• Design Jobs
  • Firms
  • Awards
  • Conference
e

Core77

Sign In / Join Now;
e
  • Topics
    • Product Design
    • Process
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Materials
    • News
    • Furniture
    • Tools
    • Transportation
    • Education
    • Footwear
    • Impact
    • Reference
    • Video
  • Features
    • Features
    • Yo! C77 Sketch
    • Photo Galleries
    • Bizarre Inventions
    • Design Calendar
    • Weekly Maker's Roundup
    • DiResta's Cut
    • Industrial Design Tips
    • Hand Tool School
    • Tools & Craft
    • Design Experience that Matters
  • Shopping Guide
  • Projects
    • Projects
    • Firm Projects
    • Reader Projects
  • Forums
    • Forums
    • General Discussion
    • Students & Schools
    • Design Employment
    • Sketching
    • Software & Technology
    • All Forums
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • About
    • Contact
    • Advertise

11 Ways to Control Desktop Cables

And nightstand cables, too

By Jeri Dansky - Mar 10, 2016

  • Join Core77 Today
  • Submit your projects for publication
  • }Favorite This
  • Y1
  • m1
  • U1
  • X1
  • H1
  • 11 Comments

My desktop right now has six cables: power cords for my laptop, monitor, printer and scanner, and cables to attach the scanner and the monitor to the computer. (My new printer, thank goodness, is wireless—eliminating one cable.) And then there are the cords for my smartphone and tablet, which need nightly charging. I'm far from alone; many people I know and work with struggle with their many cords.

Fortunately, designers have developed a number of products to help control the mess. I've mentioned some before, but I keep seeing more interesting options.

Enter a caption (optional)

The Guide from Griffin Technology tackles one common problem: cords (like my laptop power cord) that fall on the floor when not in use. Guide includes a set of three bases and three magnetic cable anchors that sit on those bases. 

There's no worry about whether or not the anchor opening is the right size for the cables, because with three choices there's going to be something that fits whatever cords the end user has. And the nonskid weighted bases can be moved around as needed.

Enter a caption (optional)

The one possible drawback: If all three bases are used on the desktop, that will take up a bit of space. If all three are not needed (on the desktop or elsewhere in the home), the end user now has some more clutter to deal with. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Those end users who need to save space would appreciate a design like the 2+3 Cable Organizer from J&E Amosson; it's a Kickstarter that will be funded on March 16. This organizer provides a compact way to hold up to five cables. It's made from thermoplastic rubber and attaches with a 3M adhesive; when removed, it leaves no residue behind. With an adhesive backing, these organizers can also be attached to the side of a desk, rather than the top, if that works better. However, the adhesive is not reusable, so end users will need to be careful about the placement.

Enter a caption (optional)

The stainless steel Pinza comes in two sizes: the small one can hold two cords while the large one holds three or four cords. (Purchasers say the large can hold even more.) Purchasers note that the rubber O-rings, along with the Pinza's heft, keep it in place—and also keep it from scratching the desk. The one concern: A purchaser noted that the "new, smaller Apple connectors slip through."

Enter a caption (optional)

For end users who just need to keep a single cord in place, there's the OXO Good Grips Cord Catch. The heavy die cast body and the non-slip base keep it in place pretty well, according to purchasers. It couldn't be easier to use, and (like other OXO products) would probably be good for end users with arthritis. But the Cord Catch is another design that just won't work with the new Apple cables with lightning connectors; they slip out, as many disappointed purchasers have noted. 

Enter a caption (optional)

The Cord Buddy comes in two pieces that are held together by magnets. The Glow version has a motion-activated night light, which could be useful beside the bed. However, the Cord Buddy is made of plastic and a few purchasers say it's just not heavy enough to stay in place, even with the batteries installed. Others have had problems with the night light being too motion sensitive.

Enter a caption (optional)

Most cable organizers reply on adhesives and/or their weight to stay in place. But the Bobino Desk Cable Clip goes another route; it will clip to desks up to 6 cm thick. 

Enter a caption (optional)

The other problem end users often encounter is the unruly mess caused by long cords. I know many people who happily use the old reliable Velcro ties to solve this problem, but there are other options. 

Enter a caption (optional)

Above the Fray has its Cableband, sold in packages of three; these elastic bands stretch to fit a wide range of small- to medium-size cables. My concern: When I watched the video, I thought that anyone with dexterity issues would probably find this harder to use than a Velcro tie.

Enter a caption (optional)

On the other hand, the magnetic Speedy Wraps from UT Wire looked extremely easy to use. They come in 10-inch and 20-inch lengths.

Enter a caption (optional)

The other way to handle long cables is to wrap them around something. The Bspun cable wrap is 3D printed in nylon; the slots will fit cables up to 3 mm thick. Since it only weights .3 oz, the Bspun could be a portable cable control device, moving from a desktop to a laptop bag without making the bag unnecessarily heavy.


Enter a caption (optional)

Sometimes end users may want to hide long cables under their desks—and that's what the Sombrero from Doug Mockett & Company, designed by Andrea Ruggiero, is intended for. This does require a desktop surface that can take a mounting screw, though. 

The latest design news, jobs & events.
Straight to you every other week.

Join over 300,000 designers who stay up-to-date with the Core77 newsletter...

Subscribe

Test it out; it only takes a single click to unsubscribe

  • }Favorite This
  • Y1
  • m1
  • U1
  • X1
  • H1
  • Organization
  • Consumer Electronics

Jeri Dansky

  • x
  • m

Jeri Dansky has been a professional organizer since 2004, helping people whose clutter is driving them crazy—and helping the mostly organized do even better. She works with her clients to de-clutter and organize the stuff and the papers in their homes and offices.

11 Comments

  • Jeffrey Andrade
    2 years ago
    Z
    5Z
    Reply

    12. Im a Big fan of the Gorilla Baby by Jaywalk Studio. Its heavy and sturdy. Doesn't move around. And, unlike some of the similar products in this list, plays nice with the new lightening connectors. 

    https://www.thegrommet.com/gorilla-baby-nature-inspired-cord-organizer
    www.jaywalkstudio.com

    !Report as spam
  • Adam Zapotok
    2 years ago
    Z
    2Z
    Reply

    I was super surprised the first time I picked up a gorilla baby you'd never guess there is a hidden weight inside. Best cord organizer I have used yet.

    !Report as spam
  • Jasio Stefanski
    2 years ago
    Z
    2Z
    Reply

    Ah beat me to it, Gorilla Baby is a cool object- not sterile like some of the examples listed. I also like that it can exist on my desk (with or without the cords) and not look like a dog toy. 

    !Report as spam
  • Michael Suazo
    2 years ago
    Z
    2Z
    Reply

    It's funny, I actually have the gorilla baby and it's wonderful. I agree with Jeffrey and it also has a warm, comforting aesthetic that helps it stand out from the ones you have listed above.

    !Report as spam
  • Benjamin Listwon
    2 years ago
    Z
    1Z
    Reply

    I'm a super-big fan of the Gorilla Baby as well. Got two of them, one for my office desk and one for all the other devices we have around like Kindle, BB-8 Sphero, etc. (Here's a snap of the latter https://goo.gl/photos/n3A6jNJSV55E28SN7 )


    It's well crafted and something that looks great in a wide range of decor, from modernist to rustic. If you have time, check it out at https://www.thegrommet.com/gorilla-baby-nature-inspired-cord-organizer

    !Report as spam
  • Dan S
    2 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply

    Great article.  I'm also a big fan of bhold's sound pod.  It's the only way I can hear my morning podcasts over the shower without worrying about my bluetooth speakers getting wet.


    http://www.amazon.com/Bheard-Sound-Pod-Bhold-Amplifier/dp/B00YNMP650/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1460422462&sr=8-5&keywords=bhold

    !Report as spam
  • Dan Martinson
    2 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd2h0pH_cAM

    Don't forget about Gear Tie Cordables!!!  Made right here in Minnesota by me ;)


    !Report as spam
  • Jeri Dansky
    2 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply

    Chevis, I mentioned the Dotz Cord Catcher in the prior post I linked to at the start of this one. 

    !Report as spam
  • chevis watkinson
    2 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply

    you missed one..... dotz

    these where designed and created by a Industrial designer Named MIcha Maria you graduated from Stout University. And he has been able to turn it into a viable business!

    Found online and picked up by retailers..... its a great story! http://www.cordotz.com/

    !Report as spam
  • Scott Watrous
    2 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply

    Can't people just add amy kind of little stopper to clamp onto the lightning cables a few inches short of the connector? I notice those on cable reels and they're great and any kind of basic clamp on bit would do the job. Heck a hearty wrap of tape could do the job.


    It is a stop gap but it might prove more ergonomic anyway as it leaves an adjustable length of cable to grab, just as you can adjust how much dangle to leave on a cable reel.

    !Report as spam
  • Jeri Dansky
    2 years ago
    Z
    Z
    Reply

    Jeffrey: Nice one - thanks! I'd not seen the Gorilla Baby before.

    !Report as spam

Core77's Design Directory

View all Design Firms »

Hot On Coroflot

Rendering Tutorial Drone Andreas Grasmück
Fashion Sketchbook 2016-2018 Jeffrey Brown

Recent Posts

  • Rendering and Sketching Basics: How to Draw and Calculate Cast Shadows 

    By Rain Noe - 14 hours ago

  • How a Commuter Thermos May Have Caused a Deadly Accident, Speeding the Vehicle Up and Preventing Braking  

    By Rain Noe - 14 hours ago

  • Every Bottle Pump Should be Designed Like This  

    By Rain Noe - 15 hours ago

  • Currently Crowdfunding: A Little Something for Space Enthusiasts, a Multifunctional Hammock and More

    By Emily Engle - a day ago

Continued Reading
  • Organization

    By Rain Noe - Mar 07, 2016

    Monster Roundup of Creatives' Workspaces in Japan

    While the country might prize conformity, no two studios are alike

    Since discovering that there is a Japanese hashtag for revealing the workspaces of creative folks, I have fallen down the rabbit hole. This twitter hashtag roughly translates to "I want to see the anime artist's work environment," and each person who hashtags it then posts a photo of their own

  • Organization

    By Jeri Dansky - Mar 03, 2016

    Sex Toy Storage Beyond the Nightstand

    Products to handle a few special toys or a large collection

    There are plenty of ways to store sex toys without using products specifically designed for that purpose. But there are a number of interesting design features on the products that are designed for organizing sex toys. The Joyboxx has a removable tray which can serve as a "bedside coaster for

  • Organization

    By Jeri Dansky - Feb 25, 2016

    Kitchen Organizing: Managing the Leftovers

    Avoiding a moldy mess in the refrigerator and a storage mess in the cabinets

    When I work with people to help organize their kitchens, they often report problems in dealing with food storage containers. The cartoons you see with containers tumbling out of cabinets can be pretty close to the truth. I've written about leftover storage before, but I'm now seeing more interesting designs.

  • Organization

    By Jeri Dansky - Feb 18, 2016

    Using Shelves to Make the Most of Any Available Wall Space

    Providing a place for books and much more

    When I work with clients needing more storage space, the walls are one place where we look for options. As I've noted before, wall-mounted shelves can be used in spaces where floor-based shelving won't work. Gubi focuses on relaunching designs from the 1930s to the 1970s; one of its products

K

{

Welcome

  • YSign In with Facebook
  • mSign In with Twitter
  • USign In with Linkedin
OR
  • jSign In with Core77 Account
  1. Forgot password?
  • Cancel

Don't have an account? Join Now

K

{

Welcome

Create a Core77 Account

  • YJoin Now with Facebook
  • mJoin Now with Twitter
  • UJoin Now with Linkedin
OR
  • jJoin Now with Email
  • Cancel

Already have an account? Sign In

By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use

K

Reset Password

Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.

  • Cancel
Today On the Core77 Network...
  • ]Design Jobs

    • Industrial Designer

      VIZIO Irvine, California
    • Brand Designer at Mozilla

      Mozilla San Francisco, California
    • Studio Content Manager - 8451

      Wilton Brands LLC Naperville, Illinois
    • Packaging Designer

      Spark Redmond, Washington
    • Post A Job
    • View All Jobs
  • ]Design Directory

    View other design services:

    • *Hot On Coroflot

      • Jumpstart Charging Systems

        Ryan Paul
      • Beverage Dispenser

        Jonathan Smith
    •  

      • ET TOY WORK

        Rurik Tyler
      • ECCO Biom Venture TR

        Ventsislav Nikolov
    • © 2019 Core77, Inc. All rights reserved.
    • Terms
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • About
    • )
    • m
    • Y
    • '
    • S
    • © 2019 Core77, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Advertise Here