom of two young children, I appreciate the relief a comfortable bed can bring to my aches and pains. Yes, I am one of the 46% of adult Americans (CNET survey) willing to invest in better mattresses. And I’m ready to pay a pretty penny for my next mattress upgrade. But I need more time.

I tested this ErgoAlign Mattress Topper by Helix for 60 days. It’s not a long-term solution to my problems, but it gives me the comfort and time that I need until I make a bigger and more expensive decision. It’s on the pricier side, though: Up to $500 at regular price. CNET’s best mattress topper, the Nest Bedding Cooling Topper for example, costs $100 to $150 less.  

These large stretchy straps help secure this topper in place — no sliding. 

Katie Collins

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: $498.66
• Sale Price: $374 
• 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.

Katie Collins

CNET’s buying advice

Overall, my experience with this mattress topper is ultrapositive. It’s one of the more expensive mattress toppers available, but at $380 to $400, 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.

And if you are ready for your next mattress decision, see CNET’s picks for all types of mattresses by sleep type.