Frances Daniels

Frances Daniels

Senior Sleep Staff Writer

Frances Daniels is a PPA-accredited journalist and Sleep Staff Writer at Tom's Guide with an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University. Her role includes covering mattress and sleep news and writing sleep product reviews and buyer's guides, including our Best Hybrid Mattress 2025 guide. She is interested in the relationship between sleep and health, interviewing an array of experts to create in-depth articles about topics such as nutrition, sleep disorders, sleep hygiene, and mattress care. She is also our specialist on mattress toppers — producing bed topper reviews and taking care of our Best Mattress Toppers 2025 guide — and leads content relating to fiberglass-free beds for a non-toxic sleep. Outside of Tom's Guide, she has written for Ideal Home and Marie Claire.

Latest articles by Frances Daniels

The image shows a close up shot of a dark haired woman sleeping with her head tested on a white pillow or the left, while Oprah Winfrey is seen wearing a purple suit while stood on stage on the right, in a side by side composition
"Don't lose three hours by endlessly scrolling through social media," 5 key sleep hygiene habits of highly successful people and how they help you sleep for longer after just one night

By Frances Daniels Last updated

Some of the most successful people in the world, from CEOs to world leaders, share these five sleep habits

Sleep
A four-piece collage of sleeping women, essential oils, and a candle pasted on to a blue marble background.
So, you got an aromatherapy set for Christmas — here’s how to use essential oils and candles in your sleep routine

By Frances Daniels Published

An aromatherapist explains how to use those unwanted essential oils and candles to fall asleep fast.

Sleep
Two of our mattress testers sit on the Siena Signature Mattress on a bed frame in our testing studio. On the left, Nicola Appleton sits close to the side of the mattress to test the edge support. On the right, Frances Daniels sits on the sleeping area of the bed to better understand the comfort.
The best mattresses for college students 2026: Expert tested beds for dorm rooms

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Whether it's been a long day studying or socializing, these expert tested and recommended mattresses are perfect for college life.

Mattresses
A four-picture collage of the best mattress toppers for collage dorms, all separated by a wavy blue-gradient line.
The 5 best mattress toppers for college dorms in 2026: Our expert picks for students upgrading their room this year

By Frances Daniels Last updated

Upgrade an old, grubby bed in 2026 with the five best mattress toppers for college dorms — all tested and approved by our expert review panel

Mattresses
A four-image collage of different mattress toppers, each picture separated by a wavy blue-gradient line.
The 11 best mattress toppers of 2026 that our expert testers recommend for every bed

By Frances Daniels Last updated

We've tested all the latest mattress toppers and rate these 11 as the best to buy in 2025 for every type of bed, whether you need extra cooling, softness, or firmness

Mattress Toppers
Woman sleeping on the couch with the Bearaby weighted blanket draped over her
Best Weighted Blankets 2026

By Becky George Last updated

Rest easy in 2026 with our best 6 weighted blankets tried, tested and approved by experts.

Pillows & Bedding
A young family sit on a bed wearing matching green pajamas with a festive pattern.
Dermatologists reveal the gross reason why you should wash your new Christmas pajamas before wearing them — especially if you have this condition

By Frances Daniels Published

Thinking of wearing your brand new Christmas pajamas without washing them first? Skin experts are urging you to think again for this health reason

Sleep
Two female testers change the bedding of a bed in a blue bedroom.
Taking a Christmas vacation? This is what I do before I leave to fall asleep fast when I return

By Frances Daniels Published

If you're about to leave for Christmas vacation, remember to do this before you go — your sleep will thank you for it. Plus, what to do if you've already left...

Sleep
The Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM sunrise alarm on a warmly-lit bedside table.
Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM review 2025: A premium alarm clock that provides a gentle and refreshing wake-up call

By Frances Daniels Published

Editor's Choice

I tested the Lumie Bodyclock Luxe 700FM for three months to see if it lives up to price tag. Here's why it definitely does...

Sleep Tech
The LectroFan EVO White Noise Machine perched on a grey couch. In the lower left-hand foreground, there's a PRICE DROP deal badge.
"I could sleep anywhere with this gadget" — the white noise machine I recommend to anyone traveling this Christmas drops to lower-than-Black-Friday price

By Frances Daniels Published

This Amazon deal takes 25% off the LectroFan EVO White Noise Machine, a great sleep gadget that wasn't even on sale for Black Friday

Sleep Tech
A four-image collage of someone making a hard mattress softer.
Over 60% of us have trouble sleeping away at Christmas — 3 tricks to make the guest room mattress softer

By Frances Daniels Published

From a DIY mattress topper to strategic pillow placement, here's how to make their guest room bed more comfortable fast

Mattresses
A group of sleep essentials from Amazon, displayed on a bed, with Christmas lights and a travel suitcase in the background.
Sleep Survival Kit: 12 products to help you sleep well in the busiest of houses this holiday season

By Frances Daniels Published

Noisy relatives? Here's what can help you sleep cozy and uninterrupted this Christmas — including a cheaper-than-Black-Friday white noise machine

Sleep
A collage of smelly Christmas sleep gifts on a Christmas table
From frankincense to cinnamon — 12 gifts with classic Christmas scents proven to help you sleep

By Frances Daniels Published

Help them fall asleep fast with these 12 Christmas gift ideas, all infused with classic Christmas scents known to aid sleep

Sleep
Christmas hot chocolate with marshmallows
No, hot chocolate isn't good for sleep — health expert explains why you should swap it for this 'golden' drink instead

By Frances Daniels Published

Hot chocolate is the quintessential cozy beverage, but a dietician tells us it's not so good for our sleep...

Sleep
The left half of the Saatva Graphite Memory Foam Mattress Topper combined with the Saatva High-Density Foam Mattress Topper to make a whole. A blue wavy line separates the two bed toppers.
Graphite vs High-Density foam: Which Saatva mattress topper is ideal for side sleepers?

By Frances Daniels Published

We've tested both the Saatva Graphite vs High-Density Foam toppers —here's which you should buy based on price, design, and comfort for side sleepers

Pillows & Bedding
A photograph of a stack of mattress toppers pasted onto a paste-blue background with a cobalt-blue pattern.
How much should you pay for a mattress topper? I review them for a living, here's what I think

By Frances Daniels Published

While a bed topper is a cheaper alternative to a new mattress, prices can vary. So, here's how much a mattress topper should cost...

Mattress Toppers
An image of a stack of mattress toppers with a blue Black Friday sleep deals badge in the bottom right-hand foreground.
Black Friday mattress topper sales 2025

By Frances Daniels Last updated

Our guide to the best mattress topper sales of Black Friday 2025 from Tempur-Pedic, Amazon, Casper, and more...

Mattress Toppers
Woman with hair in towel relaxes at night with a bowl of cereal
Doctor warns this common food is wrecking our sleep — and we eat over 30lbs of it a year

By Frances Daniels Published

This popular nutritious ingredient is surprisingly disruptive to your sleep, according to experts. Here's why and what to eat instead...

Sleep Problems
A collage of sleep gifts under $20 on a white blanket and lilac satin sheet.
12 stocking stuffers for under $20 for the person in your life who loves to sleep

By Frances Daniels Published

Does your workplace Secret Santa have strict budget rules? Give the gift of sleep for under $20 with these cozy stocking fillers

Sleep
A collage of nighttime routine products at Amazon.
Build the ultimate nighttime routine for cozy winter evenings with these 12 products

By Frances Daniels Published

Everything you need to build the ultimate nighttime routine and fall asleep fast, from lavender-scented body wash,

Sleep
A four-piece collage featuring different mattress toppers for side sleepers. In the center foreground, there is a Cyber Monday sleep deals badge.
Side sleepers, it's your last chance to soften your mattress for less with these 5 final Cyber Monday bed topper deals

By Frances Daniels Published

Soften a hard bed with these mattress topper deals still live in the Cyber Monday sales — but I expect these discounts will soon disappear.

Mattress Toppers
A stack of mattress toppers on top of a mattress
I'm a mattress topper expert — my top 5 tips for getting a good deal this Black Friday

By Frances Daniels Last updated

Looking for a mattress topper this Black Friday? Here's a quick guide to finding a good deal in the sales

Mattress Toppers
The composite image shows from L-R the Oura Ring 4, Quince gingham bed sheets, Coop Adjustable pillow and the Saatva Classic mattress. In the center of the image is a blue pillow-shaped badge with the text "Tom's Guide Sleep Awards 2025"
Tom’s Guide Sleep Awards 2025: All the winners across every major category

By Frances Daniels Published

We've crowned this year’s best products to help you sleep better, from mattresses and pillows to sunrise alarm clocks and sleep trackers

Mattresses
Our sleep features editor Lauren Jeffries lies on her side on the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress, with her back to the camera. A laser line indicates where her spine would be to show how her body is supported by the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress.
Side sleeper? This is the mattress to buy in the Black Friday sales based on our testing

By Frances Daniels Published

Here's why I'd choose the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress over the cheaper Zinus Green Tea in the Black Friday sales

Mattresses
Two Tom's Guide Sleep Writers lying next to each other on their side on the Saatva Classic mattress
Beginner’s guide to Black Friday mattress deals — 5 key things to remember before you shop

By Frances Daniels Last updated

The Black Friday mattress deals have landed — but before you shop, follow our guide to the 5 things you should know

Mattresses
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