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Four brands sell most of the cable tethers that attach an adapter or dongle to a cable: TetherTies, Extron, CableTether and StarTech. All four use thin steel wire and a crimped sleeve, and all four work as a deterrent: someone with cutters can cut any of them. They differ in how much arrives assembled, which tools you need and how many models each one makes. This comparison uses each maker’s own published specifications and leaves prices out because they change.
The short version
If you want the fastest install and the widest choice of models, TetherTies fits. If your rooms are specified around Extron gear and you buy through an Extron integrator, the Extron tether keeps procurement in one place. CableTether is the closest match to TetherTies: it also ships pre-assembled with a nylon-coated wire. StarTech sells a parts kit with heat shrink that you assemble, and it suits teams that like to cut wire to length on site.
Side by side
| TetherTies | Extron LockIt | CableTether | StarTech | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly | Pre-assembled, both ends pre-looped with half-crimped sleeves | Parts you assemble | Pre-assembled with two sleeves | Parts you assemble |
| Install | One crimp at each end, about 15 seconds | Crimp with pliers, then shrink the wrap with heat, per end | Standard pliers, in under 15 seconds (maker’s claim) | Loop, tighten, crimp the ferrule with a crimping tool, cut excess with wire cutters |
| Tools | Crimping tool included in Amazon packs, add-on on our site, tool-free packages available | Pliers and a heat source, not listed as included | Standard pliers, not stated as included | Crimping tool and wire cutters, not included |
| Standard length | 12 inches | 14 inches | 14 inches | 11.8 inches |
| Wire | Nylon-coated stainless steel | Nylon-coated stainless steel | Aircraft-grade nylon-coated cable | PVC-coated steel, 1.5 mm |
| Strength claim | 110 lb standard, 270 lb heavy duty | Not published | About 270 lb (the page also says about 300 lb) | Not published |
| Colors | Black, white, silver, clear (non-metal) | White | Silver on the listing we found | Black |
| Models | Standard, heavy duty, retractable coil, multi-adapter, DIY, non-metal | One model | One model, custom lengths | One kit, adjustable length |
| Custom lengths | 4 to 48 inches | Not offered | Yes | Cut to length yourself |
How each one is built
TetherTies. Both ends of the wire arrive pre-looped, with half-crimped sleeves that slide. You slip one loop over the adapter and crimp it, then slip the other loop over the cable and crimp that. The standard tether is 12 inches, and the heavy-duty version is rated to 270 lb. The line also includes a retractable coil, a multi-adapter tether, a DIY kit and a clear non-metal tether for places where a conductive wire is a concern. The design is covered by U.S. patent 11,008,782, and more than 1.5 million have been sold.
Extron LockIt. Extron describes a 14 inch white nylon-coated stainless steel wire with crimp-style metal sleeves and heat shrink tubing, sold in packs of 10. Its installation guide has six steps per cable: thread the wire through the wrap and sleeve, loop it around the first cable, leave about 1/8 inch of clearance, crimp with pliers, shrink the wrap with a heat source, and then repeat on the second cable. Our full comparison with Extron covers install time in detail.
CableTether. The company sells a single pre-assembled tether, 14 inches long, made from aircraft-grade cable with a nylon coating and secured with a crimped aluminum sleeve. Its site says it installs with standard pliers in under 15 seconds, and it offers custom lengths and a form for designing your own. A retailer listing for its heavy-duty version quotes a rating of 270 lb and a silver finish. Its own pages give about 270 lb in one place and about 300 lb in another.
StarTech. The StarTech kit comes in packs of 5, 10 and 20. Each tether is 11.8 inches of 1.5 mm PVC-coated steel secured with aluminum ferrules, and the 10-pack listing includes black heat shrink tubes that cover the ferrules. You loop the cable around the item, tighten it and crimp the ferrule. StarTech lists a crimping tool and wire cutters as required and not included. It publishes no strength rating.
Which is quickest to install
Pre-assembled tethers take the fewest steps. TetherTies and CableTether both state an install time of under 15 seconds. Extron and StarTech arrive as parts, so each tether adds threading, crimping and trimming, and the Extron version adds a heat step. Over a large room refresh the difference adds up, and the table in our Extron comparison shows how it scales.
What a strength rating means
All four makers describe a deterrent. Strength figures come from each maker, and each uses its own test method, so a number on one page is not a measured match for a number on another. TetherTies rates its standard wire at 110 lb and its heavy-duty wire at 270 lb, and our standard vs heavy-duty guide explains the ratings. CableTether quotes about 270 lb for its heavy-duty tether. Extron and StarTech publish no rating. If strength matters for your site, ask each vendor how it tested.
Which one to choose
- You are tethering many adapters and want the least work. A pre-assembled tether, from TetherTies or CableTether, cuts the steps.
- You need a tether for something other than a standard adapter. Only TetherTies lists multi-adapter, retractable and non-metal models.
- You buy AV through an Extron integrator. Adding the LockIt tether to that order keeps procurement simple.
- You want to cut wire to length on site and already own the tools. StarTech’s kit or a TetherTies DIY kit fits. The DIY vs pre-assembled guide covers the trade-offs.
For a wider look at tethers, zip ties and cable locks, see the buying guide and the comparison of cable tethers, zip ties and cable locks. You can also request a free sample and install one next to whichever brand you use now.
Questions people ask
Which cable tether is easiest to install?
A pre-assembled tether needs the fewest steps. TetherTies arrives with both ends pre-looped and installs in about 15 seconds. CableTether also ships pre-assembled and states an install time under 15 seconds.
Do I need a special tool?
Most of them need a crimping tool or pliers. TetherTies packs sold on Amazon include a crimping tool, and the site sells packages with and without tools. Extron’s guide calls for pliers and a heat source, and StarTech lists a crimping tool and wire cutters as required and not included.
How strong is a cable tether?
TetherTies standard wire is rated to 110 lb and heavy duty to 270 lb. CableTether quotes about 270 lb. Extron and StarTech publish no rating. These are manufacturer claims with different test methods, so treat them as rough guides.
Can a cable tether be cut?
Yes. Any of these tethers can be cut with cutters. A tether is a deterrent that removes the easy option of walking off with an adapter, and it does not work as a lock.
Can I order a custom length?
TetherTies makes custom lengths from 4 to 48 inches through the custom order page. CableTether also offers custom lengths. With StarTech you cut the wire yourself.