As a Tesla Model Y owner, I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest gadgets and accessories to enhance my driving experience and personalize my car. One of the most important parts of any car is the dashboard, and the Tesla Model Y and 3 have a sleek and minimalist design that I absolutely love. There is no dashboard where you’d traditionally find one in front of the steering wheel, and instead all details are shown on the massive touch screen in the center of the dashboard instead. This can be difficult for new Tesla drivers to get used to. Even though I love the incredible application of technology and how easy navigating the touchscreen can be, there are times when I need a little bit more information at my fingertips and more easily accessible without looking away from the road, and that’s where console dashboard accessories come in.

So first, a bit about me. As a dad, I feel like I’m always on the run in the car. Whether it’s shuttling my kids to school, running errands, or going on road trips, I spend a lot of time in my car. I’m also a huge tech geek, and I love finding new gadgets that can make my life easier. That’s why I was so excited to test out these console dashboard accessories for the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. We currently have a Model Y Long Range, but have also owned a Model 3 Standard Range and Model 3 Long Range previously.

Drivers new to Tesla may find it difficult to adjust to having just the single screen in the center which requires looking over and down from the road while driving to see speed, speed limit, navigation cues, and media controls and details. It can be a bit distracting to have to do so, and even though Tesla has great safety systems and ratings, minimizing distractions so you can focus on the road is important, and these accessories can help.

Over the past few months, I have reviewed four of the best console dashboard accessories for the Tesla Model Y I could find: the TLYard Mini HUD, the new smaller version TLYard small mini HUD, the Hannshow Ultra Mini Display Screen, and the Teslogic portable mobile phone dashboard. Each accessory varies in terms of size and the amount of information it can display, and each has several pros and cons. One of the best parts of owning a Tesla is the rich accessory market where you can find so many different options to customize your car to make it perfect for you.

TLYard Mini HUD

The TLYard Mini HUD is a small, unobtrusive heads-up display that slots right into the dashboard vent of your Tesla. It displays information like speed, gear selection, and battery charge level onto a small screen that sits just below your line of sight. This means you can keep your eyes on the road while still having access to important information about your car. The TLYard Mini HUD is incredibly easy to install - it simply slots into the vent of your dashboard - and it works with any Tesla Model Y or Model 3. All of these accessories do require connecting to the onboard computer, but the two from TLYard are the easiest as they connect into the OBD2 port in the rear seat center console which is very easy to access and open. The display is bright and clear, and it’s easy to read even in bright sunlight. I found that it was especially useful for keeping track of my speed while driving on highways, as I didn’t have to take my eyes off the road to glance at my speedometer over on the center screen.

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TLYard small mini HUD

The TLYard small mini HUD is similar to the Mini HUD, but it’s even smaller and more compact. It displays information on a small, square screen that sits just above your steering wheel, and it can be programmed to show different types of information depending on your preferences including speed, gear selection, outside temperature, and battery remaining.

The small size of the TLYard mini HUD means that it’s even less obtrusive than the Mini HUD, and I found that it was especially useful for keeping track of my speed and mileage during longer trips. It’s also incredibly easy to install just like the MiniHUD and also just slots into the vent. It requires the same connection to the OBD2 port but I found installation took less than 10 minutes even as a complete novice. It also works with any Model Y or Model 3.

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Hannshow Ultra Mini Display Screen

The Hannshow Ultra Mini Display Screen is a small screen that can be mounted directly behind the steering wheel on the column. It displays information like speed, battery percentage remaining, open doors, turn signals, high beam position, and even seat belt information, making it a true replacement for just about every bit of information found on the main center screen. Tt can be programmed to show different types of information depending on your preferences with customizable screens.

The Hannshow Ultra Mini Display Screen is incredibly small - it’s a tiny bit larger than the size of a credit card - but it’s surprisingly powerful. The display is bright and clear, and it’s easy to read even in bright sunlight. I’ve found that I rely on it far more than the center screen now, and it’s also great for monitoring my car’s performance in real-time. It works on any Model Y from 2020 and any Model 3 from 2017 on up. The installation was a bit harder than the other devices as it requires removing the whole front dashboard panel and a few passenger side panels to run the wiring and access the computer ports, but following the instructions made it easy once I overcame my fear of breaking something. Doing it, I learned a ton about the car and am now not at all afraid to perform similar upgrades.

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Teslogic portable mobile phone dashboard

The Teslogic portable mobile phone dashboard is a unique accessory that allows you to use your smartphone as a heads-up display. It’s incredibly easy to use - simply place your phone on the Teslogic dashboard using the included magnetic mount or the optional MagSafe compatible mount which even charges your phone while using it, and it will display information like speed, temperature, and a ton of performance driving statistics like horsepower, acceleration G forces, and quarter mile and 0-60 times. My favorite feature was the realtime display of where energy is going in the car in realtime which helps optimize driving, climate control use, and monitor what is using up the range.

The Teslogic portable mobile phone dashboard is great for people who don’t want to invest in a separate heads-up display, as it allows you to use your existing smartphone. It’s also incredibly versatile, as it works with any smartphone and any Tesla. I found that it was especially useful for monitoring my car’s performance in real-time and making the best use of the range while also encouraging me to have more fun while driving.

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Minimizing distractions

While these console dashboard accessories can be incredibly useful, it’s important to remember that minimizing distractions is key to safe driving. While these accessories can help minimize the distraction of the center screen and keep your eyes closer to the road, I found that more information on these can also become a distraction in itself. That’s why it’s important to use these accessories in moderation, and to always keep your eyes on the road. In general, it’s a good idea to set up your console dashboard accessories before you start driving, and to only check them when it’s safe to do so. If you find that you’re constantly checking your heads-up display or your phone, it’s time to take a break and give your full attention to the road.

Conclusion

These console dashboard accessories are a great way to enhance your driving experience in the Tesla Model Y or 3. Whether you prefer a heads-up display or a portable phone dashboard, there’s an accessory out there that can meet your needs. With any of these dashboard screens, you’ll be able to get out there and hit the road, making the most of your Tesla. Now, let’s drive!