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

A Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress in a bedroom, with a Tom's Guide lower price deals graphic (left)

Leesa mattress sales and deals for August 2025: Save 25% on handcrafted beds

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our expert guide to Leesa deals and discounts, with 25% off all handcrafted adult mattresses in the Labor Day sale.

Mattresses
A woman lies in her bed at night, sleeping well. On the floor next to her is the Eight Sleep smart mattress cover Pod. A Tom's Guide Eight Sleep price drop deals graphic (left) representing best eight sleep discounts

Eight Sleep mattress sales and deals for August 2025: Save on smart cooling beds

By Alison Barretta last updated

Sleep cooler this summer with the new Eight Sleep Pod 5 smart mattress cover and save up to $150 — our expert guide to the Eight Sleep sale.

Sleep Tech
A couple sit on the Casper The One mattress in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (left)

The best Casper mattress sales for August 2025: 20% off all mattresses plus 25% off a back to school bundle

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our guide to the August Casper sale, with discounts available on the entire Casper mattress range.

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

Avocado mattress sales and deals for August 2025: Save on organic and eco-friendly beds

By Claire Davies last updated

Our expert guide to the August Avocado mattress sale, including how to save on our top-rated organic mattress and bedding bundles.

Mattresses
The Allswell Mattress with no bedding in a clean, light-colored bedroom.

The Allswell mattress review 2025: hybrid support at a low price

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Allswell mattress promises medium-firm comfort and a cooler sleep, but does it deliver? We slept on it for a month to find out...

Mattresses
High-Density Foam Mattress Topper

Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper review 2025: thin but comfort-boosting luxury for side sleepers

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper promises to give beds a premium comfort boost, but does it? We slept on it for three weeks to find out...

Mattress Toppers
Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress in a bedroom

Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress review

By Alison Barretta last updated

We review the Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress to discover whether this budget-friendly, all-natural bed is good for your sleep as well as the planet

Mattresses
Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper on top of a Lucid mattress

Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper review 2025: An affordable way to add cool comfort to hard beds

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper promises a cost-effective way to make your bed extremely plush. We tested it for two weeks to see if it delivers...

Mattress Toppers
Saatva Mattress Topper

Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper review 2025: cooling back support for all beds and sleep positions

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper promises cooling comfort for all sleepers, but does it deliver? We slept on it for two weeks to find out

Mattress Toppers
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
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
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
The image shows the cream and gold Saatva RX mattress on a beige bed frame in a neutrally decorated 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
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
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