If you own a Tesla, you know that the massive glass roof is beautiful until the sun hits its peak. During the summer months, my car cabin turns into an absolute oven, and the air conditioning has to work double time just to keep me comfortable.
I decided to pick up these ice cloth shades to see if they could actually keep the heat down. This 2PCS For Tesla Model 3/Y/3 Highland/Y Juniper Ice Cloth Buckle Shades for Glass Roof Front & Rear Sunroof Skylight Sunshade review covers whether these cheap shades are worth your time.
What are these ice cloth shades?
These shades are essentially two mesh panels designed to clip into the top of your Tesla roof. They use a special fabric that feels cool to the touch, which is why they call it ice cloth.
The main draw here is the price. You can often find these with free shipping on AliExpress, making them a very budget-friendly way to fix a big design flaw in the car.
Real world benefits
Installing these was pretty straightforward, even if it took a few tries to get the clips in the right spot. Once they are up, the difference in cabin temperature is noticeable.
I no longer feel that intense heat radiating onto the top of my head while driving. It keeps the car much cooler when parked, which means I do not have to blast the climate control as soon as I hop in.
Honest pros and cons
These shades have some great points, but they are not perfect. Here is my honest take after using them for a few months.
- Pros
- They fit the Model 3 and Y glass roofs quite well.
- The material blocks a good amount of sunlight and heat.
- They are much cheaper than the official Tesla accessories.
- Free shipping is a huge plus if you are on a budget.
- Cons
- The plastic clips can feel a bit flimsy and might break if you force them.
- Shipping from overseas takes a long time, often several weeks.
- You are on your own if you have a warranty issue.
- They can sag slightly in the middle over time since they are thin.
Who should buy these shades?
This product is perfect for people who live in hot, sunny climates and want a quick fix for the heat. If you like the look of the glass roof but hate the burning sun, this is a solid choice for the money.
You should skip these if you are looking for a permanent, high-end interior finish. If you expect dealership-level quality or need a product that will never sag, you might want to look for a more expensive, rigid shade instead.
What buyers are saying
I talked to a few other owners who bought these online. One owner said they made a massive difference during a road trip in Arizona, although they had to wait a month for them to arrive.
Another user mentioned that they had to watch a quick video to figure out how the buckles worked. Once they got the hang of the installation, they were happy with how it turned out.
My final verdict
I think these shades are a smart buy for the average Tesla driver. They do exactly what they promise without costing a fortune.
While you have to deal with long shipping times and somewhat cheap plastic clips, the cooling benefits are real. If you can handle a little bit of a learning curve during setup, these shades are a great addition to your ride.