Alison Barretta

Alison Barretta

Freelance reviewer and writer

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

7 Best Black Friday Mattress Deals featuring the Saatva Classic as the best overall

I'm a pro mattress tester and these are the 7 very best mattress deals of Black Friday 2023

By Alison Barretta published

If you don't feel like swimming in a sea of Black Friday mattress deals, then take a look at the seven very best offers as chosen by a veteran deal hunter and mattress tester.

Mattresses
The Saatva Classic mattress photographed on a fabric bed frame with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the image

5 best Black Friday mattress deals with lifetime warranties

By Alison Barretta published

Looking for a mattress that'll last you a lifetime (or close)? These five Black Friday mattress deals come with a forever warranty.

Mattresses
A man with dark hair and a woman with red hair go mattress shopping together

As a pro mattress tester, these are my 3 golden rules of Black Friday sales shopping

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and deal hunter who's been covering Black Friday sales for 15 years. Here's what you need to know about scoring a winning mattress deal this Black Friday.

Mattresses
The Siena Memory Foam Mattress placed on a light wooden bedframe in an orange bedroom with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid in blue

Is the Siena Mattress worth buying in Black Friday sales? I tested it — here's my advice

By Alison Barretta published

Have your eye on the super-cheap Siena Memory Foam Mattress in the Black Friday sales? Here's what I want you to know, as someone who's reviewed it.

Mattresses
The Saatva Classic mattress photographed on a fabric bed frame with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the image

I’m a mattress tester and the hybrid bed I'd buy in Black Friday sales is $400 off

By Alison Barretta published

If there's one mattress I'd recommend for most sleepers this Black Friday, it's the Saatva Classic. And right now it's on sale for $400 off in every size from twin XL up

Mattresses
White mattress that comes with a lifetime warranty placed on a beige bedframe

Is there such a thing as a mattress for life? We explore forever warranties

By Alison Barretta published

Does a lifetime warranty mean your mattress will last forever? Not quite, so here’s what you need to know before buying.

Mattresses
The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a grey fabric bed frame placed against a yellow wall

Our favorite Nectar mattress drops to just $359 in official Black Friday sale

By Alison Barretta published

Nectar is kicking off its Black Friday sale with 40% off its best memory foam mattress in a box.

Mattresses
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a yellow bed frame in a yellow bedroom with a Black Friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the main image

I've tested all the best mattresses in a box — these are 3 I'd buy in Black Friday sales

By Alison Barretta published

Hoping to land a great price on a mattress in a box this Black Friday? I've slept on plenty of them – these are the three I recommend.

Mattresses
Saatva Loom & Leaf mattress image shows a man and his daughter read a book together while lying on the Loom & Leaf mattress topped with a grey button headboard

Is Saatva's Loom & Leaf mattress worth buying on Black Friday? I reviewed it and here's what I think

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and this is what I want you to know about the Saatva Loom & Leaf before buying it this Black Friday.

Mattresses
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress with a woman and a dog sitting on top of it

Is the Tempur-Adapt mattress worth buying on Black Friday? I tested it and here's what I think

By Alison Barretta published

I slept on a Tempur-Adapt mattress – here's what I want you to know if you plan on buying one during the Black Friday sales.

Mattresses
Image shows the Saatva RX mattress for back and joint pain placed on a luxury grey mattress in a stylish bedroom

I’m testing Saatva’s new mattress for back pain and it's having a big impact on my sleep – here’s why

By Alison Barretta published

The Saatva RX is designed for sleepers with back and joint pain. Here's what it's done for my bad back after sleeping on it for just one week.

Mattresses
Image shows the Nectar Memory Foam mattress placed on a light wooden bed frame in a blue bedroom

I reviewed the Nectar Mattress – here's 3 reasons why you should (and shouldn't) buy it this Black Friday

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and these are my reasons for and against buying the Nectar Memory Foam this Black Friday.

Mattresses
The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid in a stylish dark blue bedroom with a pros and cons label overlaid on the imagemattress placed on a wooden bed frame in a

Is the DreamCloud mattress worth buying on Black Friday? I reviewed it and here's what I think

By Alison Barretta published

I'm a mattress tester and this is what I want people to know before buying the DreamCloud in the Black Friday sales.

Mattresses
Awara Natural Hybrid Mattress in a bedroom, with a Lowest Price graphic overlaid

Forget Black Friday – Awara launches flash sale on its top latex mattress

By Alison Barretta published

Head to Awara, where its flagship latex mattress is on sale for up to $765 off – yielding all-time low prices.

Mattresses
Woman asleep in bed, lying on her back

What is sleep hygiene? Here are 6 ways to improve yours

By Jo Plumridge published

We explain the importance of sleep hygiene and offer six tips to help you achieve your best rest.

Sleep
The Allswell mattress review image featuring the mattress on a wooden bedframe in a white bedroom

The Allswell mattress review 2025

By Alison Barretta published

In our Allswell mattress review, we put Walmart's bed-in-a-box through its paces. Here's what we discovered...

Mattresses
Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid mattress with two people sleeping

Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid mattress review 2025

By Alison Barretta published

The Tuft & Needle Mint Hybrid is the latest addition to the Tuft & Needle lineup. After sleeping on it for three weeks, here's our review...

Mattresses
Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress with lowest price deals graphic overlaid

Cocoon by Sealy mattress sales for January: budget cooling mattress is cheapest ever

By Claire Davies last updated

You'll find all the details about the latest Cocoon by Sealy promo codes and discounts here.

Mattresses
Leesa Original Mattress on a bed frame

Leesa Original mattress review

By Alison Barretta last updated

Review The Leesa Original mattress is made-to-order in the USA and provides ample support for most sleepers. Here's what else we found out after weeks of testing...

Review
Nectar mattress with Prime Day deals graphic overlaid

5 reasons you SHOULDN'T buy a mattress on Amazon in the Prime Day sales

By Alison Barretta published

Amazon will be flush with Prime Day deals, but if it's a new mattress you're shopping for, it's best avoided. Here's what you need to know...

Mattresses
Winkbed sales and deals: woman reading on a Winkbed mattress

WinkBeds mattress sales and deals for January: take $300 off this top-rated luxury mattress

By Paul Dimery last updated

You'll find everything you need to know about WinkBeds mattress sales and WinkBeds discount codes here.

Mattresses
Saatva Mattress Topper review: image shows the topper attached to a luxury mattress via thick and elasticated anchor bands at each corner

Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper review 2025

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Saatva Graphite Mattress Topper offers luxurious comfort that's similar to its full-fledged mattresses, but at a much lower cost.

Mattresses
Nectar Premier Copper mattress review: Close up of Nectar Premier Copper Mattress with a dog on it

Nectar Premier Copper mattress review

By Alison Barretta last updated

The Nectar Premier Copper mattress boasts next-level cooling tech that's a dream for hot sleepers. Here's our review.

Mattresses
Tempur-Pedic mattress with price drop flag overlaid

Tempur-Pedic's memorial day sale ends today – rare chance to save big across the range

By Alison Barretta published

Tempur-Pedic's Memorial Day sale boasts markdowns across its entire range, but you'd better hurry before prices rise again...

Mattresses
Man lying on a mattress in a showroom

Shop or skip: Is Memorial Day a good time to buy a mattress?

By Alison Barretta published

Planning to refresh your sleep setup before summer begins? Plenty of Memorial Day mattress sales are live – find out if they're worth browsing.

Mattresses
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