Score Breakdown
Pros and Cons
Helix is one of those online brands that we’ve been reviewing for years -- I even remember when the company had one bed instead of 21. Suffice it to say, many iterations of these beds have come and gone through our CNET's doors over the years. It’s been a wild ride reviewing these beds, and this new launch has definitely proved to be the brand’s best yet.
The Core, Luxe and Elite lines have been slightly redesigned to look and feel a bit different. While some brands upgrade beds to cut costs, it seems like Helix is going the other route, toward an increase in quality and comfort. In this review, I’ll cover what’s new with these three Helix lines, specifically focusing on the Midnight models.
First impressions of the Helix Midnight mattresses
The Helix mattresses shipped to us completely free with standard bed-in-box shipping. Each showed up inside a tall cardboard box, compressed and roll-packed in plastic. To set them up, all we did was drag the boxes inside, rip off all the packaging and watch as the beds quickly inflated -- it’s always pretty wild to see an entire mattress unfurl out of its box.
Since all three versions of the Helix Midnight come with support coils, it didn’t take much time for them to get into their true form. Still, we gave them a proper night to sit out on our foundations so they could expand properly. In the morning, we started testing them out. Each felt like a comfy hybrid mattress that just about anyone could sleep on -- but as you move from the Core to the Luxe to the Elite, the experience gets progressively cozier.
Video: Helix Midnight Mattress Review
Helix Midnight mattress firmness and feel
What do the Helix Midnight mattresses feel like?
Though slightly different when it comes to feel, all three versions of the Helix Midnight have an accommodating feel that most people should find comfortable. Whether you’re after a safe pick or prefer a bed with body-conforming qualities, one of these options will likely suit your needs.
The Core version of the Helix Midnight offers a more basic, traditional mattress feel. It feels like a standard coil bed with a neutral hybrid feel. Since it has a flat sleeping surface rather than a tufted pillow-top, it offers a generally comfortable feel that most people can sleep on easily. Overall, we’d say it’s a pretty safe pick -- especially nice for guest rooms.
The Helix Midnight Luxe is where things start to amp up a bit on the comfort spectrum. This bed has a softer, pillow-top feel. Unlike the Core model, this mattress has a tufted pillow top to give sleepers some additional comfort. Believe me, it’s quite cozy -- my fiancé and I are now sleeping on the Helix Midnight Luxe at home.
However, the latest Helix Midnight Elite is a significant departure from the previous version. Aside from the new luxurious black exterior, it has a more responsive memory foam feel; the comfort insert for the mattress is predominantly memory foam. When you hop on, you get a nice sink-in sensation from those top comfort foams, which conform to your body’s shape. Some people like this feel, others don’t -- but I can say the bed is definitely cozy.
How firm are the Helix Midnight mattresses?
All three versions of the Helix Midnight mattress are in the same ballpark in terms of firmness. We’d clock them all right around a medium, give or take. The Midnight is Helix’s medium firmness option, designed to suit all sleeper types. Whether you sleep on your back, side, stomach or a combination of all three, this bed should feel accommodating. For years, we’ve ranked mattress firmness from a subjective perspective, but we now have a machine called the Mattress Smasher 9000 that objectively tests how soft or firm a mattress is. After pressing into the bed with its precise pressure gauge, the Mattress Smasher 9000 gave the Core model a 6 out of 10, the Luxe a 4.7, and the Elite a 4.8 -- sometimes, it’s nice when the tech confirms your instincts.
Helix Midnight mattress construction
All three of these beds have very different constructions. However, all three share the same baseline construction elements of the Core model. Here’s what that version is made up of:
1. Both begin with a base layer of support foam, which forms the foundation of the bed.
2. Next comes a thick layer of individually wrapped coils, the main support system, with reinforced edges for a sturdier perimeter.
3. Above the coils, you’ve got a responsive transition foam to act as a buffer between the coils so you don’t feel them as much. This foam also has a zoned-support design.
4. Above that is a transition layer, followed by a memory foam comfort layer for added cushioning near the top of the mattress.
5. For primary comfort, the bed includes a layer of memory foam, topped off with a breathable knit cover.
Helix Midnight mattress performance
Motion isolation
These three beds all deaden cross-mattress movement pretty well. Since the Midnight Elite has more of a memory foam feel, it probably exhibits the best motion isolation of the three. That said, if your partner tosses and turns at night, their motion shouldn’t reverberate to your side of the bed excessively enough to wake you up. That goes for the Core, Luxe and Elite versions.
Edge-to-edge support
All models offer great edge support, but we found the Core version had a noticeably stronger perimeter than its predecessor. The Luxe and Elite versions also include reinforced edges to keep you securely positioned on the mattresses. If you or your partner likes to hug the edges of the bed at night, you shouldn’t have any issues with falling off any of these options.
Temperature
All of these beds generally perform temperature neutral. However, Helix did make some active-cooling improvements on this new launch of beds. The Luxe and Elite beds now come with a CoolForce layer, which is basically graphite bands that run across the width of the mattresses. They’re designed to pull heat away from your body as you sleep. While it’s a super subtle feature that most people probably won't even notice, it could be beneficial in the long run for hot sleepers. In addition to that feature, you can also spend up on all three beds for an optional cooling cover. If you're looking for a mattress to help keep you and your partner sleeping cool, you can always check out our best cooling mattress for hot sleepers list.
Durability
Since these are hybrid beds that have coils for support, they should prove to be more durable than the standard, all-foam mattress found online. The steel coils should provide lots of support and durability for all body types: small, medium and larger people. If you’re upwards of 300 pounds, you may require more of an ultra-durable style of hybrid bed. In that case, feel free to check out our best beds for heavy people list.
Who are the Helix Midnight mattresses best for?
Most sleepers will find all three Midnight mattress versions comfortable, but they may not suit everyone. Here’s who we think they’re best for.
Sleeping position
Since they all fall around a true medium, the Midnight beds should suit all sleeper types. If you’re a combination sleeper who prefers balanced firmness, they offer a great mix of pressure relief and support.
Body type
As mentioned, the hybrid construction of these beds allows them to effectively support all body types, including heavier people. If you’re average-sized or on the smaller side, these should still feel supportive -- though you could save by opting for an all-foam bed, since coil beds can be overkill for petite sleepers.
Helix Midnight Core mattress pricing
| Size | Measurements (inches) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38x75 inches | $998 |
| Twin XL | 38x80 inches | $1,124 |
| Full | 54x75 inches | $1,248 |
| Queen | 60x80 inches | $1,332 |
| King | 76x80 inches | $1,810 |
Helix Midnight Luxe mattress pricing
| Size | Measurements (inches) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38x75 inches | $1,436 |
| Twin XL | 38x80 inches | $1,686 |
| Full | 54x75 inches | $2,061 |
| Queen | 60x80 inches | $2,398 |
| King | 76x80 inches | $2,924 |
Helix Midnight Elite mattress pricing
| Size | Measurements (inches) | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 38x75 inches | $2,498 |
| Twin XL | 38x80 inches | $2,749 |
| Full | 54x75 inches | $3,310 |
| Queen | 60x80 inches | $3,749 |
| King | 76x80 inches | $4,498 |
Price-wise, these aren’t the most affordable beds online. Keep in mind, though, that the pricing reflected here is before a discount is applied, which Helix regularly offers. For the Core model, you can usually expect to pay around $1,100 for a queen-size bed after discounts. By all accounts, that’s a great value for a bed of this quality.
Trial, shipping and warranty
Helix backs its mattresses with some nice policies. Its beds ship to you for free, and once in your possession, you get a 100-night trial period to try them risk-free. If you dont like your Helix mattress within that time frame, you can return it for free. On the other hand, if you decide to keep it, you’re backed by a lifetime limited warranty.
How do these Helix mattresses compare to other mattresses?
Helix Sleep vs. Puffy
Both of these online mattress brands offer several different options to choose from, but Helix Sleep has far more by comparison. If you’re after an all-foam mattress, Puffy Cloud is a great budget-friendly option with a dense memory foam feel. When it comes to support, Helix has a clear advantage, especially when you take the Plus beds into account. Both brands offer online mattress quizzes to help easily pinpoint the right bed for you, and both brands are generous policy-wise.
Helix Sleep vs. Brooklyn Bedding
These brands are both under the 3Z brand umbrella, so these beds are processed and manufactured in the same facility in the US. Even though Brooklyn Bedding has several different options to consider, Helix Sleep still has the biggest bed count by far. Both brands offer similar policies, but if price is key, Brooklyn Bedding’s sub-brand Dreamfoam has more budget-friendly options.
The final verdict
These three Helix Midnight mattresses could work for just about anyone, but when it comes down to it, it’s all about the type of mattress you want. In short, go for the Core model if you’re looking for a standard, neutral hybrid bed that’s a great value. Consider the Midnight Luxe if you want an upgraded pillow-top bed that’s great for couples and spend up for the Elite if you want an ultra-luxurious bed with a responsive memory foam feel. Any way you go, though, it’s hard to go wrong with Helix Midnight.
You might like the Helix Midnight mattresses if:
- You want a supportive hybrid mattress
- You want a bed that’s around a medium firmness
- You want a bed with some cooling or zoned support upgrades
- You want a bed that’s a nice value for the quality
You might not like the Helix Midnight mattresses if:
- You're looking for an all-foam mattress
- You prefer the feel of a dense memory foam mattress
- You want a much softer mattress for side sleeping
- You're on a super tight budget below $1,000
Helix Sleep mattress FAQs
How long does a Helix Sleep mattress last?
All the Helix beds should last you for at least the next seven to 10 years, if not much longer. Though heavier people can cause beds to degrade faster, that shouldn’t be the case with these mattresses. If you're on the much heavier side, you’ll likely get more long-term durability from the Helix Plus. That said, the quality all-foam construction of the standard Helix beds will help them last for most body types for many years to come.
Can I sleep on my Helix mattress right away?
The short answer is yes. Sometimes, a bed that’s been compressed in tight, plastic packaging for shipping purposes may need some time to get to its true form. That said, the coils in these Helix mattresses help them expand quickly, so you can sleep on them by the first night. If your Helix mattress seems a little misshapen right out of the box, don’t worry; it most likely needs around a full night to sit out and properly expand -- your bed is fine, trust me.
Are Helix mattresses healthy?
All Helix Sleep beds are fiberglass-free and backed by certifications. They all received the GREENGUARD Gold Certification and are made with CertiPUR-US certified materials. While some beds of the distant past were considered unhealthy, pretty much every modern mattress is totally safe and healthy to sleep on.