StandDesk SmartCord Cable Management Tray Review

Before cable management kits became a thing we used the simple hack of screwing a power strip directly to the underside of our desks, but using a cable tray is definitely a better solution. For one thing, many devices (such as laptops) come with power cords that include a transformer brick and a lot of excess power cord length you don’t need if you’re using a power bar under your desk. The tray is a great place to keep all that clutter out of view and improve the ergodynamics of your workstation.

StandDesk SmartCord Cable Management Tray

Upon first glance, StandDesk’s cheaper cable tray option (they also make the SmartCord Cable Management Mesh Taco, which we’ve reviewed) looks very minimal, fitting in with other bottom-dollar products we’ve reviewed from StandDesk, a file cabinet and standing desk.

The mounting design is interesting because instead of the screws being installed directly (or nearly directly) above where the weight of the cords and transformer bricks will sit like most cable trays, the screws are installed on the back edge and behind the actual tray.

This creates a cantilever effect on the tray and will put a tremendous amount of stress on the screws, especially as you add more weight to the front edge of the tray. This cantilever will make the screws very prone to pulling out and that will cause damage to your desktop.

Cable trays aren’t really going to be pretty, you get your cords and bricks in there any way they will fit, so having to consider weight distribution in order to keep the weight from the front edge with the StandDesk SmartCord cable management tray is frustrating.

No Specs to be Found

Unlike competing products from UpLift, Fully and iMovR, StandDesk doesn’t provide detailed specifications for this cable tray. In fact, there isn’t a single dimension listed on the product page. It does come in black, gray and white. We can’t recommend buying a cable tray without knowing how long it is and if it will fit your needs.

The Takeaway

This tray is a hot mess. Because of the cantilever effect created by the mounting design, you’ll need to watch how you distribute the weight of your cables or risk damaging your desktop. In other words, you’ll have to manage your cable management device.

There are no dimensions and only incredibly minimal product details listed. You don’t know what you’re getting.

To top it all off, the StandDesk SmartCord cable management tray is somehow much more expensive than other competing cable trays.

Don’t Stop Here

Cable management is an excellent place to start but it’s best to think of your ergonomic setup as a work in progress. There are always ways to improve. Check our in-depth reviews on standing desks, keyboard trays, monitor arms, ergonomic seating and standing mats.

Frequently Bought with Cable Management Kits