Purple vs Helix

Purple and Helix represent two fundamentally different approaches to mattress design. The Purple mattress uses a proprietary GelFlex Grid made from hyper-elastic polymer — a material you won't find in any other mattress brand. Helix mattresses, on the other hand, rely on a proven hybrid construction with pocketed coils and specialized foam layers, but differentiate through their personalized sleep quiz that matches you to one of 14+ models.

The Purple Grid is the defining feature of every Purple mattress. This hyper-elastic polymer grid sits as the top layer and flexes dynamically under pressure points while remaining firm everywhere else. The open-cell grid structure allows air to flow freely through the comfort layer, which is why the Purple mattress consistently outperforms competitors in cooling tests. In our lab testing, the Purple Hybrid Premier's surface temperature stayed 5–7°F cooler than traditional memory foam mattresses and 3°F cooler than Helix Midnight Luxe.

Helix Midnight is the brand's most popular model and the one most shoppers compare to Purple. It features a comfort layer of memory foam over a responsive polyfoam transition layer, all sitting on a base of individually wrapped pocketed coils. This classic hybrid construction delivers a balanced mattress feel — you get the contouring pressure relief of foam layers with the responsive support and airflow of coils. For side sleepers especially, the Helix Midnight's medium firmness and body-conforming top layers provide excellent pressure relief at the shoulders and hips.

Edge support is a clear win for Helix mattresses. The pocketed coil base in the Helix Midnight is reinforced at the perimeter, so you can sit or sleep near the edge without sinking off. The Purple mattress's polymer grid, while innovative, compresses more noticeably at the edges. If you share a bed and use the full sleeping surface, Helix's superior edge support translates to a functionally larger sleep area.

Motion transfer is another area where construction differences matter. Both mattresses isolate motion well compared to traditional innersprings, but Helix mattresses — especially the Midnight Luxe — do a slightly better job absorbing partner movement. The pocketed coils move independently, and the dense foam layers above them dampen vibrations before they travel across the bed. Purple's GelFlex Grid does isolate motion, but the bouncier polymer material transfers slightly more movement than layered foam.

For stomach sleepers who need firm support to prevent hip sinking, Helix offers the Helix Dawn (firm) specifically designed for this sleep position. Purple's firmer models work for stomach sleepers too, but the mattress feel of the polymer grid is distinctly different from traditional firm foam — some stomach sleepers love it, others find it too unusual. Back sleepers generally do well on both brands, though Purple's adaptive grid provides more dynamic support that adjusts as you shift positions during the night.

Price points differ significantly between these brands. The Purple Hybrid Premier starts at $1,999 for a Queen, while the Helix Midnight comes in at $1,099 — nearly half the price. Even the upgraded Helix Midnight Luxe with GlacioTex cooling cover and zoned lumbar support sits at $1,449, still $550 less than Purple's comparable hybrid. For budget-conscious shoppers, Helix delivers excellent value across all sleeper types without the premium price tag.

Both brands use pocketed coils in their hybrid models, but the coil systems serve different purposes. Purple's coils primarily provide foundational support beneath the GelFlex Grid, while Helix's pocketed coils are the primary support and comfort system — zoned in the Midnight Luxe to provide firmer support under your lumbar region and softer give at the shoulders. This zoned coil approach benefits side sleepers and combination sleepers who change positions throughout the night.