The Best Cable Clips

Buying Guide

If you’re involved in any technology project, you know the importance of cable management. You may be installing security cameras or setting up a home theater, for instance. In an office environment, you might simply be trying to help your employees get control of the cables behind their desks or you might be equipping your servers with wires.

Whatever your project, the right tool can go a long way. There are many options when it comes to holding cables in place. For smaller, less bulky cabling, cable clips are often the best route to go. You can use them for everything from stringing Christmas lights on the roof to mounting coax cables to baseboards.

But you don’t have to be tackling a large cabling project to invest in cable clips. They’re also great for holding your phone charger or keeping your headphone cord out of the way while you’re listening at your desk. With so many varieties available, you can find one that will fit your own needs perfectly.

For large installations like coax cables, look for clips that are wide enough to handle the larger diameter. You’ll also likely need to buy clips that you can nail into baseboards or walls rather than adhesive-backed ones that you’d use for cell phone chargers or basic power cords. The installation on nail-based clips will take a little longer, plus you’ll need to have a hammer handy, but it’s well worth it for the strength and reliability it will give your setup.

For handling cables like your phone charger or a couple of USB cables, a smaller clip can do just fine. Look for one with an adhesive backing that will easily attach to your area. Decide whether you want it to be installed flat on the top surface or on the side, then arrange your setup so that the cable comfortably extends through the clip.

• If you’re installing cabling, first take the time to plan out your cable management. It can help to ensure that you’ll be able to stick to baseboards and flooring as much as possible, for instance, but you’ll also need to make sure you won’t have a tripping hazard.
• Whether it’s cabling or power cords, it’s important to maintain a straight line as much as possible. Bending can be tough on a cable, degrading the quality of the signal passing through it. If a bend is required, look for a 90-degree adaptor that will work with the device you’re using.
• If you’re bundling multiple cables, keep things loose. Having cables press against each other can also degrade the signal and damage the cable.
• Cable clips aren’t just for holding your cords. You can also use them to hold smaller household items like toothbrushes and pens. Since you’ll typically get multiples in one set, that will give you something to do with any extras you have.
• For adhesive-backed clips, be sure you apply them only to clean, dry surfaces. Don’t use oily cleansers like furniture polish. For wood, simply wipe down the area with a lint-free cloth and apply. If it’s safe for the material type, use alcohol to wipe it down, then let it dry thoroughly before applying.
• With adhesive clips, it’s best to firmly press it to the surface for at least 15 seconds. Wait at least 24 hours before using it to give the adhesive time to bind.
• Finding an adhesive that sticks well without ruining your furniture can be tricky. But there are other options if the adhesive on your clip fails you over time. You can turn any cable clip into an adhesive one by purchasing double-sided tape or Velcro.
• Most of the smaller clips are built specifically for thin cords like phone chargers and USB cables. If you’re planning to use one for your power cords or other cables, standard multi-clip sets likely won’t give you the best bang for your buck, unless you’re buying phone charger cables for multiple people in your household.