Leesa Original vs. Helix Midnight Mattress Comparison

Overall Rating

8.0

Leesa Original

Bottom Line

The Leesa Original has a mixed-foam design that delivers a balance of cushioning, pressure relief, support, and bounce.

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Full Mattress Review

VS

Overall Rating

9.1

Helix Midnight

Bottom Line

The Helix Midnight is an affordably priced foam hybrid with a cushy, supportive design intended for side sleepers.

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Full Mattress Review

Leesa and Helix Sleep both began as brands specializing in the mattress-in-a-box market. Both founded in 2015, they offer a variety of hybrid mattresses, but Leesa also manufactures all-foam models. The Leesa Original is one of those all-foam mattresses, while the Helix Midnight is a hybrid containing both foam and coil layers. If you’re stuck choosing between the two, our testing team has some helpful insights gained from our in-person testing in our Seattle Test Lab. We’ll also review each company’s policies and summarize customer reviews.

Our Testing Team’s Take

In our Seattle-based Test Lab, our testing team has examined nearly 2,000 mattresses over less than a decade. Through this hands-on testing, we’ve developed a unique product research methodology that forms the backbone of our mattress rating system. 

Using cutting edge technology, we pressure map each bed to identify where pressure points may form. We use similarly advanced tools to measure motion transfer across each mattress’ surface and heat retention.

We also have testing team members take mattresses home for weeks at a time, allowing them to mimic real-world use. Because our team members represent a variety of body weights and sleep position preferences, their perspectives can help you identify which might be the best mattress for you.

Our Verdict  

The Leesa Original and Helix Midnight have different feels and designs. Like many all-foam beds, the Leesa Original closely hugs the body and rates highly for pressure relief and motion isolation. 

The hybrid Helix Midnight also excels at relieving pressure, but does not conform as much and provides more bounce. It receives its highest rating in edge support, thanks to its reinforced perimeter. The Helix Midnight is also better at controlling temperature, though the Leesa Original sleeps cooler than many competing all-foam mattresses.

Brad Nehring

Senior Product Analyst

Side

215 pounds

Sleeps with a weighted blanket

“The phrase ‘something for everyone’ gets thrown around a lot, but with Helix, this is truly the case. You can choose from a wide range of hybrids ranging from affordable to high-end, and each one is designed for certain sleepers based on their weight and preferred position. As a side sleeper, I personally prefer the Midnight and Dawn.”

The Leesa Original works well for side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds and back sleepers under 130 pounds. The Helix Midnight provides adequate comfort and support to side and back sleepers across different body types, as well as stomach sleepers between 130 and 230 pounds.

Logan Foley

Editorial Director

Side

140 pounds

Has too many dogs in the bed

“The Leesa Original provides excellent support for side sleeping. On top of that, I thought the motion isolation was great. My only real concern with this mattress was that it felt somewhat unstable around the edges.”

Construction and Materials

Leesa Original Breakdown 

The all-foam Leesa Original mattress rates as a 5 out of 10 on our firmness scale. We consider this to be “medium.” With a height of 10 inches, the Leesa Original contains three layers. The cover is made of a polyester and viscose blend constructed with the intention of keeping sleepers cool.

Beneath the cover sits a 2-inch layer of polyfoam. This layer provides a “hug” for sleepers and is designed to be breathable, which can help reduce heat buildup. Beneath that layer sits a 2-inch memory foam transitional layer. This layer provides additional cushioning while pushing back against your weight to prevent excessive sinkage.

The support core is a 6-inch layer of polyfoam that stabilizes the mattress. All foam layers in the Leesa Original are CertiPUR-US certified, ensuring the foams have been tested for and cleared of potentially harmful substances like heavy metals and formaldehyde. 

Helix Midnight Breakdown 

The Helix Midnight is a little firmer than the Leesa Original and rates as medium firm (6) on our scale. Its profile is also a bit taller, measuring 11.5 inches in height. The default Helix Midnight mattress contains five layers, as well as the cover, which is a polyester knit. For an additional fee, shoppers may also choose to add a pillow top encased in GlacioTex fabric designed to keep sleepers cool.

The comfort system in the Helix Midnight consists of a memory foam layer on top of a polyfoam layer. The memory foam contributes to pressure relief and provides a bit of “hug.” The polyfoam provides cushioning and promotes spinal alignment. Beneath it sits another polyfoam layer that’s denser than the other foam layers and keeps sleepers from sinking into the support core.

The bed’s support core contains pocketed coils sitting above a high-density polyfoam base layer. The coils add bounce and allow for cooling airflow, and coils around the perimeter are reinforced to provide strong edge support. 

Mattress Sizing and Weight

Both mattresses are available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king sizes. The Helix Midnight is also available in short queen and RV king sizes. 

These mattresses have similar profiles and can easily fit standard fitted sheets. The Helix Midnight weighs significantly more than the Leesa Original, but lifting and moving either bed with a partner is the safest option.

Performance Ratings 

Both beds score well for pressure relief. Motion isolation is also a strong quality of these mattresses, and is a selling point for couples. The Helix Midnight is the preferred option for people who tend to sleep hot, though the Leesa Original also resists heat buildup better than most competing all-foam beds. The Helix Midnight excels at edge support, making it a strong choice for people who want to feel secure when sitting or lying near the perimeter of their bed.

Different firmness levels make these beds ideal for different sleepers. Side sleepers weighing up to 230 pounds find the Leesa Original comfortable, as do back sleepers under 130 pounds. Side sleepers of all body weights should be satisfied with the Helix Midnight, but those between 130 and 230 pounds have awarded the mattress near-perfect ratings. Similarly, back sleepers of all body weights like the Midnight, but it really shines for those between 130 to 230 pounds.

Full Reviews: Other Leesa and Helix Models

Helix Elite Mattress Collection

Overall Rating:

9.2 /10

Price Range:

$1,874 – $3,374

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Soft (3), Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)

Helix Core Mattress Collection

Overall Rating:

9.0 /10

Price Range:

$749 – $1,399

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Soft (3), Medium Soft (4), Medium Firm (6), Firm (7), Firm (8)

Leesa Reserve Hybrid Mattress

Overall Rating:

9.0 /10

Price Range:

$2,399 – $4,399

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)

Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid Mattress

Overall Rating:

8.5 /10

Price Range:

$1,259 – $2,039

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Medium Soft (4), Medium (5)

Leesa Legend

Overall Rating:

9.0 /10

Price Range:

$1,999 – $2,999

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Medium Firm (6)

Leesa Reserve Hybrid Mattress

Overall Rating:

9.0 /10

Price Range:

$2,399 – $4,399

Mattress Type:

Hybrid

Firmness Options:

Soft (3), Medium (5), Firm (7)

Mattress Pricing 

These mattresses are sold for comparable prices, with the Helix Midnight costing slightly more than the Leesa Original. This minor price difference is likely due to the Helix Midnight having a higher profile and containing pocketed coils, which generally cost more than foam.

What Customers Are Saying

Both the Leesa Original and Helix Midnight have near-perfect ratings across thousands of online customer reviews. Reviewers of both beds frequently mention how well they’ve slept since buying their mattress. Customers also often write that they find their mattress quite comfortable and feel they’ve received a good deal for their money.

For both beds, rare negative reviews often express similar complaints. Sleepers are frustrated by the firmness levels, whether they feel the mattress is too soft or too hard. As a result, they experience discomfort on the bed. These reviews are a reminder to consider your body weight and sleep position preference before buying a bed, and to take advantage of the sleep trial period and return a mattress if it doesn’t feel comfortable.

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