Best For
- Sleepers over 300 lbs.
- Good cooling and pressure relief
Considerations
- May not be suitable for lightweight sleepers
- High bounce level
Our Verdict
The Helix Plus mattress is a great option for heavier sleepers who are looking for more support than what a traditional mattress may be providing. It is a hybrid blend of foam and coils that has a firmer feel than the other medium firmness Helix options. If you’re looking for a supportive mattress for plus-sized sleepers with great cooling and a fast response time, the Helix Plus is a great option.
Type: Plus-Sized Hybrid
Firmness: Slightly Firm (7)
Best For: All Sleeping Positions, All Body Weights
In This Review
Performance Tests | Firmness | Support & Sleeping Positions | Design | Materials | Comparisons | FAQs
Helix has a great lineup of hybrid (foam and coil-based) mattresses, but many of them may fall short if you weigh over 300 lbs. This fact is actually true for many mattresses, especially those designed as “universal comfort”.
Heavier sleepers have different needs in terms of firmness, support, and feel—and so enters the Helix Plus.
The Helix Plus is one of the most reviewed mattresses for plus-sized sleepers. Could it be a good option for you? Let’s get started and find out.
Performance Tests
Here at the Nap Lab, we put each mattress to the test.
We test 9 different factors that impact the comfort and feel of the mattress. Testing categories include:
Test | Rating |
---|---|
Cooling | Excellent |
Sinkage | Very Minimal |
Motion Transfer | Very Low |
Response Time | Extremely Fast |
Bounce | Moderate |
Edge Support | Exceptional |
Sex | Excellent |
Pressure Relief | Excellent |
Off-Gassing | Excellent |
Company | Excellent |
How is Helix Plus Different?
The Helix Plus has better overall performance than average as well as a price that is below average—a savings of 20% compared to the average plus-sized mattresses on the market (or $316 less for a queen mattress).
Advantages
Besides cost savings, other advantages include slightly better cooling performance, lower levels of motion transfer, fast material response time, better edge support, and a thicker overall profile than average.
Neutral Factors
This mattress has 30% less sinkage than average as well as 3% less bounce than average. Both of these values are still within an acceptable range and become more an issue of personal preference.
Disadvantages
The only real disadvantage to the Helix Plus is the shorter-than-average trial period. With Helix, you’ll only have 100 nights to decide if this is the right mattress for you, whereas the average is a 160-night trial period.
Factor | Helix Plus | Average |
---|---|---|
Overall | 9.72 | 9.51 |
Price | $1,199 | $1,515 (Plus-Sized only) |
Cooling | 9.5 | 9.4 |
Max Sinkage | 1.50″ | 2.17″ |
Total Motion Transfer | 6.31 m/s² | 8.52 m/s² |
Response Time | 0.2 sec. | 0.4 sec. |
Total Bounce | 9.38″ | 9.65″ |
Edge Support – Sitting Sinkage | 3.00″ | 4.11″ |
Mattress Thickness | 13.0″ | 12.0″ |
Sex Overall | 9.6 | 9.6 |
Comfort Material | 5.0″ | 4.2″ |
Off-Gassing – Smell | Moderate | Strong |
Off-Gassing – Days | 2 days | 5 days |
Trial | 100 nights | 160 nights |
Warranty | 10 years | 26% have lifetime warranties, average of other 74% of mattresses is 14 years |
Cooling Test
The Helix Plus started with a temperature of 86.2° F.
After lying on the mattress for 15 minutes the surface of the Helix mattress was 91.8°. After 5 minutes with no one lying on the mattress, it had reduced the temperature back to 85.5° F.
Baseline Temp.
86.2° F
Max. Temp.
91.8° F
Ending Temp.
85.5° F
Overall, I was happy with the cooling performance of the Helix Plus. It was able to dissipate heat evenly and the coils provided good airflow while I was lying on 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
Heat Dissipation Over Time
Design aspects that help the cooling properties of the Helix Plus include the following:
- Tencel cover
- Latex-like foam middle layer
- Pocketed coils
The Tencel cover is thin and breathable, which provides stretch and comfort to the top of the mattress.
Directly below the cover is a top layer of memory foam, but it’s immediately backed by a latex-like poly foam. Latex-like foams are known for their cooling properties and is naturally less warm than memory foam (which tends to retain heat).
Below the foams is a layer of pocketed coils that provide ample airflow throughout the core of the mattress.
These factors combine to do an excellent job at overall breathability, cooling, and heat retention.
Sinkage Test
The results of this test showed that the Helix Plus mattress has a low level of sinkage.
Sinkage Depth
1.5″
Sinkage Feel
Very Minimal
Our pressure point sinkage test revealed a maximum sinkage depth of 1.5″.
For a mattress that is topped with memory foam, this is certainly less sinkage than we usually see, but it’s also a firmer mattress compared to a true medium.
The firmer feel is designed for heavier sleepers and thus may take more weight to reach the same level of sinkage in a standard (non-plus) mattress.
This firmness also ensures that heavier sleepers don’t sink too deep into the mattress causing support issues and pressure points.
Motion Transfer Test
Overall, the Helix Plus has moderate levels of motion transfer.
Max. Acceleration
3.15 m/s²
Min. Acceleration
-3.16 m/s²
Accel. Range
6.31 m/s²
From our motion transfer tests, we found that the Helix Plus had a bit more motion transfer than other 100% foam-based mattresses, likely caused by the coils and relative firmness.
The level of motion transfer is documented in the video below.
As you can see in the chart above, the motion has quite a bit of transfer initially and then drops relatively quickly. By 0.75 seconds, almost all of the motion has dissipated from the surface of the mattress.
Response Test
Within 0.2 seconds the Helix Plus is mostly recovered from the weight of the ball. For complete recovery, it only takes 0.3 seconds.
Mostly Recovered
0.2 sec.
Complete Recovery
0.3 sec.
The level of responsiveness is documented in the video below.
These results show that the Helix Plus has an extremely fast response time.
Response times this quick ensure that sleepers will never feel stuck or find it difficult to move around during the night. For heavier-weight sleepers, this can be of great benefit. Particularly as ease of movement can be a challenge on a 100% foam mattresses.
Bounce Test
In the case of the Helix Plus, the ball sank to a maximum depth of 4.58″ before rebounding upwards.
Max. Depth
4.58″
Max. Rebound
4.80″
Total Bounce
9.38″
On the upbound, it was able to bounce 4.8″ which is a bounce range of 9.38″. This is a decently high bounce, but again, this bounce is attributed to the firmer feel and thick layer of support coils.
Max. Sinkage Depth
Max. Bounce Height
The level of bounce is documented in the video below.
In our view, this level of bounce is well-warranted in a mattress for plus-sized persons. The added bounce is part of the reason the response is so quick, making it easy to move around on the mattress.
In addition, the high level of bounce will be critically important if you have a partner and use the mattress for “horizontal refreshment”.
Edge Support Test
Our edge support test revealed a maximum compression depth of 3.0″.
Max. Sinkage
3.0″
Lying Support
Exceptional
The level of edge support is documented in the images below.
Sitting, 140 lbs.
Sitting, 200 lbs.
The level of edge support while lying is documented in the images below
Lying on Edge, on Side
Lying on Edge, on Back
This is a fantastic score for this mattress and the good score can largely be attributed to the reinforced coils at the edge of the mattress. This is critical for any mattress designed for plus-sized sleepers and helps to provide ample support across the entire mattress surface.
The Helix Plus is among the very best mattresses we’ve tested to date with respect to its edge support performance. Whether you’re sitting on, lying near, or having amorous activities, the edge support is excellent.
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 | 60% | 9.8 | Moderate |
Edge Support | 20% | 10 | Exceptional |
Noise | 10% | 8 | High |
Pressure Relief | 5% | 9.5 | Excellent |
Cooling | 5% | 9.5 | Excellent |
For the Helix Plus, these individual factors generated a sex score of 9.6.
Some aspects of the mattress which really helps the overall sex score include excellent edge support, good bounce, cooling, and sinkage.
The factor that hurt this mattress the most is the noise factor. Despite the use of pocketed coils, these springs can be more on the noisy side. If you’ve got children or other family members in the house, nothing ruins the mood faster than the rhythmic creaks of a squeaky mattress.
That said, it’s definitely not as bad as a traditional innerspring mattress. However, it is going to be more noisy than a complete foam mattress or a mattress with foam-encased coils.
Pressure Relief Test
The comfort layer of the Helix Plus is made up of three layers of foam. Directly below the Tencel cover is a high-density memory foam (density of 4.0 lbs.)
Comfort Layer
4.25″
Support Layer
8.0″
There is also a layer of latex-like poly foam below the memory foam. The purpose of the poly foam is to enhance cooling, combat sinkage, and support sleepers in all positions.
The last layer in the comfort material is another layer of high-density memory foam, firmer than the top layer. This layer acts as a transitional layer between the comfort foam and the coils.
Off-Gassing Test
The Helix Plus ships compressed and upon unboxing does require some time for off-gassing. In our experience, the initial smell was moderately strong and took about 2 days to fully dissipate.
Initial Smell Strength
Moderate
Off-Gassing Period
2 days
Nothing terribly strong. In addition, since much of the mattress is made from pocketed coils, that ends up being less material that needs to be off-gas.
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 | 25% | 9 | 100 nights |
Warranty | 25% | 10 | 10 years |
Shipping | 25% | 10 | $0 |
Returns | 25% | 10 | $0 |
Country of Origin | 0% | USA |
Helix has been around since 2014 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”.
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.
How firm is Helix Plus?
The Helix Plus is a bit firmer than the other medium firmness mattresses, like the Midnight or Midnight Luxe.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (where 10 is the most firm), I would say that the Helix Plus comes in around a 7.
The extra firmness does a good job of providing support for heavier sleepers. If you’re under 300 lbs., you may find this mattress to be too firm. This is especially true for side sleepers.
Check out the Helix Midnight or the Helix Dusk for a slightly softer feel, but the same hybrid design.
Support & Sleeping Positions
Depending on your body weight and personal sleep position preferences, you may find that certain firmnesses are better suited for you than others.
We try to take the guesswork out by providing the tables below. Use these charts as a guide to help decide which mattress type is best for you.
Helix Plus
Sleeper Weight | Stomach Sleepers | Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers |
---|---|---|---|
Under 150 lbs. | Yes | Maybe | Yes |
150-250 lbs. | Yes | Maybe | Yes |
250-500 lbs. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Design
The design of the Helix Plus mattress is consistent with other Helix mattresses, but this specific model is designed for plus-sized sleepers (over 300 lbs).
Type
Plus-Sized
Thickness
13″
Firmness
7
It is a hybrid of foam and pocketed coils with a slightly firmer feel for supportive comfort.
Here is some additional information about the specifications of the Helix Plus.
Materials
There are six layers in the Helix Plus mattress including:
- 1.5″ memory foam
- 1.75″ latex-like poly foam
- 1.0″ memory foam
- 8.0″ pocketed coils, with reinforced coils at the perimeter
- 0.75″ high-density support foam
The Cover
The cover of the Helix Plus mattress uses a performance Tencel fabric that is soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, and has good stretch. Tencel is a brand-name for the generic fiber Lyocell, which is a form of rayon.
It’s made from eucalyptus and is designed to be absorbent, soft, and lightweight.
The Comfort Layer
As mentioned above, the comfort layers are made up of three different foams. The first is a 1.5″ memory foam, followed by a 1.75″ poly foam that is designed to perform like latex foam. The last layer is a higher-density memory foam that acts as a transitional layer before the coil layer.
These comfort layers work together to provide support, pressure relief, and moderate contouring without too much sinkage.
The Support Layer
The support layer is 8.0″ 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 limits motion transfer and the bounce as well as enhances pressure relief.
Along the perimeter of the mattress, there are rows of reinforced coils that provide extra stability to the edges of the mattress.
At the very bottom of the mattress is a thin, high-density foam base that provides support for the coils and foam layers above.
Product Evolution
When Helix first launched in 2014, mattress sales were generated by custom recommendations for sleepers. As a consumer, you would fill out a sleep quiz and Helix would spit out a custom firmness designed specifically for you. You could even split the feel of one mattress, with different firmnesses per side.
Today, Helix still uses the Sleep Quiz but did learn that most sleepers were falling in the same categories. So they launched 13 separate mattresses and dropped the split custom mattress altogether.
Now you can take the quiz and find out which Helix is right for you.
Other Mattresses to Consider
If you know you need a mattress that can support larger sleepers but are not convinced that Helix Plus is right for you, you may want to check out other options. Check out some of our top alternative picks below. These picks are all recommended for plus-sized sleepers but offer differences in feel and performance.
For Side Sleepers
WinkBed Plus
Hybrid + Pillow Top
The WinkBed Plus uses a 2″ pillow top cover, memory foam, perforated latex, and pocketed coils for plus-sized comfort and support. The pillow top is especially good for side sleepers.
Up to 1,000 lbs.
Titan
Hybrid + Pillow Top
The Titan mattress is a plus-sized mattress by Brooklyn Bedding, designed to support up to 1,000 lbs. It is also a hybrid design with a thin, breathable cover.
For Luxury Feel
Saatva Classic
Luxury Hybrid
While the Saatva is the only mattress within these recommendations with a weight limit of 300 lbs. per side, it can still be a good choice for heavy sleepers. It has a plush cover, a hybrid design of coils and foam, and excellent support for all sleeping positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the current prices for the Helix Plus mattress:
Twin: $849
Twin XL: $949
Full: $1,149
Queen: $1,649
King: $2,049
CA King: $2,049
The purchase of any Helix mattress comes with a 100-night trial period, a 10-year warranty, and free shipping to your door. If you decide that the mattress isn’t right for you, they offer free returns, but you’ll need to wait through the end of the 30-night break-in period.
Compressed mattresses tend to adjust in feel as they fully expand and begin to relax. This alone can take some time. In addition, your body will take time to adjust. Experts recommend giving a new mattress a few weeks for your body to truly adjust before deciding if you love or hate a new mattress.
The Helix Plus mattress comes with a 15-year warranty. This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights, and covers all manufacturing defects.
No. Right now, the only way to try a Helix mattress is to buy it (unless you happen to have a friend with a Helix!)
If you find that you don’t love the Helix after the 30-night break-in period, you have some options. You can (1) return the mattress. Or (2) you can request a firm or soft mattress topper from Helix at no additional cost. This is a nice option if you like 90% of the mattress, but the feel is not 100% right.