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

A woman lies asleep on the right side of the bed in side sleeping position (Getty). On the left side of the bed is a large pair of socks (Future)
Can't sleep? This one change could prevent late night wake ups — and make use of the bed socks you got for Christmas

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Everyone's least favorite Christmas gift might be the key to better sleep, as bed socks help you maintain a cozy core temperature.

Sleep
A woman with a bigger build sits up in bed smiling. To the left, an insert showing a close up of a hand holding the corner of a thin mattress or thick mattress topper
Are 8-inch mattresses good for heavy people? I'm a sleep writer, here's my take

By Ruth Jones Published

We explore if eight-inch mattresses can deliver the support and comfort a person weighing over 250lbs needs in a mattress.

Mattresses
The Marriott Innerspring mattress from JW Marriott hotels in a cream bed frame in a room with a pale peach background
What mattress do Marriott hotels use?

By Ruth Jones Last updated

This is what makes the Marriott mattress suit so many sleepers, and you can enjoy it in the comfort of your own bedroom

Mattresses
The foot of the Plank Firm mattress sitting on a wooden bed frame in a bedroom, showing the Plank logo
Plank Firm Mattress review: A dual-sided mattress that offers support all-round

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Editor's Choice

Here's everything you need to know about this very firm mattress which we put to test for over a month.

Mattresses
A woman lying on her back in bed stretching as she wakes up smiling
I was struggling to get out of bed until I tried this golden sleep hygiene rule — now I get up early and feel full of energy from the start

By Ruth Jones Published

How my SAD therapy light gets me out of bed and why you need to add some sunshine to your winter mornings.

Sleep
An illustration of a person wearing a yellow sweater in bed with the cold or flu, against a greay background. The person is holding a warm drink, lying propped up on pillows, with a thermometer in their mouth
Doctors share 5 essential tips for how to sleep with the flu — plus the best position to lie in if you have a cough

By Ruth Jones Published

The coughing, fever and body aches of 'super flu' might leave you struggling to sleep but our tips can help you enjoy some precious rest.

Sleep Problems
On the left, an image of a woman sleeping soundly in bed. On the right, a notebook with the phrase "New Year Resolutions" written at the top of the page, followed by a list numbered one to four. The notebook is surrounded by brightly colored post its
Beat Quitter's Day 2026 with this simple sleep hack

By Ruth Jones Last updated

A New Year's resolution you'll want to keep and that can help you reach your other goals? You're not dreaming, it's the Military Sleep Method.

Sleep
The Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress review: Side-sleeping delight for under $500

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Review An Amazon bestseller, the Zinus Green Tea Mattress offers dreamy comfort for side sleepers at an attractive price. Here's our expert review.

Review
A woman lies in bed in the middle of the night, staring at the clock. In the top left corner, an image of a woman sitting up and reading a book during the night
I’ve been using this gold standard sleep method for years and according to my sleep tracker, it works — here’s how to do it

By Ruth Jones Published

The 15 minute sleep rule is my go-to for beating nighttime anxiety and my sleep tracker has the proof

Sleep
A woman with a cold lies in bed and blows her nose, struggling to sleep. In the top right corner is a close up of a hand adjusting the temperature on a thermostat set to 68°F
Expert warns this common mistake could prevent you from sleeping when you have a cold

By Ruth Jones Published

An expert explains how a simple thermostat adjustment can help you sleep better when you have a cold or the flu, plus advice on getting quality rest when you feel unwell.

Sleep
The Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress photographed on a white wooden bed frame in our blue Sleep Lab, with a stylish beige fabric armchair next to the bed and a large rattan mat underneath it
Nectar Premier Memory Foam Mattress review 2026: Body-hugging comfort in a box

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Editor's Choice

The Nectar Premier Memory Foam is ideal for side sleepers, but front sleepers should avoid it

Mattresses
A member of our mattress testing team jumps onto the Nolah Original All Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom. She dives onto the bed ready to hit the cushioned comfort layers
5 red flags you bought the wrong mattress — and what you can do about it

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Three budget-friendly tips to turn your fresh-out-the-box mattress into a sleep snctuary, plus what to do if none of them work.

Mattresses
On the left, a woman lies in bed with her hands over head, experiencing insomnia. On the right, a close up of a thermometer showing temperatures that have dropped below zero. The thermometer is covered in ice
Expert warns this common sleep complaint could be caused by the current cold snap — here's what you can do about it

By Ruth Jones Last updated

Your chilly bedroom might be the reason you're waking up at 3am, plus expert tips on creating a cozy bedroom all night long.

Sleep
A collage of three images: on the left, a woman stands under the spray of a shower (Shutterstock.) In the middle, a woman stretches in her bedroom (Getty Images.) To the right, a hand reaches out to turn off an alarm clock (Getty Images.)
The easy hacks I'm using to fix my sleep after an exhausting Christmas break

By Ruth Jones Published

My snooze took a backseat over the holidays but with these simple tips you can enjoy better sleep, beat the Sunday Scaries and go back to work refreshed.

Sleep
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
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives

Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: