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

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 2025? 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
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.

Pillows & Bedding
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
Image shows the helix midnight luxe mattress on a bed frame with a blue price drop sales badge

The Helix Midnight Luxe mattress is 25% off today, but should you buy now or wait for Labor Day sales?

By Nicola Appleton published

Should you buy the Helix Midnight Luxe mattress now, or will you get a better deal by waiting for Labor Day?

Mattresses
A woman stifles a yawn as she looks out of the window during her commute

Two nights of bad sleep makes you feel four years older, study shows

By Nicola Appleton published

According to a study by Stockholm University, quality sleep is a key factor in feeling young.

Sleep
Mattress with white sheets is placed directly on the floor against an open window

Will putting your mattress on the floor help you sleep cooler? I'm a sleep writer, here's what I think

By Nicola Appleton published

Will putting your mattress on the floor help you sleep cooler? Yes, but I don't recommend it — here’s why, plus 3 pro tips to sleeping cooler tonight.

Mattress Care
A woman smiles and stretches in bed after a great night's sleep

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.

Sleep
Helix Midnight Luxe mattress with Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top

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.

Mattresses
Sleep Innovations 4-Inch Cooling Comfort Dual Layer Mattress Topper with Amazon Prime Day deal badge overlaid on top

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.

Pillows & Bedding
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, a happy couple sits on top of the bed, a Tom's Guide price drop deal's graphic (left)

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.

Mattresses
A cosy looking bed sits in the middle of a college dorm room - a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals badge is laid over the top of the image

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.

Pillows & Bedding
Two people lie on a Nectar Memory Foam mattress in a bedroom, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic is in the corner (right)

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.

Mattresses
Saatva Classic

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.

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

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.

Mattresses
4th of July mattress sales 2024 image shows a stack of hybrid, memory foam and latex mattresses placed on top of each other on a teal-coloured background and with a blue price drop deals badge overlaid in the bottom right hand corner

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.

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

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

Mattresses
A woman sits up in bed unable to sleep

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.

Sleep
The Puffy Royal mattress against a neutral colour schemed bedroom

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.

Mattresses
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