12 Best Product Tester Jobs & 5 Platforms To Find Them
Some platforms promise products to test but never deliver. That's why we've compiled a list of legit product tester jobs you can sign up for today.
- Product testing offers free items or small payments for home-based reviews.
- Top platforms include Influenster, BzzAgent, UserTesting, Ipsos iSay, and Smiley360.
- Earnings are usually non-monetary, with free products as compensation.
- Some platforms require active participation and offer varied products to test.
Are you looking for a fun gig that you can do from home?
Maybe you want to do something that’d allow you to get your hands on the latest products to check them out.
We hear you. Testing products is entertaining, and if you get to keep the product as a thank-you, it’s even better.
And that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best platforms for product tester jobs that allow you to sign up and start receiving products or, sometimes, even get paid!
Best Product Tester Jobs Overview
Here are the best types of product tester jobs that you can select based on your hobbies and preferences:
- Makeup tester
- Medical product tester
- Clothing tester
- Technology tester
- Food taste tester
- Drinks taste tester
- Video game tester
- Car test driver
- Instrument tester
- Camera tester
- Software tester
- Furniture tester
There’s a plethora of other product testing jobs and even product review jobs that we didn’t mention here. These are just the most popular and best-paid ones.
And usually, the more expensive the product you’re testing, the better the compensation.
Why You Should Consider a Product Tester Job
Depending on what you’re testing, you may get to keep the free products. In fact, on some platforms, that’s your “payment.”
It could be something cheap, such as free beauty products like lipstick and mascara. But sometimes, it’s something expensive, such as a guitar, smart device, or luxury handbag.
Another benefit is that you get to work from home and have the items shipped to you with most product tester jobs.
It’s almost like ordering something online and then writing a review and suggestions, but you get paid to do it. And if you’re not getting paid, at least you get to keep the items.
And if you manage to find a product tester job within a niche you’re interested in, then you’ll have plenty of fun testing the product.
What’s a better job than playing an instrument or driving a luxury car for hours on end?
Lastly, you’re doing measurable and valuable work for the company. You’re providing an unbiased opinion from a consumer standpoint to help them improve the product.
According to a study, product tests can help a company fix issues with their product, confirm its usefulness, and can also be an effective way to market the product to consumers.
Top 5 Platforms to Find Product Tester Jobs
If you like the sound of testing products for money, here are some product testing sites and product testing companies to check out:
1. Influenster
Although Influenster doesn’t pay their product reviewers, it’s quite accessible, and you get to keep all products for free.
The products are shipped to you directly in a “VoxBox.” You’ll get all kinds of random goodies, from pet products to electric shavers.
Don’t expect them to ship you anything too expensive, but you might get lucky and get something you didn’t know you needed.
Once the product arrives and you had a chance to try it out, write honest feedback on the website, and that’s it.
Pros
- Get to keep the free samples
- Easy to get into
Cons
- You won’t be compensated with cash
2. BzzAgent
Like Influenster, BzzAgent sends out free samples that you must review after using for a while. You won’t get paid, but you’re likely to receive a product that you actually want to use.
But what’s different with BzzAgent is that you get invited to a campaign only if they find you’re a good fit. And to be eligible for a campaign, sign up and add your preferences to your profile.
If you like the product, you’re encouraged to share your thoughts with your friends. This will increase your BzzScore and can lead to more product testing.
The most common items you’ll receive are beauty products, food products, and smaller miscellaneous items like sticky notes.
Pros
- Get to keep the free samples
- Easy to get into
Cons
- You won’t be compensated with cash
3. UserTesting
Are you looking for a platform that’s more akin to a job and getting paid PayPal cash instead of free stuff? Then UserTesting is for you.
One of the most popular and reputable product testing jobs sites, UserTesting has all kinds of products that you can test.
Their focus is on software, and there’s always plenty of work available for an experienced product tester.
Users may also receive physical products to review, such as cars and tools.
The focus is on connecting users with clients, and you’ll be responsible for shooting videos or having interviews, along with anything else the client might ask you to do.
Pros
- You get paid in cash on your PayPal account
- Most gigs aren’t too challenging
Cons
- No free products to keep
- Reviewing software isn’t for everyone
- Working directly with clients can be tedious
4. Ipsos iSay
Arguably the most popular product testing website, iSay is a platform that focuses on market research surveys.
However, they also have a product testing service that you may get invited to if you’re a good fit. You’d then fill out a survey after receiving the product.
You’ll earn points and make some cash by completing the online surveys, and you can cash them out as a prepaid Mastercard, PayPal payment, or gift card.
However, earning points can be tough, and you won’t receive products to test regularly.
Plus, it requires more dedication to qualify than with other platforms. And the products are most often mediocre beauty products and snacks.
Pros
- Completing surveys for cash rewards
- Plenty of payout options
Cons
- You don’t get products to test frequently
- Earning points is tedious
5. Smiley360
Smiley360 is another great and legit product testing website. They send out free products from both popular brands and some you’ve never seen on shelves, and your job is to give honest feedback.
The free goodies come packaged in a small cardboard box with the logo on the front. Inside you’ll find a product that you’ll be reviewing. They send out all kinds of stuff, such as supplements, snacks, toys, etc.
To increase your chances of getting free products, participate in their online surveys regularly.
Also, keep your profile updated and join their community discussions. The more you take part in these activities, the higher your chances of being selected.
If you qualify for a product test, you’ll be notified by email, and they’ll ship the product to you within a few weeks.
Pros
- Easy to join
- Fun products to test
Cons
- No opportunity to make money
- Requires a lot of participation
Similar Jobs
Regardless of whether you’re looking for a shorter gig to make some money through a rewards system of ways to check out new products, there’s something for everyone:
- Mystery shopper jobs: Mystery shopping is a more serious version of product testing, as you’d assess the quality of products or services while pretending to be a real customer.
- Work-from-home customer service jobs: If you like the aspect of clear communication between customers and clients and want to do something remotely, look for a customer service job.
- Online jobs for teens: If you’re a teen looking for some fun gig and product testing alone isn’t enough, here are a few jobs that won’t have you leaving your room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Keep the Items I Test?
In most instances, you can keep the free products you test. However, if it’s a piece of software, a car, or luxury clothing, then you most likely won’t get to keep the item you test.
Is Product Testing a Legitimate Job?
Although most product tester jobs are smaller gigs that don’t pay any money, you can become a professional product tester specializing in a specific niche.
For instance, test driving is a form of product testing that pays a decent salary.
Do Product Testers Make Good Money?
Most product testers don’t earn much or any money at all. Instead, they get to keep the free products that they were sent to test.
However, if you sign up to do it as a full-time job, you can make a decent salary.
Are Product Testers in Demand?
Product testers are always in demand, as new products are pushed out all the time.
It’s beneficial to manufacturers to collect unbiased data from average users before they release the final product, which is where product testers come in.
Wrapping Up
Product testing is among the more exciting gigs that you can do from home.
Although you won’t get rich, you’ll have plenty of fun doing it and may even get some valuable products to keep, such as electric clippers or shoes.
Signing up to become a product tester is only a few clicks away, so there’s no reason not to try it out.
And if you want to turn it into a prospective career, consider applying to companies as a full-time product tester.
Have you used any of the platforms we’ve mentioned in this article? If yes, did you get any product that you still use today?
Let us know in the comments, and share this with all of your friends who may be interested in testing out new stuff.
Brett Helling is the founder and owner of Gigworker.com. Having worked in the gig economy for nearly a decade, he has mastered freelance, remote, and app-based work. You can learn more about his journey in his book, "Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy", now available on Amazon.