If you’re looking for a cheap, easy Tesla upgrade that takes about five minutes to install, door projector lights are hard to beat.
Sometimes called Tesla puddle lights, door logo lights, or door projection lights, these small LED modules replace the existing lights at the bottom of your Tesla’s doors. When you open the door, they project a bright Tesla-themed image onto the ground.
The best part?
You don’t need to remove the door panel, splice wires, run new wiring, or have any real automotive experience.
With many plug-and-play projector lights available on Amazon, you can simply remove the existing light, disconnect the plug, connect the new projector light, and snap it back into place.
Installation can take five minutes or less per door—and aftermarket Amazon options can cost a fraction of Tesla-branded accessories.
Here’s how to do it.
What Are Tesla Door Projector Lights?
Look at the bottom of your Tesla’s door and you’ll notice a small light.
Its primary purpose is simple: illuminate the area underneath the door when you open it.
Aftermarket door projector lights replace this factory-style light with an LED module containing a lens that projects an image onto the pavement.
Depending on the product you choose, that projection could be a Tesla-inspired logo, lettering, or another graphic.
During the daytime, the effect can be subtle.
At night?
It’s a completely different story.
Open the door and a bright image appears underneath your Tesla, giving the car a surprisingly premium appearance for such an inexpensive modification.
Why We Like This Tesla Upgrade
There are plenty of Tesla accessories that require an hour of installation, complicated wiring, adhesive strips, or permanently modifying your vehicle.
This isn’t one of them.
Door projector lights check almost every box we look for when recommending an easy Tesla accessory:
- Affordable
- Fast installation
- No permanent modification
- No wire cutting
- No special automotive skills
- Easy to remove later
- Immediately noticeable
- Available for popular Tesla models on Amazon
It’s the kind of upgrade you can order today and install in your driveway when it arrives.
Tesla-Branded vs. Aftermarket Amazon Projector Lights
Tesla offers branded projection lighting accessories for compatible vehicles, but you don’t necessarily have to purchase an OEM Tesla product to get a similar visual effect.
Amazon has numerous aftermarket alternatives designed to plug into the existing door-light connector.
And that’s where this upgrade gets particularly interesting.
Depending on the product and current pricing, aftermarket projector lights can cost considerably less than OEM Tesla-branded accessories, especially when purchasing a multi-light kit.
That makes Amazon projector lights attractive if your main goal is simply adding the projection effect without spending much money.
There Is a Trade-Off
OEM and aftermarket products aren’t necessarily identical.
Tesla-branded accessories may offer advantages in fit, finish, projection quality, durability, warranty, and compatibility.
With aftermarket Amazon products, quality can vary significantly between sellers.
We recommend looking carefully at:
- Recent customer reviews
- Vehicle compatibility
- Connector design
- Projection brightness
- Image clarity
- Number of lights included
- Seller return policy
Don’t automatically buy the absolute cheapest set.
A highly rated plug-and-play kit that specifically lists your Tesla’s model and model year is usually worth spending a few extra dollars on.
What You’ll Need
Here’s another reason we like this project.
You barely need any tools.
For most installations, you’ll need:
- Your replacement Tesla door projector lights
- A small plastic trim-removal tool
- A few minutes
Many kits even include a small plastic pry tool.
We strongly recommend using plastic rather than a metal screwdriver around the door trim.
A screwdriver might work, but it can also scratch or damage the surrounding material if it slips.
Before You Order: Check Compatibility
This step is important.
Don’t assume every Tesla projector light fits every Tesla.
Before ordering from Amazon, confirm that the listing specifically supports your:
Tesla model + model year + door location.
For example, a product may be designed for certain years of the Model 3 or Model Y but not necessarily every revision.
Tesla occasionally changes components and connectors between models and production years.
Spend 30 seconds checking compatibility before buying.
It could save you the hassle of returning the lights later.
How to Install Tesla Door Projector Lights
Ready for the installation?
This is one of the easiest modifications we’ve covered on MyTeslaSavings.
Step 1: Open the Door
Start by opening the Tesla door where you’re installing the projector.
Locate the small light on the bottom edge of the door.
That’s what you’ll be replacing.
Before touching anything, take a quick look at how the original light sits in the opening. This will give you a reference for how the replacement should fit.
Step 2: Carefully Pry Out the Existing Light
Insert your plastic trim tool along the appropriate edge of the existing light.
Gently pry downward.
You shouldn’t need excessive force.
Once the retaining clip releases, the light should begin coming out of the opening.
Don’t yank it out.
There’s still a wire connected behind it.
Pull the light down only far enough to comfortably access the connector.
Step 3: Disconnect the Factory Light
Locate the electrical connector attached to the original light.
Carefully disconnect it.
Depending on the connector, you may need to press or release a small retaining tab.
Again, don’t pull aggressively on the wires.
Hold the connector itself whenever possible.
Once disconnected, set your original light somewhere safe.
We recommend keeping it.
If you ever sell your Tesla or decide you don’t like the projector lights, you can easily return the vehicle to its original configuration.
Step 4: Connect the New Projector Light
Take your new projector light and connect it to the Tesla’s existing wiring harness.
That’s it.
No splicing. No soldering. No electrical modifications.
With a compatible plug-and-play kit, the replacement module connects directly to the existing connector.
Before snapping everything back into place, test it.
The projector should illuminate when the door is open.
If it doesn’t, double-check the connection and make sure the plug is fully seated.
Step 5: Check the Projection
This is a step people sometimes skip.
Before snapping the light into the door, look at the projected image.
Is it upright?
Is it facing the correct direction?
If the image is sideways or backward, check the orientation of the projector module and the manufacturer’s instructions.
It’s much easier to fix the orientation now than after you’ve completely snapped the light into place.
Step 6: Snap the New Light Into Place
Once everything is working correctly, carefully tuck the connector and wire back inside the opening.
Align the projector light with the original opening.
Insert one side first if required by the module’s clip design, then gently press the other side upward.
You should feel it snap securely into position.
Check that the light sits flush and doesn’t feel loose.
You’re done.
Open and close the door once more to make sure everything continues working properly.
How Long Does Installation Really Take?
If you’re comfortable using a small trim tool, replacing one light can take only a couple of minutes.
Even if it’s your first time, five minutes or less per door is realistic for many plug-and-play kits once you’ve identified the correct release point and connector.
Your first door will probably take the longest.
Once you understand how the light releases and how the connector works, the remaining doors can go much faster.
That’s one reason this is such a satisfying DIY Tesla modification.
There’s almost no learning curve.
What Does It Look Like at Night?
This is when you’ll appreciate the upgrade.
During daylight, you might barely notice the projection.
Wait until it gets dark.
Open your Tesla door in a dark driveway or parking lot and the image appears underneath the car.
For such a small modification, it can dramatically change the experience of getting into the vehicle at night.
It’s also one of those modifications passengers tend to notice.
They open the door and immediately see the projection underneath the vehicle.
How Much Can You Save?
Pricing changes constantly, especially on Amazon, so we recommend comparing current prices before purchasing.
However, aftermarket door projector kits are often available at prices that make this a relatively inexpensive Tesla modification.
Rather than focusing solely on the lowest possible price, compare:
Cost per light.
If one package contains two lights and another contains four, the cheaper listing isn’t necessarily the better deal.
Also compare the aftermarket price with Tesla’s current OEM option if one is available for your vehicle.
If the Amazon kit provides the look you want at a fraction of the OEM cost, the aftermarket option can represent a very good value.
Should You Install Projector Lights on Two Doors or Four?
That depends on your budget and the look you’re trying to achieve.
Installing them on the two front doors is enough to get the effect most drivers want.
Every time you get into your Tesla at night, you’ll see the projection.
However, if your vehicle and the product support all four doors, installing a four-piece set creates a more complete appearance.
Given how quick the installation is, we’d probably install all compatible doors if the price difference is reasonable.
Are Amazon Tesla Projector Lights Worth It?
For the right price, we think they’re a fun upgrade.
They’re not going to increase your Tesla’s range.
They won’t make Supercharging faster.
They won’t protect your paint like PPF or protect your interior like good floor mats.
They’re simply a cheap cosmetic upgrade that makes your Tesla a little more fun.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
One of our favorite things about owning a Tesla is the enormous aftermarket accessory market.
You can personalize the car without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Door projector lights are a perfect example.
Tips Before Installing
There are a few things we’d recommend before starting.
First, don’t use excessive force when removing the original light. If something isn’t releasing, reposition your trim tool rather than prying harder.
Second, install the lights somewhere with decent lighting. You’ll want to see the connector and retaining clips clearly.
Third, test each projector before snapping it completely into the door.
Fourth, keep your original lights.
And finally, don’t throw away the packaging until you’ve installed and tested every projector.
If one of the lights is defective, you’ll want everything needed for a return or replacement.
An Easy 5-Minute Tesla Upgrade
Some Tesla modifications are worth paying a professional to install.
Door projector lights?
For most owners using a compatible plug-and-play kit, this is one we’d try ourselves.
Pop out the original light.
Unplug it.
Plug in the new projector.
Test it.
Snap it into place.
Five minutes later, your Tesla has a completely different look when you open the door at night.
And when aftermarket kits on Amazon can provide the effect for considerably less than an OEM accessory, it’s easy to see why these have become such a popular Tesla modification.
Where to Buy Tesla Door Projector Lights
Amazon has a wide selection of plug-and-play projector lights for Tesla vehicles.
We recommend choosing a kit with strong recent reviews and confirming compatibility with your exact model and year before ordering.
👉 [CHECK CURRENT PRICE ON AMAZON]
If you’re buying a four-pack, make sure the listing confirms that the lights are compatible with all four intended door positions on your specific Tesla.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars or tear apart your Tesla to make it feel a little more personalized.
Sometimes the simplest upgrades are the most fun.
Tesla door projector lights take only a few minutes to install, require virtually no tools, and aftermarket Amazon options can cost a fraction of comparable OEM accessories.
If you’re comfortable popping out a small interior light and plugging in a connector, you can probably handle this modification yourself.
And unlike some Tesla accessories you forget about after a week, you’ll see these every time you open your door at night.
For the combination of low cost, fast installation, and immediate visual impact, Tesla door projector lights earn a spot on our list of easiest Tesla DIY upgrades.
