Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th)
Side-by-side specs, profitability, and home mining comparison.
Specifications Comparison
| Antminer KS3 | Specification | Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.4 TH/s | Hashrate | 500.0 TH/s |
| 3,500 W | Power Consumption | 5,500 W |
| 372.3 J/TH | Efficiency | 11.0 J/TH |
| 75 dB | Noise Level | 50 dB |
| 16.1 kg | Weight | 13.8 kg |
| 11,942 BTU/hr | BTU Output | 18,766 BTU/hr |
| 36/100 | Home Mining Score | 44/100 |
| — | Release Year | — |
| KHeavyHash | Algorithm | SHA-256 |
| Bitmain | Manufacturer | Bitmain |
Profitability Comparison
Antminer KS3
Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th)
Based on BTC price of $78,171 and current network difficulty as of May 17, 2026. Actual results vary.
Verdict
Based on our multi-factor analysis, the Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) wins on 5 of 6 factors (efficiency, hashrate, home mining score, noise level, price-performance). Its biggest concrete edge: 5219% more hashrate (9.4 vs 500.0 TH/s). The Antminer KS3 claws back ground on power consumption. The right pick still depends on your power cost and noise tolerance — the breakdowns above make that call concrete.
Spec Deltas
Stripped to the numbers, this is how far apart the Antminer KS3 and Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) sit on each measurable spec:
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) 5219% more hashrate (9.4 vs 500.0 TH/s)
- Antminer KS3 36% better power draw (3,500 vs 5,500 W)
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) 97% better efficiency (372.3 vs 11.0 J/TH)
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) 33% better noise (75.0 vs 50.0 dB)
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) 14% better weight (16.1 vs 13.8 kg)
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) 57% more heat output (11,942 vs 18,766 BTU/hr)
- Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) 22% more home mining score (36.0 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.
| Antminer KS3 | Metric | Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) |
|---|---|---|
| $8,000 | Upfront cost (MSRP) | $9,125 |
| -$8.06 | Daily net profit | $4.79 |
| -$10,943 | Net after 1 year | -$7,377 |
| -$13,885 | Net after 2 years | -$5,630 |
| -$16,828 | Net after 3 years | -$3,883 |
| Does not pay back at current rates (negative daily profit) | Payback period | Takes ~5.2 years to pay back at current rates |
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
Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th)$12.85/day higher profit at current rates.
Best for Home Mining
Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th)Score: 44/100. 50 dB noise level.
Best for Efficiency
Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th)11.0 J/TH — lower electricity cost per terahash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Antminer KS3 or Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) more profitable?
At the current BTC price and a $0.10/kWh electricity rate, the Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) is more profitable at $4.79/day compared to $-8.06/day for the Antminer KS3. Profitability depends heavily on your electricity rate — use the selector above to calculate with your actual costs.
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th): which runs at a lower noise level?
The Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) is quieter at 50 dB compared to the Antminer KS3 at 75 dB. For home mining, lower noise levels make a significant difference in livability.
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th): which fits a residential setup better?
The Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) scores 44/100 on our Home Mining Score (vs 36/100 for the Antminer KS3). This composite score factors in noise, power requirements, heat output, size, and setup ease — all critical for residential mining.
Antminer KS3 vs Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th): how much does the efficiency gap matter?
The Antminer KS3 runs at 372.3 J/TH while the Bitmain Antminer S21 XP+ Hyd (500Th) runs at 11.0 J/TH — a difference of 361.3 J/TH. Lower efficiency means less electricity per terahash of mining power, directly reducing operating costs. In relative terms that is 97% better efficiency (372.3 vs 11.0 J/TH).