Written by Sosha Lewis, Senior Staff Writer
Helix and WinkBed both specialize in high-quality, hybrid beds-in-a-box that offer luxury features at fair price points. Their leading models, the Helix Midnight and eponymous WinkBed, blend contouring foam layers with supportive pocket coils to alleviate pressure buildup and keep the spine in alignment.
These versatile beds suit a variety of sleepers, from those who love the plush feel of comfortable memory foam to fans of firm, uplifting mattresses, but who are they ultimately best for? Let’s see who’s the best candidate for the Helix Midnight or the WinkBed.
Product
Type
Score
Helix vs. WinkBed Mattress Overview
| Who Should Get the Helix Midnight? | Who Should Get the WinkBed? |
|---|---|
| Fans of hybrid mattresses | Hot sleepers |
| People with back pain | People seeking customization |
| Average-weight people | Couples |
Helix vs. WinkBed: How Are They Similar?
- Mattress type – The Helix Midnight and WinkBed Original are both hybrid beds, meaning they’re made with foam and springs.
- Cooling covers – The Helix has a breathable knit cover (with the option to upgrade to a more powerful GlacioTex™ cooling cover), while the WinkBed is wrapped in a eucalyptus-derived Tenel cover (a type of cooling material).
- Individually-wrapped pocket coils – Both beds have individually-wrapped pocket coils, meaning these coils work independently to generate targeted pressure relief.
Helix vs. WinkBed: How Are They Different?
- Height – The Helix Midnight is 11.5 inches tall, while the WinkBed Original is slightly taller at 13.5 inches.
- Firmness options – The Helix comes in a standard medium-firm feel, while the WinkBed has four firmness options: Softer, Luxury Firm, Firm, and Plus (for heavier people).
- Types of foam – You’ll find memory foam in the Helix, while the WinkBed mostly uses gel-infused foam.
Helix vs. WinkBed: Firmness, Feel, and Construction
Firmness & Feel
We rate mattress firmness on a scale of 1-10, with the firmest beds being a 10. Most mattresses fall in the middle of this scale. The Helix Midnight and the WinkBed earned the same firmness ratings from us, but it’s worth noting that we tested the Luxury Firm WinkBed. The Softer and Firm models would likely have different firmness ratings.
| Mattress | Sleep Advisor Firmness Rating | Feel | Tester Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helix Midnight | 6/10 | Medium-Firm | At the top of the Helix Midnight are softer memory foam layers, while below is a firmer supportive coil system that kicks in to keep you floating on top of the bed. These features combined create an overall crowd-pleasing medium-firm feel. |
| WinkBed | 6/10 | Medium-Firm | We tested the Luxury Firm model of the WinkBed, which is comparable to a medium-firm mattress. This middle-of-the-road firmness works well for many sleepers, thanks to its gentle contouring foam and firmer bouncy spring interior. |
Mattress Construction
The Helix Midnight and WinkBed Original are similar in their hybrid build, as well as their breathable covers. Both beds also have individually wrapped pocket coils that push back independently for targeted pressure relief.
However, the WinkBed is much taller at a structured 13.5 inches, while the Helix has a moderate 11.5-inch height. You’ll also find different types of foam in each bed; the Helix uses contouring memory foam, while the WinkBed has cooling gel foam.
What’s the Helix Midnight Mattress Made Of?
- Breathable knit cover (option to upgrade to a GlacioTex™ cooling cover)
- Memory foam comfort layer
- Poly foam transition layer
- Individually wrapped coils
- Dense foam base layer
What’s the WinkBed Mattress Made Of?
- Eucalyptus-derived Tencel© cover
- Gel-infused foam Euro pillow top
- Individually wrapped pocket coils
- Reinforced edge support
Helix vs. WinkBed: Body Type and Sleep Position
Helix Midnight
| Body Type | Weight Range | Side Sleeping | Back Sleeping | Stomach Sleeping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Less than 130 pounds | Average | Good | Excellent |
| Average-Weight | 130-230 pounds | Average | Good | Good |
| Heavyweight | More than 230 pounds | Good | Good | Poor |
WinkBed
| Body Type | Weight Range | Side Sleeping | Back Sleeping | Stomach Sleeping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Less than 130 pounds | Average | Good | Excellent |
| Average-Weight | 130-230 pounds | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Heavyweight | More than 230 pounds | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
Helix vs. WinkBed: Mattress Testing Performance
Pressure Relief
- Helix Midnight Pressure Relief Score: 5/5
- WinkBed Mattress Pressure Relief Score: 4/5
We roll out a pressure map that generates a heat image with areas of pressure buildup. The Helix Midnight had large pockets of blue and green, signaling low pressure, which earned it an impressive 5 out of 5.
Meanwhile, the others and I agreed that heavier side and stomach sleepers might find the Luxury Firm version of the WinkBed too soft based on our pressure map tests, and this can lead to pressure buildup.
The good news is that the WinkBeds brand makes a Firm and Plus version of their Original mattress that should offer better pressure relief for those particular groups.
Support
- Helix Midnight Support Score: 5/5
- WinkBed Mattress Support Score: 5/5
We test support by lying on each bed on our side, back, and stomach. Our testing team has different body types, which helps us determine how well each bed supports different groups of people.
We unanimously agreed both the Helix and WinkBed had stellar support. The foam layers up top are soft and contouring, which the sturdy innerspring systems kick in for an “on-the-bed” feel, rather than “in it.”
Motion Isolation
- Helix Midnight Motion Isolation Score: 5/5
- WinkBed Mattress Motion Isolation Score: 3/5
We test motion isolation by shifting around on top of a bed and measuring the movement with a seismograph app.
We put two testers on the Helix Midnight and WinkBed Original but found the Helix Midnight ranked supreme in motion control.
Our seismograph app detected minimal motion transfer on the Midnight, as did we while testing, but we noticed obvious spikes on the app while testing the WinkBed. This isn’t surprising given its bounce and responsiveness (which we’ll discuss below).
Temperature Regulation / Cooling
- Helix Midnight Cooling Score: 5/5
- WinkBed Mattress Cooling Score: 4/5
We use a thermal gun to measure the temperature of a mattress before, during, and after lying on it. Both beds have unique cooling properties, but the Helix Midnight slightly outperformed its WinkBed counterpart. The Helix has more advanced cooling features, particularly its optional GlacioTex™ cooling cover (which you can upgrade to for an additional fee).
Bounce
- Helix Midnight Bounce Score: 3.5/5
- WinkBed Mattress Bounce Score: 5/5
We drop a ball on each mattress to determine bounce, or how quickly a bed returns to its original shape. This helps us gauge responsiveness, or how easy it is to move around on a bed.
The WinkBed returned to its original shape much faster than the Helix, which is why we ranked it higher. Therefore, we recommend the WinkBed as the better choice for sexually active or combo sleepers.
Edge Support
- Helix Midnight Edge Support Score: 2/5
- WinkBed Mattress Edge Support Score: 4.5/5
We gauge edge support, or the sturdiness of the perimeter of a bed, by sitting and lying on it for a minute each. This is an important feature for couples, edge sleepers, and people with mobility issues who have a tough time getting in or out of bed. The Helix had substantial edge sinkage, which is why we rated it low at a 2, while the WinkBed had nearly perfect edge support with its reinforced edges.
Couples
- Helix Midnight Couples Score: 3/5
- WinkBed Mattress Couples Score: 4/5
We dole out our couples score by considering factors that would improve the bed-sharing experience, like overall support, cooling, edge support, motion isolation, and bounce. Since the Helix had poor edge support and average bounce, we subtracted two points. We ranked the WinkBed higher because of its great edge support and bounce but subtracted a point due to cooling.
Between these two, the WinkBed has a higher rating for coupes, but it’s also worth considering what performance features are most beneficial to you and your partner.
Helix vs. WinkBed: Comparing Company Policies and Price
Company Policies
| Helix | WinkBed | |
| Shipping | Free within the U.S. Ships to Canada for an additional fee. | Free within the continental U.S. |
| White Glove Delivery | Starts at $159, with the cost varying depending on the number of services you select. | The company doesn’t currently offer white glove delivery or removal. |
| Trial | 100 nights | 120 nights |
| Warranty | 10 years for the Core collection, 15 years for the Luxe and Elite collections. | Lifetime |
| Return Policy | Free within the trial period. | Free within the trial period, but there may be a return shipping fee. |
Accessibility
- Helix Midnight Accessibility Score: 4/5
- WinkBed Mattress Accessibility Score: 4/5
Accessibility refers to features that make a mattress stand out from competitors. We rated both beds equally because they each have standout qualities but there were minor areas where we could see some improvements.
The Helix has an impressive 1,000-pound weight limit and also has a partnership with showrooms nationwide where you can test the mattress before buying it. However, we took off a point from its score here because its sleep trial is shorter than some competitors (though it still meets the industry standard) and white glove delivery availability is limited.
The WinkBed has four firmness options, including an option designed just for heavy people, which isn’t common throughout the mattress space. Still, we took off a point since the brand doesn’t currently offer white glove delivery or removal.
Customer Service
- Helix Midnight Customer Service Score: 4/5
- WinkBed Mattress Customer Service Score: 5/5
We reach out to each brand’s customer service to determine ease of use and quality of response. Helix offers online chat, email, phone, and text customer service options, but we found the chat a little hit-and-miss.
The WinkBed is much more user-friendly with their online chat, call, and email options where you can talk to fast, knowledgeable, and friendly customer service reps.
Sizing and Prices
| Size | Helix Midnight Price (w/o discount) | WinkBed Price (w/o discount) |
| Twin | $936.30 | $1,218 |
| Twin XL | $1,061.30 | $1,318 |
| Full | $1,248.80 | $1,578 |
| Queen | $1,332 | $1,898 |
| King | $1,748.80 | $2,118 |
| Cali King | $1,748.80 | $2,168 |
More Helix Comparisons
Comparing Other Mattresses from Helix and WinkBeds
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| Helix Midnight Mattress | WinkBed Mattress | Helix Dawn Luxe Mattress | WinkBeds EcoCloud Mattress | Helix Dawn Mattress | WinkBeds GravityLux Mattress | Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress | WinkBed Plus Mattress | Helix Dusk Mattress | WinkBeds Blue Series 2 | Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress | Helix Moonlight Luxe Mattress | Helix Moonlight Mattress | Helix Plus Mattress | Helix Sunset Luxe Mattress | Helix Sunset Mattress | Helix Twilight Luxe Mattress | Helix Twilight Mattress | Helix Kids Mattress | Helix Midnight Elite | Helix Midnight Mattress RV | Helix Plus Luxe | |
| Rating | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Firmness | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Multiple firmness options | Medium: 5.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Firm: 7/10 | Medium: 5.5/10 | Firm: 7.5/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | Medium-firm: 6/10 | |||||||
| Material | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Latex | Hybrid | Foam | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Cooling | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 15-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 15-year warranty | Lifetime warranty | 10-year warranty | 10 year | 15-year warranty | 15-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 15-year warranty | 15-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 15-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 15-year warranty | 10-year warranty | 15 years |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | No shipping available | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Trial Period | 100 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 120 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 Nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | 100 nights | |
| Best For | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Back Pain, Hot Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Pain, Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples | Back Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Stomach Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers | Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Couples, Seniors, Back Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hip Pain, Seniors | Back Pain, Couples, Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers | Hot Sleepers, Joint Pain, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers | Joint Pain, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Joint Pain, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Couples, Hot Sleepers | Side Sleepers, Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Kids, Hot Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers, Hot Sleepers | Couples, Back Sleepers, Side Sleepers | Back Sleepers, Stomach Sleepers, Hot Sleepers, Back Pain, Couples |
Helix vs. WinkBed FAQs
What is the life expectancy of a Helix mattress?
Most Helix mattresses should last between seven and 10 years with proper care. Rotating your mattress every six months and keeping your bedding clean can help extend the lifespan of your bed.
Do Helix beds sag?
While Helix beds themselves don’t necessarily sag, the Helix Midnight had softer edges – meaning it has less edge support. This can cause a “sagging” sensation when lying or sitting on the perimeter of the bed.
Is the Helix brand good?
Helix is a leading mattress brand known for their high-quality hybrid mattresses. They also contain three collections (Core, Luxe, and Elite) that can appeal to shoppers of all different budgets and preferences.
Is the Helix Midnight good for side sleepers?
We found the Helix Midnight ideal for average or heavyweight side sleepers, who will find more contouring around the shoulders because they’ll sink into the materials more to get those pressure-relieving benefits.
Our Final Thoughts on Helix vs. WinkBed
Both Helix and WinkBed are reliable mattress brands that provide a wide range of quality-made beds for all kinds of sleepers. In fact, each brand has their own take on a mattress for heavyweight sleepers (Helix Plus and WinkBed Plus)
In the case of the Helix Midnight and WinkBed Original that we featured in this comparison, both are solid options with great features. People with back pain or average-weight sleepers will likely find the most comfort and support on the Helix, while those seeking out different firmness options or couples looking for excellent edge support should love the customizable WinkBed.
Sleep Advisor’s Testing Methodology
My fellow teammates and I tried these mattresses using a combination of subjective and data-based tests to score the mattresses in different performance categories. We also made sure to test the beds in different sleeping positions and get the opinions of sleepers of different body types for a more comprehensive overview. Our product review process goes into detail on each test we administer and how it ultimately works.
Sosha Lewis
Senior Staff Writer
About Author
Sosha Lewis is a senior staff writer for Sleep Advisor. Lewis is happy that she is able to combine her love of sleep with her love of writing.
Combination Sleeper
Education & Credentials
- Certified Sleep Science Coach