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 organic mattress 2024: Natural beds for non toxic sleep
By Jo Plumridge last updated
The best organic mattresses and all natural beds to buy online, as rated by certified sleep experts.
The best luxury mattress 2024
By Sarah Finley last updated
Looking for the best luxury mattress? Bring luxury hotels levels of luxe into your own bedroom with our guide to the best mattresses on the market.
The best firm mattress 2024, approved by sleep experts
By Alison Barretta last updated
The best firm mattresses for proper spinal support, rated by our top sleep testers and with advice from a chiropractor.
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.
The best mattress for side sleepers 2024: with full reviews
By Claire Davies last updated
We review 2024's best mattresses for side sleepers at a range of prices, from affordable to luxury.
The best hybrid mattress 2024: reviewed by sleep experts
By Claire Davies last updated
This year's best hybrid mattresses for all budgets, tested by our in-house sleep experts.
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...
Nectar mattress sales for April: up to 60% off top-rated memory foam beds
By Claire Davies last updated
This month's Nectar mattress sale will save you hundreds on top-rated memory foam and hybrid beds, with deals on mattress and adjustable bed bundles too.
Saatva RX mattress review 2024: A luxury solution to back pain
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Saatva RX is designed for people with chronic back pain, but how effective is it? We review the mattress to find out.
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.
Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress is the brand's coolest offering yet, but how well does it perform?
Mattresses sizes: a complete guide and how to choose
By Alison Barretta published
Our essential mattress size guide outlines the main US and UK mattress sizes to help you find the right mattress size for you.
What is the Eight Sleep Pod? A guide to Elon Musk's favorite smart mattress system
By Alison Barretta published
Tech moguls and world-class athletes credit the Eight Sleep Pod with their best rest yet. But is it worth the hype? We take a look at how this smart mattress system works...
Siena Memory Foam Mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Siena Memory Foam is a budget mattress from Nectar's parent company. Here's what we discovered after a month of testing...
Save up to $1,159 on Naturepedic's best organic mattresses in Presidents' Day sale
By Alison Barretta published
The Naturepedic Presidents' Day Sale is a great time to save on these EWG Verified mattresses, but this offer won't last long.
How thick should a mattress be? Your guide to picking the right height
By Alison Barretta published
Unsure whether to buy a tall or short mattress? Here's how to choose the right mattress thickness for your needs.
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Tempur-Adapt mattress is a premium mattress — but does that mean premium sleep? After reviewing it for three weeks, this is what we think…
What is a hybrid mattress and are they any good?
By Alison Barretta published
What does 'hybrid mattress' mean? Is sleeping on one good for you? The answer to those questions and more revealed.
Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress review 2024
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
DreamCloud Mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
We tested the DreamCloud mattress for three weeks. Here's what we discovered during our review...
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.
The 7 best mattresses on Amazon 2024: browse these budget-friendly bedroom upgrades
By Ruth Hamilton last updated
Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.
I'm testing a new Saatva Classic rival from the company behind Nectar Mattress — here's what I think of it so far
By Alison Barretta published
I'm in the process of testing the new Cloverlane Hybrid mattress – here's what I think of this Saatva Classic clone after one week of sleeping on it.