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Four small 3D prints can solve four everyday annoyances: keeping your place in a book, stopping charging cables from slipping away, hanging headphones under a desk, and closing opened food bags. How-To Geek writer Sydney Louw Butler described using these designs instead of store-bought alternatives in a September 16, 2026 article. That is one person’s experience, not a controlled comparison or a guarantee that each design will suit your setup.
Which of the four prints fits your problem?
| Job | How it works or attaches | Tradeoff to consider | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bookshark Bookmark by blecheimer | Marks a place in a book | A small shark-fin shape has a stopper that appears to swim from a closed book. | Its small size and simple use are the main appeal; the author says it uses little material. |
| Strong Locking Cable Clip by neoyarus | Keeps charging cables accessible | The article describes 16 sizes for one to 16 cables and four mounting options. | Choose a size and attachment method that fit your cables and mounting surface; verify the options on the model page. |
| Under Desk Headphone Mount by Chickenface | Hangs headphones beneath a desk | The article describes a screw-hole version; Butler reports fastening it with a short wood screw. | Desk material, clearance, and the mount’s fit affect whether screw attachment makes sense. |
| Print-in-place BAG CLIPS by Shadow_Flash1234 | Closes opened food bags | A built-in, tensioned clip holds the bag closed. | The author reports that repeated opening can eventually break the clips. |
The capacity and mounting-option counts above are reported in the 2026 article, not independently checked against the original cable-clip listing. Treat them as a starting point, not a current specification.
Use a Bookshark Bookmark to mark several books
The Bookshark’s fin-and-stopper design is meant to sit in a closed book while making the shark look as if it is swimming. Butler says the bookmark uses very little material and that the author has printed them in multicolor filament, making different colors a simple way to distinguish books.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Butler also estimates that a modern printer can make one in a minute or two, or print a whole plate of them. That is the author’s estimate, not a measured print-time benchmark; actual time depends on the printer, settings, and model. The design’s practical case is strongest if you want a small, repeatable bookmark or several color-coded ones.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Keep charging cables from slipping away with a locking clip
A cable clip addresses a familiar desk problem: unplug a device and its charging cable can fall out of reach. Butler describes using the Strong Locking Cable Clip on a trolley holding handheld gaming devices and a VR headset, attached with double-sided tape. That is an example of one setup, not a tested recommendation for every surface or load.
The article describes 16 sizes, from one to 16 cables, and four mounting options. Before printing, check the model listing for the current size choices and attachment variants, then match the capacity to the cables you actually want to keep at hand. The right mounting approach depends on the surface: adhesive avoids drilling but requires a suitable, clean attachment area; a screw-based option requires a compatible place to fasten it.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Hang headphones beneath a desk with a screw-hole mount
An under-desk hook can keep headphones off the work surface. Butler contrasts the chosen mount with suction-cup, magnetic, and over-the-edge alternatives, which the author found easier to knock loose. In Butler’s setup, the screw-hole version was fastened with a short wood screw and screwdriver.
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That account is not a load test or a universal installation instruction. Check the underside of your desk for material, thickness, clearance, and anything that could be damaged before choosing a screw-mounted design. If your desk cannot accept a screw, this particular attachment style may not fit your situation.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Use print-in-place bag clips where occasional replacement is acceptable
The BAG CLIPS design has a tensioned clip built into the print, so there is no separate piece to assemble. Butler reports that repeated opening eventually breaks the clips and suggests them for bags accessed less often, such as flour. They may be a convenient reprint for occasional use, but the reported breakage makes them a poor choice if you need a long-lived clip that gets flexed many times a day.
The available account does not establish that these clips are food-safe or airtight. Do not rely on them as a food-contact safety feature or as a seal that prevents air from reaching the contents.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Choose material for the specific model, not by analogy
Material guidance for one design does not automatically apply to another. A separate MakerWorld desk cable-holder listing recommends PLA Basic, PLA+, or PETG for that model’s tubes and cautions against matte and silk PLA for its latch because of strength concerns. That advice is specific to the separate cable-holder design; it does not establish what filament is best for the four prints here.
If you already own a compatible printer, multicolor filament is an optional choice for the Bookshark, as Butler describes using it. Check the featured model’s own instructions and your printer’s compatibility before selecting filament.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
