Excessive cable vibrations are detrimental to cable-stayed bridges. Increasing the system damping of cables is a key solution to resolve this severe problem. Equations representing the dynamic characteristics of an inclined cable with a Deck-Anchored Damper (DAD) or with a Clipped Tuned Mass Dampers (CTMD) are reviewed. A theoretical comparison on the performance of cable vibration reduction between the cable-DAD system and the cable-CTMD systems is thoroughly discussed. Optimal system modal damping for the free vibration and transfer functions for the forced vibration for the two cabledamper systems are addressed and compared in detail. Design examples for these two different dampers are also provided.