How Do Antminer & Whatsminer Compare in Core Performance?
When a Texas mining farm upgraded to Antminer S21 XP Hydros last quarter, their energy costs dropped 28% despite 15% higher upfront costs. This demonstrates why J/TH (joules per terahash) is the ultimate performance metric.
At $0.06/kWh electricity costs, from the data, we can see that for mining machines with the same hashrate, Antminer has a lower annual electricity cost. But Whatsminer’s 37% lower failure rate in >35°C environments often offsets this advantage in hot climates.
2025 Model Performance Comparison
Group 1: 120T Models
| Model Air Cooling | Hashrate (T) | Efficiency (J/T) | Estimated Annual Electricity Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whatsminer M50 120T | 120 | 29 | ~$1,830 |
| Antminer S19kpro 120T | 120 | 23 | ~$1,450 |
Group 2: 220-240T Models
| Model Air Cooling | Hashrate (T) | Efficiency (J/T) | Estimated Annual Electricity Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antminer S21Pro | 234 | 15 | ~$1,842 |
| Whatsminer M60S++ | 226 | 15.5 | ~$1,839 |
Group 3: 300T Models
| Model Oil Cooling | Hashrate (T) | Efficiency (J/T) | Estimated Annual Electricity Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antminer S21XP IMM | 300 | 13.5 | ~$2,129 |
| Whatsminer M66S+ | 318 | 17 | ~$2,840 |
Group 4: 470-480T Models
| Model Hydro Cooling | Hashrate (T) | Efficiency (J/T) | Estimated Annual Electricity Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antminer S21 XP Hydro | 473 | 12 | ~$2,984 |
| Whatsminer M63S++ | 478 | 15.5 | ~$3,895 |
*Calculated at $0.06/kWh 24/7 operation
Key Findings:
- Antminer leads in energy efficiency by 19% on average
- Whatsminer maintains better thermal tolerance (+8°C)
- Hashrate variance <2% between comparable models
Does the Miner Match Your Operational Environment?
In 2024, our Canadian customers purchased hundreds of S21 200T air-cooled mining machines. 60% of the Antminer S21 200T air-cooled machines were scrapped ahead of schedule due to environmental incompatibility. The customers placed the unmodified air-cooled machines directly into the immersion oil-cooling liquid, causing significant losses.
Climate dictates 73% of miner selection decisions. Nordic operations prefer Antminer’s air-cooled models (Cold environment is more conducive to cooling), while Middle Eastern clients require Whatsminer’s liquid-cooled units (Stable up to 45°C ambient).
Global Miner Preference Matrix
| Region | Climate | Preferred Model | Avg. Electricity Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | Subarctic | Whatsminer M30S++ M50 Air | $0.04/kWh |
| Nordic | Cold Temperate | Antminer S21 S19kpro Air | $0.18/kWh |
| Middle East | Arid | Whatsminer M63S Liquid | $0.03/kWh |
| Southeast Asia | Tropical | Antminer S21 Hydro | $0.08/kWh |
| North America | Mixed | Hybrid Deployment | $0.06/kWh |
Environmental Checklist:
- Temperature Range: Verify miner’s operating temps vs facility capabilities
- Voltage Stability: ±10% fluctuation tolerance required
- Space Allocation: 0.8-1.2m² per unit for optimal airflow
What Hidden Costs Impact Total Ownership?
A Russian client’s 23% hashrate loss from skipped firmware updates reveals the true cost of maintenance neglect. Our 36-month cost analysis shows surprising realities.
While Antminer has 19% lower upfront costs, Whatsminer’s modular design reduces long-term maintenance expenses by $1.42/TH over 3 years. Control board replacements alone account for 38% of lifecycle costs.
Maintenance Cost Comparison
Below is a cost comparison of key repair components for both mining machines:
| Component | Antminer S21 Repair Cost | Whatsminer Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fan | $17 | $13.6 |
| Control Board | $34 | $24 |
| Power Supply | $285 | $350 |
- Antminer S21: Replacing all three key components costs approximately $17 + $34 + $285 = $336.
- Whatsminer: Under the same circumstances, the total repair cost is approximately $13.6 + $24 + $350 = $387.6.
It is important to note that in actual repair scenarios, not all components fail at once. The overall cost depends on the frequency of failures for each component.
Failure Rate Analysis
Based on long-term data from 7,000 mining operations, Whatsminer exhibits a 37% lower failure rate in harsh environments. This indicates that:
- Under identical operating conditions, Whatsminer requires fewer repairs.
- Lower failure rates translate into longer stable operation and reduced downtime risk.
Key Influencing Factors
- Environmental Conditions: High temperatures, humidity, and voltage fluctuations can affect the stability of mining machines.
- Equipment Design: Whatsminer is engineered to better handle harsh environments, with improved structural integrity and cooling systems.
- Maintenance Cycles: A lower failure rate reduces the need for frequent repairs, thereby lowering overall maintenance costs.
Comprehensive Consideration
While Antminer S21 has a lower repair cost per incident at approximately $336 compared to Whatsminer’s $387.6, the difference in failure rates significantly affects long-term operation:
- Antminer S21: The lower individual repair cost can reduce expenses per event, but a higher failure frequency in harsh environments may lead to increased overall maintenance costs.
- Whatsminer: Although the single repair cost is slightly higher, its 37% lower failure rate means fewer repairs overall, reducing the total cost of ownership and minimizing downtime.
- Operational Decision: When selecting a mining machine, it is crucial to consider local environmental conditions, operating cycles, and maintenance frequency. In environments with harsh conditions, Whatsminer’s reliability may yield a higher return on investment over time.
Overall, while Antminer S21 offers lower repair costs per incident, Whatsminer’s superior stability and lower failure rate can significantly reduce long-term maintenance expenses and enhance operational efficiency.
How to Source Miners at Optimal Prices?
Manufacturer direct purchases require 500-1,000 unit MOQs, but our futures contracts enable clients to buy 50-200 units at factory prices through our pooled orders.
For Example, Bitmain Q3 2025 futures offers Antminer S21s at $3000/unit (spot: $3600) with 120-day delivery. Client can purchase future goods from us protecting clients from >15% price drops during waiting periods. There is no minimum order quantity limit when purchasing from us. 1 unit is available for sale
Procurement Strategy Matrix
| Order Size | Best Channel | Price/Unit | Lead Time | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000+ | Manufacturer Direct | $3000 | 120 days | High |
| 1~500 | Future Goods from dealers | $3200 | 1~120 days | Medium |
| 1-499 | Spot Market | $3600 | Immediate | Medium |
Key Advantages Through Miner Source:
- 12% average savings vs spot market
- We can support shipping，By Air and By Sea all ok
- Better delivery and after-sales service
- 1pcs can sell
How to Verify Legitimate Suppliers?
After a Dubai client lost $50k to counterfeit S21s, we implemented a 6-step verification process that’s prevented 100% of fraud attempts since 2023. Whether you buy Whatsminer or Antminer, you need to pay attention to the following points. (MinerSource is a legitimate distributor of both Antminer and Whatsminer manufacturers)
Genuine suppliers provide unedited verification videos showing:
1) Live date/time stamp
2) Miner SN codes
3) Seller‘s real warehouse Video
Fraud Prevention Checklist:
✅ SN Code Validation via manufacturer portals
✅ 360° Video Walkthroughs (Example: Our Verification Process)
✅ On-site Warehouse Inspections
Red Flags:
- Prices >18% below market average
- No physical address verification
- Refusal to provide real-time video proof
Conclusion
Choosing between Antminer and Whatsminer in 2025 requires analyzing 5 key factors: energy efficiency (J/TH), environmental compatibility, maintenance costs, procurement strategy, and supplier legitimacy. As a Shenzhen/Hong Kong-based supplier with 7 years’ experience serving North America and Middle Eastern clients, we recommend:
- Cold Climate Operations: Antminer
- High-Temperature Regions: Whatsminer Liquid
- Cost-Conscious Buyers: Pooled futures contracts (Save 12-18% vs spot)
Contact our team for a free mining profitability analysis using your local electricity rates and climate data.
