
Nicola Appleton
Nicola is the Sleep Editor at Tom’s Guide, where she helps steer the mattress and sleep content published on Tom’s Guide, including our Best Mattress for Back Pain buying guide. With a career in journalism spanning the best part of two decades, Nicola brings experience to the team and the knowledge of what makes a great article, whether that’s a how-to mattress cleaning feature, a deep dive into melatonin gummies, or an in-depth mattress review. As a sleep editor, few better understand how important a decent mattress is to the overall quality of our sleep, and precisely how our sleep impacts our physical and mental health. As well as tackling the vast topic of sleep, Nicola joins the raft of expert mattress specialists at Tom’s Guide, who test and compare a wide range of mattresses in order to guide readers towards the very best options on the market.
Latest articles by Nicola Appleton

The best Beautyrest mattress sales for July 2025: How to save on these luxury beds
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Our expert guide to how and where to find a saving on a luxury Beautyrest mattress this month.

The best mattresses on Amazon 2025: 7 top picks tested by sleep experts
By Nicola Appleton last updated
If you plan to do your mattress shopping at Amazon, here are six of the best options — all tested by our expert reviewers.

The best mattress for back pain 2025: 10 expert picks to help you sleep comfortably
By Jo Plumridge published
We've slept on and tested all the latest beds — these are the mattresses for back pain that provided pain-free mornings.

I tried the caveman method to help me sleep cool during a heatwave — here's how it went
By Nicola Appleton published
Keeping your bedroom dark and cool like a cave is the underrated sleep hack of the summer — here’s how it works.

I'm a deals hunter — 11 beds I'd buy in the 4th July mattress sales
By Ruth Jones last updated
Today's 4th of July mattress sales are hotting up — our guide shows you where to find the biggest deals from our favourite brands

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review: Balanced support and comfort
By Alison Barretta last updated
We tested the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress to see if it really can deliver "legendary pressure relief" — and justify the price tag.

Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review: Superb pressure relief for side sleepers
By Nicola Appleton last updated
The Helix Midnight Luxe offers unbeatable pressure relief for side sleepers, scoring an overall test score of 4.5 out of 5

Could wearing socks to bed help you sleep cooler in summer? I tried this unlikely sleep hack
By Nicola Appleton published
Wearing socks to bed can actually help lower your core temperature, explain doctors. But does it really work? I tried it to see.

Tom's Guide AI Awards 2025: 17 best AI tools and gadgets right now
By Alex Hughes published
Laptops, smartphones, chatbots and more - these are our picks for the best AI devices and tools in 2025

Three nights of poor sleep can increase your risk of heart disease, study shows
By Nicola Appleton published
Study shows that three nights of poor sleep can impact cardiovascular health.

I finally tried the Saatva Classic and was blown away — but there's a different luxury hybrid mattress I'd buy in the Memorial Day sales
By Nicola Appleton published
As a side sleeper I love the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress, and there's 27% off plus a free bedding bundle ahead of Memorial Day

Is the updated Helix Midnight mattress any good? I’ve been sleeping on it for a week — here’s what I think so far
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Midnight is a hugely popular mattress for side sleepers. Is the updated version an improvement on the original? Here’s what I think after sleeping on it for the past week.

What is a nighttime routine for adults and how do they help you fall asleep faster?
By Nicola Appleton last updated
A nighttime routine can help you fall asleep faster and wake up energized — here's what you need to do.

How to remove mattress stains and smells — get rid of pee, vomit, yellow marks and more
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Accidents happen, so here's how to remove pee, vomit, smells, and yellow mattress stains in seven easy steps.

Which Nectar mattress should you buy?
By Nicola Appleton, Ruth Jones last updated
Which Nectar mattress is the bed in a box for you? Here's our guide to the Nectar mattress line-up, tested and chosen by experts.

Can't sleep? 1 hour of screen time in bed increases insomnia by 59%, study shows
By Nicola Appleton published
Screen time in bed is linked to poor quality sleep, a new study shows — here’s why, plus how to break the habit.

Can you use a mattress topper as a mattress? Yes, but there are risks — here's why
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Want to save money and switch your mattress for a bed topper? We don’t recommend it, here’s why…

7 signs that you have dust mites in your mattress — and why that's bad for your sleep
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Seven tell-tale signs dust mites are lurking in your mattress, plus how to get rid of them quickly.

The luxury hybrid mattress I recommend to everyone drops to its joint lowest price in new Sleep Week deal
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is a dream for side sleepers, and it's 27% off for Sleep Week.

My husband and I finally found a mattress we can agree on — and it's 27% off in today’s Presidents' Day sales
By Nicola Appleton published
There's $775 off the Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress in today's Presidents' Day sales, and it's a dream for both back and side sleepers.

How to return a mattress in a box — what you need to know before Presidents’ Day sales
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Thinking of buying a mattress in a box in the Presidents' Day sales? Here's how to return it if it's not right for your sleep.

I'm a mattress tester with lower back pain — here are 3 beds I'd buy in the Saatva Presidents' Day sale
By Nicola Appleton published
Saatva's Presidents' Day sale has landed, taking $400 off all mattresses over $1,000. This is what I'd buy as a bed tester with lower back pain.

Is sleeping on your stomach bad for you? Yes, but you can fix that — here’s how
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Sleeping on your stomach can cause back, neck, and shoulder pain. But the right mattress can help with all that.
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