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⏱ 36 min read  ·  ✅ Updated Oct 2026

Best overall: the Univivi Under Desk Cable Management Tray, 32 inch, in black. It is the pick for the largest share of workstation setups — a fixed desk carrying a power strip, a monitor power brick, and six to twelve cables — because a 32-inch span covers the rear rail of a typical 48-to-60-inch desktop in a single piece, it mounts with screws into wood, laminate, or composite tops, and its open channel keeps cables reachable when you add a device. Choose the VIVO Low Profile 17 in if you are spending as little as possible and only need to tame a short run behind a laptop dock. Choose the Univivi No-Drill 36 inch if you have a standing desk, a glass or thin-veneer top you will not drill, or you want the option to relocate the tray later without patching holes.

Table of Contents

Quick answer: For most people in 2026, the best under is the Mzmaxy Cable Management, 25" — our #1 rated choice. See the full ranked comparison, alternatives and buying advice below.

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Top 3 Picks

Best overall: Univivi Under Desk Cable Management Tray, 32 inch, Black

A 32-inch tray is the sweet spot between coverage and cost: long enough to hold a full-size power strip plus the cable bundle from a monitor, dock, and speakers, short enough to fit under a 48-inch desk without fouling a drawer pedestal. The screw-mount design holds firm on a fixed desk and the open top lets you drop in a new cable in seconds. It is the tray to buy when you want one piece to solve the whole under-desk mess.

Best budget: VIVO Low Profile 17 in Under Desk Cable Management Tray

VIVO’s low-profile tray is the cheapest sensible way to get cables off the floor, and its shallow depth means it clears chair arms, keyboard trays, and drawer fronts that a deep basket would hit. It is short, so it suits a single-display setup, a laptop dock, or a secondary run of cables rather than a whole desk’s worth of gear. Buy two if you need more coverage.

Best for standing desks: Univivi No-Drill Under Desk Cable Management Tray, 36 inch

Clamp mounting is the right answer for a sit-stand frame, because you can reposition the tray when you re-route cables and you never drill into a top you may resell or replace. The 36-inch length covers the widest common desktop sizes, and the no-drill jaws mean a glass, bamboo, or veneered top stays intact. This is also the pick if you rent and want your security deposit untouched.

Quick Comparison

Every tray below is judged on the same five axes: how it mounts, how much desk width it covers, how much cable volume the channel realistically holds, what material it is made from, and how easily you can add or remove a cable later.

Product Best for Mounting Width / pack Cable capacity class Price tier
Mzmaxy Cable Management, 25″ Mid-size fixed desks Screw mount 25 in, single Moderate Mid-range
Univivi 32″ Black Overall coverage on a fixed desk Screw mount 32 in, single High Premium
Univivi No-Drill 36″ Standing desks and no-drill tops Clamp, no drill 36 in, single High Premium
Cinati 13.4″ White Small desks and white furniture Screw mount 13.4 in, single Low Budget
VIVO Low Profile 17″ Cheapest single tray, tight clearance Screw mount 17 in, single Low to moderate Budget
Cotohim Under Desk Tray Clamp or screw flexibility, fabric finish Clamp or screw Single, mid-length Moderate Mid-range
Xpatee 2 Pack 31.4″ Two desks on a budget Clamp, no drill 31.4 in, two trays High per tray Budget
PAMO Set of 2, Black Matched pair for home office Screw mount Two trays, mid-length Moderate to high Premium
Delamu 2 Pack U Channel Open-top access and quick edits Screw mount Two trays, mid-length Moderate Mid-range
VIVO 2 Pack 17″ DESK-AC06-2C Matched compact pair, best hardware Screw mount 17 in, two trays Low to moderate Premium
Litwaro No-Drill Mesh Tray Budget no-drill with mesh ventilation Clamp, no drill Mid-length, single Moderate Budget
Scanfield 17″ No-Screw 2-Pack Renters wanting a matched no-drill pair Clamp, no screws 17 in, two trays Low to moderate Mid-range

How We Chose

Selection here is based on published product specifications, manufacturer descriptions, and established category knowledge about how under-desk trays are built and used — not on physical testing. Each tray was scored on five criteria. First, mounting method: screw-mount flanges, C-clamp jaws, or a hybrid that supports both, because this single choice determines whether a tray works on a standing desk or a glass top at all. Second, category fit: whether the width and channel depth match the job it claims to do, from a 13.4-inch tray for a laptop dock to a 36-inch run for a dual-monitor desk. Third, use case: how the tray handles a real load of a power strip, a power brick, and a bundle of signal cables without sagging or blocking chair travel. Fourth, access: whether the design lets you add or remove a cable without dismantling the whole run, since most people re-route cables several times a year. Fifth, upgrade path: whether buying this tray leaves you room to add a monitor, a dock, or a second desk later, or whether you would need to replace it. Price tier is treated as a general market band, not a fixed figure, because listings shift constantly.

1. Mzmaxy 25″ Cable Management Under Desk Tray – Best for Mid-Size Fixed Desks

The Mzmaxy 25-inch tray is the middle child of the category, and that is exactly its appeal. A 25-inch span covers the rear third of most 40-to-55-inch desks — enough for a power strip plus a monitor, keyboard, and charging cable bundle — without the extra cost and reach of a 32-inch or 36-inch unit. It suits someone with a single-display setup on a fixed desk who wants the floor clear and does not want to overbuy width they will never fill.

Key specs

  • Length: 25 inches, single tray
  • Mounting: screw mount to the underside of the desktop
  • Material class: powder-coated metal, U-channel profile
  • Capacity class: moderate — a power strip plus a bundled cable run
  • Access: open top for dropping cables in without removing the tray
  • Price tier: mid-range

Strengths. The 25-inch length is the practical minimum for holding a standard 12-to-15-inch power strip alongside a cable bundle, and it does so while leaving the outer edges of the desk free for a drawer pedestal or a CPU holder. Screw mounting means no clamp jaws eating into the usable desktop edge and no risk of the tray shifting when you nudge it. The open channel profile makes cable swaps a one-minute job: lift the lid-free top, lay the cable in, and use a hook-and-loop tie at each end to stop the bundle from sliding.

The profile is also shallow enough that it usually clears the underside of a keyboard tray or a center drawer, which is the most common reason an under-desk tray has to be returned. If your desk has a crossbar or a modesty panel, measure first; a 25-inch tray is easier to fit between obstructions than a 32-inch or 36-inch unit.

Pros

  • Mid-length coverage suits the majority of single-display desks
  • Screw mount keeps the desktop edge completely clear
  • Open-top access makes adding or removing cables quick
  • Shorter span is easier to fit around drawers and crossbars
  • Mid-range tier leaves budget for cable ties and sleeves

Cons

  • Drilling is required, so it is a poor fit for glass or thin veneer tops
  • 25 inches will not span a 60-inch desk edge-to-edge
  • No clamp option, so it cannot move with a standing desk frame
  • One tray only — a two-desk household needs to buy twice

Compared with the nearest alternative. Against the Univivi 32-inch tray, the Mzmaxy gives up about seven inches of coverage and the extra polish of a premium finish, but it costs less and fits into tighter spaces under desks with drawers or crossbars. Against the VIVO Low Profile 17-inch, it holds noticeably more cable and a full-size power strip without the strip hanging over the ends. If your desk is under 50 inches wide and you only run one screen, the 25-inch Mzmaxy is the better-proportioned buy; step up to the 32-inch Univivi only if you have the width to fill.

2. Univivi 32″ Under Desk Cable Tray – Best Overall

This is the tray most people should buy. At 32 inches it spans the rear of a 48-to-60-inch desktop in one piece, which means a full-size power strip, a monitor power brick, a dock, and a bundle of signal cables all sit in a single run instead of being split across two short trays. The black finish disappears against the underside of the desk, and the screw-mount design holds a loaded tray flat without the sag you get from thin stamped brackets.

Key specs

  • Length: 32 inches, single tray, black
  • Mounting: screw mount with flanges to the desktop underside
  • Material class: powder-coated metal, U-channel with raised side walls
  • Capacity class: high — power strip, bricks, and a multi-cable bundle
  • Access: open top with side walls deep enough to retain the bundle
  • Price tier: premium

Strengths. Coverage is the headline. A 32-inch channel lets you lay a 15-inch power strip at one end, a laptop brick at the other, and run signal cables down the middle without any of them tangling, which is the difference between “tidy” and “hidden.” The raised side walls mean cables stay put even when you swing a chair in and out, and they also keep the bundle from touching the underside of the desk where it could rub against a drawer mechanism.

The screw-mount approach is the right one for a fixed desk because it removes the clamp jaws that narrow the effective mounting edge and can interfere with a desk pad or an under-desk keyboard tray. Installation is straightforward: mark two hole positions, drill pilot holes, drive the screws, and load the tray. Because the tray is long, use a tape template or a level to keep the two ends at the same height — a tray that hangs a few millimetres off-level will make the cable bundle creep toward the low end over months.

Who it suits. Anyone with a fixed desk, a single or dual monitor setup, and more than five cables to hide. It is also the sensible choice if you plan to add a dock or a second display later, because the spare width is already there. It is not the right pick for a standing desk, a glass top, or a rental where drilling is off the table.

Pros

  • 32 inches covers a full-size power strip plus a cable bundle in one run
  • Raised walls retain cables without lids or straps
  • Screw mount keeps the desktop edge and clamp area clear
  • Room to grow when you add a dock or second display
  • Neutral black finish reads as part of the desk, not an accessory

Cons

  • Premium tier costs more than two budget trays that cover similar width
  • Requires drilling — unsuitable for glass, thin veneer, or rental restrictions
  • Single tray, so a two-desk setup doubles the cost
  • Long span needs a clear underside; crossbars and center drawers can block it

Compared with the nearest alternative. The obvious rival is the Univivi No-Drill 36-inch tray. That model wins on standing desks, glass tops, and renters because its clamps leave no holes, and it covers four extra inches. This 32-inch version wins on fixed desks because screws hold a heavy load more rigidly than clamps, leave the desk edge free, and cost less. If your desk never moves, buy this one; if it rises and falls, buy the no-drill version.

3. Univivi No-Drill 36″ Cable Management Tray – Best for Standing Desks

The 36-inch no-drill tray is the longest single-piece option here, and it is the one to choose when drilling is either impossible or unwise. Clamp jaws grip the rear edge of the desktop, so a sit-stand frame, a glass top, a bamboo top, or a leased office desk all stay unmarked. The extra length matters on a standing desk because the cable run from a raised desktop to the floor outlet is longer, and you want the service loop contained rather than dangling.

Key specs

  • Length: 36 inches, single tray
  • Mounting: clamp-on, no drilling required
  • Material class: powder-coated metal channel
  • Capacity class: high — power strip, bricks, and a long cable service loop
  • Access: open top; clamps can be loosened to reposition the tray
  • Price tier: premium

Strengths. The clamp design is what makes this tray work on a sit-stand desk. When the desk rises, the cables running to the floor need slack; a tray that is clamped rather than screwed can be slid sideways or repositioned to give that slack a better home, and you can remove it entirely if you rearrange the room. Clamps also mean no pilot holes, no sawdust, and no patched screw holes if you move out.

At 36 inches, the tray spans the widest common desktop sizes and can hold a power strip at one end while the other end carries the heavy-gauge cable that runs to the wall. Keeping that heavy cable inside the tray rather than taped to a leg reduces the chance of it snagging on a chair or a footrest. The open top means you can add a cable without loosening the clamps at all.

Who it suits. Standing-desk owners first, then renters, then anyone with a top they cannot drill. It also suits a shared or hot-desked office where the tray may need to move between workstations. If your desktop edge is unusually thick or has a bevelled profile, check the clamp jaw range before buying — clamp trays need a flat, parallel edge to grip properly.

Pros

  • No holes, so glass, veneer, and rental desks stay intact
  • 36 inches covers wide desktops in one piece
  • Repositionable when you re-route cables or move desks
  • Long channel contains the service loop a standing desk needs
  • Open top for quick cable additions

Cons

  • Premium tier — the most expensive way to cover 36 inches
  • Clamp jaws occupy a little desktop edge and can clash with a desk pad
  • Needs a flat, parallel edge of suitable thickness; bevelled tops may not grip
  • Clamps hold a heavy load less rigidly than screws on a fixed desk

Compared with the nearest alternative. Against the 32-inch screw-mount Univivi, this tray trades rigidity and price for four extra inches and total reversibility. Against the budget no-drill Xpatee two-pack, it is a single long premium tray rather than two mid-length budget ones — the Univivi gives you one continuous run and better hardware, while the Xpatee gives you two desks’ worth of coverage for less. Choose the Univivi if you want the cleanest possible single-desk install; choose the Xpatee if you are equipping two workstations.

4. Cinati 13.4″ Metal Cord Organizer, White – Best Budget Small Tray

Not every desk needs a 32-inch run. The Cinati tray is 13.4 inches, which is roughly the width of a compact laptop dock and its charger, and it comes in white so it blends with light-colored furniture instead of reading as a black stripe under a pale desk. It is the right answer for a small writing desk, a bedroom study nook, or a secondary position where you only need to lift a short bundle of cables off the floor.

Key specs

  • Length: 13.4 inches, single tray, white
  • Mounting: screw mount to the desktop underside
  • Material class: metal, open channel
  • Capacity class: low — a dock, a charger, and a handful of cables
  • Access: open top
  • Price tier: budget

Strengths. The white finish is the standout feature in a category dominated by black, and it matters more than it sounds: on a white or light-oak desk, a black tray is visible the moment you glance underneath, while a white one recedes. The 13.4-inch length also fits under narrow desks where a 17-inch tray would protrude past the legs or hit a side panel.

Capacity is modest but honest. A laptop power brick, a USB-C dock, and four or five cables fit comfortably; a full-size power strip plus a monitor bundle does not. If you run a single laptop, an external monitor, and a phone charger, this is enough. If you run a tower, two monitors, speakers, and a printer, it is not — buy two, or step up in length.

Who it suits. Minimalist single-laptop desks, secondary workstations, dorm rooms, and anyone with light-toned furniture who cares how the underside looks. It is also a reasonable first tray for someone who is not yet sure how many cables they will end up with, at a price that makes an upgrade later painless.

Pros

  • White finish blends with light desks and pale flooring
  • Short length fits narrow or compact desks
  • Lowest-cost way to get a metal tray rather than a plastic channel
  • Simple open-top design with no moving parts to fail
  • Easy to add a second tray later for more coverage

Cons

  • 13.4 inches will not hold a standard power strip and a cable bundle together
  • Screw mount only — no clamp option for standing desks or glass tops
  • Low capacity class means a dual-monitor desk will outgrow it
  • White finish shows dust and scuffs more than black

Compared with the nearest alternative. The VIVO Low Profile 17-inch is the natural step up: about four more inches of length and a shallower profile for the same budget tier, but only in black. If clearance under the desk is tight or you want maximum coverage per dollar, the VIVO wins. If the desk is white, narrow, or you simply want the tidiest-looking small install, the Cinati is the better match. Against the 25-inch Mzmaxy, the Cinati is cheaper but roughly half the length and cannot hold a full power strip.

5. VIVO Low Profile 17 in Under Desk Cable Management Tray – Best Budget Single Tray

VIVO is a long-established name in desk accessories, and this low-profile tray is the cheapest credible way to get cables off the floor. The defining feature is the shallow profile: it sits close to the underside of the desktop, which matters when you have a keyboard tray, a center drawer, or a chair with a tall backrest that needs to slide under. Seventeen inches holds a modest bundle and a compact power strip.

Key specs

  • Length: 17 inches, single tray
  • Mounting: screw mount, low-profile brackets
  • Material class: metal, shallow open channel
  • Capacity class: low to moderate
  • Access: open top
  • Price tier: budget

Strengths. The shallow depth is the reason to buy it. A deep basket can foul the underside of a keyboard tray or the top of a drawer unit, and the failure is not obvious until you install it. A low-profile tray trades some capacity for clearance, and for a desk with a lot going on underneath, that trade is worth making. Seventeen inches is also the length at which a tray stops looking like a novelty and starts holding real gear: a compact power strip, a monitor power cable, an HDMI run, and a couple of charging cables.

Screw mounting keeps the desktop edge clear and holds the tray flat. Because the tray is shallow, load it evenly — a heavy power brick at one end and nothing at the other is the one scenario where a low-profile tray can look slightly canted. Use hook-and-loop ties at both ends of the run to keep the bundle centered.

Who it suits. Budget-conscious buyers, laptop-dock setups, and desks with tight clearance underneath. It is also a good second tray: buy one for the main cable run and a second for the run behind a printer or a router, and you still spend less than a single premium 32-inch tray.

Pros

  • Lowest-cost entry point in the category
  • Shallow profile clears keyboard trays and drawers
  • Established desk-accessory brand with consistent hardware
  • Easy to buy two and split the run
  • Open top for quick cable swaps

Cons

  • 17 inches will not cover a wide desk in one piece
  • Shallow channel limits how much cable volume it holds
  • Screw mount only — not for glass tops or standing desks you will not drill
  • Black only, and the brackets are less refined than premium trays

Compared with the nearest alternative. Against the Cinati 13.4-inch, the VIVO gives you nearly four more inches of length and a shallower profile, which makes it the better buy for a black desk and a tighter fit. Against the Mzmaxy 25-inch, the VIVO gives up eight inches of coverage and the ability to hold a full-size power strip, but it costs less and fits where a longer tray will not. If your under-desk space is cramped, the VIVO is the safer choice; if it is open, the extra length of the Mzmaxy is worth having.

6. Cotohim Under Desk Cable Management Tray – Best Clamp-or-Screw Flexibility

Most trays force a decision: drill or clamp. The Cotohim tray supports both, and it adds a fabric cable-management element to the design, which softens the look compared with bare metal. That combination makes it the most adaptable single tray in this roundup — you can clamp it to a standing desk today and screw it to a fixed desk later if your setup changes, without buying a second product.

Key specs

  • Mounting: clamp or screw mount, both supported
  • Length: mid-length, single tray
  • Material class: metal tray with fabric cable-management component
  • Capacity class: moderate
  • Access: open top
  • Price tier: mid-range

Strengths. Flexibility is the whole point. If you start with a clamp because you are renting, and later move to a home where you can drill, the same tray converts. That saves the cost of a second purchase and the waste of discarding a perfectly good tray. It also means the tray suits a mixed household: clamp it on the standing desk and screw it under the fixed desk in the spare room.

The fabric element serves a real purpose beyond looks. Fabric sleeves and wraps bundle cables into a single soft-edged trunk, which reduces the chance of a stiff cable kinking at a sharp metal edge and makes the bundle easier to route through the tray. It also cuts down on the visual noise of many different cable jackets running side by side. Combined with a moderate-capacity metal channel, that gives you a tidy run that still has room for a power strip.

Who it suits. Anyone who is unsure which mounting method they will end up wanting, renters who may move, and people who dislike the look of raw metal and black plastic under a wooden desk. It is also a good pick if you have already bought a fabric cable sleeve and want a tray that complements it rather than fighting it.

Pros

  • Clamp and screw mounting in one product — no wrong choice
  • Fabric cable management softens the look and bundles cables neatly
  • Mid-range tier costs less than a premium tray with similar flexibility
  • Open top for easy cable additions
  • Works on a standing desk now and a fixed desk later

Cons

  • Fabric element needs occasional dusting and can trap lint
  • Mid-length coverage, so a very wide desk may need two
  • Metal-and-fabric construction is harder to wipe clean than plain metal
  • Less capacity than a full-width premium channel

Compared with the nearest alternative. The closest rival is the Univivi No-Drill 36-inch, which offers clamp mounting with a much longer span but no screw option and no fabric component. If maximum coverage and the cleanest no-drill install matter most, the Univivi wins. If you want one tray that can adapt as your desk situation changes, and you like the softer look, the Cotohim is the more versatile buy. Against the Scanfield 17-inch no-screw two-pack, the Cotohim gives you a longer single run and a screw option, while the Scanfield gives you two trays and a lower mid-range price.

7. Xpatee 2 Pack 31.4″ No-Drill Under Desk Tray – Best Budget Two-Desk Kit

Two 31.4-inch no-drill trays for roughly the price of one premium tray is a genuinely strong value proposition, and it is the reason this kit tops the budget category for anyone equipping more than one desk. Each tray is long enough to hold a power strip plus a cable bundle, and the upgraded clamp is designed to grip without the flex that cheaper clamp trays show under load.

Key specs

  • Length: 31.4 inches each, two trays per pack
  • Mounting: clamp-on, no drilling required
  • Material class: metal channel
  • Capacity class: high per tray
  • Access: open top; clamps adjustable for repositioning
  • Price tier: budget

Strengths. The math is the story. A single premium 32-inch tray covers one desk; this kit covers two desks of similar width, or one desk plus a second run on the same desk, at a budget price. If you work from a home office with a personal desk and a work desk in the same room, this is the cheapest way to solve both without mixing brands and finishes.

No-drill clamping matters as much here as it does on the premium trays. It means the kit works on a sit-stand frame, a glass top, or a leased office desk, and it means you can take both trays with you when you move. The 31.4-inch length is close enough to 32 inches that it holds a full-size power strip at one end with cable bundle space remaining. The clamps can be loosened and slid, so you can adjust the tray’s position after installation if you find the initial placement crowds a chair or a drawer.

Who it suits. Two-desk households, small offices equipping a pair of workstations, and anyone who wants premium width at a budget tier and is willing to accept simpler hardware. It is also a good choice for a single very wide desk, where two 31.4-inch trays give you more total coverage than any single tray in this roundup.

Pros

  • Two 31.4-inch trays for a budget-tier price
  • No drilling — works on standing desks, glass, and rentals
  • Long enough per tray to hold a full-size power strip
  • Adjustable clamps allow repositioning after install
  • Matched pair keeps a two-desk room visually consistent

Cons

  • Budget-tier clamp hardware is less refined than premium equivalents
  • Clamp jaws use desktop edge space and can clash with a desk pad
  • Needs a flat, parallel desktop edge of suitable thickness
  • Two trays means two installs and twice the alignment work

Compared with the nearest alternative. The direct rival is the Univivi No-Drill 36-inch: one longer premium tray versus two long budget trays. If you have one desk and want the best single install, the Univivi wins. If you have two desks, or one desk wide enough to benefit from a split run, the Xpatee kit delivers roughly twice the coverage for less money. Against the Scanfield 17-inch no-screw two-pack, the Xpatee trays are nearly twice as long for a similar budget-tier position, which makes the Xpatee the better value for full-size desks and the Scanfield the better fit for compact ones.

8. PAMO Cable Management Under Desk, Set of 2, Black – Best Premium Pair

PAMO’s two-tray set sits at the premium end and is aimed at people who want a matched pair with better hardware and a cleaner finish than budget kits provide. Two mid-length trays let you split a cable run logically — power on one side, signal cables on the other — which is often tidier than one long channel carrying everything. The black finish is uniform across both trays, so a two-desk or split-run setup looks deliberate.

Key specs

  • Pack: set of 2 trays, black
  • Mounting: screw mount to the desktop underside
  • Material class: powder-coated metal channel
  • Capacity class: moderate to high per tray
  • Access: open top
  • Price tier: premium

Strengths. Splitting the run is underrated. When all your cables go into one channel, the power cable and the signal cables cross and tangle, and troubleshooting a single bad cable means pulling the whole bundle. Two trays let you separate high-voltage power from data cables, which reduces clutter and makes each tray easier to service. It also lets you place trays where the cables actually are, rather than forcing every run to one central point.

The premium tier buys better hardware: brackets that hold a loaded tray flat, a finish that resists scratching when you slide a power strip in, and screw fittings that do not strip on the first install. Because these are screw-mount trays, they are the right choice for fixed desks where you want the desktop edge completely free and the tray held rigidly.

Who it suits. Home-office users with a fixed desk and a substantial cable load — dual monitors, a dock, speakers, and a printer — who want the under-desk area to look considered rather than improvised. It also suits a two-desk setup where matching hardware matters, though the trays are screw-mount, so both desks need to be drillable.

Pros

  • Two trays allow power and data cables to be separated
  • Premium hardware holds a loaded tray flat
  • Matched black finish across both trays
  • Screw mount keeps the desktop edge clear
  • Open top for straightforward cable additions

Cons

  • Premium tier is the most expensive way to get two trays
  • Screw mount only — no clamp option for standing desks or glass tops
  • Two installs require careful alignment so both trays sit level
  • Mid-length trays will not span a very wide desk in a single run

Compared with the nearest alternative. The Delamu two-pack is the closest match on concept — two metal trays, mid-range tier — but the PAMO set is the premium build with better finish and hardware, while the Delamu uses an open U-channel profile that prioritizes access over rigidity. If you want the better-built pair and do not mind paying for it, choose PAMO. If you want two trays at a lower price and value being able to drop cables in from the side, choose Delamu. Against the Xpatee kit, PAMO costs more and requires drilling, but the hardware and finish are a step up.

9. Delamu 2 Pack Metal Under Desk Cable Management Tray, Black U Channel – Best Open-Top Access

The Delamu two-pack uses a U-channel profile: open at the top, with side walls that retain cables. That shape is the easiest of all tray designs to work with, because you never have to thread a cable through a closed tube or lift a lid. Two mid-length trays at a mid-range price make this a strong pick for anyone who re-routes cables often or expects to add devices over time.

Key specs

  • Pack: 2 trays, black, U-channel profile
  • Mounting: screw mount to the desktop underside
  • Material class: metal, open U channel
  • Capacity class: moderate per tray
  • Access: fully open top — drop cables in from above
  • Price tier: mid-range

Strengths. Access is the reason to choose this design. With a U channel, adding a cable is a two-second action: lay it in, tie it at both ends, done. There is no lid to remove, no slot to thread through, and no need to disconnect anything. For a desk where you swap peripherals, plug in a laptop, or add a webcam every few months, that convenience compounds.

Two trays also mean you can keep the run short and localized rather than spanning the entire desk. One tray behind the monitor for display and power cables, one near the rear corner for the cable that drops to the floor outlet. That arrangement keeps the middle of the desk underside empty, which matters if you have a chair with a high backrest or a footrest. The metal construction resists the sag that plastic channels develop under a loaded power strip.

Who it suits. Tinkerers, hybrid workers who plug and unplug devices frequently, and anyone who has previously owned a closed cable box and hated it. It also suits a desk with a heavy cable load split across two zones, and a two-desk household where both desks are drillable.

Pros

  • Open U channel makes cable additions effortless
  • Two trays allow zoning — power in one, data in the other
  • Metal construction resists sag under a power strip
  • Mid-range tier balances price and build
  • Screw mount keeps the desktop edge unobstructed

Cons

  • Open top means cables are visible if you look under the desk
  • Screw mount only — no clamp option for standing desks
  • Moderate capacity per tray; very heavy loads may need a third
  • No retention strap, so a loose bundle can drift along the channel

Compared with the nearest alternative. Against the PAMO premium two-pack, the Delamu gives up some finish quality and hardware rigidity but costs less and offers easier access thanks to the U-channel profile. If you rarely touch your cables, PAMO’s tidier closed look may appeal more; if you add devices regularly, the Delamu’s open top is the practical winner. Against the VIVO 17-inch two-pack, the Delamu trays are longer and hold more per tray, while the VIVO pair is more compact and better suited to narrow desks.

10. VIVO 2 Pack 17″ DESK-AC06-2C Under Desk Tray – Best Premium Compact Pair

This is the two-pack version of VIVO’s compact 17-inch tray, and it is the premium option for desks where space underneath is limited. Two shorter trays let you place coverage exactly where the cables are instead of spanning the full width, and the established VIVO hardware means the brackets hold flat and the screws do not strip. For a compact desk with a dock and a monitor, it is a tidy, well-made solution.

Key specs

  • Pack: 2 trays, 17 inches each
  • Model reference: DESK-AC06-2C
  • Mounting: screw mount to the desktop underside
  • Material class: metal, shallow open channel
  • Capacity class: low to moderate per tray
  • Price tier: premium

Strengths. Placement flexibility is the main benefit. A single 32-inch tray commits you to one long run along the rear rail; two 17-inch trays let you put one behind the monitor and one under the rear corner where the cable drops to the floor. On a desk with a center drawer or a crossbar, that flexibility is the difference between an install that works and one that does not.

The shallow profile also clears obstructions that a deep basket would hit, and it keeps the trays visually unobtrusive. Because these are premium-tier trays, the hardware is the part that justifies the price: brackets that do not flex, a finish that resists scratching, and screw fittings sized for a clean install into typical desktop materials. Load each tray with a dock, a charger, and four to six cables and it performs exactly as expected.

Who it suits. Owners of compact desks — 40 to 48 inches — who want premium build quality without a long tray that will not fit. It also suits a large desk where you prefer zoned cable management over one continuous run, and anyone who already owns VIVO desk accessories and wants a consistent look.

Pros

  • Two trays allow precise placement rather than one fixed run
  • Shallow profile clears drawers and keyboard trays
  • Premium VIVO hardware holds flat and installs cleanly
  • Compact length suits narrow desks and tight undersides
  • Matched pair keeps the setup visually consistent

Cons

  • Premium price for only 34 inches of total coverage
  • Screw mount only — not suitable for glass or standing desks
  • Low to moderate capacity per tray limits heavy cable loads
  • Two installs require twice the measuring and drilling

Compared with the nearest alternative. Against the single VIVO Low Profile 17-inch tray, this pair doubles coverage for a higher tier and is the better buy if you need more than one zone. Against the Delamu two-pack, the VIVO pair is shorter and costs more, but the hardware is a step up and the shallow profile fits where a deeper U channel will not. If your desk is narrow and obstructed, the VIVO pair is the safer install; if it is wide and open, the Delamu’s longer trays give more coverage per dollar.

11. Litwaro No-Drill Metal Mesh Tray – Best Budget No-Drill

The Litwaro tray is the cheapest way to get a no-drill clamp mount, and it uses a metal mesh body rather than a solid channel. Mesh has two practical advantages: it lets heat escape from a power brick or a small hub, and it lets you see the cable run at a glance so you can spot a loose connector without dismantling anything. The clamp design means no holes in the desk.

Key specs

  • Mounting: clamp mount, no drilling
  • Body: metal mesh, mid-length, single tray
  • Capacity class: moderate
  • Access: open mesh top and sides
  • Extra: two-hole cable pass-through for routing cables in and out cleanly
  • Price tier: budget

Strengths. Budget no-drill trays are rare, and this one solves the two problems that push people toward clamp mounting in the first place: no holes in a rental or glass desk, and no commitment to a fixed position. The mesh body keeps the weight down, which matters because clamp trays put the load on a jaw rather than on screws, and a lighter tray means less strain on the clamp and less chance of slipping.

Ventilation is a genuine benefit if you keep a power brick, a small network switch, or a USB hub in the tray. Solid channels trap warm air against the underside of the desk; mesh lets it dissipate. The pass-through holes also make for a cleaner install, because the cable that drops to the floor outlet exits through a dedicated opening rather than spilling over the side wall.

Who it suits. Renters, standing-desk owners on a tight budget, and anyone with a glass or thin-veneer top. It also suits a desk where you want to see the cable run rather than hide it in a solid channel, and setups with a power brick or a small hub that benefits from airflow.

Pros

  • Clamp mount at a budget-tier price
  • Mesh body ventilates power bricks and small hubs
  • Visible cable run makes troubleshooting easier
  • Pass-through holes keep the drop cable tidy
  • Lightweight, so the clamp carries less load

Cons

  • Mesh shows cables more than a solid channel does
  • Moderate capacity — a full-size power strip plus a big bundle will crowd it
  • Budget-tier clamp hardware may need re-tightening over time
  • Single tray only; a wide desk needs two

Compared with the nearest alternative. The Xpatee two-pack is the obvious comparison: both are no-drill, both are budget tier, but the Xpatee gives you two 31.4-inch trays for a similar price while the Litwaro gives you one mid-length mesh tray. If coverage per dollar is your priority, the Xpatee wins. If you want ventilation, a lighter clamp load, and a visible cable run, the Litwaro’s mesh design is the better fit. Against the Scanfield 17-inch no-screw two-pack, the Litwaro is a single longer tray with mesh rather than two short solid trays — better for one desk, worse for two.

12. Scanfield Under Desk Cable Management Tray, 17-Inch, 2-Pack – Best Mid-Range No-Drill Pair

The Scanfield set, from Scandinavian Hub, sits between the budget no-drill kits and the premium clamp trays. You get two 17-inch no-screw trays at a mid-range price, which is the right shape for a household with two compact desks, or for one desk where you want coverage in two places without drilling anywhere. The no-screw clamps mean glass, veneer, and rental desks are all fair game.

Key specs

  • Pack: 2 trays, 17 inches each, black
  • Mounting: clamp mount, no screws
  • Material class: metal, open channel
  • Capacity class: low to moderate per tray
  • Access: open top; clamps adjustable for repositioning
  • Price tier: mid-range

Strengths. Two no-drill trays at a mid-range price is a narrow niche, and this set fills it well. The shorter 17-inch length is an advantage on compact desks, where a 31-inch tray would stick out past the desk legs or crowd a side panel. Clamp mounting means both trays can be repositioned as your setup changes, and neither leaves a hole if you move out or sell the desk.

Splitting coverage across two short trays also helps on desks with obstructions. If a crossbar or a center drawer sits in the middle of the underside, a single long tray cannot span it, but two short trays can sit on either side. That makes this set unusually adaptable for its price tier, and it is a sensible choice for a home with one standing desk and one fixed desk that must stay undrilled.

Who it suits. Renters with two compact desks, households where both desks are sit-stand or glass-topped, and anyone who wants no-drill mounting without paying premium prices. It is also a reasonable choice for a single narrow desk where you want one tray behind the monitor and one near the floor-cable drop.

Pros

  • Two no-drill trays at a mid-range price
  • Short length suits compact and obstructed desks
  • Clamps allow repositioning and leave no holes
  • Two trays can straddle a crossbar or center drawer
  • Matched pair for a consistent look

Cons

  • 17 inches per tray gives limited coverage on wide desks
  • Low to moderate capacity per tray
  • Mid-range price for less total length than budget no-drill alternatives
  • Clamp jaws need a flat, parallel desktop edge

Compared with the nearest alternative. Against the Litwaro budget no-drill tray, the Scanfield gives you two trays instead of one and a slightly higher build tier, at the cost of total length per tray. For a two-desk household the Scanfield is the better buy; for a single desk that needs a longer run, the Litwaro’s mid-length tray or the Xpatee’s 31.4-inch pair covers more ground. Against the Cotohim clamp-or-screw tray, the Scanfield cannot be screwed down, so it is less adaptable over the long term, but it gives you two trays for a similar mid-range tier.

How to Choose

Work through these five decisions in order. Each one narrows the field, and by the end you will usually be down to two or three candidates.

1. Mounting: screw or clamp

This is the decision that eliminates the most options, so make it first. Screw-mount trays attach with two or more flanges driven into the underside of the desktop. They hold a heavy load rigidly, keep the desktop edge completely clear, and cost less for the same width. They are wrong for glass, for very thin veneer, for hollow-core doors used as desk tops, and for any desk you cannot or will not drill.

Clamp-mount trays grip the rear edge with jaws. They leave no holes, they can be repositioned, and they are the only sensible option for a sit-stand desk because you may need to move the tray when you re-route the cable that runs to the floor. The trade-offs: the jaws consume a little desktop edge, they can clash with a desk pad or a monitor arm base, and they need a flat, parallel edge of suitable thickness. Measure your desktop thickness before buying a clamp tray — if the top is unusually thick or has a bevelled edge, a clamp may not seat properly. A hybrid tray that supports both methods is the safest buy if you are unsure, because you cannot get the choice wrong.

2. Width: match the tray to the desk, not to the cable count

Tray lengths in this category cluster into four bands, and each maps to a desk size:

  • 13 to 14 inches: compact and narrow desks under about 40 inches wide, laptop-only setups, secondary positions.
  • 17 inches: the most common compact size; suits 40-to-48-inch desks, single-monitor setups, and desks with tight clearance underneath.
  • 25 inches: the practical minimum for holding a full-size power strip alongside a cable bundle; suits 45-to-55-inch desks.
  • 31 to 36 inches: full coverage for 48-to-72-inch desks, dual-monitor setups, and anyone who wants one continuous run.

A useful rule: aim for a tray that spans roughly half to two-thirds of your desktop width if you are buying one tray, or place two shorter trays at the two points where cables actually concentrate. Covering the entire width is rarely necessary and usually wasteful.

3. Channel depth and cable capacity

Capacity is about volume, not length. Estimate your bundle before you buy. A typical desk load breaks down like this:

  • Power strip: 12 to 15 inches long, about 2 inches wide, 1 to 1.5 inches thick — this is the single biggest item and the one that decides whether a tray is big enough.
  • Laptop power brick: roughly 4.5 by 2 by 1.2 inches, plus a loop of cable.
  • Signal cables (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB): 4 to 6 mm in diameter each.
  • Charging cables: 3 to 4 mm in diameter each.

A worked example. Count a realistic single-monitor setup: one power strip cord, one monitor power cable, one HDMI, one DisplayPort, one USB hub cable, and two charging cables — seven cables. Bundle them with a hook-and-loop tie and the trunk measures roughly 20 to 25 mm (about an inch) across. Add a power strip at 2 inches wide and you need a channel at least 2.5 inches wide internally and long enough to lay the strip flat. A 17-inch shallow tray holds the cable trunk but the strip will overhang or crowd it. A 25-inch or longer tray holds both with slack. If you have a dual-monitor setup with a dock, add two more signal cables and a second brick, and plan on 31 inches or more, or split the load across two trays.

4. Access and profile

Open U-channel trays and mesh trays let you drop a cable in from above without disconnecting anything. Closed channels and lidded boxes hide cables better but make every change a project. If you plug in a laptop, swap a webcam, or add a peripheral more than a couple of times a year, prioritize open access — it is the difference between a tidy desk staying tidy and a tidy desk becoming a mess again.

Profile depth matters just as much. A deep basket holds more but can foul a keyboard tray, a center drawer, or the top of a filing cabinet you slide under the desk. Measure the vertical clearance from the desktop underside to the top of anything below it. If that clearance is under about 3 inches, choose a low-profile tray.

5. Materials, hardware, and ownership

Powder-coated steel is the standard and the best value: it resists sag, wipes clean, and does not discolour. Mesh adds ventilation for power bricks and small hubs. Fabric-wrapped designs look softer and bundle cables neatly but collect dust and lint, so they need occasional attention. Plastic channels are cheap but sag under a loaded power strip over a year or two, which is exactly when the bundle starts drifting toward one end.

What wears first on a tray: the screws and the mounting holes, if you over-tighten them on installation; the clamp jaws, if you repeatedly loosen and re-tighten them; and the finish, if you slide a power strip in and out regularly. None of these is a consumable, but the practical maintenance list is short — re-tighten clamps once or twice a year, dust the channel when you dust the desk, and check that cable ties have not cut into a jacket. The most common installation mistake is drilling without pilot holes, which splits laminate and strips screw threads. The second most common is leaving no service loop on a sit-stand desk, which puts the whole cable run under tension every time the desk rises.

Decision matrix

Your situation What matters most Best fit
Fixed wood or laminate desk, one or two

Ready to decide? Our #1 pick for 2026 is the Mzmaxy Cable Management, 25".

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