Nicola Appleton

Nicola Appleton

Sleep Editor

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 Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress in a luxury bedroom with a blue price drop sale badge overlaid

I'm a mattress tester with lower back pain — why I'd buy the Nolah Evolution 15" in today's $1,100 off sale

By Nicola Appleton published

Nolah’s top-rated mattress for lower back pain offers targeted lumbar support and adjustable firmness — and there’s up to $1,100 off in a time-limited sale.

Mattresses
Best mattress for back pain image shows a man clutching his lower back in agony shortly after waking up

The best mattress for back pain 2024: 9 expert-rated picks

By Alison Barretta last updated

Our complete guide to the best mattresses for back pain, including all-new buying advice from chiropractors and spine surgeons.

Mattresses
The Beautyrest Harmony Lux mattress with a TG Killer Deal badge laid over the top

The best Beautyrest mattress sales for October 2024: up to $600 before Black Friday

By Nicola Appleton last updated

May's Beautyrest mattress sale saves you up to $600 on these top-rated luxury beds

Mattresses
Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress

Don’t miss this! The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate mattress just dropped to its lowest price

By Nicola Appleton published

Save $400 on a Stearns & Foster luxury mattress and get a free bedding bundle worth up to $299.

Mattresses
Two delivery men take a mattress that is being returned and carry it to a white van

How to return a DreamCloud mattress: Everything you need to know

By Nicola Appleton published

Here's our in-depth guide to returning a DreamCloud mattress

Mattresses
Image shows a golden retriever dog lying on a DreamCloud mattress purchased from Amazon

The best mattresses on Amazon 2024: Our 7 top-rated picks

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.

Mattresses
The image shows the Beautyrest PressureSmart mattress on a wooden bed frame with a Tom's Guide 'Price Drop badge overlaid

Beautyrest's best-selling luxury hybrid drops to just $799 for a queen at Mattress Firm

By Nicola Appleton published

Save 42% on the Beautyrest Pressure Smart at Mattress Firm in today's luxury bed sale.

Mattresses
The WinkBed firm mattress is our top firm mattress recommendation

The best firm mattress 2024

By Alison Barretta last updated

We've slept on an tested the latest firm mattresses to bring you our guide to the very best options for all sleepers and budgets.

Mattresses
The image shows a laptop sitting open on a bed

I asked AI to curate the perfect nighttime routine — here’s how it compares to my advice as a sleep editor

By Nicola Appleton published

I asked AI to create the perfect nighttime routine. Here’s how it compares to my own advice as a sleep editor.

Sleep
A woman wearing blue and white stripy pyjamas lays on her side on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress

I swapped my pillow top mattress for a tight top and it was a huge mistake — here’s why

By Nicola Appleton published

I swapped my pillow top mattress for a tight top and it was a huge mistake — here’s why, plus how it changed my sleep.

Mattresses
The imnage shows the Puffy Royal Hybrid on a brown bed platform in a neautrally decorated bedroom

I'm a sleep editor — don’t miss these Labor Day mattress bedding bundle deals

By Nicola Appleton published

Today’s top Labor Day mattress sales include free bedding bundles. Here’s the deals that I recommend.

Mattresses
Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing

I'm a sleep editor — the luxury hybrid I tell my friends to buy is $775 off this Labor Day

By Nicola Appleton published

There's 27% off the Helix Midnight Luxe in this weekend's Labor Day sales, plus a free bedding bundle worth up to $418.

Mattresses
Helix Midnight Luxe mattress

The best mattress for side sleepers 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

By Nicola Appleton last updated

We review 2024's best mattresses for side sleepers at a range of prices, from affordable to luxury.

Mattresses
Best cheap mattress, featuring someone sitting on the edge of a Siena Memory Foam Mattress

Best cheap mattress 2024: quality budget beds under $500 for a queen

By Claire Davies last updated

We've found the best cheap mattress for every sleeper, with affordable queen size mattresses for under $500.

Mattresses
The image shows the Helix Midnight mattress with Act Fast graphic overlaid

Is it better value to buy the Helix Midnight instead of the Luxe this Labor Day? I've looked at the deals, here's my take

By Nicola Appleton published

There’s 27% off both the Helix Midnight and the Midnight Luxe this Labor Day — but which bed is better value?

Mattresses
Image shows the helix midnight luxe mattress on a bed frame with a blue price drop sales badge

The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is 25% off today, but should you buy now or wait for Labor Day sales?

By Nicola Appleton published

Should you buy the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress now, or will you get a better deal by waiting for Labor Day?

Mattresses
A woman stifles a yawn as she looks out of the window during her commute

Two nights of bad sleep makes you feel four years older, study shows

By Nicola Appleton published

According to a study by Stockholm University, quality sleep is a key factor in feeling young.

Sleep
Mattress with white sheets is placed directly on the floor against an open window

Will putting your mattress on the floor help you sleep cooler? I'm a sleep writer, here's what I think

By Nicola Appleton published

Will putting your mattress on the floor help you sleep cooler? Yes, but I don't recommend it — here’s why, plus 3 pro tips to sleeping cooler tonight.

Mattresses
A man in a black t-shirt lays on their back on their Helix Dusk Luxe with their hands behind their head

Helix Dusk Luxe Mattress review 2024

By Alex Temblador last updated

We slept on the Helix Dusk Luxe to see if it’s worth its premium price tag. Spoiler alert, it is — we explain why in our review.

Mattresses
Helix Midnight Luxe mattress seen on a wooden bed frame on a black and white rug

Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review 2024

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Does the Helix Midnight Luxe provide better side sleeping support than its predecessor? We slept on it for seven weeks to find out...

Mattresses
A woman smiles and stretches in bed after a great night's sleep

Consistently good sleep reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, new study shows

By Nicola Appleton published

Consistently good quality sleep reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, new study shows. Here’s how to fix your sleep schedule, starting from tonight.

Sleep
Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid Luxe Cooling mattress

The best cooling mattress 2024: cool beds for hot sleepers

By Claire Davies last updated

Our expert guide to the best cooling mattresses to stop overheating and ensure you get a refreshing night's sleep.

Mattresses
Helix Midnight Luxe mattress with Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top

Save up to $919 on the best Helix mattress for side sleepers with hip pain in huge rival Prime Day deal

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Forget the Prime Day mattress deals — the Helix Midnight Luxe just dropped to its lowest ever price in an epic 32% off flash sale.

Mattresses
Sleep Innovations 4-Inch Cooling Comfort Dual Layer Mattress Topper with Amazon Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top

I’m a sleep editor with a budget of $200 — here's how I'm updating my guest bedroom this Prime Day

By Nicola Appleton published

I’m a sleep editor with a budget of $200 — here's how I'm updating my guest bedroom with bed sheets, pillows, weighted blanket and a mattress topper this Prime Day.

Mattresses
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a happy couple sits on top of the bed, a Tom's Guide price drop deal's graphic (left)

3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy in today's Amazon deals and not wait for Prime Day

By Nicola Appleton published

These are 3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy in today's Amazon deals and not wait for Prime Day, with prices starting at under $200 for a queen.

Mattresses
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