The Whatsminer vs Antminer choice is the first real decision a Bitcoin miner makes. Bitmain's Antminer and MicroBT's Whatsminer secure most of the network between them. Antminer leads on efficiency and firmware options. Whatsminer answers with rugged build quality and a lower price. The right pick comes down to power rate and scale and your repair plan.
Key Takeaways
- At the top of the range, Bitmain's S23 generation leads at 9.5 to 11 J/TH. Whatsminer's M70 line answers at 13.5 to 14.5 J/TH.
- At a $0.07/kWh rate and today's compressed hashprice, only current-gen machines clear a healthy margin. Legacy S19 and M30S units run at a loss.
- The available air flagships are the Antminer S21 XP and the Whatsminer M70S. Both run at 13.5 J/TH, a dead tie on efficiency.
- Antminer uses an external power supply you can swap. Whatsminer integrates the supply into the chassis, which raises repair complexity.
- Your electricity rate decides more than the brand. Model your break-even at your real rate before you buy.
What Is the Difference Between Whatsminer and Antminer
Antminer is made by Bitmain and Whatsminer is made by MicroBT, the two companies that dominate Bitcoin ASIC manufacturing. The brands split on four points that shape ownership.
- Manufacturer: Antminer comes from Bitmain (founded 2013). Whatsminer comes from MicroBT (founded 2016).
- Power supply: Antminer ships an external power supply unit. Whatsminer builds the supply into the chassis.
- Firmware ecosystem: Antminer enjoys broad third-party firmware support. Whatsminer leans on its own stock power modes.
- Market position: Antminer holds the larger installed base and resale demand. Whatsminer competes on build quality and acquisition cost.
Both run SHA-256 and mine the same Bitcoin. The differences live in efficiency and serviceability and lifetime cost.
Bitmain vs MicroBT Manufacturers Compared
Bitmain created the modern ASIC category. Jihan Wu and Micree Zhan founded it in Beijing in 2013, and it runs the Antpool mining pool alongside its hardware. MicroBT arrived in 2016 when Yang Zuoxing left Bitmain, and it stays focused on hardware with no pool of its own. Official specs live at Bitmain and MicroBT.
| Attribute | Bitmain (Antminer) | MicroBT (Whatsminer) |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Beijing, China | Shenzhen, China |
| Founded | 2013 | 2016 |
| Founders | Jihan Wu and Micree Zhan | Yang Zuoxing |
| Bitcoin product line | Antminer S-series | Whatsminer M-series |
| Power supply design | External | Integrated |
| Cooling options | Air, hydro, immersion | Air, hydro, immersion |
Efficiency and Power Consumption
Efficiency is the number that decides long-run profitability. Miners measure it in joules per terahash (J/TH). A lower figure means the ASIC turns more power into hashrate and less into waste heat.
What Joules Per Terahash Means
A unit at 17.5 J/TH earns more profit per kilowatt-hour than one at 29.5 J/TH at the same Bitcoin price, and across a year that gap turns into real money. For a primer on the work itself, see this explainer on hashrate.
Antminer Efficiency
Antminer leads at the top, and the air S21 XP at 13.5 J/TH is the most efficient unit you can source in volume. Its liquid-cooled tier goes lower:
- Hydro S23: about 9.5 J/TH
- S21 XP+ Hyd: near 11 J/TH
- S21e XP Hyd: near 13 J/TH
- Ultra-density U3S23H: 9.5 J/TH at 1,160 TH/s
Whatsminer Efficiency
Whatsminer matches Bitmain on mainstream air and trails only at the very top. The M70S ties the S21 XP at 13.5 J/TH, and its hydro line runs the M73 near 14.5 J/TH and the M63S++ near 15.5 J/TH.
| Model | Hashrate | Power | Efficiency | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antminer S23 (air) | 305 TH/s | 3,355 W | 11 J/TH | Flagship (limited stock) |
| Antminer S21 XP | 270 TH/s | 3,645 W | 13.5 J/TH | Available flagship |
| Whatsminer M70S | 248 TH/s | 3,348 W | 13.5 J/TH | Available flagship |
| Whatsminer M70 | 220 TH/s | 3,190 W | 14.5 J/TH | High |
| Whatsminer M60S++ | 218 TH/s | 3,379 W | 15.5 J/TH | High |
| Whatsminer M60S | 186 TH/s | 3,441 W | 18.5 J/TH | Mid |
| Antminer S19 XP | 141 TH/s | 3,010 W | 21.5 J/TH | Value |
| Whatsminer M30S++ | 112 TH/s | 3,472 W | 31 J/TH | Entry |
Hashrate Comparison by Model
Hashrate measures mining power in terahashes per second, and more of it means more chances at the block reward. Higher hashrate also draws more power and heat, so each unit needs the right cooling and site.
| Tier | Antminer (Bitmain) | Whatsminer (MicroBT) |
|---|---|---|
| Air flagship | S23 305 TH/s (limited), S21 XP 270 TH/s | M70S 248 TH/s, M70 220 TH/s |
| Air value | S21 200 TH/s, S19 XP 141 TH/s | M60S++ 218 TH/s, M60S 186 TH/s |
| Hydro | S23 Hyd 580 TH/s, S21 XP+ Hyd 480 TH/s, S21 XP Hyd 473 TH/s | M73 512 TH/s, M63S++ 464 TH/s |
| Immersion | S21 XP Imm 300 TH/s, S21 Imm 215 TH/s | M66S 288 TH/s |
| Ultra-density hydro | U3S23H 1,160 TH/s, S23e U2H 865 TH/s | no direct equivalent |
Raw hashrate sells the spec sheet. Efficiency and uptime decide the profit.
Which Miner Is Most Profitable
No single model wins on profit at all times. Profit equals mining revenue minus power cost, so the answer turns on hashprice and your rate per kWh. Plug both brands into a Bitcoin mining calculator at your real rate. Track live hashprice and network difficulty on our Bitcoin network stats page.
Here is a worked example at $0.07/kWh and a hashprice near $0.033 per TH per day. These figures move with the market.
| Metric | Antminer S21 XP | Whatsminer M70S |
|---|---|---|
| Hashrate | 270 TH/s | 248 TH/s |
| Power | 3,645 W | 3,348 W |
| Daily revenue | about $8.97 | about $8.24 |
| Daily power cost | about $6.12 | about $5.62 |
| Daily profit | about $2.85 | about $2.62 |
The two units tie on efficiency at 13.5 J/TH, so the S21 XP nets more only because it carries more hashrate. In a compressed hashprice market the efficient machine earns and the inefficient one stalls. Three inputs move the rankings:
- Electricity rate: Lower power cost favors cheaper, less efficient hardware. Higher power cost rewards the most efficient unit.
- Network difficulty: Rising difficulty compresses margins for every machine on the network.
- Bitcoin price and hashprice: A higher price lifts more models into profit and widens the room for older gear.
Antminer S21 XP vs Whatsminer M70S
The Antminer S21 XP and the Whatsminer M70S are the like-for-like air flagships most 2026 buyers can source today. They tie on efficiency at 13.5 J/TH. The S21 XP carries more hashrate. The M70S answers with an integrated build and a track record for uptime.
Specifications Side by Side
| Spec | Antminer S21 XP | Whatsminer M70S |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bitmain | MicroBT |
| Hashrate | 270 TH/s | 248 TH/s |
| Power draw | 3,645 W | 3,348 W |
| Efficiency | 13.5 J/TH | 13.5 J/TH |
| Cooling | Air | Air |
| Power supply | External (APW) | Integrated |
| Algorithm | SHA-256 | SHA-256 |
| Manufacturer warranty | about 180 days | varies by model |
The prior matchup of the Antminer S21 against the Whatsminer M60S now sits in the value tier. Bitmain lists the S21 as sold out and the M60S has slid to mid-range. Treat both as secondary-market options now.
Real World Performance
The two tie on efficiency, so cost per terahash runs near even. The S21 XP wins on total output with more hashrate per box. The M70S integrated supply removes the external unit that fails most on an Antminer. Both hold hashrate across a wide ambient range, and the firmware tunes the rest.
Antminer S19 vs Whatsminer M30S
The Antminer S19 and Whatsminer M30S families are the previous-generation workhorses buyers still consider used. They trade cheap on the secondary market, and they carry a warning for 2026.
Legacy Model Specifications
| Spec | Antminer S19 XP | Whatsminer M30S++ |
|---|---|---|
| Hashrate | 141 TH/s | 112 TH/s |
| Power | 3,010 W | 3,472 W |
| Efficiency | 21.5 J/TH | 31 J/TH |
| Released | 2022 | 2020 |
The base S19 sits near 95 TH/s at 34.5 J/TH and the base M30S near 86 TH/s at higher J/TH. The S19 XP and M30S++ are the strongest survivors of each family.
Why These Models Still Matter
Used S19 and M30S units offer the lowest entry price, which keeps them attractive. The catch is the math. At $0.07/kWh and today's hashprice, both the S19 XP and the M30S++ run at a loss each day. They only make sense with very cheap power, near or below $0.05/kWh. Service is seldom the blocker since parts are well established. The blocker is margin, so model the break-even before you buy used.
Reliability and Repair
Neither brand is fragile and neither is bulletproof. Each fails in patterns we know on sight, and access to parts and fast turnaround decides your real uptime over years.
Common Failure Points by Brand
These come from what crosses a working repair bench, not from spec sheets.
- Antminer common issues: hashboard chip failures tied to factory thermal paste, control board faults on older generations, and power supply connector wear on the external APW unit.
- Whatsminer common issues: integrated power supply failures that take the whole unit offline, denser hashboards that are harder to rework, and control board exposure in humid sites.
On our own bench the repeat offenders are thermal paste on Antminer hashboards and dead power supplies and dead-on-arrival boards. That pattern shapes how we price and schedule repairs.
Repairability and Lifespan
Antminer is the more repairable platform, since the external supply swaps in minutes and the large installed base keeps parts and techs easy to find. Signed S21 firmware adds a step after a board repair. Whatsminer is harder to service because the integrated supply pulls the whole unit offline and the dense hashboards add labor, though its stronger build sends fewer units to the bench. A well-run ASIC of either brand lasts several years before efficiency rather than failure retires it, and third-party firmware can stretch an Antminer past its stock window.
Finding Certified ASIC Repair
Certified technicians and original parts protect your hardware value, since a bad repair can kill a fixable board. A Bitmain-certified bench with in-house micro-soldering keeps machines out of overseas queues. Simple Mining runs that kind of Bitmain-certified repair bench, with parts inventory and stress testing built into the hosting operation.
How to Choose the Right Bitcoin Miner
The brand is the last question, not the first. Start with your power rate and your site, since higher rates reward efficiency and each cooling type needs its own setup. For a full model-by-model selection walkthrough, see our guide to choosing an ASIC.
Run this quick gut-check before you commit, then use the selection guide for depth.
- What is your all-in power rate per kWh?
- Does your site support air, hydro, or immersion?
- Are you buying new capital or a secondary-market value unit?
- Is this one machine or the start of a fleet?
- Do you have in-house repair capability or none?
- Do you plan to hold to end of life or upgrade each cycle?
Best Antminer Models to Buy
These Antminer picks cover the current-gen units Simple Mining sells, from air flagship to hydro.
- Antminer S21 XP. The most efficient air unit you can source in volume at 270 TH/s and 13.5 J/TH. The best fit for standard hosting. You can buy current-gen Antminers through Simple Mining.
- Antminer S21j XP Hydro. A liquid-cooled unit near 495 TH/s and 12 J/TH for operators with hydro infrastructure or compatible hosting. Maximum density per slot.
- Antminer S19 XP. A secondary-market value unit at 141 TH/s and 21.5 J/TH. Only sensible at low power rates given today's margins.
Bitmain's S23 and U-series set the efficiency ceiling but ship in limited stock. Treat them and the immersion models as market context, not Simple Mining inventory.
Best Whatsminer Models to Buy
For buyers leaning MicroBT, source these from MicroBT or an authorized reseller.
- Whatsminer M70S. MicroBT's current air flagship at 248 TH/s and 13.5 J/TH. It matches the S21 XP on efficiency with an integrated build.
- Whatsminer M60S++. A high-mid air unit at 218 TH/s and 15.5 J/TH for buyers who want recent silicon at a lower tier.
- Whatsminer M73. MicroBT's hydro option near 512 TH/s and 14.5 J/TH for liquid-cooled sites.
Where to Buy Bitcoin Mining Hardware
Buy from a channel that protects hardware quality. Manufacturer direct and authorized resellers sell verified new units, while the secondary market runs cheaper and riskier. A provider that sells and hosts and repairs under one roof bundles deployment, which is how Simple Mining handles current-gen Antminer. For the full breakdown of channels and red flags, see our guide to buying Bitcoin mining hardware.
Why Buy and Host Your Antminer With Simple Mining
Simple Mining is a Bitmain-certified Antminer specialist, not a both-brands reseller. It sells current-gen Antminer and hosts it in Cedar Falls and repairs it on site. The work that fills our bench informs this guide, and most of it is Antminer hashboards and power supplies.
The operating model is built to protect uptime and margin.
- Precision billing. Hosting fees bill on nameplate power and only for the time a unit is online and hashing. A unit offline for repair does not accrue hosting fees.
- In-house repair. A Bitmain-certified bench with micro-soldering, stress testing, and parts inventory keeps machines out of overseas queues.
- Year-one repair coverage. Units bought from Simple Mining carry parts and labor coverage for the first twelve months, separate from the manufacturer warranty.
- Pause flexibility. Owners can pause hosting when the market turns, with no power billing during the pause.
- Renewable power. All-in rates near $0.07 to $0.08 per kWh on a power mix that runs about 65% renewable.
For an Antminer buyer that stack turns a hardware purchase into a managed operation.
FAQs
Can Whatsminer and Antminer units run at the same hosting facility?
Yes, professional hosting facilities support both brands at the infrastructure level. Power and cooling and network do not care about the manufacturer. A facility's repair specialty and parts inventory can still favor one brand.
How often do Bitmain and MicroBT release new ASIC miner models?
Both manufacturers release new flagship models about once a year. Each line also gains incremental variants and refreshes between flagships. Plan upgrades around efficiency tiers rather than calendar dates.
Do Bitcoin mining hosting providers charge different rates for different miner brands?
Most hosting providers bill on power consumption, not on brand. The rate follows the machine's wattage and your contract, not the logo. A Whatsminer and an Antminer of equal power draw cost about the same to host.
What happens to ASIC miner warranty and support if the manufacturer discontinues a model?
Manufacturers honor existing warranties but parts supply for a discontinued model can shrink over time. That shift makes a strong third-party repair relationship more important for older units. Choose a service partner that stocks parts for the generations you run.
Start Mining With Confidence
Pick the machine that fits your power rate, then run it where uptime and repairs are handled for you. Simple Mining sells current-gen Antminer and hosts it on renewable power and repairs it on a Bitmain-certified bench. Start a 7-day free trial to test the platform with complimentary hashrate, then shop current-gen Antminer when you're ready to commit capital.
By Josh Heine, Content Strategist at Simple Mining
Published: June 16, 2026