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9 Products to Help Minimize Cable Clutter

Even though some of our devices are now wireless, most of us who spend considerable time in the digital world still have a mess of cables to deal with—which explains why cable organizing products are so numerous.

The MACO (Magnetic Cable Organizer) from Three1Design is a magnetic cable tie that allows the end user to keep long cords bundled up neatly. Because the cord gets threaded though a slit, the end user probably won’t misplace the MACO, unlike some other cable ties.

Since the ties have a magnetic closure, they can also be used with a metallic surface to hold cords in place. For those without such a surface close at hand, Three1Design provides round and square docks (with reusable micro suction pads) that can be placed on a desk, a wall, etc. 

While this seems like a really smart design, purchasers have noted some issues. This product was launched on Kickstarter, and some backers had problems with durability. Also, early versions of the red and orange MACOs weren’t colorfast. And people noted the MACO was too short for some of the cables they wanted to wrap.

For end users who just want a simple cable tie, there’s the Unlace from Unplugged Goods, made from silicone molded over flexible wire. The Unlaces are available in 5-inch and 10-inch lengths. Purchasers seem happy with them, and one reviewer noted that the bright colors mean they’re easy to find in a laptop bag, a purse, etc.

Instead of wrapping something around the cord, the Wrapqarw cord wrap from To-mo-ni gives the end user something to wrap the cord around. It comes in three sizes, so there’s something to fit a wide range of cord types. Also cool: These are made from scrap wood that results from manufacturing custom furniture. 

There are also Wrapqarws in various colors, made from paint that was created for furniture but didn’t get fully used.

Other designs focus on keeping cords from slipping to the floor when not in use. Igloo Studio makes a desk cable holder from Corian, with a maple base and cork pad on the bottom. The slots are two different sizes; four are 5mm and one is 7mm.

However, since these cable holders are made to order, they can be customized to meet each purchaser’s needs. The slot sizes can be adjusted, and the holder can be made longer to accommodate more cords. Adhesive pads can get added to the bottom, which might be helpful especially in a household with cats that jump on desks and knock things over. 

Another simple but effective design for holding cords in place is the plastic Toothy cable tidy from Headsprung, which is installed with double-sided tape or two small screws. Again, the spacing between the teeth varies to accommodate different size cords. One problem some end users (like me) may have with this as compared to a desktop cord holder: When I’m sitting at my desk, it’s quite a stretch to reach the back of the desk.

Prototype House brings us the Onix cable organizer, with a 3M adhesive backing. That means it should stay in place with no problem, but it’s not something the end user will be able to move around at will. This organizer’s unique feature is the 360-degree swivel. While I’m not sure how useful that is, I’d imagine it’s more of a desirable feature for a fixed-in-place cable organizer than one the end user can just move around.

Other organizers help the end user avoid having a mess of cords on the floor—exactly the problem I’m currently facing myself. The Cable Corral from TechDek, available in two sizes, is an under-desk organizer that can hold power strips, surge protectors, power adapters, etc. It’s made of 100 percent recycled steel. It installs using four self-tapping screws and some two-sided tape (which holds the Corral in place until the screws are inserted). It’s a simple but effective design—but it obviously won’t work for some desks, such as those made of glass.

The Hanging Cable Loft cord organizer was designed by Jane Ni when The Container Store, Kikkerland Design and the Rhode Island School of Design partnered in a challenge to the school’s industrial design students. There’s no installation; a silicone strip keeps the organizer in place.

One drawback: The shelf for the power strip or surge protector isn’t wide enough for many such items. (It certainly wouldn’t hold mine.) Also, for those of us whose desks do not face a wall, this organizer is going to be in plain view, and it isn’t all that attractive. 

Another place where cord clutter can occur is the car. I have this problem; my phone charger cord winds up with one end on the floor, which isn’t so good when I have a passenger. While some cable organizers will stick to the dashboard (including some mentioned above), the Griffin Hanger cable organizer attaches to a fin on the air conditioning vents. One drawback: This will interfere with air flow somewhat.