Claire Davies

Claire Davies

Senior Sleep Editor, Certified Sleep Science Coach

Claire is a fully qualified journalist and Certified Sleep Science Coach with over 15 years’ product review experience. Claire is responsible for all mattress and sleep content published on Tom’s Guide, including our Best Mattress of 2024 buying guide. She is our expert on Saatva, DreamCloud, Nectar and Tempur-Pedic mattresses, and is also our in-house hybrid mattress specialist. Claire is certified to advise people on how to choose a mattress that best suits their sleep, body and budget, as well as helping them to create a nighttime routine and bedroom environment that promote good sleep. As Senior Sleep Editor, Claire takes the lead on developing and overseeing rigorous testing procedures for our mattress reviews, both at home and in our fully equipped Sleep Studio. Claire leads a team of experienced sleep and mattress specialists who report on and test a wide range of mattress and sleep products, and she also writes about all things related to sleep, and has interviewed a wealth of experts including mattress designers and buyers, neuroscientists, and doctors of sleep medicine. 

Latest articles by Claire Davies

The DreamCloud Hybrid Mattress photographed on a wooden bedframe placed in a dark blue bedroom and with a couple laughing and sitting on the mattress

Hybrid mattresses don’t need a box spring — here’s why and what to use instead

By Claire Davies published

Do hybrid mattresses need a box spring and why? We explain everything you need to know using this popular bed base with a foam and coil mattress.

Mattresses
Two people removing a Purple mattress from its packaging

I'm a mattress expert — the No 1 mistake people make after buying a bed in a box

By Claire Davies published

Avoid leaving your mattress in its shipping box for months on end, otherwise you’ll have to replace it pretty quick. Here’s why…

Mattresses
A black suitcase in front of a white mattress in a stylish hotel room

I’m a mattress tester — 3 things I do before sleeping in a hotel bed

By Claire Davies published

Three steps to getting a good (and hygienic) night's sleep on a hotel mattress.

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

I’m a mattress expert — the biggest mistake people make when choosing a mattress

By Claire Davies published

I test mattresses for a living and this is the one thing I recommend avoiding when buying a new mattress – and the 5 things I do recommend.

Mattresses
A woman with long dark hair feels the firmness of a mattress she is looking at

How firm should a mattress be? A guide to the different levels and how to pick

By Claire Davies published

Unsure which mattress firmness suits you best? Here’s a guide to the different levels and how to choose the right feel for you.

Mattresses
The Relyon Bridgwater Dunlopillo Latex Mattress photographed on a wooden bed frame in a natural looking bedroom with pampas grass in the corner

Relyon Bridgwater Dunlopillo Latex Mattress review 2024: Hotel luxury at its best

By Emily Peck published

Is the medium-firm Relyon Bridgwater Dunlopillo Latex Mattress as sumptuous and supportive as it suggests? We review it to find out.

Mattresses
A woman with dark hair wakes up happy after a great night's sleep on her new mattress that she recently chose

How to choose a mattress when shopping online – 5 tips from a bed-in-a-box expert

By Claire Davies published

Shopping for a mattress online but don’t know where to start? Here’s how to pick the best bed for you.

Mattresses
Tart cherry juice poured into a clear glass

Does TikTok’s Sleepy Girl Mocktail work? I’m a sleep science coach — here’s what I think

By Claire Davies published

The Sleepy Girl Mocktail contains tart cherry and magnesium, but do either help you fall asleep easier or faster? Here’s my take as a sleep science coach.

Sleep
Image shows the Saatva Adjustable Bed Base placed in a zero gravity sleeping position

What is a zero gravity bed and how do they ease sleep apnea and back pain?

By Frances Daniels published

From easing sleep apnea and snoring to relieving back pain and heartburn, zero gravity beds have a lot of benefits.

Mattresses
A woman with brown hair lies in bed with her hands over her face wondering why she can't sleep at night

‘Why can’t I sleep?’ 7 common reasons from an ex-insomniac and sleep coach

By Claire Davies published

If you’ve tried everything but you can’t switch off your brain to sleep, one of these common culprits might be the reason why.

Sleep
The Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt Topper shown on a fabric bed frame in a cream bedroom filled with a giant house plant, with a Black Friday mattress deals image overlaid

I’m a sleep coach — this is the mattress topper I tell people with back pain to buy in Black Friday sales

By Claire Davies published

The Tempur-Pedic Black Friday sale has a huge 40% off the Tempur-Adapt mattress topper, my top choice for easing hip and back pain in bed.

Mattresses
A man in a blue shirt goes mattress shopping during the biggest sales event of the year, Black Friday

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.

Mattresses
Two delivery men unload a white mattress from their van as part of a White Glove Delivery service

What is mattress White Glove Delivery and which brands offer it for free?

By Claire Davies published

This is what mattress White Glove Delivery means, plus a list of the top bed brands who offer this service free of charge.

Mattresses
A stack of white mattresses on a white background with a black badge overlaid that says Black Friday vs Cyber Monday mattress deals

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday mattress deals: when is the best time to buy a mattress?

By Claire Davies published

Are the Black Friday mattress deals the best time to buy a mattress or do bigger sales arrive on Cyber Monday? We’ve analyzed past sales to find out.

Mattresses
A person holds a magnifying glass to a mattress to see the bed bugs crawling beneath

How to prevent bed bugs getting into your mattress – 3 actions to take now

By Claire Davies published

How to prevent an infestation of bed bugs in your mattress and bedding.

Mattresses
Image shows the Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow next to the cardboard box it ships in

I’m a side sleeper with neck pain – this is the Prime Day pillow deal I’d buy

By Claire Davies published

The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Pillow eased my side sleeper neck pain and it’s 20% off in today’s Prime Day sale

Sleep
A woman with dark hair lies in bed with her baby while feeling sleep deprived

5 tips for handling sleep deprivation, from a sleep coach and new parent

By Claire Davies published

I’m a Certified Sleep Science Coach and this is how I cope with sleep deprivation after having a baby.

Sleep
A peri-menopausal woman holds a blue pillow over her face because she's unable to sleep

New study reveals menopausal women lose 2.5 hours’ sleep a night

By Claire Davies published

The study also found that 4 in 10 menopausal women have to sleep alone to try and get a better night’s sleep.

Sleep
Woman laying in bed buying a new mattress on her laptop

5 biggest mistakes people make when buying a mattress online

By Claire Davies published

Avoid the common pitfalls of buying a mattress online, especially if you’ve never shopped this way before.

Mattresses
Images shows black mold on a white mattress

How to spot mattress mold and deal with it quickly

By Claire Davies published

How to spot mold in your mattress, plus the 3 best anti-mold mattresses for cleaner sleep.

Mattresses
The Emma Original mattress in a box photographed once unpacked and placed on a light wooden bed frame

What is a mattress in a box? Plus, 8 signs they suit your sleep best

By Claire Davies last updated

Boxed mattresses are popular, but what are they and are they any good? Here's what you need to know…

Mattresses
How to fix your sleep schedule according to a sleep expert

How to fix your sleep schedule: a sleep expert guides you through it

By Claire Davies last updated

A sleep expert reveals what you should and shouldn’t do when fixing your sleep schedule if it has veered off track.

Sleep
A man in a striped sweatshirt takes a nap on the couch after reading a book

Why you should avoid naps if you have the Sunday Scaries

By Claire Davies published

How to sleep better if you have the Sunday Scaries

Sleep
A dark haired man with hayfever tries to sleep with a runny nose

Neuroscientist shares 5 key tips to help you sleep better with hayfever

By Claire Davies published

Expert tips for sleeping better when you have hayfever

Sleep
Simba vs Emma mattress: image shows the Emma Original on the left and the Simba Hybrid on the right

Simba vs Emma: which boxed mattress offers the best value for money?

By Claire Davies last updated

We compare the Simba vs Emma mattress to help you decide which bed-in-a-box is best for your sleep.

Mattresses
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