Canaan Avalon A1566 vs MicroBT Whatsminer M66S

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

★ MicroBT Whatsminer M66S is more efficient for Bitcoin mining

Verdict: Canaan Avalon A1566 vs MicroBT Whatsminer M66S

For Bitcoin mining, the MicroBT Whatsminer M66S is the more efficient choice, delivering roughly 61% more hashrate per watt than the Canaan Avalon A1566. The Canaan Avalon A1566 draws 11W less, cutting electricity costs by about $7/year at $0.07/kWh. Bottom line: if power efficiency is your priority, the MicroBT Whatsminer M66S is the stronger pick — but confirm with your real electricity rate and current hardware prices below, since acquisition cost ultimately drives ROI.

Specifications

Spec Canaan Avalon A1566 MicroBT Whatsminer M66S
Type ASIC ASIC
Algorithm
Hashrate (BTC) 185 TH/s 298 TH/s
Power Draw 3430 W 3441 W
Efficiency 18.5 J/TH 11.5 J/TH
Supported Coins BTC, BCH BTC, BCH
Release Year N/A N/A

Hashrate & Efficiency per Coin

Coin Canaan A1566 HR MicroBT M66S HR Power A Power B More Efficient
BTC 185 TH/s 298 TH/s 3430 W 3441 W Whatsminer ✓
BCH 185 TH/s 298 TH/s 3430 W 3441 W Whatsminer ✓

Daily Electricity Cost at Different Rates

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

Electricity Rate Canaan Avalon A1566 MicroBT Whatsminer M66S Difference
$0.04/kWh $3.29 $3.30 -$0.01 (A cheaper)
$0.06/kWh $4.94 $4.96 -$0.02 (A cheaper)
$0.07/kWh $5.76 $5.78 -$0.02 (A cheaper)
$0.1/kWh $8.23 $8.26 -$0.03 (A cheaper)
$0.12/kWh $9.88 $9.91 -$0.03 (A cheaper)
$0.15/kWh $12.35 $12.39 -$0.04 (A cheaper)
$0.2/kWh $16.46 $16.52 -$0.05 (A cheaper)

Pros & Cons

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)

MicroBT Whatsminer M66S

  • Best efficiency of any MicroBT air-cooled ASIC (11.5 J/TH)
  • 298 TH/s — highest raw hashrate in MicroBT's air-cooled lineup
  • Proven MicroBT reliability at scale; immersion variant available (M66S+)
  • High acquisition cost (~$5,000–$6,500)
  • 3,441 W draw requires dedicated high-amperage circuit
  • MicroBT firmware ecosystem smaller than Bitmain's

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Canaan Avalon A1566 or MicroBT Whatsminer M66S more profitable for Bitcoin mining?

Based on hashrate-per-watt efficiency, the MicroBT Whatsminer M66S 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 Canaan Avalon A1566 and MicroBT Whatsminer M66S?

For Bitcoin mining, the Canaan Avalon A1566 draws 3430 W while the MicroBT Whatsminer M66S draws 3441 W. The Canaan Avalon A1566 uses 11 W less power, which at $0.07/kWh saves ~$7 per year in electricity.

Can both the Canaan Avalon A1566 and MicroBT Whatsminer M66S 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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Calculate real profitability

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