Helix Plus Mattress Review

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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 Plus	Average
Overall Score	8.66	8.56
Price (Queen)	$1,124	$1,504 (Plus-sized only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.6
Sinkage – Depth	2.15″	2.18″
Sinkage – Feel	Moderate	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	8.3	8.2
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	8.75 m/s²	8.67 m/s²
Response Time – Score	8.5	8.8
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.4 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	1.0 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	10.97″	9.13″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	9.1	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	4.5″	4.00″
Edge Support – Lying	Outstanding	Good
Sex – Score	9.1	8.3
Pressure Relief – Score	8.0	8.7
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.5″	4.2″
Mattress Thickness	11.5″	12.2″
Off-Gassing – Score	8.1	8.2
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	7 days	6 days
Company – Score	9.4	8.6
Trial	100 nights	169 nights
Warranty	Lifetime	41% have lifetime warranties, average of other 59% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Helix Plus Different?

The Helix Plus is an 11.5″ plus-sized mattress with an overall performance level that is slightly better than average and a price tag that is significantly lower than the average plus-sized mattress. If you’re looking for a value pick for heavier-weighted sleepers, the Helix Plus is a solid option.

Advantages

Advantages include better cooling, slightly less motion transfer than average, and better edge support. When seated directly at the edge of the mattress, the Helix Plus has 4.5″ of sitting sinkage and outstanding lying support.

Lastly, the Helix Plus is also backed by a lifetime warranty, a bonus only offered by 40% of the mattresses we test.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has moderate sinkage and high levels of bounce, giving the mattress an active feel, without feeling “stuck”.

Disadvantages

The Helix Plus is the most economical plus-sized mattress offered by Helix. As such, there are a few performance disadvantages to consider. This mattress has a slightly slower material response time and worse pressure relief as well.

The Helix Plus has 3.5″ of comfort material and 4.1″ is the average thickness. This is thinner than I’d like to see—heavier sleepers may want to opt for the Helix Plus Luxe for better pressure relief.

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

The Helix Plus uses a proven material and design configuration that allows for airflow and avoids heat buildup.

• 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

The comfort layer utilizes multiple poly foam layers and only a limited 0.75” gel memory foam layer within the quilted cover. Using more poly foam and less memory foam helps to better resist heat, as does infusing gel within the memory foam.

Beyond that, we have a hybrid design, which helps to bring ample airflow into the mattress. Notably, we tested the Helix Plus without the optional cooling cover.

Based on our experience with other Helix models that include Glaciotex, we would expect cooling performance to earn a 10/10 for the Helix Plus if you opt to add the optional cooling cover.

In our objective temperature tests, we measured a max surface level temperature of 90.9° F. This is 1.0° more than the average of 89.9° F, based on all of our tests to date.

After getting off the mattress, the temperature declined by 7.3 degrees from minutes 0 to 1, which is 2.6 degrees cooler than the average 0- to 1-minute decline of 4.7 degrees.

Heat Dissipation Over Time

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.

The Helix Plus has moderate sinkage. During our tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 2.15″. This is 0.03″ less sinkage than the average sinkage depth of 2.18″, based on all of our tests to date. The mattress creates only a slight level of body contouring hug.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

Notably, there is more sinkage for the heavier parts of the body, especially butt and midsection. However, my feet, legs, arms, and head aren’t sinking down especially deep.

That said, this mattress does a nice job at avoiding a floating feel, where the body lies more “on” the mattress as opposed to sinking down “in” the mattress. Sinkage is held to a moderate level, but there is still a slight level of body contouring hug.

Sinkage is often a difficult balance on a plus-sized mattress, as many mattresses simply don’t create any significant level of sinkage in order to achieve better support.

However, the Helix Plus does a nice job at balancing the needs of both comfort and support. The mattress creates ample support, while still providing enough sinkage to help contour the body and alleviate pressure.

The Helix Plus has a low level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 8.75 m/s². This is 1% more motion transfer than the average of 8.66 m/s².

I was quite surprised at the level of motion, as typically plus-sized mattresses really struggle with motion transfer. The Helix Plus did a fantastic job at minimizing peak motion.

Certainly, the gel memory foam within the quilted cover is having a notable impact. In addition, the medium-firm feel, moderate sinkage depth, and 3.5” comfort layer are also contributing factors.

Together, this combination of design and material choices is working well to minimize motion.

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 peaks from 0 to 0.15 seconds. Motion begins to drop after 0.15 seconds, but remains spiky until 1.15 seconds, when we return to near-zero levels of energy.

Ideally, we want to see the motion duration be lower than this. However, considering the relatively restrained motion intensity it’s hard to complain too much. While this level of motion transfer is far from perfect, I don’t expect it will be an issue for most sleepers.

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

In our mostly recovered test, we measured a recovery speed of 0.4 seconds, which is 0.02 seconds faster than the average of 0.42 seconds, based on all of our tests to date.

In our fully recovered responsiveness test, we measured a recovery speed of 1.0 seconds, which is 0.01 seconds slower than the average of 0.99 seconds. The bulk of the materials within the Helix Plus are rebounding back to shape effectively instantly.

This includes the poly foam layers and the coil unit. It’s only the gel memory foam within the quilted cover that’s taking a moment to recover back to its original shape.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

Even so, these responsiveness speeds aren’t slow. Sure, they can be faster, but for most sleepers, these response speeds will not have a notable negative impact on ease of movement for the mattress. Overall, I found ease of movement to be excellent on the Helix Plus.

The Helix Plus has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.97″. This is 1.83″ more bounce than the average of 9.14″, based on all of our tests to date.

Plus-sized mattresses often have more bounce than average due to the materials and design choices required to create plus-sized support.

The thinner-than-average 3.5” thick comfort layer, limited 0.75” memory foam layer, and limited moderate sinkage depth are all helping to create a higher level of bounce.

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

That said, the single greatest factor increasing bounce is the reinforced coil unit. This coil unit uses thicker coils that are more robust and create more support, which translates into a higher level of bounce.

The increased level of bounce helps to further improve ease of movement and sex performance. However, it’s also the reason that the motion transfer wasn’t especially low. As a result, there are pros and cons to consider with bounce.

The Helix Plus has good sitting edge support and outstanding lying edge support.

In our sitting edge support test, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 4.50″. This is 0.50″ more sitting sinkage than the average of 4.00″, based on all of our tests to date.

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

While sitting edge support left something to be desired, lying edge support was notably better. While lying directly on the edge of the mattress, I felt that the support was outstanding in all sleeping positions.

The Helix Plus is equipped with reinforced coils that run along the entire perimeter of the mattress. These coils have a significant impact on lying edge support.

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

Sitting edge support was a bit surprising to see it worse than average. In my view, the most likely explanation for the limited sitting edge support simply comes down to the comfort layer, which is thinner than average and none of the foam layers are especially high density (all within the 1.8 to 2.5 PCF range).

To be fair, this is a perfectly fine foam thickness and quality for this type of a mattress (especially in this price range), but it’s also the likely reason for the less-than-amazing sitting edge support.

The Helix Plus has excellent sex performance. Normally in this section we talk through the greatest strengths and weaknesses for the amorous activity performance. However, the Helix Plus doesn’t really have a major weakness.

Certainly, edge support, with just 4.5” of sitting edge sinkage, and pressure relief have room for improvement.

Their good, but less than great scores, cost the Helix Plus from earning a better score. Even so, the mattress crushed it where it counts, earning an excellent score for bounce.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.4	Very High
Edge Support	20%	8.1	Good
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	8.0	Good
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

With 10.97” of total bounce height the mattress is one that easily works with couples, enhancing amorous activities and making the mattress perform better for sex.

Beyond that, cooling is excellent and noise is minimal. Overall, I’m pleased with the sex performance and I expect most couples will find it more than satisfactory.

The Helix Plus has a good level of pressure relief. During our tests, I felt no noticeable pressure points on my body. Even so, it is clear that pressure relief has plenty of room for improvement.

The mattress is equipped with 3.5″ of comfort material, which is 0.69″ less comfort material than the average comfort layer thickness of 4.19″, based on all of our tests to date.

Compared to other Helix models we’ve tested, the Helix Plus felt rather lacking in terms of pressure relief. To be fair, it’s not bad by any stretch.

However, the limited 3.5” comfort layer, combined with a more robust support coil unit creates a situation where the mattress struggles to create enough pressure relief to overcome the incredibly supportive coil unit.

The gel memory foam within the cover is a 1.8 PCF, the poly foam below it is a 2.5 PCF, and the poly foam in the core is a 1.8 PCF. PCF is a measure of density and stands for pounds per cubic feet.

Higher-density foams tend to last longer, better resist sagging, better resist body impressions, and are more comfortable. In general, higher density is better, with a PCF of 3-4 being considered a high-density foam, in my view.

Suffice to say, the Helix Plus isn’t quite at that level and much of that reason simply comes down to price. Higher-density foams cost more. As do higher performance coil units, like the one included here.

While I would have liked to have seen higher-density foams and a thicker comfort layer, as it would have almost certainly improved pressure relief, including those types of foams with this coil unit would have pushed the price into the range of the Helix Plus Luxe.

For all of these reasons, it’s hard to complain too much about pressure relief. Yes, pressure relief isn’t incredible, but given the material choices and design limitations of price, I can understand why it is the way it is. For those who need better pressure relief you should step up to the Helix Plus Luxe.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.12	0.64

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.08	0.62

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.08	0.50

In our objective pressure mapping tests, we measured a max PSI of 0.64. A PSI of 2.0 is a high pressure point and the Helix Plus was well south of that.

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 good.

The Helix Plus had a strong smell upon the initial unboxing. The mattress smelled for 7 days. This is 0.4 days longer than the average smell duration of 6.6 days.

Helix mattresses come with a 100-night trial period and a lifetime warranty. Shipping and returns are both free.

Company Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Data
Returns	40%	10	$0
Trial Period	30%	8.0	100 nights
Warranty	20%	10	Lifetime
Shipping	10%	10	$0
Country of Origin	0%		USA

Comparing 102+ brands tested to date, the average trial period is 170 nights, 70 nights more than Helix offers.

But Helix also offers a lifetime warranty, something only offered by 40% of mattress brands. The average warranty of the other 60% of mattresses is only 13 years.

The Helix Plus is available in a single firmness, 6 out of 10, giving the mattress a medium-firm feel.

In 2024, we tested the Helix Plus and it was considerably firmer, a 9 out of 10, with an extra firm feel. Yet Helix Plus mattresses from 2023 or earlier had a slightly firm feel, 7 out of 10.

While this data is interesting, these numbers are not indicative of the present-day Helix Plus. For most sleepers, the medium-firm feel of today’s Helix Plus (6 out of 10) will provide appropriate comfort and support.

Support on the Helix Plus is excellent. During our tests, I felt well supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress is equipped with a 8.0″ support layer. This is 0.08″ thicker than the average support layer thickness of 7.92″, based on all of our tests to date.

The mattress utilizes an incredibly robust reinforced 8.0” coil unit. The coil unit is especially designed and tuned to meet the needs of heavier-weighted sleepers. Despite the limited sinkage and reinforced coil unit, the mattress still creates a medium-firm feel. Medium-firm is ideal for most sleeping positions and body types, creating a balance between comfort and support.

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	Maybe	Yes
150-250 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Yes	Yes

Notably, there is no zoned support (be it coils or foams) on this mattress. While zonal support is great, it’s something I wouldn’t expect to see included on a plus-sized mattress at this price point.

Based on all of my tests to date, an analysis of the materials, and my subjective experiences, I’m confident most sleepers will find support on the Helix Plus is excellent.

Design

The Helix Plus is a 11.5″ plus-sized 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. Opting for a higher collection also comes with a higher price tag, but also higher performance in most cases.

For reference, the Helix Plus Luxe earned a score of 9.17 and the Helix Plus Elite earned a score of 9.34.

Materials

The Helix Plus is 11.5″ thick and contains a combination of poly foam. From top to bottom, here is a full list of the materials used in this mattress:

• 1.0” quilted cover
• 1.0” poly foam
• 1.5” poly foam
• 8.0” pocketed coils

The Cover

The Helix Plus has a 1.0″ quilted cover. It uses a thin Tencel as the cover fabric. 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 Plus 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 3.5″ thick (including the 1.0″ quilted cover) and made of two different layers of foam.

The topmost layer is a 1.0″ poly foam, and the second layer is a 1.5″ poly foam. These foams are firm and highly responsive.

These comfort layers work together to provide support, pressure relief, and moderate contouring without too much sinkage.

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 discomfort 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 Helix Core and Luxe models.

The Support Layer

The support layer is 8″ thick and made of 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 Plus Luxe. The Plus 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 Plus 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.

Over the years, the feel has changed somewhat dramatically, but the current version offers a balanced feel and better performance than the previous version (2024 model).

Here’s a comparison of the 2021-2023 version compared to the 2024 version.

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

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

Specs	2021-2023 Version (Discontinued)	2024 Version (Discontinued)	2025 Version (Current Version)
Overall Score	9.28	8.21	8.66
Thickness	13″	12″	11.5″
Firmness	Slightly Firm (7)	Extra Firm (9)	Medium-Firm (6)
Cover	1.0″ Quilted Tencel Cover or Cooling Cover	1.0″ Quilted Tencel Cover or Cooling Cover	1.0″ Quilted Tencel Cover or Cooling Cover
Comfort Layer	1.5″ Memory Foam 1.75″ Poly Foam 1.0″ Memory Foam	1.5″ Poly Foam 2.0″ Poly Foam	1.0″ Poly Foam 1.5″ Poly Foam
Support Layer	8.0″ Pocketed Coils 0.75″ Support Foam	8.5″ Pocketed Coils	8.5″ Pocketed Coils

Other Mattresses to Consider

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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