Free samples abound in Canada if you know where to look. Most companies love to send potential customers samples in exchange for product reviews, social media mentions, or email subscriptions.
Whether you’re trying to get free baby product samples or try the newest snack fad, complimentary samples are probably easier to get than you realize. It usually takes only a few clicks or keystrokes.
This article lists some of the most popular retailers offering easy access to free samples, how you can get them, and more.
Key Takeaways
- The best ways to get free samples in Canada is to write product reviews and/or sign up for promotional emails and newsletters.
- SampleSource, The Kit, and Butterly are three of the best sites that provide free samples for product reviews.
- Strategically using coupons can help you score freebies, or even near-freebies.
How to get free samples in Canada: Write reviews
One truly simple way to get free samples in Canada is to provide a company or website with reviews of the products they provide to you. Some might ask you to share your reviews on your own social media accounts, but others will just keep the information and use it internally.
And don't worry about giving away personal information. When companies ask you to "sign up," most offer assurance that your contact details won't be shared – a promise they'll have to uphold.
Knowing all of this, here are a few sites offering free samples to those who sign up and are willing to provide reviews.
SampleSource
- Website: www.samplesource.com
- Types of samples: Various
Sample Source may ask you to give an online review so the sample providers can get valuable feedback to improve the quality of their products. But the only thing you need to do to receive samples is fill out a survey answering a few questions, so they know which types of products to send you.
They send out samples in the spring, summer, and fall—not in winter, though, as they're worried about products freezing in transit. Also, keep in mind that these samples are only available while supplies last.
This website offers a wide range of free samples, including:
- Makeup
- Household cleaning products
- Good items
- Pet care products
If you stay on the Sample Source mailing list, they'll automatically email you whenever samples that match your profile become available.
The Kit
- Website: www.thekit.ca/bonus/contest-samples-deals-canada/
- Types of samples: Health and beauty
An online magazine for women (also available in print), The Kit refers to itself as Canada’s beauty and fashion destination. It has a "Shop Smart" section where writers try out and write about their experiences with various health and beauty products, advising readers on whether the products are worth purchasing.
Here are a few examples of what you'll find on their website:
- The latest beauty product reviews
- Fashion advice
- Celebrity news
- Wedding planning tips
- Home design features and advice
- Travel tips
The Kit partners with many well-known beauty brands to send you health and beauty products. After you fill out a questionnaire regarding your product preferences and shopping habits, they'll contact you if and when they have samples that match your profile.
Butterly
- Website: www.butterly.com
- Types of samples: Health, beauty, and more
If you’re someone who likes to review products and you’re active on social media, this might be right up your alley.
Sign up for a free Butterly account and connect it to your social media accounts, and you'll be given opportunities to sample and review various products. Most of the time, you'll be required to share your reviews and opinions on social media for better publicity.
Butterly offers a few different ways to score free products, including brand ambassador opportunities and the typical free product trials.
Here are a few examples of products that have been sampled and reviewed by Butterly members:
- Ultraclear Dry Spray Antiperspirant
- Simply Ageless Lash Plumping Mascara from CoverGirl
- Canada Dry Triple Berry Club Soda
- Dessert Butter Tart ice cream
- Say It Ain’t Soda
Home Tester Club
- Website: www.hometesterclub.com/ca/en
- Types of samples: Various
Much like Butterly, the Home Tester Club is an online community of shoppers who share their experiences with new products. Upon sign-up, you'll fill out a quick questionnaire regarding your preferences and shopping habits, and then you'll be given access to various products available for review.
The products Home Tester Club features range from hair and beauty products to small kitchen appliances – and you thought Costco had good deals on appliances!
Here are a few examples of items currently available for review:
- Chips Ahoy Mini-Rainbow Cookies
- Vim Multipurpose Cleaner
- Milk Makeup Cooling Water Jelly Tint
- Palmolive Essential Clean Liquid
BzzAgent
- Website: www.bzzagent.com
- Types of samples: Various
Procter and Gamble has partnered with BzzAgent to send subscribers samples of new products to try. If you're interested, you'll supply your name and contact information, answer a few questions about your household and personal interests, and then you'll be sent email invitations to survey opportunities.
After taking the quick surveys, you'll be matched with various samples and be asked to try them out and submit a review. The more you participate in surveys and reviews, the more products you'll get to try.
They don't list specific examples of previously-reviewed products on the BzzAgent site, but their Instagram account gives us an idea of what's been offered in the past:
- High-end makeup products
- Useful baby items and products
- Men's fragrances
- Pet food and treats
Newsletters: How to get free samples in Canada just by signing up
Many businesses also reward newsletter and email subscribers with exclusive deals and freebies. But be sure to sign up for the Canadian versions of your favourite newsletters if you live here, since the American equivalents likely aren't applicable outside of the U.S.
But if you do plan to visit the U.S., join the American newsletter to bring along coupons for your trip. Also, be sure to look at the expiration dates and terms and conditions for the freebies and coupons.
Keep in mind that it's pretty easy to unsubscribe from most company newsletters whenever you like. So, if you're getting overwhelmed with junk mail from a specific source, you can unsubscribe with just a few clicks.
Red Lobster
- Website: www.redlobster.ca/fresh-catch-news#/sign-up
- Types of samples: Free appetizer or dessert and promos
If you’re a seafood fan or simply love a good cheese biscuit, you’ll want to subscribe to Red Lobster’s newsletter.
You’ll receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of entrees, as well as an exclusive offer on your birthday. There are also special savings and event reminders sent out in their newsletters.
Aveda
- Website: www.aveda.com/exclusive-offers
- Types of samples: 15% on your purchase
https://www.aveda.com/email-signup
If you appreciate natural, salon-quality beauty products, you’ll want to subscribe to Aveda emails. You’ll earn 15% off your first order from the site. You should also consider joining the Aveda Plus Rewards program, which lets you earn points on every purchase and redeem them for products. The program requires a one-time $10 enrollment fee, and as a member, you'll receive free shipping on all online orders, plus a free gift on your birthday.
You can choose from a reward at various program tiers. Rewards include:
- Aveda Comforting Tea bags
- Shampure travel set
- Aveda mini-wooden paddle brush
- Aveda soy candle
- Aveda hair care set
- Charitable donation
- Salon and spa certificate
Tips on how to get free samples in Canada with coupons and rebates
Sometimes, collecting coupons and using them strategically can result in getting a product for free.
For instance, if you find an online coupon for laundry detergent on save.ca, plus a cashback rebate for the same detergent in a handy app like Checkout 51, use both at the same time for the maximum savings. If the laundry detergent is already on sale, there's a chance you'll get it entirely free with the savings combined.
This type of savings move won't work every time, but it's worth a try if you think you can swing it.
Make sure to download the appropriate coupon apps, check for coupons regularly, and use them before they expire.
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on opportunities offered for social media engagement. Some companies enter you into contests or give you discounts for liking their socials, tagging friends, and commenting on their posts.
You can also check out cash back sites to get discounts on hundreds of stores. Here are some examples:
FAQ
Can you tell me how to get free samples in Canada?
There are plenty of ways for Canadians to get free product samples. You can try signing up for newsletters and shoppers' rewards programs, or consider signing up to post product and service reviews on social media.
What about how to get free makeup samples in Canada?
You can get free makeup samples by signing up for newsletters, joining rewards programs, and/or posting reviews on social media. Butterly and Home Testers Club are two of the top platforms that provide free samples for written reviews.
How can I get free baby samples in Canada?
From Huggies to Nestle, many companies will send you samples just by visiting their website and providing your mailing address. You can also try a service that offers free samples in return for written reviews.
Are there free perfume samples in Canada?
Yes, you can often get free perfume samples simply by visiting the cosmetics counter at a department or drug store. You can also get these as a gift with purchase from various retailers or by joining a store's rewards program.
Are there any legit free sample sites?
Yes, you can legitimately earn free samples directly through a retailer's website. Methods include subscribing to their promotional emails and newsletters, leaving product reviews on social media platforms, or posting reviews directly on the retailer's website.
Does Costco still do free samples?
Yes, Costco continues to offer free samples as a way to introduce new products or allow shoppers to taste popular warehouse favourites. However, Costco doesn't publicly share its sample schedule, so availability varies by location and timing.
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