Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones

Senior Sleep Staff Writer

Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.

Latest articles by Ruth Jones

Zinus Cooling Hybrid Mattress
Zinus mattress sales December 2025: Up to 40% off mattresses in Zinus winter sale

By Ruth Jones, Alison Barretta Last updated

Explore our expert guide to this month's Zinus mattress deals and grab additional savings on these affordable beds.

Mattresses
An image of sleep writer Becky George sleeping on a bed in our Sleep Lab. To the left is a cut out image of a blackboard showing basics of learning Chinese, implying she's learning a new language as she sleeps
Sleep, learning and memory — experts explain the 'magic elixir' that can make 2026 your best year yet

By Ruth Jones Published

Want to learn a new skill? Sleep on it. Experts explain why sleep is key to memory and how you can maximize your rest to level up your New Year's resolutions.

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
Mattress tester Nicola Appleton dives onto the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress in our Sleep Lab. In the bottom right corner, a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals graphic
The mattress I recommend to all side sleepers is on sale after Christmas — save 27% on the Helix Midnight Luxe

By Ruth Jones Published

Use our exclusive code to save on our top-rated mattress for side sleepers in the Helix after-Christmas sale and start the year feeling refreshed.

Mattresses
A young woman wearing tartan Christmas pajamas and a Santa hat decorates a Christmas tree.
This popular Christmas pajama set is a big no-no for this type of sleeper

By Ruth Jones Published

You might end up sweating around the Christmas tree if you wrap your self up in flannel and fleece pajamas this festive season.

Sleep
A woman lies in bed in the dark with her phone directed at her face. In the top left corner is a faded screen from a video game
Can't sleep? The 'relaxing' habit that kept me awake and how I got my sleep back on track

By Ruth Jones Published

I thought de-stress games would help me wind-down before bed but gamifying relaxation just kept me awake.

Sleep Problems
Mattress tester Lauren Jeffries sleeps on the Birch Elite mattress, surrounded by a collage of sleep hacks. Top left, bedding writer Becky George folds a set of bed sheets. Top right, a woman stands under the flow of a shower in darkness. Bottom right, a close up of a person writing by hand in a journal
I tried every kind of sleep hack in 2025 — these are the only 3 I’m taking into the New Year

By Ruth Jones Published

From drunken monkeys to cashmere socks, I've tried all kinds of sleep hacks during 2025 but only a few have had a positive impact on my rest.

Sleep
On the left, sleep writer Becky George makes a bed in our Sleep Lab. On the right, a woman sits on the floor surrounded by mess, including Christmas presents and cards
The one thing you can do to your spare room to keep your guests happy — and it doesn't cost a thing

By Ruth Jones Published

Tips to declutter your spare room and turn it into a sleep sanctuary, right in time for holiday guests.

Sleep
Left, a close up of a pair of hands wearing yellow gloves using a pray bottle to apply cleaning solution to a mattress and a scrubbing brush. Middle, mattress tester Lauren Jeffries starts stripping the bed. Right, a close up of a Jimmy mattress vacuum being used to vacuum the surface of a dirty mattress.
It's the last weekend to clean your mattress before Christmas — why you should and the 3 vital steps to get rid of winter germs, smells and stains

By Ruth Jones Published

Easy cleaning hacks to get your mattress festive fresh before Santa (and your guests) arrive, using things you already have in your cabinets.

Mattress Care
A woman lies in bed in the morning rubbing her eyes as she lays on gray and white bedding.
How to sleep well when you're not in your own bed — plus 3 sleep essentials you need in your suitcase

By Ruth Jones Published

Can't sleep in a new room? Don't let the first night effect ruin your holidays with our guide to sleeping well in a different bed.

Sleep
A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.
Expert warns everyone should check their mattress for this dangerous stain in the winter

By Ruth Jones Published

An expert explains how a moldy mattress might be making your sick and what you can do to keep your bed (and your health) safe.

Mattress Care
On the left, a woman lies in bed blowing her nose because she doesn't feel well. On the right, a man sits on the edge of the bed in the dark with his head in his hands, feeling stressed and experiencing insomnia.
Doctors warn this common sleep problem could leave you at risk of 'super flu' — here's how to prevent it

By Ruth Jones Published

A new study explores how insomnia and anxiety are linked to a weakened immune system. Here's why, plus expert tips for sleeping better in flu season.

Sleep Problems
On the left, mattress testers Nicola Appleton and Frances Daniels sit on the Siena Signature Mattress in our Sleep Lab. On the right, a woman lies on the Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress, reading a magazine
I tested two of Amazon's best-selling mattresses and they can be in your guest room by Christmas — this is the one I recommend

By Ruth Jones Published

I've tested both the Zinus Green Tea and Siena Signature mattress and I recommend them for guest rooms. But there's one I want Santa to leave under my tree.

Mattresses
On the left, an image of two women closely inspecting the bedding of a mattress as they make the bed, in our Sleep Lab. On the right, a close up of bed bugs giding in the seams of a mattress
Stop bed bugs from ruining your guest room mattress this holiday season — all you need is a credit card

By Ruth Jones Published

Bed bugs love the busy holiday season so keep them out of your mattress with this handy bed bug prevention kit you already own.

Mattress Care
A woman drinking from a mug sits on her bed wrapped up in a blanket and multiple layers to try and stay cozy
This one piece of bedding can help you stay cozy at night without turning the heating on — and it's not an electric blanket

By Ruth Jones Published

Struggling to stay cozy at night as the temperatures drop? How a weighted blanket can keep you warm, help you sleep and save you money.

Pillows & Bedding
A collage image of some of our favorite products to help you fall asleep: A Silk & Sounds sleep mask, a Warmies Microwaveable Stuffed Toy shaped like a dog, a set of Coop Sleep Goods Percale Sheets, a box of Breathe Right Nasal strips and a Gravity Weighted Blanket, a box of Sleepytime Tea in the middle. Against a dark blue background with gold stars
Waking up at 4am? Fall asleep and stay asleep with these products we've tested and loved — from $4

By Ruth Jones Published

From silk eye masks to body pillows, these sleep-friendly products have helped our team avoid those dreaded 4am wake-ups — from $4.

Sleep
A collage of hotel-style luxury sleep products, including a bath robe, sheet set, eye mask, pillows and slippers, against a luxury wood and marble background, decorated with lavender and stones
Turn your bedroom into a hotel suite — the luxury sleep gifts I'm buying from Marriott, Ritz-Carlton and more

By Ruth Jones Published

Plan the ultimate staycation and treat yourself (or your friends) to luxury hotel comfort with these sleep gifts, starting from $8.

Pillows & Bedding
Two mattress testers sit on the Saatva Classic Mattress in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide Cyber Monday mattress deals graphic (right)
Act fast! Our favorite luxury mattresses and their affordable alternatives in the last-minute Cyber Monday sales

By Ruth Jones Published

These are the luxury mattresses worth the splurge and the best budget alternatives if you're looking to save — chosen by someone who tests them for a living.

Mattresses
The Westin Heavenly Bed mattress on a divan bed frame in a neutral colored room is a t the center of the image, with a blue border. In the top left corner is a Tom's Guide Cyber Monday Mattress Deals badge
This is your final chance to save up to $1,350 with these 3 Cyber Monday hotel mattress deals from Westin, Hilton, and Ritz-Carlton

By Ruth Jones Published

These savings won't last so invest in your sleep this Travel Tuesday with discounts on luxury-hotel mattresses.

Mattresses
The image shows the Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress on a white bed frame against a blue bedroom wall
Shopping for a comfy side sleeper mattress? My favorite is on sale from $549

By Ruth Jones Published

I tested the Nectar Premier Memory Foam mattress and loved it for side sleeping. It's just $949 for a queen in today's sale.

Mattresses
A collage of mattress testing. On the left, expert Julia Sagar presses her hands into the Saatva Classic in our Sleep Lab. On the right, tester Eve Davies sits on the edge of the Siena mattress on our studio. In the middle, a Tom's Guide Cyber Monday Mattress Deals badge.
Saatva Classic vs Siena Signature: Should you buy a luxury or budget mattress in the Cyber Monday sales?

By Ruth Jones Published

Is the Saatva Classic worth the splurge this Cyber Monday? Or should you save with the Siena?

Mattresses
This image shows two of our sleep team testing mattress in the Sleep Lab, debating when's the best time to shop. On the left, Nicola Appleton sits on a Helix Midnight Luxe mattress. On the right, Ruth Jones sits on a Saatva Classic mattress, a laptop open in her lab as she checks for sales. In the top right corner is a Cyber Monday vs Black Friday mattress deals graphic
Cyber Monday vs Black Friday mattress deals: when is the best time to buy a mattress?

By Claire Davies Last updated

Are the Black Friday mattress deals the best time to buy a mattress or do bigger sales arrive on Cyber Monday? We’ve analyzed past sales to find out.

Mattresses
The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam, EGOHOME Black Memory Foam and Casper Sleep Element mattresses with a Tom's Guide Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid.
3 sink-in soft mattresses for side sleepers to buy for under $500 this Black Friday — chosen by someone who tests them

By Ruth Jones Published

The Black Friday deals I think side sleepers will love, including a big discount on one of my favorite mattresses of 2025.

Mattresses
The Saatva Classic luxury innerspring hybrid is the best mattress we've tested, scoring 4.8 out of 5 in our seven robust data-led lab tests and value for money analysis. Here it's photographed on a white wooden bed frame in our blue coloured sleep product testing lab
Saatva Black Friday sale 2025: The best deal of the year is back

By Claire Davies Last updated

I've been tracking the Saatva Black Friday sale for five years — here's why this year's offer is worth shopping if you're looking to bring home one of its luxury handcrafted mattresses.

Mattresses
A Simba mattress with a Tom's Guide Black Friday label
Simba Black Friday mattress sale: The best deal of the year is back

By Ruth Jones Last updated

You can save up to £864 in Simba's Black Friday mattress sale, which is offering up to 30% off for a limited time.

Mattresses
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