Alison Barretta
Freelance writer and editor Alison is an expert mattress tester for Tom's Guide, and hails from Philadelphia, USA. Alison has reviewed a wide range of mattresses, pillows and other sleep accessories for Tom's Guide, putting the latest hybrid, memory foam and cooling mattresses from Casper, Nectar, Awara, Brooklinen and other leading brands through their paces. Alison has been sharing buying advice and retail news for over a decade. When she isn't reviewing mattresses, other home products or hunting for great deals to save you money, Alison can be found teaching/training in martial arts, fawning over skincare, and indulging in her quarantine-borne hobby: cooking.
Latest articles by Alison Barretta
Saatva extends its Cyber Monday sale — save $400 on our favorite hotel-style mattress of the year
By Jack Ridsdale published
The Saatva Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales may be officially over, but you can still grab the Saatva Classic at $400 off and one of the best prices of the year.
Which Nectar mattress should you buy if you have back pain? I’m a bed tester — here’s my advice
By Jo Plumridge published
Here are the three Nectar mattresses I recommend based on our testing, research, and customer reviews...
Memory foam vs latex: Which mattress material is best for back pain?
By Jo Plumridge published
If you're looking for the best mattress for back pain, should you choose memory foam or back pain? We unpack the pros and cons of each material...
Rare deal alert — get a custom-made Pluto Pillow for just $105 while you still can this Cyber Monday
By Alison Barretta published
Pluto Pillow hosts one deal a year, and this is it. Save $20 on its award-winning customizable pillow.
Should you buy a past-season mattress in the Cyber Monday sales? I'm a sleep deals writer — here's my take
By Alison Barretta published
I weigh up the pros and cons of buying past-season mattresses in Cyber Monday and closeout sales.
Hurry! My favorite smart bed is $1,000 off in Bryte's Cyber Monday sale, ending today
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Bryte Balance Smart Bed is now $1,000 off for Cyber Monday after it took $750 off for Black Friday. Act fact, as this deal ends today.
Tempur-Pedic Cyber Monday mattress sale 2024: get 30% off and $300 worth of free accessories
By Alison Barretta last updated
Tempur-Pedic's Cyber Week deals are ending – here's what to do if you still want a Tempur-Pedic mattress.
Need an air mattress for holiday guests? Here's 3 under $65 in the Black Friday sales
By Becky George published
Finding a high-quality air mattress can be challenging, but we’ve rounded up 3 top performers, now available at Black Friday prices.
The Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress is 27% off this Black Friday — why I think it's worth upgrading from the cheaper model
By Alison Barretta published
Side sleepers can now save 27% on the Midnight Luxe Mattress thanks to an exclusive Black Friday deal at Helix
My favorite latex mattress is now $749 for a queen in Amazon's Black Friday sale —why I recommend it
By Alison Barretta published
Here's your chance to get the Awara Natural Latex Mattress at the lowest price it's ever been on sale for.
Is the Cloverlane Hybrid mattress worth buying this Black Friday? I sleep on one — here's my advice
By Alison Barretta published
I weight up the pros and cons of the Cloverlane Hybrid so you can decide whether to buy it in the Black Friday sales
Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress is a handcrafted luxury foam offering that comes in two firmness options, but how does it fare for those with back pain? We tested it for three weeks to find out.
Puffy Cloud mattress review 2025
By Jonathan Knoder last updated
The all-foam Puffy Cloud is an affordable mid-range mattress – we tried it for a month to see if it really is a back sleepers dream?
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Tempur-Adapt comes at a premium price, and with it, a promise of top notch pressure relief — we tested it out to see if it delivers.
Saatva RX mattress review 2025: Tested by an editor with back pain
By Alison Barretta last updated
One of our expert testers trialled the Saatva RX, designed for people with chronic back and joint pain, to see how it affected her back pain and mild scoliosis.
Nolah Evolution 15 mattress review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
We reviewed the Nolah Evolution 15 mattress to see how this popular hybrid mattress fares when it comes to cooling, comfort and support for different sleep types.
Viscosoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper review 2025
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Viscosoft Active Cooling Mattress Topper is a copper-infused memory foam topper for hot sleepers. Here, we review it for you.
I slept on the $7,000 Bryte Balance AI-powered smart bed — here's why I think it's worth the money
By Alison Barretta published
I slept on the $7,000 Bryte Balance AI-powered smart bed at the Park Terrace Hotel in New York City — here how I found it
I tried the Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper — here's why you should buy in Black Friday sales
By Alison Barretta published
Experience cooler comfort for up to 55% less with Amazon's Black Friday deal on Tempur-Pedic's Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper review 2025
By Alison Barretta published
Does the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt + Cooling Mattress Topper deliver a cooler sleep than the original? Here's what we thought...
Is your mattress past its prime? Here's why Black Friday is the right time to replace it
By Alison Barretta last updated
See how often you should replace your mattress and learn when it's time for a change. If that's right now, you're in luck as Black Friday mattress sales are under way
Coop Home Goods Original Pillow review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Coop Home Goods Original is a crowd-favorite pillow. We explore if it’s worth the praise.
Purple Harmony Pillow review
By Alison Barretta last updated
The Purple Harmony Pillow is one of the most expensive in the market, but the benefits it offers for side sleepers makes it worth the price.
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