Core77

Sign In / Join Now

Topics
- Product Design
- Process
- Technology
- Lifestyle
- Business
- News
- Furniture
- Tools
- Transportation
- Education
- Impact
- Reference
- Video
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Subscribe
Features
- Features
- Designing Women
- Getting Hired
- Design Files
- True I.D. Stories
- Sex-tacular
- In the Details
- Photo Galleries
- Bizarre Inventions
- Questionnaire
- Materials
- Footwear
- Hand Tool School
- Tools & Craft
Awards
- Awards
- Enter Now;
- 2018 Design Award Honorees;
Careers
- Careers
- Design Jobs;
- Talent Search;
- Design Salaries;
Firms
- Firms
- Search Firms;
- Firm Projects
Forums
- Forums
- General Discussion
- Students & Schools
- Design Employment
- Sketching
- Software & Technology
- All Forums
More...
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- About
- Terms of Use
My Account
- My Account
- Sign In / Join Now
Follow Us
- )
- m
- Y
- '
- S
Search
e

Organization

11 Ways to Control Desktop Cables

And nightstand cables, too

By Jeri Dansky - March 10, 2016

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.

Jeri Dansky

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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 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

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

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

!Report as spam