Are you the type of person who likes to test products before deciding on the best one? Did you know some of the world’s largest brands will pay you to try out free products, fill out online surveys, and help out with market research?
It’s a win-win for both you and the companies when you become a product tester! You get paid for testing products, and in return, the companies get a free candid review and avoid catastrophe upon launching. You are their market research.
Before you dive into the world of product testing, find out below 1) what products they have you test, 2) how much compensation you’ll make, and 3) some things you should keep in mind with each company.
When you register with these companies to test products, here is some information they might be interested in:
- Your marital status
- The number of children living in your household
- Your employment status
- A list of your hobbies
- Your expertise in various subjects – cooking, makeup, etc.
These details will help companies gauge how well your life experiences and attitudes fit with their products.
Sound intriguing? Below is a look at some of the most reputable companies and market research firms that offer product testing opportunities. Read on for a detailed overview of 6 ways to get paid to test products.
1. BzzAgent
BzzAgent rewards its members for testing consumer products and taking the time to share their valued opinions by completing surveys. The more you fill out your profile (interests, income, lifestyle, etc.), the more likely companies will want to use you as a product tester. As is the case for all market research firms, the amount of work can vary depending on your demographics and if you fit the group they’re researching.
After you have been selected to join their product testing program, you will receive an invite to “BzzCampaigns” letting you know that samples are on their way.
Once you receive your samples, post your honest experience on social media and/or submit your honest review where the company wants it, possibly on a company website or elsewhere. Create a Bzz! Keep in mind that for a bulk of the product reviews, you need to feel comfortable posting pictures or videos of yourself on your social media account trying the new products.
With BzzAgent, your compensation is the free stuff you receive. The work you put forth is to review these products on social media or company websites, and the benefit is you are able to test out multiple new products, from Lancome’s latest perfume to a new hair powder mask. You also get to be your genuine self and share your positive and/or negative thoughts.
Earning potential: You get to keep free products and sometimes extra free samples.
Type of product testing: Car vacuums, pots, pans, makeup brushes, food items, hair dye, etc., with popular name brands such as Hershey’s, P&G shampoo, L’oreal, Lancome, Gillette, Conair, Armani beauty, Hormel, Zesty Paws, Melissa & Doug, Bissell, etc.
2. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie rewards you for sharing your opinions and digital activity. This includes receiving and testing products, and then sharing feedback via survey. Are you looking for a trusted and secure site that has paid millions of dollars out to its members? Survey Junkie has a 4.3/5 Trustpilot rating from more than 30,000 reviews, which means they’re a reliable survey site.
After filling out your general profile questionnaires, you can complete surveys daily to earn points, whenever and wherever you want – during your morning coffee, lunch hour, or in the evening from the comfort of your own couch. Keep an eye out for those that offer the chance to get paid to test products. Optimize your free time, harness the value of your opinion, and reap the benefit of having extra money for bills, coffee, or a gift for a loved one.
In order to maintain the security of the platform and its members, Survey Junkie does require that you undergo a brief verification, via phone, call or photo ID verification. They also require a W-9 form for members when they approach $600 of earnings in a calendar year.
Earning potential: Earn as much as $40 monthly, and cash out at just $5 via PayPal, bank transfer, prepaid Visa gift cards, or gift cards to major retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sephora, Starbucks or Apple.
Type of product testing: Different types of consumer packaged goods and digital products (television episodes, movie trailers, etc.)
3. UserTesting
Founded in 2007, UserTesting remains the place to sign up with if you want to test digital products.
If you match the target markets that they seek, you will be invited to do user testing for them. You do need to feel comfortable in front of a camera in order to participate. Other than that, you need a PC, a webcam, an internet connection, and the ability to speak English. You will be asked to provide them with audio and visual feedback, where they hear you freely express your insight and thoughts.
UserTesting is not a full-time job, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the extra monetary padding. You might even be the perfect fit for their product. Members have been known to make hundreds of dollars a month, spending only a few hours a week on testing.
Earning potential: Take their tests which range from 5 to 20 minutes, and earn $4-10. If you are lucky enough to get a live interview, you can make $30-120. The rate for the standard test on UserTesting is $10 per 20-minute test. They will pay you through your PayPal account.
Type of product testing: You’ll be asked to review different kinds of digital products, including electronics, automobiles, software, hardware, etc.
4. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is interested in your insights and thoughts on their products. Please note that you must be 18 years old to qualify.
Complete their online survey and do any of the following to make your voice heard: (1) Become a product tester for their newest shampoo, dental floss, or other products; (2) Complete online surveys; (3) Join their online forum to discuss new ideas for their company; (4) Join a focus group of 6-8 people to discuss how to improve an existing product or give an idea for a new product; and (5) Join a consumer panel or a sensory panel to test the appearance, feel, and performance of skin care products.
One thing to note: They don’t send surveys often, but on the flip side, they don’t flood your email inbox either.
Earning potential: Their appreciation may be shown in the form of prepaid gift cards or with an honorarium in the form of JP Morgan Chase Payment.
Type of product testing: You’ll be asked to review products from brands like Aveeno, Neutrogena, Clean & Clear, and J&J baby products, and more. You might be smelling fragrances for a new body wash line, evaluating a new lash lengthening mascara, or testing out new dental floss.
5. Influenster
At Influenster, there are almost 60 million product reviews from people interested in beauty and self-care products.
After you sign up on the Influenster app, provide your demographic data and complete “snaps” — short questionnaires about your lifestyle and interests — to boost your chances of getting free products to review.
As with all product testing sites, Influenster will choose you based on the demographic they are looking for to test each product. Sometimes they will trend toward the youthful and other times towards seniors. You may even luck out and receive hundreds of dollars of free makeup and facial care products.
Earning potential:
You earn the free beauty products that you test! You will be sent a VoxBox filled with products from different beauty brands that run from $30 skincare to beauty products worth $100+ in retail. Your VoxBox will have tons of freebies to review.
Type of product testing:
You’ll be asked to use makeup, nail care, men’s grooming, Bath & Body products, hair products, hair coloring, hair tools, snacks, electronics, sporting goods, pet supplies, toys/games, and much more!
6. McCORMICK
If you love trying new food products, you’ll love being a product tester for McCormick. Act fast because the studies fill up quickly. Their clean product testing site is located in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Every once in a while, opportunities arise when you can also test from your home.
McCormick typically runs 5 to 10 Home Use Tests per year. However, if you live near their product testing site and can drive to their product testing site, you’re in luck! You might be invited for taste tests. Eat a delicious turkey and cheese sandwich, and also reap the benefits of being paid for your time.
Earning potential:The compensation for each in-person test varies from $30 to $100. These usually last for two hours. Get paid to test in your home from $10 to $15, depending on the time the study took and the number of products tested. Product testers can choose to get paid via Zelle or Amazon gift cards.
Type of product testing: You may be asked to sample a range of foods, snacks, and beverages!
Last word on paid product testing:
There are many different brands out there that value your opinion and will reward you for sharing it. Get paid, make some extra money, and let your opinion be heard. The best part? All you need is a computer or mobile with a reliable internet connection for most of them.
Keep in mind that most studies fill up quickly, especially from the companies that pay product testers, so sign up with as many companies as you can to better your chances of getting picked. You may even find yourself with a new side hustle of paid product testing gigs.
What are you waiting for? Check out some of these product testing companies, and make some extra money now.
