Which Cash Drawer Do I Need?

Our Recommended Cash Drawer

How to Choose a Cash Drawer

1. Bill Slots: 4 vs 5

Most cash drawers have 4 or 5 bill slots. Five slots let you separate $1s, $5s, $10s, $20s, and large bills ($50/$100). If you regularly handle large bills — liquor stores, dispensaries, high-end retail — get a 5-slot drawer. Four slots work fine for lower-ticket businesses like coffee shops and bakeries where you rarely see bills above $20.

2. Coin Compartments: 4 vs 5 vs 8

Standard is 5 compartments (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and a miscellaneous slot). Four-compartment drawers combine quarters with larger coins. Eight-compartment drawers add slots for half-dollars, dollar coins, and rolled coins — mostly used in banks and high-volume retail.

3. Connection Type: RJ12 (Standard)

Almost all modern cash drawers use an RJ12 (phone-style) connector that plugs into your receipt printer. When the printer finishes a receipt, it sends a signal to pop the drawer open. Make sure your printer has a cash drawer port — most Epson and Star printers do.

4. Size: Compact vs Standard

The SKU 72-100 is a standard-size drawer (~16" wide) that fits under most counters. If you're tight on space — food trucks, kiosks, pop-up shops — ask about compact options. Our team can help match a drawer to your counter dimensions.

5. Manual vs Electronic Release

Electronic release (triggered by your POS/printer) is standard. Manual key-lock release is a backup — every drawer has one for when the POS goes down or you need to access the drawer for shift change. Some drawers add a second lock position that requires a manager key for no-sale openings.

Quick Decision Checklist

1. ✅ Do you handle $50s/$100s regularly? → Get 5 bill slots
2. ✅ Standard counter setup? → SKU 72-100 fits perfectly
3. ✅ Tight space? → Ask about compact models
4. ✅ Need to connect to a receipt printer? → Verify RJ12 port on your printer
5. ✅ Multiple registers? → Check our bulk ordering for volume pricing