diff --git a/packages/api-generator/src/types.ts b/packages/api-generator/src/types.ts
index 76c410b852a..818d8dc273f 100644
--- a/packages/api-generator/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/api-generator/src/types.ts
@@ -325,6 +325,7 @@ const allowedRefs = [
   'SelectStrategyFn',
   'SortItem',
   'SubmitEventPromise',
+  'TemplateRef',
   'TouchHandlers',
   'ValidationRule',
 ]
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VColorPicker/VColorPickerCanvas.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VColorPicker/VColorPickerCanvas.tsx
index 5b76f1fb410..fa3f6e32a04 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VColorPicker/VColorPickerCanvas.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VColorPicker/VColorPickerCanvas.tsx
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ export const VColorPickerCanvas = defineComponent({
     })
 
     const { resizeRef } = useResizeObserver(entries => {
-      if (!resizeRef.value?.offsetParent) return
+      if (!resizeRef.el?.offsetParent) return
 
       const { width, height } = entries[0].contentRect
 
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDataTable/VDataTableVirtual.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDataTable/VDataTableVirtual.tsx
index dc2c3b1941a..bee0fb23013 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDataTable/VDataTableVirtual.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDataTable/VDataTableVirtual.tsx
@@ -23,12 +23,11 @@ import { computed, shallowRef, toRef } from 'vue'
 import { convertToUnit, genericComponent, propsFactory, useRender } from '@/util'
 
 // Types
-import type { Ref } from 'vue'
 import type { VDataTableSlotProps } from './VDataTable'
 import type { VDataTableHeadersSlots } from './VDataTableHeaders'
 import type { VDataTableRowsSlots } from './VDataTableRows'
 import type { CellProps, RowProps } from '@/components/VDataTable/types'
-import type { GenericProps, SelectItemKey } from '@/util'
+import type { GenericProps, SelectItemKey, TemplateRef } from '@/util'
 
 type VDataTableVirtualSlotProps<T> = Omit<
   VDataTableSlotProps<T>,
@@ -46,7 +45,7 @@ export type VDataTableVirtualSlots<T> = VDataTableRowsSlots<T> & VDataTableHeade
   'body.prepend': VDataTableVirtualSlotProps<T>
   'body.append': VDataTableVirtualSlotProps<T>
   item: {
-    itemRef: Ref<HTMLElement | undefined>
+    itemRef: TemplateRef
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDatePicker/VDatePickerYears.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDatePicker/VDatePickerYears.tsx
index d596f29ab92..4910d073cd2 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDatePicker/VDatePickerYears.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VDatePicker/VDatePickerYears.tsx
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ import { useDate } from '@/composables/date'
 import { useProxiedModel } from '@/composables/proxiedModel'
 
 // Utilities
-import { computed, nextTick, onMounted, ref, watchEffect } from 'vue'
-import { convertToUnit, createRange, genericComponent, propsFactory, useRender } from '@/util'
+import { computed, nextTick, onMounted, watchEffect } from 'vue'
+import { convertToUnit, createRange, genericComponent, propsFactory, templateRef, useRender } from '@/util'
 
 // Types
 import type { PropType } from 'vue'
@@ -87,10 +87,11 @@ export const VDatePickerYears = genericComponent<VDatePickerYearsSlots>()({
       model.value = model.value ?? adapter.getYear(adapter.date())
     })
 
-    const yearRef = ref<VBtn>()
+    const yearRef = templateRef()
+
     onMounted(async () => {
       await nextTick()
-      yearRef.value?.$el.scrollIntoView({ block: 'center' })
+      yearRef.el?.scrollIntoView({ block: 'center' })
     })
 
     useRender(() => (
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/VOverlay.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/VOverlay.tsx
index c683fffa6b2..75da73ed33b 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/VOverlay.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/VOverlay.tsx
@@ -46,11 +46,9 @@ import {
 } from '@/util'
 
 // Types
-import type {
-  ComponentPublicInstance, PropType,
-  Ref,
-} from 'vue'
+import type { PropType, Ref } from 'vue'
 import type { BackgroundColorData } from '@/composables/color'
+import type { TemplateRef } from '@/util'
 
 interface ScrimProps {
   [key: string]: unknown
@@ -77,7 +75,7 @@ function Scrim (props: ScrimProps) {
 
 export type OverlaySlots = {
   default: { isActive: Ref<boolean> }
-  activator: { isActive: boolean, props: Record<string, any>, targetRef: Ref<ComponentPublicInstance<any> | HTMLElement> }
+  activator: { isActive: boolean, props: Record<string, any>, targetRef: TemplateRef }
 }
 
 export const makeVOverlayProps = propsFactory({
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/useActivator.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/useActivator.tsx
index b1555ee3c48..0bf11e5ac86 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/useActivator.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VOverlay/useActivator.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import {
   IN_BROWSER,
   matchesSelector,
   propsFactory,
-  refElement,
+  templateRef,
   unbindProps,
 } from '@/util'
 
@@ -228,19 +228,19 @@ export function useActivator (
     }
   }, { flush: 'post' })
 
-  const activatorRef = ref<HTMLElement>()
+  const activatorRef = templateRef()
   watchEffect(() => {
     if (!activatorRef.value) return
 
     nextTick(() => {
-      activatorEl.value = refElement(activatorRef.value)
+      activatorEl.value = activatorRef.el
     })
   })
 
-  const targetRef = ref<ComponentPublicInstance<any> | HTMLElement>()
+  const targetRef = templateRef()
   const target = computed(() => {
     if (props.target === 'cursor' && cursorTarget.value) return cursorTarget.value
-    if (targetRef.value) return refElement(targetRef.value)
+    if (targetRef.value) return targetRef.el
     return getTarget(props.target, vm) || activatorEl.value
   })
   const targetEl = computed(() => {
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VSlideGroup/VSlideGroup.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VSlideGroup/VSlideGroup.tsx
index 0fa926635c9..dee0b516718 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VSlideGroup/VSlideGroup.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VSlideGroup/VSlideGroup.tsx
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
     const goTo = useGoTo()
     const goToOptions = computed<Partial<GoToOptions>>(() => {
       return {
-        container: containerRef.value,
+        container: containerRef.el,
         duration: 200,
         easing: 'easeOutQuart',
       }
@@ -148,9 +148,9 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
             isOverflowing.value = containerSize.value + 1 < contentSize.value
           }
 
-          if (firstSelectedIndex.value >= 0 && contentRef.value) {
+          if (firstSelectedIndex.value >= 0 && contentRef.el) {
             // TODO: Is this too naive? Should we store element references in group composable?
-            const selectedElement = contentRef.value.children[lastSelectedIndex.value] as HTMLElement
+            const selectedElement = contentRef.el.children[lastSelectedIndex.value] as HTMLElement
 
             scrollToChildren(selectedElement, props.centerActive)
           }
@@ -165,13 +165,13 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
 
       if (center) {
         target = calculateCenteredTarget({
-          containerElement: containerRef.value!,
+          containerElement: containerRef.el!,
           isHorizontal: isHorizontal.value,
           selectedElement: children,
         })
       } else {
         target = calculateUpdatedTarget({
-          containerElement: containerRef.value!,
+          containerElement: containerRef.el!,
           isHorizontal: isHorizontal.value,
           isRtl: isRtl.value,
           selectedElement: children,
@@ -182,11 +182,11 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
     }
 
     function scrollToPosition (newPosition: number) {
-      if (!IN_BROWSER || !containerRef.value) return
+      if (!IN_BROWSER || !containerRef.el) return
 
-      const offsetSize = getOffsetSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.value)
-      const scrollPosition = getScrollPosition(isHorizontal.value, isRtl.value, containerRef.value)
-      const scrollSize = getScrollSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.value)
+      const offsetSize = getOffsetSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.el)
+      const scrollPosition = getScrollPosition(isHorizontal.value, isRtl.value, containerRef.el)
+      const scrollSize = getScrollSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.el)
 
       if (
         scrollSize <= offsetSize ||
@@ -194,8 +194,8 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
         Math.abs(newPosition - scrollPosition) < 16
       ) return
 
-      if (isHorizontal.value && isRtl.value && containerRef.value) {
-        const { scrollWidth, offsetWidth: containerWidth } = containerRef.value!
+      if (isHorizontal.value && isRtl.value && containerRef.el) {
+        const { scrollWidth, offsetWidth: containerWidth } = containerRef.el!
 
         newPosition = (scrollWidth - containerWidth) - newPosition
       }
@@ -216,12 +216,12 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
     function onFocusin (e: FocusEvent) {
       isFocused.value = true
 
-      if (!isOverflowing.value || !contentRef.value) return
+      if (!isOverflowing.value || !contentRef.el) return
 
       // Focused element is likely to be the root of an item, so a
       // breadth-first search will probably find it in the first iteration
       for (const el of e.composedPath()) {
-        for (const item of contentRef.value.children) {
+        for (const item of contentRef.el.children) {
           if (item === el) {
             scrollToChildren(item as HTMLElement)
             return
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
       if (
         !ignoreFocusEvent &&
         !isFocused.value &&
-        !(e.relatedTarget && contentRef.value?.contains(e.relatedTarget as Node))
+        !(e.relatedTarget && contentRef.el?.contains(e.relatedTarget as Node))
       ) focus()
 
       ignoreFocusEvent = false
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
     }
 
     function onKeydown (e: KeyboardEvent) {
-      if (!contentRef.value) return
+      if (!contentRef.el) return
 
       function toFocus (location: Parameters<typeof focus>[0]) {
         e.preventDefault()
@@ -280,25 +280,25 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
     }
 
     function focus (location?: 'next' | 'prev' | 'first' | 'last') {
-      if (!contentRef.value) return
+      if (!contentRef.el) return
 
       let el: HTMLElement | undefined
 
       if (!location) {
-        const focusable = focusableChildren(contentRef.value)
+        const focusable = focusableChildren(contentRef.el)
         el = focusable[0]
       } else if (location === 'next') {
-        el = contentRef.value.querySelector(':focus')?.nextElementSibling as HTMLElement | undefined
+        el = contentRef.el.querySelector(':focus')?.nextElementSibling as HTMLElement | undefined
 
         if (!el) return focus('first')
       } else if (location === 'prev') {
-        el = contentRef.value.querySelector(':focus')?.previousElementSibling as HTMLElement | undefined
+        el = contentRef.el.querySelector(':focus')?.previousElementSibling as HTMLElement | undefined
 
         if (!el) return focus('last')
       } else if (location === 'first') {
-        el = (contentRef.value.firstElementChild as HTMLElement)
+        el = (contentRef.el.firstElementChild as HTMLElement)
       } else if (location === 'last') {
-        el = (contentRef.value.lastElementChild as HTMLElement)
+        el = (contentRef.el.lastElementChild as HTMLElement)
       }
 
       if (el) {
@@ -314,8 +314,8 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
       let newPosition = scrollOffset.value + offsetStep
 
       // TODO: improve it
-      if (isHorizontal.value && isRtl.value && containerRef.value) {
-        const { scrollWidth, offsetWidth: containerWidth } = containerRef.value!
+      if (isHorizontal.value && isRtl.value && containerRef.el) {
+        const { scrollWidth, offsetWidth: containerWidth } = containerRef.el!
 
         newPosition += scrollWidth - containerWidth
       }
@@ -366,8 +366,8 @@ export const VSlideGroup = genericComponent<new <T>(
     const hasNext = computed(() => {
       if (!containerRef.value) return false
 
-      const scrollSize = getScrollSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.value)
-      const clientSize = getClientSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.value)
+      const scrollSize = getScrollSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.el)
+      const clientSize = getClientSize(isHorizontal.value, containerRef.el)
 
       const scrollSizeMax = scrollSize - clientSize
 
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VVirtualScroll/VVirtualScrollItem.tsx b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VVirtualScroll/VVirtualScrollItem.tsx
index 28cb31df9ca..a7327248cf0 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/components/VVirtualScroll/VVirtualScrollItem.tsx
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/components/VVirtualScroll/VVirtualScrollItem.tsx
@@ -7,8 +7,7 @@ import { watch } from 'vue'
 import { genericComponent, propsFactory, useRender } from '@/util'
 
 // Types
-import type { Ref } from 'vue'
-import type { GenericProps } from '@/util'
+import type { GenericProps, TemplateRef } from '@/util'
 
 export const makeVVirtualScrollItemProps = propsFactory({
   renderless: Boolean,
@@ -22,7 +21,7 @@ export const VVirtualScrollItem = genericComponent<new <Renderless extends boole
   },
   slots: {
     default: Renderless extends true ? {
-      itemRef: Ref<HTMLElement | undefined>
+      itemRef: TemplateRef
     } : never
   }
 ) => GenericProps<typeof props, typeof slots>>()({
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/composables/resizeObserver.ts b/packages/vuetify/src/composables/resizeObserver.ts
index f9a6db1a0af..3652e258872 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/composables/resizeObserver.ts
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/composables/resizeObserver.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,19 @@
 // Utilities
 import { onBeforeUnmount, readonly, ref, watch } from 'vue'
-import { refElement } from '@/util'
+import { templateRef } from '@/util'
 import { IN_BROWSER } from '@/util/globals'
 
 // Types
 import type { DeepReadonly, Ref } from 'vue'
+import type { TemplateRef } from '@/util'
 
 interface ResizeState {
-  resizeRef: Ref<HTMLElement | undefined>
+  resizeRef: TemplateRef
   contentRect: DeepReadonly<Ref<DOMRectReadOnly | undefined>>
 }
 
 export function useResizeObserver (callback?: ResizeObserverCallback, box: 'content' | 'border' = 'content'): ResizeState {
-  const resizeRef = ref<HTMLElement>()
+  const resizeRef = templateRef()
   const contentRect = ref<DOMRectReadOnly>()
 
   if (IN_BROWSER) {
@@ -32,13 +33,13 @@ export function useResizeObserver (callback?: ResizeObserverCallback, box: 'cont
       observer.disconnect()
     })
 
-    watch(resizeRef, (newValue, oldValue) => {
+    watch(() => resizeRef.el, (newValue, oldValue) => {
       if (oldValue) {
-        observer.unobserve(refElement(oldValue) as Element)
+        observer.unobserve(oldValue)
         contentRect.value = undefined
       }
 
-      if (newValue) observer.observe(refElement(newValue) as Element)
+      if (newValue) observer.observe(newValue)
     }, {
       flush: 'post',
     })
diff --git a/packages/vuetify/src/util/helpers.ts b/packages/vuetify/src/util/helpers.ts
index cb60134d49a..cfff79aa004 100644
--- a/packages/vuetify/src/util/helpers.ts
+++ b/packages/vuetify/src/util/helpers.ts
@@ -735,3 +735,26 @@ export function isClickInsideElement (event: MouseEvent, targetDiv: HTMLElement)
 
   return mouseX >= divLeft && mouseX <= divRight && mouseY >= divTop && mouseY <= divBottom
 }
+
+export type TemplateRef = {
+  (target: Element | ComponentPublicInstance | null): void
+  value: HTMLElement | ComponentPublicInstance | null | undefined
+  readonly el: HTMLElement | undefined
+}
+export function templateRef () {
+  const el = shallowRef<HTMLElement | ComponentPublicInstance | null>()
+  const fn = (target: HTMLElement | ComponentPublicInstance | null) => {
+    el.value = target
+  }
+  Object.defineProperty(fn, 'value', {
+    enumerable: true,
+    get: () => el.value,
+    set: val => el.value = val,
+  })
+  Object.defineProperty(fn, 'el', {
+    enumerable: true,
+    get: () => refElement(el.value),
+  })
+
+  return fn as TemplateRef
+}