It’s been five years since I graduated from college. In that time, I’ve made countless adjustments to my living space—like updating furniture, tackling minor apartment projects and investing in a fancy Dyson vacuum cleaner. But the one thing that hasn’t received an upgrade? My old mattress.
After months of increasingly restless sleep and even some minor neck pain, I knew it was time for a change. I traded in my old hunk of foam for a top-of-the-line Helix Midnight Elite mattress. Could this pricey mattress-in-a-box be my secret to sweet dreams?
What is the Helix Midnight Elite Mattress?
The Helix Midnight is designed for side sleepers who prefer a medium firmness, and the Elite line is the brand’s top-tier offering. It measures 16 inches tall with five layers of high-density foam. It claims to cushion, cool and cradle while you sleep, resulting in a “restorative sleep experience.”
As a brand, Helix offers made-to-order mattresses that ship directly to their customer’s doors. They use premium materials and merge the quality of a mattress store with the ease of bed-in-a-box delivery.
Helix Midnight Elite Mattress Product Features
- Queen size measures 60 inches wide by 80 inches long by 16 inches high
- Weighs 172 pounds
- Features five foam layers
- Measures 5-6 on the mattress firmness scale
- Includes hundreds of individually wrapped steel coils for maximum support
- Splits the weight and design into two separate layers: the base and the comfort insert
- Uses GlacioTex technology for a cool night’s sleep
- Made in the U.S.
- Comes with a 100-night sleep trial and 15-year warranty
- Free shipping (mattress comes in two boxes)
- Includes two free Dream pillows
How I Tested It
I’ve been sleeping on the queen-size Helix Midnight Elite mattress since April 2023. This is my honest experience.
Choosing the Mattress
Let’s face it: Shopping for a mattress is overwhelming. Even more so online when you can’t physically feel your options. But Helix solves this problem with a smart Sleep Quiz. It helped me find my perfect mattress fit before adding it to my cart. The quiz includes questions about whether you’re shopping solo or with a partner, body metrics like age, height and weight, sleeping positions and preferred mattress feel. The whole process took less than a minute, and I was able to shop with greater confidence.
Editor’s Note: I did learn after the fact that Helix has partner showrooms if you’d like to test mattress options in person.
Helix also has a handy Mattress Comparison Tool if you’re deciding between a variety of models. The Sleep Quiz matched me with the Helix Midnight, but I wanted to investigate the Midnight Luxe and Midnight Elite, too. I was able to see all three models’ features side-by-side. Multiple tabs aren’t needed!
Ordering Process
And, to further calm any nerves, I could order easily, knowing Helix offers a 100-night sleep trial. Per the brand’s website, if you’re unhappy with your mattress for any reason, you can return it for a full refund.
After researching all my options, I landed on the Helix Midnight Elite. I was eager to test the luxurious comfort layers and top-tier lumbar support, among other features.
Delivery Experience
The Helix mattress arrived on my porch in two, admittedly very beat up, boxes. I loved that they split the weight between two packages. While still a two-person job, it made trekking each piece up the stairs a little bit easier. And, while each box was damaged, the mattress itself was securely wrapped with nary a scratch to the plastic encasement.
Setting the Mattress Up
I began my Helix mattress set up on a Saturday morning. After removing my old mattress, I wrangled the boxes into my bedroom. I dug out the instructions and began to unroll the mattress. This step was a workout! When I reached the final layer of plastic, I hoisted the mattress onto my bed frame and cut off the final piece. At this point, the mattress began to expand. It took just a few minutes for it to reach its full size, but I still let it air out for a few hours.
Right away, I could sense a major pro: There wasn’t much of a “new mattress smell.” One of my greatest irks with box mattresses is that chemical-y odor that supposedly dissipates after a few days. The Helix mattress had none of that. There was a faint plastic packaging smell, but nothing overwhelming. And it went away almost immediately after opening the box and placing the mattress on the bed frame.
After lunch, it was time to move on to the insert. Part of what makes the Helix Elite mattress so special is that it’s broken down into two pieces: the base and the comfort insert. Not only does this make shipping and set up easier, but it really elevates the mattress into a luxury experience. The base was already twice the depth of my old mattress, and the topper took my bed to new heights—literally. Plus, if you aren’t happy with the firmness level of your mattress, you can test out a different insert rather than replace the entire thing.
To set it up, I wrangled the topper out of the box and, again, began to unwrap all the plastic. I ensured the base pocket was open and then hoisted the topper into place. Next, I began to zipper the pocket shut, encasing the topper inside. This was yet another workout! The first side is easy to zipper, but as the encasement tightens with each zip, it becomes more difficult to wrangle. After several minutes of re-positioning and tugging, the topper was secure, and my Helix Midnight Elite mattress setup was complete.
While I’m living proof that it’s possible to set up this mattress by yourself, I’d highly recommend having a helper.
The Sleep Test
By Saturday night, I was ready to put this mattress to the test. I wrestled on a new mattress protector and grabbed a set of clean sheets. Since the mattress is so deep, the brand recommends using deep-pocket sheets. My old mattress measured a whopping 8 inches, so I didn’t have a set on hand. I said a quick prayer that I wouldn’t need to make a 9 p.m. Target run and got to work. Thankfully, they just fit. At some point, I will make the switch—I’m already eyeing the options from Boll & Branch—but it was nice to know I didn’t need to update my entire linen closet at once.
I finished making the bed, and my fiancé and I crawled, err, jumped in. I can’t get over how deep this mattress is! Since the mattress is 16 inches tall, it was a big adjustment for my 5’4 self. Based on size alone, the Helix Midnight Elite looks like it came from a luxury mattress store, not a box.
Now, for full transparency, my first night was a little rough. The mattress felt very firm—and I was wondering if I had made a mistake. After a few nights, I adjusted to the feeling. And now, after a month, the mattress feels broken in and aligned with its advertised medium firmness.
Even more impressive, though, is how the quality of my sleep has drastically improved in just a few short weeks. The neck pain I used to wake up with? Gone. And for the first time, I feel supported in my sleep. Plus, each night provides deeper, more restful sleep. I’m typically a very light sleeper who wakes to pretty much anything. A siren, a dog barking, a clap of thunder, sunlight pouring in, too much heat, too much humidity—you get the picture.
Before the Helix Midnight Elite, it was common for me to wake up at least once during the night. This mattress has given me several nights of completely uninterrupted sleep. And, on the nights when I do still wake up, I feel rested when my alarm rings. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m achieving higher quality sleep, even when the quantity lacks.
Plus, the Helix Midnight Elite does a great job of minimizing movement. On our old mattress, any time my partner or I would shift, the other would feel it. The Helix’s five foam layers and hundreds of individually wrapped steel coils do a great job absorbing shock. This mattress is silent, too, with no creaks or squeaks.
Helix mattresses also include two free Dream Pillows with your mattress order. With a down alternative filling, these pillows are oh-so-soft. As side sleepers, my partner and I find them to be a little too plush to provide enough neck support. But they add a beautiful, crisp finish to our bed, and I love that you can toss them in the washing machine to clean.
Pros
- Incredibly comfortable medium support mattress that, in my experience, provides deep, restful sleep
- Luxurious felling akin to a hotel bed
- Includes two pillows that further add to the hotel bed experience
- Ships in two boxes for easy setup
- No box spring required
- 100-night sleep trial ensures you love your new mattress, or your money back
- 15-year warranty
- Each mattress is made in the USA to order
- Made with OEKO-TEX and CertiPUR-US certified fabrics and foam (AKA the mattress contains no heavy metals or harmful chemicals)
Cons
- On the pricey side for bed-in-a-box style mattresses
- Only works with platform-style bed frames
- Included pillows don’t provide a ton of neck support for side sleepers (No sweat—just pick up the best pillows on Amazon)
FAQ
How long do Helix mattresses last?
Helix mattresses come with a 10 or 15 year limited warranty. The Elite style I tested is covered for 15 years.
Is Helix made in USA?
Yes! Each Helix mattress is handmade in the U.S. Once ordered, your specific mattress is custom-built and ships in 6-10 days.
Do you flip or rotate a Helix mattress?
A Helix mattress cannot be flipped. The layers are specifically ordered to maximize performance, and with an Elite mattress, you would lose access to the comfort insert. While you can rotate your Helix mattress, it is not necessary.
Product Comparison
There are six main Helix mattresses—Sunset, Moonlight, Midnight, Dusk, Twilight and Dawn. Each is available in the basic Core collection, the mid-tier Luxe collection or the top-of-the-line Elite collection. The Sunset and Moonlight provide a soft, plush feel. The Midnight and Dusk provide a medium, balanced feel. And the Twilight and Dawn provide a firm, supportive feel. Moreover, the Sunset, Midnight and Twilight mattresses are designed for side sleepers, while the Moonlight, Dusk and Dawn mattresses are designed for back and stomach sleepers. Phew!
While it’s a lot to take in, the bottom line is there is a Helix mattress for everyone. No matter your sleep style, budget or desired firmness. The brand even offers options for kids and plus-size sleepers.
Final Verdict
I am 100% satisfied with my Helix Midnight Elite mattress. There’s no denying it’s an investment. But considering you spend 1/3 of your life on a mattress, it’s worth finding the perfect fit. If you, like me, are a restless side sleeper with occasional neck pain, the Midnight Elite mattress provides almost immediate relief.
It wasn’t until a recent trip to see family that I realized just how deeply I had fallen in love. After 10 days of sleeping on a futon, I was desperate to return home to my luxurious, hotel-style bed. I rest easy knowing my mattress is built to last. My only regret is that I didn’t upgrade sooner.
Where to Buy a Helix Mattress
You can order your own Helix mattress on the brand’s website. The mattress I tested, a queen-size Helix Midnight Elite, retails for just over $3,600. Other sizes and styles range from $936 to $4,124. And keep an eye out for frequent sales to save a little cash. Sweet dreams await!
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Article source here: I Tried a Helix Midnight Elite Mattress, and It’s My Secret to Deep, Restful Sleep
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