Volcora 13" Electronic Cash Register Drawer with Under Counter Mounting Metal Bracket - POS, 4 Bill 5 Coin Cash Tray, Removable Coin Compartment, 24V RJ11/RJ12 Key-Lock, Media Slot, Black

Why this compact cash drawer earned a place under my counter

Space is always at a premium at my checkout counter, so a compact drawer that doesn’t skimp on function is a win. The Volcora 13-inch cash drawer hits that balance: small footprint, sturdy build, and just enough features to serve a busy small business without overcomplicating setup or maintenance.

After several weeks using it in a mixed POS environment (tablet plus receipt printer), I came away impressed with its reliability and the thoughtfulness of its mounting hardware, with a few trade-offs to note if you handle lots of checks or swap tills between shifts.

Build and design

• Dimensions: roughly 13 x 13.25 x 4 inches
• Finish: black, powder-coated metal
• Tray: 4 bill, 5 coin, with a removable coin section
• Front: single media slot for slips, checks, or larger bills

The first thing I noticed is how solid the cabinet feels for its size. The metal shell resists flex, the faceplate is cleanly finished, and the drawer glides open with a confident, consistent action. It’s not luxury-tier hardware, but it’s sturdier than many entry-level drawers I’ve used and it doesn’t wobble or misalign over time.

The 4-bill, 5-coin layout is minimal but practical for USD setups. Spring clips hold bills securely without chewing them up, and the coin tray lifts out quickly for skimming or counting. Note that the entire till isn’t removable—only the coin section is. If you’re used to swapping full tills between shifts, you’ll need to adjust your process.

Under-counter mounting that’s actually worth using

Volcora includes a heavy-duty steel under-counter bracket in the box. That’s unusual at this price and a real advantage for security and ergonomics. Mounted, the drawer sits out of sight, frees up counter space, and keeps the cash more discreet.

The bracket is stout and corrosion-resistant, and once installed there’s zero rattle or sag. The pre-drilled holes cover the basics, but surfaces and counters vary widely; in my case, I added a few extra holes to align with existing studs and avoid cabling. It’s a straightforward adjustment if you’re handy with a drill, but worth noting for custom counters.

Connectivity and setup

This drawer uses the standard 24 VDC solenoid and a RJ11/RJ12 cable to connect to a receipt printer’s cash-drawer port. There’s no USB port, which is by design—most drawers in this class rely on the printer to trigger the open command.

My setup:
- Receipt printer (Epson TM-T20-series) connected via USB to a tablet POS
- Volcora drawer connected to the printer’s cash drawer port (RJ11 cable included)

Setup took minutes: plug the cable into the “DK” port on the printer, enable “open cash drawer” in the POS settings, and test fire. The pulse opens the drawer cleanly every time. The included cable length was sufficient for under-counter mounting with a bit of slack for cable management. As always, confirm your printer supplies a 24V kick and supports a standard drawer pulse.

If you’re hoping to connect directly to a tablet or PC via USB, look elsewhere. You’ll need a compatible receipt printer in the chain.

Day-to-day performance

• Opening: snappy and consistent on command, with the usual 24V “pop”
• Glide: smooth track, no sticking, even when the tray is fully loaded
• Noise: typical for a solenoid-driven drawer—audible but not disruptive
• Lock: three-position key lock (manual open, printer/POS, locked), with six identical keys included for backups

The mechanical experience is quietly competent. The lock feels firm and not sloppy. The manual-open position is helpful if you’re counting down after hours with the printer off, and the locked position actually stays locked—no accidental bumps opening the drawer.

The media slot on the front is handy for quickly stashing slips or higher-value bills without opening the drawer. That said, its clearance is modest. Single checks and receipts feed fine, but thicker bundles or long checks can snag on the inner tray. In practice, I found myself opening the drawer for anything more than a slip or a single folded note.

Usability trade-offs

• 4-bill layout: perfect for USD environments with a standard note set; tight if you regularly juggle many denominations or keep high/low drawers separated.
• Removable coin tray: great for speed counts and cleaning; less ideal if your workflow relies on lifting the entire till in and out.
• Compact footprint: fantastic under a tablet stand or in a tight kiosk; if you need high-capacity coin storage, consider a larger model.

These are compromises I was willing to make for the space savings. The key is matching your cash-handling habits to the drawer’s design.

Security considerations

The lock and bracket do what they should: make opportunistic access harder. An under-mounted drawer is inherently more discreet, and the three-position lock gives you control over when the printer can trigger an open. As with any entry-level drawer, this isn’t a safe; it’s a controlled-access till. For most retail counters and cafes, that’s appropriate.

I appreciate the inclusion of six keys—simple but practical. I recommend testing each key and storing spares securely offsite; it’s easy to misplace keys during shift changes.

Maintenance and longevity

After repeated cycles, the slides still track smoothly and the latch remains crisp. The powder-coated finish cleans up quickly and hides scuffs. The design is simple enough that there’s not much to maintain beyond occasional wipe-downs and making sure debris doesn’t drop into the rail area. If you mount it under-counter, consider a quick quarterly check to retighten screws in the bracket and confirm cables aren’t pinched.

Compatibility checklist

Before you buy, confirm:
- Your receipt printer has an RJ11/RJ12 cash drawer port and supports a 24V drawer kick.
- Your POS can send an open command to the printer (most mainstream systems can).
- You’re okay without a USB or network-connected drawer.
- A 4-bill, 5-coin layout fits your currency mix.
- You don’t rely on swapping entire tills between shifts.

I tested reliably with a common thermal printer and a tablet-based POS hub. Standard networks—Star, Citizen, Bixolon, etc.—generally support drawers like this, but always check your printer’s manual.

What stood out

Strengths:
- Solid metal build in a compact footprint
- Reliable, consistent opening via printer pulse
- Smooth slides and clean lock action
- Sturdy, included under-counter bracket
- Front media slot for quick drops
- Straightforward installation; cable included

Weak points:
- Media slot clearance is tight for thicker items; sometimes easier to open the drawer
- Only the coin tray is removable; no full-till swaps
- No direct USB connectivity (printer required)
- Mounting may require additional holes depending on your counter

Final thoughts and recommendation

The Volcora drawer earns its keep by focusing on the essentials: dependable opening, a compact and durable chassis, and an under-counter mount that adds real value. It’s a pragmatic, small-footprint solution for cafes, boutiques, food trucks, and pop-ups that run a printer-based POS. If you’re upgrading from a flimsier box or trying to reclaim counter space, the difference is immediately noticeable.

I recommend this drawer for small to midsize operations that want a sturdy, compact, printer-driven cash drawer with under-counter mounting included. You’ll appreciate the reliability, the tidy integration with standard receipt printers, and the build quality for the price. If your workflow depends on frequent media deposits through the front slot, or you need to swap entire tills between shifts, you may want to explore a larger drawer with a full removable tray and a taller media slot. For most other use cases, this is a smart, well-executed choice that does exactly what it should—quietly and consistently.