Cord Organizer for Desk Setups: Cable Management Clips, Trays, Ties and Hubs

Quick Answer

The best cord organizer for desk setups is usually a combination of tools: an under desk cable tray that holds the power strip and spare cable length, cable management clips on the desk surface for the cords you use every day, and ties to bundle what is left. On a standing desk, attach the tray to the desk itself so the cables move up and down with it.

Key Points

·       Cable management clips keep individual cords in place on the desk surface, so charging cables stay within reach instead of falling behind the desk.

·       An under-desk cable management tray hides the power strip and the bulk of your cables, which is where most desk clutter comes from.

·       Magnetic cable ties bundle loose cords and snap shut without knots or plastic zip ties.

·       A desk USB hub at the edge of the desk means fewer cables running to the back of your computer.

·       If you use a standing desk, plan for cables that move with the desk. Leave enough slack and keep loose cords off the floor.

Why Is Desk Cable Management Worth the Effort?

Because it makes your desk easier to clean, easier to change and easier to use.

Cables pile up quickly on a desk: a monitor, a laptop charger, a phone cable, a lamp, speakers and a power strip to connect them all. Without a plan, those cords end up tangled behind the desk, draped across the floor and pulled loose every time you move something.

Good desk wire management makes your workspace easier to clean, easier to change, and easier to look at. It also saves time, because the cable you need is always in the same place.

For quick techniques you can use today, see: 6 Effective Cable Management Techniques to Organize Your Workspace

What Types of Cable Management Work for a Desk?

There are five main types of cable management for desk setups: cable management clips, under-desk trays, cable ties, a desk USB hub, and standing desks with cable management built in.

1. Cable Management Clips

Cable management clips, also called wire management clips, hold one or more cords in a fixed spot. They are the easiest place to start: you can add them in a few minutes and move them whenever your setup changes.

Magnetic cable clips, sometimes sold as a magnetic cord holder, are a convenient variation. Instead of relying only on adhesive, they hold the cable with magnets, so you can lift a cord out, use it, and snap it back.

2. Under-Desk Cable Management Trays

A cable management tray mounts under the desktop and gives your power strip and extra cable length a place to live. For many setups, this makes the most visible difference, because the power strip and most of the cables end up in one hidden place.

3. Magnetic Cable Ties

Cable ties gather several loose cords into one neat bundle. Plastic zip ties work, but you have to cut them every time you change something. Magnetic cable ties close with a snap and open just as easily, so you can reuse them as often as your setup changes.

4,A Desk USB Hub

A desk USB hub cuts down the number of cables running from the desk to the back of your computer. Instead of plugging each device into the computer, you plug them into the hub at the edge of the desk, and only the hub connects to the computer.

5. Standing Desks with Built-in Cable Management

If you are shopping for a new desk, a standing desk with cable management built in can save you from adding parts later. Look for a tray that is attached to the desk frame, so the cables rise and lower with the desk.

For more on choosing a standing desk, see: How to Pick the Best Standing Desk for Your Workspace

How Do You Choose a Cord Organizer for Your Desk?

Choose based on how many cables you have, how thick they are, how big your power strip is and whether your desk moves.

Whether you are shopping for a cable organizer for desk setups, a full desk cable organizer system or a simple desk cord organizer, the same checks apply.

·       Count your cables first. Write down every device on the desk and where it plugs in. This tells you whether you need a few clips or a full tray.

·       Check cable thickness. Clips list a maximum cable diameter, so make sure your thickest cable fits.

·       Measure your power strip. If you plan to hide it in a tray, compare its size with the tray’s interior dimensions before you buy.

·       Count the devices you plug in every day. If several of them run to the back of the computer, a desk USB hub brings those ports to the edge of the desk.

·       Think about how often you change your setup. Magnetic clips, magnetic ties and tool-free trays are easier to adjust than adhesive clips or plastic zip ties.

·       For a standing desk, follow the cable path from the desktop to the wall outlet at both sitting and standing height, and leave slack for the full range of movement.

How Do You Manage Wires on a Desk?

Manage wires on a desk in six steps, starting under the desk and finishing on top.

1.      Unplug everything and clear the desk.

2.      Mount the cable management tray under the desk and place the power strip inside it.

3.      Plug devices into the power strip and route the extra cable length into the tray.

4.      Clamp a USB hub to the desk edge and plug your everyday devices into it, so only the hub connects to the computer.[CL1] 

5.      Use cable management clips along the desk edge for the cords you unplug often, such as charging cables.

6.      Bundle whatever is left with magnetic cable ties, then raise and lower the desk once to check that nothing pulls tight.

To hide the cords that are left, see: How to Hide Cords on a Desk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cable management for a desk?

For most desks, the most effective combination is an under-desk tray for the power strip and spare cable length, plus cable management clips on top for the cords you use every day.

Are magnetic cable clips better than adhesive clips?

Magnetic cable clips make it easier to take a cable out and put it back, which helps if you move devices around often. Adhesive clips are a simple option for cords that never move.

Are magnetic cable ties better than zip ties?

Magnetic cable ties can be opened and closed again, so they suit a desk setup that changes. Plastic zip ties hold tight but have to be cut off whenever you add or move a cable.

How do I manage cables on a standing desk?

Keep the power strip and spare cable length in a tray attached to the desk so they move with it, and leave enough slack between the desk and the wall outlet for the desk’s full height range.

Can a cable tray hold a power strip?

It depends on the tray’s interior size. Check the interior width, depth and height listed on the product page, and compare them with your power strip before buying.

Which Products Make Desk Cable Management Easier?

If you follow the six steps above, you will need a few things: somewhere to hide the power strip under the desk, something to hold cables on top, something to bundle the rest, and fewer cables running to the computer. Dezctop makes each of them, and the Bifrost Elite has an under-desk cable tray built in.

Magnetic Cable Holders: Cable Management Clips That Let Go When You Need Them

Dezctop Magnetic Cable Holders are a magnetic cable organizer for the desk surface: you can lift a charging cable out and snap it back with one hand. They come in a pack of three. Each holder measures 1 x 1 x 0.5 in, is made of aluminum, magnet and plastic, uses two magnets, and fits cables up to 7 mm in diameter. They are available in black and silver.

Shop Magnetic Cable Holders

Cable Management Tray: Hide the Power Strip Under a Revon Desk

The Dezctop Cable Management Tray is the under desk cable tray made for Revon desks. Its interior space is 33.6 x 12.7 x 10 cm, which the product page describes as large enough to hold a 6-outlet power strip. It installs with a tool-free twist lock, supports up to 2 kg (4.4 lbs), comes with a desk divider, and is available in black or white in packs of one to four.

Shop the Cable Management Tray

DivMag Cable Tie: Magnetic Cable Ties You Can Reuse

The DivMag Cable Tie is made of flexible silicone with a magnetic fastening, and comes in a pack of four. Each tie measures 5.4 x 0.6 x 0.4 in. Use it for charging cables, headphone wires or power cords, and attach it to a Dezctop desk divider or any other magnetic surface.

Shop the DivMag Cable Tie

USB Type-C 7-in-1 Hub: Bring Your Ports to the Desk Edge

The Dezctop USB Type-C 7-in-1 Hub clamps onto the edge of desktops 15–50 mm thick. It gives you two USB-A 3.2 ports, a USB-C port, a 4-in-1 memory card reader and a 3.5 mm headphone/mic jack, with data transfer of up to 10 Gbps. A 10° angled surface and an anti-slip mat keep it steady while you plug devices in and out. It connects with one USB-C and one USB-A cable, needs no drivers, and is designed to complement Bifrost desks.

Shop the USB Type-C 7-in-1 Hub

Bifrost Elite: A Standing Desk with Cable Management Built In

·       A 19-liter fabric cable tray with a hidden magnetic cover hangs below the desk, so cables move with the desk as it rises and lowers.

·       Height range of 25.6–51.2 in with dual motors and 4 memory presets.

View the Bifrost Elite