Nicola Appleton
Nicola Appleton is Sleep Editor at Tom’s Guide, specialising in quality news content surrounding sleep and wellbeing. Nicola cut her teeth as a journalist in a busy newsroom in Bristol, UK, 15 years ago as part of a team at Britain's largest independent press agency. Since then, her job as a journalist has taken her to the States, to Sydney, and then back to Blighty, where she has written and edited features for a whole host of prominent British and international brands, including The Independent, The Sydney Morning Herald, HuffPost, Refinery29, Stylist and more. As well as tackling the vast topic of sleep, Nicola joins the raft of expert mattress reviewers at Tom's Guide, helping steer readers towards the very best mattresses on the market.
Latest articles by Nicola Appleton
![A man in a blue shirt goes mattress shopping during the biggest sales event of the year, Black Friday](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aUxhURpK9LFh42HFWjYaqC-320-80.jpg)
3 reasons to buy a mattress in this weekend's sales — don't wait for Black Friday
By Nicola Appleton published
Stock levels are high, shipping is fast and the deals are red hot. We’re calling it — now is the best time to buy a new mattress, not Black Friday weekend.
![Saatva Memory Foam Hybrid mattress shown in bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2zPdXkCJjwBF6azBJSKrBL-320-80.jpg)
Don't wait for Black Friday — save $400 on this luxury hybrid mattress right now
By Nicola Appleton published
Tom’s Guide exclusive Black Friday Saatva sale sees $400 knocked off mattress orders of $1,000 and more — see below for exclusive access.
![Avocado Green Mattress, featuring a woman and baby on said mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RsxHeE3EXfVVfSGo7hCka7-320-80.jpg)
Avocado Green's best organic mattress is $270 off for Black Friday — here's why I'd buy it
By Nicola Appleton published
Avocado just shaved 10% off of their best selling organic mattress in their Black Friday sale, taking the price of a queen down to $1,799.10.
![An electric blanket spread over a bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tWYQuHf2nVDV74fPJE3gNN-320-80.jpg)
Can you use an electric blanket on a memory foam mattress? 5 do's and don'ts
By Nicola Appleton published
High heat can damage a memory foam mattress, so take these precautions when using an electric blanket to stay warm.
![Woman wearing beige shorts while vacuuming her white mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DTgfrZKu9WGqmaUkrgLJhd-320-80.jpg)
The 5 health risks of not cleaning your mattress properly — and how to avoid them
By Nicola Appleton published
Respiratory issues, allergic reactions and bacterial infections are health conditions that can be born from not cleaning our mattresses often enough.
![Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a yellow background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PzbAikmmm4Df987HUx8Xsh-320-80.jpg)
7 ways you’re damaging your memory foam mattress — and what to do instead
By Rachael Penn published
Getting it wet is just one way you could be ruining your memory foam mattress – here's why
![Nectar vs Tempur-Pedic mattress comparison image shows the Nectar Memory Foam on a blue background and the Tempur-Pedic Cloud on a dark blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iGPpvihyjdrCBCKAhHaFF-320-80.jpg)
Nectar vs Tempur-Pedic mattress: Which memory foam bed should you buy in the Black Friday sales?
By Jo Plumridge published
We compare the Nectar Mattress and Tempur-Pedic Cloud across all key areas ahead of the Black Friday mattress sales.
![Saatva Classic mattress placed in front of an open fire with a snow covered mountain in the background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QXNcbmTpfNJcFnaaMu8Lef-320-80.jpg)
3 best early Black Friday mattress deals that include free removal of your old bed
By Nicola Appleton last updated
When you purchase a new mattress from Cocoon by Sealy, Saatva, or Stearns & Foster Studio this Black Friday, they will remove your old mattress and foundation for free.
![A woman lifts the edge of her white mattress topper placed on top of a white mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f4RNxuHVrvYu92SDAfKm3Z-320-80.jpg)
Can you use a mattress topper as a mattress? Yes, but there are risks — here's why
By Nicola Appleton published
Thinking of skipping the mattress and just sleeping on a bed topper? Here's what you need to know before first...
![Helix Midnight mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/trNskvv5VBVTL4am6mLizP-320-80.jpg)
Huge Black Friday mattress sale takes 25% off everything at Helix
By Nicola Appleton published
Helix is slicing the price of all mattresses, including the Helix Midnight Luxe, by 25% ahead of Black Friday.
![The Leesa Sapira Hybrid Mattress placed on a grey bedframe in a white bedroom with a Black Friday sale bade overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NjEPzQCBKe6XQEK6Doqhk-320-80.jpg)
Leesa launches early Black Friday sale with up to $750 off its best hybrid mattresses
By Nicola Appleton published
Leesa has launched its early Black Friday mattress sale, with up to $750 off mattresses plus you'll get free pillows.
![Helix Midnight vs Helix Midnight Luxe mattress comparison image shows our sleep editor lying on her side on the Midnight original on the left and the Midnight Luxe on the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ouSXsGTaEWdZZZcDrxRJoB-320-80.jpg)
Helix Midnight vs Midnight Luxe mattress: How to choose in the Black Friday sales
By Nicola Appleton published
Torn between the Helix Midnight and Midnight Luxe mattress? Here's five key differences to help you choose between them
![The Helix Midnight mattress for side sleepers placed on a light wooden and fabric bed frame in a grey bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WA8ZCSDJreGjrRMtx6cpRJ-320-80.jpg)
I’m a sleep writer – this is why I’d buy the Helix Midnight mattress this Black Friday
By Nicola Appleton published
Created specifically for side sleepers, this is why the Helix Midnight is my memory foam mattress of choice this Black Friday.
![DreamCloud Premier Rest Hybrid Mattress on a beige bedframe in an opulent looking bedroom with a black friday mattress deals badge overlaid on the image](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9wk2WotwrDAvzK84iVsbrS-320-80.jpg)
Get $1,700 off DreamCloud’s best Saatva mattress rival with this Black Friday mega deal
By Nicola Appleton published
The Premier Rest is DreamCloud's most luxurious mattress and a close rival to the Saatva Classic, and it's now up to $1,700 off .
![A woman eats breakfast in bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5Ui2QKaCWNExxKNQmcEqmR-320-80.jpg)
Nutritionists reveal the 5 best (and worst) foods for sleep — it’s good news for carb lovers
By Nicola Appleton published
Stock up on sweet potatoes but cut out the citrus — these are the foods that are impacting the quality of your sleep.
![The Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a grey fabric bed frame placed against a yellow wall](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BLRBnFjguJpnKKb6FTn2QP-320-80.jpg)
The Nectar Mattress drops to its cheapest price yet in early Black Friday deal
By Nicola Appleton published
Black Friday begins early at Nectar with a 40% off flash sale on the Nectar Memory Foam Mattress and hybrid beds.
![A photo of a couple lying on an Avocado Green Eco Organic Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hYhMPD8yJDaXEYJwTyc7Wj-320-80.jpg)
America’s cheapest organic mattress gets a price cut in pre-Black Friday sale
By Nicola Appleton published
America’s most affordable organic mattress is on sale, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to cost the earth.
![Man in brown shirt and grey shorts carries a white bed bug infested mattress down a flight of stairs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bnD8K4nDCrcAan2mhWAtGo-320-80.jpg)
How to dispose of a mattress with bed bugs – 3 vital steps
By Nicola Appleton published
Your options are limited, but here’s how to safely get rid of a bed-bug infested mattress.
![A bare white mattress and two pillows sit on top of a beige bed in a pale grey bedroom. In the front of the picture, there is a green Black Friday Shopping banner.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UTd43SAP9be7ewygWLnwkF-320-80.jpg)
Should you buy a mattress on finance in the Black Friday sales? A money expert explores the pros and cons
By Rachel Wait published
A mattress can be expensive, so many turn to financing. But this isn’t always the right approach, as a money expert explores here.
![A man with dark hair rolls his eyes in frustration and holds a pillow to his ears because his partner is snoring](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Thj2onAEXnWM8XSqnVx2xE-320-80.jpg)
Could a new mattress save you from a sleep divorce? These 5 might...
By Nicola Appleton published
Buying a mattress that caters for the needs of two different people could save you from a sleep divorce. Here's how...
![The Nectar Premier Copper cooling mattress placed on a grey fabric bed set against a white wall, with price drop sale badge overlaid in blue](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jE82cvWb8VYmrvzWWDT445-320-80.jpg)
Nectar's best cooling mattress gets a 33% price cut ahead of Black Friday
By Nicola Appleton published
The Nectar Premier Copper Hybrid cooling mattress is a game-changer for anyone who overheats during sleep, and it's on sale right now.
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