Best Cable Management Boxes
When it comes to cable organization, strong, sturdy, and accessible wins
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A heaping pile of tangled cords is an eyesore. In a tech-centered world, chargers, power strips, Internet cords, and connectors abound. But there’s nothing cute or calming about them. In fact, they give us the urge to stuff them all in a big box, out of sight and mind.
Cable management boxes do just that, discreetly hiding the cables and cords that keep us up and running.
- Cable Mangement Boxes We Tested: Bluelounge Large Cable Box The Container Store Dealworthy Luxe Designs Pottery Barn Teen UT Wire Yamazaki
- Plus: What Is a Cable Management Box? What to Look For How to Use Them Safely How We Tested
What Is a Cable Management Box?
“Basically, they’re a tidy little home for your surge protector or power strip, with cutouts on each end so cords can feed in and out cleanly,” says Shantae Duckworth, professional organizer and founder of Shantaeize Your Space in Seattle.
“Cable management organizers are ideal for anyone who hates visual clutter or lives in a small space where every inch matters. They’re also great for pet owners or parents of young kids who want to keep little hands and paws away from cords and outlets.”
But not all cable management boxes are the same. Different materials, shapes, sizes, and features make some more helpful than others. Here’s what we recommend in shopping for and choosing a cable organizer.
What to Look for in Cable Management Boxes
Most people simply want not to look at a tangled web of cables, but it’s important to assess a cord organizer’s function as well as its aesthetics.
How to Use Cable Management Boxes Safely
As I was layering cords into the boxes to test, multiple safety questions came to mind. Will these cords overheat hanging out so closely together in this box?
“They’re safe, as long as you use them correctly. The main thing is not to over-stuff them or cover up the air vents on your surge protector,” Duckworth says. “A good cable management box is made from heat-resistant plastic and has openings for airflow. If it’s getting warm to the touch, you probably have too many high-powered devices plugged into one strip.”
“When using a cable box, make sure that the cables stored in them have enough room and are not bent or damaged in order to fit in the box. Additionally, never charge a lithium-ion battery in a cable box,” says Evan Jones, a representative at the Electrical Safety Foundation International. “It’s fine if cords are rolled up, but you want to avoid kinking or sharply bending the cords.”
Finally, as you set up a cable box, you should consider how many cords are plugged into each other and how they are connected. “Whenever multiple cords are involved, we would caution against a practice called daisy-chaining. That’s when you plug multiple extension cords or power strips into each other. It might seem convenient, but it can overload the circuit, overheat the cords, and lead to a fire,” says Denice Durrant, PhD, an engineer and the director of data science and engineering at UL Standards and Engagement.
“Instead, use a single heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord of the right size and length, or spread your lights across multiple outlets and circuits to avoid overloading. Always look to use power strips and devices that are certified to safety standards, and use them as the manufacturer recommends."
So, overheating is unlikely unless you overload a power strip or restrict airflow—in which case it’s your cord strategy, not the box, that needs help.
