Which Helix should you buy?

Five full-size Line 6 modellers that share a sound engine and differ in chassis, connections and generation. These are the lines where they actually diverge.

The short answer

Helix Stadium XL Floor

The most complete Line 6 makes. Buy it if you want cloning and Showcase and you use an expression pedal, two instruments, or more than two loops.

Open the Helix Stadium XL Floor guide →

Helix Stadium Floor

The same brain and the same new features, without the built-in pedal, the second input or the extra loops. The cheaper way into the Stadium generation.

Open the Helix Stadium Floor guide →

Helix Floor

Still the reference original-generation Helix. Everything the LT has plus the mic input, four loops and a headphone knob of its own.

Open the Helix Floor guide →

Helix Rack

For studios and rack rigs. The only Helix with wordclock and digital input — and the only one where the footswitches are a separate purchase.

Open the Helix Rack guide →

Helix LT

The same sound as the Floor for less, if you can live without the mic input, two of the loops and the shared expression jack.

Open the Helix LT guide →

Where they differ

Only the lines that actually differ are here. Everything these devices share — the model library, the way presets are built, the cab block rule — is the same on all of them and is covered in each guide.

	Helix Stadium XL Floor	Helix Stadium Floor	Helix Floor	Helix Rack	Helix LT
Generation
Engine generationThe single biggest decision. The Stadium generation adds amp cloning and a backing-track engine the original Helix does not have and cannot gain.Helix Stadium Owner's Manual 1.3.2 · Helix 3.80 Owner's Manual	Stadium — touchscreen, Clones, Showcase	Stadium — touchscreen, Clones, Showcase	Original Helix	Original Helix	Original Helix
Can it clone your amp?Helix Stadium Owner's Manual 1.3.2	Yes, PROXY cloning from firmware 1.3	Yes, PROXY cloning from firmware 1.3	No	No	No
Backing tracks and automationHelix Stadium Owner's Manual 1.3.2	Showcase — tracks, markers, flags	Showcase — tracks, markers, flags	No	No	No
What you stand on
FootswitchesThe Rack's footboard is a separate purchase and a significant extra cost. Budget for it or you have bought a studio processor.Helix Rack and Control Cheat Sheet (Rev C)	12, on the unit	12, on the unit	12, on the unit	12 — on Helix Control, sold separately	12, on the unit
Built-in expression pedalThe clearest split between the two Stadiums. If you use a wah or volume pedal, the XL is the one that has one.Helix Stadium XL Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev B) · Helix Cheat Sheet (Rev D)	Yes, with toe switch	No	Yes, with toe switch	No	Yes, with toe switch
What you plug in
Instrument inputsHelix Stadium XL Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev B) · Helix Rack and Control Cheat Sheet (Rev C)	Two	One	One, plus aux	One, on the front panel	One
Mic inputThe reason to pay the difference between an LT and a Floor if you sing.Helix Cheat Sheet (Rev D) · Helix LT Cheat Sheet (Rev B)	Yes, 48 V	Yes, 48 V	Yes, 48 V	Yes, 48 V	No
Effects loopsHelix Stadium XL Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev B) · Helix LT Cheat Sheet (Rev B)	Four	Two	Four	Four	Two
Digital I/OWordclock and AES/EBU input are Rack-only. If your studio runs a central clock, that settles it.Helix Rack and Control Cheat Sheet (Rev C) · Helix LT Cheat Sheet (Rev B)	S/PDIF in and out	S/PDIF in and out	S/PDIF in and out, AES/EBU out	S/PDIF in, AES/EBU in and out, wordclock	AES/EBU out only
USB connectorCables do not carry over between the generations.Helix Stadium Floor Cheat Sheet (Rev A) · Helix Cheat Sheet (Rev D)	USB-C	USB-C	USB Type B	USB Type B	USB Type B