Nicola Appleton
Nicola Appleton is Sleep Features Editor at Tom’s Guide, specialising in quality news content surrounding sleep and wellbeing. Nicola cut her teeth as a journalist in a busy newsroom in Bristol, UK, 15 years ago as part of a team at Britain's largest independent press agency. Since then, her job as a journalist has taken her to the States, to Sydney, and then back to Blighty, where she has written and edited features for a whole host of prominent British and international brands, including The Independent, The Sydney Morning Herald, HuffPost, Refinery29, Stylist and more. As well as tackling the vast topic of sleep, Nicola will be joining the raft of expert mattress reviewers at Tom's Guide, helping steer readers towards the very best mattresses on the market.
Latest articles by Nicola Appleton
![Mattress with white sheets is placed directly on the floor against an open window](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uNgUtWBztbaA8eVEbXscRD-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A man in a black t-shirt lays on their back on their Helix Dusk Luxe with their hands behind their head](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oPmnzbt2E9MZeujntbDFNg-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Helix Midnight Luxe mattress seen on a wooden bed frame on a black and white rug](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r59jFmr3dEmcrHn38xogCL-320-80.jpg)
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...
![A woman smiles and stretches in bed after a great night's sleep](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VH3UA82DuuzvxGcehRV2DM-320-80.jpg)
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.
![best firm mattress: Titan Plus mattress in a bedroom, with a woman smiling and stretching](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eXhcDiPWREhgzSdS6Md9EB-320-80.jpg)
The best firm mattress 2024, approved by sleep experts
By Alison Barretta last updated
The best firm mattresses for proper spinal support, rated by our top sleep testers and with advice from a chiropractor.
![Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a platform bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qyK2BidYM2snJqSewtN8oU-320-80.jpg)
The best luxury mattress 2024: Tested by sleep experts
By Sarah Finley last updated
Bring five-star hotel luxe into your own bedroom with our expert guide to the best luxury mattresses on the market.
![Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid Luxe Cooling mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QcxjQyQD8ZJWMCgdzW4jV3-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Helix Midnight Luxe mattress with Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wxd32oUFgveHCfRvLrapNG-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Sleep Innovations 4-Inch Cooling Comfort Dual Layer Mattress Topper with Amazon Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3ejtmXtzW2QdQDm9Zyk3EL-320-80.jpg)
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.
![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)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xU8BptXkGvBfxLDcrsGKXh-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A cosy looking bed sits in the middle of a college dorm room - a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals badge is laid over the top of the image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p4f6KBqP3HhQXRgkcLWBfY-320-80.jpg)
5 early Prime Day back to college bedding deals I'd buy for my kids — toppers, sheets, pillows and more
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep writer and a parent — here’s 5 early Prime Day back to college dorm bedding deals I’d buy for my kids, including toppers, sheets, pillows and more.
![Two people lie on a Nectar Memory Foam mattress in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic is in the corner (right)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9wEyJeYvHmmbRwBhZV2WfR-320-80.jpg)
Amazon isn't just the land of cheap mattresses — 5 top-rated beds I've found in pre-Prime Day deals that are worth the price
By Nicola Appleton published
DreamCloud, Nectar, Tempur-Pedic and more — 5 top-rated mattresses I've found in pre-Prime Day deals that are worth it.
![DreamCloud Mattress US](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6gydTcv6pqHdrrrePqCdwn-320-80.jpg)
The best mattresses on Amazon 2024: our top 7 recommendations
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.
![Saatva Classic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7fAjLZrYbQXLNiZRf8k3QT-320-80.jpg)
Are hybrid mattresses better than other types of bed? I'm a mattress tester — here's my take
By Nicola Appleton published
Many of our top-rated mattresses are hybrids — but are they better than other bed types? I'm a mattress tester, here's my take.
![The Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress in a luxury bedroom with a blue price drop sale badge overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PeJnBNbPD8AwvbzoYnGaU9-320-80.jpg)
I’m a sleep writer with back pain — here’s why the Nolah Evolution 15” is worth it at up to $1,000 off
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep writer with back pain — here’s why the Nolah Evolution 15” is worth it at up to $1,000 off. Plus, get two free pillows.
![Helix Midnight Luxe mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VXDPoYfocKFVMXJYgooybQ-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Best organic mattress: Photo of the Birch Natural mattress on a beige bedframe placed in a grey bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WoERu9VbsfdMUPuhPWikxW-320-80.jpg)
The best organic mattress 2024: Natural beds for a non-toxic sleep
By Jo Plumridge last updated
The best organic mattresses and all natural beds to buy online, as rated by certified sleep experts.
![4th of July mattress sales 2024 image shows a stack of hybrid, memory foam and latex mattresses placed on top of each other on a teal-coloured background and with a blue price drop deals badge overlaid in the bottom right hand corner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xgMpA2uMeMozQzPXCrKNmT-320-80.jpg)
4th of July mattress sales 2024: Our top picks, plus the best deals on bedding
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Our deals experts have found the best mattress sales live today, including an exclusive 4th of July discount that saves you up to 60% on a super-popular memory foam bed-in-a-box.
![Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eUuCihXFUbh2GZdYsQQjRB-320-80.jpg)
Which Helix mattress should you buy in the 4th of July sales? I’m a mattress tester, here’s my take
By Nicola Appleton published
Helix's 4th of July mattress sale knocks up to 30% off their top-rated beds - but which one should you buy? I'm a mattress tester, here's what I think
![Best cheap mattress, featuring someone sitting on the edge of a Siena Memory Foam Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EXs3h2oyGyZWicytrhu36d-320-80.jpg)
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.
![best mattress for back pain: Man sits on a bed and rubs his back, looking uncomfortable](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YT7aMbHkkd9VnStzwCHhV4-320-80.jpg)
The best mattress for back pain 2024: With expert advice from chiropractors
By Alison Barretta last updated
Our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain, featuring beds our expert testers have slept on themselves while experiencing back pain.
![A woman lays on top of the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress, which is set against a dark blue bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7w87cB2H2nxcCMmrMTTZx-320-80.jpg)
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
Is the Tempur-Adapt mattress a worthy investment for back sleepers looking for premium pressure relief? We slept on it to see
![Best mattress protector 2022: a woman fits a white mattress cover over her Linenspa memory foam mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YDn6kmrLVWCLQBZUjABkqE-320-80.jpg)
Best mattress protector 2024: waterproof, cooling and zipped covers compared
By Cynthia Lawrence, Grace Franks, Nicola Appleton last updated
Keep your mattress clean, dry and allergen free. Here's our guide to best mattress protectors for every bed, lifestyle and budget.