Helix Mattress Review: An Honest Assessment
Helix Sunset, Sunset Luxe, and Sunset Elite
The 11.5-inch Helix Sunset is the Core model in Helix’s line of soft hybrid mattresses for side-sleepers. It has 1 inch of memory foam with a density of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot, atop two polyfoam layers (with densities of 1.8 and 1.5 pounds per cubic foot). Below the foam layers is an 8-inch layer of 852 individually wrapped steel coils on either side of the bed for edge support, and a 0.13-inch base foam layer. These layers come encased in Helix’s standard synthetic cover, which can be upgraded to a cooling version.
The 13.5-inch Sunset Luxe offers more targeted support and denser foams. It has six layers, as opposed to the Sunset’s five, atop an 8-inch layer of 852 individually wrapped steel coils, which are reinforced. You can add the ErgoAlign Layer, an additional lumbar support polyfoam layer, for about $200.
The 16-inch Helix Sunset Elite adds a 2-inch pillow top layer and has the GlacioTex Elite cooling cover. It has nine layers: three polyfoam layers, three memory-foam layers, and three coil layers. Like the Luxe version, it has reinforced coils along the perimeter and lumbar of the mattress. But in addition, it has two separate layers that have 2,226 reinforced microcoils each.
Helix Moonlight, Moonlight Luxe, and Moonlight Elite
The 11.5-inch Helix Moonlight is the Core model in Helix’s line of soft mattresses designed for back- and stomach-sleepers. The Helix Moonlight comes with the standard synthetic cover, with the option to upgrade to the cooling cover. Beneath the cover are five layers, including a 1-inch layer of the Helix Dynamic Foam (a proprietary fast-response memory foam that Helix says reduces sink), with a density of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot. Below that are two layers of polyfoam with densities of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot and 1.5 pounds per cubic foot of density. It has the same coil and base layer as the Sunset model.
The 13.5-inch Moonlight Luxe comes with a Tencel cover or can be upgraded to the cooling cover. Compared with the core model, the Luxe mattress has an additional 1-inch plush pillow top (giving it six layers, total) and has the reinforced coil unit. You can also tack on the ErgoAlign polyfoam lumbar support layer.
The Moonlight Elite, at 16 inches tall, is the high-end model in the Moonlight series and is encased in the GlacioTex Elite cooling cover. It has a total of nine layers, which includes a 2-inch plush pillow top layer, five layers of foam, and three layers of coils (the 8-inch reinforced coil layer and two separate layers of microcoils).
Helix Midnight, Midnight Luxe, and Midnight Elite
Helix’s 11.5-inch Midnight mattress is the core model from the company’s line designed for side-sleepers who prefer a medium feel. It comes with the basic cover (which can be upgraded to the cooling version), five layers of memory foam and polyfoam, and 852 pocketed coils along the sides of the mattress for edge support.
We group-tested the Midnight in 2019, but despite its designation as medium support, many testers found it to be too soft. One tester who slept on the Midnight for a week at home found that the cushioning felt pleasantly like marshmallow fluff, but their partner disagreed, finding it “mushy” and unsupportive.
The Midnight Luxe is available in the standard 100% Tencel cover (or the cooling pillow top cover at an extra cost) and comes with the 1-inch plush pillow top layer, four memory-foam and polyfoam layers, and the 8-inch reinforced coil perimeter and lumbar layer that you’ll find in all Luxe mattresses. As with all Luxe models, you can add the ErgoAlign polyfoam lumbar support layer for about $200.
We group-tested the Midnight Luxe in 2024, and a few testers chose it as their first or second favorite, saying it made them feel supported in any position. Yet the general feedback we received for this mattress was that even though it was comfortable, most testers wouldn’t want it to be their full-time mattress.
The 16-inch Midnight Elite comes with a GlacioTex Elite cooling cover and 2 inches of the plush pillow top, six layers of polyfoam and memory foam, and the pocketed support coil and microcoil units.
Helix Dusk, Dusk Luxe, and Dusk Elite
The 11.5-inch Helix Dusk is the core model in Helix’s line of medium mattresses for back- and stomach-sleepers. The Helix Dusk has five layers: a 1.5-inch layer of memory foam (with 2.5 pounds per cubic foot of density), two 1-inch polyfoam layers (with densities of 1.5 and 1.8 pounds per cubic foot), an 8-inch layer of 852 individually wrapped coils for edge support, and a 0.13-inch base foam layer. The mattress comes encased in a synthetic cover, or you can upgrade to the cooling cover.
The 13.5-inch Dusk Luxe adds the 1-inch pillow topper, 100% Tencel cover, and 8-inch reinforced coil perimeter and lumbar layer requisite with all Luxe models. At an extra cost, you can upgrade to the cooling cover and further customize with the ErgoAlign lumbar support foam. The Dusk Luxe also comes with four foam layers: a polyfoam comfort layer, two memory-foam layers, and a base foam layer.
With the 16-inch Dusk Elite you’ll get the GlacioTex cooling cover and a 2-inch pillow top layer. The Elite’s six foam layers are made of three layers of memory foam and three layers of polyfoam. Beneath that are the Elite’s 8-inch coil layer and two additional layers of microcoils (2,226 microcoils each).
Helix Twilight, Twilight Luxe, and Twilight Elite
The 11.5-inch Helix Twilight is the core model designed for side-sleepers who prefer a firm feel. It comes with the standard synthetic cover, with an option to upgrade to the cooling cover. It has five layers, including a 1-inch gel memory-foam layer (2.5 pounds per cubic foot in density), two layers of polyfoam (1.5 and 1.8 pounds per cubic foot), and the base layer of foam. The Twilight model also comes with an 8-inch layer of 852 individually wrapped coils for edge support.
The 13.5-inch Twilight Luxe has the 100% Tencel cover (or the GlacioTex cooling cover at an added cost), an 8-inch coil layer around the perimeter and within the lumbar area, and a 1-inch pillow top layer, along with a memory-foam layer, two polyfoam layers, and a base foam layer. Like all Luxe options, you can add Helix’s ErgoAlign zoned lumbar foam layer for $200.
The 16-inch Twilight Elite has nine layers: three memory-foam layers, three polyfoam layers, and three layers of coils. And like all Elite mattresses, it has two separate layers of reinforced microcoils with 2,226 coils in each layer. This mattress is encased in the GlacioTex Elite cooling cover.
Helix Dawn, Dawn Luxe, and Dawn Elite
The 11.5-inch Helix Dawn is the core model in Helix’s line of firm mattresses for back- and stomach-sleepers. The Helix Dawn comes standard with a synthetic cover with the option to upgrade to the cooling cover. The Helix Dawn has five layers: a 1-inch layer of memory foam with a density of 2.5 pounds per cubic foot, a 1.5-inch polyfoam layer with 1.8 pounds per cubic foot, another 1-inch polyfoam with 1.5 pounds per cubic foot, and the 8-inch coil layer for edge support and a 0.13 inch base foam layer.
The 13.5-inch Dawn Luxe adds the 1-inch pillow top and the Tencel cover (upgradable to the cooling cover). It has an 8-inch reinforced coil layer around the perimeter of the mattress and in the middle third of it for targeted lumbar support, with the option to customize with the ErgoAlign lumbar support foam. The Dawn Luxe has four foam layers: a memory-foam layer, two polyfoam layers, and a base foam layer.
The 16-inch Dawn Elite comes with a GlacioTex Elite cooling cover and a 2-inch plush pillow top layer. The Dawn Elite has nine layers, which include three layers of memory foam, three layers of polyfoam, and three coil layers, as opposed to the Dawn Luxe’s six total layers. And as with all Elite models, the Dawn Elite’s two additional coil layers have 2,226 reinforced microcoils each.
Helix Plus, Plus Luxe, and Plus Elite
The 11.5-inch Helix Plus (previously known as the Nightfall) is a more substantial mattress than Helix’s other options. It’s medium-firm, and it should hold up well for most sleepers, including those who weigh more than 200 pounds. When we tested an earlier version of this mattress in 2020, we thought the tougher build could make for a longer-lasting bed and offered a feel that could appeal to a broader audience. One back-and-stomach-sleeper, who weighs just over 200 pounds, ranked the Helix Plus as his favorite mattress overall. The tester noted that it has the “right balance of spring support and plush foam.” All testers agreed that it had good edge support.
The Helix Plus has three foam layers: a 1.5-inch “ultradense” Helix Dynamic Foam layer (2.5 pounds per cubic foot in density), a fast-response memory-foam layer that reduces the “sink-y” feel at the surface of a mattress (2.5 pounds per cubic foot of density), a 2-inch memory-foam layer (1.8 pounds per cubic foot), and 0.25-inch base foam layer. The cover is made from Tencel, with the option of upgrading to the cooling cover. The layers of foam are supported by 8 inches of 852 steel coils fully reinforced throughout the entire mattress (as opposed to just the sides).
The 13.5-inch Plus Luxe comes with the standard 1-inch pillow top, a 100% Tencel cover, and the same fully reinforced steel coil layer throughout the entire mattress. You can add the ErgoAlign lumbar support foam (also at an extra cost). The Plus Luxe has four foam layers.
The 16-inch Plus Elite, as with all Elite mattresses, comes with a GlacioTex Elite cooling cover and a 2-inch plush quilted pillow top layer. The Plus Elite has nine layers, which includes three layers of memory foam, three layers of polyfoam, and three coil layers (reinforced support coils and two separate microcoil layers with 2,226 reinforced microcoils each).
The 7-inch Helix Kids mattress is a flippable model designed for kids from toddler to preteen years. One side features a gel memory-foam layer with a firmer feel that Helix says is best suited for children ages 3 to 7. The other side has a polyfoam layer with a softer feel for kids ages 8 through 12. Sandwiched between those two layers is a layer of reinforced coils (544 reinforced coils in the twin size, 582 in the full size).
This article was edited by Christina Colizza and Courtney Schley.
