Bitmain Antminer S21 vs Canaan Avalon A1566

Mining profitability comparison for Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH)

★ Bitmain Antminer S21 is more efficient for Bitcoin mining

Verdict: Bitmain Antminer S21 vs Canaan Avalon A1566

For Bitcoin mining, the Bitmain Antminer S21 is the more efficient choice, delivering roughly 6% more hashrate per watt than the Canaan Avalon A1566. The Canaan Avalon A1566 draws 70W less, cutting electricity costs by about $43/year at $0.07/kWh. Bottom line: if power efficiency is your priority, the Bitmain Antminer S21 is the stronger pick — but confirm with your real electricity rate and current hardware prices below, since acquisition cost ultimately drives ROI.

Specifications

Spec Bitmain Antminer S21 Canaan Avalon A1566
Type ASIC ASIC
Algorithm
Hashrate (BTC) 200 TH/s 185 TH/s
Power Draw 3500 W 3430 W
Efficiency 17.5 J/TH 18.5 J/TH
Supported Coins BTC, BCH BTC, BCH
Release Year N/A N/A

Hashrate & Efficiency per Coin

Coin Bitmain S21 HR Canaan A1566 HR Power A Power B More Efficient
BTC 200 TH/s 185 TH/s 3500 W 3430 W Antminer ✓
BCH 200 TH/s 185 TH/s 3500 W 3430 W Antminer ✓

Daily Electricity Cost at Different Rates

Electricity cost only (not including coin revenue). Lower is better for any given rate.

Electricity Rate Bitmain Antminer S21 Canaan Avalon A1566 Difference
$0.04/kWh $3.36 $3.29 +$0.07 (B cheaper)
$0.06/kWh $5.04 $4.94 +$0.10 (B cheaper)
$0.07/kWh $5.88 $5.76 +$0.12 (B cheaper)
$0.1/kWh $8.40 $8.23 +$0.17 (B cheaper)
$0.12/kWh $10.08 $9.88 +$0.20 (B cheaper)
$0.15/kWh $12.60 $12.35 +$0.25 (B cheaper)
$0.2/kWh $16.80 $16.46 +$0.34 (B cheaper)

Pros & Cons

Bitmain Antminer S21

  • 200 TH/s — strong absolute hashrate for Bitcoin mining
  • Lower acquisition cost than the S21 Pro (~$3,000–3,500)
  • Same chassis and power infrastructure as S21 Pro
  • Less efficient than S21 Pro (17.5 vs 15 J/TH)
  • 3,500 W power draw still requires industrial setup
  • Noise level identical to Pro (75 dB)

Canaan Avalon A1566

  • Manufacturer diversity — an alternative to Bitmain/MicroBT duopoly
  • Competitive efficiency at 18.5 J/TH
  • Strong track record for reliability in large-scale deployments
  • Smaller firmware and third-party support ecosystem
  • Fewer authorised resellers outside Asia
  • Slightly lower absolute hashrate than the S21 (185 vs 200 TH/s)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Bitmain Antminer S21 or Canaan Avalon A1566 more profitable for Bitcoin mining?

Based on hashrate-per-watt efficiency, the Bitmain Antminer S21 is more efficient for Bitcoin mining. However, actual profitability depends on your electricity cost, hardware acquisition price, and coin price — use the live calculator for exact numbers.

What is the power consumption difference between the Bitmain Antminer S21 and Canaan Avalon A1566?

For Bitcoin mining, the Bitmain Antminer S21 draws 3500 W while the Canaan Avalon A1566 draws 3430 W. The Canaan Avalon A1566 uses 70 W less power, which at $0.07/kWh saves ~$43 per year in electricity.

Can both the Bitmain Antminer S21 and Canaan Avalon A1566 mine the same coins?

Yes — both units can mine Bitcoin (BTC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). You can switch between these coins with a simple pool configuration change.

Which unit has a better ROI?

ROI depends on hardware acquisition price, electricity cost, and coin price trajectory. The more efficient unit (better J/TH or hashrate per watt) will generally have a lower operating cost per coin mined, but the absolute ROI timeline is determined by the purchase price. Always model both units in the MiningReturns calculator with your specific electricity rate and current market prices.

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