Influenster Review: How to Get Free Products to Try

There is something fun about a surprise package showing up on the porch, especially when it is full of products you get to try for free.

That is the appeal of Influenster, a product review community that sends free samples to some members. In this Influenster review, we explain how it works, how the boxes are earned, what it asks of you, and whether it is worth the time. One thing up front: Influenster pays in products, not cash.

We are not affiliated with Influenster and are not paid for this review.

What is Influenster?

Influenster is a free app and website where people review products in categories like beauty, personal care, household, baby, snacks, and more. Brands use it to gather reviews and spread the word, and it has been owned by the ratings and reviews company Bazaarvoice since 2019. Joining is free. You must be 16 or older, and while anyone can sign up, product programs only ship to certain countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.

Members write reviews, answer questions, and share on social media. Based on their profile and activity, some members are selected for free product “programs.” Influenster used to call its product boxes VoxBoxes. Today a program either ships the product to your home for free or gives you a coupon or gift code to buy it, which can sometimes mean a small out-of-pocket cost.

How Influenster works, step by step

1. Sign up for free. Create an account on the app or website.
2. Build your profile. Answer questions about your household, interests, skin type, kids, pets, and shopping habits. This helps brands target the right people.
3. Write reviews. Review products you already own. Honest, detailed reviews with photos tend to be more helpful.
4. Connect social accounts (optional). Many programs ask you to post on Instagram or TikTok, and Influenster says connecting those accounts boosts your chances of qualifying.
5. Complete prompts and surveys. Influenster may ask you to answer short questions or take quizzes that help match you.
6. Get selected. If you fit a campaign, you are invited or notified, and a box arrives by mail.
7. Complete the tasks. Try the products and post reviews or content within the requested time frame.

How you “get paid”

You do not earn cash on Influenster. The reward is free products that you keep. There is no points-to-cash option, and Influenster has dropped its old points and tiers system. Box contents vary from a single full-size item to several products, and value varies widely.

When you post about products you received for free, the FTC expects you to clearly disclose that. Influenster suggests putting it where people see it right away, such as at the start of your caption or out loud in the first seconds of a video, with a plain note like “Influenster sent me this for free” or a tag like #gifted or #freesample. Influenster typically reminds members to do this.

Realistic value and time

Selection is unpredictable. Some active members are picked now and then; others wait a long time or never get one. Influenster also says brand-new members may see more variety at first. Your odds depend on your profile, activity, and what brands are looking for at the moment.

Time-wise, writing a few reviews a week takes minutes. Completing a campaign might take 20 to 60 minutes total once the box arrives. If you already enjoy writing reviews, it is a nice fit. If you would be writing reviews only for a chance at a box, the time may not feel worth it.

Tips to improve your chances

• Fill out every part of your profile honestly and keep it current.
• Write thoughtful reviews with real details, like how a product held up with a toddler.
• Stay active a few times a month rather than in rare bursts.
• Complete campaigns on time when selected. Influenster says finishing your required tasks sooner puts you back in line for more programs.

Is Influenster a side hustle?

Not really, and it is worth being honest about that. A side hustle trades your time for money you can spend on bills. Influenster trades your time for products you did not choose ahead of time. Some boxes will be a hit with your family, and others will end up in the donation bag.

Where it can help is practice. Writing clear, useful reviews, taking decent product photos with your phone, and posting on a schedule are real skills. If you enjoy them, they can point you toward paid work later, like writing product descriptions or creating content for small brands.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Free to join.
• Free products to try, sometimes full-size.
• Low time commitment for reviews.
• Can be a fun, low-pressure way to share opinions.

Cons

• No cash, only products.
• Selection is unpredictable and cannot be counted on.
• Products may not be things your family needs.
• Campaigns often ask you to post publicly on social media, which not everyone wants.
• You share personal household details in your profile.

Who Influenster suits

Influenster fits moms who already enjoy trying new products, like writing reviews, and are comfortable posting about them. It is a nice perk, not a side hustle. If you are looking for actual income, it will not help pay bills.

In our Side Hustle Spotlights course, we compare product testing and review communities with options that actually pay cash, so you can spend your time where it counts. If you enjoy creating product content, the skills you practice here can also point you toward paid options down the road.

Influenster review: our verdict

Influenster is a legitimate, free community that can bring a few fun boxes to your door. It is a hobby with perks, not a way to make money. Sign up if you enjoy reviewing products and do not mind the wait, and skip it if you need your spare time to earn real income.

Quick answers

Does Influenster pay cash?

No. Rewards are free products, not money.

Do you need a lot of followers?

Not necessarily. Profile fit matters, though social reach may help for some campaigns.

Are free products taxable?

Tax treatment of free products can vary. It is usually small for occasional samples, but rules vary, so check with a tax professional if you receive a lot.

Want options that pay real money?

Free products are fun, but a paycheck is better. If you are ready to learn more, become a member and get access to all of our courses, including Side Hustle Spotlights, plus everything else in the Money Magic for Moms library.