You don’t always need special skills or a lot of extra time to make money on the side. An easy way to earn extra cash is to get paid to test products.
In most cases, you can make money at home in just a few minutes by trying products and sharing your feedback.
Here’s how to get paid to test products online and locally.
What Are the Best Apps To Get Paid To Test Products?
There are many apps that pay you to test products and services in addition to completing other easy activities. Some platforms are short task sites with other small online jobs, while others mail products to you.
1. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research is one of the best ways to get paid to test products since they have high payouts. Unfortunately, the platform is invite-only. You can join the community by clicking the above link.
Positions to test products aren’t always open, but you can answer paid online surveys that take no more than 20 minutes to complete and pay $3 each. Product testing jobs through the platform can pay as high as $75.
Unlike most survey sites, you cannot take multiple surveys daily. Instead, you must wait for invitations.
You may receive free products to test, like unreleased grocery items or beauty products. The opportunities depend on your interests and hobbies.
There is no redemption minimum for bank transfers or gift card payouts.
The platform also offers a $500 bi-weekly and $4,500 quarterly cash sweepstakes to increase earning opportunities.
Read our Pinecone Research review to learn more about the platform and how to maximize earnings.
Trustpilot score: 3.2 out of 5 (due to infrequent survey invitations)
2. Swagbucks
Consider Swagbucks when you want to make money online from multiple side hustle ideas from home. It is one of the more robust platforms on our list of ways to make money testing products at home.
When it comes to product testing opportunities, you can try mobile apps or sign up for subscription services and earn as much as $60 on the best offers.
Most offers pay between $1 and $10, with the higher-paying opportunities requiring a purchase. You won’t have to share your opinion on products to make money.
For higher-paying offers, you must decide if the rewards are worth more than the minimum purchase cost.
Other ways you can make money on the platform include:
- Answering surveys
- Watching sponsored videos
- Playing games online
- Using their search engine
Each activity earns rewards points, and redemptions for free Amazon gift cards start at a $1 balance. Other gift cards and PayPal money rewards require a $5 balance.
New members can earn a signup bonus worth up to $10.
Read our Swagbucks review to find out how the platform works and learn strategies to increase your earnings.
Trustpilot score: 4.3 out of 5
3. Survey Junkie
Panelists can receive invites from Survey Junkie to test new products and earn $5 to $50. They can also complete surveys several times daily, which can lead to invites to participate in advanced studies.
Additionally, the platform may invite you to participate in live interviews and phone surveys if your responses help you qualify for follow-up studies.
An effortless way to earn money online is by installing the SJ Pulse app or browser extension. This lets the site monitor which ads you see and online shopping sites you visit.
The minimum redemption is $5 for PayPal, bank transfers, and gift cards.
Read our Survey Junkie review to learn more.
Trustpilot score: 4.3 out of 5
4. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a reputable get-paid-to site specializing in short online tasks. You can sign up for free and paid product offers for apps and physical products.
After completing the offer requirements, you will receive a cash reward. Many offers award from $0.25 to $20, although some pay more if you’re willing to put in extra effort and funds.
Additional ways to earn extra cash include:
- Taking online surveys
- Playing games
- Reading sponsored emails
- Searching the internet
- Shopping online
- Buying grocery items
New members earn a $5 signup bonus after confirming a valid email address. Your first redemption only requires a $15 minimum balance, but this bumps up to $30 going forward.
Payout options include PayPal Cash and gift cards – including free Roblox gift cards on occasion. You may also opt for prepaid Mastercards or American Express gift cards.
Read our InboxDollars review to learn more.
Trustpilot score: 4.4 out of 5
5. LifePoints
LifePoints-US-desktop is primarily an online survey site. You can attempt multiple surveys per day and potentially receive invitations for paid product testing.
Additionally, the platform lets you make money watching ads and by analyzing what ads you see when browsing the internet.
Amazon and PayPal rewards require a $5 balance. Gift card redemptions are also available to stores and restaurants, but the selection is smaller than other rewards sites.
You can receive ten bonus points worth $0.10 by joining this survey community.
Trustpilot score: 4.0 out of 5
6. Toluna
Toluna is known for working with major companies to learn how consumers like products and services. The platform boasts one of the largest user groups in the space, with over ten million active members.
You can start testing products in two ways:
- Direct invitation to test products
- Applying for testing opportunities
If you qualify, they send free products to test. This can range from food to beauty samples and more. Payments vary by test and estimated completion times.
The most common way to earn rewards points is by completing surveys. These surveys review your shopping habits and opinions on popular consumer brands.
Your payment options include gift cards, free PayPal money, or merchandise. The redemption minimum starts at $5, but it can be higher for some awards.
Trustpilot score: 3.9 out of 5
7. FusionCash
FusionCash offers product testing jobs from home. After you finish testing, you answer a follow-up survey sharing your feedback.
These gigs typically involve testing apps or websites, though they do include physical products as well.
You can also make money with these activities:
- Answering paid surveys
- Completing online tasks
- Using their shopping portal
- Reading sponsored emails
- Watching videos
- Playing games
Like other apps that pay you to test products at home, you may need to sign up for a product or service to test it.
It’s best to set a reminder for yourself to cancel the item, subscription, or service. This way, you don’t start paying for it at the end of the trial period.
The service gives you $5 to open an account, and you can redeem earnings via check, direct deposit, or PayPal once you earn $25.
Trustpilot score: 2.7 out of 5 (due to high minimum payout)
8. UserTesting.com
UserTesting.com is one of the most interactive product testing sites since you get to evaluate the user experience on websites.
You will complete a series of tasks and give feedback using a microphone as you navigate the platform from your computer or phone.
There are several basic requirements to start contributing your thoughts:
- Valid email address
- Reliable internet connection
- Webcam
- Microphone
Windows and Mac users won’t need to download software, although Android and iOS mobile devices will need the UserTesting mobile app to take the initial practice test.
The payout varies by side gig, and you can view the available opportunities in your member dashboard. Most recorded tests pay $4 or $10, and live testing pays $30 to $60.
You can cash out through PayPal, and the site doesn’t mention a minimum redemption.
Trustpilot score: 3.7 out of 5
9. McCormick & Company
McCormick & Company is well-known for its line of spices and seasonings. When you apply to test their food products, they notify you via email of upcoming chances to earn money.
In-person paid product testing jobs occur at their Hunt Valley facility near Baltimore, MD. Local tests are also available in Geneva, IL, and New Orleans.
An in-facility product tester earns between $30 and $100 per test. Payment is distributed via Zelle or Amazon.com gift cards.
Even if you don’t live near a local testing center, the company offers nationwide testing of its products. You can participate in home-use tests and internet surveys.
It’s possible to earn $10 to $15 per home-based test. Keep in mind that internet surveys don’t make money, but you are entered into drawings for free gift cards to Amazon.
You can join the database and wait for an invitation to get paid to test products.
Trustpilot score: N/A
10. Johnson & Johnson
Many people are familiar with Johnson & Johnson and their many household products. The Friends & Neighbors program is how the company gains insight into what consumers think about their products.
You can test anything from fragrances to cosmetics or other similar self-care products either at home or at a local Johnson & Johnson testing facility.
There are several ways other ways to make money:
- Online surveys: Provide opinions about different product types
- Online discussion groups: Share your opinions on a blog or discussion panel
- Local focus groups: A one-time in-person meeting that lasts up to two hours
- Consumer panels: Recurring local meetups on a monthly or quarterly basis
- Sensory panels: In-person testing of skin care products at Skillman, NJ facility
You can join the panel and apply for current openings online. The company may also send you personal invitations for relevant opportunities.
Johnson & Johnson doesn’t publicly state how much testers earn when they review products. You can expect to receive payment through the company’s JP Morgan Chase payment system.
Trustpilot score: N/A
11. SheSpeaks
SheSpeaks is a female-only online community that offers free samples and the chance to leave reviews on products you already own.
Some of the testing categories include:
- Beauty
- Baby items
- Children’s toys
- Electronics
- Food and drink
- Health
- Movies
The platform also offers giveaways and contests to win money and merchandise.
Trustpilot score: N/A
Product Tester Jobs FAQs
Product testing is a legitimate way to make extra money on the side. Before making money online through testing products, don’t miss these frequently asked questions about this income idea.
Can You Really Get Paid To Be a Product Tester?
Yes. You can join several online platforms like the ones mentioned above. Remember that you don’t need any prior experience to start testing products.
It’s likely you’ll start by completing a profile survey with your household information, shopping habits, and interests. You may also complete other surveys before the platform can match you with product testing gigs.
Then, the company will send you samples they believe you are a good fit to test and review. Other platforms open testing opportunities for physical products and online services to all members.
How Do I Get Paid To Test Products?
Market research companies want to hear honest feedback from customers to improve their products. You may receive free products in the mail or simply try out online services.
Most offers include a list of required activities that test certain features. Once the testing period ends, anticipate completing a follow-up survey to share your experience.
Most research platforms award payment through free gift cards and PayPal Cash. Select platforms also offer bank deposits and prepaid Visa card payouts.
How Much Money Can I Make Testing Products?
Many online tests pay between $1 and $15 per test. Pinecone Research often has gigs that pay $75 per test. In-person testing can pay at least $30 per session, and significantly more in some instances.
Clinical trials can be the highest-paying opportunities, but you must have an eligible medical condition and live near the testing facility to qualify.
Some platforms don’t pay the tester. Instead, they let testers keep the items.
What Kind of Products Can I Test?
It is possible to test a wide variety of items for money. However, most physical items will be beauty, food, and health items.
Online product tests are for websites and apps such as financial tools, mobile games, and streaming services.
Bottom Line
If you need a simple way to earn extra money, consider searching for ways to get paid to try products at home. Companies are happy to pay you to try their products or services if you offer quality feedback.
This is also a great way to learn about products you may love. Some sites only offer limited product testing, but they are a nice change-up from the usual short online tasks that pay a few dollars for your time.
To maximize your earnings, you can use several of the sites listed here and see which one works best for you.
What’s your favorite way to make money in your free time?
Related