Alison Barretta
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

What’s the best hybrid mattress in 2025? I’m a sleep coach and these are my top picks
By Claire Davies last updated
We've tested and slept on the top hybrid mattresses of 2025— and I've shortlisted the best ones to buy for your sleep and budget

Do memory foam mattresses cause back pain?
By Jo Plumridge published
If you experience back pain, you’ll know how important the right mattress is. We explain how memory foam mattresses can cause back pain — and how they can also help.

Saatva Loom & Leaf vs Saatva Contour5: Which luxury memory foam mattress should you buy?
By Ruth Jones last updated
Can't decide if the Saatva Loom & Leaf or Contour5 is right for you? Here's how to choose between these luxury memory foam mattresses.

Our all-time favorite hybrid mattress is $400 off in the Presidents' Day sales
By Alison Barretta published
The Saatva Presidents' Day Sale is live and cuts $400 off all mattresses — including the top-rated Saatva Classic.

Viscosoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Viscosoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper is a copper-infused memory foam topper for hot sleepers. Here, we review it for you.

Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper offers luxurious comfort that's similar to its full-fledged mattresses, but at a much lower cost.

Saatva Foam Mattress Topper review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Saatva Foam Mattress Topper is a quality choice for anyone seeking luxury comfort for less — but it's not without its limitations. Here's what we learned after three weeks of sleeping on it.

Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper is one of the most cost-effective ways to make your bed extremely plush. Here's how we fared after sleeping on it for two weeks...

Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress review 2025
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

What is the Eight Sleep Pod? A guide to the celebrities' favorite smart mattress system
By Alison Barretta last updated
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...

Does the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress still impress? Here's what I think after one week of re-testing
By Alison Barretta published
I reviewed the DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress three years ago, and re-testing it now to see if it's still deserving of praise. Here's how my first week went.

Best cheap mattress 2025: we tested the top budget beds under $500 for a queen
By Claire Davies, Frances Daniels last updated
We've tried and tested 2025's best cheap mattresses for every sleeper on a tight budget, with affordable queen beds under $500.

The Allswell mattress review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
In our Allswell mattress review, we put Walmart's bed-in-a-box through its paces. Here's what we discovered...

Do mattresses need box springs?
By Alison Barretta published
What you need to know about using a box spring with a hybrid, memory foam, latex or innerspring mattress.

Want to be sure you're buying a mattress without fiberglass? Here are the red flags to look for
By Alison Barretta published
Fiberglass is still widely used in many cheap mattresses — and manufacturers aren’t always upfront about it.

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.

Siena Memory Foam Mattress review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
We retested the budget-friendly Siena Memory Foam Mattress to see if it's still one of our top picks for stomach sleepers in 2025

What's the best mattress for couples in 2025? I'm a mattress tester — these are my top picks
By Alison Barretta last updated
Share a bed? These are the best mattresses for couples with great motion isolation and temperature control, chosen by sleep experts.

What’s the best queen size mattress in 2025? I’m a mattress tester – these are my top picks
By Claire Davies last updated
Queen is the most popular mattress size in America and our sleep experts have found the six best queen size mattresses to shop today.

What are the different types of foams used inside mattresses?
By Alison Barretta published
Not all mattress foam is the same. This guide explains the different types and how they're used.

The best cheap mattress toppers under $50 in 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
Find the best cheap mattress topper under $50 that will transform your bed and boost your comfort while on a tight budget

The best pillow-top mattress in 2025: our expert picks for hotel-style comfort at home
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.

What's the best medium-firm mattress in 2025? I'm a sleep expert and these are my top picks
By Alison Barretta, Ruth Jones last updated
We've tried and tested all the latest medium-firm mattresses, and I've narrowed them down to the seven best ones to buy in 2025
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