Alison Barretta

Alison Barretta

Expert mattress tester

Based in Philadelphia, USA, freelance writer and editor Alison Barretta has been sharing buying advice and retail news for over 15 years. Since 2020 she's been helping Tom's Guide expand its robust library of sleep content by researching the latest trends, speaking with renowned experts, and going behind the scenes at Saatva, Casper, Sleep Number, Tempur-Pedic, and 3Z Brands. Alison has reviewed everything from budget memory foam mattresses and luxurious innerspring beds to immersive sound pods and $7,000 smart beds that automatically adjust to your every move. When she isn't reviewing mattresses or searching for great deals to save you money, Alison can be found practicing yoga and martial arts, experimenting with recipes, getting too invested in the Philadelphia Flyers, and snoozing with her cat / assistant mattress tester Alex.

Latest articles by Alison Barretta

The DreamCloud Hybrid Memory Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, shot from above

DreamCloud Mattress review 2025

By Alison Barretta last updated

We tested the DreamCloud Mattress for three weeks to see if this affordable hybrid can deliver the luxury sleep it promises.

Mattresses
The image shows the white Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow against a white background

Coop Sleep Goods Adjustable Latex Pillow review

By Alison Barretta last updated

We slept on Coop's brand-new adjustable latex pillow for one month. Is it another winning addition to the brand's prolific product lineup? Here's how we fared.

Pillows & Bedding
Suitcase next to a hotel bed

What mattresses do hotels use? The Ritz, Hilton, Premier Inn and more

By Alison Barretta last updated

Explore the mattresses each hotel uses around the world — plus the best deals so you can recreate hotel luxury at home

Mattresses
King size Westin Heavenly Bed on location at Westin New York at Times Square

What mattress does the Westin use?

By Ruth Jones last updated

We've been hands-on with the Westin Heavenly Bed and here's everything you need to know about the much-loved hotel mattress.

Mattresses
The Ritz-Carlton Mattress on a box spring and bed frame in a hotel room

What is the Ritz-Carlton Hotel mattress — and should you buy it?

By Ruth Jones last updated

We explore if the Ritz-Carlton mattress can deliver the 'unrivaled' comfort it promises — and if its worth the five-star price tag.

Mattresses
The Marriott Innerspring mattress from JW Marriott hotels in a cream bed frame in a room with a pale peach background

What mattress do Marriott hotels use?

By Ruth Jones last updated

This is what makes the Marriott mattress suit so many sleepers, and you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own bedroom

Mattresses
Beautyrest Harmony mattress on wooden bedroom in bedroom with plants, bedsides tables and lamp and wooden cupboards. Grey pillows and blanket on bed.

The best Beautyrest mattress sales for July 2025: How to save on these luxury beds

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Our expert guide to how and where to find a saving on a luxury Beautyrest mattress this month.

Mattresses
A close-up shot of the corner of the Zinus Green Team Memory Foam Mattress with a deals badge in the bottom left-hand corner.

Zinus mattress sales June 2025: Save on dorm room-ready beds

By Ruth Jones, Alison Barretta last updated

Our expert guide to this month's Zinus mattress sales, with discounts on affordable beds that are ideal for college students.

Mattresses
GhostBed Luxe mattress

GhostBed mattress sales for June 2025: save an extra $100 on luxury cooling beds

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our guide to the best of this month's GhostBed mattress sales, with an extra $100 off when you spend over $1,000.

Mattresses
A close-up of the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper review

By Alison Barretta last updated

Does the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper deliver a cooler sleep than the original? Here's what we thought...

Mattress Toppers
Tom's Guide mattress writers sit on top of the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress during the testing process at our Sleep Lab

The best mattresses on Amazon 2025: 7 top picks tested by sleep experts

By Nicola Appleton last updated

If you plan to do your mattress shopping at Amazon, here are six of the best options — all tested by our expert reviewers.

Mattresses
Two members of our sleep team stand either side of a stack of the best memory foam mattresses we've tested, including the Nectar and Siena, balanced on a bed frame

What is the best memory foam mattress of 2025? Top 10 tested by our sleep experts

By Claire Davies, Ruth Jones last updated

Our guide to the 10 best memory foam mattresses you can buy online, tested and recommended by experts — with full reviews.

Mattresses
Tabby cat laying down on the DreamCloud Classic Memory Foam Mattress, next to the DreamCloud logo at the foot of the bed

My first impressions of the DreamCloud Classic Memory Foam Mattress

By Alison Barretta published

I've been sleeping on the DreamCloud Memory Foam Mattress for one week. It does a lot of things well but suffers from one glaring weakness.

Mattresses
Two people sit on top of the Plank Firm flippable double-sided mattress in a bedroom

The best firm mattress 2025, approved by sleep experts

By Alison Barretta last updated

Time to upgrade your bed to something more supportive and solid? We've slept on and tested the latest firm mattresses to bring you our guide to the very best options.

Mattresses
Avocado Green Mattress, featuring a woman and baby on said mattress

The best organic mattress 2025: Natural beds for cleaner sleep

By Claire Davies last updated

These 5 non-toxic beds are the best organic mattresses we've slept on this year for pressure relief, support, temperature regulation and more

Mattresses
A woman sits on the Siena Memory Foam Mattress with a deals label

Siena mattress sale and deals for July 2025: Budget beds from just $149

By Frances Daniels last updated

Save up to 60% on Siena's budget-friendly memory foam and hybrid mattresses thanks to this month's sales

Mattresses
The Nolah Natural 11 mattress in warmly lit bedroom with deals badge in top left corner.

Nolah mattress deals and discount codes for July 2025: 25% off all mattresses

By Louis Ramirez last updated

This month's Nolah sale will save you 25% on mattresses, with deals on hybrid, foam, and organic latex beds

Mattresses
Image shows our best mattress for back pain, the Saatva RX placed on a luxury grey mattress in a stylish bedroom

The best mattress for back pain 2025: 10 expert picks to help you sleep comfortably

By Jo Plumridge published

We've slept on and tested all the latest beds — these are the mattresses for back pain that provided pain-free mornings.

Mattresses
The Saatva Classic Mattress on a bed foundation outdoors, overlooking the sea. A Tom's Guide Prime Day deals graphic in the top left corner

I'm a pro mattress tester — these are the 5 rival Prime Day deals I'd shop

By Alison Barretta published

Amazon is not the be-all, end-all this Prime Day. I'm sharing five superb mattress deals that aren't available from the world's largest online retailer.

Mattresses
The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-ProAdapt Medium Hybrid Mattress on a grey bedframe

Mattress Firm takes on Prime Day with its own epic sale — I've found the 5 best offers

By Alison Barretta published

Mattress Firm is running its own sale to counter Amazon Prime Day, with 20% off most items sitewide. Here are the five deals you should check out.

Mattresses
The Saatva RX in a sunny bedroom

Saatva mattress sale July 2025: Save $300 on handcrafted beds

By Claire Davies last updated

Follow our links to save $300 on all adult Saatva mattresses in this month's sale, including discounts on luxury cooling mattresses.

Mattresses
A close up of the end of a Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on a bed frame, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

The best Nectar mattress sales for July 2025: Memory foam beds from $349

By Claire Davies last updated

Our expert guide to the top deals in July's Nectar mattress sale — including how to save money on a new bed for your dorm room.

Mattresses
The image shows the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid mattress on a grey bed frame with a Tom's Guide 'Price drop' badge on top

DreamCloud mattress sales for July 2025: Save on revamped beds

By Claire Davies last updated

DreamCloud has revamped its mattress line-up — our expert guide to the best savings on upgraded mattresses in this month's sale.

Mattresses
A split screen of the Lucid Gel Memory Foam Topper vs the Saatva Micro-coil Mattress Topper

Memory foam vs hybrid mattress topper: Which one should you choose?

By Frances Daniels published

Our memory foam vs hybrid mattress toppers comparison details all you need to know about what to expect when it comes to price, support, and cooling.

Mattress Toppers
A split screen of the Siena Memory Foam vs the Layla Essential Mattress

Siena vs Layla: Which cheap memory foam mattress should you buy?

By Frances Daniels published

If you're looking for a reliable budget mattress, the Siena Memory Foam and the Layla Essential are two great options to consider. Here, we compare their design, price, and performance.

Mattresses
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: