Welcome to Mattressnap, where we help you find your dream bed! If you’re torn between Helix and Purple, you’re in good company. These bed-in-a-box giants offer distinct vibes and features for different sleepers.
We’ve scoured reviews, crunched data, and tested models to bring you a clear, friendly, and insightful comparison. From performance to feel, we’ll cover it all to help you pick the perfect mattress. Let’s dive in and get comfy!
Helix: Personalized Comfort
Since 2015, Helix has been all about customization. Their sleep quiz matches you to a hybrid mattress based on your body type, sleep position, and preferences. With foam layers over pocketed coils, Helix offers a balanced, traditional feel across three collections: Core, Luxe, and Elite. A queen-sized Helix Midnight starts at around $1,358, making it more budget-friendly than Purple.
Purple: Innovative Grid Technology
Purple, launched in 2016, is known for its unique GelFlex Grid—a stretchy, cooling polymer layer that feels like nothing else. Their mattresses blend support, pressure relief, and airflow, with options from the affordable Purple Original ($1,499 for a queen) to the premium Restore Premier (up to $2,799). Purple’s focus is on a modern, bouncy sleep experience.
Helix Mattresses: A Closer Look
Helix’s lineup includes six Core models (Sunset, Moonlight, Midnight, Dusk, Twilight, Dawn), plus upgraded Luxe and Elite versions. We’re zooming in on the Helix Midnight, Midnight Luxe, and Midnight Elite—popular hybrids with memory foam or poly foam over coils, delivering a medium to medium-firm feel.
Purple Mattresses: What They Offer
Purple’s range spans the Essential (Purple Original, Flex, Renew), Restore, and Rejuvenate collections. We’ll compare the Purple Original, Restore Plus, and Restore Premier, all featuring the GelFlex Grid for a bouncy, breathable, medium to medium-firm feel.
Our Verdict at Mattressnap
Helix and Purple both deliver top-tier mattresses, but they cater to different needs. Helix is your pick for a tailored hybrid with a classic feel, strong edge support, and a lower price. Purple excels for those craving a unique, cooling, bouncy grid sensation. Your choice hinges on sleep style, budget, and whether you want contouring or a “floating” feel.
Compare the Models
We’re pitting the Helix Midnight, Midnight Luxe, and Midnight Elite against the Purple Original, Restore Plus, and Restore Premier to cover each brand’s spectrum.
Compare Helix Scores
- Helix Midnight: 8.76/10 (top 36% of tested mattresses)
- Helix Midnight Luxe: 9.46/10 (top 2%)
- Helix Midnight Elite: 9.17/10 (top 13%)
Compare Purple Scores
- Purple Original: 8.99/10 (top 22%)
- Purple Restore Plus: 8.71/10 (average)
- Purple Restore Premier: 8.44/10 (slightly below average)
Compare Helix Data
- Price (Queen): Midnight ($1,358), Midnight Luxe ($1,899), Midnight Elite (~$2,499)
- Firmness: Midnight (medium-firm, 6/10), Luxe (medium-firm, 6/10), Elite (medium, 5.5/10)
- Sinkage: Midnight (2.25″), Luxe (moderate), Elite (2.64″)
- Bounce: Midnight (8.21″), Luxe (6.74″), Elite (6.86″)
Compare Purple Data
- Price (Queen): Original ($1,499), Restore Plus (~$2,499), Restore Premier (~$2,799)
- Firmness: Original (medium, 5/10), Restore Plus (medium-firm, 6/10), Restore Premier (medium-firm, 6/10)
- Sinkage: Original (2.03″), Restore Plus (minimal), Restore Premier (1.82″)
- Bounce: Original (9.46″), Restore Plus (high), Restore Premier (very high)
Best Mattress For
- Side Sleepers: Helix Midnight or Midnight Luxe for deeper contouring; Purple Original for lighter side sleepers needing pressure relief.
- Back/Stomach Sleepers: Helix Dawn or Purple Restore Plus for firmer support.
- Couples: Helix Midnight Luxe for minimal motion transfer; Purple Restore Plus for mobility.
- Hot Sleepers: Purple Original or Helix Midnight Elite with GlacioTex cover.
- Heavier Sleepers: Helix Plus or Purple Restore Premier for durable support.
Performance Tests at Mattressnap
Using data from trusted sources like NapLab and Sleepopolis, we’ve analyzed cooling, sinkage, motion transfer, response, bounce, edge support, sex performance, pressure relief, and off-gassing.
Which Mattresses Are We Comparing?
- Helix: Midnight, Midnight Luxe, Midnight Elite
- Purple: Original, Restore Plus, Restore Premier
Cooling Test
Both brands keep you cool, but Purple’s GelFlex Grid has a slight edge.
- Helix Midnight: 9/10. Breathable cover and coils promote airflow; GlacioTex upgrade ($199) boosts cooling.
- Purple Original: 10/10. GelFlex Grid dissipates heat fast (89.2°F max, 1.8°F below average).
- Helix Midnight Luxe: 9/10. Enhanced cooling with GlacioTex.
- Purple Restore Plus: 9/10. Grid and coils stay cool, slightly less effective than Original.
- Helix Midnight Elite: 10/10. GlacioTex feels cool instantly.
- Purple Restore Premier: 9/10. Great heat dissipation, but costlier than Helix Elite.
Sinkage Test
Helix offers a “hug” with deeper sinkage; Purple’s grid gives a “floating” feel.
- Helix Midnight: 2.25″ (moderate). Ideal for side sleepers.
- Purple Original: 2.03″ (moderate). Less contouring.
- Helix Midnight Luxe: Moderate sinkage, balanced feel.
- Purple Restore Plus: Minimal sinkage, firmer.
- Helix Midnight Elite: 2.64″ (deepest). Plush and luxurious.
- Purple Restore Premier: 1.82″ (minimal). Perfect for minimal sinkage fans.
Motion Transfer Test
Helix is better for couples, with lower motion transfer.
- Helix Midnight: 7.16 m/s² (good isolation).
- Purple Original: 8.62 m/s² (more motion).
- Helix Midnight Luxe: 4.03 m/s² (exceptional).
- Purple Restore Plus: Moderate, not as good as Helix Luxe.
- Helix Midnight Elite: Slightly higher than Luxe but solid.
- Purple Restore Premier: Similar to Restore Plus, lags behind Helix.
Response Test
Purple’s grid responds faster for easy position changes.
- Helix Midnight: 0.6s (mostly), 1.0s (fully). Slower due to memory foam.
- Purple Original: 0.2s (mostly), 0.3s (fully). Near-instant.
- Helix Midnight Luxe: Slightly slower than Midnight.
- Purple Restore Plus: Fast, like Original.
- Helix Midnight Elite: Slower, dense foams.
- Purple Restore Premier: Very fast, grid-driven.
Bounce Test
Purple’s high bounce aids mobility and intimacy.
- Helix Midnight: 8.21″ (below average).
- Purple Original: 9.46″ (above average).
- Helix Midnight Luxe: 6.74″ (very low).
- Purple Restore Plus: High bounce.
- Helix Midnight Elite: 6.86″ (low).
- Purple Restore Premier: Very high bounce.
Edge Support Test
Helix shines with stronger edges, especially in Luxe and Elite.
- Helix Midnight: 5.0″ sinkage (average).
- Purple Original: 5.17″ sinkage (below average).
- Helix Midnight Luxe: 2.75″ sinkage (outstanding).
- Purple Restore Plus: Better than Original, not as good as Helix Luxe.
- Helix Midnight Elite: 3.0″ sinkage (excellent).
- Purple Restore Premier: Improved but trails Helix.
Sex Test
Purple’s bounce wins, but Helix’s edge support helps.
- Helix Midnight: 8.55/10. Limited by low bounce.
- Purple Original: 9.21/10. Bounce boosts performance.
- Helix Midnight Luxe: 7.7/10. Low bounce hurts.
- Purple Restore Plus: Strong due to bounce.
- Helix Midnight Elite: 8.8/10. Edge support shines.
- Purple Restore Premier: Top-tier, bounce-driven.
Pressure Relief Test
Helix slightly outperforms Purple for pressure relief.
- Helix: 9.09/10. Great for side sleepers.
- Purple: 8.33/10. Grid offers targeted relief, less contouring.
Off-Gassing Test
Helix smells less and off-gasses faster.
- Helix: 7 days, mild odor.
- Purple: Longer off-gassing, stronger smell.
Company Policies
- Helix: 100-night trial, 10-year warranty (15 years for Luxe/Elite), free shipping.
- Purple: 100-night trial, 10-year warranty, free shipping, $150-$350 return fees.
Firmness
Helix’s firmness spans 3.5-8/10, offering soft to firm options. Purple sticks to 4-7/10, focusing on medium to medium-firm. Helix’s quiz nails your ideal firmness; Purple’s grid feels consistent across models.
Support & Sleeping Positions
- Helix: Suits all positions, especially side/back sleepers. Midnight is great for light/average-weight side sleepers; Plus supports 300+ lbs.
- Purple: Best for back/stomach sleepers. Original works for lighter side sleepers; Restore models handle heavier bodies but lack deep contouring.
Design
Helix’s hybrid design (foam + coils) feels classic and customizable. Purple’s GelFlex Grid delivers a modern, bouncy, breathable experience, with foam or coils in premium models. Helix is traditional; Purple is futuristic.
Materials
Helix Midnight
- Cover: Breathable knit (GlacioTex optional)
- Comfort Layer: Helix Dynamic Foam, memory foam
- Transition Layer: Responsive foam
- Support Core: Pocketed coils
- Base: Foam
Purple Original
- Cover: Soft, breathable knit
- Comfort Layer: 2″ GelFlex Grid
- Transition Layer: 3.5″ poly foam
- Base: 4″ poly foam
Helix Midnight Luxe
- Cover: Tencel or GlacioTex
- Comfort Layer: Memory foam, poly foam
- Transition Layer: Responsive foam
- Support Core: Zoned coils
- Base: Foam
Purple Restore Plus
- Cover: Breathable knit
- Comfort Layer: 3″ GelFlex Grid
- Transition Layer: Foam
- Support Core: Pocketed coils
- Base: Foam
Helix Midnight Elite
- Cover: GlacioTex
- Comfort Layer: Foam, microcoils
- Transition Layer: Foam
- Support Core: Pocketed coils
- Base: Foam
Purple Restore Premier
- Cover: Breathable knit
- Comfort Layer: 4″ GelFlex Grid
- Transition Layer: Foam
- Support Core: Pocketed coils
- Base: Foam
Helix vs. Purple: Which Should You Buy?
Helix Mattresses
Choose Helix if:
- You want a personalized mattress for your sleep style.
- You like a classic hybrid with contouring and sinkage.
- You need strong edge support or low motion transfer.
- You’re budget-conscious.
Top Picks: Midnight for value, Midnight Luxe for luxury, Plus for heavier sleepers.
Purple Mattresses
Choose Purple if:
- You want a unique, bouncy feel with minimal sinkage.
- Cooling is key (GelFlex Grid rocks this).
- You need fast response and high bounce.
- You’re fine with a higher price for premium models.
Top Picks: Original for affordability, Restore Plus for balance, Restore Premier for luxury.
Mattressnap’s Final Take
Helix and Purple are stellar, but they serve different sleepers. Helix offers budget-friendly, customizable hybrids with great edge support and motion isolation. Purple delivers a cool, bouncy, modern feel with its unique grid. Try Helix’s sleep quiz or Purple’s 100-night trial to find your match. Sleep tight!
