12 Legit Ways to Get Paid to Test Products

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The world's largest brands often seek feedback on products before they spend millions sending them to market. Here's how you can get paid to test products from home (and often keep them for free, too).

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Did you know companies will sometimes send free products for people to try at home?

It’s true.

Product testing is a way for companies to get real user feedback on a product or service before pushing it to market. To do this, companies ship you a free physical product to use in exchange for a candid review. At the end of the testing period, they typically let you keep the item. Some might even pay you in cash.

But how can you find sites that will pay you to test products at home? How do you know if they’re legit?

Fortunately, there are a number of reputable companies looking for users to test products and give their honest feedback.

How to Get Paid to Test Products from Home

To make money testing products, you’ll want to register with several sites that offer paid product testing gigs. Each site will ask you to fill out a short form with key demographic information which helps companies match you with relevant products to review.

How much you earn testing products depends on the number and types of programs you choose to join. The more programs you join, the more ways you’ll be able to make money testing products.

1. Homescan

Nielsen Homescan Program

Nielsen, most well-known for polling American TV watchers about their viewing habits, operates a handful of sub-brands, including the Homescan program. This is separate from its Computer and Mobile panel, which pays users for letting Nielsen track their internet usage.

When you sign up for free to become a product tester with Homescan, you’ll receive a handheld scanner or access to its mobile app. When you shop, scan the barcode of the products you buy to earn points. You can also participate in surveys to earn additional points, and you’re automatically entered into quarterly, monthly, and weekly sweepstakes.

The Homescan program does not pay in cash, but you can redeem the points you earn for gift cards and merchandise.

2. Pinecone Research

PineCone Research Homepage

Pinecone Research focuses on product tests for items that haven’t been introduced to the general public. It pays via points in exchange for completing questionnaires about the products the company sends to you. You can then redeem your points for cash, gift cards, or brand-name merchandise.

Although the company is reputable and clear about how it pays (flat rate of $3 per survey), panel positions aren’t always open. If your household information doesn’t match what it’s looking for at the time, you’ll receive a notification that there are no openings available.

The company will keep your information for a few weeks in case a spot opens up, but if it doesn’t, you may need to reapply.

Related: 50 Real Ways to Earn Money Online

3. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion Homepage

American Consumer Opinion (ACOP) is another site that pays for product testing and surveys. You’ll provide your opinions on things like advertising campaigns, the economy, ideas for new products, and more.

Registration is easy, and you can create an account with your Google or Facebook login. When you become a panel member, you can expect to participate in several surveys per year. Each survey typically takes around 10 minutes with short, easy-to-answer questions.

For each survey completed, you’ll receive points that can be cashed out via PayPal. You can also donate your rewards to charity or use your points to enter various sweepstakes for a chance to win cash and other prizes.

Every month or so you’ll be asked to take a screener survey so it knows which opportunities to send your way.

Related: 8 Ways to Get Paid to Watch Ads in Your Spare Time

4. JJ Friends & Neighbors (Johnson & Johnson)

JJ Friends and Neighbors Homepage

Johnson & Johnson is one of the biggest brands in the world, owning companies like Aveeno, Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, Roc, and other brands you may have in your home. It also owns the JJ Friends & Neighbors program, which allows you to test products for free and keep them before those products are launched in the market.

That might mean smelling fragrances or trying makeup and other self-care products. Other opportunities include participating in online surveys, discussion groups and forums, focus groups, and various panels. Anyone can join, and it’ll email you if you’re eligible to participate in a test.  And if you live in the NYC area, you may be eligible to participate in one of the company’s “dedicated sensory panels.”

Its site is sparse on payment details, but prepaid Visa Gift Cards seem to be the most common.

Related: How to Sell Makeup Online and The Five Best Sites to Use

5. McCormick & Company, Inc.

McCormick Panelish Homepage

If the idea of testing food sounds appealing, participating in McCormick & Company’s product testing panel might be a good fit for you.

To become a McCormick panelist, you need to apply. Once in the database, you should receive periodic emails recruiting for studies. It says studies fill up quickly, so you’ll want to select a participation time as soon as you receive notice of one.

Home tests run between 30 minutes to two hours and pay $10 to $15 each in the form of Amazon gift cards, although some tests may pay up to $30 per hour. McCormick also seeks out participants for in-facility testing at its location in Hunt Valley, MD, near Baltimore. These tests typically last between half an hour and two hours and pay between $30 to $100 each.

Related: 15 Places That Offer Paid Research Studies 

6. UserTesting.com

UserTesting Homepage

If you’re good at noticing little details when visiting a website, you might be able to get paid to test websites by signing up for UserTesting. To get started, create an account, download its software, visit websites or apps, and answer questions about your experience.

How many websites you can product test depends on how well your demographic background lines up with the target user of the site. For example, if Facebook is trying to test a new feature with 62-year-old men in Alaska and you’re a 31-year-old woman in Florida, you probably won’t see that test in your inbox.

You’ll need a reliable internet connection, a microphone, and a way to download its software. You’ll also need to be able to concisely describe what you like and don’t like about the website.

Tests take 20 minutes each, and you’ll earn $10 per survey paid via PayPal.

Related: 14 Places to Get Paid to Test Websites from Home

7. Beta Testing

BetaTesting Homepage

Another way to earn money testing websites, apps, and tech products for usability and other issues is by registering with BetaTesting.

BetaTesting states that you can expect to receive up to five or more opportunities per month, but some months you may not receive any. However, BetaTesting prides itself on collecting quality feedback for the software companies that hire it. This means that the higher quality of your assessments, the more opportunities you’ll receive.

BetaTesting pays users $10 per assessment. Payment is sent via PayPal within seven days of project completion.

Related: How to Get Paid to Search the Web

8. SheSpeaks

SheSpeaks Homepage

SheSpeaks is another site that will send you free products to try and candidly review. You can also review the products you’re currently using and upload your feedback to their website. To get started, all you need to do is sign up for an account.

Although you’re not paid in cash for your reviews, SheSpeaks runs giveaways with cash prizes for the best or most creative product review. It also runs giveaways for gift cards and free products.

Related: 10 Places to Write Paid Reviews for Movies, Restaurants, and More 

Sites That Pay in Free Products

In addition to registering for sites that will pay you in cash or gift cards to test products, there are sites that don’t pay cash for your reviews, but you get to keep any products they send.

9. NetGalley

NetGalley Homepage

If you’re an avid reader and you’d like to receive free eBooks, consider registering for NetGalley. Through the site, you’ll request advanced reader copies of books directly from publishers in exchange for honest reviews.

If the publisher grants your request, you’ll need to read the book and provide your thoughts. You can share your reviews through its feedback form, on social media, or on your blog if you have one.

Although you’re not paid for your reviews, it’s free to join and you can keep all the books you receive.

10. Influenster

Influenster Homepage

When you sign up for free with Influenster, you’ll be able to share your opinion on products ranging from pet care to cosmetics to beverages, snacks, and even baby supplies. You can also complete surveys for a chance to receive a VoxBox, its box of free full-size products that you can try at home. After you use the company, it asks that you share your honest opinions on its site and your social media accounts.

Not every member receives a VoxBox each month, but if you do, it’s a great way to get household items for free.

Related: How to Make Money as a Social Media Influencer

11. BzzAgent

BzzAgent Homepage

To get free products through BzzAgent, sign up for an account so it can send you qualifying surveys. It reviews your answers and, based on those, will decide if you’re a good fit for a campaign. If you are, you’ll receive a BzzKit with the products for you to try. You’ll need to share your feedback based on its instructions, which may mean posting your opinions on social media or writing a product review.

There’s no financial compensation for participating in campaigns, but you do get to keep the products it sends.

Related: 20 Ways to Get Free Stuff Online

12. Homeschool.com

Homeschool Homepage

This site is primarily a resource for homeschooling families, but you can register and receive free products to review. As a product reviewer, you’ll test and use homeschooling resources before they’re shared with the Homeschool.com community.

While it’s not clear what criteria you must meet in order to become a product tester, it’s free and easy to register. All you need to do is sign up for its product tester email list and the company will send you opportunities to try books, printables, reports, and homeschooling kits.

You’ll get to keep all the products it sends you, but it doesn’t pay cash for your opinions.

Related: How to Get a Free Laptop (from the Government, Schools, and More)

You Can Get Paid to Test Products

Product testing is a fun way to make extra money on the side. You get rewarded for your opinion and have an influence on the products and services companies sell. And, if you participate in enough panels, you can make upward of $25 per hour testing products.

If you’re good at spotting website errors, enjoy trying new products and services, or don’t mind sharing your honest reviews, consider working part-time as a product tester.

Author
Annette Miller

Newlywed coach with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology + specialization in financial wellness for millennial couples. Boilermaker, former Air BnB Superhost, clumsy yogi, tech lover, aspiring whiskey snob, and Heath bar addict. Currently living in Bourbonland, USA (aka Louisville, KY) and tweeting @millerannette.

27 comments
Judy Quattrone
Judy Quattrone

Interested in product testing!

Sarah Morgan
Sarah Morgan

I would love it be a product tester. I’ve been told I’m very opinionated and I love trying new things. I think I would be a great fit for your program.

ronia taylor
ronia taylor

how can I get started

Yasm Gracy Powell
Yasm Gracy Powell

How can I become a product tester and when can I start?

The Passive 100
The Passive 100

Thanks so much for putting this list together! I’ve been interested in becoming a product tester on the side. This was really helpful.

Rubye Rogers
Rubye Rogers

I’m genuinely interested in testing products in my home. How do I get started?

Hey Rubye!

Each site has very specific instructions on how they want/need users to sign up so unfortunately there’s no “one size fits all” approach. Peruse the list and see if any of the sites interest you and then click-through to learn more about their specific registration requirements!

Hope that helps 🙂

Each panel is a little different, so I’d check with each one first. Doesn’t hurt to try!

Betty
Betty

I have a senior citizens discount website and I would like to partner with companies to offer product testing to seniors. Can you help me?

Hey Betty — unfortunately we don’t have that sort of pull with some of the companies we work with — you’ll probably have better luck reaching out directly to the product testing companies themselves.

Sorry but good luck!

Tracy Skinner
Tracy Skinner

Hello, I’m Tracy and I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I am looking to test products and give full reports on how the product worked and how they would help make cooking and cleaning easier for individuals like myself.

Terry
Terry

Thank you very much for your article, it is definitely worth to read. You have me signing up for most of them!

Kim
Kim

Thank you so much for this, it is so helpful!

You’re welcome! Glad you found it useful. 🙂

Michelle - South Africa
Michelle - South Africa

Thank you so much 🙂, this has been very helpful.

Off to a great start!

Jerri L Leader
Jerri L Leader

I would love to do product testing. I’m retired, and my days are not at all the way they were and would love to test new products and let people know how good or not so good the products work.

Susan
Susan

I would love to test items anyone would send me. I’m retired and this would give me something important to do, and help the public when deciding to purchase a product.

Ivan Lewis
Ivan Lewis

I’d love to work as a product tester or event specialist!

Angelina
Angelina

Thank you for your article! I used to live in KY and since you are an aspiring whiskey snob that is the place to be. I was a bartender in Kentucky for 12 years and loved it. I tried almost everything new and old. Enjoy it out there it’s beautiful!

Yvonne Stark
Yvonne Stark

First, I appreciate the information outlined and spelled out for people like me who are new to this arena. I’m very interested in both product testing, as well as writing reviews. This is my second year of early retirement from teaching primary grades. My life prior to teaching was in the medical field, specifically the cardio-pulmonary department. I think my diverse work experience should be helpful with most products to be tested. I have time on my hands and welcome a new venture such as this.

Jennifer Liccardi
Jennifer Liccardi

I was a client for a company on Long Island trying several different products for companies. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I, without a doubt, was able to help companies succeed.

Donald Kearney
Donald Kearney

Thank you for the information. I am retired with a need to supplement my retirement income for those expenses that come along with aging. I do not need back-breaking work, but I want to be part of something that is legit and helpful to companies that provide our great goods and services. Maybe product testing and feedback is for me! Thanks again!

Jessie D
Jessie D

I’ve been doing product testing for years, except I deal with a lot of other companies that are very simple. I literally receive multiple free items daily. I actually started leaving snacks out for the delivery people. I save so much money, help companies, and donate to others whenever I can.

Elizabeth Clows
Elizabeth Clows

Do you mind if I ask the companies you test products for?

LadySkullshine
LadySkullshine

I have been testing products for almost two years. I get multiple packages of free items delivered every single day.

Linda Greenhaw
Linda Greenhaw

I am very interested in becoming a product tester and would like to know how!

Sean Beebe
Sean Beebe

I think product testing would be a fun and interesting way for me to make some money. Because of my disability finding a part-time job has proven difficult to make it work with the hours I can work. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in improving products and/or websites.

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