Alison Barretta

Alison Barretta

Expert mattress tester

Based in Philadelphia, 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 mattresses to immersive luxury 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

Full vs queen mattresses: image shows the Tuft & Needle Original full size on the left and the Casper Original queen on the right

Full vs queen mattresses: Which size is best for your sleep?

By Grace Franks last updated

In our full vs queen mattress comparison, we explain the key differences and pros and cons of both sizes.

Mattresses
The Avocado Green mattress is seen on the left hand side of the image, while the Naturepedic Concerto Organic Pillow Top mattress is seen on the right hand side of the image

Avocado Green vs Naturepedic Concerto mattress: Which organic latex hybrid is best for your sleep?

By Jo Plumridge last updated

The Avocado Green and Naturepedic Concerto Organic Pillow Top are both leading organic mattresses, but which one is right for your sleeping style? We break it down.

Mattresses
Saatva vs WinkBeds: Saatva Zenhaven mattress on the left, the WinkBeds EcoCloud mattress on the right

Saatva vs WinkBed Which brand makes a better latex mattress?

By Jo Plumridge last updated

Should you choose the Saatva Zenhaven or the WinkBed EcoCloud? We compare these latex mattresses in terms of price, features, and benefits.

Mattresses
A split screen of the Saatva Classic vs Bear Elite Hybrid Mattress

Saatva Classic vs Bear Elite: Which hybrid mattress is right for you?

By Frances Daniels last updated

The Saatva Classic and Bear Elite Hybrid are both premium mattresses with adjustable firmness levels, but which should you buy?

Mattresses
The image shows the Saatva Classic mattress on the left hand side and the WinkBed on the right in a side by side comparison

Saatva Classic vs WinkBed: Which customizable hybrid mattress should you buy?

By Jo Plumridge last updated

How to choose between the Saatva Classic and the WinkBed if you're searching for a hybrid mattress you can tailor to your liking.

Mattresses
A bird's eye view of a man and woman lying on a GhostBed Massage Foam Mattress. In the bottom right, a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals graphic

GhostBed mattress sales for September 2025: Get an extra 25% off when you buy a cooling bed

By Alison Barretta last updated

GhostBed's latest mattress sale is here — and it's big. Our expert guide to the best savings with an extra 25% off.

Mattresses
A Naturepedic Concerto mattress on the left, a Satvaa Classic mattress on the right

Saatva Classic vs Naturepedic Concerto Mattress: Which luxury hybrid is best for your sleep?

By Jo Plumridge last updated

The Saatva Classic and Naturepedic Concerto have a lot to offer — here's how to choose between these two luxe mattresses

Mattresses
The WinkBed mattress in a light and airy bedroom with a Tom's Guide 'price drop' badge on it to show the latest mattress sales

WinkBeds mattress deals for September 2025: $300 off all luxury beds

By Ruth Jones last updated

WinkBeds' $300 off mattress sale continues this month — our expert guide to the best savings on premium handcrafted mattresses.

Mattresses
Saatva RX vs Saatva Classic Mattress comparison image shows the RX on the left and the Classic on the right

Saatva Classic vs Saatva RX: Which of these luxury mattresses is the best choice for joint and back pain?

By Jo Plumridge last updated

Can't decide between the Saatva Classic and the Saatva RX to ease your joint or back pain during sleep? Here's how they compare...

Mattresses
A collage of images, showing mattresses being tested. In the top left, two members of the Tom's Guide sleep team sit on the Saatva Classic mattress. Top right, a mattress tester lies on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress. Bottom left, two women on box a rolled up mattress in a box. Bottom right, two women sit on the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress. A Tom's Guide price drop deals badge in the center.

Labor Day Mattress Sales: What you need to know

By Claire Davies last updated

The Labor Day sales are an excellent time to save on a mattress — here's our complete guide to the deals and how to get better sleep for less.

Mattresses
The Tempur Pedic LuxeBreeze mattress deal

Freeze! Tempur-Pedic cuts $500 off its coolest mattress in mega extended Labor Day deal

By Alison Barretta published

There's $500 off the Tempur-Pedic LuxeBreeze mattress in an extended Labor Day sale — the best deal we've seen on this impressive cooling bed

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 September 2025: Save on dorm room-ready beds

By Ruth Jones, Alison Barretta last updated

Explore our expert guide to this month's Zinus mattress deals, which lets you save better on these affordable beds, ideal for college students.

Mattresses
The Tom's Guide Sleep Editor jumping onto a mattress that's on sale for Labor Day

I'm a mattress sales veteran — these are the 25+ best extended Labor Day deals still live this morning

By Claire Davies last updated

I'm tracking the Labor Day sleep and mattress sales — these are the best 25+ deals still live today on mattresses, bedding, pillows, sleep tech and more

Mattresses
A woman sits on the edge of the Nectar Premier memory foam mattress in our sleep testing studio, checking the edge support and pressure relief. In the right hand corner, a close up of her hand pressing into the surface of the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are excellent for people with aches and pains — after rigorous testing, these are the 3 we'd buy in Labor Day sales

By Alison Barretta published

Find out which memory foam mattresses our expert testers recommend you check out in this weekend's sales if back and hip pain keep you up at night.

Mattresses
The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress in a bedroom, with a Tom's Guide badge overlaid saying "ACT FAST!"

I Track Mattress Prices for a Living and This Is the Number One Reason You Shouldn’t Wait Until Black Friday To Buy a New Bed

By Alison Barretta published

Should you wait until Black Friday to buy a mattress? Normally, I'd say yes, but here's why I'm recommending you shop for a new bed during the Labor Day sales.

Mattresses
The DreamCloud Classic being inspected by two young women in a blue dorm room. A deals badge with the words "PRICE DROP" is seen in the bottom left hand corner.

This Labor Day Mattress Bundle Provides Everything You Need to Upgrade Your Twin XL Dorm Bed — All for Just $549 This Labor Day

By Alison Barretta published

Here's the DreamCloud Labor Day mattress deal we think makes the grade — and it even comes with $599 worth of free bedding.

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

Siena Memory Foam Mattress review: Excellent support on a budget

By Alison Barretta last updated

We've retested the Siena Mattress to see if this affordable memory foam bed can deliver high quality comfort for low budgets.

Mattresses
Saatva Viewing Room Philly exterior

Where can you buy a Saatva mattress?

By Ruth Jones last updated

Is it better to buy a Saatva mattress online or in person at one of its Viewing Rooms? We have all the details.

Mattresses
Our lead reviewer, Alison, takes a nap on her side to test out the Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper's cooling comfort

Struggling to sleep in the heat? A mattress topper can help — look for these 3 materials to stay cool at night

By Alison Barretta published

I test cooling mattress toppers for a living, and here are the heat-dissipating materials I rely on for a refreshing, sweat-free sleep.

Mattress Toppers
Nolah Evolution mattress on a bed in a bedroom

Nolah Evolution 15 mattress review 2025

By Alison Barretta last updated

We reviewed the Nolah Evolution 15 hybrid mattress to find out how this popular bed performs in terms of comfort, cooling and support for different sleep styles.

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
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