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

Saatva Classic Mattress

Saatva mattress sale May 2025: Save up to $600 with the best deals since Black Friday

By Claire Davies last updated

We've found the best Saatva mattress sales to shop today, with up to $600 off luxury handcrafted beds

Mattresses
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress placed on a white bed frame in our blue testing bedroom

Siena Memory Foam Mattress review

By Alison Barretta last updated

We decided to test Siena Memory Foam Mattress again to see if it's still our favorite cheap bed in 2025

Mattresses
Avocado Eco Organic Mattress on a bed with two plants to the right of it

Avocado mattress sales and deals for May 2025: 10% off organic and latex beds

By Claire Davies last updated

This month's Avocado mattress sale takes 10% off organic and eco-luxury mattresses — our expert guide to the deal.

Mattresses
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: Save 27% on hybrid mattresses

By Alison Barretta last updated

I'm a seasoned mattress tester and deal hunter — here are my picks of the Helix Memorial Day mattress sale 2025

Mattresses
Layers of organic cotton used in PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress

What is GOTS certification and why does it matter when you’re buying a mattress?

By Alison Barretta published

GOTS (the Global Organic Textiles Standard) ensures natural materials used in mattresses are sourced ethically and responsibly. Here's what that means.

Mattresses
The Siena Premier Hybrid Mattress shown here on a black wooden bedframe in a bedroom painted with light blue walls performed well in all of our mattress tests and proved itself good value for money

Siena Premier Hybrid Mattress review 2025: A serious contender to DreamCloud's budget throne

By Alison Barretta published

The Siena Premier Hybrid Mattress is cheap at less than $450 for a queen, but does it offer decent comfort and support? Here's what we discovered after one month of sleeping on it...

Mattresses
Tempur-Pedic ProBreeze

The best Tempur-Pedic mattress sales for May 2025: Up to $1,000 off memory foam beds

By Claire Davies last updated

We've found the best Tempur-Pedic mattress sales to browse this month, including major savings on closeout mattresses

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 May 2025: up to 60% off luxury beds

By Claire Davies last updated

May's DreamCloud mattress flash sale sees the return of the DreamCloud Hybrid's lowest price — our top picks in the sale.

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

The best Casper mattress sales for May 2025: Save up to 30% on mattress bundle deals

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our expert-chosen picks of the Casper mattress sales, including money off bundle deals and big savings on clearance mattresses.

Mattresses
The new Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (left)

The best Helix mattress deals and sales for May 2025: Save 27% on mattresses for every sleep style

By Claire Davies last updated

Our expert picks of the best Helix mattress deals to browse this May, with 27% off luxury 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 May 2025: save on affordable memory foam beds

By Claire Davies last updated

We've searched the May Nectar mattress sales to find the best deals to shop now, including money off our favorite memory foam mattresses.

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 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
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
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