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 queen mattress 2024: Tested by sleep experts
By Claire Davies last updated
How to choose the best queen mattress for your sleep style and budget, with full reviews from our certified sleep experts.
I tested the new Tempur-Adapt mattresses and discovered Tempur-Pedic's most well-balanced bed yet
By Alison Barretta published
I'm a sleep writer, so of course I wanted to test all of the new Tempur-Adapt mattresses. Check out my hands-on reviews plus an interview with Tempur-Pedic's VP of Brand Management.
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.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
Is the Tempur-Adapt mattress a worthy investment for back sleepers looking for premium pressure relief? We slept on it to see
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 best luxury bed for your sleep.
Nectar Mattress review 2024: Is this still the best budget memory foam bed?
By Alison Barretta last updated
Review The Nectar Mattress claims to deliver big comfort and support for nearly half the price of its many rivals. We review it to see just how well it performs.
Saatva RX mattress review 2024: Tested by an editor with back pain
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Saatva RX is made for people with chronic back pain, so we asked one of our expert testers to see how it reduced her back pain and mild scoliosis. Here are the results...
The best pillow-top mattresses 2024: Tried and tested by our experts
By Jo Plumridge last updated
We rate the best pillow-top mattresses for comfort, support and price, with full reviews from our certified sleep experts.
The best Saatva mattress sales for July 2024: Save $300 on luxury beds
By Claire Davies last updated
The new Saatva ale saves you $300 on luxury foam, hybrid and organic mattresses, with deals on adjustable beds too.
I’ve tested every major mattress in a box — 5 I'd buy in today’s Memorial Day sales
By Alison Barretta published
I've slept on mattresses in a box from Casper, DreamCloud and more, and these are ones I'd buy in today's Memorial Day sales.
I’m a pro mattress tester — why the Saatva Classic is still the No. 1 bed I’d buy in Memorial Day sales
By Alison Barretta published
The Saatva Classic mattress is $400 off in today's Memorial Day sale and it's still the hybrid I'd recommend to all sleepers.
I’m a mattress editor — the 3 best sales to buy before Memorial Day
By Alison Barretta published
I've scoured the Memorial Day sales and these deals from Casper, Saatva and Tempur-Pedic are my top picks.
Which is the best Casper mattress in 2024? Here's what you need to know
By Alison Barretta published
Your guide to finding the best Casper mattress for your needs and budget
I visited Casper Labs for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Casper's new mattresses
By Alison Barretta published
I visited Casper Labs in Brooklyn to explore Casper's all-new mattress lineup and learn why the brand decided to start from scratch after a decade in the sleep business.
I slept on a $125 pillow custom-designed for my body — is it worth the money?
By Alison Barretta published
The Pluto Pillow is custom-built to a person's unique body stats and sleep preferences. Here's what happened when I slept on one for one month...
The best mattresses for back pain all have lumbar support — but what is it, exactly?
By Alison Barretta published
Plus, three ways to increase your lumbar support when sleeping
Out of all the mattresses-in-a-box I've tested, these are the 3 I always recommend
By Alison Barretta published
In all of my years of testing mattresses, I've learned that you don't have to spend a fortune to sleep well. The three mattresses-in-a-box I highlight here are prime examples.
I test mattresses for a living — these are the 3 best firm mattresses on sale today
By Alison Barretta published
The best firm mattresses offer outstanding comfort and support for back and stomach sleepers, as well as providing relief from back pain.
Cloverlane Hybrid Mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta published
Our Cloverlane Mattress review takes an in-depth look at Resident Sleep's newest luxury mattress. Here's how we got on after a month of testing.
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...
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.