Computer Peripherals: Security Locks vs. a 25-Foot USB Cable - Which to Pick

Compare four computer peripheral solutions: keyed and cable security locks plus a 25-foot USB 2.0 active cable, priced from $14.99 to $60.99, and get a pick for each use case.

Last updated Aug 17, 2026

Somewhere between your computer and your desk, your peripherals either disappear or need to be farther away. The four options here split cleanly into those two jobs: three security locks from Tripp Lite and Kensington, plus one long-range USB cable from Eaton. Prices run from $14.99 to $60.99, so the first decision is really about which problem you're solving.

Quick Take

If you just need to stop a laptop or desktop peripheral from walking away, the Kensington K67990US is the easiest entry point at the low end of the price spread. If you want a keyed lock instead of a shared cable lock, the Tripp-Lite SEC4K gives you a 4-foot cable and a key. If the actual problem is that your printer sits too far from your computer, the 25-foot Eaton USB 2.0 Active A/B cable is the only product designed for that. And if you'd rather stick with a Kensington locking kit at a higher price point, the K64615US is the model to compare against the K67990US.

Price and Positioning

Product	Listed Price	Bar
Tripp-Lite SEC4K Keyed Security Lock (4 ft)	$24.99
Kensington Desktop Peripherals Locking Kit 2.0 K67990US	$14.99
25-ft Eaton USB 2.0 Active A/B Cable	$60.99
Kensington K64615US Desktop and Peripherals Locking Kit	$28.99

Decision Matrix

Go with the Kensington K67990US if you want the least expensive way to secure a device with a security slot and don't need a key.
Go with the Tripp-Lite SEC4K if a keyed lock and a 4-foot cable fit your desk setup.
Go with the 25-ft Eaton USB 2.0 Active A/B Cable if you need to place a printer or USB-B peripheral up to 25 feet away.
Go with the Kensington K64615US if you want a Kensington locking kit with a different model number and are comfortable paying more than the K67990US.

Product Notes

Tripp-Lite SEC4K

Keyed locks are a good middle ground when you don't want a shared cable key floating around the office. The SEC4K uses a keyed design, comes with a 4-foot cable, and works with the standard security slot found on most laptops, docking stations, and peripherals. The included 1-year manufacturer warranty is a concrete plus. The trade-off is that you'll need a device with that security slot, and the 4-foot length means the locked gear has to sit close to your anchor point. It's a direct, no-nonsense security lock for one device.

Kensington Desktop Peripherals Locking Kit 2.0 K67990US

The K67990US is the lowest-priced option in this group, and it's a cable locking kit instead of a keyed lock. That makes it a simple pick if you just need to stop someone from walking off with a desktop peripheral or laptop without dealing with keys. It's built around the slot-style locking approach used by many devices, so compatibility depends on that slot. The main limitation is that it's a cable lock, so you'll need a compatible security slot and a way to loop the cable around something solid. If you're buying your first peripheral lock, this is the most affordable place to start.

25-ft Eaton USB 2.0 Active A/B Cable

This cable solves a different problem entirely: keeping a printer or peripheral far from the computer. The active repeater is designed to push past the usual 5-meter USB distance limit, and the cable is built to maintain full 480Mbps speed over the full 25 feet. It's plug-and-play with USB-A to USB-B connectors, so it's aimed squarely at printers and similar devices. The catch is the price: it's the most expensive item here, and you'll need a USB-B device to put it to work. If your printer has to live across the room, this is the tool for that job.

Kensington K64615US Desktop and Peripherals Locking Kit

The K64615US is another Kensington locking kit, positioned above the K67990US in price. The title points to desktop computer and peripheral locking, and the model number gives you a distinct SKU to track. The trade-off is that there's less feature detail to weigh than with the keyed SEC4K, so you're choosing based on the model designation more than a long spec list. If you don't need a keyed lock, the lower-priced Kensington may cover the same ground for less.

Final Recommendation by Use Case

Lowest-cost lock for a slot-equipped device: Kensington K67990US
Keyed lock with a 4-foot cable: Tripp-Lite SEC4K
Long-distance USB for a printer or peripheral: 25-ft Eaton USB 2.0 Active A/B Cable
A Kensington kit with a higher price point: Kensington K64615US

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