Did you know that there are legit companies that will pay you to do product testing? Most companies do pay in actual cash, however some companies will actually pay you in the form of free products for you too keep.
Why would companies pay you to test their products, right?
The reason why is it’s worth if for companies to be pay people like you to make sure products are worthy of their client base before they send them out into the market to be sold. Therefore in order to avoid huge product fails which could ultimately cost companies millions, they hire people just like you to test their products before they hit the store shelves.
What Are You Testing?
As a product tester you can be hired to test a wide variety of items. You could be hired to test anything from food to shoes, from magazines to software, and everything in between. If something can be tested, chances are you can get paid to test it.
Depending on the company you are working with, the test products will vary. Your “pay” may vary as well. Oftentimes you’ll be paid in cash via PayPal and other times you will receive free gift cards. Sometimes you’ll get to keep the product you’re testing and other times you’ll send the product back for analysis but they’ll send you something else to keep.
In sharing about the various companies that do product testing I’ll try to share how they reward you as well.
Check out the info about the companies below and see if being a product tester might be up your alley.
Third Party Product Testing Companies
While some companies, like Nike, do hire product testers directly, many outsource the job. Here are a few companies that will have you test products for manufacturers. Most of these companies offer some type of reward for being a member.
1. One Opinion
One Opinion pays you cash for participating in interesting research studies, according to their website. It’s 100% free to join, and you can join as young as age 13 as long as you have parental consent.
Every time you give your opinion about a product, you get rewards points. You can use your points to get money deposited into your PayPal account. Or you can get gift cards to places like Amazon or Visa.
2. National Consumer Panel
You know the Nielsen company? The TV ratings people? They have a company called National Consumer Panel (NCP for short). While you’re not officially product testing for these guys, you do get money for sharing your thoughts about products.
Here’s how it works. Nielsen sends you a handheld scanner or an app invitation. As a panel member, you scan the barcodes of the stuff you purchase for your household. Each week you’ll send the data you collect to NCP.
Surveys are also available. When you take surveys you can share your opinions on products you use.
You’ll earn points for participating, and you can use the points to get cash or gift cards. Also, they have regular sweepstakes giveaways that you’ll qualify for as a member.
Check out National Consumer Panel for Mobile here.
Check out National Consumer Panel for Desktop here.
3. Swagbucks
You’ve probably heard of Swagbucks. They’ve paid out over $250 million to date to willing participants. When you join Swagbucks, you can qualify to be a product tester or do any number of things to earn points.
Points can be earned by taking surveys, playing games, watching videos, searching the Net and more. After you’ve earned a certain number of points, you can trade them in for PayPal cash.
Or, you can use them to get gift cards for any number of retailers. Swagbucks is one of the more well-known product testing and survey companies in business today.
4. Ipsos I-say
Ipsos I-say has been in the product testing business for years. When you work with them, you earn points for doing things such as taking surveys and participating in opinion polls. They also have product testing opportunities.
The points you earn with Ipsos I-say can be used to get gift cards or be converted to PayPal cash. It’s free to join and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.
5. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie helps you test products by sharing your opinions via surveys. They do have direct product testing opportunities available on occasion as well.
You can share your opinions from any type of mobile or non-mobile device. The points you earn can be cashed in to get cash from PayPal. Survey Junkie will let you pick out gift cards with your points as well.
6. Focus Pointe Global
Focus Pointe Global is an opinion research company. As a panel member, you’ll give opinions about products. Those opinions will help companies make decisions about releasing new products.
This company’s panel groups aren’t available in all areas. However, if you live in one of several major metropolitan areas you can sign up. Some of the areas their panel groups consist of include Phoenix, Minneapolis and San Francisco.
7. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research helps you “influence tomorrow’s products today”, according to their website. When you sign up to be a product tester with them, you help determine which products hit store shelves.
You’ll earn points for your product opinions, and those points can be used to get prizes or cash. If you want prizes you simply access their rewards site. However, if you want cash you can just choose the “cash out” option on the website.
8. Panel PayDay
Panel PayDay is kind of a catch-all company that helps you connect with survey and product testing companies. When you sign up with them, you might get sent a survey to complete.
At other times you’ll be asked to participate in a focus group that shares opinions about products. Some focus group testing and opinions can pay as high as $150.
It’s free to become a member of Panel PayDay, and you can start earning today.
9. Vindale Research
Another company that will pay you to do product testing is Vindale Research. Vindale has paid its members nearly $7 million to-date. Along with opportunities for product testing, Vindale will also pay you to take surveys.
This company doesn’t reward you with points; they simply pay you cash for participating. They’ll send you a check in the mail or send your money to PayPal.
10. Survey Savvy
After you sign up with Survey Savvy, they use your profile information to match you with companies. When you fit the demographics of a company’s target client, you get to share your opinion with them.
Companies are looking for people to help them develop products for future release. So, for instance if you’re a young mom you might share your thoughts about diapers. Or they might send you diapers to try out.
After you’ve accumulated enough points, you can request payout and Survey Savvy will send you a check.
11. Harris Poll Online
Harris Poll Online will reward you for sharing your opinions about products, goods, politics and more. When you sign up to be a member, you’ll start getting surveys that ask you what you think on specific products and subjects.
Each completed survey will earn you HiPoints. HiPoints can be redeemed to get gift cards to a number of retailers.
12. Bzz Agent
A Bzz Agent is a member of the Bzz Agent site. Members are asked to review products and services, and then share their experiences and opinions online.
For instance, you might try out a new detergent and then share your thoughts about it on Facebook. After you complete the trial test period and give your opinion, you’ll get paid.
The site says that the better you participate, the more product tests you’ll be invited to take part in. In other words, if you’re truly committed to trying the product and sharing your thoughts, you’ll make more cash.
13. iPoll
Another company that pays for product testing is iPoll. iPoll has an app you can download so that you get fast notifications for product testing opportunities.
You get to share your thoughts and opinions about products and services you use on a regular basis. As you earn rewards points, you can use those points to get free stuff from their rewards catalog.
Or you can choose to redeem your points for a gift card to your favorite retailers, or for PayPal cash. Use the smartphone app to get immediate notifications of points-earning opinions.
14. Product Testing USA
Product Testing USA primarily pays members for completing three different types of activities:
- Testing products
- Mystery shopping
- Secret dining
They might have you testing products such as new types of electronic gadgets. Or they might send you to a store to do a mystery shop. Sometimes they’ll ask you to eat out at a restaurant and give your opinion of the food and service.
Outside companies hire Product Testing USA for these kinds of services in order to get real-life opinions of their products and services.
As a product tester you get to keep the products you try out. Just give your honest opinion about how they work. It’s free to sign up and members never have to pay anything to test products, mystery shop, etc.
15. Global Test Market
The Global Test Market website states it paid out over 30 million dollars to members in 2016. This company will pay you to test new products before they hit the market.
They pay for giving your opinions via survey as well when you share about products you already use. Just sign up to register and they’ll ask you some questions about you and your household.
The answers you give help determine what kind of products and surveys you will be asked to test or take. The money you earn can be paid out via gift cards to a variety of stores or via PayPal. You can also donate your earnings to your favorite charity.
16. Earning Station
Earning Station is a company that will reward you for sharing your opinion via surveys. They do have product testing occasionally. As a side note, you can also earn with them by shopping online, playing games, watching videos and more.
The points you earn can be used to get free gift cards or converted into PayPal cash. This company will pay you for referring others to sign up too.
17. Buzz Back
When you join Buzz Back, you get to help companies design and test products for market. Along with product testing, you can earn points by completing surveys for some companies.
The points you earn can be used to get gift cards to your favorite retail stores or you can be paid in cash. According to their website, this company has been helping manufacturers test products for over 17 years.
18. Survey Club
Similar to how Panel PayDay works, Survey Club helps companies find people to test products. When you sign up with Survey Club (it’s free), you’ll answer some questions to describe you and your household.
Survey Club works with companies to find out what products they need tested. Then they peruse their database to find members that fit the demographic the company is looking for.
As an example, if they have a company wanting to test out diapers, they’ll search their database for parents of babies and toddlers. When you as a member qualify for a company’s demographic, you’ll be notified and invited to apply.
After you complete a study they’ll deposit money into your Survey Club account You have the option to use that money to get a PayPal deposit, an Amazon gift card or a check in the mail.
19. MindsPay
MindsPay will pay you to share your opinion on products and services. After you review products and participate in paid offers, they’ll send you cash via Paypal.
You’ll be offered a variety of opportunities to make money with. When you get an opportunity to review a product you just have to share your thoughts regarding the product. Products will be sent to you in the mail and you’ll get coupons on occasion as well.
You can earn from 50 cents up to $50 for each offer you complete. Pay rates vary based on the type of opportunity and how much of your time it takes.
20. Opinion Outpost
Opinion Outpost focuses primarily on getting your opinions regarding products by sending you surveys. However, they also send you actual products by mail at times.
Both requests will get you paid money in the form of a gift card to your favorite store or via a PayPal deposit. Bonus: Opinion Outpost offers a quarterly $10,000 cash drawing for members.
Every time you complete a survey or share your opinion about a product you test out, you gain an entry into the drawing.
21. User Testing
This company will pay you primarily for testing apps and websites. User Testing will pay you $10 for each test you complete. All you have to do is complete a set of tasks to test out the website or app.
Each test takes about 20 minutes, according to the website. One of the nice things about this type of “job” is that you can do it in your spare time. If you’ve got 20 minutes available, you can earn some cash.
P.S. There are some device requirements to work with this company, such as having a microphone on your device.
22. In-Home Product Testing
In-Home Product Testing is looking for members to test products sent directly to their homes. As a product tester, you’ll be sent products that are found in various types of stores such as:
- Drug stores
- Warehouse club stores
- Grocery stores
- Retail stores
- Home improvement stores
- Electronic stores
And other types of stores as well. Every time you give feedback about a product you test, you earn rewards points. Those points can be used to get free gift cards to one of several retailers listed on the site.
23. American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion will pay you to participate in surveys and research products. It’s totally free to become a member. You might be asked to test out a new product or to give your opinion on a company’s ad.
Taking surveys is another way you can get paid with American Consumer Opinion. Each project you complete will get you between 100 and 5000 points. You can use your points to get a deposit into your PayPal account.
24. Toluna
As a member of Toluna you’ll mostly help by giving your opinions and uses of various products by participating in surveys. However, they do offer product test opportunities on their site occasionally.
As you complete surveys or test products, you’re rewarded with points. Those points can be redeemed for gift cards, cash or sweepstakes entries. You can use points to purchase gadgets or vacation getaways as well. How does a free vacation sound?
25. Influenster
Influenster is a product discovery community that shares opinions about hundreds of different products. Every month, Influenster ships out thousands of VoxBoxes.
The VoxBoxes contain products for you to try out and then share your opinions about. VoxBoxes contain full size samples as well as trial size. You’ll be asked to write reviews and share what you did and didn’t like about products.
The site is also a great place to check out other products before you use them. It’s a whole community of people sharing information about products in order to help each other.
26. Homeschool.com
If you’re a homeschooler, you might want to join the Homeschool.com product test panel. Homeschool.com shares information about a variety of homeschool curricula products.
As a homeschooling mom, I can tell you that this site is often referred to by homeschool parents needing curricula advice. If you’re interested in testing out various homeschool curriculums and sharing your thoughts on the Homeschool.com website, this could be a great panel for you to join.
27. Moms Meet
This focus group is geared toward moms who like using health-conscious products. If you qualify to be a Moms Meet member, they’ll send you eco-friendly, natural and organic products.
You can try out the products with your family and then share your opinion on social media outlets. For each task you complete or product you try, you’ll earn points. Those points can be redeemed for free gift cards, free products and more.
Note: bloggers are encouraged to participate too, even if they’re not moms. As a blogger ambassador you’ll be asked to share your thoughts about products on your blog.
28. The Pink Panel
The Pink Panel seeks out women to test out beauty and skin care products. After you test out a product and give your opinion, you’ll receive between $25 and $100 worth of gift cards and/or beauty products.
Some product testing surveys will want longer use times than others. You may be asked to test a product for up to six weeks in some cases. This could be a cool way to try out new beauty and skin care products for personal use.
29. Vocal Point
Vocal Point uses community to help members test out new products. According to their website, you may be asked to organize a playdate and test out new toys from Fisher Price.
Or, you could be asked to throw a small gathering where you’ll all try out a new wine. When you’re done with each test you get to keep the product and share your opinions with the company.
30. Product Report Card
This company offers focus groups and product testing, as well as surveys for members. They surveys are probably the easiest way to participate as they arrive right in your email inbox.
The Product Report Card website says they conduct surveys and product testing in three main areas:
- Kitchen
- Bed and Bath
- Fitness and Sports
When you go on their website as a visitor and click on the menu, you can choose which subject to view. For instance, if you choose “kitchen” you can find reviews of kitchen products.
As a panel member, you can help influence those reviews by answering survey questions. Completed surveys will earn you rewards with which you can get gift cards, cash and prizes. Sign up is totally free.
Companies That Will Have You Test Their Own Products
There are some specific companies that will have you test products for them. Product testing by specific companies helps the companies perfect a product before it hits the market.
If you’d like to be involved in helping companies try out products before they get sold in stores, check out these companies.
31. Minute Rice
Minute Rice’s Riceipe Club has various benefits, one of which offers members the option to be a product tester. In-home product testers use and sample Minute Rice products and give their opinions to developers.
Being a member of this panel could offer you a fun way to try out new foods for your family and yourself. Bonus: members also get coupons, recipes and other benefits as well.
32. Nike
Athletic shoe giant Nike needs product testers for their shoes and other athletic apparel. According to their website, they “seek a broad variety of athletes who are dedicated to their sport”. They also want product testers who will give constructive, candid feedback about their products.
If you’re an athlete and would like to apply to test Nike athletic shoes and apparel, simply click on the link above. They’ll have a link to apply and you can go from there!
33. Mills Advisory Panel
Cereal and food giant General Mills is behind the Mills Advisory Panel. If you want to be involved with testing out new cereals and other foods, this could be a good panel to join.
The site doesn’t specify if there’s pay involved or what that pay might be, but it is free to join. Great panel for those wanting to influence new foods coming on the market.
34. Reebok
Reebok athletic company also hires product testers to try out new products. When you sign up to be a product tester, the product testing company will choose products to send to you.
Generally, you’ll be asked to use the products for a specified time period, like 3 to 6 weeks. Then you’ll share your thoughts about performance, fit, comfort and so on. As a thank you for participating, you’ll get a free Reebok product in the mail.
Note that there are parameters that need to be met to qualify, such as exercising a certain amount each week. The link above will tell you all you need to know about product testing for Reebok.
35. New Balance
New Balance athletic company also hires product testers. If you’re a runner or similar athlete this could be a great way to get free shoes. As with the other athletic wear companies, you’ll be sent a product to test out.
After you’ve tested the product for a certain time period you’ll share your opinions. Sometimes you’ll have to send the shoes back for lab analysis. In return for your time and opinions you’ll get a free New Balance product to keep.
36. McCormick
You may not recognize the name McCormick right off the bat, but you’ve probably got their products in your pantry. McCormick makes foods such as spices and spice combinations, gravies and sauces.
If you want to be a part of their consumer test panel, you can try out the products before they’re on the market. One of the qualifications to product test for them is that you need to be near a location. The link above can show you where product testing centers are.
Also, you can only test for McCormick once every quarter – they want varying taste buds for their product testing.
37. Brooks
Brooks is another company that specializes in athletic shoes and clothing. They primarily serve runners, and love to have runners sign up as product testers.
Just like with other athletic companies, you’ll be sent a pair of Brooks running shoes or other apparel. After wearing the item for a few weeks, you’ll be asked certain questions about the item.
When you share your opinion you don’t get paid anything or get a free product. However, you do get to wear free clothes or shoes for several weeks. If you’re a serious runner, this could be a great way to cut down on shoe costs.
38. L’Oréal
If you wear makeup you might want to become a product tester for L’Oréal. They also have panel members test skin care and other products.
The company isn’t real clear about the benefits of being a product tester for them. But at the very least you’ll get to try free makeup and skin care products. Who knows; you might find a new product you love. And you’ll get to influence products that are going to be released on the market in the future.
39. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson, well-known maker of baby and other products, has a product testing team too. When you sign up for the Friends & Neighbors test team, you’ll be on an exclusive list to try new products.
The company might send you a new product to try out at home, or have you participate in an online forum. Online forums are sometimes used to develop new products such as baby washes.
Click on the link above to learn more about the Friends & Neighbors test team or to sign up.
40. MicroSoft
Microsoft also wants product testers to test upcoming games and other software. What’s cool about their program is they want testers of all ages and abilities.
When you sign up through the link above, they will keep your information on file. Then they’ll match you to upcoming studies where your profile fits the parameters they need.
41. Roku Beta Testing
Have you ever heard of the Roku streaming company? They hire product testers to do beta testing for them.
A beta tester helps develop products as companies ready them for the market. As a beta tester you report glitches, crashes and other issues with new software products.
If you like the idea of being a beta tester with Roku, just sign up via the link above. The site doesn’t share whether or not beta testers get paid. But at the very least you’ll get a hand in developing new software products.
Magazines That Hire for Product Testing
There are also magazine companies that want your opinions on products. By getting readers’ opinions on various products, the magazine companies benefit in one big way.
How? They get first hand reports from real consumers about various products and services. This allows them to share information about new products and have honest opinions about the quality of those products.
Here’s the scoop on some of the magazines that look for product testers.
42. Good Housekeeping
As a member of the Good Housekeeping Advisory Panel, you’ll get to test new products and share your opinions. The info you share with the panel will help them have honest recommendations for readers.
Panel members get to be among the first to try new products. They also qualify for entry into sweepstakes and prize giveaways from Good Housekeeping. Sign up by clicking on the link above.
43. Glamour Magazine (Glam Spotters)
Glamour Magazine has a consumer test panel called Glam Spotters. After you get accepted as a member, you get to try new products before they hit the shelves. You’ll also get to share your opinion with readers.
Glam Spotters members get inside access to special events and offers as well. As a bonus, you’ll get entered into drawings to win prizes too. This could be a fun panel to join if you love makeup and fashion.
44. Redbook Magazine
Redbook magazine has a consumer panel called Club Red. As a Club Red panel member, you get to test new products and share your opinion. Bonus: you also get invited to attend special events and enter to win prizes too.
Become a part of Redbook’s team by signing up through the link above.
45. Vogue Insiders
Vogue Magazine has a test panel called Vogue Insiders. Members of Vogue insiders test products and share opinions about beauty and fashion items. This could include makeup, skin care and more.
If you like fashion and fashion accessories, this could be the product test panel for you.
46. All You Magazine (Reality Checker)
All You Magazine magazine has a focus panel called the Reality Checkers. Reality Checkers test new products, participate in surveys and share opinions with magazine editors.
This is your chance to hang out with a community of women who work together to influence the industry. No info on this site about any compensation for being a part of this product testing community.
47. Parenting Magazine
The ever-popular Parenting Magazine also seeks product testers for their magazine. Some of the products you might test if you get on their team include:
- Toys and games
- Books, videos and video games
- Baby and toddler gear such as strollers and cribs
- Baby and toddler products such as diapers and baby food
- Health items for babies and toddlers, such as baby wash
- Beauty and health products for moms
If you want input on the quality and effectiveness of these types of items, this might be the panel for you. This could also be a great way to get free stuff for your kids and for you.
48. InStyle Magazine Trendsetters
InStyle Magazine has a product testing panel called InStyle Trendsetters. Panel members test products and share opinions about beauty, fashion and home decor.
Every time you give your opinion, you get entered into the magazine panel’s quarterly sweepstakes. Sweepstakes entries qualify you to potentially win awesome prizes.
With so many companies to choose from, there’s a good chance you’ll find product testing jobs that are perfect for you. Whether the rewards you receive are monetary compensation or not, there are lots of benefits to this work.
Gaining free products, getting a say in new products and being involved with community are additional benefits.
Now it’s your turn. Have you ever been on a product testing panel or team? Would you consider doing so? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.