Bitmain Antminer R4 vs Antminer S21 Hydro
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Bitmain Antminer R4 | Specification | Antminer S21 Hydro |
|---|---|---|
| 8.7 TH/s | Taux de hachage | 335.0 TH/s |
| 845 W | Consommation électrique | 5,360 W |
| 97.1 J/TH | Efficiency | 16.0 J/TH |
| — | Niveau de bruit | 50 dB |
| 2,500.0 kg | Weight | 15.8 kg |
| 2,883 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 18,288 BTU/hr |
| 28/100 | Home Mining Score | 44/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| SHA-256 | Algorithme | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | Bitmain |
Profitability Comparison
Bitmain Antminer R4
Antminer S21 Hydro
Based on BTC price of $78,128 and current network difficulty as of May 17, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Selon notre analyse multifactorielle, le Antminer S21 Hydro l'emporte sur 4 des 5 facteurs (efficacité, hashrate, score de minage domestique, niveau sonore). Its biggest concrete edge: 3751% more hashrate (8.7 vs 335.0 TH/s). The Bitmain Antminer R4 claws back ground on consommation électrique. Cross-check the spec deltas and ROI table above against your own electricity rate before deciding.
Spec Deltas
Here is every spec where the Bitmain Antminer R4 and Antminer S21 Hydro actually differ, with the gap quantified:
- Antminer S21 Hydro 3751% more hashrate (8.7 vs 335.0 TH/s)
- Bitmain Antminer R4 84% better power draw (845 vs 5,360 W)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 84% better efficacité (97.1 vs 16.0 J/TH)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 99% better weight (2,500.0 vs 15.8 kg)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 534% more heat output (2,883 vs 18,288 BTU/hr)
- Antminer S21 Hydro 57% more score de minage domestique (28.0 vs 44.0)
Cost & ROI Over Time
Hardware cost is only half the story — here is how each miner's upfront price plays out against cumulative profit at a $0.10/kWh rate.
| Bitmain Antminer R4 | Metric | Antminer S21 Hydro |
|---|---|---|
| — | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $9,500 |
| -$1.72 | Daily net profit | -$0.82 |
| -$626 | Net after 1 year | -$9,799 |
| -$1,252 | Net after 2 years | -$10,098 |
| -$1,878 | Net after 3 years | -$10,398 |
| — | Payback period | Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) |
Projections assume continuous operation, a flat $0.10/kWh rate, and no hardware degradation, pool fees, or BTC price change. Real-world ROI varies.
Best For...
Best for Profitability
TieBoth miners produce similar daily profit.
Best for Home Mining
Antminer S21 HydroScore: 44/100. 50 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Antminer S21 Hydro16.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which makes more money, the Bitmain Antminer R4 or the Antminer S21 Hydro?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Antminer S21 Hydro is more profitable at $-0.82/day compared to $-1.72/day for the Bitmain Antminer R4. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Which is quieter, the Bitmain Antminer R4 or Antminer S21 Hydro?
The Antminer S21 Hydro is quieter at 50 dB compared to the Bitmain Antminer R4 at 0 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
For mining at home, should I pick the Bitmain Antminer R4 or the Antminer S21 Hydro?
The Antminer S21 Hydro scores 44/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 28/100 for the Bitmain Antminer R4). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
How far apart are the Bitmain Antminer R4 and Antminer S21 Hydro on J/TH?
The Bitmain Antminer R4 runs at 97.1 J/TH while the Antminer S21 Hydro runs at 16.0 J/TH — a difference of 81.1 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 84% better efficacité (97.1 vs 16.0 J/TH).