Nicola Appleton
Nicola Appleton is Sleep Features 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 will be joining 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
![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)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9wEyJeYvHmmbRwBhZV2WfR-320-80.jpg)
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.
![DreamCloud Mattress US](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6gydTcv6pqHdrrrePqCdwn-320-80.jpg)
The best mattresses on Amazon 2024: our top 7 recommendations
By Nicola Appleton last updated
Find the best Amazon mattress for your budget and sleep needs, courtesy of our expertly-curated list.
![Saatva Classic](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7fAjLZrYbQXLNiZRf8k3QT-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The Nolah Evolution 15 Mattress in a luxury bedroom with a blue price drop sale badge overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PeJnBNbPD8AwvbzoYnGaU9-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Helix Midnight Luxe mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VXDPoYfocKFVMXJYgooybQ-320-80.jpg)
The best mattress for side sleepers 2024: Expert tested and reviewed
By Nicola Appleton last updated
We review 2024's best mattresses for side sleepers at a range of prices, from affordable to luxury.
![Best organic mattress: Photo of the Birch Natural mattress on a beige bedframe placed in a grey bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WoERu9VbsfdMUPuhPWikxW-320-80.jpg)
The best organic mattress 2024: Natural beds for a non-toxic sleep
By Jo Plumridge last updated
The best organic mattresses and all natural beds to buy online, as rated by certified sleep experts.
![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](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xgMpA2uMeMozQzPXCrKNmT-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eUuCihXFUbh2GZdYsQQjRB-320-80.jpg)
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
![Best cheap mattress, featuring someone sitting on the edge of a Siena Memory Foam Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EXs3h2oyGyZWicytrhu36d-320-80.jpg)
Best cheap mattress 2024: quality budget beds under $500 for a queen
By Claire Davies last updated
We've found the best cheap mattress for every sleeper, with affordable queen size mattresses for under $500.
![best mattress for back pain: Man sits on a bed and rubs his back, looking uncomfortable](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YT7aMbHkkd9VnStzwCHhV4-320-80.jpg)
The best mattress for back pain 2024: With expert advice from chiropractors
By Alison Barretta last updated
Our roundup of the best mattresses for back pain, featuring beds our expert testers have slept on themselves while experiencing back pain.
![A woman lays on top of the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress, which is set against a dark blue bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7w87cB2H2nxcCMmrMTTZx-320-80.jpg)
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
![Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a platform bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qyK2BidYM2snJqSewtN8oU-320-80.jpg)
The best luxury mattress 2024: Tested by sleep experts
By Sarah Finley last updated
Bring five-star hotel luxe into your own bedroom with our expert guide to the best luxury mattresses on the market.
![Best mattress protector 2022: a woman fits a white mattress cover over her Linenspa memory foam mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YDn6kmrLVWCLQBZUjABkqE-320-80.jpg)
Best mattress protector 2024: waterproof, cooling and zipped covers compared
By Cynthia Lawrence, Grace Franks, Nicola Appleton last updated
Keep your mattress clean, dry and allergen free. Here's our guide to best mattress protectors for every bed, lifestyle and budget.
![Brooklyn Aurora Hybrid Luxe Cooling mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QcxjQyQD8ZJWMCgdzW4jV3-320-80.jpg)
The best cooling mattress 2024: cool beds for hot sleepers
By Claire Davies last updated
Our expert guide to the best cooling mattresses to stop overheating and ensure you get a refreshing night's sleep.
![best firm mattress: Titan Plus mattress in a bedroom, with a woman smiling and stretching](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eXhcDiPWREhgzSdS6Md9EB-320-80.jpg)
The best firm mattress 2024, approved by sleep experts
By Alison Barretta last updated
The best firm mattresses for proper spinal support, rated by our top sleep testers and with advice from a chiropractor.
![Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7zHSoLBWYmtLDQXcrwY35G-320-80.jpg)
Are 4th of July sales a good time to buy a mattress? I'm a sleep writer — here's my take
By Nicola Appleton published
Independence day is the next major mattress sale event — but will it be any good? Here’s what you need to know, plus 5 tips to shopping the best deals.
![In this affordable vs luxury mattress comparison piece, the Cocoon by Sealy is shown on the left of the image and the Saatva Classic is seen on the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7ShTPAe5wS5ZVAjFWZ2LWL-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A woman sits up in bed unable to sleep](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YDcArZpDgpMdZsfgVnDsCe-320-80.jpg)
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.
![The Puffy Royal mattress against a neutral colour schemed bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8RtxzoBvujxZoRtHK4BpVi-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A woman wearing a white singlet an d denim shorts sits in a chair with her legs restiong on top of the Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sYfpyWWbG8v7uRnpYEUeDa-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Tom's Guide Sleep Features Editor and Staff Writer lay on the Helix Midnight Luxe during testing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eUuCihXFUbh2GZdYsQQjRB-320-80.jpg)
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.
![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](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/478fjskS44BshPVHtTTiyS-320-80.jpg)
How to buy a mattress online during Memorial Day sales — 5 pro tips
By Nicola Appleton published
A mattress editor's tips for how to buy a mattress online in the Memorial Day sales and get it right, first time
![A woman with blond hair wearing a denim shirt and a khaki green skirt lays on her stomach on the Stearns & Foster Estate mattress while reading a book](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4gqtBZxvL9P8xR7kEgeT8k-320-80.jpg)
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.