Alison Barretta
Freelance writer and editor Alison is an expert mattress tester for Tom's Guide, and hails from Philadelphia, USA. Alison has reviewed a wide range of mattresses, pillows and other sleep accessories for Tom's Guide, putting the latest hybrid, memory foam and cooling mattresses from Casper, Nectar, Awara, Brooklinen and other leading brands through their paces. Alison has been sharing buying advice and retail news for over a decade. When she isn't reviewing mattresses, other home products or hunting for great deals to save you money, Alison can be found teaching/training in martial arts, fawning over skincare, and indulging in her quarantine-borne hobby: cooking.
Latest articles by Alison Barretta
The best king size mattress 2024: with full reviews
By Alison Barretta last updated
This year’s best king size mattresses for all budgets and sleep styles, reviewed by our in-house sleep experts.
The best mattress under $1,000 in 2024: with expert reviews
By Alison Barretta last updated
Our top-rated picks of 2024's best mattresses under $1,000 to give you a luxury bed for less.
The best hybrid mattress 2024: reviewed by sleep experts
By Claire Davies last updated
This year's best hybrid mattresses for all budgets, tested by our in-house sleep experts.
The best queen mattress 2024: Tested by sleep experts
By Claire Davies last updated
How to choose the best queen mattress for your body and budget, with full reviews by our certified sleep experts.
The best Saatva mattress sales for March 2024: up to $600 off with new deals
By Claire Davies last updated
The new Saatva mattress sale saves you up to $600 on luxury memory foam and hybrid beds, with deals on organic bedding too.
I visited a Saatva Viewing Room to find my dream mattress — here's what happened
By Alison Barretta published
Saatva Visting Rooms are a way to try before you buy, and they are more mini dayspa than mattress showroom. Here's what I discovered when I visited one in Philadelphia...
Nectar mattress sales for March: up to 60% off top-rated memory foam beds
By Claire Davies last updated
This month's Nectar mattress sale will save you hundreds on top-rated memory foam and hybrid beds, with deals on mattress and adjustable bed bundles too.
Saatva RX mattress review 2024: A luxury solution to back pain
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Saatva RX is designed for people with chronic back pain, but how effective is it? We review the mattress to find out.
The best mattress toppers 2024: Tested by sleep experts
By Claire Davies last updated
Our expert-approved guide to 2024's best mattress toppers, including budget buys to make beds cooler, softer, and firmer
Which is the best Saatva mattress in 2024? Everything you need to know
By Alison Barretta last updated
Our expert guide to Saatva mattresses will help you find the very best luxury bed for your sleep and budget.
The best pillow-top mattresses 2024: Hotel quality beds tested by experts
By Jo Plumridge published
We rate the best pillow-top mattresses for comfort, support and price, with full reviews from our certified sleep experts.
Hard vs soft mattress: Which is best for general aches and pains?
By Alison Barretta published
Just like taco shells, you'll need to consider whether you want your mattress to be hard or soft. Here's when you should go for a firmer or plushier bed to alleviate your aches and pains.
Here are the 3 mattresses our sleep experts would buy in Purple's Presidents' Day sale
By Jo Plumridge published
What are the best mattresses you can buy in this year's Purple Presidents' Day sale? Here are three our sleep experts recommend – and they're all up to $500 off.
If you have back pain like I do, this is the mattress to buy in the Saatva Presidents' Day sale
By Alison Barretta published
The Saatva RX is my favorite mattress for back pain. Learn how our exclusive discount can save you $400 off all sizes during the Saatva Presidents' Day sale.
Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress is the brand's coolest offering yet, but how well does it perform?
Mattresses sizes: a complete guide and how to choose
By Alison Barretta published
Our essential mattress size guide outlines the main US and UK mattress sizes to help you find the right mattress size for you.
The best mattress for back pain 2024: With expert advice from chiropractors
By Alison Barretta last updated
Our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain, featuring beds our expert testers have slept on themselves while experiencing back pain.
The best luxury mattress 2024
By Sarah Finley last updated
Looking for the best luxury mattress? Bring luxury hotels levels of luxe into your own bedroom with our guide to the best mattresses on the market.
The best firm mattress 2024, approved by sleep experts
By Alison Barretta last updated
The best firm mattresses for proper spinal support, rated by our top sleep testers and with advice from a chiropractor.
The best organic mattress 2024: Natural beds for non toxic sleep
By Jo Plumridge last updated
The best organic mattresses and all natural beds to buy online, as rated by certified sleep experts.
Best mattress for heavy people 2024, ranked by experts
By Ruth Hamilton last updated
This year's best mattresses for heavy people that offer full body support and alleviate back pain.
The best mattress for stomach sleepers 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The best mattresses for stomach sleepers offer firm support to keep your spine aligned – here are our top recommendations for 2024
What is the Eight Sleep Pod? A guide to Elon Musk's favorite smart mattress system
By Alison Barretta published
Tech moguls and world-class athletes credit the Eight Sleep Pod with their best rest yet. But is it worth the hype? We take a look at how this smart mattress system works...