Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
Are you the person always recommending new finds to your friends? Do you find yourself scouring types of tools to find the absolute best one?
And do you love to share what you’ve learned with others online?
Here’s the good news: you can actually get paid for that.
Yes, it’s called product testing, and companies will actually pay you — or at least reward you — to find out what you think about their latest items. Think of it like mystery shopping without leaving the house.
Just read on to find out how you can join the ranks of product testers everywhere.
How to Become a Product Tester
If you’ve written a review on Amazon or sites like it, then you probably know how product testing works. Consumers are generally chosen based on their demographic fit — like their age or where they live.
That’s part of the reason why you’ll be asked in advance to fill out some personal information so companies know where to place you. You may also have to connect your social media accounts or PayPal for payment.
After your account is set up, you’ll complete surveys so the companies know what relevant products and opportunities will fit your lifestyle.
If you fit their criteria, companies could send free samples to your home. The length of tests vary between each company and their products. Do the test, submit your honest feedback, tell your friends and get paid.
Now for the fun part: here are 19 product testing companies that want your valued feedback. Will you be able to make it to the end of the article without signing up?
1. McCormick
Do you like to experiment in the kitchen? You can become a product tester for McCormick and put those taste buds to work.
Although this might sound like the dream job, don’t expect an unlimited number of tests. The spice and extract manufacturing company only allows testers to join up to four times a year and once every three months.
Testing is paid, but that varies by test and the company doesn’t give an exact range. In the past, at-home testers were paid between $10 and $15 for each test.
Aside from at-home tests, McCormick’s also offers tests at their Hunt Valley, Maryland, location. Rates could be higher for in-person sessions — past reports put them at between $30 to $100 for participating. The same limits apply.
2. PINCHme
If you’ve ever wanted a collection of free samples, then PINCHme is the right site for you. The free sample program wants your opinion on products from brands like Kraft, Hallmark and Mars.
After answering a survey of your household and shopping habits, the site will match you with the right samples for you. Once you’ve used your products, fill out a survey indicating what you thought.
The best part? Once you’ve finished, you can earn prizes and qualify for special discounts. But testers do not get paid in the traditional sense for their work.
Once a month, PINCHme hosts a Sample Tuesday Facebook event that allows you to choose your favorite samples to get shipped to you for free. You’ll have to RSVP for the event in advance.
The company also hosts giveaways on their social media pages for their testers, so be sure to follow those for a chance at extra freebies.
3. Parent Tested Parent Approved
Product tester jobs at the Parent Tested Parent Approved organization are meant to be a public service for parents looking for products. We’re not just talking about baby products — this could include appliances, electronics, toys, games, travel destinations and more.
Start by filling out your free profile, and you could be asked to test a product and leave a review.
The added bonus: Once you’re sent the product, it’s yours.
The loyalty rewards program also offers testers points for reviewing products and participating in contests — these can eventually be redeemed for more products.
But be warned: The group has more than 130,000 testers, so there’s a lot of competition.
4. Ipsos iSay
Ipsos’ iSay is perfect for those who would rather not wait for samples to arrive in their mailbox. Market research firm Ipsos created the site for, yes, market research surveys.
With iSay, the reward takes a long time to achieve, but the gain comes later: with cold, hard cash.
Each survey you complete earns you points — anywhere from 45 to 200, generally.
Once you have enough points, knowing that 100 points is equivalent to $1, you can redeem them for cash through PayPal or as gift cards for retailers like Starbucks, Target and more. All that just for taking a survey — we’re in.
5. Crowdtap
When it comes to market research, Crowdtap falls in the same category as iSay — market research. When you sign up, you’ll have to answer questions about how you shop, your household size and your hobbies.
These answers will help representatives determine what surveys to show you. The site also allows users to test products.
Points are earned by answering surveys on a regular basis. But they don’t last forever, as they do expire on the last day of the month they were earned the year prior.
Once you hit a certain rate, likely 1,000 points, you can redeem your points for a gift card. Crowdtap, unfortunately, does not offer cash.
6. NetGalley
Love to read? If you’re a teacher, librarian, book reviewer or another influential reader, you can join NetGalley to receive free digital copies of books and audiobooks before they’re published.
One important caveat: The site does say it’s geared toward “influential readers,” including reviewers, bloggers, librarians and booksellers.
That means that you’ll want to show yourself as an influencer or someone who has some kind of experience reviewing books. Publishers, rather than the site itself, are the ones who approve requests, meaning you should keep that in mind when creating your profile.
7. Product Report Card
The panelist program at Product Report Card utilizes online surveys, product tests, clinical trials, phone consultations and more to get your feedback for companies.
To receive study invitations, you’ll want to complete your profile as completely as possible so you’ll qualify. Unlike some of its counterparts, Product Report Card offers $5 just for filling out its survey.
Subsequent activities like watching a TV show or offering a consumer opinion can net you as much as $2 or $4, respectively. While that doesn’t sound like much on the front end, it certainly adds up.
Product Report Card has a good track record itself: almost 2.3 million people have used the site to make more than $14 million. The company also boasts a 4.5 rating on Trustpilot.
8. Philips
Much like McCormick, testing products for health technology company Philips is a way to engage directly with the brand. Like with all the other sites, start by registering with the site and selecting a product you’d like to test.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get a product sent to you for free. If not, you might be able to buy the product at a reduced price.
Once you write a meaningful evaluation and review, Philips will let you keep the product to enjoy. Popular Philips products include electric toothbrushes, espresso machines and headphones.
9. BzzAgent
To use BzzAgent, first things first: you’ll have to create a profile. Once the market research company determines you to be a fit for a campaign, they’ll reach out via email.
You’ll be prompted to send an application and, hopefully, be chosen for the campaign.
Once that happens, expect to receive a sample in one to three weeks. Try the product, write a review and wait for your posting instructions to arrive.
The reward here is the product itself and not any kind of monetary payment.
BzzAgent rewards active users with more campaigns, so they recommend doing all of the activities in the instructions email.
10. Influenster
Like most product testing sites, Influenster wants to get to know you with an online survey before sending you free products.
But they do offer something that’s a little bit different: a VoxBox, a box filled with product samples and goodies that you can use for free and review.
This can include everything from beauty products and snacks to home improvement products and wellness products. (And sometimes, they’re even full-size.)
To ensure you get a VoxBox, download Influenster’s app and stay active, according to the site. Users with more activity get more points and are more likely to receive products.
This is once again a company that won’t pay you in money but will pay you in free items.
11. Johnson & Johnson Friends and Neighbors
You’ve smelled Johnson & Johnson’s personal care items in the store aisle, so why not get paid to do that and other product testing in your home?
The company has several avenues for product testing opportunities with their Friends and Neighbors program. You could be asked to test an item at home or at one of their facilities.
There are also online surveys, online discussion groups, focus groups or consumer panels. You’ll be sent emails with study invitations.
The compensation isn’t disclosed, but J&J says you may receive an honorarium at the close of a study.
12. MomSelect
Are you a mom with a social media following? MomSelect connects influencers with leading brands.
You’ll be asked to post on your blog or social media, host MommyParties based around specific products or participate in conferences and research. The idea is to use your platform to talk about a product.
According to their website, MomSelect has paid over $35 million to mom influencers through compensation, products, trips and experiences. Brands include Walt Disney World, Fisher-Price, Entenmann’s and HP.
13. UserTesting
Let’s start with the good news: UserTesting will allow you to actually make money. But are you comfortable voicing your thoughts out loud?
The site is unique on this list for requiring their product testers to have microphones.
Your UserTesting experience could happen in a variety of ways, including a one-on-one Zoom call with businesses. They may want to know what you love about the product and what could be improved.
Possible products to test include websites, mobile apps, prototypes and real world experiences. Testers do get paid with USD through PayPal, but the range depends on what you’re doing. That will be reported to you before you start.
Payment drops seven days after the test is completed.
14. Smiley360
Smiley360 is another product testing website for social butterflies. You’ll want to connect your social media accounts like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to participate. Facebook and Twitter are required for most of the company’s missions.
Some of the missions will involve receiving Smiley kits. You’ll receive a kit with a free product or sample two to four weeks after it ships. Standard Smiley missions have a testing period of 10 weeks.
Smiley users earn points, but the points don’t lead to compensation. Smiley360 points are used to show how active members are. The more points you have, the more offers you get.
You’ll also get points for completing surveys, which are used to tailor the products sent to you.
15. L’Oreal
Who isn’t interested in free beauty products? L’Oreal uses product testers for their skin care, hair care and cosmetics.
L’Oreal is more than simply the brand name: it comprises brands like Urban Decay, Lancome and Garnier.
If you want to test in person, New Jersey locals (as well as those in Ohio and Illinois) can participate in their testing center location, but they have in-home tests and online surveys available for others.
You get to test the products and might even make some money off of it.
16. thePinkPanel
Another great product testing job for fans of beauty and personal care products is thePinkPanel. It’s meant for women’s consumer testing, and members receive opportunities to test products via email and Facebook. Testing periods can be as short as one day or as long as eight weeks.
You’ll get to keep the product and you’ll receive $25 to $100 in gift cards or beauty products. Members can also apply to be part of focus groups, both online and in person, and receive $100 for those opportunities.
The downside? Members are restricted to one beauty product test every six months. However, the online surveys are unlimited. You also have to apply to be accepted into tests.
17. Social Nature
If you’re interested in natural products, you can be a product tester for Social Nature.
The product testing website features food products, baby supplies, pet supplies, household items and health and beauty items. You can select items that are vegetarian, non-GMO, dairy-free, fragrance-free and more.
When you fill out your profile, you’ll list any dietary requirements and where you shop. The company will match you with products they think you’ll like.
If you accept, you can order a free sample online or a free product voucher to redeem at a store. Shipping fees could apply in the latter. Once the voucher arrives, you have two weeks to redeem it, try the product and share your honest review with the company.
The catch? You “apply to try.” You’re not guaranteed to be selected for the product testing jobs. Chosen participants are notified by email.
18. Home Tester Club
Home Tester Club is an online community for product testers. You’ll see what items other members are reviewing and you can leave your own reviews on those products, even if you haven’t been sent them by Home Tester Club.
To test products, you’ll have to register as a tester rather than just a user of the site. Your demographic details will have to match up with the item you’re wanting to test—for example, if you want to test a baby product but you don’t have a baby, that could be a problem.
If you’re selected to participate, you’ll be sent an email within one to two weeks, and the product will be shipped to you within one to three weeks.
Members will receive points for leaving reviews, completing surveys, leaving comments, participating in home-product tests and more. Points aren’t worth anything, but users with more points get more opportunities.
19. National Consumer Panel
This last one isn’t primarily product testing, but it deserves a mention.
If you register with the National Consumer Panel, you’ll be given access to their app.
You’ll use the app to scan the barcodes of your purchases. You’ll share the details of your purchase to receive points, then you can redeem those points for gift cards and merchandise.
You’ll also be given the chance to do surveys and participate in occasional studies.
Regular participation with the National Consumer Panel also automatically enters you in their sweepstakes that have prizes of gift cards, merchandise or cash.
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