VIVO Vertebrae Cable Management Chain Review

A cable chain or cable spine (or cable management vertebrae, these things are called a lot of different names) is along the same vein as a cable sleeve, but it’s a rigid structure instead of a soft one. Good cable chains will take into account how many times a standing desk goes up and down every day, how users add and remove cables, and how they look.

Beyond cosmetic tidiness, cable management is key for a safe and sane workstation as well. As we discuss more thoroughly in our primer on ergodynamics, cable management can help you avoid tripping and bending injuries, among other issues.

VIVO Vertebrae Cable Management Chain

The most notable aspect of the VIVO Vertebrae Cable Management Chain is its method of cord entry. Instead of individual chain links that open like most cable chains, the VIVO simple has small slots that allow the user to squeeze the cables in.

This might seem great at first. After all, it means there’s no tool you have to keep handy. But the slots are not very big (to prevent smaller cords from falling out), so any thicker power cords have to be pushed through, which will likely cause some damage to both your cords and the plastic links themselves. And you’ll have to push them through every single link, so it will take a while.

The bracket that attaches to the desk is woefully thin and won’t last long (especially on a desk that’s moving up and down several times a day).

Because the bracket goes all the way to the desktop, there’s no way you’ll be able to get several cords in the chain without popping up above the desktop and being visible. This is why we prefer cable chains completely under the desktop (like iMovR’s Tucker Cable Chain), so cables can go straight from the cable tray to the cable chain and not show above the desktop.

Keep in mind, this chain is only 50” so taller users with high-reaching desks (e.g. treadmill desk workstations with 56″ maximum desktop heights) may see it lift completely off the ground, weighted base and all. Many users also complained that the base itself wasn’t heavy enough to prevent the chain from sliding around when the desk is raised.

The Takeaway

The VIVO Vertebrae Cable Management Chain has a solid idea for installing cables without opening the individual links but in this case, it doesn’t deliver.

Squeezing your cables through the slots on each link will take forever and damage your larger cables.

The mounting bracket is also less than ideal. It’s weak and its position makes it difficult to actually achieve the benefits a cable chain is supposed to provide.

This product has no warranty, which is a big red flag considering the weakness of the mounting bracket.

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.

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