Helix Plus Mattress Review

COUPON – Save 27% off your entire purchase with the code NAPLAB27. Offer expires on 4/20.

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	Average
Overall Score	8.22	8.60
Price (Queen)	$1,099	$1,504 (Plus-sized only)
Cooling – Score	9.0	8.7
Sinkage – Depth	1.44″	2.14″
Sinkage – Feel	Very Minimal	Moderate
Motion Transfer – Score	6.0	8.1
Motion Transfer – Acceleration	13.98 m/s²	8.83 m/s²
Response Time – Score	10	9.0
Response Time – Mostly Recovered	0.2 sec.	0.4 sec.
Response Time – Fully Recovered	0.3 sec.	0.9 sec.
Bounce – Height	10.90″	9.74″
Bounce – Feel	High	Moderate
Edge Support – Score	10	8.6
Edge Support – Sitting	3.00″	4.04″
Edge Support – Lying	Outstanding	Good
Sex – Score	9.3	8.5
Pressure Relief – Score	7.0	8.8
Comfort Layer Thickness	3.5″	4.1″
Mattress Thickness	12″	12.0″
Off-Gassing – Score	4.7	8.3
Off-Gassing – Smell	Strong	Strong
Off-Gassing – Days	19 days	6 days
Company – Score	9.5	8.7
Trial	100 nights	167 nights
Warranty	10 years	23% have lifetime warranties, average of other 77% of mattresses is 13 years

How is Helix Plus Different?

The Helix Plus has an overall performance level that is slightly below the average, but a price point that is also below the average (for a hybrid mattress).

Advantages

Advantages of the Helix Plus include better-than-average cooling and a faster material response time. It also has fantastic edge support, a 10 out of 10 with only 3.0″ of sinkage when sitting directly on the edge. The high bounce also positively effects the sex performance score.

Neutral Factors

This mattress has very minimal sinkage and high levels of bounce. The extra firm feel prevents sleepers from sinking too deeply and provides a high degree of pushback.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantages of the Helix Plus is the weaker pressure relief and high level of motion transfer, thanks in large part to the extra firm feel.

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

The use of poly foam instead of memory foam, minimal sinkage, and hybrid design are all having a positive impact on the cooling performance. Poly foam retains less heat than memory foam.

The minimal sinkage depth avoids heat by sleeping more on “top” of the mattress as opposed to your body sinking down “in” the mattress. And lastly, the hybrid design brings needed airflow.

• 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

During our objective temperature testing, we measured a max surface level temperature of 89.7° F, which is just 0.1° warmer than average.

After getting off the mattress the temperature declined by 8.1° from minutes 0 to 1, which is notably cooler than the average.

Based on our objective testing, subjective experience, and material analysis, I’m confident most sleepers will find the level of cooling performance to be more than sufficient. 

Heat Dissipation Over Time

The Helix Plus has a very minimal level of sinkage. In our sinkage tests, we measured a pressure point sinkage depth of 1.44”. This is 0.70” less sinkage than the average 2.14.

The level of sinkage is documented in the image below.

The Plus has an extra firm feel that creates a floating feel on the mattress. This feel causes the body to lie more on “top” of the mattress, as opposed to sinking down “in” the mattress.

There is very little body contouring hug. Instead, the mattress is merely super firm and extremely supportive. In order to feel comfortable with the sinkage dynamic you will absolutely need to love the extra firm feel.

The Helix Plus has a high level of motion transfer. During our tests, we measured a total acceleration range of 13.98 m/s². This is 59% more motion transfer than the average of 8.79 m/s².

The level of motion transfer is neither surprising nor unexpected. Plus-sized mattresses often have higher motion transfer, as the materials within them are more resilient and supportive.

These performance characteristics, while great for supporting heavier-weighted bodies, create additional motion.

In addition, firm and extra-firm mattresses especially create more motion as that firmness causes energy to rebound more significantly.

Without a soft foam layer absorbing and dispersing motion, energy is instead returned via the responsive poly foams and extra supportive coil unit. As a result, we end up with a high level of motion transfer.

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 0.14 seconds.

There is a secondary spike from 0.50 to 0.64 seconds and a tertiary spike from 0.85 to 0.99 seconds. Finally, by 1.28 seconds we return to near-zero levels of energy.

There is just no sugarcoating the motion transfer. Helix Plus has a high level of motion. The spikes are high, there are multiple spikes, and the duration is among the longest we’ve tested to date. 

The Helix Plus has an extremely fast material response. During our tests, we measured a mostly recovered time of 0.2 seconds and a fully recovered response time of 0.3 seconds.

The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.

These speeds are effectively instant and tied with the fastest mattresses we tested to date. The combination of extra firm feel, minimal sinkage, high response poly foam, and thin cover are all having a positive impact on material response.

The near-instant response ensures you’ll never feel stuck in the mattress and keeps the mattress easy to move around on.

The Helix Plus has a high level of bounce. During our tests, we measured a total bounce height of 10.90”. This is 1.16” more bounce than the average of 9.74”.

While the bounce is higher than average, it is still within the sweet spot of 8-12” that I hope for.

With bounce at this level the mattress is easy to get on and off of, while also being good for the dance without pants.

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

Unfortunately, the combination of higher bounce and extra firm feel also leads to higher motion transfer.

The Helix Plus has outstanding edge support for both sitting and lying. In our sitting edge support tests, we measured a sitting sinkage compression of 3.0”. This is 1.04” less sitting sinkage than the average of 4.04”.

Ideally, I want to see 4.0” or less for sitting sinkage and the Plus easily hits that mark.

While sitting directly on the edge of the mattress I still feel fully supported and there is no collapse of materials. Lying edge support is equally as impressive.

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

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

While lying directly on the edge of the mattress I felt well supported in all sleeping positions. The Helix Plus uses reinforced coils along the perimeter of the mattress to create better edge support.

These coils, along with the extra firm feel, work together to create incredible support whether you’re in the middle of the mattress or along the edges.

The Helix Plus has excellent sex performance. During our tests, we measured 10.90” of bounce, which puts Helix Plus in the top 30% of mattresses in terms of bounce height.

In addition, the mattress has outstanding sitting edge support, which extends the sexable surface of the mattress.

While pressure relief absolutely leaves something to be desired, noise is minimal and cooling is excellent. This combination resulted in excellent overall sex performance.

Sex Factor	Factor Weight	Score	Rating
Bounce	65%	9.3	Very High
Edge Support	20%	10	Outstanding
Noise	5%	10	Minimal
Pressure Relief	5%	7.0	Fair
Cooling	5%	9.0	Excellent

The Helix Plus has a fair level of pressure relief, though it’s far from amazing. In our tests, I felt a moderate level of pressure building, but much of that is likely due to the fact that this mattress is tuned to the needs of heavier-weighted bodies.

This mattress uses a 3.5” comfort layer. This is a little less than the average 4.1” comfort layer, based on all of our tests to date. That said, this mattress also has an extra firm feel.

To feel adequate pressure relief you absolutely will need to love that extra firm feel.

My biggest pressure relief fear is that even for heavier weighted bodies this mattress will prove to be too firm for many sleepers. In the pressure map images below, you can see that the most significant pressure was created along the hip while lying on my side.

At 2.03 PSI, the Helix Plus was at the maximum that our pressure mapping system measures. Fortunately, it was localized to just the hip. Even so, these pressure mapping images in combination with my experiences on the mattress leave me worried that many will simply find this mattress too firm.

Notably, Helix offers an optional cooling pillow top add-on. To be clear, we tested the version without the optional pillow top. 

I expect this pillow top would add considerable pressure relief to the mattress and bring the mattress closer to a slightly firm feel.

Pressure Map – Side Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Minimum	Maximum
Side Sleepers	0.28	0.02	2.03

Pressure Map – Back Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Minimum	Maximum
Back Sleepers	0.19	0.02	1.82

Pressure Map – Stomach Sleepers

Pressure Relief (PSI)	Average	Minimum	Maximum
Stomach Sleepers	0.17	0.02	1.16

Off-gassing on the Helix Plus is strong right out of the box and the odors took 19 days to dissipate fully.

Compared to the average off-gassing duration of 6 days, this is over 3X longer.

Helix has been around since 2015 and their company terms and policies feel pretty fair and favorable to consumers. They include a long trial period of 100 nights with all of their mattress purchases, but take note that this trial requires a 30-night “break-in period”.

The mattress also offers a 10-year warranty.

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

What is a “Break-In Period”?

The “Break-In Period” is a 30-day window and equals the estimated time it takes for your body to get used to any new mattress. During this time frame, you cannot be issued a refund or return the mattress.

If after the 30 nights, you still don’t think Helix is right for you, you have some options.

• Option 1: Return the mattress and get a refund.
• Option 2: Return the mattress and purchase a different Helix mattress.
• Option 3: Request a free mattress topper from Helix. This is a good option if you want the mattress just a touch firmer or softer. If you receive the topper and the feel still isn’t right, you can still return the mattress (and keep the topper).

A required 30-day testing period is not uncommon across the online mattress industry. While it can be aggravating to have to wait 30 days, it is absolutely true that it can take up to a month for your body to adjust to a new mattress.

The Helix Plus has an extra firm feel, 9 out of 10 on the firmness scale.

Only a very small percentage of mattresses we test fall this high on the firmness scale and only a narrow window of sleepers are looking for a mattress this firm.

As an added note, earlier versions of the Helix Plus (prior to 2024) were considerably softer at a 7 out of 10, giving them a slightly firm feel. So if you’ve tried an earlier Helix Plus you may be surprised by just how firm this new mattress design is.

The Helix Plus has excellent support. During our tests, I felt well-supported in all sleeping positions. The mattress is built with an 8.5” pocketed coil unit. This is notably thicker than the 7.9” average support layer, based on all of our tests to date.

In addition, this mattress uses a high-performance coil unit built with firmer, thicker steel wires, which dramatically increases the firmness and support of this mattress. It’s this fact that makes this mattress ideally suited to the support needs of heavier-weighted bodies.

My biggest support concern is the firmness. Without the optional pillow top this mattress has an extra firm feel, 9 out of 10 on our firmness scale. For some back and stomach sleepers, this is an optimal feel that is exactly what their body needs.

However, for many sleepers, especially side sleepers, this extreme firmness will simply be too much.

While the Helix Plus is great for heavier-weighted bodies, not all heavier-weighted bodies need or will appreciate the extra firm feel.

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.	No	No	No
150-250 lbs.	No	No	No
250-300 lbs.	Yes	Maybe	Yes

Design

The Helix Plus is a 12″ hybrid designed for heavier-weighted sleepers. It has an extra firm feel and is best suited for heavy sleepers who sleep on their back or stomach.

Materials

In total, there are three layers on the Helix Plus. The top and 2nd layer are for comfort and the bottom is for base support. Here is a detailed list of all layers on the Helix Plus:

• 1.5” poly foam
• 2.0” poly foam
• 8.5” pocketed coils

The Cover

There are two cover options for the Helix Plus. The standard cover (the one we tested) is a thin, knit cover. It is breathable and soft to the touch.

For a more luxurious feel, you can upgrade to Helix’s cooling cover. This cover uses a technology called GlacioTex, which contains cooling fibers, designed to pull heat away from the body.

This cover is cool-to-the-touch and is a good option to sleepers who struggle with heat retention.

In addition, this cover will add softness and pressure relief to the mattress. We would estimate that the mattress will be a slightly firm or firm feel with the additional cover added.

The Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is built from two different layers of foam. The top most layer is a 1.5″ poly foam and and the second layer is a 2.0″ 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.

The Support Layer

The support layer is 8.5″ thick and includes hundreds of individually pocketed coils. The benefit of individually pocketing the coils is that they can move independently from each other. This helps to limit motion transfer and improve support.

Along the perimeter of the mattress, there are rows of reinforced coils that provide extra stability to the edges of the mattress.

Product Evolution

Helix as a brand launched in 2015 with a handful of mattresses. The Helix Plus, was added to the collection in 2020. Since its release, there has been one major set of changes to this mattress, as shown in the table below.

Specs	Helix Plus (2020)	Helix Plus (2024)
Thickness	13″	12″
Cover	Tencel Cover or Cooling Cover (optional)	Tencel Cover or Cooling Cover (optional)
Comfort Layer	1.5″ Memory Foam 1.75″ Poly Foam 1.0″ Memory Foam	1.5″ Poly Foam 2.0″ Poly Foam
Support Layer	8.0″ Pocketed Coils	8.5″ Pocketed Coils
Firmness	Slightly Firm (7)	Extra Firm (9)
Overall Score	9.29	8.22

The present-day Helix Plus has a firmer feel, a thinner profile, and different materials than the original Helix Plus we tested. The images below show a side-by-side comparison of the two mattresses.

In my view, the current Helix Plus mattress is a design and feel that is more extreme. With an extra firm feel that mattress just isn’t well suited to a majority of heavier weighted sleepers. You really have to love tons of firmness to feel comfortable and well supported by Helix.

This extra firm feel increased motion transfer and made pressure relief worse compared to the earlier Helix Plus design.

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 hybrid mattresses for high-performing 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.