Did you know people get paid to test products? It sounds insane, I know. Why would companies pay you to take their products, right?
It makes sense, though. Companies pay product testers before they release a product to the public. It’s how they tweak their products, ensuring they are exactly what the public wants and that there aren’t any issues.
I’ll be honest — you won’t be able to pay your mortgage or even your water bill with the earnings, but it’s a nice little side hustle that can even be fun.
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Why Do You Get Paid to Test Products?
Companies create new products and services all the time. Sometimes they are great products. Other times, not so much. But how do companies know without testing them?
That’s where consumers like us help. Small companies (those that don’t have the budget for a large research and development department) pay consumers to test products. It’s how companies learn what works and what falls flat. They’d much rather find out before a big release that their product isn’t what they’re hoping for.
Sometimes they have to go back to the drawing board or make small tweaks. Either way, product testing before the release helps them perfect their product.
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Who Qualifies to Get Paid to Test Products?
Some good news is that you don’t need special qualifications to get paid to test products. But, you must meet the requirements of each product.
To be a product tester, you must sign up with market research firms (I provide a list below). But just because you’re on the list doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be picked for every product testing. Bummer.
If you’ve ever gotten paid to take surveys, you’re familiar with the screeners I’m talking about. This is a quick survey before the firm chooses the product testers to see who would be a good fit. Companies only want their target audience to test the products.
For example, a company testing makeup products wouldn’t get much out of sending it to people who don’t wear makeup. Just like a kitchen utensil company wouldn’t get good feedback from people who hate cooking.
The screeners are what qualifies you for the product testing. They narrow down who would benefit from the product and who would provide the best feedback.
My best advice to you is be honest. You won’t qualify for every product testing and that’s okay. When you do qualify, you’ll be providing valuable advice and information to companies rather than just doing it to make a quick buck.
Make Money Online With Surveys
Survey Junkie pays $1 to $3 per survey.
How Does It Work? Are You Always Paid Cash?
If you pass the screener and are chosen to test a product, the market research firm will send you the product with specific instructions.
Usually, you use the product for 7 to 10 days and then provide your feedback. Sometimes you’ll answer a survey, and other times you’ll provide written feedback via email.
Every company has different requirements, so make sure you read the fine print on how long or often you must use the product to provide valid feedback.
Will you always be paid cash? Unfortunately, no.
Every company is different. Some companies pay cash via PayPal or direct deposit. Others pay in points that you can convert to gift cards or a cash payment when you accumulate enough points. Others pay you only in free products.
In my eyes, whether you get a free product, a gift card, or cash, you’re earning just to give your opinion on a product. It’s a win-win for you and the company providing the survey.
How Much Can You Make Testing Products?
Everyone wants to know — how much will I make testing products?
I don’t have a cut-and-dry answer for you. Some companies pay a few dollars per trial, plus you keep the product. Others pay as much as $500 for a trial. It depends on the company’s size, the product in question, and the company’s budget.
You may find that you spend a couple of weeks testing a product only to earn $25 and other times, you test a product or website (with minimal effort) and earn $100 or more.
The more product testing you do, the more you’ll earn, not only because of the frequency you test the products but also because you build up a rapport with the market research firm. As a result, you may receive higher-paying offers as you build experience.
Get Paid to Test Products With These 18 Companies
Below you’ll find a list of the product testing companies I’ve found that pay users in cash or gift cards. Plus, you get to keep the product you’re testing.
1. Vindale Research
Vindale Research offers opportunities to take surveys, test products, and be a mystery shopper. They’re looking for consumers 18-years and older who are motivated, flexible, and efficient.
Vindale Research pays between $1 to $50 per product tested, depending on the company and product. They pay immediately upon completion, so you don’t have to worry about adding up points, but you may have to reach a certain threshold before you can cash out via PayPal.
2. i-Say
i-Say by Ipsos is a great platform for product testing. They offer many opportunities to try out new products, and they typically pay well and keep the products. They rely heavily on your profile, so the more detail you provide when you sign up, the more opportunities you’ll have to test products.
3. UserTesting.com
UserTesting.com pays you to test products, but mostly digital products. All it takes to join is to sign up and take a quick practice test to understand how to test the products. Once approved, you can browse the available opportunities and apply to be a tester.
If chosen, you take the tests, which range from 5 to 20 minutes. You’ll earn $4 for 5-minute tests and $10 for 20-minute tests. If you’re lucky enough to get chosen for a live interview, you may make $30 to $120.
4. Consumer Product Testing
If you live near Fairfield, NJ, consider Consumer Product Testing. You get early access to the latest health and beauty care items and get paid for them. The kicker is you have to test in person at the CPT lab.
Compensation is pretty high if you’re in the area with studies paying from $25 to $300.
5. TestingTime
At TestingTime, you can get paid to test many types of products, including food, physical products, and fun gadgets. You’re chosen for studies based on your profile and the answers you provide on their questionnaires.
TestingTime pays you for your time and opinion, usually within 7 to 14 days of completing the task.
6. Johnson & Johnson
If you want to be a part of shaping some of the largest beauty and healthcare brands in the world, Johnson & Johnson offers the chance to be a product tester.
The biggest draw with J & J is the free products from brands like Aveeno, Neutrogena, and Clean & Clear, but J&J does pay a small ‘honorarium’ as they call it. They aren’t transparent in how much they pay, but there is compensation.
You must be 18-years old to qualify, but if you have children, J&J may send you an invitation to include your children in product testing with parental consent.
7. Product Report Card
Product Report Card is known as a survey company, but they offer opportunities for product testing too. To qualify, you must pass a screener, and if chosen, you’ll test the product for the directed amount of time and complete a survey upon completion.
Product Report Card pays well — typically $100+ for product testing, but you must fill out your profile in as much detail as possible to get chosen. Product Report Card has a $25 threshold before you can withdraw funds. They pay in PayPal or retail gift cards to your favorite stores.
8. McCormick Panel
If you love trying new foods, join the McCormick Panel. Once you sign up, they’ll notify you of available studies. Act fast because the studies fill up quickly. The tests usually take no more than 2 hours, and McCormick pays you in Amazon gift cards.
Get Paid to Test Products for Free
Not all companies pay in cash or gift cards to test their products, but that’s not always a bad thing. The companies that pay you in free products only usually offer products that are a big deal, like electronics, designer clothing, or other expensive items.
Here are the companies topping my list of getting paid to test products by receiving free products.
9. Product Testing USA
Product Testing USA pays users in free products — I’m talking Fitbits, iPads, and a 6-month supply of diapers. It’s not a bad tradeoff for not getting paid cash, right?
So what’s the catch to earn such large and expensive products?
You will put in some time reviewing the product. They require a 500-word review plus a 1-minute video and pictures. It’s still not a bad deal if you get to keep something like the latest iPad.
The offers change frequently, and you must sign up for each offer individually, so check back often if you’re interested.
10. BzzAgent
BzzAgent is a popular product testing site. While they don’t financially compensate you for testing products, you get to keep the products and have the satisfaction of trying new products before they hit the market.
I love BzzAgent because you can test products from brands I know and love, like L’Oreal, Gillette, Hershey’s, and Nestle. You do have to do a little more work with BzzAgent, though — they require you to share a picture of you using the product on your social media pages plus provide feedback directly to the company.
11. SheSpeaks
SheSpeaks is a popular product review site providing plenty of information for consumers to decide about new products. You can join the panel and receive surveys and opportunities to test products. While your payment is the product, they don’t pay cash, you’re also entered into cash giveaways and sweepstakes.
12. Amazon Vine
If you’re an Amazon enthusiast, you likely have plenty of reviews under your belt. Guess what? Amazon is watching, and if you have helpful enough (not necessarily good) reviews, they may invite you to the Amazon Vine program.
This exclusive group is by invite only and gives you access to free products on Amazon in exchange for your honest (good or bad) review. You don’t get paid, but you get free products and early access to some of the hottest products to hit the market.
13. Daily Goodie Box
If you love receiving boxes of goodies, don’t pass up Daily Goodie Box. They partner with up to 300 well-known brands to give people like you free samples, sometimes even full-size products to review.
They send you a ‘box of goodies,’ and all you have to do is provide your honest opinion as you use the products. You keep the products, and you never have to share your credit card number to join.
14. TryProducts
TryProducts puts new brands and products in your hands before they’re released to the market. Then, you try the products and in exchange, give your opinion. The fun thing about working with TryProducts is you get access to new products from small companies you may not have otherwise heard of, and then you can spread the word about them too.
15. Philips Product Tester
If you love Philips products, why not test them for free as a Philips Product Tester? While they don’t pay you for your opinion, you get early access to the hottest products. Sometimes you get to keep the products for free and other times, you have the opportunity to buy them for a reduced price.
16. Homeschool
If you are a homeschooling family, Homeschool.com wants your opinion. They don’t release any new products before getting opinions from their homeschooling community, and you can be one of them.
While you don’t get paid, you get free books, workbooks, and other resources to use in your homeschooling journey.
17. Instyle Trendsetter
If you love the latest beauty products, become an Instyle Trendsetter. You’ll have the opportunity to share your opinions and thoughts on today’s latest trends as well as have the chance to try the latest beauty products for free in exchange for your opinion.
18. NetGalley
If you love to read, join NetGalley, and you’ll receive advance copies of books before they are released. In exchange for the free books, they ask that you provide a review of the book. It’s a great way to help authors and get your hands on new books!
Final Thoughts on How to Get Paid to Test Products
There’s plenty of opportunities out there to get paid to test products. Sign up with as many companies as you can and make sure you complete your profile as required.
Most studies fill up fast, especially from the companies that pay, but it feels great when you get an opportunity. You not only earn a little side cash, but you also help form new products and help companies give the community what they need/want.