
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 test mattresses for a living — these are the 3 best firm mattresses on sale today
By Alison Barretta published
The best firm mattresses offer outstanding comfort and support for back and stomach sleepers, as well as providing relief from back pain.

Cloverlane Hybrid Mattress review 2025
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.

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.

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
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The 7 best hybrid and memory foam mattresses to buy in the Black Friday sales
By Rachael Penn 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.

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.

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.

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.
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