Alison Barretta

Alison Barretta

Freelance reviewer and writer

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

A man with dark hair and a woman with red hair go mattress shopping together

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.

Mattresses
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress placed on a light wooden bedframe in an orange bedroom with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid in blue

Is the Siena Mattress worth buying in Black Friday sales? I tested it — here's my advice

By Alison Barretta published

Have your eye on the super-cheap Siena Memory Foam Mattress in the Black Friday sales? Here's what I want you to know, as someone who's reviewed it.

Mattresses
The Saatva Classic mattress photographed on a fabric bed frame with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the image

I’m a mattress tester and the hybrid bed I'd buy in Black Friday sales is $400 off

By Alison Barretta published

If there's one mattress I'd recommend for most sleepers this Black Friday, it's the Saatva Classic. And right now it's on sale for $400 off in every size from twin XL up

Mattresses
White mattress that comes with a lifetime warranty placed on a beige bedframe

Is there such a thing as a mattress for life? We explore forever warranties

By Alison Barretta published

Does a lifetime warranty mean your mattress will last forever? Not quite, so here’s what you need to know before buying.

Mattresses
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a grey fabric bed frame placed against a yellow wall

Our favorite Nectar mattress drops to just $359 in official Black Friday sale

By Alison Barretta published

Nectar is kicking off its Black Friday sale with 40% off its best memory foam mattress in a box.

Mattresses
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a yellow bed frame in a yellow bedroom with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the main image

I've tested all the best mattresses in a box — these are 3 I'd buy in Black Friday sales

By Alison Barretta published

Hoping to land a great price on a mattress in a box this Black Friday? I've slept on plenty of them – these are the three I recommend.

Mattresses
Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress image shows a man and his daughter read a book together while lying on the Loom & Leaf mattress topped with a grey button headboard

Is Saatva's Loom & Leaf mattress worth buying on Black Friday? I reviewed it and here's what I think

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and this is what I want you to know about the Saatva Loom & Leaf before buying it this Black Friday.

Mattresses
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress with a woman and a dog sitting on top of it

Is the Tempur-Adapt mattress worth buying on Black Friday? I tested it and here's what I think

By Alison Barretta published

I slept on a Tempur-Adapt mattress – here's what I want you to know if you plan on buying one during the Black Friday sales.

Mattresses
Image shows the Nectar Memory Foam mattress placed on a light wooden bed frame in a blue bedroom

I reviewed the Nectar Mattress – here's 3 reasons why you should (and shouldn't) buy it this Black Friday

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and these are my reasons for and against buying the Nectar Memory Foam this Black Friday.

Mattresses
The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid in a stylish dark blue bedroom with a pros and cons label overlaid on the imagemattress placed on a wooden bed frame in a

Is the DreamCloud mattress worth buying on Black Friday? I reviewed it and here's what I think

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and this is what I want people to know before buying the DreamCloud in the Black Friday sales.

Mattresses
Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress in a bedroom, with a Lowest Price graphic overlaid

Forget Black Friday – Awara launches flash sale on its top latex mattress

By Alison Barretta published

Head to Awara, where its flagship latex mattress is on sale for up to $765 off – yielding all-time low prices.

Mattresses
Woman asleep in bed, lying on her back

What is sleep hygiene? Here are 6 ways to improve yours

By Jo Plumridge published

We explain the importance of sleep hygiene and offer six tips to help you achieve your best rest.

Sleep
Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid mattress with two people sleeping

Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid mattress review 2025

By Alison Barretta published

The Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid is the latest addition to the Tuft & Needle lineup. After sleeping on it for three weeks, here's our review...

Mattresses
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress with lowest price deals graphic overlaid

Cocoon by Sealy mattress sales for March: budget cooling mattress is cheapest ever

By Claire Davies last updated

You'll find all the details about the latest Cocoon by Sealy promo codes and discounts here.

Mattresses
Nectar mattress with Prime Day deals graphic overlaid

5 reasons you SHOULDN'T buy a mattress on Amazon in the Prime Day sales

By Alison Barretta published

Amazon will be flush with Prime Day deals, but if it's a new mattress you're shopping for, it's best avoided. Here's what you need to know...

Mattresses
Winkbed sales and deals: woman reading on a Winkbed mattress

WinkBeds mattress sales and deals for March: take $300 off this top-rated luxury mattress

By Paul Dimery last updated

You'll find everything you need to know about WinkBeds mattress sales and WinkBeds discount codes here.

Mattresses
Nectar Premier Copper mattress review: Close up of Nectar Premier Copper Mattress with a dog on it

Nectar Premier Copper mattress review

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Nectar Premier Copper mattress boasts next-level cooling tech that's a dream for hot sleepers. Here's our review.

Mattresses
Tempur-Pedic mattress with price drop flag overlaid

Tempur-Pedic's memorial day sale ends today – rare chance to save big across the range

By Alison Barretta published

Tempur-Pedic's Memorial Day sale boasts markdowns across its entire range, but you'd better hurry before prices rise again...

Mattresses
Man lying on a mattress in a showroom

Shop or skip: Is Memorial Day a good time to buy a mattress?

By Alison Barretta published

Planning to refresh your sleep setup before summer begins? Plenty of Memorial Day mattress sales are live – find out if they're worth browsing.

Mattresses
A man in a blue shirt goes mattress shopping

How to buy a mattress in the Memorial Day sales: 5 expert shopping tips

By Alison Barretta last updated

We've been covering mattress sales events for years – here's what to do to get the best bargain in the Memorial Day mattress sales.

Mattresses
Nectar original with Act Fast graphic overlaid

Our favorite memory foam mattress is now cheaper than it was on Black Friday

By Alison Barretta published

Nectar's Spring Flash Sale drops its best-selling memory foam mattress to the cheapest price we've seen for it

Mattresses
A woman sleeps happily with her arm raised on a comfortable white mattress

How to sleep better on an uncomfortable mattress – 7 easy hacks

By Claire Davies last updated

Broken sleep isn't fun, so try these easy hacks to make your mattress instantly more comfortable.

Mattress Care
Saatva Classic mattresses, with Price Drop flag overlaid

Should I buy a mattress in the Presidents' Day sales?

By Alison Barretta published

Presidents' Day mattress sales are here, and they're abundant. Before you browse, here's what you need to know in order to secure the best deal.

Mattresses
What is a platform bed: a lifestyle image of the Nectar Platform Bed with a Nectar mattress on top of it

What is a platform bed and do I need one?

By Alison Barretta published

Your bed frame can influence the comfort of your mattress – so what is a platform bed, and do you need one? We explain...

Mattresses
A woman in a brown t-shirt massages her painful lower back in bed

Sleep expert reveals the best type of mattress for back pain

By Alison Barretta last updated

We speak with a neurobiologist and sleep expert to find out what type of mattress can help alleviate back pain and why.

Mattresses
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Archives

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: