Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones

Senior Sleep Staff Writer

Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.

Latest articles by Ruth Jones

Tom's Guide mattress tester sitting on the edge of the new Westin Heavenly Bed at the Westin New York at Times Square
This hotel sheet hack used by Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and more is helping me sleep through the night — here's why and how to do it at home

By Ruth Jones Last updated

How this hotel sheet secret is helping me reclaim my sleep sanctuary — and making me actually want to do my laundry.

Sleep
A couple cuddle up under a blanket, enjoying a warm and cozy night
Two-thirds of adults want to 'hibernate like a bear' in winter — how 'hygge' is key to sleeping better and staying cozy without turning the heat up

By Ruth Jones Published

Ready to hibernate? Our guide to creating a cozy sleep space, including one of the biggest bedroom trends of 2026.

Sleep
A close up of a hand operating the dial on a thermostat, adjusting the temperature to 68°F (Shutterstock.) In the bottom right corner is an insert of a women sleeping (Future)
Waking up at 5am? An expert explains why your thermostat might be to blame

By Ruth Jones Published

We asked the experts if it's better for your sleep to turn the heat off overnight or leave it on. This is their advice...

Sleep
A woman lies asleep on the right side of the bed in side sleeping position (Getty). On the left side of the bed is a large pair of socks (Future)
Can't sleep? This one change could prevent late night wake ups — and make use of the bed socks you got for Christmas

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Everyone's least favorite Christmas gift might be the key to better sleep, as bed socks help you maintain a cozy core temperature.

Sleep
A woman with a bigger build sits up in bed smiling. To the left, an insert showing a close up of a hand holding the corner of a thin mattress or thick mattress topper
Are 8-inch mattresses good for heavy people? I'm a sleep writer, here's my take

By Ruth Jones Published

We explore if eight-inch mattresses can deliver the support and comfort a person weighing over 250lbs needs in a mattress.

Mattresses
A woman lying on her back in bed stretching as she wakes up smiling
I was struggling to get out of bed until I tried this golden sleep hygiene rule — now I get up early and feel full of energy from the start

By Ruth Jones Published

How my SAD therapy light gets me out of bed and why you need to add some sunshine to your winter mornings.

Sleep
An illustration of a person wearing a yellow sweater in bed with the cold or flu, against a greay background. The person is holding a warm drink, lying propped up on pillows, with a thermometer in their mouth
Doctors share 5 essential tips for how to sleep with the flu — plus the best position to lie in if you have a cough

By Ruth Jones Published

The coughing, fever and body aches of 'super flu' might leave you struggling to sleep but our tips can help you enjoy some precious rest.

Sleep Problems
On the left, an image of a woman sleeping soundly in bed. On the right, a notebook with the phrase "New Year Resolutions" written at the top of the page, followed by a list numbered one to four. The notebook is surrounded by brightly colored post its
Beat Quitter's Day 2026 with this simple sleep hack

By Ruth Jones Last updated

A New Year's resolution you'll want to keep and that can help you reach your other goals? You're not dreaming, it's the Military Sleep Method.

Sleep
A woman lies in bed in the middle of the night, staring at the clock. In the top left corner, an image of a woman sitting up and reading a book during the night
I’ve been using this gold standard sleep method for years and according to my sleep tracker, it works — here’s how to do it

By Ruth Jones Published

The 15 minute sleep rule is my go-to for beating nighttime anxiety and my sleep tracker has the proof

Sleep
A woman with a cold lies in bed and blows her nose, struggling to sleep. In the top right corner is a close up of a hand adjusting the temperature on a thermostat set to 68°F
Expert warns this common mistake could prevent you from sleeping when you have a cold

By Ruth Jones Published

An expert explains how a simple thermostat adjustment can help you sleep better when you have a cold or the flu, plus advice on getting quality rest when you feel unwell.

Sleep
A member of our mattress testing team jumps onto the Nolah Original All Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom. She dives onto the bed ready to hit the cushioned comfort layers
5 red flags you bought the wrong mattress — and what you can do about it

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Three budget-friendly tips to turn your fresh-out-the-box mattress into a sleep snctuary, plus what to do if none of them work.

Mattresses
A collage of three images: on the left, a woman stands under the spray of a shower (Shutterstock.) In the middle, a woman stretches in her bedroom (Getty Images.) To the right, a hand reaches out to turn off an alarm clock (Getty Images.)
The easy hacks I'm using to fix my sleep after an exhausting Christmas break

By Ruth Jones Published

My snooze took a backseat over the holidays but with these simple tips you can enjoy better sleep, beat the Sunday Scaries and go back to work refreshed.

Sleep
An image of sleep writer Becky George sleeping on a bed in our Sleep Lab. To the left is a cut out image of a blackboard showing basics of learning Chinese, implying she's learning a new language as she sleeps
Sleep, learning and memory — experts explain the 'magic elixir' that can make 2026 your best year yet

By Ruth Jones Published

Want to learn a new skill? Sleep on it. Experts explain why sleep is key to memory and how you can maximize your rest to level up your New Year's resolutions.

Sleep
Mattress tester Lauren Jeffries sleeps on the Birch Elite mattress, surrounded by a collage of sleep hacks. Top left, bedding writer Becky George folds a set of bed sheets. Top right, a woman stands under the flow of a shower in darkness. Bottom right, a close up of a person writing by hand in a journal
I tried every kind of sleep hack in 2025 — these are the only 3 I’m taking into the New Year

By Ruth Jones Published

From drunken monkeys to cashmere socks, I've tried all kinds of sleep hacks during 2025 but only a few have had a positive impact on my rest.

Sleep
Left, a close up of a pair of hands wearing yellow gloves using a pray bottle to apply cleaning solution to a mattress and a scrubbing brush. Middle, mattress tester Lauren Jeffries starts stripping the bed. Right, a close up of a Jimmy mattress vacuum being used to vacuum the surface of a dirty mattress.
It's the last weekend to clean your mattress before Christmas — why you should and the 3 vital steps to get rid of winter germs, smells and stains

By Ruth Jones Published

Easy cleaning hacks to get your mattress festive fresh before Santa (and your guests) arrive, using things you already have in your cabinets.

Mattress Care
A woman lies in bed in the morning rubbing her eyes as she lays on gray and white bedding.
How to sleep well when you're not in your own bed — plus 3 sleep essentials you need in your suitcase

By Ruth Jones Published

Can't sleep in a new room? Don't let the first night effect ruin your holidays with our guide to sleeping well in a different bed.

Sleep
A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.
Expert warns everyone should check their mattress for this dangerous stain in the winter

By Ruth Jones Published

An expert explains how a moldy mattress might be making your sick and what you can do to keep your bed (and your health) safe.

Mattress Care
On the left, a woman lies in bed blowing her nose because she doesn't feel well. On the right, a man sits on the edge of the bed in the dark with his head in his hands, feeling stressed and experiencing insomnia.
Doctors warn this common sleep problem could leave you at risk of 'super flu' — here's how to prevent it

By Ruth Jones Published

A new study explores how insomnia and anxiety are linked to a weakened immune system. Here's why, plus expert tips for sleeping better in flu season.

Sleep Problems
On the left, an image of two women closely inspecting the bedding of a mattress as they make the bed, in our Sleep Lab. On the right, a close up of bed bugs giding in the seams of a mattress
Stop bed bugs from ruining your guest room mattress this holiday season — all you need is a credit card

By Ruth Jones Published

Bed bugs love the busy holiday season so keep them out of your mattress with this handy bed bug prevention kit you already own.

Mattress Care
A woman drinking from a mug sits on her bed wrapped up in a blanket and multiple layers to try and stay cozy
This one piece of bedding can help you stay cozy at night without turning the heating on — and it's not an electric blanket

By Ruth Jones Published

Struggling to stay cozy at night as the temperatures drop? How a weighted blanket can keep you warm, help you sleep and save you money.

Pillows & Bedding
The Saatva Classic mattress on a bed frame in a bedrom. At the top of the image is the Saatva logo, the Team USA Olympic and Paralympic logo, and the words "Official mattress and restorative sleep provider of Team USA"
"Unlocking a super power by taking sleep seriously" — Saatva's CEO on luxury mattresses, gold medal moments and why we should treat sleep like a workout

By Ruth Jones Published

I spoke to Saatva CEO Ron Rudzin on how this luxury mattress partnership might create some gold medal moments and why we should all treat sleep like an Olympic final.

Sleep
A collage of images showing the memory foam mattress testing process in our sleep lab. Top left, we test thermal imaging by using a phone with a thermal imaging camera, looking down on the mattress on which a member of our testing team lies. Top right, we test motion isolation, as one tester lies on the left side of the bed and the other jumps onto the right side. Bottom left, another motion isolation test, as two testers stand on the right side of the mattress using a tape measure and rig to determine where to drop the slam ball. Bottom right, we test pressure relief using a laser pen, trained on our testers back as she lies in side sleeping position
Memory foam mattress myths debunked — 4 things I’ve learned about all foam beds after testing them from head-to-toe

By Ruth Jones Published

Memory foam mattresses have a certain reputation but after extensive testing both at-home and in our sleep lab, it's time for a foam rethink.

Mattresses
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress
How long does a hybrid mattress last? Plus 3 signs you need to replace yours

By Ruth Jones Last updated

A hybrid mattress won't last forever, and in this guide we explore the key signs that it's time to replace your hybrid bed.

Mattresses
On the left, a hand holds up the cover of a pillow to reveal the interior filling. On the right, pillow tester Ruth Jones is stomach sleeping on the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow on a bed in her bedroom
I upgraded to this Tempur-Pedic pillow to finally get rid of my neck pain — and it helped me sleep so much better

By Ruth Jones Published

I learned the hard way that you should replace your pillow every two years — and the Black Friday sales are the perfect time for an upgrade.

Pillows & Bedding
cleaning mattress with rubber gloves on
Stop! You’re cleaning your mattress wrong — here are the only tips you need for a fresher, bug-free bed this winter

By Ruth Jones Published

Cozy season is here but before you start hibernating, here are out top tips to keep your mattress clean all winter — and what you should never do.

Mattress Care
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