Nicola Appleton
Nicola is the Sleep Editor at Tom’s Guide. With a career in journalism spanning 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
By Nicola Appleton Published
I thought I'd fixed my middle insomnia, but a change I made to my pre-bedtime routine has been causing a new wave of 3 a.m. wake-ups
By Nicola Appleton Published
I restored it to bright white after just one treatment
By Nicola Appleton Published
Surprise! A queen Helix Midnight Luxe drops to $1,824 from $2,498 in a new flash 27% off sale — here's how to unlock the extra savings.
By Nicola Appleton Published
The actor credits dark showering with helping him fall asleep faster and stick to a consistent sleep schedule. I tried it and it works for me. Here a doctor explains why...
By Claire Davies (CSSC) Last updated
The Labor Day mattress sales are over. Here's how you can save on the best mattress for your sleep needs instead.
By Nicola Appleton Published
I've rounded up the 5 best value mattress deals in the extended Labor Day sales, with top picks from Saatva, Helix, DreamCloud and more.
By Nicola Appleton Published
The Saatva Classic is the only mattress we've ever awarded a perfect score during testing and our exclusive Labor Day deal takes a queen down to $1,829 from $2,229
By Nicola Appleton Last updated
King-size mattresses are an excellent choice for couples, bed sharers, and those who just like to spread right out. These are the best options for all sleepers and budgets.
By Nicola Appleton Published
I’ve helped review some of the most comfortable mattresses for side sleepers from every major brand over the past three years and there’s only three beds I’d consider buying in the Labor Day sales.
By Nicola Appleton Published
The bed of your dreams is on sale — these are the Saatva, Helix and DreamCloud deals I'd snap up for superior sleep comfort
By Nicola Appleton Published
There's 25% off the Helix Midnight Luxe in this weekend's Labor Day mattress sales, taking a queen down to $1,874 from $2,498.66
By Nicola Appleton Last updated
In the September Helix mattress sale you can save on luxury hybrid beds for every sleep style — our experts help you find the right bed at the right price.
By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Our expert team have tested the best luxury mattresses of the year. These are the 7 we recommend for high-quality comfort and support.
By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Say goodbye to unpleasant evenings and tired mornings with the best mattresses for back pain, according to our hands-on testing and lab data.
By Frances Daniels Last updated
August's Brooklyn Bedding sale takes 25% off all beds, as well as as cooling pillows, bedding and toppers. Here's our expert guide on how to buy the brand's mattresses for the lowest prices
By Nicola Appleton Published
Both methods helped me mellow out before bed, but one has become my go-to stress buster
By Nicola Appleton Published
I swapped late-night scrolling and artificial lights for an early-to-bed, low-tech routine for two weeks — and, along the way, discovered that good sleep is mostly free.
By Nicola Appleton Published
Recommended'Understanding how your environment impacts your sleep is really where we're going' — Ozlo co-founder on the launch of new Sleepbuds 2
By Nicola Appleton Published
'You are, in a real sense, running low on the very substance that makes sleep happen'
By Nicola Appleton Published
Hotel-style organic luxury? Check. Excellent cooling abilities? Check. Contouring support? Hmm....
By Nicola Appleton Last updated
No more falling asleep on the sofa — doctors share 3 simple sleep routine switches I need to make to manage my 3 a.m. wake-ups.
By Peter Wolinski Published
Here are our favorite products from 2026 after 6 months of non-stop testing.
By Nicola Appleton Published
Sleep doctors explain how this simple wind down strategy has reduced my 3 a.m. wake ups, plus share their tips to beating middle insomnia.
By Nicola Appleton Published
Plus, watch our DreamCloud unboxing video to know what to expect when you take home and set up this top-rated affordable hybrid mattress in a box
By Nicola Appleton Last updated
Insufficient sleep pressure, blood sugar fluctuations and elevated cortisol levels are all behind my middle insomnia. Here's the doctor-approved strategies I'm using to manage my 3 a.m. wake ups.
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