Nicola Appleton

Nicola Appleton

Sleep Editor

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

The Saatva RX in a sunny bedroom

Quick! Save up to $569 on the Saatva RX mattress — lowest price of the year

By Nicola Appleton published

A rare Saatva flash sale means you can buy a queen RX for $2,801, which is a huge saving of up to $658.

Mattresses
Best mattress protector 2022: a woman fits a white mattress cover over her Linenspa memory foam mattress

Best mattress protector 2024: waterproof, cooling and zipped covers compared

By Cynthia Lawrence, Grace Franks, Nicola Appleton last updated

If you’re looking for ways to keep your mattress clean, dry and allergen-free, here’s our guide to the best mattress protectors for every bed, budget and lifestyle.

Mattresses
Woman lying awake in bed

Why you shouldn't panic if it takes you 20 minutes to fall asleep at night

By Nicola Appleton last updated

This is how long it should take to fall asleep, according to a doctor. Plus why you shouldn't panic if it takes you 20 minutes.

Sleep
The Beautyrest Harmony Lux mattress with a TG Killer Deal badge laid over the top

The best Beautyrest mattress sales for December 2024: save up to $800 on luxury beds

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Beautyrest's winter sale can net you hundreds of dollars of savings on luxury mattresses

Mattresses
Saatva Classic Mattress with Cyber Monday badge

Want to sleep better in 2025? This is the mattress I'd buy in Cyber Monday sales

By Nicola Appleton published

The Saatva Classic will take your sleep from zero to hero — act fast though because this Cyber Monday sale ends soon.

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

The best mattress for back pain 2024: 10 expert-rated picks

By Jo Plumridge last updated

We've slept on and tested the latest mattresses for back pain to bring you the 10 best options on the market today.

Mattresses
The image shows two people sat on top of the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate mattress

5 luxury mattresses worth their premium price tag in extended Black Friday sales

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Black Friday may be over but these deals from Saatva, Helix, and Beautyrest are live if you want a luxury mattress at a great price.

Mattresses
Two mattress testers sat on the Saatva Classic mattress in a well-lit bedroom

Buying a new mattress in the Black Fridays sales? Here's where to start

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Don't spend hours scrolling through sale sites — a sleep editors' guide to shopping the Black Friday mattress deals.

Mattresses
A woman lays on top of the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress, which is set against a dark blue bedroom

Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024

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.

Mattresses
The image shows a woman in comfortable clothing laying on top of the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress

Helix Midnight Luxe mattress review 2024

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Is the Helix Midnight Luxe still a side sleeper's dream? We retested it to find out

Mattresses
The Image shows two women sitting and laying on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress

I’ve tracked Helix Midnight Luxe prices all year — Black Friday is the best time to buy

By Nicola Appleton published

Helix's huge $1,193 worth of savings is the Black Friday deal I've been waiting for

Mattresses
A woman with long dark hair smiles as she buys a mattress online via her laptop during memorial day sales while lying on her current bed which needs replacing

How to buy a mattress online — 5 pro tips

By Nicola Appleton published

A mattress editor's tips for how to buy a mattress online and get it right, first time

Mattresses
Helix Midnight Luxe with Black Friday deal badge

Helix’s Black Friday sale is here! The Midnight Luxe is incredible value for money — why I’d buy it

By Nicola Appleton published

Save up to $775 when you buy the Helix Midnight Luxe in the new Black Friday sale, plus get a free bedding bundle worth up to $418.

Mattresses
The image shows a man sleeping on his back with his mouth open and his arm above his head

What is obstructive sleep apnea and how do you know if you have it?

By Nicola Appleton published

We explore the common symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, plus outline what to do if you think you might have it.

Sleep
Nectar mattress image shows a woman reading next to her sleeping partner on a Nectar Memory Foam mattress

Which is the best Nectar mattress in 2024? Everything you need to know

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Trying to choose the best Nectar mattress for you? Here's how to pick between the sleep brand's memory foam and hybrid beds.

Mattresses
The Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress in a luxury bedroom with a blue price drop sale badge overlaid

I'm a mattress tester with lower back pain — why I'd buy the Nolah Evolution 15" in today's $1,100 off sale

By Nicola Appleton published

Nolah’s top-rated mattress for lower back pain offers targeted lumbar support and adjustable firmness — and there’s up to $1,100 off in a time-limited sale.

Mattresses
Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Mattress

Don’t miss this! The Stearns & Foster Lux Estate mattress just dropped to its lowest price

By Nicola Appleton published

Save $400 on a Stearns & Foster luxury mattress and get a free bedding bundle worth up to $299.

Mattresses
Two delivery men take a mattress that is being returned and carry it to a white van

How to return a DreamCloud mattress: Everything you need to know

By Nicola Appleton published

Here's our in-depth guide to returning a DreamCloud mattress

Mattresses
Image shows a golden retriever dog lying on a DreamCloud mattress purchased from Amazon

The best mattresses on Amazon 2024: Our 7 top-rated picks

By Nicola Appleton last updated

Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.

Mattresses
The image shows the Beautyrest PressureSmart mattress on a wooden bed frame with a Tom's Guide 'Price Drop badge overlaid

Beautyrest's best-selling luxury hybrid drops to just $799 for a queen at Mattress Firm

By Nicola Appleton published

Save 42% on the Beautyrest Pressure Smart at Mattress Firm in today's luxury bed sale.

Mattresses
The image shows a laptop sitting open on a bed

I asked AI to curate the perfect nighttime routine — here’s how it compares to my advice as a sleep editor

By Nicola Appleton published

I asked AI to create the perfect nighttime routine. Here’s how it compares to my own advice as a sleep editor.

Sleep
A woman wearing blue and white stripy pyjamas lays on her side on the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress

I swapped my pillow top mattress for a tight top and it was a huge mistake — here’s why

By Nicola Appleton published

I swapped my pillow top mattress for a tight top and it was a huge mistake — here’s why, plus how it changed my sleep.

Mattresses
The imnage shows the Puffy Royal Hybrid on a brown bed platform in a neautrally decorated bedroom

I'm a sleep editor — don’t miss these Labor Day mattress bedding bundle deals

By Nicola Appleton published

Today’s top Labor Day mattress sales include free bedding bundles. Here’s the deals that I recommend.

Mattresses
Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing

I'm a sleep editor — the luxury hybrid I tell my friends to buy is $775 off this Labor Day

By Nicola Appleton published

There's 27% off the Helix Midnight Luxe in this weekend's Labor Day sales, plus a free bedding bundle worth up to $418.

Mattresses
The image shows the Helix Midnight mattress with Act Fast graphic overlaid

Is it better value to buy the Helix Midnight instead of the Luxe this Labor Day? I've looked at the deals, here's my take

By Nicola Appleton published

There’s 27% off both the Helix Midnight and the Midnight Luxe this Labor Day — but which bed is better value?

Mattresses
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