The cash drawer is an integral, and highly-visible, part of every POS system. It sees constant human contact, and is interacted with thousands of times over. As a result, if a cash drawer is a pleasure to use, it significantly improves the overall POS experience — making an investment in a high-quality model more than worthwhile.
Buying the most inexpensive cash drawer might save a few dollars initially, but will often cause frustration and dissatisfaction, making the whole system look poor. A high-quality cash drawer will still be one of the least expensive components of a POS system, so making your decision based on quality, rather than price, will benefit you and your customer.
When considering the purchase of a cash drawer, there are many criteria which should be taken into account to get the best fit for your customer. Broadly, the selection criteria for a cash drawer should be based on the following, easily-available information:
Durability / Life Cycle Testing / Usage
The best way to determine the durability of a cash drawer is to consider life cycle testing, instead of generically used terms like “medium” or “standard duty.”
- A premium cash drawer outlives a POS terminal and peripherals by a ratio of 3 to 1.
- A cash drawer servicing one customer per minute, 15 hours per day, 360 days per year, needs 324,000 cycles per year.
- A million-life-cycle cash drawer, with the above usage, will need to be replaced every 3 ½ years.
- A 1.5-million-life-cycle cash drawer, with the above usage, will last the customer 4-5 years; a 3-million-life-cycle drawer will last 9 years; a 6-million-life-cycle cash drawer will last the customer 15+ years.
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Life Cycle:
- 6 million: EP-125NK, EP-125NK2, EP-125NKL, EP-125NKL2, EP-127NK, EP-127-SA, EP-127-SA-23
- 3 million: EP-1313, EP-102N, SP-103N, EU-103, EP-107N2, J-184, & HP series
- 1.5 million: CF-405BX, J-423, & CF-460BX
- 1 million: EchoPOS CC series (CC-330, CC-410, & CC-460)
Footprint / Dimensions
- The footprint is needed to confirm sufficient space is available to install a cash drawer
- The dimensions are expressed in terms of Width (left to right), Length (front to back), and height
- The height of the cash drawer includes rubber feet
- For some space-constrained applications, shorter rubber feet are available
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Footprint
- 13.0″ (W) X 13.0″ (L) X 3.94″ (H): CC-330
- 13.0″ (W) X 13.0″ (L) X 4.11″ (H): EP-1313
- 13.0″ W x 16.3″ L x 4.11″ H: EP-102N & HP-121
- 15.9″ W X 16.7″ L X 4.46″ H: CF-405BX, J-423, SP-103N, & HP-123N
- 16.1″ W X 16.3″ L X 4.48″ H: CC-410
- 16.1″ W X 17.7″ L X 5.63″ H: EU-103
- 17.3″ W X 18.1″ L X 4.68″ H: CF-460BX & EP-107N2
- 18.1″ (W) X 17.7″ (L) X 4.48″ (H): J-184
- 18.1″ (W) X 18.3″ (L) X 4.48″ (H): CC-460
- 18.8″ W X 15.2″ L X 4.58″ H: EP-125NK, EP-125NK2, & HP-122N
- 18.8″ W X 19.7″ L X 4.59″ H: EP-125NKL, EP-125NKL2, & HP-122L
- 18.8″ W X 18.2″ L X 5.64″ H: EP-127NK
- 18.8″ W X 23.0″ L X 5.64″ H: EP-127-SA
- 18.8″ W X 23.0″ L X 5.64″ H: EP-127-SA-23
- 22.5″ W X 19.7″ L X 4.59″ H: EP-125KL66
Triggering a Cash Drawer (Manually or Electronically)
- Manual cash drawers are operated using keys or by pushing the face plate
- Printer interface cash drawers are triggered by the receipt printer
- Computer interface cash drawers are designed to work with Windows, Linux, OPOS, and Android
- Computer interface cash drawers require integration by a software developer prior to purchase:
- Serial, Parallel: Triggered when software sends specific character(s) to the port
- USB: Triggered by the USB port. Requires dll file & driver integration prior to purchase
- Bluetooth: Triggered via Bluetooth. Requires Software Development Kit integration
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Triggering Requirements:
- Manual cash drawers (opened by pushing the face plate): HP-121, HP-123N, HP-122, & HP-122L
- Manually open with a key: All M-S & EchoPOS cash drawers
- Printer interface: All M-S & EchoPOS cash drawers except HP series cash drawers
- Serial / Parallel: All M-S cash drawers (except HP series) bought with ser. /par. module installed
- USB interface: All M-S cash drawers (except HP series) bought with USB module installed
- Bluetooth interface: Can be added to all M-S & EchoPOS printer cash drawers
Cash and Media Storage
Another aspect of the business environment that is important when selecting a cash drawer is the amount of cash & other media the cashier will handle during a typical shift.
- Media slots enable the user to insert credit card receipts without even opening the cash drawer
- A variety of bill & coin options help a customer use the same cash drawer in different types of stores
- Dual money tills allow the cashier to store cash, receipts, checks, coupons, and coin rolls
- Extra compartments on money trays help avoid the need to change trays during a shift
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Media Slots:
- No media slot cash drawers: EP-102N, EP-125NK2, and all HP series
- Media slot cash drawers: All others except above
- Media slot-Dual tray cash drawers: EU-103, EP-127NK, EP-127-SA, EP-127-SA-23 series
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Money Trays: Bills (B), Coins (C), Standard (Std), Optional (Op)
- 3B/5C (Op): CC-330 series
- 3B/5C +2 compartments (Op): CF-460BX & EP-107N2
- 4B/4C (Std): EP-102N & HP-121
- 4B/5C (Std): CC-330
- 4B/5C (Op): EP-102N, EP-1313, & HP-121
- 4B/5C +2 compartments (Op): CF-460BX, & EP-107N2
- 4B/6C +2 compartments (Op): CF-460BX, & EP-107N2
- 4B/7C (Op): EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, EP-12NKL, & EP-127NK
- 4B/8C (Op): CF-405BX, EP-125NK/ NK2/NKL, J-423, SP-103N, CC-330, & CC-410
- 5B/5C (Std): CF-405BX, J-423, SP-103N, EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, EP-12NKL, EP-127NK, EP-127-SA, EP-127-SA-23, HP-123N, HP-122N, & HP-122L
- 5B/5C (Op): CC-410 & CC-460
- 5B/5C Adjustable (Op): EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, EP-12NKL, & EP-127NK
- 5B/6C two part insert (Op): EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, & EP-12NKL
- 5B/6C +2 compartments (Std): CF-460BX & EP-107N2
- 5B/8C (Std): EP-1313, CC-410, & CC-460
- 5B/8C inclined bills (Std): EP-1313
- 5B/8C (Op): CF-405BX, J-423, & SP-103N
- 6B/6C (Op): EP-125K66 & EP-125KL66
- 6B/8C (Op): EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, EP-12NKL, & EP-127NK
On-Counter Usage & Under-Counter Mounting
- On-counter cash drawers are used when other hardware is stacked on top of cash drawers
- Under-counter cash drawers are used when counter space is at premium or in short supply
- Dual-stacked cash drawers are used in cash-intensive applications or busy locations
- Taller mounting brackets are used for under-counter mounting without taking rubber feet off
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Mounting Preference:
- Over /On counter: All M-S & EchoPOS cash drawers
- Under-counter (using mounting brackets): All M-S Cash drawers (check bracket availability)
- Under-counter mounting (holes on cash drawer): SP-103N, EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, & HP-122N
- Dual under-counter mounting brackets (Op): CF-405BX, J-423, EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, & HP-123N
- Taller mounting bracket (Op): EP-102N, CF-405BX, SP-103, HP-121, & HP-123N
Lock and Key Types and Lock Combinations
- Locks serve as an important tool in securing cash and addressing loss prevention
- Cash drawers can be keyed alike or use random locks
- Cash drawers typically use either flat keys or dimple keys (hard to duplicate)
- Cash drawers use either two or three position locks. A four position lock exists
- Most cash drawers have a single lock, while some others offer dual locks
- Dual locks can offer separate accountability for both the operator and the manager
- Most locks are operable by key, while some can also be pushed to open a cash drawer
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Lock Requirement.
- Keyed-alike locks (Std): All M-S and EchoPOS cash drawers, by default, are keyed alike
- Random locks (Op): 20+ random lock combinations are offered for all M-S Cash Drawers
- Flat keys (three-position center lock) (Std): EP-1313, EP-102N, CF-405BX, J-423, SP-103N, EU-103, CF-460BX, & EP-107N2
- Dimple keys (three-position center lock) (Op): EP-1313, EP-102N, CF-405BX, J-423, SP-103N, EU-103, CF-460BX, & EP-107N2
- Dimple keys (two-position side lock) (Std): EP-125NK, EP-12NK2, EP-12NKL, EP-127NK, EP-127-SA, & EP-127-SA-23
- Two-position (center locks): All HP series cash drawers
- Cash drawers with two locks: EP-125NK2, EP-125NKL2, EP-127NK, EP-127-SA, & EP-127-SA-23
Color & Texture
- Baked enamel paint is more common for cash drawers than powder coating
- A shiny finish is more prevalent on cash drawers than a matte finish (susceptible to smudges)
- Black, white (off-white closer to beige), brilliant/shiny /tablet white are commonly-used colors
- Custom colors and finishes are available, but typically add cost and increase lead time
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Colors / Texture:
- Black enamel: All M-S & EchoPOS cash drawers use black enamel paint as a default
- Brilliant white: EP-102N, J-423, CC-330, & CC-410; other cash drawers upon request
- White enamel: All M-S & EchoPOS cash drawers (lead times vary)
Painted vs Stainless Steel Face Plate
- Customer preferences for cash drawers to match store décor dictate picking face plate color
- Face plates are either stainless steel or painted, based on the model
- Face plates can optionally be converted from painted to stainless steel, and vice-versa
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Face Plate Color:
- Painted front: EP-1313, J-423, EP-107N2, J-184, HP-121, HP-123N, CC series
- Stainless steel front: All cash drawers except the above
Cash Drawer Status & Splitter Cables
- Printer, serial, and USB interface cash drawers can provide open or closed status
- The software and receipt printer (for printer interface) must use a cash drawer with the status feature
- Cash drawer status is possible for dedicated, as well as shared (splitter or Y-cable), ports
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Cash Drawer Status and Splitter Cables:
- All M-S & EchoPOS printer-interface cash drawers provide status when bought with proper cables.
- All M-S serial & USB cash drawers provide status
- Parallel interface cash drawers do not provide status
Field Upgradeability / Future-Proofing
- A premium M-S Cash Drawer typically outlives the POS terminal/peripherals by a ratio of 3 to 1.
- It is common to see a customer move from one printer brand to another during a POS refresh
- Customers also move from a printer to a USB cash drawer during a POS refresh
- A customer can future-proof their cash drawer investment by using field-upgradeable features
- M-S detachable cables allow a customer to simply change cables when they change printer brands
- Conversion kits help a customer switch interfaces in the field
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Field Upgradeable Features:
- All M-S bottom-cable-exit, printer-interface cash drawers can be converted in the field to serial, parallel, or USB — or vice-versa — using a conversion kit.
- All M-S & EchoPOS cash drawers in the field can use an external Bluetooth interface kit
Custom Requirements
- Ability to customize products at short notice without large volume commitments is crucial
- Matching a terminal color or store décor helps improve store aesthetics
- Brand awareness can be increased using logos on the cash drawer (face plate, back, top)
- User experience can be enhanced by using cable management cut-outs, holes for mounting devices, counter-weights, straps etc.
- Custom wiring such as longer or shorter cables, or special connectors, improves flexibility
- Packaging changes help customers achieve environmentally-friendly options or stringent drop test specifications
Cash Drawer Model Classification Based on Field Upgradeable Features:
- Custom color matching — such as to tablet black, shiny white, or lottery blue — is readily available
- Customers are using matte or glossy tablet finish M-S Cash Drawers
- All M-S Cash drawers are available with a choice of over 200 custom wiring specs
- Coin breaking feature is standard on some and optional on other M-S Cash Drawers
- No-lock or deactivated-lock options are available on all M-S Cash Drawers
- Lock changes are performed at short notice without quantity requirements
- Custom packaging and boxes with logos are available on all M-S Cash Drawers
M-S Cash Drawer has helped thousands of customers across the globe. The above serves a good first step in selecting the best cash drawer for your application. The best way to identify the most appropriate cash drawer for your needs is to consult with your sales rep who can walk you through all the possibilities.
We welcome the chance to discuss your requirements!