Nicola Appleton
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
Consistently good sleep reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, new study shows
By Nicola Appleton published
Consistently good quality sleep reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, new study shows. Here’s how to fix your sleep schedule, starting from tonight.
Save up to $919 on the best Helix mattress for side sleepers with hip pain in huge rival Prime Day deal
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Forget the Prime Day mattress deals — the Helix Midnight Luxe just dropped to its lowest ever price in an epic 32% off flash sale.
I’m a sleep editor with a budget of $200 — here's how I'm updating my guest bedroom this Prime Day
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep editor with a budget of $200 — here's how I'm updating my guest bedroom with bed sheets, pillows, weighted blanket and a mattress topper this Prime Day.
3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy in today's Amazon deals and not wait for Prime Day
By Nicola Appleton published
These are 3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy in today's Amazon deals and not wait for Prime Day, with prices starting at under $200 for a queen.
5 early Prime Day back to college bedding deals I'd buy for my kids — toppers, sheets, pillows and more
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep writer and a parent — here’s 5 early Prime Day back to college dorm bedding deals I’d buy for my kids, including toppers, sheets, pillows and more.
Amazon isn't just the land of cheap mattresses — 5 top-rated beds I've found in pre-Prime Day deals that are worth the price
By Nicola Appleton published
DreamCloud, Nectar, Tempur-Pedic and more — 5 top-rated mattresses I've found in pre-Prime Day deals that are worth it.
Are hybrid mattresses better than other types of bed? I'm a mattress tester — here's my take
By Nicola Appleton published
Many of our top-rated mattresses are hybrids — but are they better than other bed types? I'm a mattress tester, here's my take.
I’m a sleep writer with back pain — here’s why the Nolah Evolution 15” is worth it at up to $1,000 off
By Nicola Appleton published
I’m a sleep writer with back pain — here’s why the Nolah Evolution 15” is worth it at up to $1,000 off. Plus, get two free pillows.
4th of July mattress sales 2024: Our top picks, plus the best deals on bedding
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Our deals experts have found the best mattress sales live today, including an exclusive 4th of July discount that saves you up to 60% on a super-popular memory foam bed-in-a-box.
Which Helix mattress should you buy in the 4th of July sales? I’m a mattress tester, here’s my take
By Nicola Appleton published
Helix's 4th of July mattress sale knocks up to 30% off their top-rated beds - but which one should you buy? I'm a mattress tester, here's what I think
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress review 2024
By Alison Barretta last updated
Is the Tempur-Adapt mattress a worthy investment for back sleepers looking for premium pressure relief? We slept on it to see
Affordable vs luxury mattress: Should you save or splurge?
By Nicola Appleton published
Should you buy an affordable bed or a luxury mattress? Here's how to choose between them, plus what you get for your money.
Going to bed late could damage your mental health, new study says
By Nicola Appleton published
Staying up late could be harming your mental health, says a study. We explore why — plus how to fix your sleep schedule, according to an expert.
3 luxury mattresses that are worth their premium price tag
By Nicola Appleton published
The best luxury mattresses provide a unique sleep experience and next-level comfort — 3 beds that are worth their premium price tag.
How to buy the best cooling mattress for under $1,000
By Nicola Appleton published
The best mattresses for hot sleepers share these features — here’s how to choose the best cooling mattress for under $1,000.
I slept on the Helix Midnight Luxe and yes you should definitely buy it in today's 30% off Memorial Day sale
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Midnight Luxe is a dream for side sleepers — and I should know, I slept on it for seven weeks. Take 30% off the Luxe this Memorial Day, and get two free pillows.
The 3 best Memorial Day bed sales that include free old mattress removal
By Nicola Appleton published
We've rounded up three of the best Memorial Day deals that include free old mattress removal when you buy a new bed.
What is the Helix Plus and should you buy it in the Memorial Day mattress sales?
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Plus is one of the best mattresses for heavy people, but is it the right mattress for you to buy in the Memorial Day sales? Let’s take a look.
Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Awara Natural: Which luxury mattress best suits your sleep needs?
By Nicola Appleton published
We look at the key differences between the Saatva Latex Hybrid vs Awara Natural mattress, comparing price, design, comfort, and more.
Should you buy the Helix Midnight Luxe in the Memorial Day mattress sales? I reviewed it, here’s what I think
By Nicola Appleton published
The Helix Midnight Luxe is our best mattress for side sleepers and is a whopping $712 cheaper this Memorial Day. But is it worth buying? I reviewed it, here’s what I think.
I’m a sleep writer with back pain — this is the Saatva Memorial Day mattress sale I've been waiting for
By Nicola Appleton published
Our exclusive Saatva’s Memorial Day mattress sale is live, and it means that the Saatva Rx is now just as cheap as it was during Black Friday.
Helix Midnight vs Helix Midnight Luxe: Which is the best mattress for side sleepers?
By Nicola Appleton published
How to choose between the Helix Midnight and the Helix Midnight Luxe in the Memorial Day mattress sales
Don’t wait for Memorial Day — I found 3 of the best cooling mattresses on sale up to $1,859 off
By Nicola Appleton published
Can't wait for Memorial Day to buy your luxury cooling mattress? Tempur-Pedic, Avocado and Leesa have gone early with their sales — and the discounts are epic.
Helix Midnight vs Amerisleep AS3: Which is the best side sleeper mattress for you?
By Nicola Appleton published
We compare the Helix Midnight and the Amerisleep AS3 mattress in terms of comfort, design and price to help you choose between them.
I'm a hot sleeper — Tempur-Pedic’s best cooling mattress is worth the splurge in epic 30% off sale
By Nicola Appleton published
Yes, the Tempur-Pedic Tempur LUXEbreeze is still expensive even at 30% of, but if sleeping hot is wreaking havoc with your sleep it's well worth the investment — here's why.
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