One of the things people love most about Tesla vehicles is how straightforward they are to control. The 15-inch touchscreen display is a huge part of the equation. Other manufacturers have displays, but few are this large, and few are as capable. It’s your one-stop shop for on-board entertainment, navigation, phone calls, climate control, and more.
That said, it’s still a touchscreen. If it gets smudged, it can be hard to see what’s going on until you clean it off. If it gets scratched, you’ll have an even bigger problem on your hands. A badly-scratched display can become nigh-unusable, particularly if you’re also dealing with glare. A good screen protector can prevent both of these issues.
Today, we’re going to review four of the best Tesla Model 3 and & screen protectors we could find. If you don’t have time to read the whole review, here’s a short summary:
- The Spigen is a tempered glass screen protector that comes in a frame for easy installation.
- The ShowEv is engineered from plastic, which makes it flexible and simple to install.
- The INNOSURE is a slightly undersized protector that covers the area inside the bezel.
- The Nestour has a stepped design that leaves zero gap between it and the screen.
Which one is the best for you? Keep reading, and find out!
Spigen Tesla Tempered Glass Matte Screen Protector
Key features:
- 9H tempered glass.
- Oleophobic matte finish.
- Includes installation supplies.
The Spigen Tempered Glass Matte Screen Protector is as tough as they come. It has a hardness rating of 9H, which is almost as tough as diamond. Your keys won’t scratch it, nor will any everyday tools you’re liable to be carrying. You’d need a diamond ring or a diamond-tipped drill bit to actually scratch the surface.
The surface of the glass has a matte finish that prevents glare. You don’t have to worry about sunlight distorting your view of the screen. Meanwhile, an oleophobic coating helps to resist fingerprints. It’s not 100% effective – no coating is – but it makes a noticeable difference compared to cheaper screen protectors.
The Spigen protector is designed specifically for the display on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. It will not work on other Tesla models. That said, it works reasonably well and is fairly responsive.
The screen protector comes in a plastic frame, and is held in place by a broad sticker. It also comes with an alcohol cleaning pad, a wiping cloth, and an adhesive dust remover. First, clean your screen with the alcohol wipe, then dry it with the cloth. Use the dust remover if necessary to get rid of any remaining dust.
Next, remove the peel-away backing from the glass and fit the plastic frame over the screen. Make sure to align the curved portion with the bottom of the display. Wait a few seconds, then press and slide your finger along the sticker as per the instructions. Peel away the sticker and the frame will pop right off. That way, your screen protector will be perfectly aligned.
ShowEv Tesla Model Y/3 Matte Screen Protector
Key features:
- 9H plastic protector.
- Oleophobic matte finish.
- Includes installation supplies.
The ShowEv Tesla Model Y/3 Matte Screen Protector is altogether different. Instead of being made from tempered glass, it’s made from plastic like a phone screen protector. This makes it more flexible, which helps when working bubbles out during the application. It’s also just as hard as the last protector, with a rating of 9H. Just because it’s made of plastic doesn’t mean it has to be soft. Keys and other ordinary objects won’t pose any threat to it.
The matte finish and oleophobic coating do a good job of protecting you from more mundane hazards. The surface won’t collect fingerprints easily, and there’s nearly zero glare. You’ll be able to see your screen clearly under virtually any lighting conditions.
Installation is straightforward. First, you use the included cleaning kit to get rid of any dust or fingerprints. Next, put the glass into the black installation frame and remove the peel-away backing. When applying it, press down hard on one end first. This will ensure that it’s properly aligned. Next, remove the frame, and press down gently from one end of the protector to the other. That way, you can smooth out any bubbles as you go.
While you’re outfitting your new Tesla, it would be smart to invest in a charging cable wall mount. It will keep your cable off the ground so you don’t run over it by accident.
INNOSURE Tempered Glass Tesla Screen Protector
Key features:
- 9H tempered glass.
- Oleophobic matte finish.
- Includes installation supplies.
- Covers only the visual display and controls, sits flat inside bezel.
The INNOSURE Tempered Glass Screen Protector is engineered from tempered glass. It has a hardness rating of 9H, so it can stand up to most abuse. It’s also infused with aluminum, which makes it more shatter-resistant than most glass. It’s shock-resistant as well as scratch-resistant, so you can bang into it without causing serious damage.
Meanwhile, the glass has been sandblasted with ultra-fine sand to create an a glare-free matte finish. It’s also coated with an oleophobic coating to repel fingerprint oil.
This protector is slightly undersized, but it’s built that way for a reason. There’s a slightly raised bezel around the display and touch controls. While this bezel is less than a millimeter thick, it creates a tiny air gap under an ordinary screen protector. To install it, first apply the guide sticker along the top bezel. Then clean your display and remove the peel-away backing on the glass. Apply it carefully, with the top side up. The kit includes cleaning supplies, along with a squeegee for removing bubbles.
Nestour Tesla Tempered Glass Crystal Clear Screen Protector
Key features:
- 9H tempered glass.
- Oleophobic glossy finish.
- Includes installation tools.
- Stepped design with zero gap over screen.
The Nestour Tesla Tempered Glass Crystal Clear Screen Protector is also made of 9H tempered glass. However, it has a glossy finish rather than matte. This provides truer colors and better overall clarity than a matte finish. On the downside, it also doesn’t do as good of a job at resisting glare. It does have an oleophobic coating, so you don’t have to worry about leaving any fingerprints.
The glass is milled in such a way that it sits completely flat to the screen. It’s slightly thinner at the bezel, and fatter in the center to make full contact. As a result, the touch sensitivity isn’t impaired by any air pocket.
The installation tool is very well-designed. It fits perfectly over your display for pinpoint-accurate positioning. This type of accuracy is essential for the glass to attach properly. A big pair of flaps to the side make it easy to press into place, and provide even pressure across the screen.
Your display isn’t the only part of your Tesla that needs protecting. All too often, inconsiderate motorists will unplug your car from the charger. A Tesla charger lock will ensure that you get a full charge, and don’t come back to find an empty battery.
Why Use a Tesla Screen Protector?
There are a few good reasons to use a Tesla screen protector, and the first is glare. If you can’t see what’s happening on your display, you’ll have trouble operating your car’s systems. A matte glass cover can significantly reduce this.
Another reason is to cut down on fingerprints. Fingerprints can be just as distracting as glare, and they don’t go away when the sun goes down. No screen protector can entirely eliminate fingerprints. But they can resist the majority of the oil from your fingertips.
Finally, there’s the problem of scratching. Your Tesla is an investment! Do you really want the screen to get all beat up? Compared to the cost of a new display, a screen protector might as well be free.
Types of Screen Protectors
There are three primary types of screen protectors. Here’s a quick look at what each is capable of:
- Matte screen protectors eliminate glare, but can somewhat mute the colors. They’re also resistant to fingerprints, even without an oleophobic coating.
- Glossy screen protectors don’t cut down on glare and require a coating to resist fingerprints. However, you’ll get much better image quality.
- PET film is the film that comes on your screen out of the factory. It provides dust protection, but quickly becomes discolored and starts to shrivel. Just peel this stuff off and use a real screen protector.
Final Verdict
All of these screen protectors could be the right choice for the right situation. But which one is the best for you? Here’s a quick summary of what we’ve learned.
We began by looking at the Spigen Tempered Glass Matte Screen Protector. This 9H tempered glass protector is tough and durable. It’s also easy to align with the frame applicator. Just press it into place, swipe along the sticker, and peel the frame away.
Next, we examined the ShowEv Tesla Model Y/3 Matte Screen Protector. This protector’s plastic design might put some people off. But because it’s flexible, it’s easier to smooth away bubbles than with a glass protector. Besides which, it’s just as durable as tempered glass, with a hardness rating of 9H.
After that, we checked out the INNOSURE Tempered Glass Screen Protector. The aluminum-infused glass is highly shatter-resistant, which protects against impact. We also liked the undersized design, since it sits flat to the display. The only downside is that the installation is a bit tricky.
Finally, we reviewed the Nestour Tesla Tempered Glass Crystal Clear Screen Protector. This protector has a stepped design that keeps it entirely flush to your screen. We also liked the installation frame, which allows for easy, perfect placement.
Meet Ry, “TechGuru,” a 36-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.