Helix Midnight Review

4/1/2025 Update – Helix has re-designed their entire mattress line, including the Midnight. The new line launched on 4/1 and our tests and photos below are based on the newest Helix Midnight version.

In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs

At NapLab, we put each mattress to the test.

We test 10 different factors that impact the performance, comfort, and feel of the mattress. We then take the results of those tests and compare them to every mattress we’ve tested to date.

Check out the full performance table below to see how this mattress ranks:

Factor	Helix Midnight	Average
Overall Score	8.76	8.53
Price (Queen)	$1,099.00	$1,416 (Hybrid only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.20″	2.17″
Sinkage – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.5	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	8.33 m/s²	8.73 m/s²
Response Time – Score	7.3	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.6 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	1.4 sec.	1.0 sec.
Bounce – Height	8.21″	9.23″
Bounce – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.5	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.00″	4.02″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	8.3	8.3
Pressure Relief – Score	9.0	8.6
Comfort Layer Thickness	4.0″	4.2″
Mattress Thickness	12″	12.1″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.1	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	7 days	7 days
Company – Score	9.7	8.6
Trial	100 nights	176 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	39% have lifetime warranties, average of other 61% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Helix Midnight Different?

The Helix Midnight is a 12″ hybrid mattress with an overall performance level that is higher than the average hybrid as well as a price that is lower—a savings of $317, or 22%, compared to the average hybrid.

This is the sweet spot where you want to see a mattress if you’re looking for a good value. It’s expensive enough to provide great performance but doesn’t go overboard with the bells and whistles.

Advantages

The Helix Midnight has better cooling than average as well as slightly less motion transfer than the average level. Edge support is also fantastic, both for sitting or lying at or near the edge of the mattress.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has moderate levels of sinkage and moderate levels of bounce as well. The sex score is also a bit of a neutral factor, being that the score hits right at the average level.

Off-gassing is also pretty neutral, marking a strong initial smell and the same 7-day off-gassing duration as average.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages include a slower material response time, which is 0.2 seconds slower than average to be “mostly recovered” and 0.4 seconds slower than average for full recovery.

The 100-night trial is also shorter than average (average is 176 nights). All things considered, these disadvantages are pretty minimal and the Helix Midnight is still a strong value pick.

The Helix Midnight has excellent cooling. During our tests, I did not feel any significant level of heat retention around my body.

To the contrary, the mattress did a fantastic job and kept the surface of the mattress cooler. The Helix Midnight has several common sense design factors that help to improve cooling.

• 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

Specifically, the hybrid design brings extra airflow into the mattress and the coil layer is simply less material that could easily absorb heat (relative to a support foam). In addition, the mattress comfort layer is primarily poly foam and there is only 1.0” of memory foam.

Having less memory foam is helpful, as memory foam typically retains more heat compared to poly foams. Lastly, all of the foam layers are high quality and seem to breathe well.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 89.9° F. This is 0.1° warmer than the average of 89.8° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress the temperature declined by 7.7° from minutes 0 to 1, which is 3.1° warmer than the average 0 to 1 minute decline of 4.6°.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

This rapid dissipation of heat within just 1 minute is especially impressive and noteworthy. When we consider the combination of objective data, my subjective experiences, and an analysis of the materials, I’m confident in my view that cooling is excellent.

One final note – the Helix Midnight is available with an optional cooling cover. We tested the version without the cooling cover. However, our tests of the Helix Midnight Luxe included the cooling cover. In those tests, the cooling performance was exceptional, earning a 10/10 cooling performance. We would expect a similar bump in cooling performance for the Helix Midnight with the cooling cover.

The Helix Midnight has moderate sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.20″. This is 0.03″ more sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.17″, based on all of our tests to date. The mattress creates a dramatic body-contouring hug.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The Midnight uses a quilted cover, but it’s also relatively thin, which allows for more direct body engagement with the foam layers. You can really feel the 1.0” memory foam layer near the top, which is creating that more dramatic body contouring hug.

In addition, the memory foam is also a significant reason the mattress is able to deliver fantastic pressure relief and comfort. Despite the increased body hug, I did not feel overly enveloped or stuck in the mattress.

The Helix Midnight has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 8.33 m/s². This is 5% less motion transfer than the average of 8.73 m/s².

The relatively thin quilted cover, avoidance of deep tufting, and 1.0” memory foam layer on top are the most significant factors helping to reduce motion transfer.

The level of motion transfer is also documented in the video below.

In addition, the below-average 8.21” bounce level ensures energy is kept to a minimum. In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion peaks from 0 to 0.14 seconds.

Motion drops significantly immediately thereafter and by 0.57 seconds we’ve returned to near-zero levels of energy. Overall, I’m extremely pleased with both the motion intensity and motion duration. Both are below average and at levels that they won’t be bothersome to most sleepers.

The Helix Midnight is a mixed bag for material responsiveness, with a moderate mostly recovered response time and a slow fully recovered response time.

In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.6 seconds, which is 0.17 seconds slower than the average of 0.43 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 1.4 seconds, which is 0.42 seconds slower than the average of 0.98 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

Ultimately, this is a tale of two foam types. We have the poly foam layers within the mattress that rebound back to shape effectively instantly. However, we also have a 1.0” memory foam layer, which takes a couple of moments to fully recover to its original shape after being compressed.

Certainly, we would have liked to have seen a faster fully recovered response time. Even so, these responsiveness speeds, in combination with the moderate sinkage depth, don’t create an excessive hug or stuck feel and ease of movement was a non-issue.

The Helix Midnight has a moderate level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 8.21″. This is 1.02″ less bounce than the average of 9.23″, based on all of our tests to date.

The 1.0” memory foam layer has a more traditional feel and a slower material responsiveness. These attributes also create a lower bounce.

While the coil layer and poly foam layers are faster to recover and create more bounce, when in combination with the memory foam layer, you still end up with a lower-than-average level of bounce.

The level of bounce is also documented in the video below.

That reduced bounce is helping to reduce motion transfer. However, it’s also making sex performance worse. So there are pros and cons to a lower-than-average bounce.

The Helix Midnight has outstanding sitting edge support and excellent lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.00″. This is 1.03″ less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.03″, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of edge support while seated is documented in the images below.

While sitting directly along the edge the mattress created robust support and there was no collapse of materials. That’s exactly what we hope to see.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was excellent in all sleeping positions.

The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below.

The mattress is equipped with reinforced coils along the left and right sides of the mattress (which is where we do all of our edge tests), but not along the head or foot.

These coils, in combination with the total profile height, medium-firm feel, and high-quality foams, work together to deliver fantastic support for both lying and sitting.

Overall, I’m exceedingly pleased with the edge support performance, especially given the price point.

The Helix Midnight has good sex performance. On the positive side, the mattress has minimal noise with both excellent pressure relief and cooling.

In addition, the mattress earned a perfect score for edge support, with just 3.0” of sitting sinkage compression. This ensures the edge of the mattress is robust and usable for amorous activities.

The only area where the Midnight struggles is bounce. At just 8.21” of total bounce height the mattress is well below the average. When it comes to sex, more bounce is almost always better.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	7.6	Moderate
Edge Support	20%	10	Outstanding
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	9.0	Excellent
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

The lower bounce level means that sex is more strenuous compared to mattresses with more bounce. Even so, when we look at the total picture of sex performance, the mattress still earns a good score and I don’t expect sex performance will be an issue for most sleepers.

The Helix Midnight has an excellent level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no significant pressure points anywhere on my body.

The Midnight is equipped with 4.0″ of comfort material, which is 0.18″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.18″, based on all of our tests to date.

Despite being a touch south of average, the mattress is incredibly comfortable, a fact all the more impressive given the relatively budget price point. The mattress uses both poly and memory foam. The 1.0” memory foam layer in particular really feels like it’s doing the heavy lifting.

During our tests, I could really feel the body contouring, hug, and pressure relief, and given the way that feels on my body, it really feels like the bulk of that is coming from the memory foam.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.14	0.64

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.07	0.48

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.09	0.56

In our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.64. This is well below the threshold for high pressure, which is a 2.0 PSI.

Additionally, the average PSI was notably impressive also, coming in at 0.07 (back), 0.14 (side), and 0.09 (stomach) across our sleeping positions. All 3 sleeping position tests were considerably better than the average PSI by position, as shown in the table below.

	PSI (Midnight)	PSI (average)
Side Sleepers	0.14	0.19
Back Sleepers	0.07	0.11
Stomach Sleepers	0.09	0.12

When I consider our objective pressure mapping tests, material thickness, material quality, and my subjective experience on the mattress, I’m confident most sleepers will find the pressure relief to be excellent.

The Helix Midnight had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 7 days. This is 0.5 days longer than the average smell duration of 6.5 days. The mattress has a pretty typical poly foam smell.

Helix has an excellent company score with consumer-friendly terms and conditions. The mattress includes a 100-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Shipping and returns are both free as well.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Trial Period	15%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	10%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	5%	10	$0
Returns	20%	10	$0
Trust	50%	10	Outstanding
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing 98+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 176 nights, 76 nights more than Helix offers. Helix also offers a lifetime warranty, an advantage only offered by 39% of all mattresses we test.

Helix has been around since 2015 and based on my experiences with them and feedback from my readers over the years they are a brand that I have a high degree of trust with.

All Helix mattresses are made in the US.

The Helix Midnight mattress is available in a single firmness, 6 out of 10, which gives the mattress a medium feel.

This firmness is suitable for a wide range of preferences and makes it an attractive choice for many sleepers.

Support on the Helix Midnight is excellent. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions.

The mattress is equipped with an 8.0″ support layer. This is 0.1″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.9″, based on all of our tests to date.

The mattress uses a proven material layered design, quality foams, and a robust coil unit. For a mattress to feel supportive it must be both comfortable and keep the body in neutral alignment.

The pocketed coil unit helps create support and neutral body alignment, while the 4.0” comfort layer creates ample comfort and pressure relief.

Check out the table below to see the sleeper weights and sleeping positions that would be best suited for this mattress.

Sleeper Weight	Stomach Sleeper	Side Sleeper	Back Sleeper
Under 150 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

When we look at our objective pressure mapping tests, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident most sleepers will find support on the Helix Midnight is excellent.

Design

The Helix Midnight is a 12″ hybrid mattress that comes in a single firmness option—Medium-Firm. This mattress is a part of Helix’s standard Core Collection.

There are three main collections within the Helix lineup. There is the Core Collection, the Luxe Collection, and the Elite Collection. There is also a Helix Plus mattress for heavier-weighted sleepers (which has a Core, Luxe, and Elite version within it).

Materials

The Helix Midnight is 12″ thick and contains a combination of different foam types with a pocketed coil support base. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

• 1.25” poly foam quilted cover
• 1.00” memory foam
• 0.75” poly foam
• 1.00” transitional poly foam
• 8.00” pocketed coils

The table below shows a more detailed look at the exact specifications of the materials used in the Midnight Elite, according to the manufacturer.

Thickness	Layer Type	Density
0.75″	Gel Memory Foam	1.8 PCF
1.0″	Gel Memory Foam	2.4 PCF
0.75″	Poly Foam	1.5 PCF
0.75″	Poly Foam	1.8 PCF
8.0″	Pocketed Coils	N/A
0.25″	Support Foam	N/A

There are some discrepancies in how Helix measures materials and how materials were measured in the NapLap Studio. According to Helix, the Elite is an 11.5″ mattress, but our measurements showed it at 12″ total height, 0.5″ taller than expected.

The Cover

The Helix Midnight has a thin cover. It is breathable and has a simple design. This mattress also has the option to upgrade to a cooling cover, coined by the name “GlacioTex Cooling Pillow Top” on Helix’s website.

This upgraded cover does increase cooling performance, as we’ve seen across our tests, but it also adds extra cost. The cooling cover has a pillow top design and adds an additional $299 to the total price.

For reference, the Helix Midnight we tested had the standard cover and earned a cooling score of 9/10/. Other Helix mattresses that we’ve tested with the GlacioTex cooling cover (ie: Helix Midnight Luxe) earned a cooling score of 10/10 with the advanced cover.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is 4.0″ thick and made of a few different types of foam. At the top, we see a 1.25” poly quilted cover, immediately followed by a 1.00” memory foam (blue).

That memory foam is followed by a 0.75” poly foam (also blue). And right before we get to the support layer, there is a 1.00” transitional poly foam (white).

All of these layers work together to provide comfort and transitional support on the Midnight mattress.

Helix also offers an optional support layer that you can add, the ErgoAlign support layer. This layer is designed to support spinal alignment, especially along the midsection.

This layer sits directly below the cover and is designed as a supportive foam that helps to reinforce support along the mid-section, thereby allowing less sinkage in the middle of the mattress.

I will say, this layer is quite firm and will not be right for all sleepers. We’ve already heard from some of our readers / viewers who purchased this optional foam upgrade that it made their mattress way too firm, creating an uncomfortable support dynamic.

However, if you really struggle with back pain caused by too much sinkage in the middle of your mattress then adding this layer can help. This optional layer costs an additional $199 and is available in the Core, Luxe, or Elite collections within the Helix lineup.

The Support Layer

The support layer is 8.0″ thick and made entirely of individually encased pocketed coils. Each of these coils can move independently, which allows for better pressure relief overall.

If you’re looking for zoned coils and even better pressure relief, you may want to make the jump up to the Midnight Luxe. The Midnight Luxe uses zoned coils, which can provide more pushback for certain areas of the body that may need more support, namely the midsection.

Product Evolution

The Helix Midnight has undergone a series of changes over the years, but NapLab has been around for multiple iterations, continuing to test the newest version of this mattress.

Earlier versions of the Helix Midnight hybrid had slightly different materials but retained a consistent firmness and similar feel.

Here’s a comparison of the 2021 version compared to the 2022-2024 version.

For reference, here is another look at the current Helix Midnight material stack.

Check the table below for a side-by-side comparison of the 3 Helix Midnight versions we’ve tested over the years.

Specs	2021 Version	2022-2024 Version	2025 Version
Overall Score	8.58	8.93	8.76
Thickness	12″	12″	12″
Firmness	Medium-Firm (6)	Medium-Firm (6)	Medium-Firm (6)
Cover	Thin Cover or Cooling Cover	Thin Cover or Cooling Cover	Thin Cover or Cooling Cover
Comfort Layer	2.0″ Gel Memory Foam 1.0″ Poly Foam	1.5″ Gel Memory Foam 1.0″ Poly Foam 1.0″ Poly Foam	1.25” Poly Foam 1.00” Memory Foam 0.75” Poly Foam
Support Layer	8.0″ Pocketed Coils 1.0″ Support Foam	8.0” pocketed coils	8.0” pocketed coils

Although the newest 2025 version of the Helix Midnight hybrid has a slightly lower overall score than last year’s model, it is still a solid option.

The slight decline in performance is most likely due to the different foam comfort layers and new memory foam that the mattress is using. This memory foam has a considerably slower material responsiveness compared to the previous model. That new memory foam improved performance for motion transfer and edge support.

However, the new memory foam also caused it to lose points in response time and sex performance (due to the lower bounce).

In any case, the performance differences between the 2022-2024 design and 2025 version feel quite small, in my view.

Other Mattresses to Consider

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Check out some of the top FAQs on the Helix Midnight mattress below and get the answers you’re looking for.