If you’re used to fancy SUVs with designated sunglasses holders, your Model 3 or Model Y probably disappointed you.
Enter aftermarket products to the rescue.
I read through 21+ forum threads and Facebook group conversations to figure out what owners use to store their sunglasses.
The most common alternatives are outlined below — along with the specific product brand the Tesla community most recommends:
- Compatible with refreshed center console (2021 models or newer)
- Most practical form factor for sunglasses
- Extra space for wallet, cards, and coins
- Slides forward, enabling storage below
- Track record of positive reviews
- Compatible with old center console (2017 – 2020 models)
- Most practical form factor for sunglasses
- Extra space for wallet, cards, and coins
Flocked interior. Less prone to rattles - Track record of positive reviews
- U.S.-based company
- Only compatible with 2017 – 2020 models
- Incompatible if you already have a tray like the ones on this table
- Well-reviewed by Tesla owners (customers and influencers)
Read on to find out what’s the best storage option for you.
Get Creative With Your Model 3 Sunglasses Holder Options
Not surprisingly, Model 3 owners recommended different alternatives based on their preferences.
In a nutshell, here are the options you’ll have to choose from in no particular order:
- Clip: Depending on where the clip is located, making sure the glasses don’t fall off can be a problem (e.g. in the sun visor). Some great clips have created that stick to the center console to mitigate this issue, but still, clips as holders tend to have a shorter lifespan compared to the alternatives below.
- Center Console Organizer: With space for more items, many people decide to keep their sunglasses in a center conosole organizer. This helps you avoid the so-called factory “black hole” and its mess — and you’ll have your sunglasses (and others items like your wallet) very handy right at the top!
- Phone Mount: Weird, I know… but some Model Y / Model 3 phone mounts have a compartment for sunglasses. You get quite a good deal with this easily-removable, 2-in-1 product! Unfortunately, the center piece isn’t sold separately — so if you don’t neeed the phone mount, this option may feel like overkill.
- Hidden Compartment: This is similar to the option above, but exclusively designed for sunglasses. As a plus, it’s hidden from anyone’s view). Be warned, though: customers suggest your glasses may shoot right up like a SpaceX rocket if your floor the car.
- Air Vent Storage: A last option is a small storrage comparment that hangs from the aiir vent. As expected, this soluton isn’t very acceleaton-friendly but if you never put Model 3’s torque to the test anyway, it’s quite an affordable alternative.
Alternatively, people can buy Tesla’s center console tray to help — or stick to the storage options available from the factory.
Let’s now discuss the most recommended product in the Tesla community for each category.
Best Tesla Model 3 Center Console Organizer: SUMK (2021)
With space for your wallet, cards, and a handful of coins, the easiest and most practical solution to store your sunglasses is a center console organizer.
When asked, “What kind of sunglasses clip do you all use in your Model 3?” in the private Tesla Model 3 Owners Club,
Here’s what one Model 3 owner had to say:
“No clip. Just in the console. I used to have the clip-on visor, but it’s in the way and sometimes fell off”
What happens to all the space underneath the tray, though?
Simple: the tray has the ability to slide forward, allowing you access to the big storage compartment below.
Also, to prevent items from rattling around as you drive, you get to choose between a lint or a flocked interior material.
More importantly, though, the product gets a lot of praise for its “perfect fit” by Model 3 & Model Y owners.
As of this writing, the product has 100+ positive ratings and counting.
Many Tesla owners speculate that the center console tray sold by Tesla is manufactured by the same factory given their similar design. Expect that Tesla sells the product for 50% more. 😬
No wonder this third-party product is recommended more often.
If you have a Model 3 2020 or newer (with the refreshed center console), this is the product to buy for your sunglasses.
If you have the older piano center console, however, consider the oh-so-popular JKCover.
It’s virtually an identical design with a flocked interior — and has more than 1,000 positive reviews on Amazon.
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Best Air Vent Pouch Model 3 Sunglasses Holder: Topfit (sold by BMZX)
This is quite a quirky solution.
If you’re like me and drive with the right hand, having access to your sunglasses and other items to your left will be quite handy.
One thing I don’t like is that the product bounces around every time you put a product in.
During a bumpy road, I imagine this becoming annoying. I couldn’t stand it for too long.
If that doesn’t bother you, this is the most affordable solution to hold your glasses.
Topfit is the one branded product selling almost exclusively on Amazon.
This is a brand I’m all familiar with as they sell many other Tesla accessories — and they haven’t disappointed any of our readers up until this point.
Look for products with “Topfit” right in the center of the product.
Different Amazon sellers have different prices for the same product.
BMZX is the brand with the most positive ratings AND the lowest price as of this writing.
Check them out while they have the product in stock »
Premium Model 3 Visor Clip for Sunglasses: Skyline
Most visor clips are universal and don’t really match Tesla’s minimalistic design.
As you may already know, most are built to stick to the sun visor, leaving your sunglasses vulnerable to falling off.
Skyline is a U.S.-based company founded by Tesla owners that designed a neat solution to solve the problem.
Rather than the sun visor, this clip is meant to be located within Model 3’s center console.
If you’re looking for a Model 3 sunglasses holder that won’t send your Ray Bands flying off (and that was created by people who understand Tesla owners from their own experience),
You have to check this one out.
Unfortunately, the product is incompatible if you already have a tray (our next product recommendation).
Skyline’s clip is also designed for Model 3’s with the old piano console (2017-2020).
If you have a newer model, you may want to consider a universal visor clip like this instead.
Jessy from Now You Know discusses his likes and dislikes about this product in the video below:
Given the price point, you really have to give a hoot about aesthetics to be compelled by this product.
But when it comes to clips, they’re the coolest product available designed specifically for the Model 3.
Best Phone Mount + Storage: ThinSGO
If you’re about killing two birds with one stone, listen up:
As I discussed in my article on the best Model 3 phone mounts, people that use lenses are very compelled to use this product.
There are a couple of reasons why:
- A compartment right behind the screen is easily accesible without taking your eyes off the road.
- In the same way, if you ever need hands-free navigation through Waze or Google Maps, you can plug in your phone and have it right within your view.
Plus, the product can be easily removed as required — it doesn’t have to clutter the interior all the time.
According to users, the phone mount itself has a hard time holding phones with screens bigger than 6.3″ (e.g. iPhone 12 Pro Max or Samsung Notes).
But the space for the glasses is big enough to hold a few pairs of glasses to store yours and those of someone else in your family.
Hidden Tesla Model 3 Sunglasses Holder: ROCCS
Like the idea of a compartment behind the infotainment screen but would like it to be hidden from anyone’s view?
Then this is the right product for you.
Without damaging your dashboard or display, this storage box hides behind your touchscreen.
Tesla owners who switched from clip talk about how flimsy they were.
And although some customers complain the product “feels cheap,”
It wouldn’t really bother me as the compartment is hidden anyway.
If you’re the type of picky Tesla owner that can’t stand these hard plastic items, you’re better off with the tray discussed above.
Another warning must be kept in mind, better told by Tesla Motors Club user Majcina:
“I use the little compartment below the touchscreen as well, but be warned if you decide to floor the accelerator. My Ray-Bans got a nice scratch right in my line of sight from one such misadventure”
As a bonus, this seller includes a few storage bags.
That way, even if you lost your case (or you never had one in the first place), you can protect your Ray-Bans if they do come flying out as you put your Model 3’s acceleration to the test.
Would You Rather Not Spend ANY Money?
Then try out the following factory storage alternatives.
Thee Tesla owners’ favorite spots go as follows:
- The driver’s side door pocket
- The center console “black hole”
- The glovebox
Any of these spots will do the trick.
Though for safety purposes, it’s recommended you enter your sunglasses in a case not to scratch them up in an unfortunate event.
Our Tesla Model 3 Sunglasses Holder Of Choice
Of all choices, the center console sits in a sweet spot in terms of practicality, quality, and price.
If your Model 3 has the older piano console, then JKCover is the product you may want to consider first.
For models with the refreshed center console (2020 or newer), SUMK stands out as the best choice.
It’s the product with the most praise for its fit. People compare it to Tesla’s tray which says a lot.
Whether you prefer the flocked feel that blends in with the car or the lint variant, your sunglasses will sit there comfortably without any chances of falling off.
Zac Ludicrous
Mechanical engineer by profession. TSLA shareholder before the hype. EV enthusiast all day long. Zac enjoys learning about the future of battery technology, autonomy, and EVs. He considers Tesla Model 3 the most important vehicle of the 21st century -- and is in a quest to improve the ownership experience of every Model 3 owner he possibly can.These 5 rare tips can save you so much time and stress – and few owners know about them (even after years of ownership). Sign up below to learn more. It's free!
