Our Top Picks
The Univivi 32-inch steel tray is the best overall pick for most desks: it is long enough to hold a power strip plus a handful of adapters, it uses a no-drill clamp mount, and it is made of steel rather than thin plastic. A cable management tray is a mesh or solid rack that hangs under the desktop so power strips, chargers and loose cords stay off the floor and out of sight. If your desk is shorter, the 25-inch trays are enough, and if you need maximum room, the 36-inch Univivi is the largest in the list.
Quick List
- Metal mesh two-hole tray – best for a simple clamp-mount mesh tray with cord pass-throughs.
- Univivi 32-inch steel tray – best overall for a long, sturdy no-drill tray.
- Mzmaxy 25-inch tray – best for standard-width desks that need a straightforward clamp tray.
- VIVO 16.5-inch extra-deep tray – best for holding a single power strip on a small desk.
- Univivi 36-inch tray with fabric – best for wide desks and a lot of cables.
- 25.3-inch metal clamp tray – best for a compact steel tray with a clamp mount.
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| want one long tray that fits most desks and loads | Univivi 32-inch steel tray |
| have a wide desk or a multi-monitor setup with many adapters | Univivi 36-inch tray with fabric |
| need a tray for a single power strip on a short desk | VIVO 16.5-inch extra-deep tray |
| want a standard 25-inch tray with a clamp mount | Mzmaxy 25-inch tray |
| prefer an open mesh tray with cord openings | Metal mesh two-hole tray |
| need a compact metal tray that does not stick out past the desk | 25.3-inch metal clamp tray |
Pick a tray roughly as long as the power strip plus any adapters you plan to place beside it, and make sure the clamp suits the thickness of your desktop. If your desk has a thick apron, a frame rail or a drawer under the front edge, measure the clear space before you pick a length.
All 6 Picks in Detail
1. Metal Mesh Two-Hole Tray – Best for a Simple Mesh Setup
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This listing describes a no-drill, metal mesh under-desk cable tray with a clamp mount and two holes for passing wires through. The mesh design lets heat escape from power adapters, and the openings make it simple to feed cables up to the desktop. The visible listing text does not give the length, so confirm the dimensions and load limit on the product page before you plan around it.
- Material: metal mesh, per the listing
- Mounting: no-drill clamp, per the listing
- Features: two holes for wire routing
- Length and depth: confirm on the listing
- Weight capacity: confirm on the listing
Pros
- Open mesh helps airflow around adapters
- Clamp mount means no holes in the desk
Cons
- The listing text is brief on dimensions
- Mesh can be harder to clean than a solid tray
Treat the missing numbers as a reason to read the product page, not as a reason to skip it: length and weight limit decide whether it fits your strip and adapters. Who should pick it: people who want a simple tray and are comfortable checking the dimensions on the product page. Mesh is a good fit if you tend to keep chargers and a small hub in the same place. Because it has two pass-through holes, you can feed a monitor cable and a laptop cord up to the desktop without letting them dangle at the edge, which is the tidy detail many people want from a tray. Compared with the Mzmaxy, it offers a similar clamp approach with a more open design.
2. Univivi 32-Inch Steel Tray – Best Overall
The Univivi 32-inch tray is the all-rounder. The listing describes a black, durable steel under-desk tray with a no-drill C-clamp mount. At 32 inches it spans most standard home office desks and has the length to hold a full-size power strip with adapters lined up beside it. Steel construction is the right material for a rack that will carry a few pounds of electronics for years.
- Length: 32 inches, per the listing
- Material: steel, black finish
- Mounting: no-drill C-clamp
- Depth and weight rating: confirm on the listing
- Clamp range: confirm the maximum desk thickness
Pros
- Long enough for most strips and adapters
- Steel is sturdier than plastic or thin wire
Cons
- Too long for very narrow desks
- Clamp range should be checked against thick desktops
Its length also leaves space to keep a spare charger or two within reach without tangling them with the main strip. Who should pick it: the typical remote worker with a 48 to 60-inch desk and a few devices to hide. The length leaves room for a surge protector, a monitor adapter and a laptop charger without stacking. Its black finish also blends in under a dark desktop, so the tray itself is hard to notice when you glance underneath. Compared with the 36-inch Univivi, it is easier to fit on a regular desk and has a slightly lower capacity for cables.
3. Mzmaxy 25-Inch Tray – Best for Standard Desks
The Mzmaxy is a 25-inch no-drill tray with a clamp, described as a cord organizer for under the desk. That length suits smaller desks, a secondary workstation or a monitor stand station with a single power strip. A 25-inch tray can hold a six-outlet strip, which is often around 12 inches long, and leave some space for a couple of adapters.
- Length: 25 inches, per the listing
- Mounting: no-drill clamp
- Use: cord and cable organizer for under the desk
- Material and finish: confirm on the listing
- Weight capacity: confirm on the listing
Pros
- Shorter length suits smaller desks
- Clamp mount keeps the install simple
Cons
- Limited room for large adapters
- Material details are not in the visible listing text
It is also a sensible second tray for a side table or a printer stand, where only a couple of cords need to be gathered. Who should pick it: students, shared desks and spare-room workstations with one strip and a few cords. Check the width of your power strip against the depth of the tray. If you are unsure, lay the strip and adapters on the floor in the order you would place them, then measure the row. Compared with the 25.3-inch metal tray, it is nearly the same length, so details such as material and clamp design may decide.
4. VIVO 16.5-Inch Extra-Deep Tray – Best for a Single Power Strip
The VIVO is the only tray in the list that states a weight limit: 11 pounds. The listing describes an extra-deep, low-profile steel rack at 16.5 inches that works as a power strip holder and wire tamer. That makes it a strong choice for one power strip and a few adapters, especially on a compact or corner desk. A typical power strip with three adapter bricks weighs only a few pounds, so 11 pounds is more than enough.
- Length: 16.5 inches, per the listing
- Capacity: holds 11 pounds, per the listing
- Material: steel, low profile
- Use: power strip holder and cable rack
- Mounting: confirm the screw or clamp method on the listing
Pros
- Clear weight rating
- Deeper tray handles bulky strips
Cons
- Short length limits the number of adapters
- Mounting method needs checking
The low-profile shape also helps if you have a shallow gap between the desktop and your lap. Who should pick it: anyone who mainly wants to hide one strip and keep it off the floor. Because it is short, it will not support a long row of power bricks. That also makes it a good fit for a small standing-desk setup where you want the strip close to the wall side of the desk. Compared with the Mzmaxy, it is smaller, deeper and rated for a stated weight.
5. Univivi 36-Inch Tray with Fabric – Best for Wide Desks
The 36-inch Univivi is the largest tray in the lineup. The listing describes a no-drill tray that can be mounted with a clamp or screws, along with a fabric component for the cables. The exact role of the fabric piece is not shown in the visible listing text, so confirm whether it is a sleeve, a cover or an organizer on the product page. At 36 inches, it suits a 60 to 72-inch desk or a setup with multiple monitors and a dock.
- Length: 36 inches, per the listing
- Mounting: clamp or screw mount, per the listing
- Extra: fabric cable component; confirm what it does
- Material and load rating: confirm on the listing
- Depth: confirm on the listing
Pros
- Most room for strips, hubs and adapters
- Two mounting methods
Cons
- Too long for small desks
- More span means the tray needs a solid mount at both ends
A tray this long also gives you room to separate power cables from data cables, which keeps things neater and easier to trace later. Who should pick it: people with L-shaped or long desks, gaming rigs and home studios with plenty of gear. Long trays can flex if they are loaded in the middle, so spread heavy items toward the clamp points rather than in the center. Compared with the 32-inch Univivi, it adds length and a second mounting option.
6. 25.3-Inch Metal Clamp Tray – Best Compact Steel Option
This tray is listed at 25.3 inches, with a no-drill metal construction and a clamp for wire management. It lines up closely with the Mzmaxy on length, so the choice between them depends on material, finish and clamp details. For a small desk with one strip and a handful of cables, it should be enough, and the metal build is a good sign for strength.
- Length: 25.3 inches, per the listing
- Material: metal, per the listing
- Mounting: no-drill clamp
- Use: cord organizer under the desk
- Depth and capacity: confirm on the listing
Pros
- Compact metal build
- No drilling needed
Cons
- Limited space for several large adapters
- Brand and specification detail is thin in the listing
The tray also works as a staging spot for a router or a small hub if the listing depth allows it, though you should keep those devices ventilated. Who should pick it: renters and people with a smaller desk who do not want to drill. Before ordering, confirm the clamp opening and the tray depth so a bulky surge protector fits without hanging out. Compared with the Mzmaxy, it is almost the same size, with the metal construction emphasized in the listing.
Specs Compared
| Product | Length | Material | Mounting | Stated capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal mesh two-hole tray | Confirm on listing | Metal mesh | No-drill clamp | Confirm on listing |
| Univivi 32-inch | 32 in | Steel, black | No-drill C-clamp | Confirm on listing |
| Mzmaxy 25-inch | 25 in | Confirm on listing | No-drill clamp | Confirm on listing |
| VIVO 16.5-inch extra-deep | 16.5 in | Steel | Confirm on listing | 11 lb |
| Univivi 36-inch | 36 in | Confirm on listing; fabric component | Clamp or screw | Confirm on listing |
| 25.3-inch metal clamp tray | 25.3 in | Metal | No-drill clamp | Confirm on listing |
How We Chose These
These recommendations come from research into listing details and general guidance on organizing desk electronics, not from physical trials. We compared tray length, material, mounting method, depth and any stated weight limit across the six listings, and we noted where a listing did not say. We gave extra credit to trays that use metal construction, offer a no-drill mount, and are long enough to hold a power strip with adapters. Because power strips and adapters generate heat, we also looked for open or ventilated designs and for roomy trays that avoid forcing cords to bundle tightly. Always confirm the dimensions and load limit on the product page.
What to Look For
Length and depth
Measure what you want to put in the tray before you pick a length. A six-outlet power strip is often 10 to 14 inches long, a laptop charger brick may be 4 to 6 inches, and a monitor adapter another 4 inches. Worked example: a 12-inch strip plus three 4-inch bricks laid in a row needs about 24 inches, so a 25-inch tray is tight and a 32-inch tray leaves breathing room. Depth matters as well, because a strip with a wide plug-in surge protector can be 3 to 4 inches thick. Extra-deep designs hold bulkier items without making them hang over the edge.
Mounting and desk compatibility
No-drill clamps grip the underside of the desktop and tighten with a knob or screw, which is the best option for rentals, glass-topped desks and thin tops. Screw mounts are sturdier on a thick wood desk but leave holes. Read the clamp range on the listing, because it limits the desktop thickness the tray can grip, and look for a rubber or padded pad that will not scratch the surface. Check what is under the front edge of your desk: a frame rail, an apron or a drawer can block both clamps and screws. Also leave room for your knees and a chair that rolls under the desk.
Material and ventilation
Steel is the most durable choice and stands up to the weight of a strip and adapters. Mesh and perforated designs let air move around adapters, which warm up under load. A solid plastic tray can trap heat, so use it only for light loads. A black powder-coat finish resists scratches and blends in under the desk. Avoid wrapping any power strip or adapter in fabric or tight bundles of cable, and keep ventilation openings clear.
Electrical safety
Treat the tray as a holder, not a power solution. Use a power strip with a built-in circuit breaker and a rating suited to your load, and do not plug one strip into another. In the US, a standard 15-amp circuit supports about 1,800 watts, and a common rule is to keep continuous loads below 80 percent of that, around 1,440 watts. A desk setup with a computer, monitors and chargers is usually far below that, but space heaters and similar high-draw appliances do not belong on the same strip. Keep cords from being pinched by the clamp or bent sharply at the tray edge, and check periodically for warm plugs or damaged insulation.
Power strip choice
The tray is only as good as what you put in it. Choose a strip that is listed by a recognized safety lab, ideally with a built-in circuit breaker, and if you want surge protection, look for a joule rating suited to office electronics and an indicator light that shows the protection is still working. Plug the strip directly into a wall outlet, never into another strip or an extension cord, because daisy-chaining can overload the outlet and defeats the safety design of the strip. Mount the strip with its switch and cord facing outward so you can reach it, and do not bury it under a pile of loose cables. If a plug or strip feels hot, unplug it and replace it rather than continuing to use it.
Planning the layout before you mount
Spend ten minutes planning and you will not need to move the tray twice. Lay your strip, adapters and any dock on the floor and arrange them as you would in the tray. Decide which side of the desk the wall outlet is on and mount the tray so the strip cord reaches it without stretching. Keep the tray a few inches behind the front edge, out of reach of your knees, and leave room above it so you can still lift the tray lip to plug things in. Then attach the clamps, load the heaviest items first, and run cords up through the gap at the back of the desk to the devices on top. Finally, tidy the loose lengths with hook-and-loop ties so nothing drags on the floor or catches the chair wheels.
Cable routing
Leave slack where cables leave the tray so you can move the desk or pull out a device. Use hook-and-loop ties rather than tight zip ties, which are hard to adjust and can pinch cables. Label the plugs so you can unplug the right one later. If you use a sit-stand desk, leave enough slack for the full height range and make sure the tray clears the legs and the crossbar when the desk moves.
Questions
How many cables fit in a tray?
There is no fixed number, because it depends on thickness and bundle size. As a practical guide, the tray should hold the strip, your adapters and the excess length of each cord without forcing anything to bend sharply or press against the clamp.
Can a cable tray hold a power strip safely?
Yes, if the tray is rated for the weight and the strip sits securely without blocking vent openings. A strip and a few adapters typically weigh only a few pounds, but you should confirm the stated capacity on the product page.
Do I need to drill holes to install one?
Not with the clamp-mount models in this list, which grip the underside of the desktop, so they suit rentals, shared offices and desks you may replace later. Screw mounting is an option on some models if you want a permanent install on a thick wood desk.
What length should I buy?
Choose a length at least as long as your power strip plus the adapters that will sit beside it, and leave a few inches of space. For most home desks, 25 to 32 inches is enough.
Will it work with a standing desk?
Often, yes, as long as it clears the frame and crossbar as the desk moves and you leave enough cable slack for the full height range.
Is mesh better than a solid tray?
Mesh lets air circulate around warm adapters and makes it easier to pass cords through, while a solid tray hides more and catches dust, though it can also trap heat if you pack it full. Both work; ventilation matters most with several chargers running.
Update History
- October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields for each product named above.
- Consumer and electrical-safety guidance on power strips, covering daisy-chaining, safety listings, circuit breakers and load limits.
