Prices move with the bitcoin cycle — verified JUL 2026 via authorized distributors. BTC {{ price }}
Category winners
Expensive power (> $0.08/kWh)S21 XP
Cheap power, fastest ROIS21 PRO
Longest competitive lifespanS21 XP
First serious machineS21 PRO
Living-space friendlinessNEITHER — 75+ dB
OUR VERDICT
Run the math against your own rate. Below ~$0.08/kWh the S21 Pro’s lower price per terahash reaches ROI faster; above it, the XP’s 13.5 J/TH keeps margins alive as difficulty climbs. Buying several? Efficiency compounds — lean XP. Just want to learn? Neither: get a Bitaxe first.
Common questions
What about the hydro versions?
The XP Hydro (473 TH/s, 12 J/TH) and S23 Hydro (9.5 J/TH) lead the category but need liquid-cooling infrastructure — facility hardware, not a garage buy.
New or used?
Used S21-generation with test logs can be fine. Used S19-era machines at 20+ J/TH are a trap at 2026 difficulty, however cheap.
Where should I buy?
Bitmain direct or authorized distributors only — the ASIC gray market is full of worn and fake units.
Specs verified against Bitmain documentation and field reports; economics modeled across $0.04–0.15/kWh with difficulty growth, not snapshots. Our methodology →
Is mining even worth it?
At residential rates, buying sats usually beats mining them. Our miners page runs the honest math.