Best For
- High-profile support and exceptional pressure relief
- A medium feel (5.5 out of 10) with plush, quilted cover
- Outstanding cooling performance, while retaining deeper sinkage
Considerations
- Motion transfer peaks are moderately high
- Higher cost than the average hybrid
Our Verdict
The Helix Midnight Elite mattress is a 16″ hybrid mattress with a removable top comfort layer that uses poly foams and pocketed microcoils. It has a balanced feel with deep sinkage and moderate bounce.
The Elite is the top-level Helix collection—4″ thicker than the standard Helix mattress and 2″ thicker than the Helix Luxe. The Elite is best for sleepers looking for exceptional pressure relief and/or exceptional cooling.
The mattress is absolutely packed to the brim with high end materials. With 16″ of total mattress profile, 6″ of comfort layers, a zoned coil unit, reinforced edge support coils, quilted cover with phase change cooling materials, and dual microcoil layers for enhanced air gap cooling. The Helix Elite is true next level.
Type: Hybrid
Firmness: Medium (5.5)
In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs
Performance Tests
At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.
We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and value of the mattress. We then take the results of that test and compare to every mattress we’ve tested to date.
Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:
| Factor | Helix Midnight Elite | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.21 | 8.64 |
| Price (Queen) | $2,749 | $1,380 (Hybrid only) |
| Cooling – Score | 10 | 8.8 |
| Sinkage – Depth | 2.64″ | 2.16″ |
| Sinkage – Feel | Very Deep | Moderate |
| Motion Transfer – Score | 7.7 | 8.2 |
| Motion Transfer – Acceleration | 10.21 m/s² | 8.64 m/s² |
| Response Time – Score | 9.0 | 8.9 |
| Response Time – Mostly Recovered | 0.3 sec. | 0.4 sec. |
| Response Time – Fully Recovered | 1.0 sec. | 0.9 sec. |
| Bounce – Height | 8.08″ | 9.69″ |
| Bounce – Feel | Moderate | Moderate |
| Edge Support – Score | 9.5 | 8.6 |
| Edge Support – Sitting | 3.00″ | 4.07″ |
| Edge Support – Lying | Excellent | Good |
| Sex – Score | 8.4 | 8.5 |
| Pressure Relief – Score | 10 | 8.8 |
| Comfort Layer Thickness | 6.0″ | 4.2″ |
| Mattress Thickness | 16″ | 12.0″ |
| Off-Gassing – Score | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Off-Gassing – Smell | Strong | Strong |
| Off-Gassing – Days | 6 days | 6 days |
| Company – Score | 9.5 | 8.7 |
| Trial | 100 nights | 166 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years | 25% have lifetime warranties, average of other 75% of mattresses is 14 years |
How is the Helix Midnight Elite Different?
The Helix Midnight Elite costs over double the cost of the average hybrid we’ve tested to date.
But performance is also significantly better in many areas, including better cooling, faster material response time, better edge support, better sex performance, and more comfort material than the average hybrid mattress we’ve tested to date.
It has deeper sinkage than average (0.36″ more) and slightly less bounce (2.27″ less). One downside is motion transfer.
The Midnight Elite has 16% more motion transfer than average, likely due to the use of support coils and microcoils within the comfort layer.
Cooling Test
Cooling performance on the Helix Midnight Elite is outstandingly good. During our tests, I not only felt no significant heat build up, but felt a notably cool feeling (primarily due to the phase change cover).
Baseline Temp.
80.1° F
Max Temp.
91.3° F
Ending Temp.
84.0° F
The material choices and layer design check many of the boxes we look for. First and foremost, the hybrid design dramatically improves airflow in and out of the mattress.
Max Temp.
Ending Temp
- Baseline Temperature – the temperature of the mattress before anyone lies on it
- Maximum Temperature (0 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after lying on it for 15 minutes
- Ending Temperature (5 minute) – the temperature of the mattress after being lied upon and having no one on it for 5 minutes
In addition, the usage of 2 microcoils layers within the top 6.0” of comfort foam creates air gaps and channels directly within the comfort layer, further enhancing the breathability of the mattress.
Notably, the Midnight Elite uses all poly foam and not memory foam. In almost all cases, poly foam is a cooler choice than memory foam. Last, but far from least, the mattress uses an advanced cooling cover.
The cover uses a type of phase change material that creates a cool-to-the-touch feel.
Heat Dissipation Over Time
For the entire duration of our cooling tests, I felt a notable coolness on the top of the mattress. Overall, I am exceedingly pleased with the level of cooling performance we experienced and measured in our tests.
Sinkage Test
The Helix Midnight Elite has a very deep level of sinkage. In our tests, we measured 2.64” of pressure point sinkage depth. This is 0.34” more sinkage than the average of 2.20” (based on all of our tests to date).
The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.
During our tests, I felt notably more sinkage in my hips, butt, and midsection. My arms, legs, head, and other lighter parts of my body had a sinkage depth more similar to the average.
Overall, I would describe the feeling as incredibly balanced. The contouring hug is quite even and arguably even restrained. While there is a deeper sinkage, I don’t get the same sharp body contouring that I would from more traditional memory foam mattresses.
The Midnight Elite has one of the most unique material designs I’ve tested to date. The dual microcoil layers within the comfort layer are creating much of the balanced feel, helping the mattress to avoid any type of an extreme or polarizing feel. Instead, the mattress has an even and balanced feel that maximizes pressure relief.
Motion Transfer Test
The Helix Midnight Elite has a moderate level of motion transfer. In our tests, we measured 10.21 m/s² of acceleration range. This is 2.37 m/s² more motion than the average of 7.84 m/s². The level of motion was about where I expected it to be.
The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.
In general, more foam in a mattress creates less motion, while more coils (even pocketed) create more motion transfer. Here, we have 3 different coils layers (the 8” pocketed support coils and two 1.0” microcoil layers).
Max. Acceleration
4.12 m/s²
Min. Acceleration
-6.09 m/s²
Accel. Range
10.21 m/s²
In my view, it’s these additional coil layers that are creating the higher levels of motion transfer we recorded. In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest levels of motion from 0 to 0.21 seconds.
Motion begins to drop off thereafter and by 0.63 seconds we return to near-zero levels. While the motion peak is certainly on the higher side, the motion duration is quite level.
The mattresses with the lowest motion are able to disperse all energy within 0.3 seconds, while the worst offenders can take up to 1.5 seconds. At 0.63 seconds, the Midnight Elite is a reasonably quick motion duration.
Response Test
The Helix Midnight Elite has a very fast material response. In our tests, we measured a mostly recovered response time of 0.3 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 1.0 seconds.
Mostly Recovered
0.3 sec.
Complete Recovery
1.0 sec.
This isn’t the absolute fastest we’ve tested, but it’s not far off (at least for the mostly recovered time).
The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.
Based on all of our tests to date, we have measured an average mostly recovered time of 0.44 seconds and an average fully recovered response time of 0.89 seconds.
While I do wish the mostly recovered time was a little bit faster, given the rapid speed to mostly recover it’s not something I’m tremendously concerned about. I expect most sleepers will find the Midnight Elite to be perfectly fine with respect to responsiveness.
Bounce Test
The Helix Midnight Elite has a moderate level of bounce. In our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 8.08”. This is 1.47” less bounce than the average of 9.55”. The lower level of bounce was as expected.
Max. Depth
5.24″
Max. Rebound
2.84″
Total Bounce
8.08″
While this is a hybrid mattress, it has a tremendously thick 6.0” comfort layer and a quilted cover. Both of these aspects serve to reduce bounce. Furthermore, the microcoil layers, while great at improving cooling and overall comfort, don’t do any favors for bounce.
Max. Sinkage Depth
Max Bounce Height
The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.
Because they compress so easily they are further reducing bounce. Ideally, I like to see 8-12” of total bounce height. Midnight Elite is within that range, but only just.
All that said, I don’t expect most sleepers will find the bounce to be an issue. Yes, it’s lower than average, but it’s still enough to improve ease of movement and sex performance.
Edge Support Test
Edge support on the Helix Midnight Elite is outstandingly good. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a total sitting sinkage of 3.0”. This is 1.47” less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.30”. Ideally, I like to see 4.0” of sitting sinkage or less.
Max Sinkage
3.00″
Lying Support
Excellent
The Midnight Elite easily hits and exceeds that mark. Even when sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I felt incredibly well supported.
The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.
Sitting, 140 lbs.
Sitting, 200 lbs.
Lying edge support was nearly as good. I felt well supported in all sleeping positions even when lying directly on the edge of the mattress.
The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.
Lying on Edge, 140 lbs.
Lying on Edge, 200 lbs.
The Midnight Elite uses a coil system that includes reinforced edge coils for extra support. Whether you’re sitting or lying on the edge, those coils are making a significant impact on performance.
Sex Test
The best mattresses for sex have high bounce, good edge support, quiet materials, and good pressure relief and cooling.
These 5 factors make up the NapLab sex performance score.
| Sex Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bounce | 65% | 7.5 | Moderate |
| Edge Support | 20% | 10 | Outstanding |
| Noise | 5% | 10 | Minimal |
| Pressure Relief | 5% | 10 | Outstanding |
| Cooling | 5% | 10 | Outstanding |
The Helix Midnight Elite has good sex performance.
This mattress has a lower level of bounce, despite the use of support coils and microcoils (in the comfort layer). Edge support was excellent and overall comfort is exceptional.
This isn’t a perfect score, but all things considered, it’s more than good enough for the vast majority of sleepers.
Pressure Relief Test
Pressure relief on the Helix Midnight Elite is outstanding. During our tests, I felt zero pressure point issues.
Comfort Layer
6.0″
Support Layer
10.0″
The mattress is truly next level and when we look at the material layers it’s easy to see why. We have 16” of total mattress profile with 6.0” of those inches being comfort materials. This is among the thickest comfort layers we’ve tested to date.
On average, the comfort material layer is just 4.14” (based on all of our tests to date). Comfort layer thickness isn’t the only important factor, as material quality and design are key as well.
The placement of pocketed microcoils between poly foam layers helps to create transitional support and help to ease sleeper bodies into the more robust foundational support base.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with the pressure relief dynamic and I expect most sleepers will find pressure relief to be fantastic.
Off-Gassing Test
Off-gassing on the Helix Midnight Elite is good, but not exceptional.
out of the box was strong on the Helix Midnight Elite with an odor that lasted for 6 days before dissipating.
Initial Smell Strength
Strong
Off-Gassing Period
6 days
This is slightly longer than the 3-4 day average we typically see, but nothing too offensive.
Company
The company score takes a look at factors that may influence your experience with the mattress.
Factors include length of the trial period, warranty, shipping / return costs, and country of origin.
| Company Factor | Factor Weight | Score | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trial Period | 15% | 8.0 | 100 nights |
| Warranty | 10% | 8.0 | 10 years |
| Shipping | 5% | 10 | $0 |
| Returns | 20% | 10 | $0 |
| Trust | 50% | 10 | Outstanding |
| Country of Origin | 0% | USA |
Helix has excellent company policies for the Midnight Elite.
This mattress comes with a 100-night trial period and 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free if the mattress ends up not working out for you.
How firm is the Helix Midnight Elite?
The Helix Midnight Elite is a 5.5 out of 10 on the firmness scale, giving it a medium feel. This is just slightly softer than the more common medium-firm (6 out of 10 firmness scale).
The 6.0″ thick comfort layer and plush quilted cover create a ton of pressure relief and a very luxurious feel.
Support & Sleeping Positions
Support on the Helix Midnight Elite is outstanding. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. Much like pressure relief, support is fantastic due to the incredible material quality.
The mattress uses 10” of support materials including a 1.0” foam base, 8.0” pocketed coil unit, and another 1.0” layer of support foam.
The pocketed coil unit is a zoned unit, meaning it creates more support in the middle of the mattress to better support heavier-weighted midsections.
In addition, the unit also has more supportive coils along the perimeter of the mattress. These perimeter support coils notably improve edge support to help to create robust support even at the very edge (which with 6.0” of comfort material is especially important).
The 6.0” comfort layer gradually transitions sleeper bodies into the support system of the mattress, creating a beautifully balanced comfort dynamic. I am confident that the mattress will be fully capable of supporting the widest range of body types and all sleeping positions.
| Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 150-250 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 250-300 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Design
The design of the Helix Midnight Elite mattress is a 16″ luxury hybrid with a plush quilted top cover and 6.0″ comfort layer.
Type
Hybrid
Thickness
16″
Firmness
5.5
It is a high-profile pick with a medium feel, slightly softer than the medium-firm feel, which is common among many mattresses in today’s market.
Materials
The Midnight Elite mattress includes 9 different materials that all play a role in the overall comfort and performance of this mattress. From top to bottom, here are the layers of the Midnight Elite:
- 1.5” Quilted cover
- 1.0” Poly Foam (memory foam feel)
- 1.0” Pocketed Microcoils
- 1.5” Poly Foam (memory foam feel)
- 1.0” Pocketed Microcoils
- 1.0” Poly Foam (latex-like)
- 1.0” Support Foam
- 8.0” Pocketed Coil (zoned unit + edge support coils)
- 1.0” Support Foam
The total material thickness measures out to 17”. However, those measurements were made after I exposed the materials and loosened them. When fully zipped together the materials compress to around 16” of total mattress thickness / height.
The Cover
The cover of the Helix Midnight Elite is made of GlacioTex Elite cooling fabric and has a cool-to-the-touch feel. This fabric comes standard on the Elite, but is a $199 upgrade for the Helix Midnight or Helix Midnight Luxe collection.
The cover has a zipper on half of the mattress to allow you to insert or remove the topper.
Helix recommends spot-cleaning the cover as needed. The cover is not machine washable, nor can you remove it entirely from the top of the mattress.
The Comfort Layer
Unlike other Helix collections, the Elite collection is the only one which is a removable top comfort layer. The comfort insert is shipped separately from the rest of the mattress and needs to be added prior to sleeping on the mattress.
Simply unzip a portion of the cover, slide the comfort insert in, and zip it back up.
The contents of this comfort layer include three layers of foam and two layers of microcoils, each alternating between one another.
The top layer is a 1.0″ thick poly foam. Helix calls this some type of a memory foam layer, but the law tag simply states that it’s poly foam. Even so, it does have more of a memory foam feel.
Below the top level poly foam is a 1.0″ layer of pocketed micocoils, which aid in material response and bounce.
The middle layer is a 1.5″ poly foam. Again, we see that Helix is calling this memory foam, but the law tax names it a poly foam. Nevertheless, the memory foam feel continues through these layers.
Another 1.0″ pocketed microcoil layer follows the middle-layer foam, further acting as a transition between these layers.
The last piece of the comfort insert is a 1.0″ layer of poly foam. Contrary to the upper layers of poly foam, which have a memory foam feel, this bottom layer has more of a latex feel.
The Support Layer
The support layer is simply made up of 8.0″ pocketed coils and a 1″ high-density support foam base.
The coils feature a zoned unit + edge support coils. Varying coil gauge helps to provide optimal support and comfort, no matter where you are sitting or lying on the mattress.
Product Evolution
The Helix Midnight Elite launched in spring 2023 as a third luxury tier for the Helix lineup. The Elite was developed as a thicker and plusher alternative to the Helix Luxe, the brand’s previously most luxurious model.
The Elite lineup has a 16″ mattress height compared to the 14″ height of the Luxe collection and a 12″ height on the standard Helix mattresses.
Helix Elite vs. Helix Luxe
Looking for a high-end hybrid but not sure if the Elite is worth the extra cost? Check out the table below for a quick head-to-head. comparison.
Helix Midnight Elite
| Type: Hybrid |
| Thickness: 16″ |
| Firmness: 5.5 out of 10 |
| Price: $2,749 (queen) |
| Overall Score: 9.21 |
Helix Midnight Luxe
| Type: Hybrid |
| Thickness: 14″ |
| Firmness: 6 out of 10 |
| Price: $1,899 (queen) |
| Overall Score: 9.32 |
Other Mattresses to Consider
No doubt about it, the Helix Midnight Elite is a top-notch performer. But is it the right pick for you? If you’re on the fence, here are three other top-rated luxury hybrids you may want to consider.
For Performance
Winkbed
9.82 Overall Score
The Winkbed mattress is a high-performance hybrid with a 5″ comfort layer and a pocketed coil support base. It is available in three firmness levels (Soft, Medium-Firm, and Slightly Firm) and excels across the board in all performance tests.
For Memory Foam Hybrid
Amerisleep AS3
3.0″ Plant-Based Memory Foam
The Amerisleep AS3 Hybrid mattress has a 3.0″ comfort layer that has deep hug and contour but with slightly less sinkage than the Helix Midnight Elite. It also has slightly more bounce than the Elite, despite being memory foam.
For Savings
Nolah Evolution 15
Three Firmness Levels
The Nolah Evolution 15 is a poly foam hybrid with a 6″ comfort layer for exceptional pressure relief, like the Helix Midnight Elite. But this mattress comes in $750 less than the price of the Elite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Helix Midnight Elite mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.
Here are the current prices, with any sales or promotions reflected below:
Twin: $1,829
Twin XL: $1,999
Full: $2,399
Queen: $2,749
King: $3,299
Cal. King: $3,299
*Note: Sales prices are subject to change without notice or warning.
The biggest difference in these mattresses is their profile thickness, comfort layers, and cover. As you get up in collections, the mattresses become thicker and higher priced.
Helix Standard: 10″
Helix Luxe: 14″
Helix Elite: 16″
Beyond height difference, Helix standard does not use a zoned coil unit, while Helix Luxe and Elite do. The Luxe and Elite also use substantially thicker comfort layers compared to the standard Helix lineup.
Helix standard includes a basic cover, while Luxe has an upgraded cover with the option to adding a cooling cover. The most advanced cooling cover comes standard on the Helix Elite.
Yes, the Helix Midnight Elite is a solid option for light to moderate weight sleepers struggling with back pain. The 6″ comfort layer provides excellent pressure relief and spinal support. If you’re a back or stomach sleeper with back pain, you may benefit from the firmer Helix mattress—the Helix Twilight Elite or the Dawn Elite, both of which have firmer feels.
