Nolah vs. Helix Midnight Mattress Comparison

Trying to decide whether the Nolah Original mattress or the Helix Midnight is the best fit for you? Take a look at our in-depth comparison (created using our proprietary testing methodology).

Nolah vs. Helix Overview

The Nolah Original is a memory foam mattress that offers good pressure relief and pain relief. The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress well-suited for hot sleepers and couples.

Nolah is best for…	Helix is best for…
Back sleepers	Side sleepers
Hot sleepers	Seniors
Sleepers with back pain	Couples

Who Should Choose the Nolah Mattress?

• Back sleepers. Back sleepers of all shapes and sizes should be comfortable on the Nolah.
• Hot sleepers. The Nolah is a highly breathable mattress thanks to its TENCEL cover and AirFoam layers.
• Sleepers with back pain. We recommend the Nolah for sleepers with back pain because of the foam mattress top.

Who Should Choose the Helix Midnight Mattress?

• Side sleepers. Our in-lab testing showed that the Midnight is ideal for side sleepers of all sizes.
• Seniors. People 65 and older will appreciate this mattress’ excellent edge support when getting into and out of bed.
• Couples. Since the Helix has very little motion transfer, it’s good for couples.

Nolah vs. Helix: Top Similarities 

• Motion transfer. In this category, both the Nolah and Helix received a 4.5 on our 1-10 scale.
• Great for side sleepers. All side sleepers should be comfortable on the Nolah and Helix mattresses.
• Great for couples. Since these mattresses have good motion transfer and don’t sleep hot, they’re both good for couples.

Nolah vs. Helix: Top Differences 

• Edge support. The Helix Midnight has much better edge support than the Nolah.
• Pricing. If you’re on a budget, the Nolah is a better fit for you.
• Durability. The Helix’s hybrid construction should help it last longer than the Nolah.

Nolah vs. Helix: Firmness & Feel Differences

The Nolah Original and Helix Midnight have very similar firmness levels, but the Nolah provides more of that classic, contouring memory foam feel.

What’s the Firmness Of the Nolah Original & Helix Midnight Mattresses? 

The Nolah Original receives a 6/10 on our firmness scale, meaning it’s considered medium-firm. Side sleepers will feel good on the Nolah thanks to its pressure relief. Stomach sleepers and anyone who is a heavier weight, however, will likely need more support.

The Helix Midnight also is a 6/10 and medium-firm. If your weight is under 130 lbs, this mattress might feel firmer to your body. The Helix Sunset is a softer option from the Helix brand.

What Do the Nolah Original & Helix Midnight Mattresses Feel Like?

The Nolah Original is made completely of memory foam. It has a cushiony feel and conforms closely to your body, offering good pressure relief.

The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress. You’ll feel the cushioning on top and the supportiveness of the coil base below so you don’t sink too far in.

What’s It Like to Sleep On the Nolah Original & Helix Midnight Mattresses?

If you’re a side sleeper, the contouring and support of the Nolah should have just the right feel for you. Back sleepers will also be comfortable. But stomach sleepers often need a firmer mattress with more support. 

The Helix Midnight’s mix of cushioning and support is good for both back and side sleepers. If you sleep on your stomach, the Midnight should be a good fit for all except heavyweight sleepers. And keep in mind that because of this mattress’s memory foam top layer, combination sleepers may feel “stuck” when rolling around.

The Nolah vs. Helix Mattresses By Body Type

Nolah Performance By Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	5	4	5
Average weight (130 – 230 lbs):	4	3	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	2	4

Helix Performance By Sleeping Position:

Body Type:	BACK SLEEPERS	STOMACH SLEEPERS	SIDE SLEEPERS
Lightweight (< 130 lbs):	4	4	5
Average weight (130 – 230 lbs):	4	4	5
Heavyweight (> 230 lbs):	3	3	4

1 = Very poor, 2 = Not good, 3 = Fair, 4 = Good, 5 = Excellent

Average-Weight Sleepers (130–230 lbs)

We recommend the Nolah Original for average-weight back and side sleepers. Since the Nolah is highly responsive, it’s also a good fit for combination sleepers. But average-weight stomach sleepers typically need something firmer.

On the Helix Midnight, average-weight back and stomach sleepers should be decently comfortable thanks to the balance of cushioning and support. Side sleepers will rest well knowing their spine is aligned. However, average-weight combination sleepers might get “stuck” in the memory foam top as they try to change positions.

Heavyweight Sleepers (> 230 lbs)

Heavyweight back, side, and stomach sleepers are generally not a good fit for the Nolah Original, which does not offer enough support or firmness. We also do not recommend the Nolah for heavyweight combination sleepers.

Heavyweight side sleepers and back sleepers should be comfortable on the Helix Midnight, but stomach sleepers and combination sleepers will likely strike out. Look into the Helix Plus instead.

Lightweight Sleepers (< 130 lbs)

We recommend the Nolah Original for all lightweight sleepers. Back, side, and stomach sleepers should be comfortable on the 6/10 firmness level. Combination sleepers will also appreciate how responsive the Nolah is.

The Helix Midnight’s balance of comfort and support is great for lightweight back and stomach sleepers. The bed does a good job of keeping the spine aligned for side sleepers. However, lightweight combination sleepers might have trouble changing positions during the night.

Differences In Mattress Construction 

The Nolah Original is 10” high, while the Helix Midnight tops out at 12”.

Nolah Mattress Materials	Helix Mattress Materials
TENCEL Cover	“Soft Touch Design” Mattress Cover
AirFoam Comfort Layer	Memory Plus Foam Comfort Layer
Supportive High-Resilience Foam	Polyfoam Transition Layer
High-Density Base Foam	Individually Wrapped Coils
	“DuraDense” Foam

Cover

The Nolah Original has a TENCEL cover that helps you sleep cool. The Helix Midnight also has a highly breathable cover that’s soft and stretchy.

Comfort Layers

In the Nolah Original, you’ll find a comfort layer made of a pressure-relieving foam called AirFoam. The Helix Midnight has a 2” layer of Memory Plus Foam (a material that’s unique to the company).

Support Layers

The Nolah’s transition layer is made of a strong, long-lasting foam. The Helix Midnight’s foam base also adds extra support and durability.

Nolah vs. Helix Pricing

Size	Nolah Original Prices	Helix Midnight Prices
Twin	$	$
Twin XL	$	$
Full	$	$
Queen	$	$
King	$	$
California King	$	$

For exclusive discounts on both beds, see our Nolah Mattress coupons and Helix Mattress coupons.

Nolah vs. Helix Mattress Performance Ratings & Differences

Temperature

In this category, the Nolah gets a 3 and the Helix gets a 4. The Nolah is an all-foam bed (which gives it the potential to sleep hot), but uses TENCEL and AirFoam to promote airflow. The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress with coils that add breathability.

Motion Transfer

In this category, the Nolah gets a 4.5 and the Helix gets a 4.5. The Nolah absorbs movement well thanks to its AirFoam layers. We also recommend the Helix for couples because it has very little motion transfer.

Edge Support 

In this category, the Nolah gets a 2 and the Helix gets a 5. While most memory foam mattresses don’t have good edge support, the Nolah’s is decent. And the Helix has excellent edge support because of its coils.

Pressure Relief 

In this category, the Nolah gets a 3.5 and the Helix gets a 4.5. The Nolah does a good job of cradling your pressure points, and the Helix Midnight has good pressure relief for most sleepers (heavyweight back and stomach sleepers may not have enough relief).

Pain Relief 

The Nolah Original is one of the best mattresses for back pain. And if you struggle with joint pain, the Helix should also keep you comfortable.

Durability

In this category, the Nolah gets a 3 and the Helix gets a 4.5. The Nolah is an all-foam mattress but is more durable thanks to materials like AirFoam. The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress and should last 7 to 8 years.

Shipping, Returns, & Warranties 

Nolah

Nolah mattresses ship for free in the 48 contiguous U.S. states and arrive within 5 to 10 days. The Nolah Original has a lifetime warranty plus a 120-night sleep trial period.

Helix

Helix mattresses also have free shipping in the U.S. The Helix Midnight has a 10-year limited warranty, and a 100-night sleep trial period.

Other Models Available

Our Final Take

While both of these mattresses are good for side sleepers, we recommend the Nolah if you’re looking for pain relief. And if you’re a restless sleeper or you sleep beside somebody who is, the Helix Midnight will likely be a better fit for you.

Nolah vs. Helix FAQs

What kind of mattress is the Helix Midnight?

The Helix Midnight is a hybrid mattress. This means it has both coils, and memory foam. Hybrid mattresses are generally recommended for people who want a cushiony, comfortable feeling in addition to the firmer support that innerspring mattresses provide. For many sleepers, they’re the best of both worlds.

How long does a Helix mattress last?

The Helix Midnight mattress should last approximately 7 to 10 years. The Midnight has a 10-year limited warranty. It scores well in the durability category, with a strong base of individual coils providing extra support, but don’t expect it to last longer than 10 years.