
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

I tried the Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper — here's why you should buy in Black Friday sales
By Alison Barretta published
Experience cooler comfort for up to 55% less with Amazon's Black Friday deal on Tempur-Pedic's Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper

Is your mattress past its prime? Here's why Black Friday is the right time to replace it
By Alison Barretta last updated
See how often you should replace your mattress and learn when it's time for a change. If that's right now, you're in luck as Black Friday mattress sales are under way

Is the Helix Sunset Luxe mattress worth it for side sleepers? We tried it to find out
By Alison Barretta published
The Helix Sunset Luxe could be the ideal choice for lighter weight side sleepers seeking a softer, pillow-top mattress. Here's what we discovered during our hands-on review...

Is the Helix Midnight Elite mattress worth it? I tried it — here's what I think
By Alison Barretta published
The Helix Midnight Elite one of the most luxurious mattresses for side sleepers I've seen, but is it worth the money? I tried it to find out...

Saatva returns policy: Key things to know before buying
By Jack Ridsdale published
We’ve looked through the Saatva returns policy with a fine-toothed comb. Here’s what we learned about how to return a Saatva mattress and other products…

What are mattress coils and why are they important?
By Alison Barretta published
Coils affect how supportive and responsive your mattress feels. Here's a handy guide to the main types used in hybrid and innerspring beds...

Sleep Number has released a new smart mattress — and it's a game-changer for hot sleepers
By Alison Barretta published
The Sleep Number ClimateCool is the brand's newest temperature-controlled smart bed. Here's what you need to know.

I'm a mattress tester — 3 red flags to avoid when buying a bed in Labor Day sales
By Alison Barretta published
Don't lose sleep because of buyer's remorse — just follow these smart Labor Day mattress shopping tips instead.

I have a bad back — here are the 3 luxury mattresses I'd buy during Labor Day sales
By Alison Barretta published
I'm a mattress tester with a bad back. These are the luxury beds I'd go for in today's Labor Day sales

Should you buy a mattress in the Labor Day sales or wait for Black Friday?
By Alison Barretta published
Labor Day mattress sales are live, but is it wise to wait until Black Friday to buy? As a veteran deal hunter and mattress tester, here's my take...

Titan launches luxury hybrid mattress for heavy people — and it's 25% off today
By Alison Barretta published
Titan by Brooklyn Bedding's new Plus Elite hybrid mattress promises cooling comfort for heavy people. Here's what you need to know...

Is the new Sleep Number c1 smart bed worth it? I tried it — here's what I think
By Alison Barretta published
I tried the new Sleep Number c1 smart mattress to see how well it balances value vs features. Here's what I discovered...

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.

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 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...

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 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.

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow mattress review
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 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.

Is a firm mattress good for back pain?
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...

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.

Hurry! Saatva's dual-sided organic latex mattress is up to $681 off in the after-Christmas sales for a limited time
By Rachael Penn 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.
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