From Price Tags to Terahash: Navigating Bitmain and Microbt’s Available Mining Machines in 2025

From Price Tags to Terahash: Navigating Bitmain and Microbt’s Available Mining Machines in 2025

The Cost of Mining: Breaking Down Air-Cooled Options for Hobbyists

As of January 12, 2025, the competitive landscape of ASIC bitcoin mining machine manufacturers continues to be dominated by key players Bitmain and Microbt. Over the past year, these companies have unveiled cutting-edge devices, catering to both large-scale operations and individual miners. This article focuses on the availability, pricing, and performance of air-cooled bitcoin miners for hobbyists and small-scale enthusiasts.

While hydro and immersion-cooled ASIC miners offer enhanced performance, they require advanced setups, making them impractical for casual users. For this reason, our analysis highlights accessible air-cooled models from both manufacturers.

Bitmain’s Offerings

Bitmain currently features one air-cooled bitcoin miner available for pre-order on its official website:

• Antminer S21+

  • Price: $4,644

  • Hash Rate: 216 TH/s

  • Efficiency: 16.5 J/T

  • Availability: Futures order, shipping in Q1 2025

  • Payment Methods: USD, BTC, Ethereum Classic (ETC), or Tether (USDT)

The Antminer S21+ offers a cost of $21.50 per terahash, making it an attractive option for those prioritizing efficiency and performance within the air-cooled category.

Microbt’s Air-Cooled Lineup

Microbt provides a more extensive selection of air-cooled mining rigs through its Whatsminer platform. Highlights include:

• Whatsminer M50

  • Price: $946

  • Hash Rate: 110-114 TH/s

  • Efficiency: 29 J/T

• Whatsminer M50S+

  • Price: $1,711.20

  • Hash Rate: 138 TH/s

  • Efficiency: 24 J/T

• Whatsminer M60S++

  • Price: $5,478

  • Hash Rate: 220 TH/s

  • Efficiency: 24.9 J/T

Microbt also offers other models, such as the M60 and M60S+, with hash rates of 154 TH/s and 188 TH/s, respectively, and efficiency ratings as low as 17 J/T. Limited-time discounts are available for the M50S and M50S++ models, priced at $1,267 and $1,624, respectively.

Hydro and Immersion-Cooled Miners

For advanced users, both Bitmain and Microbt provide hydro and immersion-cooled miners. These models are significantly more expensive but deliver unparalleled performance:

• Bitmain’s S21 XP Immersion-Cooled Antminer

  • Price: $7,368

  • Hash Rate: 300 TH/s

  • Efficiency: 13.5 J/T

• Microbt’s Whatsminer M63

  • Price: $7,368

  • Hash Rate: 366 TH/s

  • Efficiency: 19 J/T

These options are geared toward professional operations with the resources to manage the complexity and costs of hydro and immersion cooling setups.

Practical Considerations for Bitcoin Mining

Even with air-cooled machines, bitcoin mining involves more than just acquiring hardware. Prospective miners must factor in:

• Electricity Costs: High energy consumption can quickly erode profitability without a cost-effective power source.

• Heat Management: Proper ventilation and cooling systems are essential to maintain optimal performance and longevity.

• Setup Requirements: Familiarity with configuring and maintaining mining rigs is crucial for sustained success.

By understanding these considerations, hobbyists can make informed decisions and participate effectively in the bitcoin network. Whether you’re a seasoned miner or a newcomer, the offerings from Bitmain and Microbt in 2025 provide a range of options to suit varying budgets and ambitions.