There’s nothing worse than an untidy workspace: having cluttered cables is not only a hassle but a hazard for office spaces. If you’re looking to tidy up with the best cable management devices, you’re in luck: we’ve compiled a guide of our favorite options. So whether you’re tidying up your home office or simply making it easier to access inputs, these cable management systems are sure to be suited to your desktop.
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Best Cable ManagementVIDOR Under Desk Cable Management Tray
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Best Budget Cable ManagementVIVO DESK-AC06-2P
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Best Cable Management SleeveVIVO DESK-SKIRT-60P
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Best Minimalist Cable ManagementVIVO DESK-AC06-1C
How We Picked the Best Cable Management
Unlike internal cable management systems, the sort used to keep cables between computer components organized, these cable management systems are ones designed for the external wires. From power leads to HDMI cables, most desktops are cluttered with cables. We’ve chosen cable management options that are easy to install, and are the most versatile for organizing your wires.
We settled on five products, across a range of budgets and designs. Regardless of the state of your cables, we’re here to help you find a management solution.
Add a professional look to your workspace with these VIDOR cable management trays. Safe and secure, these are an easy cinch for our top pick.
- Safe and secure – with rounded edges to prevent scratches, these desktop cable managers are easy to use.
- Easy installation – with the option for screw-in or adhesive installation, you can match your own personal cable management needs.
- Frustrating logo – many complain about the VIDOR branding: laser-engraved and impossible to hide.
Taking the top spot in today’s list is the VIDOR Under Desk Cable Management Tray, an ergonomic and stylish storage solution for your cables. Easy to install and capable of housing an array of cables, these are ideal for most desk spaces.
Installation is easy with these VIDOR trays: you have the choice between the more hands-on screw-in option, or a simple adhesive seal to your desk. Load-bearing for up to 15lbs of cables, these trays are as sturdy as they are stylish. If we had one complaint, it would be that the VIDOR logo doesn’t quite gel with every office style – and is impossible to cover up as it’s laser-engraved. Still, for cable management you can rely on, these trays are the ideal solution.
Simple yet effective, our budget choice of cable management adds an easy and effective means of keeping your workspace tidy.
- Simple installation – no nails required: simply clamp these to your desk and place cables as needed.
- Affordable – retailing under $20, these are a great budget option.
- Flimsy build quality – as with any budget option, these aren’t the sturdiest cable management trays on the market.
For a more affordable cable management solution, consider the VIVO Desk-AC06-2P. Though their name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, these are a great budget cable management option.
Able to hold 13lbs per tray, these cable management trays are surprisingly robust. Installation is done via a clamp able to accommodate desks between 0.4″ and 2″ in thickness. The cage-like open design makes for better airflow and avoids the buildup of dust between cables. That said, the design is weaker for it, and the build quality is notably lesser than that of the VIDOR models. It’s the price you pay for a budget model, however, and we find the tradeoff with the AC06-2P to be more than fair.
An alternative to solid cable management options, VIVO’s fabric desk skirts are a more malleable option.
- Fabric – less rigid than metal cable management, these cable sleeves work better with less desk space.
- Large storage – the SKIRT-60P is able to store a large array of cables.
- Unsuited to all cables – not all desktops will benefit from this cable management option.
Rather than the firm placement of cables in a metal tray, the VIVO DESK-SKIRT-60P provides a fabric sleeve through which to feed them, organizing them loosely but safely. For a less intrusive option, this is the ideal cable management sleeve.
Made from a lightweight mesh fabric, these sleeves are lightweight and easy to install – employing the same clamp as the previous option. You can open and close the mesh with Velcro so you can adjust or add and remove cables as necessary. You can also store items within the skirt, which adds extra convenience. However, bear in mind that this sleeve style of cable management will not fit all cable types, and may not suit every desk. If you prefer a lighter and looser cable management option, then this is the choice for you.
For a low-profile but high-effectiveness cable management solution, these metal trays from VIVO are perfect.
- Sturdy – able to hold 11lbs of cables, don’t let the compact form factor fool you.
- Versatile – the minimalist design makes this cable management solution ideal for all applications.
- Screw only – this cable management tray has no alternative to DIY screw-in mounting.
Our final pick for cable management is the VIVO DESK-AC06-1C, another top option from VIVO. Minimalist in design but maximized for efficiency, these lightweight metal plates are ideal for standing or traditional desks.
Capable of holding 11lbs per tray, this cable management is sturdy and secure. The tray tucks in below the installation mount, making for a smaller form factor that sits comfortably inside your desk. Coming in both black and white options, these sleek trays are suited to any office environment. What’s less suited to all, however, is the screw-in exclusive mounting, which less hands-on office workers may not appreciate. But for a minimalist and secure cable management option, you can’t beat these trays!
Features and Considerations
If you’re considering a cable management solution not sourced here, consider the following:
Form Factor
Depending on the size of both your desk and your cables, some housing units won’t be able to fit them. Consider your size limitations.
Weight
Equally, the heft of your cables is important to determine the load-bearing capacities of your cable management. The sum total of your cable weight shouldn’t be more than a dozen pounds, but it’s worth weighing them yourself to check.
Installation
As we’ve touched on above, there’s a number of different means of securing your cable management to your desk. Adhesive or clamp-based cable management ensures the desk itself isn’t damaged, but are always prone to come loose. Though screwing in a cable management tray doesn’t guarantee security, it definitely improves it. Depending on what you have, and what you’re permitted to do, ensure you pick up the right mounting system for your cable management.
Verdict
Though you may find the branding an eyesore, VIDOR’s Under Desk Cable Management Trays are the ultimate blend of form and function, and are sure to keep your cables tidy with ease!
