About Third Shot Finds: Honest Pickleball Reviews & The Best Gear Deals

Welcome to the kitchen line. I’m The Deal Dinker, the founder of Third Shot Finds, and I’m here to save you money on the court.

If you are obsessed with the fastest-growing sport in America, you already know the problem: buying pickleball equipment has gotten ridiculously expensive. Between the confusing marketing jargon, the endless stream of “new technology,” and the $250+ price tags on pro-level gear, finding the right paddle can feel like a scam.

I created Third Shot Finds because I believe you shouldn’t have to take out a second mortgage to play great pickleball.

The Mission: Cutting Through the Hype

My goal is simple. I test the gear, track the prices, and cut through the marketing fluff to bring you the best budget pickleball paddles and gear on the market.

Whether you are looking for your very first beginner pickleball paddle or searching for a high-spin, raw carbon fiber paddle to upgrade your tournament game, I do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

What You’ll Find Here

At Third Shot Finds, we focus on three main things to help you play better and spend less:

  • Honest Pickleball Paddle Reviews: No studio tests or reading off the back of a box. I take these paddles to the local courts, hit hard drives, practice third-shot drops, and tell you exactly how they perform in the real world.
  • Head-to-Head Gear Comparisons: Wondering if that $99 Amazon paddle can actually beat a $200 name brand? I pit the most popular paddles against each other to find the absolute best value.
  • The Best Pickleball Deals & Sales: When top-tier gear, outdoor pickleballs, or court shoes go on sale, you will be the first to know. I track the discounts so you can score premium gear at a fraction of the cost.

Why “The Deal Dinker”?

Because I am a real player, just like you. I am not sponsored by a massive sports conglomerate, and I don’t care about pushing a paddle just because it has a fancy paint job. I care about the sweet spot, the grit, the core thickness, and—most importantly—the price tag.

If a paddle hits like a frying pan, I will tell you. If an affordable indie brand outperforms the heavyweights, I will show you where to buy it.

Join the Community

Ready to upgrade your game without emptying your wallet? Grab your paddle and take a look around.

Check out our latest paddle reviews or head straight to our guide on the best pickleball paddles under $100.

See you on the courts!

— The Deal Dinker