Become a Product Tester: My Path to an Extra €300 a Month

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Three years ago I was sitting in my apartment in Vienna wondering how I could earn extra money without a regular side job. Today I test between 8 and 12 products every month, write honest reviews and reliably earn an extra €300 doing it. Becoming a product tester was one of the best decisions for my wallet, and now I'll show you how you can follow the same path as a product tester.

Getting started was easier than I expected. I needed no prior experience, no investment, and could start right from home. The products arrived by mail, I tested them according to set criteria and kept them afterward. In addition, depending on the platform, there was between €5 and €40 per detailed test.

How can I become a legitimate product tester: the first steps

When I started, I registered with four different platforms at the same time. Signing up took about 10 to 15 minutes per platform. I filled out detailed profiles, listed my interests and waited for the first test offers. Within two weeks my first assignment came in: an electric toothbrush worth €89.

The trick is to fill out your profile completely. Platforms like Testerheld, Empfohlen.de or TrustYou specifically look for testers with certain demographic traits. The more precise your details on age, location, household size and interests, the higher your chance of getting matching test assignments. According to a 2023 survey by Statista, 2.1 million Germans regularly use product testing platforms (source: https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/statista-survey-online-nutzungsverhalten/).

These platforms really pay

I currently work with five verified platforms. Empfohlen.de has brought me the most assignments so far: 37 tests in two years. Pay ranges from €5 to €25 per test, plus the value of the product. Testerheld pays more but offers tests less often. TrustYou focuses on digital products and apps, where my average earnings were €12 per review.

Another legitimate option is Nielsen Homescan. Here you scan your purchases and earn points that you exchange for rewards. My friend collects about €180 a year this way in the form of gift cards. Participating requires a scanner, which Nielsen provides free of charge.

Becoming a product tester without experience: what everyday life looks like

Every Monday I check my email and the dashboards of my platforms. New test offers usually appear between 9 and 11 a.m. I apply right away, because the best products are gone within hours. In March 2024, for example, I tested a fully automatic coffee machine worth €450. I had to use it for 14 days, make at least 30 cups and answer a questionnaire with 25 questions.

The testing phase lasts between 7 and 30 days depending on the product. I usually test cosmetics for two weeks and household appliances for four. After finishing, I write a detailed review: at least 300 words, with photos and videos. The platform checks my review and transfers the payment to my PayPal account within 7 to 14 business days.

Calculating the time commitment realistically

I invest an average of 2 to 3 hours per test. That sounds like a lot, but I split up the work. A vacuum cleaner test means: unpacking and setting up the device (20 minutes), daily use over 14 days (10 minutes each), creating photos and videos (30 minutes), writing the review (45 minutes). In total I do about 12 tests a month, which comes to 24 to 36 hours.

Compared with a classic side job, the time commitment is flexible. I test in the evening after work or on weekends. Nobody dictates fixed working hours to me. I especially value this flexibility because I also use other sources of income, for example jobs without prior experience, which can be arranged just as flexibly.

Which product tester platforms are trustworthy

In three years I've tested eight different platforms. I no longer use four of them because the pay was too low or tests were never approved. My criteria for legitimate platforms are clear: transparent terms and conditions, a legal notice with a German address, positive Trustpilot reviews with at least 4.0 stars and punctual payouts.

Testerheld meets these criteria and currently has 4.3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot with over 1,200 reviews (as of May 2024). Empfohlen.de is at 4.1 stars with 870 reviews. Both platforms pay reliably and offer customer support that replies within 48 hours.

• Testerheld: wide variety of products, pay €10-40 per test, monthly payout
• Empfohlen.de: frequent test offers, pay €5-25, product value often over €50
• TrustYou: focus on apps and digital services, quick tests, pay €8-15
• Nielsen Homescan: points system for purchases, about €180 a year in gift cards
• Meinungsplatz: surveys combined with product tests, pay varies between €3-20

Assessing product tester earnings per month realistically

My average monthly income is €300. That's made up of 8 to 12 tests with €10 to €30 pay each, plus the retail value of the products I keep. In my best month, November 2023, I earned €480 because I tested three high-priced tech products. In my worst month it was €180.

Realistic expectations matter. Beginners usually earn between €80 and €150 in the first three months. Platforms prefer to assign tests to proven testers with good ratings. It took me six months to consistently top €250. After a year I had collected enough positive reviews to be considered for premium tests as well.

Strategies for higher earnings

I increased my earnings through three concrete measures. First: applying quickly. I apply for new tests within 2 hours of them going online. Second: detailed reviews with at least 5 photos and a video. Third: specializing in product categories. I focus on household appliances, cosmetics and tech, which makes me count as an expert in those areas.

Another source of income is reselling. Products I don't need, I sell on platforms like Willhaben or eBay Kleinanzeigen. An air fryer that I tested and didn't use brought me an extra €65. Altogether I earned another €340 through resales last year.

Making money on the side as a product tester: combine several income streams

Becoming a product tester is, for me, one of several sources of income. I combine it with other flexible activities such as online surveys and small freelance jobs. If you use different options, you reduce the risk of one channel falling away. In February 2024, for example, I only had 3 test offers, but earned an additional €120 through other side activities.

Another helpful approach is generating additional income through short-term jobs. That gives you financial security while you build your income as a product tester. Especially in months with few test offers, such alternatives are worth their weight in gold.

Taxes and legal aspects

In Austria I have to pay tax on income from product tests as other income once I exceed the annual exemption limit of €730. In Germany the limit for side income is €256 (as of 2024). I keep an Excel list of all tests, payments and product values. At the end of the year I submit it to the tax office.

According to the German Federal Ministry of Finance, products received also count as a benefit in kind and must be declared on your tax return (source: https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/). I value the market value of the products at 70% of the new price, since they count as used. A tax advisor confirmed this approach to me in March 2023.

Frequently asked questions about becoming a product tester

How much do I earn as a beginner?

As a beginner you can expect €80 to €150 in the first three months. Platforms initially assign simpler tests with lower pay. With growing experience and good reviews, your earnings rise to €250 to €400 per month.

Do I have to send products back?

With most platforms you can keep the products. Exceptions are high-priced electronics over €500 or products on a loan basis. In my three years I only had to send back 2 of 145 products.

Is becoming a product tester legitimate?

Yes, if you rely on established platforms with transparent reviews. Avoid providers that charge sign-up fees or make unrealistic earnings promises. Legitimate platforms are free and pay out reliably.

How often do I get test offers?

That varies a lot. I receive an average of 15 to 20 offers per month, apply for 12 and get selected for 8 to 10. Beginners get fewer offers, about 5 to 8 per month.

Can I be a product tester as my main job?

No, the income isn't enough for that. Even experienced testers rarely earn more than €600 a month. Becoming a product tester works best as a flexible side income alongside a main job or other sources of income.

Conclusion: becoming a product tester is worth it as a flexible side activity

After three years I can say: becoming a product tester was the right decision for me. I consistently earn an extra €300, keep products worth €1,500 a year and can schedule my working time freely. Getting started is possible without prior experience, but takes patience and persistence in the first few months.

If you're willing to write detailed reviews and invest time regularly, becoming a product tester is a realistic way to boost your income. Sign up today with two or three legitimate platforms, fill out your profile completely and actively apply for the first tests. With patience and consistency, you'll soon earn your first income.