
Alison Barretta
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

How do mattress warranties work?
By Alison Barretta last updated
Mattress warranties can be daunting. We're here to help you make sense of them.

“I sit here with probably the most talented team in the mattress space.” Saatva CEO Ron Rudzin on the unstoppable rise of America's most admired luxury sleep brand
By Alison Barretta published
We speak to CEO Ron Rudzin about the past, present and future of Saatva and what we can expect from the brand in 2025

DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid vs Nectar Classic mattress: Key differences compared
By Alison Barretta published
We look at how these two popular mattresses-in-a-box face off in terms of price, features and more

This weekend's top mattress deals from Tempur-Pedic, Helix, and more
By Alison Barretta published
Want to buy a mattress before more tariffs go into effect? These are the deals I highly recommend you shop this weekend.

I've been sleeping on the affordable Siena Hybrid Premier mattress for a week — and it's already outperforming some of its luxury rivals in several ways
By Alison Barretta published
My thoughts on the Siena Hybrid Premier mattress in a box after a week of testing

Mattress White Glove Delivery: What's included and how it works
By Claire Davies last updated
We explain everything you need to know about mattress White Glove Delivery, including which brands offer it.

What are mattress trials and how do they work?
By Claire Davies last updated
Many sleep brands talk about their mattress trial periods, but what are they and how do they work? We have answers.

What mattress does the Hampton Inn use?
By Jo Plumridge published
We look under the covers of the Hampton Hotel Bed used at the Hampton Inn to see if it’s worth buying one for yourself.

What's the best Casper mattress in 2025?
By Alison Barretta last updated
Which one of Casper's five mattresses should you buy? We share our thoughts based on our experiences and customer reviews.

Plush mattress vs firm mattress: Which one is right for you?
By Frances Daniels, Alison Barretta last updated
The firmness of your mattress can make or break your entire sleep experience. If you're torn between plush or firm, here's what you need to know.

I went hands-on with the updated Helix Midnight mattresses for side sleepers — but were the changes worth it?
By Alison Barretta published
Helix has updated its best-selling Midnight mattress range for side sleepers. Is it an improvement? I went hands-on to find out.

Helix has revamped its entire mattress collection — here's what's new
By Alison Barretta published
All Helix mattress lines have undergone changes, with the luxury Helix Elite collection getting the biggest glow-up

I went hands-on with the new Westin Heavenly Bed — is it as good as the original?
By Alison Barretta last updated
I slept on the Next Generation Westin Heavenly Bed to see how this new hotel mattress stands up against the hugely popular original. Here's what I think.

How to know if your mattress has fiberglass
By Frances Daniels last updated
Learn how to spot fiberglass in your mattress, plus the three best deals for fiberglass-free mattresses available right now.

When is the best time to buy a mattress?
By Claire Davies last updated
Here's everything you need to know about all the major mattress sales of the year so you can time your purchase for maximum savings.

Memory foam vs hybrid mattress: Key differences and how to choose
By Alison Barretta last updated
Memory foam vs hybrid is one of the biggest decisions you'll need to make when buying a mattress. Here's how to pick between them...

What is a Japanese floor mattress?
By Frances Daniels last updated
From saving space to providing firm support on a budget, a Japanese floor mattress has lots of benefits, but it won't suit everyone – here's why.

Does Goodwill take mattresses?
By Alison Barretta last updated
We look at Goodwill’s latest mattress donation guidelines, plus whether it takes box springs, bedroom furniture, and bedding.

5 reasons not to put a mattress on the floor — and 3 reasons why you should
By Claire Davies last updated
Can you put a mattress on the floor? From mold to bed bugs, there are plenty of reasons not to, but some big benefits too.

Memory foam vs latex mattress: Which one suits your sleep needs better?
By Jo Plumridge last updated
In our memory foam vs latex mattress comparison, we break down the differences and similarities between them to help you find the right choice for your sleep.

What is the Casper Dream mattress and should you buy it?
By Jack Ridsdale published
The Casper Dream is a premium hybrid mattress with a medium feel to suit many types of sleepers, but is it right for you? We investigate.

How to return a mattress to Amazon
By Jo Plumridge last updated
How easy is it to return a mattress to Amazon? We walk you through it here in our step-by-step guide.

Box spring vs platform bed: which one is right for your mattress?
By Alison Barretta last updated
Deciding between a box spring vs platform bed? Here's what you need to know about these popular bed types.
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