Helix Midnight Mattress Review: A Solid Pick At A Competitive Price

Forbes

04-06-2025

There's no denying that a high-quality mattress is a significant financial investment. However, a satisfactory mattress doesn't need to cost several thousands of dollars. Enter the Helix Midnight, an under-$1,100 model that's as thoughtfully constructed as more expensive options. I slept on the Midnight for a full month to evaluate its performance and its suitability for different comfort preferences.
I tested the Helix Midnight for one month, evaluating how it performed in terms of edge support, ... More motion isolation and more.
The Helix Midnight is one of the brand's Core hybrid models, offering a medium feel in terms of firmness. Its price is lower than that of its two upgrade models, the Midnight Luxe (our pick for the best mattress overall) and the Midnight Elite. During the past 30 days, I've taken note of the Midnight's advantages and disadvantages—for reference, I'm a side sleeper who weighs around 140 pounds. In this Helix Midnight review, I dive into my experience sleeping on this mattress and determine who I think it's best for.
Helix
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Type: Hybrid | Helix's firmness rating: 6 | Trial period: 100 nights | Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty | Height: 11.5 inches
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The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress, which means it consists of both innerspring and foam layers. This mattress in particular has five layers and is 11.5 inches tall, which is typical for a bed-in-a-box mattress. Here's a breakdown of each layer, from top to bottom:
A closer look at the Helix Midnight's layers.
Helix says this mattress is a 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, and initially, I found it to be slightly firmer than advertised. However, after about two weeks of sleeping on it, the memory foam relaxed just a bit—falling more in line with the brand's initial rating. I was a bit surprised that Helix recommends this mattress for side sleepers specifically, as side sleepers tend to gravitate toward softer models.
As a side sleeper myself, I didn't sink into the mattress as much as I would have liked, especially at first. It's worth noting that the Helix Midnight doesn't have the cushy pillow top found on the Midnight Luxe, and after testing this base model, I do think side sleepers would benefit from upgrading to the Luxe. I found that the mattress felt significantly more comfortable and supportive when I was lying on my back—I'd say the Midnight is ideal for back sleepers who occasionally shift to their side during the night. That said, if you weigh more than I do (140 pounds), then you should feel more comfortable sleeping on your side as you'll sink into the mattress more.
With my Helix Midnight Mattress out of its box and in my bedroom, my first impression was how neatly it fit into my bed frame. As I mentioned before, this mattress measures 11.5 inches thick, which is a solid, practical height—any taller, and it would have risen above the foot of my bed frame. The knit cover, while soft, didn't feel particularly cool or luxurious; but at this price point, I didn't necessarily expect it to. (Note that you have the option to upgrade to the brand's Glacio Tex Cooling Pillow Top, which costs $281 extra.)
Over the next month, I gathered my observations on this mattress' performance, taking notes on factors like pressure relief, coolness and ease of movement. Below, learn how the Helix Midnight performed across the five categories I assessed.
A close-up look at the Helix Midnight's knit cover.
Since this mattress is recommended for side sleepers by Helix, I was expecting to feel more pressure relief while lying on my side. While sleeping in this position initially wasn't uncomfortable, I found that after a few hours, I would wake up with a bit of soreness in my shoulder—my hips felt fine. I actually found this mattress to be more comfortable while lying on my back; my lumbar region, hips and shoulders felt balanced. I don't typically sleep on my stomach, but when I lay on the mattress in this position, I noticed that my hips sank in lower than my shoulders.
Keep in mind your experience could be different from mine depending on your body type. As one Forbes Vetted tester says, 'I feel very supported while lying on my side on this mattress. Despite the bed not conforming to my body like a softer foam would, it's comfortable and my shoulders and spine stay aligned. I find side sleeping on this mattress slightly more comfortable with a thin pillow between my legs to help support my hips.'
The Helix Midnight comes with a stretchy, breathable knit cover by default, with the option to upgrade to a GlacioTex pillow top cover. Since I'm not a hot sleeper, I opted for the regular cover. I would describe the surface of the mattress as temperature-neutral, which was expected, since there's nothing in the cover to give it a particularly cooling effect. I didn't experience any uncomfortable sweating, but I can imagine if you're a hot sleeper, it might feel a bit too warm for your taste. In this case, I think the cooling cover would be worth the upgrade.
If there's one category this mattress excels in, it's motion isolation. I had my partner sleep next to me in this mattress for a handful of nights to get a better sense of how movement transferred across it. I was able to get up out of bed to use the bathroom and get back in without waking him up—the next morning, he noted that he wasn't aware that I had moved at all. For further evaluation, I placed a glass of water on one side of the bed and walked along the other, and found that the glass stayed securely in place.
The Helix Midnight has good edge support; it sank just slightly when I sat on the edge, and I did notice that the perimeter felt firmer than the center of the mattress. Helix states that this mattress can support up to 600 pounds of combined weight and 300 pounds of individual weight. Both my partner and I are near the boundary between lightweight (under 150 pounds) and average weight (150 to 250 pounds), so I can't speak from experience, but I definitely think the Helix Midnight would support a sleeper who falls into the 250- to 300-pound range. (If you're someone who experiences lower back pain, Helix gives you the option to add an ErgoAlign layer for extra support, which costs an extra $187.)
Because I didn't sink into this mattress very much, I found that shifting from one position to another was relatively easy. I think the Helix Midnight would be ideal for a combination sleeper who shifts from their back to their side. And, thanks to the aforementioned motion isolation, they can do this without disturbing anyone else in the bed. Even though this is a hybrid model, I found that the innerspring layer didn't provide much bounce at all—it definitely feels more like a true memory foam mattress in that regard.
The Helix Midnight performed exceptionally well in my tests for motion transfer and edge support.
As one of the most popular bed-in-a-box mattress brands of 2025, Helix offers mattresses for every type of sleeper. Its mattresses are assembled in its Arizona factory and then shipped directly to your doorstep. The brand also ensures its beds are Greenguard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified, which means they're made without harmful chemicals.
Helix mattresses ship free in the U.S. via FedEx Ground. Shipping times vary depending on the product, but according to the brand's website, the Helix Midnight typically ships out within two to five business days. The mattress arrives compressed in a cardboard box on your doorstep—it's quite heavy, so I recommend having a friend, roommate or partner assist you in setting it up. If you aren't able to secure assistance, you can pay for in-home setup, as long as you live in a participating zip code.
Helix offers a 100-night trial for its mattresses, so you can fully decide whether or not it's right for you. Once you've slept on your Helix mattress past the 30-day break-in period, you're eligible to return it for free.
The Helix Midnight is covered by the brand's limited lifetime warranty, which covers any defects, including physical flaws specified by the manufacturer and reasonable deteriorations. Normal wear and tear and changes in comfort preference are not covered.
Helix
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For side sleepers looking to upgrade their sleep experience, I recommend checking out the Helix Midnight Luxe. While it's more expensive than the base model, it's also two inches thicker and has greater cushioning abilities, thanks to its pillow top cover. Mattress updates writer Alexandra Garrett says, 'After sleeping on the Helix Midnight Luxe for over a year, I can attest it's just as comfortable, supportive and cooling as it was during the first month of testing—a true testament to the bed's quality and durability.' While I haven't tested this model personally, it's a favorite among Forbes Vetted team members: It's currently our top pick overall in our best mattresses roundup.
Helix
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Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.
The Helix Sunset is the softest model the brand offers, so it's particularly geared toward those who sleep on their side. I personally found the Midnight to be a bit too firm for sleeping on my side exclusively, so I'd recommend checking out the Sunset if you're looking for a similarly priced mattress. Other than this decrease in firmness, it shares a lot of the same qualities as the Midnight, including its five-layer construction and knit cover. 'The Helix Sunset is a great mattress for side sleepers and those who toss and turn,' says newsletter editor Ashley Dean, who slept on this mattress for 30 days for her Helix Sunset review. 'It's slightly firmer than advertised—at least for a lightweight sleeper—but still soft. It's supportive and provides pressure point relief, and turning over on the mattress is fairly effortless.'
After my month of sleeping on it, I can attest to the Helix Midnight's high quality. It's clear that the brand has put a lot of attention and thought into its design. That being said, I think it's a good fit for some sleepers, but not all.
While it's advertised as a mattress for side sleepers, in my experience, I feel it's a better fit for back and combination sleepers. (That comes from my experience as a sleeper who falls into the higher end of the 'lightweight' category; those who weigh more than me may find this mattress softer than I did.) Thanks to its excellent motion isolation, it would make a good mattress for couples who shift throughout the night, or have one member who frequently wakes up before the other.
When compared to the Midnight Luxe, which has earned the praise of several Forbes Vetted staff members, the main appeal of the base Midnight model is that it's less expensive. If you're a fan of Helix's quality and customer service and are willing to forego the luxurious additions of the Luxe in exchange for a lower price tag, the Midnight may be for you. However, if you're a side sleeper who craves a softer, plusher mattress, I'd recommend upgrading to the Luxe.
I tried the Helix Midnight for a time frame of 30 nights, which is considered by the brand to be its break-in period. In addition to sleeping on this mattress, I also completed a series of performance-based tests. For reference, I'm a woman who weighs approximately 140 pounds and is 5 feet and 7 inches tall.
I'm the updates writer for Forbes Vetted's beauty, fashion and travel stories. For Forbes Vetted's sleep section, I've previously reported on the best pillows for neck pain. I'm also an experienced product tester; I've formally evaluated and written about the best work bags for women and the best pajamas for women.
Is The Helix Midnight Worth It?
Based on my experience sleeping on this mattress for a month, I would say that the Helix Midnight is worth it for budget-conscious shoppers. While it lacks a few of the more luxurious features of its upgrade model, the Helix Midnight Luxe, it's still a high-quality choice for those looking for a more affordable mattress.
How Long Does A Helix Midnight Mattress Last?
According to Helix's website, a high-quality hybrid mattress such as the Midnight should last approximately ten years. After ten years, the brand recommends replacing your mattress to avoid body discomfort while sleeping.
What Is The Difference Between The DreamCloud And Helix Midnight?
There are a few differences between the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid and the Helix Midnight, namely price and firmness. DreamCloud's model is less expensive at $699 than the Midnight at $1,099 for a queen size, and according to our testers, it has a slightly firmer feel.