Cash Drawers Guide
Choose and configure cash drawers for your POS environment.
Cash Drawer Basics
Cash drawers store bills and coins and may connect to a compatible receipt printer or POS through a drawer-kick interface or supported USB controller. They open automatically after a cash sale or can be opened manually with a key. Choose a model with adequate compartments for your typical cash volume.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Ensure your cash drawer is compatible with your printer or POS interface. Printer-driven drawers require the correct connector, pinout, and electrical specifications; a matching-looking plug does not establish compatibility. Heavy-duty drawers suit high-volume environments. Hardware compatibility depends on processor, gateway, device model, software configuration, and merchant setup.
Cash Management Best Practices
Conduct regular till counts at shift start and end, reconcile cash against sales reports, limit drawer access to authorized staff, and use deposit drops for large bills to reduce loss risk and simplify reconciliation.
Interface Safety Checklist
Match the drawer to the printer or POS controller specifications, including connector wiring and trigger voltage. Never connect a cash-drawer cable to a network port based on connector appearance alone.
Shift Controls
Assign drawer access by role, record opening floats, count tills at shift changes, investigate discrepancies, and secure cash drops according to business policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a cash drawer if I'm mostly cashless?
If you handle any cash transactions, a cash drawer improves accuracy and security. If you're fully cashless, you can operate without one. Consider your customers' payment preferences when deciding.
Check hardware compatibility before you buy
Tell ONKORE which device and payment setup you use so our team can review available options.
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