Review: Wireless Phone Charger For Tesla Model 3

My neighbor has a Model 3 with a wireless charging station built right into the center console. I didn’t realize this was an aftermarket purchase at first, which is why I wanted to review it here today. The brand my neighbor uses is the Taptes Generation 2 wireless charging station.

The Gen 2 model includes several improvements over the previous version. Starting with the basics, this version has a ridge line molded into the center of the charging platform. This allows a user to charge two phones vertically at the same time, each independently receiving power. The center ridge does not extend all the way to the bottom, so if you need to charge a phone in landscape mode, for example while viewing Google Maps, that is still possible.

The charging station also includes a USB-C port in the event a passenger has a phone that does not support wireless charging. This applies to both Android and Apple devices, making the setup flexible for mixed-device households.

My neighbor’s car is a 2019 Tesla Model 3, but this charging station supports Tesla center consoles from the 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 model years. The black finish closely matches the Tesla interior trim, and as mentioned earlier, it does not look like an aftermarket add-on once installed.

The charging pad uses an anti-slip grip material so phones don’t slide around while driving. The wireless signal is strong enough to charge through most phone cases. However, if your phone has a magnetic disc or pop-socket attached, charging may not work reliably. This is typically due to increased distance from the charging coil or signal obstruction. The pad also includes two LED indicators to show when the charging station is active, while your phone confirms receipt of power. Two USB splitters are included so the charger can be powered from the Tesla USB ports while still allowing connections for accessories such as a dash camera.

• 1 × Wireless Charger / Pad (Gen 2)
• 1 × Manual
• 2 × USB Splitters

At the time of this review, the Taptes wireless phone charger for Tesla Model 3 was priced at $39 USD.