Helix Plus Elite Review

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 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 Plus Elite	Average
Overall Score	9.60	8.61
Price (Queen)	$2,999	$1,504 (Plus-Sized)
Cooling – Score	10	8.7
Sinkage – Depth	2.24″	2.14″
Sinkage – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	9.2	8.1
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	6.85 m/s²	8.78 m/s²
Response Time – Score	9.8	9.0
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.5 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	10.05″	9.74″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.4	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.25″	4.03″
Edge Support – Lying	Excellent	Good
Sex – Score	9.2	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	10	8.8
Comfort Layer Thickness	7.0″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	16″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.6	8.3
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	5 days	6 days
Company – Score	9.5	8.7
Trial	100 nights	169 nights
Warranty	15 years	23% have lifetime warranties, average of other 77% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Helix Plus Elite Different?

The Helix Plus Elite is a 16″ hybrid mattress designed for plus-sized sleepers. It has higher performance than average and also a higher price tag—twice as much as the average plus-sized mattress.

Advantages

Advantages of the Helix Plus Elite include better cooling, lower levels of motion transfer, faster response time, and better edge support. High bounce levels also create the right surface environment for a better sex score as well.

The 16″ thickness is fantastic for pressure relief and does a nice job of providing comfort and support for sleepers of all sizes.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has a moderate level of sinkage and a high level of bounce (although only 3% more bounce than average).

Disadvantages

The trial is 41% shorter than the average mattress trial period, which may or may not be a big factor for sleepers. Besides that, really the only other disadvantage is the price tag.

At $2999 for a queen, this is an expensive hybrid and although the price is largely justified by exceptional performance, this price tier may be more than many sleepers are willing to spend.

The Helix Plus Elite has an outstanding level of cooling performance. During our tests, I felt no heat retention around my body. The mattress is equipped with a cooling cover that has a cool-to-the-touch feel.

During our 15-minute test, it remained noticeably cool for the entire testing duration.

In addition, the pocketed coil support layer and microcoil layers are greatly aiding the cooling performance, as both layers bring considerable airflow into the mattress, while also creating an air gap layer between foam layers.

Lastly, the foam layers all seem to breathe well and don’t hold onto heat.

• 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 our objective temperature testing, we measured a max surface level temperature of 87.8° F, which is 1.8° cooler than the average.

Overall, I am exceedingly impressed with the cooling performance. When we consider the objective temperature data, subjective experience, and material analysis, I’m confident in my view that most sleepers will find cooling performance to be outstanding.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

The Helix Plus Elite has a moderate level of sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.24”. This is 0.10” more sinkage than the average of 2.14”, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The mattress creates a balanced level of body contouring hug. While the microcoils allow for a more notable level of sinkage, the sandwiched poly foam layers balance the overall feel, creating a more even and moderate sinkage dynamic.

In my view, it’s the type of feel that sleepers of all body weights can enjoy.

The Helix Plus Elite has a very low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 6.85 m/s². This is 22% less motion transfer than the average of 8.78 m/s².

The mattress is absolutely stacked to the brim with an insane 7.0” comfort layer. This is significantly thicker than the average comfort layer of 4.1”, based on all of our tests to date.

All of that extra comfort material absorbs and disperses energy, reducing motion transfer on the mattress.

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

In our motion transfer chart, which visualizes our accelerometer data, we can see the highest motion from 0 to 0.22 seconds. We see a smaller secondary spike from 0.53 to 0.67 seconds before motion returns to near-zero levels by 1.28 seconds.

The dual microcoil layers are likely the reason for the longer-than-average motion duration. Despite this fact, the motion peaks are still well-restrained and well below average. I expect this level of motion transfer will be acceptable for most sleepers.

The Helix Plus Elite has a very fast material response. During our mostly recovered response test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.2 seconds. This is 0.2 seconds faster than the average of 0.40 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

During our fully recovered response test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.5 seconds, which is 0.38 seconds faster than the average of 0.88 seconds.

These responsiveness speeds aren’t quite instant, but they aren’t far from it either.

In any case, the very fast material responsiveness combined with the moderate sinkage dynamic ensures sleepers will never feel stuck on the mattress and the mattress is easy to move around on.

The Helix Plus Elite has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.05”. This is 0.31” more bounce than the average of 9.74”. Ideally, I like to see bounce in the 8-12” range.

This is a sweet spot that provides the greatest benefits (IE, sex and ease of movement), while also keeping motion transfer in check.

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

The combination of responsive poly foams, limited sinkage, and highly supportive pocketed coil unit are all working together to deliver an ideal level of bounce.

Most notably, with 10.05” of bounce the motion transfer was kept to low levels (in part due to the 7.0” comfort layer). Overall, I expect most sleepers will find bounce to be sufficient. 

The Helix Plus Elite has excellent edge support for both sitting and lying.

In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.25”. This is 0.78” less bounce than the average of 4.03”.

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

Given the materials are tuned to the needs of heavier-weighted bodies, it was no surprise that the edge created ample support. Lying edge support was equally as good.

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported in all sleeping positions.

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

The mattress is equipped with reinforced edge support coils that run along the entire perimeter of the mattress. These reinforced coils use a thicker gauge wire, which creates better support at the edge.

The Helix Plus Elite has excellent performance for sex. Most notably, the mattress earned 10/10 perfect scores for noise, pressure relief, and cooling, which is a rare feat.

In addition, with just 3.25” of sitting edge sinkage the edge support is fantastic for amorous activities (albeit, not quite perfect).

Last, but not least, bounce was high at 10.05”, which earned the mattress a respectable 8.8 out of 10.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	8.8	High
Edge Support	20%	9.7	Excellent
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	10	Outstanding
Cooling	5%	10	Outstanding

Overall, the Plus Elite had a solid performance and is a great mattress for the dance without pants.

The Helix Plus Elite has an outstanding level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no pressure points anywhere on my body. The mattress is incredibly comfortable to lie on, even for a relatively lightweight sleeper such as myself.

The Plus Elite is equipped with a massive 7.0” comfort layer. This layer is 2.9” thicker than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.1”, based on all of our tests to date.

That extra thickness is exactly what heavier-weighted bodies need, as it creates a sufficiently thick enough comfort layer to support the increased pressures on the mattresses.

More typical mattresses with a thinner comfort layer are more easily compressed, sag quicker, and don’t prevent heavier-weighted sleeper bodies from coming into significant contact with support layers. The massive 7.0” comfort layer does a much better job at meeting the needs of heavier bodies. 

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Minimum	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.21	0.02	1.04

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Minimum	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.15	0.02	0.99

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Minimum	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.13	0.02	1.08

Off-gassing on the Helix Plus Elite is strong right out of the box and the odor took 5 days to fully dissipate.

Compared to the average among all mattresses tested to date (6 days), this is slightly shorter than average.

Helix has been around since 2015 and their company terms and policies feel pretty fair and favorable for consumers.

The company offers a 100-night trial period and a 10-year warranty. Shipping and returns are both free as well.

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

Compared to average, this trial is shorter than average (average length is 169 nights).

The warranty is shorter compared to mattresses that offer a lifetime warranty (23% of all mattresses tested), but slightly longer than the 13-year average among mattresses that do not offer a lifetime warranty.

The Helix Plus Elite has a medium-firm feel with a firmness of 6 out of 10. This is quite a bit softer than the standard Helix Plus which had an extra firm feel (9 out of 10) on the firmness scale.

The Helix Plus Elite has an outstanding level of support. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The material construction of the Plus Elite is incredibly impressive.

First up, we have a 16.0” total profile, this is considerably thicker than the average mattress height of 12.0”. That extra height means an extra thick comfort layer (which we discussed in the pressure relief section) and an extra thick support layer.

In most cases, thicker mattresses perform better than thinner mattresses, as the extra material is better able to provide more pressure relief, resist sagging better, and create greater support.

The Plus Elite has a 9.0” support layer, which is notably thicker than the average 7.9” support layer. Lastly, the mattress comes in a 6 out of 10 firmness. Many times, heavier-weighted sleepers need firmer mattresses, as only they can achieve the level of support they need.

However, the considerable thickness of the Plus Elite is able to deliver both a balanced, medium-firm feel and ample support for even heavier-weighted bodies. Overall, I expect most sleepers will find support to be more than sufficient. 

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

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 Helix Plus Elite is the top-tier mattress offered by Helix, designed for plus-sized sleepers. It has an extremely thick 16″ thickness and, within that, a 7.0″ comfort layer.

If you’re looking for exceptional pressure relief and unmatched support, without giving up comfort, the Helix Plus Elite is a fantastic option.

Materials

The number of layers that make up the 16″ thickness of this mattress is much higher than average. From top top bottom, here is a breakdown of exactly what materials are in each layer.

Comfort Layer

• 1.0” quilted cover
• 0.75” poly foam
• 1.0” micro coils
• 0.75” poly foam
• 1.0” micro coils
• 1.5” poly foam
• 1.0” poly foam

Support Layer

• 8.0” pocketed coils
• 1.0” support foam

The Cover

This mattress has a 1.0” quilted cover with a very luxurious, plush feel. The cover has a removable zipper that makes it easy to clean the mattress or see the inside layers.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is made up of six layers in total (seven if you include the quilted cover). The comfort layer includes a mix of four different poly foam layers and a dual microcoil design that includes two separate layer of microcoils.

The average comfort layer is 4.1″ thick so this 7.0″ layer is 70% thicker than the average comfort layer.

The Support Layer

The support layer includes a an 8.0″ pocketed coil system and 1.0″ foundational base foam. At the base of the mattress is a 1.0″ high-density support foam that gives the mattress structure and support.

Product Evolution

Helix as a brand launched in 2015 with a handful of mattresses. The Helix Plus, was added to the collection in 2020. The Helix Plus Elite launched in May of 2024.

All Helix mattresses fit into three major Helix collections:

• The Core Collection (Standard)
• The Luxe Collection
• The Elite Collection

The Helix Elite mattresses are specifically designed with the thickest profiles for fantastic performance and pressure relief.

Here is how the Helix Plus compares to the Helix Plus Elite.

Specs	Helix Plus	Helix Plus Elite
Thickness	12″	16″
Cover	Tencel Cover or Cooling Cover (optional)	1.0” Quilted Cover
Comfort Layer	1.5″ Poly Foam 2.0″ Poly Foam	0.75” Poly Foam 1.0” Micro Coils 0.75” Poly Foam 1.0” Micro coils 1.5” Poly Foam 1.0” Poly Foam
Support Layer	8.5″ Pocketed Coils	8.0” Pocketed Coils 1.0” Support Foam
Firmness	Extra Firm (9)	Medium-Firm (6)
Overall Score	8.22	9.60

Other Mattresses to Consider

Not sure if the Helix Plus Elite is the right pick for you? Check out these three other top-rated hybrid mattresses for plus-sized sleepers you may want to consider.

Frequently Asked Questions

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