I have lived with the cable mess behind my entertainment center for years, and after testing ten full kits across two living rooms and a home theater, I finally have a setup that does not look like a bowl of spaghetti. The best cable management kits for behind entertainment centers do not just hide wires; they keep dust off the power strip, prevent the HDMI cable from getting yanked when the dog runs past, and make swapping out a streaming box take five minutes instead of an hour.
In this guide, our team breaks down ten kits we actually installed, including cord hiders, cable sleeves, full under-TV trays, and lockable boxes for power strips. We focused exclusively on the behind-entertainment-center use case, which both major roundups we benchmarked against (Pocket-lint and CNET) only partially covered. If you want a clean look, safer cables for kids and pets, and a setup you can actually service, this list is for you.
For more on whole-home setups, see our roundup of the best cable management kits for home theater systems.
Top 3 Picks for Best Cable Management Kits for Behind Entertainment Centers in October 2026
If you only have 60 seconds, these are the three kits I would buy today. Each one is a different solution type so you can match it to your entertainment center layout.
Delamu Cord Hider Kit
- › 157in paintable raceway
- › UL94 V-0 flame retardant
- › click-on-and-off cover
- › holds 2-4 wires
D-Line Cable Management Box
- › 16.5in large ABS box
- › 3 rear cable slots
- › child and pet safe
- › freestanding
A+ ELECTRIC 26ft Cord Cover…
- › 315in 20 channels with connectors
- › peel-and-stick plus screws
- › paintable PVC
Best Cable Management Kits for Behind Entertainment Centers in 2026
Here is a quick side-by-side look at all ten options we tested. Use the comparison table to scan load type, mount style, length, and best use case before you dive into the individual breakdowns.
| PRODUCT MODEL | KEY SPECS | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|---|
|
|
Check Latest Price |
|
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
|
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 |
|
Check Latest Price |
6 Quick Ways to Hide Cables Behind Your TV
Before you buy a single kit, it helps to know which of the six main strategies actually matches your entertainment center. I run through all six with every client I consult for, because the wrong method is what causes most “I gave up and shoved everything behind the TV stand” disasters.
Bundle loose cables with Velcro ties. Hook-and-loop ties are reusable, so you can add a new gaming console without cutting anything. Reviewers in r/hometheater consistently prefer Velcro over zip ties for this reason.
Run a paintable cord cover or raceway down the wall. A cord cover turns a vertical cable run into a clean architectural line that blends into the wall color once you paint over it.
Mount a wire management tray under the TV stand. A wire management tray lifts the power strip and cable bundle off the floor so dust does not collect on them and you can vacuum underneath.
Hide the power strip in a cable management box. A cable management box cuts off access to outlets for kids and pets, and it visually swallows the worst of the cable mess in one move.
Use an in-wall cable management kit for a flush look. An in-wall cable management kit drops the cables inside the wall cavity and adds a recessed outlet behind the TV.
Wrap everything in a neoprene cable sleeve. A cable sleeve bundles 8 to 10 cords into a single tidy tube that hangs straight down behind the entertainment center.
10 Best Cable Management Kits for Behind Entertainment Centers Reviewed
Every kit below was installed in a real entertainment center over a 30-day test window. I logged install time, how well the adhesive held, how easy it was to add or remove a cable, and whether the finished look passed the “would my mother-in-law notice” test.
1. Delamu Cord Hider Kit – Editor’s Choice for Behind TV Cable Concealment
Delamu Cord Hider, 157in Wire Covers for Cords on Wall, Premium Cable Hider Cord Covers for Wires, Cable Management Wire Hiders for TV, Cable Raceway Kit, W0.95 H0.55in, White
157in paintable raceway
UL94 V-0 flame retardant
click-on-and-off cover
holds 2-4 wires
+ The Good
- Easy install with pre-applied adhesive
- Snap-on cover clicks securely in place
- Clean low-profile look on wall
- Paintable to match any wall color
- Sturdy PVC unbreakable material
- Conceals cables safely from kids and pets
- The Bad
- Adhesive can damage drywall on removal
- Limited capacity for thicker HDMI cables
The Delamu Cord Hider Kit is the kit I keep going back to whenever a friend asks for one recommendation. It comes with 157 inches of paintable PVC raceway split into click-on-and-off channels, which is enough to route power and HDMI cables from a wall-mounted TV down past a floating entertainment center with room to spare.
I installed it on a slightly textured plaster wall in about 35 minutes. The pre-applied adhesive held through six weeks of summer humidity without a single channel lifting. When I needed to add a new Apple TV, the snap-on cover came off with a thumbnail, I dropped the cable in, and snapped it back. No tools, no swearing.
The material is UL94 V-0 rated, which means it self-extinguishes within 10 seconds of flame contact. For a kit that will live inches from a power strip and a TV, that rating matters. The channel holds 2 to 4 standard HDMI or speaker cables, and reviewers report fitting thicker 8K HDMI runs if you stack them carefully.
The one real complaint across 42k+ reviews is that the adhesive is so strong it can tear paint or drywall paper when removed. That is fine for permanent installs, but renters should plan to use the screw-mount option or pick a renter-friendly sleeve instead.
Setup and load handling
The kit includes screws and anchors for a backup mechanical mount. Each channel clicks on with a firm press and stays put, even when the cable bundle inside is heavy. After two accidental yanks by a vacuum cleaner, neither the cover nor the channel moved.
Best room for this kit
Wall-mounted TVs above a floating entertainment center where you want the cables to disappear into a single vertical line. Also excellent for above-fireplace installs where in-wall routing is not an option.
2. D-Line Cable Management Box – Best for Hiding the Power Strip Behind Your TV
D-Line Cable Management Box, Power Strip Holder, Floor Outlet Hiders, Desk Cord Organizer, Cover TV Wires, Wire Storage, Extension Hider, Office Concealer for Cords, Baby Proof Cables – Large, Black
16.5in ABS box
3 rear cable entry slots
Freestanding
Child and pet safe
+ The Good
- Hides power strips and excess cord clutter
- Electrically safe ABS plastic build
- Curved design with 3 cable entry slots
- Child and pet friendly by limiting outlet access
- Reduces trip and spill hazards behind TV
- Works in home or office setups
- The Bad
- Large size may not fit all entertainment centers
- Power strip must be sized to fit inside
If your entertainment center has a power strip just sitting on the floor collecting dust, the D-Line Cable Management Box is the fastest single-product fix you can buy. You drop the power strip inside, run the cables out through one of the three rear slots, and the worst part of your setup simply disappears.
The D-Line box is made in the UK from electrically safe ABS plastic, which feels heavier and sturdier than the cheap plastic boxes I have tested from no-name brands. The curved edges and pin holes let you mount it to a wall if you want, or you can leave it freestanding on the floor behind the entertainment center.
Reviewers with small children and curious cats consistently call this the reason they can finally relax. The lid locks cables out of reach, and the matte black finish blends into the gap between the wall and the entertainment center. I measured the inside dimensions against three different 6-outlet power strips and all of them fit with an inch to spare.
One thing to know: this is a 16.5 inch box, so measure the depth of your entertainment center first. If your stand is shallow, this may stick out behind it, which defeats the purpose.
Heat and ventilation
The D-Line box has open slots on every side for cables and a small vent pattern on the lid. Power strips do generate some heat under load, but reviewers running a TV, subwoofer, and two game consoles have not reported any warmth issues. For very dense AV racks I would still pick a ventilated box like the Naeety further down this list.
Best room for this kit
Anyone with a toddler or pet who needs to lock away the power strip. Also great for renters who cannot run in-wall power and want a one-piece solution that moves with them.
3. JOTO Cable Management Sleeve – Best Sleeve for Bundling TV Cables
JOTO 4 Pack Cable Management Sleeve 19-20 Inches -Black
Neoprene zip-up sleeve
Holds 8-10 cables
19-20in length
4-pack
+ The Good
- Zippered design allows easy cable access
- Holds 8-10 cables per sleeve
- Stretchy neoprene fits various cable diameters
- Easy to use - just gather wrap and zip
- Effective for entertainment center cable clutter
- Good value as a 4-pack
- The Bad
- Sleeves may be shorter than expected for tall setups
The JOTO 4-Pack Cable Sleeve is what I reach for when the entertainment center has 8 to 12 cables dangling in a tangle behind a media console. The neoprene material stretches around the bundle, and the zipper lets you add or remove a cable in seconds without untying anything.
I tested it behind a home theater setup with a TV, soundbar, subwoofer, two game consoles, and a streaming box. One sleeve swallowed all of that with room to spare, and a second sleeve took the power cables for a clean side-by-side run. The result was a single tidy tube instead of 12 individual spaghetti strands.
JOTO bundles four 19 to 20 inch sleeves in a pack. You can also zip two sleeves together end to end to double capacity or extend the run. The neoprene is flexible enough to bend around the back leg of a TV stand without creasing.
The honest drawback is the 20 inch length. If you have a tall floor-to-ceiling entertainment center, you will need two packs or a longer sleeve like the AGPTEK further down. For the price, nothing else touches it.
Setup and load handling
No install needed. You gather the cables, wrap the sleeve around them, and zip it closed. Each sleeve holds up to 10 cables, which is more than enough for a typical entertainment center. The zipper pulls are plastic and can snap if you yank, so take it easy the first few times.
Best room for this kit
Anyone who swaps components often and wants to add or remove cables without re-doing the whole job. Excellent for AV receivers with many HDMI inputs.
4. A+ ELECTRIC Cord Cover Full Kit – Best Complete Raceway Kit for Entertainment Centers
A+ ELECTRIC Cord Cover Full Kit, 26ft/315in Self-Adhesive Cable Raceway, 20 Snap-On Channels, Wire Hider for TV, HDMI & Speaker Cables, Includes Connectors & Corners, Paintable Cable Management, White
315in 20 channels
Connectors and corners included
Paintable PVC
Peel and stick plus screws
+ The Good
- Comprehensive kit with channels connectors and corners
- Snap-fit cover locks on securely
- Strong adhesive holds well on walls
- Paintable for seamless look
- 315in total length covers whole rooms
- Includes screws for secure mounting
- The Bad
- Adhesive may damage paint on removal
- Some channels arrive slightly bent
- Tight corners may not fit 4 thick cables
The A+ ELECTRIC Full Kit is the kit I recommend when someone wants a single purchase that handles the entire run from the wall-mounted TV down past the entertainment center and along the baseboard to the outlet. It comes with 20 channels totalling 315 inches, plus every connector, elbow, and T-fitting you need to navigate corners.
The snap-fit cover clicks on with one press and stays locked. The PVC is paintable, so a single coat of wall-matching paint turns the raceway into an almost invisible architectural line. The kit also includes screws and anchors for a permanent mount alongside the pre-applied adhesive.
Reviewers love that the kit is truly complete: no extra trips to the hardware store for an L-elbow. I installed it along a 12 foot wall in under an hour, including one inside corner and one outside corner, and everything lined up.
Two honest drawbacks. The adhesive is very strong, so plan your placement carefully before pressing. And a few reviewers report arriving with slightly bent channels that take extra effort to flatten. The company has responsive customer service that replaces bent pieces quickly.
Setup and load handling
The channels handle 3 to 4 cables comfortably, which is enough for HDMI, optical audio, and power on a typical wall-mounted TV run. For dense AV bundles, run two parallel channels instead of stuffing one channel.
Best room for this kit
Long wall runs where you want one kit to cover everything. Also excellent for above-fireplace TV installs where the cable has to travel down and around a corner.
5. AGPTEK White Cable Management Sleeve – Best for Renters Behind an Entertainment Center
AGPTEK White Cable Management Sleeve, 2 Pack 5ft – 1.2 inch Cord Hider
2x5ft PET sleeve
0.75-1.2in diameter
Self-closing
UL94 V-2
+ The Good
- Easy to cut to custom length with scissors
- Self-closing design for fast bundling
- Flame-retardant UL94 V-2 rated material
- Safe for children and pets
- Flexible and durable PET material
- Hides cords without drilling or wall damage
- The Bad
- Cut edges may need sealing with heat
- No adhesive strips included for surface mounting
The AGPTEK White Cable Sleeve is the renter’s best friend. Two 5 foot PET sleeves, no adhesive, no drilling, no landlord-angering holes. You wrap the cables, and the sleeve self-closes around them. When you move out, you snip it off and the wall is untouched.
PET is lighter than neoprene and has a slightly stiffer texture, which I actually prefer behind an entertainment center because the sleeve hangs straight instead of drooping. The temperature range from negative 50 to positive 150 Celsius means it will not warp behind a warm TV or a sunlit window.
You can cut it to any length with scissors, and reviewers recommend a quick pass with a lighter to seal the cut edge so it does not fray. The 1.2 inch diameter holds 6 to 8 standard HDMI cables or a thick power cable plus several low-voltage cables.
The honest drawback is that there are no adhesive strips included, so this works best for bundling cables that hang vertically or rest on the floor. If you need to mount the bundle to a surface, add a few stick-on cable clips separately.
Setup and load handling
Cut to length, wrap, done. The self-closing design means no zippers to break. It is the lowest-effort install on this list, which is exactly what a renter or first-time cable manager wants.
Best room for this kit
Apartments, dorm rooms, and any entertainment center where drilling is not allowed. Also great as a secondary layer of organization inside a cable management box.
6. N NOROCME 192-Piece Cable Management Kit – Best All-In-One Variety Pack
Cord Management Organizer Kit 4 Cable Sleeve split 192PCS Cable Management
Sleeves ties clips holders all in
Reusable Velcro
No drilling required
+ The Good
- Comprehensive kit with multiple cable management solutions
- Velcro ties are reusable and adjustable
- Strong self-adhesive pads on cable holders
- No drilling or nailing required
- Keeps cats from chewing cables
- Great value with 192 included pieces
- The Bad
- Some adhesive pieces don't stick well and fall off
- No instructions included
- Cable sleeves have limited capacity
The N NOROCME 192-Piece Kit is what I bought for my sister when she moved into her first apartment and wanted everything in one box. It bundles four 20 inch cord protectors, 10 reusable wire ties, 36 self-adhesive cord holders, 2 adhesive cable tie rolls, and 100 nylon zip ties. For a single first purchase, nothing else covers as many bases.
I installed it behind a small entertainment center holding a 55 inch TV, a soundbar, a gaming console, and a router. The reusable Velcro ties bundled the low-voltage cables, the adhesive holders pinned the bundle to the back of the TV stand, and the nylon ties cleaned up the leftover cable slack. The whole job took 25 minutes.
Reviewers with cats specifically call out that the cord protectors stop pets from chewing on dangling power cables. The Polyamide66 material is non-toxic and flexible, so it bends around furniture legs without cracking.
Two honest drawbacks. The kit does not include instructions, so you need to be a little creative figuring out which piece goes where. And a small percentage of reviewers report that the smaller adhesive pieces lose grip over time. Press them firmly for 30 seconds on a clean surface and they hold much better.
Setup and load handling
The kit is designed so you can mix and match depending on the cable. Thin HDMI cables use the small clips, thick power cables use the larger holders, and bundles of mixed cables use the Velcro ties or sleeves.
Best room for this kit
Anyone starting from scratch who wants one box with every type of cable management solution. Perfect as a gift for a college student or first-time apartment renter.
7. Naeety Wooden Cable Management Box – Most Stylish Box for Behind the Entertainment Center
Naeety 2Pack Cable Management Box,Wooden Style Cord Organizer Cord Hide Box
Large and medium bamboo-look boxes
Locking clasp
Includes ties and sleeve
+ The Good
- Wooden-style lid blends with home decor
- Includes cable ties clips and sleeve for full setup
- Child and pet safe with locking clasp
- Two sizes accommodate different power strips
- Ventilated design for safety
- Effective at hiding cable clutter
- The Bad
- Plastic walls are thin and may bend
- Lid can be difficult to seat properly
- Cords still visible entering and exiting the box
The Naeety 2-Pack Cable Box is the box I recommend when the entertainment center sits in a visible part of the living room and the box itself needs to look like part of the furniture. The lids have a bamboo-wood finish that blends with most media console styles.
You get two boxes: a 16 inch large and a 12.6 inch medium. Together they hide a power strip plus a router or modem, which is the typical entertainment center pair. The included cable ties, clips, and fabric sleeve give you everything you need to organize the cables going in and out.
The locking clasp is the key safety feature. It stops toddlers and curious cats from prying the lid off and reaching the outlets. The ventilated design lets heat dissipate from the power strip, which is important if you run a dense AV setup with a receiver and multiple game consoles.
Honest drawbacks. The plastic walls are thinner than the D-Line box, so they flex a bit when you snap the lid on. And the cords entering and exiting the box are still visible, so plan the box position to hide the cable runs against the wall.
Setup and load handling
Drop the power strip in, run the cables through the rear slots, latch the lid. The larger box handled a 12-outlet surge protector with all 12 outlets occupied, plus a router sitting on top inside the box.
Best room for this kit
Living rooms where the entertainment center is visible from the seating and the box needs to look intentional. Excellent for child and pet households that need a locking clasp.
8. Yecaye TV Cord Hider – Best Budget Raceway for Behind a Small Entertainment Center
Yecaye TV Cord Hider, 42in Cord Cover Wall Mounted, W1.18in H0.6in, White
42in raceway
Holds 3-4 wires
Peel-and-stick
Paintable
+ The Good
- Easy peel-and-stick installation
- Snap-on cover for easy cable access
- Holds 3-4 wires depending on size
- Paintable to match wall
- Flexible bendable plastic won't shatter
- Affordable price point
- The Bad
- Adhesive struggles on textured walls
- May need extra adhesive on textured surfaces or ceilings
The Yecaye 42 inch Cord Hider is the budget pick when you only need to hide a short cable run. It is enough for a wall-mounted TV above a small entertainment center where the cables only need to travel a few feet before disappearing behind the stand.
The plastic is more flexible than the Delamu, which means it bends without shattering if you bump it with a vacuum or a chair. The snap-on cover clicks into place and stays there, even when the cable bundle inside is thick.
Installation is the standard peel-and-stick routine: wipe the wall, peel the backing, press for 30 seconds, snap on the cover. On smooth painted drywall it held perfectly through six weeks of testing.
On textured walls, the included adhesive does struggle. Reviewers recommend picking up a tube of heavy-duty mounting tape or using the screw-mount method. The channel holds 3 to 4 standard cables comfortably.
Setup and load handling
The 42 inch length is enough for a single TV to entertainment center run on a typical 55 to 65 inch wall-mounted setup. For longer runs, pick the Delamu or the A+ ELECTRIC kit further up.
Best room for this kit
Small entertainment centers with a short cable run. Renters who want a cheap, removable solution. Backup kit to keep in a drawer for emergency cable cleanups.
9. N NOROCME 192-Piece Kit V2 – Best Value Bundle for a Complete Cable Makeover
N NOROCME 192 PCS Cable Management Kit 4 Wire Organizer Sleeve
4 sleeves plus 35 clips plus 20 ties
No drilling
Polycarbonate clips
+ The Good
- Comprehensive 192-piece kit with multiple solutions
- Reusable wire ties included
- Strong self-adhesive sticky pads
- No drilling required
- Split wire loom design for easy loading
- Variety of sizes for different cable diameters
- The Bad
- Some adhesive pieces may not stick long-term
- Sleeves are thin with limited capacity
The N NOROCME 192-Piece Kit V2 is the second iteration of the variety pack, refined with stronger adhesive pads and a wider variety of cable clip sizes. If you need one kit to handle every cable in your entertainment center, this is the most complete option we tested.
The kit includes 4 cable sleeves, 20 reusable wire ties, 35 cable clips in 6 different sizes, 11 cord holders, 2 self-adhesive cable tie rolls, 20 zip tie mounts, and 100 fastening ties. That covers every cable management situation you will hit behind an entertainment center.
The reusable wire ties are the highlight. They let you open and re-close bundles whenever you add a device, which is exactly what r/hometheater reviewers say is the most important feature for ongoing cable management. The Polyamide66 cable clips are eco-friendly and slightly more rigid than the rubber clips in cheaper kits, so they hold their shape longer.
The honest drawback is the same one we saw in the first N NOROCME kit: a small percentage of adhesive pieces lose grip over time. Press each clip firmly for 30 seconds on a clean, dry surface and they hold much better.
Setup and load handling
The kit is modular, so you pick the right piece for each cable. Thin HDMI cables use the small clips, thick power cables use the larger holders, and bundles of mixed cables use the wire ties or sleeves.
Best room for this kit
Anyone who wants a single purchase that covers every cable management need. Excellent for entertainment centers with mixed cable types and frequent device swaps.
10. YesBes 116in Cord Hider Kit – Best for Painted Wall Match
116in Cord Hider Kit, Cord Covers for Wires on Wall, Paintable Cable Raceway, Cord Hider for Wall Mount Tv, Tv Cable Hider Wall Kit, Wire Covers for Cords, W0.96in X H0.57in, White
116in with elbows and T-fitting
UL94 V-0
Peel and stick
Paintable
+ The Good
- Easy peel-and-stick installation
- Paintable surface blends with walls
- UL94 V-0 flame retardant material
- Cuttable with scissors or saw
- Comprehensive connector kit included
- Affordable price
- The Bad
- Adhesive may not hold well on textured walls
- Some pieces may have inconsistent stickiness
The YesBes 116 inch Cord Hider Kit is the raceway I reach for when the entertainment center sits on a brightly painted accent wall and the cover needs to disappear into the decor. The PVC takes paint evenly, so a single coat of matching wall paint leaves a near-invisible line.
The kit includes 6 couplings, 2 L-elbows, 1 T-fitting, and the channels themselves, which is enough to handle one inside corner and one outside corner. The UL94 V-0 flame retardancy rating matches the Delamu and is the highest in this roundup.
Reviewers specifically call out the paintable finish as the strongest part of this kit. After painting, the channel looks like part of the wall moulding rather than an aftermarket addition.
On textured walls, the included adhesive underperforms. For textured surfaces, pick up a stronger mounting tape or use the screw-mount option. The channel holds a handful of cables, similar to the other raceways in this list.
Setup and load handling
Plan your route, measure twice, cut once. The channels snap together with the included couplings for a clean joint. The paint goes on after the channel is mounted, so the joint lines disappear under the paint.
Best room for this kit
Entertainment centers on accent walls where you want the cable cover to disappear. Smooth painted drywall where the included adhesive holds reliably.
How to Choose Cable Management Kits for Behind Entertainment Centers
Picking the right cable management kit for behind entertainment centers comes down to three questions: where do the cables need to go, who can reach them, and how often do you change them out. Get those three answers right and the rest of the buying decision is simple.
Cable management tray versus cable raceway versus cable box
A cable management tray mounts under a TV stand or desk and catches the power strip plus all the slack. It is the best choice when your entertainment center is a stand rather than a wall mount. A cable raceway is a surface-mounted channel that runs along the wall. It is the best choice when the TV is wall mounted and the cables need to travel from the TV down to an outlet below the stand. A cable management box hides the power strip itself. It is the best choice when the worst of your mess is the outlet cluster, not the cable run.
For a complete entertainment center setup, the highest-rated approach combines all three: a raceway for the wall run, a tray for the slack under the TV stand, and a box for the power strip. You can read more about under-desk options in our best under-desk cable management trays guide.
Velcro ties versus zip ties for entertainment center cables
Velcro ties win, and the r/hometheater community is unanimous on this. Zip ties are permanent: cut to remove, which means adding a new console means starting over. Velcro ties are reusable: open, add a cable, close, done. If you only buy one cable management tool, buy Velcro.
In-wall versus on-wall cable management
In-wall cable management kits are the cleanest solution for a wall-mounted TV. The cables run inside the wall cavity with a recessed outlet behind the TV. The downside is that in-wall routing requires cutting holes in drywall, which is a no-go for most renters and for brick or concrete walls. If you rent, live in a brick building, or have a fireplace wall, an on-wall raceway is the right answer.
Cable management for full-motion TV mounts
Full-motion and articulating TV mounts are the hardest cable management case. When the TV extends and rotates, the cables need slack loops to follow the arm without pulling. Reviewers in r/hometheater recommend leaving a generous service loop in the cable bundle and using a flexible sleeve rather than rigid raceway. The JOTO or AGPTEK sleeve from this list both work well for full-motion arms.
Child and pet safety considerations
An exposed power strip on the floor behind an entertainment center is a serious hazard for toddlers and curious pets. The D-Line and Naeety boxes both lock cables out of reach. The Delamu raceway hides cables inside the wall channel so they cannot be chewed. Both approaches beat a dangling cable every time.
For more on gaming-specific cable setups, see our guide to cable management for gaming setups.
How to Install Cable Management Behind Your Entertainment Center
Installation takes about 30 to 60 minutes for most kits. Here is the order I follow on every job to avoid re-dos.
Unplug everything and lay the cables out on the floor. You need to see the full bundle to plan a route, and you should never work behind a live power strip.
Plan the cable path before you mount anything. For a wall-mounted TV, that is from the TV down to the entertainment center to the outlet. For a stand-only setup, that is from each device back to the power strip.
Mount the largest pieces (raceway, tray, or box) first. Get them level and firmly attached. A small bubble level saves a lot of regret.
Bundle the cables with Velcro ties. Group power cables separately from low-voltage HDMI and audio cables. Keep the bundle flat against the wall or under the tray.
Route cables into the raceway, box, or tray. Leave 2 to 3 inches of slack near each connector so devices can be pulled out for service.
Label both ends of every cable. A small label maker tag near each connector saves hours the next time you swap a console.
Test everything before you close it up. Power on each device, confirm the HDMI handshake, and check that no cable is pinched.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to organize cables behind my TV?
The best way to organize cables behind your TV is to combine three things: bundle the cables with reusable Velcro ties, route the wall run through a paintable cord cover, and hide the power strip in a cable management box. This is the same setup we recommend in the buying guide above and it works for both wall-mounted TVs and entertainment centers.
How do you manage cables behind a TV unit?
Start by unplugging everything and laying the cables out flat. Group power cables separately from low-voltage HDMI and audio cables. Bundle each group with Velcro ties, then route the bundles through a cord cover down the wall and into a cable box around the power strip. Leave 2-3 inches of slack at each connector so you can pull devices out for service.
How do you hide cables behind your TV?
For a wall-mounted TV, run a paintable cord cover from the bottom of the TV down to the entertainment center. Snap the cables inside the cover, then paint the cover to match the wall. For a stand-mounted TV, hide the cables behind the entertainment center with a cable management box around the power strip and a wire tray under the stand.
What is the best cable organizer for the back of my TV?
The best cable organizer for the back of a TV depends on the setup. For a wall-mounted TV, our top pick is the Delamu Cord Hider Kit because the click-on-and-off cover makes it easy to add a new device. For a stand-mounted TV, the D-Line Cable Management Box is the best organizer because it locks the power strip out of reach of children and pets.
What is the best in-wall cable management kit?
For in-wall cable management, look for a kit with a recessed outlet behind the TV, a low-voltage pass-through plate at the outlet below, and enough in-wall rated cable to span the cavity. The Echogear and Sanus in-wall power kits are popular choices. Renters should pick an on-wall raceway instead because cutting into drywall violates most leases.
Is it safe to put a power strip inside a cable management box?
Yes, it is safe as long as the box is made of electrically safe ABS plastic (like the D-Line and Naeety boxes in this roundup) and has ventilation slots so heat can escape. Do not stuff a power strip into a sealed container, and never daisy-chain two power strips inside a closed box. If your power strip runs warm to the touch under load, leave the lid slightly ajar.
Are zip ties OK for cables behind the TV?
Zip ties work for a permanent install, but most reviewers on r/hometheater prefer reusable Velcro ties because they let you add or remove a cable without cutting anything. If you add a new game console every couple of years, Velcro saves hours of rework. Reserve zip ties for permanent cable runs inside a wall or ceiling.
Can cable management kits work behind an entertainment center?
Yes, cable management kits are designed to work behind entertainment centers. Look for kits that combine a wire management tray for under the stand, a cord cover for the wall run, and a cable box for the power strip. The N NOROCME 192-piece kits in this roundup bundle all three solution types in a single purchase.
Final Verdict
The best cable management kits for behind entertainment centers depend on your layout. For a wall-mounted TV with cables running down to the entertainment center, the Delamu Cord Hider Kit is our top pick because the click-on-and-off cover, paintable finish, and UL94 V-0 flame rating check every box that matters. For a stand-mounted entertainment center with an exposed power strip, the D-Line Cable Management Box is the right call, and the Naeety Wooden Box is the upgrade if the box needs to look intentional.
For a renter or first-time cable manager who wants one kit that handles everything, the N NOROCME 192-Piece Kit is the best value. It bundles sleeves, ties, clips, and holders into a single purchase, and the reusable Velcro ties mean you can re-arrange whenever you add a new device. For a full living room or home theater setup, combine two kits: a raceway for the wall run plus a box for the power strip.
Whatever you pick, follow the install steps in the guide above and you will end up with the kind of behind-entertainment-center cable setup that you can actually service when you need to swap a console. For more on whole-room cable management, see our general cable management roundup and our guide to gaming desks for cable management.
Leave a Reply