Ultimate Guide on How to Become a Product Tester in the UK for 2024
How to Become a Product Tester in the UK
Are you the kind of person who scours the internet, searching for product reviews before buying anything?
Do you love sharing your new findings with your friends and family? Do you also like sharing what you have learned with others online?
If the answer is ‘yes’, here’s the best tiding: You can be paid for that!
Yes, it’s referred to as product testing or product reviewing and companies will pay you money or at least some freebies to test or review their latest products.
Think of it as ‘secret shopping’ without leaving the house or queuing up at the shop.
Isn’t that amazing? Make it a reality by learning how you can join the ranks of product testers UK.
What Is Product Testing?
Product testing means evaluating a company product’s performance, features, and quality to ascertain its suitability for release to the user community.
As a product reviewer, you’ll be sent the product (household items, beauty products, food, etc.), test it and give an honest opinion about it.
That can include any issues or improvements you think need to be made. In return, you’ll be paid some money or given the item free of charge or at a subsidized cost.
The compensation amount may vary depending on the product and the company.
Why Companies Need Product Testers
Almost all reputable companies, no matter what type of industry they’re in, carry out the product testing process.
This testing may be done in-house or outsourced to companies specializing in product testing and review services.
The UK agencies usually assemble consumers daily into test groups for different companies to evaluate product responses and reactions before it hits the market.
That way, they’ll be able to tell whether consumers like it, what needs to be adjusted, and how to improve it.
UK product testers include:
Electronics testers:
Electronics product testers earn by assessing various electronic items such as cell phones, computers, TVs, and other gizmos to ensure they work correctly.
Household product testers:
Companies are always looking for product testers to test items such as kitchen appliances, cleaning products, and more.
Beauty product testers:
Cosmetic product testers can be paid to sample, test and review items such as makeup, skincare products, and fragrances.
Software testers:
People who test software for defects, errors, and bugs.
Retail testers:
Retail product reviewers are hired by companies to test products and services in stores.
Automobile test drivers:
Test drivers test various aspects of new car models or prototypes before they’re released to the public. They evaluate performance, features, and design.
Video game testers:
Professional video game testers are often employed by game companies to check new product releases for software bugs, performance, and user experience.
Product testing is vital for companies to ensure product quality, safety, and satisfaction.
If a company assumes there is a demand when there’s not, it’s setting itself up to fail. With this feedback from UK product testers, the company will take action; to develop what their users like, or scratch what is being rated unfavourably.
How to Become a Product Tester in the UK
The product testing industry is in huge demand, and getting started is quite easy. Here are the steps you can follow to become a home product tester:
Knowledge of the type of product you want to test
Decide what type of product tester you would like to become. Do you want to work as a product reviewer for electronics, beauty products, household items, or food?
Whatever product type you choose, ensure you understand it well.
Companies may likely approve you as a product tester if your interests and demographics align with their products.
Register with product testing websites
After identifying the product that you want to test, sign up for the relevant product testing websites.
Some sites are free to join, while others require a small registration fee.
So make a spreadsheet and keep track of the websites you have registered with for easy tracking.
Furthermore, ensure you research every company to find out if they’re legitimate and in agreement with their terms and conditions.
Complete screening
Most product testing websites you’ll come across will require you to complete some form of screening.
That may include filling out product tester surveys or product tester interviews.
This is to ensure that you’re the right fit for their program.
For example, a cosmetic company may send a survey asking if you’re familiar with their range of products and the product you’re interested in. The company may prefer an individual who understands its product range.
Read the instructions carefully
After completing product tester surveys and interviews, it’s time to follow the product testing instructions usually sent via email.
Read the guidelines and note what is required before you start. A company may direct you on how to test the product or what to include in the review.
In case of any issues or questions about the instructions, you can contact the company for clarification.
Test and review the product
Once you’re familiar with product testing instructions, you can proceed to test the product and give feedback.
Some companies may require you to provide feedback on more than one product. Be sure to review the item and adhere to instructions as indicated.
How Much Can You Earn as a Product Tester?
Product reviewers don’t usually get paid salaries but rather rewards.
Most reviewers generally pocket £10 to £50 and, occasionally, up to £200 or more.
Companies may also offer product testers free products, samples, or product testing vouchers as product testing rewards.
How to Spot a Scam
Before you jump at any product testing opportunity that comes your way, ensure you’re dealing with a reputable site. Here is how to uncover fraud websites:
Research the website:
Use a search engine to find out what other people are saying about the website. Search the website’s name with words such as “scam,” “complaint”, or “review.” If there are many negative reviews or warnings, it may be a fake site.
Check the website’s URL:
Make sure the URL is spelt correctly and looks professional. Scammers often create fake websites with similar-looking URLs to legitimate ones.
Look for contact details:
Check if the website has provided valid contact information, including a working phone number, email address, and physical address. Scammers often try to hide these details.
Read the fine print:
Legit testing sites will have clear and concise terms and conditions that outline the testing process and what is expected of participants. Be wary of websites that ask for payment or personal information before allowing you to participate in a test.
Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers:
If a site offers expensive products for free or for a small fee, it is likely a scam. An Apple company, for instance, would never provide a £2000 phone for testing to random reviewers. Often, they have in-house product testers.
Check for security measures:
Look for a secure website (one that begins with “https”) and check that the website has a privacy policy.
Use common sense:
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of websites that use high-pressure tactics or make unrealistic promises.
List of Legit Product Testing Websites in the UK
Here is a list of 17 Legit Product Testing Companies:
- Toluna
- Ipsos iSay
- Home Tester Club
- Pinecone Research
- Tesco Homepanels
- Panelbase
- Boots Volunteer Panel
- Click Research
- Valued Opinions
- Alba Science
- Ninja
- Intellizoom
1. Toluna
Toluna is a market research website that is open to UK product testers. This site promotes various products, including beauty care, food, fitness gadgets, and more. To become a member, you must sign up for an account and take surveys. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem product-testing offers.
Signing up is easy and free. And almost every activity can earn you points. You’ll also become part of their 21 million-consumer community.
2. Ipsos iSay
Ipsos iSay is the go-to website for anyone who doesn’t want to test a product but rather test the world. Owned by the French-based market research company Ipsos, the iSay panel allows you to participate in product evaluations and surveys.
You can voice your opinions about various brands, entertainment venues, etc, as well as connect with i-Say members, answer polls on trending topics and earn points. You can also create your poll and share it with the iSay community.
Once you have accumulated enough points (every point is worth about $0.01), you can redeem them for cash through PayPal or as gift cards.
3. Home Tester Club
Home Tester club is an online product testing panel that rewards you for voicing your opinion about different products, including cosmetics, skincare, food, and alcohol. You’ll be able to see what items other members are reviewing, and you can participate and leave your review to earn rewards points.
Points aren’t worth anything, but members with more points get more opportunities. You’ll be able to sample different products and share your opinion, product feedback and experiences.
To become a product reviewer, you’ll need to sign up for an account and complete a series of questions about the product categories you’re interested in. Home Tester Club will then send the product testing opportunities available based on your profile.
4. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research is a third-party website where members can be rewarded with points to be exchanged for cash or prizes for giving their honest opinions in online surveys. You’ll be paid as much as £3 for a 10-minute survey.
And, Of course, you’ll get the chance to sample new products and give your opinion on them and earn points. The points can be redeemed for cash via PayPal, a check, or Amazon gift cards.
To become a member, you need to sign up and answer a few basic questions about yourself to allow the company to know your preferences and interests.
5. Tesco Homepanels
Tesco Homepanels product testing panel is a great way to test products from well-known brands. This site focuses on home & lifestyle products such as health & beauty items, everyday household cleaning products, clothing, and more.
You’ll get product samples sent to your home and be asked to leave a product review in exchange for points.
You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in product surveys and be rewarded with points. Once you reach 50, you’ll be sent a £10 e-voucher, which can be redeemed in a Tesco store.
6. Panelbase
Panelbase is another product-testing website with an excellent reputation. You can sign up for free and complete surveys taking 10 minutes or so, and you’ll be rewarded with points each time.
Expect to earn anything from £0.25 to £10 per survey. Once you cross the £10 redemption threshold, you can withdraw your points as a cash reward or exchange them for gift cards.
In addition to surveys, Panelbase also offers prize draws and product testing opportunities from time to time, where members can test products from major brands and provide feedback in exchange for points.
7. Boots Volunteer Panel
In exchange for freebies, Boots Volunteer Panel users can test various beauty products and share their opinions. You’ll get to try out some of Boots’ range, including cosmetics, skincare, sun care, toiletries, and more.
Unlike other product testing opportunities where you earn points, this site offers no points, but you own the products you review.
To become a product tester, you’ll need to sign up and answer questions about yourself, such as your age, gender, medical history, and product preferences. Boots will then select suitable candidates for product testing based on your answers.
8. Click Research
Click Research product testing panel allows users to earn rewards points by giving their opinion in surveys and product tests. You’ll be asked to test products (which you’ll get to keep), answer questions, and leave product reviews.
Click also provides paid online surveys, which earn ‘click points’ that range from 25 to 200 points for each survey. If you accumulate 2500 points, you can redeem them for £25 cash.
The site also enables you to apply for a trial, and in case you’re not accepted or ‘screened out’, you’ll be drafted into Clicks’ monthly £50 draw.
9. Valued Opinions
Like i-Say, Valued Opinions also rewards you with points for completing surveys. This platform requires you to answer product testing questions and reviews to receive vouchers from the high street stores.
The survey often takes around 10 minutes, and you’ll be rewarded with points in exchange for each.
Once you have earned enough points (£10 threshold), you can redeem them for various rewards, including Amazon vouchers, Sainsbury’s, M&S, TK Maxx, etc. Therefore, the more surveys you complete, the more money you can get.
10. Alba Science
Alba Science is similar to Boots in that you get product samples to test and review. Unlike Boots, where product testers are typically selected from a pool of applicants, Alba Science randomly selects product testers and sends product samples directly to their addresses.
The product testing opportunities vary from beauty products, supplements, etc.
Once you receive the product, you’ll need to register it on their website. After that, you’ll be requested to provide feedback about the product, and in exchange, you’re awarded loyalty points, product discounts, and vouchers.
11. Ninja
The Ninja product testing panel is perfect for you if you’re a kitchen gadget enthusiast. This site allows product reviewers to test and review the latest kitchen products from the Ninja product range.
The product testing opportunities vary, so you may be required to test blenders, air fryers and other kitchen appliances. After you’ve tried the product, you’ll need to provide product feedback and reviews and, in return, get product discounts and free product giveaways.
12. Intellizoom
Intellizoom is a platform that pays users to test the usability of software, applications, and websites. UK product testers get to review existing software and websites for their usability and navigation ease.
You’ll be asked to answer product testing questions and product reviews, which will take around 10-15 minutes to fill. The amount of money you’ll earn for product testing depends on the product test, but generally is £5 to £10 per review, payable via PayPal.
Other genuine product testing websites to earn money in the UK include:
Final Thoughts…
Product testing is a great way to try out new products and get rewarded. Many legit product testing websites in the UK offer unique opportunities and incentives.
So if you’re interested in becoming a UK product tester, look up the above legit websites and pick the ones that best suit your needs.
