Bitcoin mining hardware is essential for mining, but not all of them are profitable anymore. In this article, you will learn if investing in rigs is still worth it.
Bitcoin mining hardware is an essential item when it comes to cryptocurrency mining. You are probably here because you are looking for one. If you do, then you are just on the right page.
A reliable and efficient hardware is a must to make bitcoin mining profitable. In this article, we will explore the best options available on the market that also fits your requirement and budget. So let’s get started!
Contents
| Mining Hardware | Price Check | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Dragonmint 16T |  | Hash rate:16 TH/s Power consumption: 1600 W Efficiency: 0.075J/GH Weight: 19 pounds | $$$$$ |
Bitmain AntMiner S9 | | Hash rate:14 TH/s Power consumption: 1350 W Efficiency: 0.098J/GH Weight: 10.14 pounds | $$$$ |
Avalon 6 | | Hash rate: 7.3 TH/s Power consumption: 1150 W Efficiency: 0.16 J/GH Weight: 10.58 pounds | $$$$ |
Bitmain AntMiner S7 | | Hash rate: 4.73 TH/s Power consumption: 1300 W Efficiency: 0.098 J/GH Weight: 7.5 pounds | $$$$ |
AvalonMiner 741 | | Hash rate:7.3 TH/s Power consumption: 1150 W Efficiency: 0.16 J/GH Weight: 10.58 pounds | $$$ |
Bitmain AntMiner V9 | | Hash rate: 4.0TH/s ±5% Power consumption: 1027W ±10% Efficiency: 0.253 W/GH ±7% Weight: 3.5 Kilograms | $$$ |
Bitmain AntMiner S5 | | Hash rate: 1 GH/s Power consumption: 590 W Efficiency: 0.51 J/GH Price: Second Hand Weight: 7.5 pounds | $$$ |
What is Bitcoin Mining Hardware
The right bitcoin mining hardware is a necessity if you want to earn during bitcoin mining. Before, miners used a central processing unit (CPU) to mine, but it wasn’t fast enough.
So, miners moved on to using graphical processing unit (GPU) in computer graphics cards as they have data 50 to 100 times faster and consume less power per unit of work.
In 2011, the trend was field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processors that are attached to computers using a convenient USB connection. FPGA is much better than CPU’s and GPU’s in terms of power consumption. It also made concentrated mining farms possible.
Today, the new trend for bitcoin mining devices is Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). ASIC has taken over the miners thanks to its unprecedented speed and less power consumption.
ASIC Mining Hardware: What Is It?
ASIC is dedicated to a specific task, so if it’s for mining, that’s the only job it can do. The good thing with this is that it can concentrate for that task and is excellent at what it does.
ASICs are designed solely to solve Bitcoin blocks. They only have minimal requirements for other normal computer applications that is why it can solve Bitcoin blocks faster and use lesser electricity compared to older bitcoin minders like CPUs, GPUs and FPGAs.
Bitcoin ASIC technology keeps getting faster and more efficient to make mining more profitable. This machine keeps pushing the limit to give you the best bitcoin mining hardware experience.
Bitcoin Mining Hardware Comparison
When looking for the best bitcoin mining hardware, you should look at two factors: (1) price per hash and (2) electrical efficiency.
In the next section, we will review the top bitcoin mining hardware in the market today. So, check it out.
#1 Dragonmint 16T Review
Features
- Hash rate:16 TH/s
- Power consumption: 1600 W
- Efficiency: 0.075J/GH
- Price: $2,700
- Weight: 19 pounds
Halong Mining’s ASIC miner is one of the most impressive rigs today. This machine was made available for pre-order in November 2018 and was scheduled for shipment in March 2018.
So, yes, this is very new in the market and you can expect it to be better than those which are in the market for over a year already.
DragonMint 16T also known as DragonMint T 16 or DragonMint T16is a great cryptocurrency mining hardware. It is efficient in terms of power consumption and overall effectiveness.
This bitcoin mining hardware uses SHA – 256 algorithm with a hash rate of 16 terra hash per second and power consumption of 1,480 W. It uses DM8575 GHS chip that consumes around 0.075 J/GHS of power. It has a dual fan and an Ethernet connection, too.
Halong Mining designed this bitcoin mining hardware with the users in mind. It is user-friendly which makes it convenient for new miners to use. Its manual is also comprehensible and easy to follow.
DragonMint T16 is only one of the few miners that can still give you positive ROI. In fact, this is way better compared to S9 in terms of efficiency, power consumption, and yes, profitability. That is why this bitcoin machine tops the chart.
- Efficient
- Profitable
- Easy to setup
- High hash rate
- Consumes less power
- Manual is easy to follow
- Comes from a reputable company
- Expensive
- Low availability
- You are restricted from AsicBoost mining pools
#2 Bitmain AntMiner S9 Review
Features
- Hash rate:14 TH/s
- Power consumption: 1350 W
- Efficiency: 0.098J/GH
- Price: $624
- Weight: 10.14 pounds
Bitmain AntMiner S9 is one of the most popular ASIC bitcoin mining hardware today.
One of the most challenging parts of bitcoin mining is the continuous increase of bitcoin difficulty. It has gone through several monthly increases especially from late November 2015.
As the difficulty increases, the block reward decreases due to Bitcoin halving which tends to happen every four years. The arrival of S9 bitcoin mining hardware is a game changer to hobbyists as it somehow restores the lost profitability.
With bitcoin mining becoming more challenging and less profitable, you have to invest in an efficient mining hardware to get money from what you do. Although many say that BTC mining is no longer profitable, I still believe that there’s money in this if you have the right resources and S9 is among the best mining hardware in the market today.
- Profitable
- Efficient
- Most powerful miner in the market today
- Should break even within a year
- 90-day warranty
- Expensive
- You need an additional power supply unit for this
- Warranty is limited
#3 Avalon 6 Review
Features
- Hash rate: 7.3 TH/s
- Power consumption: 1150 W
- Efficiency: 0.16 J/GH
- Price: $900
- Weight: 10.58 pounds
Avalon 6 is among the most popular names in the bitcoin mining hardware market. This is cheaper compared to S7 when it was released and is lesser efficient. However, what it lacks, it makes up in another area. Avalon offers enough customization options.
Also, this is easy to set up. It uses Raspberry i (B/B+) or a TP-Link TL-WR703N as a controller which can maintain up to 50 miners. This also uses DHCP that automatically finds an IP address, making for an easy installation.
There is a mixed reaction to Avalon 6’s performance especially in terms of the noise it produces. Others find this quieter compared to other bitcoin mining hardware. For them, it’s quiet enough to be inside your home but not in your bedroom. However, other users find this very noisy.
Avalon 6 is considered as a serious rival to AntMiner S7. However, many find this more impressive even if S7 is more efficient.
In fact, using the bitcoin mining profit calculator, the results in the minus column aren’t too bad. A lower electricity cost or a higher Bitcoin price could easily nudge you into profit using this hardware.
- Easy to setup
- Affordable price
- Adjustable temperature
- Offers enough customization options
- One of the most efficient miners in the market
- Still profitable if your electricity cost or BTC price is high
- Second most productive miner on the market (next to S9)
- Noisy
- Less efficient compared to S7
- Has less hash power than AntMiner S7
#4 Bitmain AntMiner S7 Review
Features:
- Hash rate: 4.73 TH/s
- Power consumption: 1300 W
- Efficiency: 0.098 J/GH
- Price: $200
- Weight: 7.5 pounds
S7 is one of the most popular Antminer bitcoin mining hardware. A number prefer this because it is reasonably priced, efficient and powerful. In addition, it is very easy to set up.
S7 was released in 2015 and a number testified that it mines like crazy. They were happy with it because it brought them profits.
In 2016, some users experienced an average of 4.7-4.9TH/s hashrate and enjoyed 0.02377 BTC per 24 hrs. Very impressive, isn’t it?
S7 was nearly priced $2000 shortly after release, but its price has gone down to $200 at the time of this writing. In fact, used S7 bitcoin miner is available on eBay under $100.
While it’s great that its price has significantly dropped, according to many, Antminer S7 is no longer profitable. Bitcoin’s difficulty has increased monthly and the block reward has continued to halve every four years, which makes bitcoin mining more challenging.
At the time, S7 is not the best choice for those who want to earn tons of money from bitcoin mining in 2018. While it’s true that this is very efficient and effective when it arrived in the market three years ago, that is no longer applicable today.
- High hashrate
- Efficient
- Reasonable price
- Include Profitable
- Parts are widely available
- Guides available
- Already eclipsed by 16nm miners (AntMiner S9)
- Demands high-end PSU due to high power consumption
- Fans are loud
- You need adequate ventilation
#5 AvalonMiner 741 Review
Features
- Hash rate:7.3 TH/s
- Power consumption: 1150 W
- Efficiency: 0.16 J/GH
- Price: $900
- Weight: 10.58 pounds
AvalonMiner 741 is a solid and refined bitcoin mining hardware. It is made with a Reliable Open Quality with Airforming Cooling Technology.
Avalon miners tend to be cost-effective. AvalonMner 741 can generate around 0.00308 BTC per day (about $7.31 with the current price of bitcoin to $4360) in those places of the world where the electricity cost tends to zero. However, this is if electricity doesn’t represent a significant cost.
One of the best things in getting AvalonMiner 741 is the ease of setup and usage. This device is easy to operate and more convenient to use.
To get this mining hardware started, you simply have to download the firmware of the device. After that, you just have to plug in the controller and connect the cables to the Avalon 741 rig.
This mining hardware has a simple interface that makes it easy to operate and convenient to navigate even for beginners. Canaan offers you a user-friendly interface with all the feature necessary.
It also includes a set of LED lights that indicate the device’s status whether it’s at Rest, working properly, overheating or failing. The set of lights also includes the status of the miner’s connection to the controller
This is also equipped with an Airform Cooling Technology to keep it cool during its operation. Avalon 741 comes with a powerful and punch-packed set of 88 chips, which only makes sense as this machine demands more cooling power.
Unfortunately, this is no longer profitable today. The profitability using Canaan AvalonMiner 741 has already dropped significantly. At the time of this writing, its profitability is -1.82. You will not earn anything from using this miner.
- Easy to set up
- Works like a charm
- Tutorials are precise and helpful
- Not quiet
- No longer profitable
- No product community
#6 AntMiner V9 Review
Features
- Bitcoin Mining Hash Rate: 4.0TH/s ±5%
- Extremely Reliable – Designed for 24/7 Constant Use
- Power Consumption: 1027W ±10% (Bitmain power supply sold separately)
- Built-In Web Management Portal – No separate Host Computer or Software Required
- Power Supply Sold Separately – AntMiner APW3++ or APW7 Power Supply Recommended
AntMiner V9 stands out when it comes to finding a bitcoin miner for home use. This machine is very quiet which makes it perfect for those who want to mine at home.
V9 is as efficient as S9 because it uses Bitmain’s BM1387 chip that is built using TSMC’s 16nm FinFET technology.
The machine is paired with a unique cooling system that makes it much less noisy. Unlike most of the bitcoin miners, this is inspired by silent air conditioning units and doesn’t use the normal noisy fans computer servers usually have.
When this was released, the bitcoin difficulty level was fair enough that you can break even in more or less 12 months. Unfortunately, just like most of the bitcoin miners in the list, this is no longer profitable.
- Very quiet
- Great for bitcoin mining at home
- Equipped with an impressive cooling system
- One of the most efficient AntMiner hardware
- Small profit
#7 Bitmain AntMiner S5 Review
Features:
- Hash rate: 1 GH/s
- Power consumption: 590 W
- Efficiency: 0.51 J/GH
- Price: Second Hand
- Weight: 7.5 pounds
Bitmain AntMiner S5 was released in late 2014. It’s one of the fastest and most efficient ASIC miners way back. However, this has long been surpassed by Bitmain’s newer models. For those who are a hobbyist miner who is on a budget with no interest in profitability, this is a good start.
AntMiner S5 is one of the best mining devices when it was still new in the market. However, this has become outdated as newer models are released.
Its real power consumption will differ depending on the efficiency of your PSU and the ambient temperature. You can increase its frequency (overclocking) to upgrade its hashrate. However, doing so also increase its power and cooling requirements.
The good thing is that there are ways to manage the overclocking burdens. It needs serious effort but 400 GH/s gains are achievable.
Unfortunately, this has become outdated and is not as profitable as how it was before. In addition, it produces noise during the operation. You may have to replace its fan for a quieter kind. Another option is to add a secondary fan to the back-end where screw holes exist.
S5 is no longer in production, but there are still second-hand models in excellent condition that you can purchase. I don’t recommend this for those who want to mine for profits. But, if you want to learn the ropes of Bitcoin mining this machine will be a good start because it is low-cost and it does the job.
This can help you experiment with hardware, firmware, and software. It’s also a good and inexpensive platform to test harmful operation like over/under-clocking and immersion cooling at roughly one-tenth the price of the cutting-edge S9.
- Low cost
- Second-hand units available under $200
- Uses love power demand of 590 Watts
- Good for learning and experimentation
- Noisy
- No longer in production, you can only purchase second hand
- Spec hashrate is low to today’s standard
Conclusion
The list above includes the best bitcoin mining hardware in the market. However, you have to be careful when it comes to buying rigs because most are no longer profitable. The good thing is that some still work.
Unfortunately, bitcoin mining is not that profitable anymore due to a continuous increase in bitcoin difficulty and drop of block reward. So, in time, the bitcoin mining hardware above will eventually be outdated and it may not take long because in general, bitcoin mining is no longer profitable.
If you wish to learn more about bitcoin mining and cryptocurrencies, feel free to visit our homepage.
References
- bitcoinmining.com/bitcoin-mining-hardware/
- buybitcoinworldwide.com/mining/hardware/
- pcgamer.com/bitcoin-mining-hardware-pc-build-guide/
- buybitcoinworldwide.com/mining/hardware/dragonmint-16t/
- news.bitcoin.com/the-results-are-in-dragonmint-t1-doesnt-make-the-s9-obsolete/
- bitcoinexchangeguide.com/top-14-cryptocurrency-mining-hardware-kit-setups-for-bitcoin-miners/
