About the author

Maksim Streltcov

Pickleball equipment reviewer and strategy writer behind Pickleball3. I measure and review pickleball paddles using a 100-point scoring system — ten categories, each 0 to 10, summed. The methodology is the same for every paddle, so the only thing that changes between reviews is the paddle itself.

Beyond the reviews, I write strategy and technique guides around the third shot — the technique that turns a beginner into a confident player. The site is built around the arc from your first drop to the winning shot.

Methodology

Every review starts with the same questions: how does it swing, how does it feel at the kitchen, how much spin does it put on the ball, how does it handle off-center contact. Static weight, swing weight, grip circumference, and surface texture are measured on the actual sample, not copied from manufacturer specs.

Read the full scoring methodology to see what each of the 10 categories measures and how to read the scores.

What I don't do

• I don't accept paid placements or sponsored reviews.
• I don't adjust scores based on brand relationships.
• I don't recommend products I haven't measured or played with.

Affiliate links, when they appear, will be clearly disclosed and never influence the score.

Contact

Reviews, corrections, partnership inquiries: hello@pickleball3.com