The 7 Very Best Cable Organizers (2024)

best in class

By Jordan McMahon, a technology and gadgets writer at the Strategist. He’s been covering technology since 2017 and previously wrote for Wired, Wirecutter, and Reviewed.com.

The 7 Very Best Cable Organizers (2)

Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers

In this article

  • Best overall
  • Best cable ties
  • Best cable-organizer bag
  • Best zip ties
  • Best cable clips
  • Best-looking
  • Best cable rack
  • Best desk skirt

Every time I get my desk situated the way I like, another gadget comes into my life — a hazard of the job — and mucks up my neatly arranged cables, turning them into a tangled mess of spaghetti. There are many options for cable management, including Velcro straps that wrap around your cords to keep them bundled, bins that you drop your cords into that keep them out of sight, or clips that make your charging and syncing cables tidy but still easy to reach. Over the years, I’ve tried nearly every method of cable management and finally landed on a solution that works for me. Everyone’s setup is different, so it’s important to consider things like whether you need to frequently mess with your cables, or whether you want them completely invisible or just neater so your desk doesn’t look like an octopus has taken up residence there.

To find the best ones available, I reflected on the methods that have worked for me, and looked to advice from tech specialists and writers about the cable organizers they recommend.

What we’re looking for

Type

Before you can wrangle your cables into order, you’ll need to pick the best tools for your situation. Options like straightforward Velcro strips or zip ties can bunch together unruly cables without breaking the bank, or you can snag something a little fancier like a set of clips to keep important cables handy under your desk, or a cable bag to keep everything tidy while you’re traveling. You can also get a rack to mount under your desk or other furniture to hide cables that might clash with your room’s whole vibe — though with these, you may still want to use Velcro or zip ties to keep the cords tidy.

I recommend organizing cables by the devices they connect to. Television cables should go together, for example, while the ones for your audio gear should go into a separate bundle.

Capacity

Some organizers work for only single cables or even single specific-size cables, while others can be adjusted to accommodate multiple cables of various sizes.

Portability

Organizers that are attached (whether by adhesive, clamps, or some other mounting method) are meant to be stationary, while ties and bags are great for travel or home use.

Traditional zip ties and clips that attach using adhesive can realistically only be used once (and if you’re concerned about the adhesive damaging the surface you want to use, you may want to consider an alternative). Some desk-mounted organizers, including two listed below, require you to drill holes to attach the rack or organizer permanently. Velcro, wire ties, and, of course, bags are meant to be reused.

Best cable organizer overall

Type: Velcro tie | Capacity: Multiple cables, adjustable | Portability: Portable | Reusability: Reusable

I tend to reorganize my setup a lot — especially when I’m testing new gadgets — so I need something impermanent and flexible. These Velcro ties fit the bill, and I’ve been using them in conjunction with a cable tray (more on that below) to keep things neat, tidy, and out of sight.

They’re adjustable and reusable, eight inches long and half an inch wide, and can fit a variety of different-size cables. One tie can easily hold three USB-C cables or a combination of a USB-C cable and an HDMI or an ethernet cable. They also have a sliding design, which allows you to tighten them very easily. This pack of 100 ties can be used in different spaces all around your home, from your home-theater setup to your nightstand.

Best cable ties for your nightstand

Type: Steel-wire core with rubber coating | Capacity: Multiple cables, adjustable | Portability: Portable | Reusability: Reusable

Unlike our best overall pick, these ties, which come in a pack of 12, are made of rubber, which is less likely to wear over time than Velcro — if you’ve ever noticed the Velcro of your backpack or jacket gradually weakening with use or from collecting too much lint, you know the struggle.

Strategist writer Kitty Guo praises the Nite Ize ties for their flexibility, thanks to a steel-wire interior and a grippy rubber exterior, as well as the various color and length options.

Best cable-organizer bag

Type: Bag | Capacity: Multiple cables, adjustable | Portability: Portable | Reusability: Reusable

I loathe packing my cables into a bag when I’m traveling: They never seem to stay put, and I always have to wrap them too tightly to pack them into my bag’s pockets. Cable-organizing bags give you compartments for all your cords and charging bricks and keep cables from getting tangled with everything else you’ve packed and away from items that could damage the cables.

This Ruggard cable case was recommended to us by B&H senior technologist Mark Steinberg. One of the more interesting details he pointed out is the clear window that allows you to easily identify any cable you might need and minimize the amount of rooting around you’ll need to do. The case is weather resistant, and one side has 12 dedicated cable slots with elastic loops to hold cables securely. (You can store additional or larger cables in the pocket on the other side.) The Ruggard comes with six Velcro cable ties for keeping cables wrapped while in the case. And if you like the design but don’t need to carry as much, it comes in a smaller size that has six dedicated cable slots with three Velcro ties.

Best zip-tie cable organizers

Type: Plastic zip ties | Capacity: Multiple cables, adjustable | Portability: Not portable | Reusability: Single use

My setup changes too frequently for using zip ties, which can only be placed once and have to be cut to be removed. But they can be especially great for larger cables that you might have in the living room or in a basic sound-system setup that you want to just set and forget.

All of the zip ties in this pack of 100 are eight inches long, and you can trim off any extra length as needed. They come in black or clear, so you can match them to your cables if you like.

Best cable-organizer clips

Type: Self-adhesive clip | Capacity: Each clip holds one thin cable | Portability: Not portable | Reusability: Single use

I use a clip that came with an old accessory pack from years ago, but it works just like these ones from BlueLounge. This pack of nine clips, each of which holds a single cable, comes in a variety of colors that can help you decorate or organize your desk (they also come in black only). They make it easy to grab cables you attach and detach frequently.

Professional organizer Daniel Loya, the owner of Spaces Transformed, recommends these cable clips for keeping track of unruly cords that are always “slipping off your desk and out of reach.” Plus, he says, the self-adhesive backing can be easily removed.

Best cable rack

$16

Type: Metal tray | Capacity: Multiple cables | Portability: Portable | Reusability: Single-use adhesive

Thanks to the number of gadgets I have to test at any given time, cable management often feels like a fool’s errand. The closest I’ve gotten to a tidy cable arrangement at my desk is using this under-desk tray. I got thisto replace a plastic tray that came with my standing desk. Unlike that one, which used adhesive to attach to the underside of my desk (it fell off after about two years), this one uses two clamps to stay in place. Those clamps, while more time-consuming to set up, are easier to move if you get a new desk or want to shift things around. The sides of the tray have holes that you can feed wires through, so they’re not all poking out the top of the tray, and since it’s deeper than many other trays I’ve seen, the cables aren’t visible once they’re inside.

If you’re particular about keeping things neat, a few zip ties or Velcro straps like our picks above will help maintain order while the tray keeps everything out of sight.

Best desk-skirt cable organizer

Type: Mat with pockets | Capacity: Multiple cables | Portability: Not portable | Reusability: Reusable (with screws)

While I’ve been able to keep my cables out of sight and out of mind with the Quszmd tray, something with a privacy panel will ensure that every cable is hidden away. Sean Hollister, senior news editor at the Verge, says he used to have a rat’s nest of wires under his desk, and he tried a number of cord keepers and wraps before landing on the Mount-It, which he loves for its built-in pockets to house cables. The large mesh pockets open and close with Velcro strips, so everything inside is easy to access, and cables can enter or exit the pockets in multiple directions. Hollister uses them to hide a lot of messy cables as well as his ethernet switch. You can choose between 41-inch or 60-inch widths, depending on the size of your space.

Our experts

Bobby Berk, Netflix’s Queer Eye
• Sean Hollister, senior news editor at the Verge
• Daniel Loya, professional organizer and owner of Spaces Transformed
• Mark Steinberg, B&H senior technologist

The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.

Tags:

  • the strategist
  • best in class
  • electronics
  • tech

Show Leave a Comment

The 7 Very Best Cable Organizers
The 7 Very Best Cable Organizers (2024)

FAQs

What is the best for cable management? ›

What is the best tool to use for cable management? After researching several cable management tools, we found that the best are ones with adhesive cord clips or cable management sleeves. These make it easy to hide cords along walls or under furniture out of the way.

What is the best way to organize cables? ›

Untangle and sort your cables into matching piles. Use cable ties or rubber bands to roll them up neatly. Place your cords into boxes labeled by type. I repurposed old circular plastic takeout containers, as they are the right shape for coiled up cables.

How do I manage all my cables? ›

12 Cable Management Ideas & Tools
  1. Group & Organize Wires with Cable Ties. ...
  2. Secure Bundles of Wires with Cable Tie Mounts. ...
  3. Group Cords Together with Identification Cable Ties. ...
  4. Color Coordinate with Electrical Tape. ...
  5. Protect & Conceal with Cable Raceways. ...
  6. Adhere Wires with Cable Clamps. ...
  7. Install Fabric Cord Covers.

What can I use to keep my cords organized? ›

Use Cable Management Boxes

Cable management boxes come in different shapes, colors, and styles. Useful in all areas of the home or at the office, they are designed as a hub to accommodate a power strip and multiple connected cords. A box is a simple way to keep spaces neat and help prevent accidental disconnections.

How to do the best cable management? ›

When you're out of cable ties or One-Wraps and need a short-term solution for organizing cables, painter's tape or masking tape can help tame them. Use painter's tape to hold cords against the back of a desk, a wall, or the underside of a table without worrying about damaging the surface.

How can I lower my cable bill? ›

With common but necessary bills like these, it's important to stay on top of any price increases while optimizing your usage for the best savings.
  1. Negotiate Your Costs. ...
  2. Bundle Plans. ...
  3. Downsize Your Plan. ...
  4. Use Free Trials. ...
  5. Qualify for Discounts. ...
  6. Shop With Family. ...
  7. Swap to Totally Free Options.
Feb 20, 2023

How do I organize my cable and TV cords? ›

  1. Wrangle your cords with cable ties. ...
  2. Label your cables. ...
  3. Buy new (shorter) cables. ...
  4. Install new power sockets or HDMI ports behind the TV. ...
  5. Conceal TV cords in a cable raceway. ...
  6. Hide surround speaker wires by skirting the floor molding or laying down a rug. ...
  7. Mount your power strip to get cables off the floor.
Mar 31, 2022

How do I organize my home network cables? ›

10 tips for better network cable management
  1. Identify cables using color. ...
  2. Label both ends of network, patch and power cables. ...
  3. Use consistent, easy-to-read labels on cables, servers, racks, IT equipment, etc. ...
  4. Bundle. ...
  5. Separate different types of cables. ...
  6. Use the correct cable length. ...
  7. Wrap cables with fasteners and ties.

How to manage cables too long? ›

Cable management boxes, cord covers, or even DIY solutions like using adhesive hooks under your desk offer practical and affordable options for hiding extra length.

How to keep cables tidy on a desk? ›

Keep cords from taking over your work or study space with these 15 options to hide cords.
  1. Use potted plants.
  2. Place a Cable Box on Top of the Desk.
  3. Display Books.
  4. Attach Cord Clips.
  5. Use Metal Binder Clips.
  6. Use Cord Management Pipes.
  7. Organize Cords With Zip Ties.
  8. For Multiple Cords, Use a Cable Sleeve.
Apr 14, 2023

How to organize cables in a drawer? ›

If you want to stick to your predesignated cable drawer/box, toilet paper and paper towel rolls are a great way to keep cables in their place: Loosely wrap them, stuff them in a roll, and then store them upright in the drawer.

What is proper cable management? ›

Cable Management is used to describe the way cabling is routed, organized, and supported. This involves organizing your cabling and connectivity hardware in a way that makes it easy to identify components and troubleshoot problems. This makes future upgrades and repairs easier while keeping your IT spaces professional.

What is the most reasonable cable company? ›

The cheapest cable TV services are offered by Spectrum and Xfinity. TV service from these companies is widely available and both providers offer lots of channels for $50/month or less.

What is needed for PC cable management? ›

Use cable clips or adhesive cable mounts to secure the cables to the back of your desk. Consider using a cable tray or channel to keep them organized. These solutions attach to the underside of your desk and provide a designated space for your cables to run through.

How do I choose the best cable provider? ›

How to Choose the Best Cable TV Provider in Your Area
  1. Find Which Cable Providers Are in Your Area. The first step in choosing a cable provider is finding out which ones are available in your area. ...
  2. Decide Which Channels You Want. ...
  3. Choose a Plan That Fits Your Budget. ...
  4. Look for Sales and Bundles.
May 1, 2021

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 5385

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.