16 Companies That Will Send You Free Products for Reviews

Getting fun mail is great. Getting fun mail full of free products is even better. Plenty of companies will send you items to try in exchange for your opinion.

Why do they do it? First, brands want to know whether people actually like a product before (or after) it hits store shelves. Second, they hope happy testers will tell friends and post about it, since word of mouth is still one of the most powerful forms of advertising.

I'm signed up with several of these programs, and many send full-size products, not just tiny samples.

Good to know: testing programs open, close, and change their rules often. Most require you to complete a profile, and you won't be picked for every opportunity. Sign up for several to improve your odds.

Companies That Send Free Products for Reviews

1. McCormick

McCormick makes spices, seasonings, and extracts, and owns brands like Frank's RedHot, French's, Lawry's, Old Bay, Cholula, and Zatarain's.

Join McCormick's consumer testing panel to help shape new flavors. Locals near Baltimore, Maryland can test in person, and everyone else may be mailed products to cook, taste, and rate at home. In-home tests have typically included a small cash payment on top of the free products, and survey takers are sometimes entered into gift card drawings.

2. PINCHme

PINCHme sends free sample boxes featuring brands like Kellogg's, Kraft, P&G, L'Oréal, and Unilever.

Create an account, fill in your profile, and claim samples when the monthly drop opens. Move fast, because popular samples run out quickly. Afterward, PINCHme asks you to fill out a short survey. Surveys aren't strictly required, but skipping them can limit how many samples you're offered later.

RELATED: Free Samples by Mail (No Surveys)

3. Daily Goodie Box

Daily Goodie Box ships boxes of samples and full-size products in exchange for your feedback. It works with hundreds of brands.

After you sign up and confirm your email, stay active in their online community. They tend to favor engaged members, and they often give away boxes to people who comment on their daily social posts.

4. The Pink Panel

The Pink Panel is a beauty testing panel for women of all ages, skin types, and skin tones. Members try unbranded cosmetics, hair care, and skincare products, usually for one day up to eight weeks.

Testers generally keep the product and receive an incentive in gift cards or beauty products. There are also paid focus groups and surveys with prize drawings. Expect to be limited to one product test every six months, though surveys are unlimited.

5. Smiley360

Members of Smiley360 apply for "Missions." If you're accepted, you'll get a Smiley Kit with a free product (sample or full size), instructions, and sometimes extra coupons to share. Completing Missions earns points and badges that improve your chances of being picked again.

6. Johnson & Johnson Friends & Neighbors

Friends & Neighbors is Johnson & Johnson's consumer research panel. Members receive invitations to product tests, focus groups, discussion boards, and surveys.

You must be 18 or older, but your kids can take part in some tests with your permission. Testers often try products before they launch, like body wash, dental floss, or mascara. Participants are typically compensated with a prepaid gift card.

7. MomSelect

MomSelect connects brands with moms who blog or have an active social media presence. After you register and complete your profile, you'll hear about campaigns that may include product reviews, social media promotions, and brand events.

Compensation details are shared up front. Past partner brands have included Beech-Nut, Chick-fil-A, Dawn, Fisher-Price, and Walt Disney World Resort.

8. InStyle Trendsetters

Love fashion and beauty? InStyle Trendsetters members share opinions on style, beauty, and home décor, and may evaluate new products. Completed activities earn entries into periodic gift card sweepstakes.

9. Vocalpoint

Vocalpoint members take surveys, react to early product concepts, and can opt in to test prototypes before they reach stores, from skincare to snacks. Some tests include a gift card incentive, usually sent a few weeks after the program wraps up.

10. Homeschool.com

Homeschooling families can join the Homeschool.com product tester community by signing up for their email list. Every opportunity arrives by email. Testers may receive free books, curriculum kits, and reports, and their feedback shapes what the site offers.

RELATED: Free Books Mailed to Your Home and Ways to Get Free Laptops

11. Influenster (now part of Bazaarvoice)

Influenster has millions of members who review products. You don't need to be an "influencer," just someone with social media accounts.

Create an account, download the app, and complete your profile (add a photo!). When you're a match, you'll be invited to receive a VoxBox of free full-size products to try and review.

12. Vogue Insiders (UK)

Vogue's beauty panel for readers works much like InStyle's. Apply, get accepted, try beauty products, and share your thoughts. Note that this program is run by British Vogue and is aimed at UK readers.

13. SheSpeaks

SheSpeaks is a community of women who test products, take surveys, and join polls and discussions for brands that market to women. A complete profile helps you get matched with relevant programs.

14. L'Oréal USA

L'Oréal USA's consumer testing program is open to adults 18 and up. Once approved, you may test cosmetics, hair care, skincare, and sun care from L'Oréal brands, which include CeraVe, Garnier, Maybelline, NYX, and Redken.

15. BzzAgent

BzzAgent partners with brands like Gillette, Hershey's, and L'Oréal. Fill in your profile and connect your social accounts. When a campaign fits you, you'll get an email invitation to apply. Apply quickly, since spots fill fast. If you're chosen, you'll try the product and share your honest experience online.

16. Reebok

Athletes can apply to test Reebok gear before it's released. You'll provide your body measurements and activity details, meet minimum weekly workout requirements, and agree not to test competing products or share details publicly.

Tests usually last two to four weeks, and you'll keep a detailed activity log. The catch: you send the product back when you're done.

Tips to Get Picked More Often

• Fill out every profile completely, including household, kids, pets, and interests.
• Respond fast. Spots often go first come, first served.
• Complete your surveys and reviews on time. Reliable testers get invited again.
• Use a dedicated email address so offers don't get lost in your main inbox.
• Never pay to join. Legitimate testing panels are free.

Summary

Lots of brands are happy to send you free products. Some run their own panels, and others work through research companies that recruit testers for them. Pick a few that match your interests, keep your profiles current, and enjoy the freebies!