Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15": Which mattress for lower back pain is right for you?

If you wake up with lower back pain, you’ll be aware how important it is that your mattress supports your spine. In this Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” comparison, we look at two mattresses that both claim to offer superior lumbar support. But which is right for your back pain?

The impressive pressure relief of the Helix Midnight Luxe earned it a place in our best mattress guide, while the Nolah Evolution offers a customizable feel so sleepers can choose the best fit for their sleeping style. Both beds feature in our guide to the best mattresses for back pain guide and, at full MSRP, retail for very similar prices.

The upcoming Black Friday mattress deals should see the best deals of the year on both mattresses, so if you want to invest in more comfortable sleep, now is the time. Let’s look under the covers of both mattresses to find out more about the Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15…

Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” Mattress: Key Differences

Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” Mattress: Price & Trial

• Save 20% on the Helix Midnight Luxe with code FALLSALE20
• The Nolah Evolution 15” currently has 35% off, plus two free pillows
• Neither mattress is ever sold at full MSRP

There’s always a Helix mattress sale going on, and 20% off is the norm. In fact, this discount often comes with two free pillows as well. The 20% off deal brings a queen down to $1,899 (MSRP $2,373), however, we have seen bigger savings over the major holidays, including 30% off for Memorial Day. We advise waiting until Black Friday if you’re not in a massive rush to purchase.

The Evolution 15 is among Nolah's most expensive mattresses, but it's also the brand's most popular. Evergreen sales typically knock between $600 and $700 off the mattress, and you’ll find plenty of Nolah discount codes available. The current 35% off sale means a queen is reduced to $1,624 (MSRP $2,499) along with two free pillows.

Nolah’s mattress trial period is slightly longer than Helix’s (120 nights versus 100), and you'll get a better warranty (lifetime versus 15 years). Shipping to your front door is free with both – you can upgrade to white glove delivery with the Nolah for $225, but Helix don’t offer it at all. But Nolah does charge a $99 fee if you want to return or exchange the mattress, while Helix returns are free.

Helix Midnight Luxe mattress: was from $1,373 now $1,099 at Helix
An evergreen 20% off mattress sale reduces a queen Helix Midnight Luxe to $1,899 (was $2,373). We think this is a high quality hybrid that offers plenty of benefits for the price, but if you don't mind waiting for a new bed, we expect a better discount for Black Friday.

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Nolah Evolution 15 mattress: was from $1,499 now $974 at Nolah
Nolah sales run throughout the year, and the current 35% discount is standard. This hefty saving reduces a queen from $2,499 down to $1,624, but as with the Helix, we expect to see a bigger deal for Black Friday.

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Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” Mattress: Materials & Design

• Both mattresses are hybrids (contain springs and foams)
• The Helix is 13.5” in height and has six layers
• The Nolah is 15” in height and has seven layers

Like all the best hybrid mattresses, the Helix Midnight Luxe and Nolah Evolution 15 contain both springs and cushioned comfort materials. But that's just the basics, so let's dive into the build of these two beds.

The Helix Midnight Luxe comes with a breathable, hypoallergenic Tencel cover as standard (with the option to upgrade to a GlacioTex cover for extra cooling). A layer of foam is quilted to the cover to create a plush surface and an immediate cushioned feel.

Underneath this is a layer of responsive polyfoam, followed by a layer of copper gel memory foam, both designed to contour to your body for pressure relief. Next up is a transition layer of memory foam, which sits on a layer of individually wrapped coils. These are firmer around the central third and edges of the mattress, for enhanced support. Finally, a dense foam base layer adds stability.

The Nolah Evolution 15 is, as you might have guessed, a 15” mattress and it achieves that impressive height through seven interior layers. That's very thick for a mattress. In comparison, the Midnight Luxe is 13.5", and we still consider that a taller mattress thickness.

Starting at the top, the cover is made with phase-change ArcticTex fibers, designed to absorb and release heat. The cover is cool to the touch, but it’s spot-clean only, so add a mattress protector. This is quilted with 2" of cooling foam, surround by a heat escape gusset (to help air circulate).

Underneath this is a layer of the brand’s proprietary AirFoamICE graphite-infused foam, again designed to dissipate heat. A layer of high-resilience foam adds pressure relief, and is followed by a supportive layer of transition foam. This sits on top of individually wrapped coils, zoned to provide stronger support to the central third. The mattress is supported by an eco-friendly foundation layer constructed from plant fibers.

Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” Mattress: Support & Comfort

• The Helix Midnight Luxe is rated 6/10 and designed for side sleepers
• The Nolah Evolution 15” is available in three firmness options
• Both mattresses offer extra support for the lumbar region

The Helix Midnight Luxe has been specifically designed for side sleepers. And after our Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review, we rate it the best mattress for side sleepers. Our testers found the plush pillow top delivers outstanding pressure relief for side sleepers, cushioning the shoulders and hips to provide plenty of contouring comfort.

However, this isn’t a soft mattress, with the zoned coils and copper-infused memory foam working in tandem to keep the spine aligned. If you're a side sleeper with back pain, expect full body support that still alleviates pressure at the touch points. Our lead tester also found back sleeping comfortable, but stomach sleepers will need something firmer (such as the Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress).

The Nolah Evolution 15” is available in three firmness options, allowing sleepers the chance to customize the mattress to their sleeping style. In our Nolah Evolution 15” mattress review, we tested the Luxury Firm. This was most popular with our back and stomach sleepers, as our side sleepers found it too firm.

The zoned coils — they're stronger in the central third — provide excellent lumbar support, with our testers praising the spinal alignment. Side sleepers and those of a lighter weight will prefer the plush feel, which offers more cushioning at the shoulders and hips while maintaining enhanced lumbar support. And those of a larger build, as well as stomach sleeper, should opt for the Firm feel. For back and stomach sleepers with lower back pain, the Nolah offers a lot of choice.

Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” Mattress: Temperature Regulation

• The Helix Midnight Luxe has a breathable cover and well-spaced coils
• The Nolah can hold onto some warmth
• You can upgrade to a GlacioTex cooling cover with the Helix

The Helix Midnight Luxe includes a breathable Tencel cover as standard, and, along with coils to promote airflow plus a layer of heat-absorbing copper foam, stays neutral overnight. We recommend particularly hot sleepers upgrade to the GlacioTex cover. It comes at an extra cost but you’ll see this fabric on many of our best cooling mattresses, and its cool-to-the-touch finish is impressively chill.

The Nolah is packed with enough cooling tech you’d think it would guarantee a cool night’s sleep. However, while the mattress does feel cool initially, thanks to the ArcticTex cover, our testers found nights could get a little warm. This was a particular problem for out hot sleeping testers. Overall, the temperature regulation was average (we rated it 3.5/5), but could be improved.

Helix Midnight Luxe vs Nolah Evolution 15” Mattress: Which should you buy?

Buy the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress if...

✅ You sleep hot: Upgrade to the GlacioTex cooling cover and even the hottest sleepers should be kept cool and comfortable overnight.

✅ You want a luxurious feeling mattress: The pillow top of the Helix gives the mattress a real touch of luxury, with a plush and squishy feel, while the overall finish is invitingly sumptuous.

✅ You’re a side sleeper with back pain: The Helix is specifically designed for side sleepers, and the medium-firm feel, plush finish, and enhanced lumbar support means it's comfortable from head-to-toe.

Buy the Nolah Evolution 15" Mattress if...

✅ You want customization options: The three different firmness options of the Nolah means that you have options to suit different sleeping styles and body weights.

✅ You're a back sleeper with back pain: The Luxury Firm option of the Nolah is particularly suited to back sleepers, who should feel immediate support and cushioning in this sleeping position.

✅ You sleep on your stomach: With both a Luxury Firm and Firm feel to choose from, front sleepers can opt for a Nolah Evolution 15 that suits their needs and preferences.