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Earn freebies for testing products
The top 'freebies for feedback' sites
Updated 16 May 2023
From perfume to irons, coats to chocolate, MoneySavers have grabbed hundreds of brand-new freebies. This guide has a rundown of the top product-testing freebie sites and how to bag the best stuff.
How product-testing freebies work
Product development's big business. By checking items work and verifying marketing claims, companies boost sales. Add the power of word-of-mouth recommendations, and it's clear why they're happy for you to test goodies for nowt.
The idea's simple: you test goodies for free in return for your views on whether they work, or sometimes sharing what you think with your mates. Some firms even give you cash on top.
How to take part
The big thing to understand is tests are aimed at certain groups (for example dads aged 35-40), and you answer a few questions to check if you qualify. It's unlikely you'll qualify for every test and there's a limit on how many people can test each product – respond at speed, as the best freebies go fast.
Here are the ways to take part:
- Third-party sites where you can test a range of products. The first type of site, traditional product testing, is where they send you a product and you feed back to it on if it works and your opinion of it. MoneySavers have blagged everything from perfume to school uniforms.
- 'Review and share' sites. The second way to grab freebies is via review sites, which do the same as above, but they also ask you to post honest opinions on social media or to send reports on conversations with friends about the product. So if you're a bit reserved, this second one may not be for you as you'll need to shout about the product.
- Company websites that send you products directly. Rather than using third-party sites, some companies advertise for product testers on their own websites. We've spotted both Philips and Vileda looking for product testers, and if you do a hunt around yourself you'll find more.
Some inspiration...
While you may not be selected straightaway, some MoneySavers report huge success by keeping at it. Please add your successes to the Product Testing forum discussion.
I've had loads of stuff to test, including shampoo, face wash, kitchen rolls, tissues, cling film, kitchen wet wipes, body butter, hairspray, men's jumpers, PJ bottoms, a £40 winter coat and a lovely £22 dress.
- MSE Forumite somehorizon
For me, the best freebies come via product-testing sites. If I add up the value of everything I've tested in the last year, it's probably not far off £100.
- MSE Forumite flubberyzing
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Top traditional product-testing sites
We've worked our way through hundreds of MoneySavers' reviews to find the top seven traditional product-testing sites, where all you need to do is feed back on freebies – though two aren't currently accepting new members. Huge thanks to all the MoneySavers whose feedback went into the guide. If you've found a top product-testing site we're missing, let us know in the Product Testing discussion.
Once you've tested the product, answer questions properly and on time to boost your chances of getting more trials.
Don't just google 'product testing' to find this kind of site though. You may get a shyster site promising, say, free iPhones, when it's actually a ploy to get your data or bank details.
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Clicks Research - established site with decent freebies
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MoneySavers have blagged everything from anti-ageing creams to chocolate bars via Clicks Research. We've seen the firm test for big-name brands such as Boots, M&S, Sanctuary, Body Shop and Liz Earle.
Even if not selected, each time you take part in a survey it pays Clicks points (usually between 25-200 per survey). Once you've earned 2,500, you can exchange them for £25.
On the downside, some MoneySavers say the website is glitchy. But if you stick with it, you could get some decent goodies. The more often you update your profile, the more trials you get.
Quick info
- Who can join? Over-18s
- Extra payment on top? £25 cash when you rack up enough points
- MSE Forum feedback: Clicks Research
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Tesco Home Panels - free Tesco products
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Tesco Home Panels has a cult following on the MSE Forum. It sends users trial products from – you've guessed it – Tesco. Forumites have amassed £100s of goodies, including jumpers, shaving foam, cat litter, a dishwasher, loo roll and school polo shirts, to name a few.
When they do open it, you need a free Tesco Clubcard to apply. Not everyone is selected though, as it often looks for people from certain groups (but won't say which ones). Some people in the forum suggest you may get more freebies if you shop there.
They won't always select you, but even if they don't, you get one point for doing the survey to apply to test a product. Once you rack up 50, you're automatically sent a code that you can swap for a £10 voucher valid at your choice of retailer.Some MoneySavers have also been paid £35 to take part in focus groups on products in person.
Forumite lbw22 says:
I've been a member for two years and have tested about 12 products from sanitary towels to a coat. My husband tested a shirt too.
Quick info
Who can join? Over-18s with a Clubcard (selection's not guaranteed)
Extra payment on top? Yes, Bonusbonds (see above)
MSE Forum feedback: Tesco Home Panels
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Toluna - big brand freebies from L'Oreal, Huggies & more
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Another site worth a shot is Toluna. The site's popular for its paid online surveys (see our Online Surveys guide for more). It also gives away free products to test, such as L'Oreal make-up, Bic razors and Spontex cloths.
MoneySavers report getting invited to trial products after filling in surveys. You get paid for its normal surveys, but not product testing (you can cash in points for various rewards, for example a £5 Starbucks voucher at 27,000 points).
On the downside, some MoneySavers say freebies can be sporadic. Forumite Girl Overboard says:I was sent three products in consecutive weeks soon after joining Toluna. Then nothing for over a year (despite applying every week). Then I got two in consecutive weeks. So it's pretty random.
Toluna's more likely to offer free products if you regularly complete its surveys first.
Quick info
Who can join? Over-16s
Extra payment on top? Only for surveys (see above)
MSE Forum feedback: Toluna
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Ipsos i-Say - top-paying survey site that also dishes out freebies
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The top-paying site in our Online Survey Sites guide, Ipsos i-Say also lets members test products for free. Just register to take part in surveys and you'll occasionally get invited to take part in trials.
It's well worth signing up for i-Say's paid surveys anyway, as many forumites rack up £10 or more of Amazon vouchers every month.
Even better, you earn points for taking surveys on the free products you receive – between 5 and 250 points for each – which can then be redeemed for vouchers. For example, you need 990 points to get a £10 John Lewis voucher or £10 Tesco voucher.
Forumite SparklesJD says:
i-Say have sent me products to test: a pack of nappies, box of sanitary towels and some crisps. You get paid for doing the initial survey, then again for the follow-up.
Quick info
Who can join? Over-16s
Extra payment on top? Yes, shopping vouchers
MSE Forum feedback: i-Say (formerly known as Ipsos)
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Boots Volunteer Panel - free health & beauty goodies incl No7
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A huge hit with MoneySavers, the Boots Volunteer Panel tests big-name products including No7, Soltan, Soap & Glory, Botanics and Champneys.
The scheme's been running a while, and is currently taking new applicants. However, by no means everyone is accepted – Boots only selects certain people to ensure it has a mix of demographics. From what we've seen on social media, there seems to be a roughly 50-50 chance of getting in.
If you are selected, Boots will let you know about new trials by email – you then apply online.
Forumites have been chuffed with their hauls. Sarah1972 says:
This week I have had bath foam, mascara, hand cream and stretch-mark cream. Hubby has had shave gel, moisturising face cream and deodorant.
p34nut says:
I received a Remington facial brush, RRP £80 :-D. Very happy today.
And FUCHSIA says:
I love the Boots panel. I haven't bought foundation in ages, as I keep getting sent them. Have had massage oils, face cleansers, nail varnish, lippy, mascara, eyeliner, deodorant, hair serums… you name it.
Quick info
- Who can join? People aged 18+.
- Extra payment on top? It sometimes pays Boots vouchers for tasks that require extra effort, such as taking photos.
- MSE Forum feedback: Boots Volunteer Panel
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Pinecone - super-secretive invite-only freebies
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Mega-popular online survey site Pinecone (see our Survey Sites guide for more on this side of things) also sends out free products to test.
The catch is it's invitation-only, and the recruitment process seems like it's more secretive than the Freemasons'. You have to wait until you're invited or spot a web banner advert on another site to sign up.
Several MoneySavers have bagged free items via Pinecone. But they are not allowed to reveal which ones – the first rule of Pinecone is 'you do not talk about Pinecone'. We've included this here so you'll know to jump if an invite appears.
Quick info
Who can join? Over-18s. You must be invited/spot a banner
Extra payment on top? No, but you get £3 for completing separate surveys
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Top 'review and share' sites
'Review and share' sites are where companies send freebies, but instead of just asking for feedback, they also ask you to discuss products with pals and on social media. This could mean handing out money-off coupons to mates or posting on Facebook or Instagram.
Once a task is completed, you send the company a link to a blog comment/social media post or submit a 'report' of a conversation with a friend.
You'll be ranked based on how often and how well you share, which decides how many freebies you get in future. However, the sites say you should never spam about the products, and your ranking isn't influenced by whether you give a positive or negative review. Be honest about your experience – what you say is up to you. The sites won’t penalise you for criticising a product.
Always let people know you got the product for free. Ensure those you talk to understand you're a member of a scheme and are trialling the product for nothing.
Under consumer law, people need to ensure that if they are paid or get a product free, posts or comments are clearly labeled as such. For more, see this Influencers' Guide from the Advertising Standards Authority and Competition & Markets Authority.
Do this with integrity – be truthful, as others may rely on your views when choosing how to spend their money.
Plus remember, posting reviews about products on this site's forum just to blag freebies breaks our rules.
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Savvy Circle - free Braun, Olay, Fairy, Pantene, Daz & more
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Covering Procter & Gamble products, Savvy Circle doles out goodies from brands including Olay, Fairy, Aussie, Max Factor and Braun. As well as feeding back on products, you're expected to mention them in everyday conversation and online.
It encourages you to share the freebies with friends and family, then feed back their opinions. As always, explain to pals why you have the freebie and how it works.
The site awards stars each time you add to a 'campaign', for example by submitting a report on a chat you had with a friend or commenting on a blog. The more stars, the more freebies.
Forumite tracy6697 got £200ish of electric shavers:
Received my Braun shavers from Savvy Circle today. A Series 9 razor for my husband – he's going to be really pleased when he gets back from work! I got the face epilator and can't wait to try it out.
Quick info
Who can join? Over-18s
Extra payment on top? No
MSE Forum feedback: Savvy Circle
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Trnd - share opinions with friends to bag freebies
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Similar to the site above, Trnd sends you a product to test, as well as samples to hand out to friends, as part of what it calls a 'project'. You then post reports on conversations you've had and give your own honest feedback on the product.
You'll earn bonus points for taking part in surveys and submitting reports about projects. They have no cash value but show Trnd how active you are as a member – this is one of the ways it chooses who should take part in new projects. Previous projects have included Iams, Vidal Sassoon and Brut products.
MoneySavers report nabbing rum, 007 perfume and showerheads.
Quick info
Who can join? Over-18s
Extra payment on top? No
MSE Forum feedback: Trnd
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Home Tester Club - everything from face cream to irons
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Grocery ratings website Home Tester Club gives out free products to test in return for you leaving an honest review on its site. Current free products include toothpaste and sensitive skin products. Past goodies have even included Tefal irons.
Sign up for a free account and monitor the website's test section to apply for freebies. If selected, you'll get an email, then receive the products in one to three weeks.
After that, just leave a review on Home Tester Club. Be honest – the site says it wants to "help people buy better by sharing true product experiences". It sometimes asks you to share your experiences on social media too.
The site awards members badges for activities such as posting reviews and photos. The more you earn, the more chance you'll have of bagging freebies.Quick info
Who can join? Anyone over 18
Extra payment on top? No
MSE Forum feedback: Home Tester Club
Spotted a site we've missed? Let us know in the Product Testing forum thread.
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