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

Two women sit on the Helix Dawn Mattress for stomach sleepers, photographed on a light wooden bed frame in a blue bedroom

Helix Memorial Day mattress sale 2025: How much can you expect to save?

By Alison Barretta published

What can you expect from the 2025 Helix Memorial Day mattress sale? I'm a seasoned mattress tester and deal hunter — here are my predictions for this year's event.

Mattresses
Siena Memory Foam Mattress placing onto bed frame

How often should you rotate or flip your mattress?

By Alison Barretta last updated

We explain how often you should rotate your mattress and why certain mattresses should never be flipped.

Mattresses
A mattress with a deal badge to indicate that it is reduced in the Casper mattress sales

The best Casper mattress sales for April 2025: Up to 30% off bundles plus clearance deals

By Alison Barretta last updated

There's up to 30% off bundles in this month's Casper mattress sales, so you can refresh your bed set-up for less.

Mattresses
Saatva Classic Mattress

The best Saatva mattress sales for April 2025: 15% off luxury handcrafted beds

By Claire Davies last updated

Our experts have rounded up the best Saatva mattress deals in the 15% off sale, including money off our top-rated mattress for back pain.

Mattresses
A mattress we tested is dressed with neutral colour bed linens and pillows

How do mattress warranties work?

By Alison Barretta last updated

Mattress warranties can be daunting. We're here to help you make sense of them.

Mattresses
Image of a Saatva Viewing Room where a range of Saatva mattresses and sleep products are on display and available to test before buying

“I sit here with probably the most talented team in the mattress space.” Saatva CEO Ron Rudzin on the unstoppable rise of America's most admired luxury sleep brand

By Alison Barretta published

We speak to CEO Ron Rudzin about the past, present and future of Saatva and what we can expect from the brand in 2025

Mattresses
A split image featuring the Nectar Classic Memory Foam Mattress on the left and the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid on the right, leading into the DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic showdown

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic mattress: Key differences compared

By Alison Barretta published

We look at how these two popular mattresses-in-a-box face off in terms of price, features and more

Mattresses
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a man and his young sun sitting on top of it, smiling. A Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

This weekend's top mattress deals from Tempur-Pedic, Helix, and more

By Alison Barretta published

Want to buy a mattress before more tariffs go into effect? These are the deals I highly recommend you shop this weekend.

Mattresses
Image shows the white Siena Premier Hybrid Mattress with a dark green trim in a white-grey bedroom and decorated with green pillows

I've been sleeping on the affordable Siena Hybrid Premier mattress for a week — and it's already outperforming some of its luxury rivals in several ways

By Alison Barretta published

My thoughts on the Siena Hybrid Premier mattress in a box after a week of testing

Mattresses
A closeup of the foot of the DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (left)

DreamCloud mattress sales for April 2025: up to 60% off mattresses

By Claire Davies last updated

April's DreamCloud mattress flash sale sees the return of the DreamCloud Hybrid's lowest price — but it won't last long.

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
Two delivery men unload a white mattress from their van as part of a White Glove Delivery service

Mattress White Glove Delivery: What's included and how it works

By Claire Davies last updated

We explain everything you need to know about mattress White Glove Delivery, including which brands offer it.

Mattresses
Mattress testing_support cores

What are mattress trials and how do they work?

By Claire Davies last updated

Many sleep brands talk about their mattress trial periods, but what are they and how do they work? We have answers.

Mattresses
Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island King Guest Room featuring the Hampton Bed dressed in white sheets

What mattress does the Hampton Inn use?

By Jo Plumridge published

We look under the covers of the Hampton Hotel Bed used at the Hampton Inn to see if it’s worth buying one for yourself.

Mattresses
A queen-size Casper One Mattress on a black bed frame atop an ornate rug with shades of red and green. A black and white dog is laying on top of the mattress.

What's the best Casper mattress in 2025?

By Alison Barretta last updated

Which one of Casper's five mattresses should you buy? We share our thoughts based on our experiences and customer reviews.

Mattresses
The image shows two women sitting on top of the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress on a wooden bed frame in a blue bedroom

The best mattresses for couples 2025: 7 favorites picked by our expert testers

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our team of experts have slept on and tested the best mattresses for couples this year — here are the top 7

Mattresses
Best mattress under $1,000: The image shows Tom's Guide's testers unpacking the Siena Memory Foam Mattress

The best mattress under $1,000 in 2025

By Alison Barretta last updated

You may have a queen-size bed but you don't have to spend a royal fortune for a good mattress. These are the best mattresses under $1,000 according to our experts.

Mattresses
Best king size mattresses: image shows the Saatva Classic hybrid mattress placed on a stylish dark wood bedframe placed in front of a log fire in a cabin

What's the best king size mattress in 2025? I’m a mattress tester — these are my top picks

By Alison Barretta last updated

Thinking of sizing up your bed from a queen to a king? These are the best king size mattresses of the year, according to our experts.

Mattresses
Saatva RX mattress review image shows a 50lb weight placed in the center of the mattress to test pressure relief

Saatva RX mattress review

By Alison Barretta last updated

This specialist mattress is a luxury solution to back pain, but does the Saatva RX deliver on its promise to combat chronic back and joint conditions? We put it to the test.

Mattresses
The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress placed on a rattan bed frame in our Sleep Lab and photographed during our testing phase

The best queen mattress 2025: 6 top picks from our expert bed testers

By Claire Davies last updated

After years of mattress testing expertise, our panel of diverse sleepers choose the best queen mattresses of the year, suitable for every kind of sleeper

Mattresses
The Brooklyn Bedding CopperFlex Pro Hybrid Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a TOm's GUide Price Drop deals graphic (right)

Brooklyn Bedding mattress sale for April 2025: 25% off sitewide

By Frances Daniels last updated

Brooklyn Bedding's sitewide sale takes 25% off all mattresses — these are our expert recommended deals to shop today.

Mattresses
A Puffy mattress in a modern bedroom with a Tom's Guide Price Drop badge

The best Puffy mattress sales for April 2025: big savings on luxury beds

By Jack Ridsdale last updated

Puffy's evergreen mattress sale continues, with up to $1,350 off luxury beds.

Mattresses
The Beautyrest Harmony Lux mattress with a TG Killer Deal badge laid over the top

The best Beautyrest mattress sales for April 2025: Save $200 on Harmony Lux beds

By Nicola Appleton last updated

This month's Beautyrest mattress sales feature savings on its Harmony Lux beds, plus pillow deals.

Mattresses
Two members of our review team photographed during a pressure relief test on the Saatva Classic mattress, with one typing notes into a laptop and the other measuring the amount of sinkage caused by a 56lb cast iron weight being dropped into the middle of the Saatva Classic mattress

The best luxury mattress 2025: Tested by sleep experts

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our team of mattress testers with nearly 5 years of experience have chosen the 9 most luxurious mattresses they've slept on.

Mattresses
A collage of our medium-firm mattress testing process

The best medium-firm mattress 2025: 7 beds tested and approved by sleep experts

By Alison Barretta last updated

The best medium-firm mattresses combine firm support with plenty of cushioning for all sleep positions. We've tested plenty of these Goldilocks beds, and here's our top 7

Mattresses
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