Having users test and review product is an important step for many companies as they market and promote products. Product testing can be an occasional, part-time, or full-time position with many related duties for others. Some product testers may be “paid” with free products, while others are compensated with money.
Product testing is an excellent opportunity for people to get product samples for free or make money on the side. Pursuing it as a career can be different, so keep reading to learn the main differences, websites you can join today, and more.
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What Do Product Testers Do?
Product tester jobs are a legitimate opportunity that entails testing new products before they’re released. The point of testing like this is for companies to ensure that a new product meets the standards, so a product tester is required to share feedback either directly with the manufacturer or by writing a product review.
Companies typically ship consumers a free sample to their home address, but depending on the product, you may need to do the testing on-site. For instance, you can get a skincare product to try out at home, but if you’re interested in testing luxury cars, you need to go to a company-specified location. (You may be able to keep the cream, but not the car!)
What Are The Qualifications To Become A Product Tester?
Product tester requirements depend on the product. Some tech companies hire testers with technical degrees and experience only. The same is generally the case with luxury car testers, electronics testers, or software testers, as they need to know what to measure and pay attention to.
On the other hand, consumer product testers don’t need prior knowledge or experience, so there aren’t specific qualifications. For consumer products, the company is typically looking for a certain demographic. If you have kids, you might be in demand to test play yards, or if you are older, companies might seek your opinion for anti-aging skin products.
How Do You Get Hired As A Product Tester?
If you’re looking for product testing opportunities, find a legit market research company, influencer panel, or community of consumers first. Register and fill in your account with as much demographic information as possible and complete a preference questionnaire if you’re prompted.
Remember to join the mailing list. You may need to complete surveys you get via email to see if you’re eligible for specific products. If you’re accepted, that means you’ll be selected to test products.
Alternatively, look for well-known brands and see if they have a testing program on their official website.
Some of the best free product testing sites to join include:
BzzAgent
You’ll receive various free stuff to try and write an honest review of. You may get beauty products, food items, etcetera. This is not a paid opportunity, but you get to keep all samples you receive as a reward for your honest feedback.
Johnson & Johnson Friends & Neighbors
Also called JJ Friends & Neighbors, one of the company’s perks is that you can enroll yourself or your child. Personal care products including baby lotions are often available for testing. Moreover, you can participate in paid focus groups and online surveys.
Toluna
This market research website rewards testers with cashable points. It collaborates with brands like L’Oreal, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Kellogg’s, so you can expect to get anything from beauty items to food samples and more.
Once you accumulate enough points, you can cash them out to your PayPal account or exchange them for Amazon gift cards.
McCormick
The McCormick Consumer Testing Program allows taste testers to participate four times per year. This is a paid opportunity that can be taken advantage of from your home or on-site. Samples include foods, drinks, and snacks.
PINCHme
The company offers personal care, home and family, food and drink, and pet product samples. All you need to do is try them and complete short product surveys. Become a member to unlock the ability to choose samples, and they will be shipped to your doorstep for free.
Although PINCHme doesn’t pay, it has a wide variety of items available for sampling.
Influenster
Like PINCHme, Influenster pays in merchandise. Beauty products, pet food, and baby care are some categories you can pick from. Once you register and download the app, select your favorites, and they’ll be packed in a VoxBox and sent to you. Full-size products are often available. Simply provide product reviews after you’ve received and tested the samples.
Pinecone Research
This product testing company rewards in redeemable points, so you can choose if you want to get cash or prizes for studies you’ve completed. Sign up and take a study when you get an email notification. Some participants may be asked to test a product and then complete an additional survey.
Although the company is legitimate, it has mixed online reviews. Two main cons are registration seems to be invitation-only, and one member per household is allowed.
Focus Forward Focus Group
Besides focus groups, the company does online and phone interviews, surveys, product tests, and more. Panelists are paid in cash, checks, gift cards, and multiple other ways.
UserTesting
Once you pass a practice test, you’ll be given access to various paid online tests and notified of new opportunities via email. The company pays via PayPal.
Do Product Testers Get Paid?
While some companies pay you to test products, others reward you with free products. Our list of product testing websites is not conclusive, as there are many more companies you can find online. Keep in mind you shouldn’t pay to participate, so companies asking for a tester fee are likely a scam.
The amount of the payment varies by company. Pinecone, for example, pays $3 per survey, while McCormick might pay $30. Those hired by companies as full-time testers might earn in the $40,000-50,000 range, according to ZipRecruiter. High-paying jobs with companies may require credentials such as engineering degrees or experience working in the field where the product is used.
Common payment methods include:
- PayPal
- Amazon gift cards
- Virtual Visa cards
- Vouchers
Product testing may be taxable in the US even if you only get products, depending on the total value of products received. This also may vary by state. If you’re uncertain, schedule a consultation at your local IRS office. Even if the product is offered for sale at substantial discounts, you may be taxed based on the much-higher manufacturer’s suggested retail value.
What Is The Difference Between Product Testing And Product Reviewing?
Product testing happens prelaunch, while product reviewing is done afterward. The testing phase may involve writing a review on the company’s social media to attract initial traction around the upcoming product. However, its purpose is usually to help companies make the best product by listening to the voice of the customer and tweaking some features.
Product reviewing has a different goal — increasing sales and building customer relationships.
Can You Earn A Living As A Product Tester?
Product testing is a great flexible job when you need extra money, but it might be difficult to find enough paying companies to make a living if you’re testing random consumer products. If you’re interested in making it a full-time job, you’ll need to find a company specifically hiring people to test products and paying an hourly rate.
These jobs typically have a list of requirements and many related duties and are done on-site (although some can be hybrid or remote). An example of this is a laboratory technician role.
What Is A Typical Day Like As A Product Tester?
Your day-to-day duties as a product tester depend on the job. Your role may be full or part-time and include different responsibilities. For instance, as a junior tester, you may be required to:
- Collect, label, inspect, and prepare samples for testing
- Perform tests and other assigned tasks
- Create status reports
- Document results
- Follow safety rules as per the company’s guidelines
