Buying guide · Cash drawers

5 checks before you buy a cash drawer.

A cash drawer should fit the counter, hold your currency mix and open reliably on every sale. Here is everything to check before you choose.

1Size 2Compartments 3Connection 4Voltage 5Security
  1. 01

    Choose the size for your counter

    Measure the space under the counter. Drawers come in three families:

    Heavy duty metal cash drawersHeavy duty405–460mm wide · steel Compact cash drawersCompactSmall counters and kiosks Flip-top cash drawersFlip-topLid opens upwards – tight spaces
  2. 02

    Match compartments to your currency

    Count the notes and coins you handle daily. Common layouts:

    4 / 4bill / coinSmall shops
    5 / 8bill / coinMost retail & restaurants
    6 / 3bill / coinNote-heavy markets
    8 / 4bill / coinHigh-volume checkouts

    A removable tray makes end-of-day cash counting and shift changes faster.

  3. 03

    Confirm the connection

    POSSale completed
    →
    Receipt printerSends pulse
    →
    RJ11 cablePrinter-driven
    →
    Drawer opensAutomatically

    Almost every BlackCopper drawer is printer-driven: it plugs into the receipt printer’s RJ11 port, so you need a compatible receipt printer.

  4. 04

    Check the solenoid voltage

    Most receipt printers drive a 24V drawer pulse; many drawers use 12V or 24V solenoids. Match the drawer to the printer’s output to avoid a drawer that will not open.

    Tip

    Not sure? Send us your printer model with your enquiry – our team will confirm a compatible drawer.

  5. 05

    Look at security and build

    • 3-position key lock – locked, online and open
    • Cold-rolled steel body for heavy-duty use
    • Media slots for cheques and card slips
    • Ball-bearing slides for smooth, quiet opening
    Browse all cash drawersPlastic cash drawers ›

FAQ

Cash drawer questions

Can a cash drawer connect directly to a PC?

Standard drawers are printer-driven through RJ11. If your setup has no receipt printer, ask us about USB trigger options.

Will the tray fit my local currency?

Choose the bill/coin layout that matches your notes and coins. Adjustable dividers on many models let you fine-tune the coin section.

Can I order drawers with printers as a bundle?

Yes – partners usually quote drawers, receipt printers and POS terminals together so every component is matched.

Keep reading

More POS & Retail guides

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POS System Buying Guide Step-by-step · 5 min readPOS System Buying Guide Barcode Scanner Buying Guide Interactive selector · 4 min readBarcode Scanner Buying Guide Thermal Receipt Printer Buying Guide Anatomy · 4 min readThermal Receipt Printer Buying Guide Barcode Label Printer & Labels Guide In-depth · 6 min readBarcode Label Printer & Labels Guide

Volume pricing

Drawers for every checkout.

Distributor pricing on heavy-duty, compact, flip-top and plastic cash drawers.

Request a quotationAll cash drawers
  1. 01Size & layoutCounter and currency
  2. 02Printer matchRJ11 and voltage
  3. 03Get pricingDrawers and printers together