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
Saatva vs Puffy: Should you buy a luxury hybrid or memory foam mattress this Black Friday?
By Jo Plumridge published
Compare the key differences between the Saatva Classic and the Puffy Cloud before you buy this Black Friday.
Saatva vs Leesa: Which luxury hybrid mattress should you buy in Black Friday sales?
By Jo Plumridge published
We compare the Saatva Classic and the Leesa Legend Hybrid to help you choose between them in the Black Friday mattress sales.
Nectar vs DreamCloud mattress: Which memory foam mattress should you buy in Black Friday sales?
By Grace Franks published
It’s Nectar vs DreamCloud in the battle of the memory foam mattresses — we look at price, comfort, support and more.
7 sleep techniques to banish the Sunday Scaries and help you fall asleep fast
By Nicola Appleton published
From The Military Sleep Method to guided breathing, use these sleep techniques to banish your Sunday Scaries for good.
3 reasons to buy a mattress in this weekend's sales — don't wait for Black Friday
By Nicola Appleton published
Stock levels are high, shipping is fast and the deals are red hot. We’re calling it — now is the best time to buy a new mattress, not Black Friday weekend.
Don't wait for Black Friday — save $400 on this luxury hybrid mattress right now
By Nicola Appleton published
Tom’s Guide exclusive Black Friday Saatva sale sees $400 knocked off mattress orders of $1,000 and more — see below for exclusive access.
Avocado Green's best organic mattress is $270 off for Black Friday — here's why I'd buy it
By Nicola Appleton published
Avocado just shaved 10% off of their best selling organic mattress in their Black Friday sale, taking the price of a queen down to $1,799.10.
Can you use an electric blanket on a memory foam mattress? 5 do's and don'ts
By Nicola Appleton published
High heat can damage a memory foam mattress, so take these precautions when using an electric blanket to stay warm.
The 5 health risks of not cleaning your mattress properly — and how to avoid them
By Nicola Appleton published
Respiratory issues, allergic reactions and bacterial infections are health conditions that can be born from not cleaning our mattresses often enough.
7 ways you’re damaging your memory foam mattress — and what to do instead
By Rachael Penn published
Getting it wet is just one way you could be ruining your memory foam mattress – here's why
Nectar vs Tempur-Pedic mattress: Which memory foam bed should you buy in the Black Friday sales?
By Jo Plumridge published
We compare the Nectar Mattress and Tempur-Pedic Cloud across all key areas ahead of the Black Friday mattress sales.
3 best early Black Friday mattress deals that include free removal of your old bed
By Nicola Appleton last updated
When you purchase a new mattress from Cocoon by Sealy, Saatva, or Stearns & Foster Studio this Black Friday, they will remove your old mattress and foundation for free.
Can you use a mattress topper as a mattress? Yes, but there are risks — here's why
By Nicola Appleton published
Thinking of skipping the mattress and just sleeping on a bed topper? Here's what you need to know before first...
Huge Black Friday mattress sale takes 25% off everything at Helix
By Nicola Appleton published
Helix is slicing the price of all mattresses, including the Helix Midnight Luxe, by 25% ahead of Black Friday.
Leesa launches early Black Friday sale with up to $750 off its best hybrid mattresses
By Nicola Appleton published
Leesa has launched its early Black Friday mattress sale, with up to $750 off mattresses plus you'll get free pillows.
Helix Midnight vs Midnight Luxe mattress: How to choose in the Black Friday sales
By Nicola Appleton published
Torn between the Helix Midnight and Midnight Luxe mattress? Here's five key differences to help you choose between them
I’m a sleep writer – this is why I’d buy the Helix Midnight mattress this Black Friday
By Nicola Appleton published
Created specifically for side sleepers, this is why the Helix Midnight is my memory foam mattress of choice this Black Friday.
Get $1,700 off DreamCloud’s best Saatva mattress rival with this Black Friday mega deal
By Nicola Appleton published
The Premier Rest is DreamCloud's most luxurious mattress and a close rival to the Saatva Classic, and it's now up to $1,700 off .
Nutritionists reveal the 5 best (and worst) foods for sleep — it’s good news for carb lovers
By Nicola Appleton published
Stock up on sweet potatoes but cut out the citrus — these are the foods that are impacting the quality of your sleep.
The Nectar Mattress drops to its cheapest price yet in early Black Friday deal
By Nicola Appleton published
Black Friday begins early at Nectar with a 40% off flash sale on the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress and hybrid beds.
America’s cheapest organic mattress gets a price cut in pre-Black Friday sale
By Nicola Appleton published
America’s most affordable organic mattress is on sale, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to cost the earth.
How to dispose of a mattress with bed bugs – 3 vital steps
By Nicola Appleton published
Your options are limited, but here’s how to safely get rid of a bed-bug infested mattress.
Should you buy a mattress on finance in the Black Friday sales? A money expert explores the pros and cons
By Rachel Wait published
A mattress can be expensive, so many turn to financing. But this isn’t always the right approach, as a money expert explores here.
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