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
![Eight Sleep Pod Pro smart mattress cover system shown on a grey bedframe in a stylish bedroom overlooking hills](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d5pyoxyLFLgfSSPX5bk77B-320-80.jpg)
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, featuring a person lying upside on the bed reading a book](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4gcokXrvKKTE3sjsy9Yaz5-320-80.jpg)
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...
![Naturepedic Serenade Organic Hybrid Mattress on a white bedframe with a blue price drop sales image overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hJqo3Qf7UrykFCRnMDugBh-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A woman looks at the thickness of a mattress she is thinking of buying](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LoT62DCFWyfvURmh88EFXi-320-80.jpg)
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.
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress in a bedoom, with a dog lying on it](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vNZdbbHgQ5b3XELQr9yrp4-320-80.jpg)
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 in a bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YaixoRxvNktKn4kFFZrtWn-320-80.jpg)
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
![Cloverlane Hybrid Mattress placed on a beige fabric bedframe in a stylish bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HbTmwmCMp6SraXcKMJhNyG-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The Leesa Sapira Mattress shown on a beige fabric bedframe with a blue lowest price sale badge overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LvZYjv7Fjdx3DgCUFXtXh9-320-80.jpg)
Leesa's best-selling hybrid mattress drops to all-time low price — and it comes with free pillows
By Alison Barretta published
The Leesa Sapira Hybrid is now on sale for $1,499 in a queen, which is $200 less than its Black Friday offer.
![Nolah Evolution mattress in a modern bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cyybg2hhm55x4yPzyse8hK-320-80.jpg)
Nolah mattress deals and sales for July: 35% off beds for the entire family
By Louis Ramirez last updated
Whether you need a bed for yourself or the kids, here are the best Nolah mattress deals you can get right now.
![Avocado mattress sales, deals and discounts image shows a man with dark hair and a woman with long brown hair talking while lying on an Avocado Green Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FudUKPRG7urB7nrTS3a2Tb-320-80.jpg)
Avocado mattress sales and deals for July 2024: Up to $940 off organic beds
By Claire Davies last updated
The year's first Avocado mattress sales take 10% off its entire range of beds as well as deals on bedding, pillows and frames.
![A woman in a brown t-shirt massages her painful lower back in bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rncKhquZpmzgpKY5mHquXA-320-80.jpg)
Firm mattresses aren't always best for back pain — here's why, say experts
By Alison Barretta published
Do hard beds cure back pain? According to experts, the answer isn't cut-and-dry. Here's what they told us about sleeping on firm mattresses for back pain...
![Purple Plus Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fvLyKjK5nA4JovzZDtHSmT-320-80.jpg)
Last chance! Take $400 off the Purple Plus during Purple's after-Christmas mattress sale
By Alison Barretta published
The Purple after-Christmas mattress features savings on its Essential line of beds, including a flat $400 off the Purple Plus. These savings won't last long, though.
![Helix Midnight Mattress deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/foMLV5e9MoZbstRAaT98BQ-320-80.jpeg)
Helix's after-Christmas sale is a Black Friday encore, featuring 25% off our favorite mattress for side sleepers
By Alison Barretta published
If you missed the Helix Black Friday sale don't fret – it's back as an after-Christmas sale for a limited time.
![Saatva Zenhaven Latex](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AtHJG7VLyAmUSVJAZPN4Bj-320-80.jpg)
Hurry! Saatva's dual-sided organic latex mattress is up to $681 off in the after-Christmas sales for a limited time
By Rachael Phillips published
Saatva's after-Christmas mattress sale includes big savings on the dual-sided Zenhaven Latex Mattress, which is now up to $681 off. But be quick because this deal won’t last long.
![Best Cyber Monday memory foam mattress deals, featuring the Tempur-Cloud](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MHbKWcDHiLCtgm7dgKYMJH-320-80.jpg)
I'm a mattress tester, and these are the 3 memory foam beds I'd buy in today's Cyber Monday sales
By Alison Barretta published
Don't sweat it if you missed this year's Black Friday sales. Here are the three Cyber Monday memory foam mattress deals that I'd buy if I were shopping for a new bed.
![Cyber Monday Mattress Topper Deals featuring Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HdFg9z2pDeTdWLkL4kgBKm-320-80.jpg)
Cyber Monday deals: Our 3 favorite mattress toppers are now on sale from $82
By Alison Barretta published
Mattress toppers are a great way to change the feel of your bed for less. If you don't know where to start, then check out these three amazing Cyber Monday deals.
![Purple Mattress on a wooden bedframe in a purple bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pXjD2DTBKC3HZ6NBLf4CKd-320-80.jpg)
Last call for super-cheap Emma, Casper, and Purple mattresses — don’t miss these Cyber Monday deals!
By Alison Barretta published
These Cyber Monday mattress deals are outstanding – and in some cases, they're better than what we spotted over the weekend.
![Bear Elite Hybrid mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pNevJiM66LuYNs7xwaRvVP-320-80.jpg)
The 7 best hybrid and memory foam mattresses to buy in the Black Friday sales
By Rachael Phillips published
Looking for a memory foam bed to sink into, or a bouncy hybrid? Shop the best Black Friday mattress deals available now from Emma, Nectar, Purple and more.
![The Saatva Classic mattress on a fabric bed frame with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QQLoRvHdZvHg66NwNVn3xh-320-80.jpg)
LIVE: Black Friday mattress deals 2023 — today's biggest sales
By Claire Davies last updated
Black Friday mattress deals news live: Our certified sleep expert picks out today's best deals on top beds and bedding
![The DreamCloud Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GU7JRmVTwWdqNAEYya7xZ3-320-80.jpg)
I’ve tested all the best hybrid mattresses and these are the 3 I’d buy in Black Friday sales
By Alison Barretta published
For sleepers who want the best of springs and foam, here are the three Black Friday hybrid mattress deals a veteran deal hunter and mattress tester.
![7 Best Black Friday Mattress Deals featuring the Saatva Classic as the best overall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4uLWWtkK7yR9h7uzR6Dem6-320-80.jpg)
I'm a pro mattress tester and these are the 7 very best mattress deals of Black Friday 2023
By Alison Barretta published
If you don't feel like swimming in a sea of Black Friday mattress deals, then take a look at the seven very best offers as chosen by a veteran deal hunter and mattress tester.
![The Saatva Classic mattress photographed on a fabric bed frame with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QQLoRvHdZvHg66NwNVn3xh-320-80.jpg)
5 best Black Friday mattress deals with lifetime warranties
By Alison Barretta published
Looking for a mattress that'll last you a lifetime (or close)? These five Black Friday mattress deals come with a forever warranty.
![A man with dark hair and a woman with red hair go mattress shopping together](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AcQLt68eAD2PTdttCkycr-320-80.jpg)
As a pro mattress tester, these are my 3 golden rules of Black Friday sales shopping
By Alison Barretta published
I'm a mattress tester and deal hunter who's been covering Black Friday sales for 15 years. Here's what you need to know about scoring a winning mattress deal this Black Friday.