I've been covering the technology industry for various websites for over 16 years, and in that time, I've amassed a sprawling collection of cables. Whether it's HDMI cords, Lightning cables, USB-C cables, or proprietary chargers for gadgets that I'm not sure I even have anymore (you can never get rid of those — just in case), I'm drowning in cords. Then there's my crowded desk setup, which includes a MacBook Pro, a monitor, a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, a Mac mini, and a gaming PC, to name a few devices.

It's safe to say I have a lot of cables to organize, and given my job as a tech journalist, I'm often moving devices around, so my setup is never fully locked in. Over the years, I've tried a variety of cable organization methods, including electrical tape (a very sticky mess), zip ties, elastics, complicated cord organizers, and more.

While some tools have worked better than others, a few years ago I realized that my cable organization setup needs to be able to easily grow and change, and there's only one basic accessory that's allowed me to do that: reusable velcro cable ties.

Reusable velcro cable ties are a tool that always comes in clutch

They're available in different lengths and sizes

When it comes to my countless piles of cables, a key thing I've learned is to not hang on to everything. Do I need 30 Lightning cords? No — but should I keep five? Probably. This is a rule I really try to stick to.

The same can be said for HDMI cables (I've gotten rid of everything but High Speed and Ultra High Speed HDMI cables), USB-C cables, micro USB cables, mini USB cables, and more. Keep a few cords, but ditch the rest, and thank me later. It simplifies things significantly and frees up a lot of space. In fact, I've been thinking about getting rid of nearly all my USB-C cables and replacing them with a few USB 4 and Thunderbolt 4/5 cords. I can't offer the same advice for weird proprietary cables, though. I always hang on to those, just in case I need them later.

But what can you do with all those cables once you've decided you no longer need them? Good question. I do my best not to throw them out if they're still useful. I'll often offer them up to friends and family, and a few years ago, when I still worked in an office, I bought them to give away to co-workers. A cable you no longer need might be very useful to someone else.

Once you've pared down your collection, my advice is to find a simple storage solution, whether that's empty bins tucked in a closet or drawers. The key is to label each bin so you know what's in it and can easily access your cable horde. In my case, I have an HDMI and A/V cable box, a charger brick and dongle bin, a power cord and odds-and-ends container, and an assorted cord container tucked away in a closet in my office. Your cable collection probably isn't as over-the-top as mine, but it still helps to divide and organize your cords if you're hanging onto a bunch of different kinds.

This is where the Velcro cable ties come in. I bind a few cables of the same type together with a single velcro tie instead of using one for each cord. This makes your velcro tie collection last longer and ensures it's easier to find a specific cord type in a bin. Just throwing a bunch of unbound cables in a bin not only looks messy, but it often makes finding the cable you're looking for frustrating.

Make cord organization a breeze

Desk cable management trays help keep things in order

Before you scroll down to the comment section, I know my desk cable organization isn't perfect, but it gets the job done. This is an actual workspace where I spend most of my day, not a tech YouTuber setup created to shoot a sponsored "What's on my desk" video full of products I don't actually use. I move devices around frequently, so nothing is locked in place. Still, everything is tucked away and mostly tidy.

One cable-organization trick that really helped me is an under-desk cable management tray. My Ergonofis Sway Standing desk includes a tray at its back that's perfect for attaching power bricks and cables. The fact that it includes a sizable built-in power bar is helpful, too (I've also added an extra power bar).

Using velcro ties to attach power bricks, cables, and more to the mounted cable management tray is easy, thanks to its convenient hole-filled design. While this cleans up my overall cord organization, if I need to move a device, I can easily pull the tie apart and shift it around. Adding a new power brick to the mix is as easy as feeding a velcro tie through the cable organizer. If I used more permanent zip ties, I could still do this, but I'd have to cut them off, and I wouldn't be able to use them again later.

If your desk doesn't have a cable management tray, you can buy one on Amazon. They come in various forms, including mesh trays and hole-filled metal boards like mine, and often clamp or screw into a desk. I can't recommend them enough — they really help pull together and clean up an office setup.

Reusable velcro ties pull this entire cable organization setup together, whether it's bundling HDMI cables, tying off power cords, or creating a smooth bundle along the back of my desk (I have a command center setup where my desk sits in the middle of my office).

I've been buying Velcro Brand One-wrap Cable Ties for years, but a quick search on Amazon reveals countless other options out there that I'm sure are just as good. With all of this in mind, if you have a ton of spare cables lying around or are looking to clean up your desk setup, Velcro cable ties are a great way to do it.